I've read quite a few fics in that time period, and I must say this is my favorite. It treats Mulder's anguish well without marginalizing Scully. Doggett manages to be the Doggett we've seen on the show but with depth, not just the character who needs to be the voice of reason to Mulder and Scully. I particularly liked how Doggett's departure was written in the end. The focus was clearly on M&S, but you could definitely feel Doggett's presence.

Which brings me on to the actual writing, which I really liked. The present tense, the steady, unrelenting paragraphs about Mulder's thoughts worked. It fit with the mood of the episodes and added more to the show, which is especially hard to do with Season 8.

Season 8 sucked. It wasn't just the ludicrous writing (super soldiers don't hold a candle to the bad ass coolness of the consortium), but just sloppy research. In particular I hated how they made light of Scully's pregnancy. First, her gestation was like an elephant's. Second, how the hell do you stand up to do an autopsy at 39 weeks pregnant after having an abruption. Wouldn't you be ordered to have mandatory bedrest? The only reason I watch parts of Season 8 is because the tender moments between Mulder and Scully were wonderful. It made schmoopy shipper heart happy.