I noticed a long time ago that readers seem able to take a more inclusive or lenient view of canon and character than fic writers. In fact, many writers have a "personal canon" which includes what happened on the show--generally--as well as their own noble efforts to make sense of it all. And they hew to it with all their hearts and souls.

I respect this attitude, but I don't share it. Although I take aesthetic and ethical umbrage (what a line) to what some writers do to the characters, I don't feel protective towards them. (Though if someone had arranged a hit on Chris Carter back in the day and had asked for donations...)

Um, just joking. Respect the Net.