Story 160: "Sense Memory" by Tesla

[wendelah1]

This is one of my favorite Tesla stories. Yeah, like Kel, she should probably have her own tag here. tesla321 claims it doesn't have a plot but I beg to differ. Why, heck. It even has an X-File. No spoilers, set during an unspecified early season. Rated "R." It's funny. It's short. It's sexy. It's even, dare I say it, rather romantic.

"Sense Memory"

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EXTRA BONUS FIC: In 2010, Tesla wrote a short season one Profiler! Mulder story for me for my Help Haiti donation. Unless you are on her flist, I am positive you haven't read it because she posted it in bits and pieces in her journal, where you can read it if you want to hunt it down. I recently archived it at Fugues. Gen, with hints of UST.

"Dirty Girls".

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Extra bonus: "Sense Memory" icons by amyhit here.

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Comments

Re: Wonderful review!

[amyhit.livejournal.com]

I choose to believe that Mulder has for once in his life decided not to risk losing what he already has by looking too hard at how it came to be.

But essentially he's either sacrificing an x-file for the sake of their relationship, or he's so satisfied with his relationship that the case just doesn't hold the interest for him that it otherwise would have. Those are two of the main changes of form that I (and many other people, I think) worry about happening when a ship moves from UST to RST. It would seem to set a bad precedent, that as soon as they've had sex the first thing Mulder does is says, "Oh, that x-file we were working on? Who cares!"

If RST is going to lessen their devotion to the work then I'll pass.

I suppose he may have just been saying he didn't care about the case right at that moment, while they were still in their post-coital opiates stage. Maybe after they get done in the show they go out to the kitchen and discuss the case over toast and coffee. *shrugs*

Re: Wonderful review!

[wendelah1]

Wait. What case? The X-File was why they couldn't remember having pool table sex, apparently off duty. Why they couldn't remember feeling happy. That's not "the work." That's their life and I don't think even Mulder and Scully are obliged to be on duty 24-7. I don't think they are putting the world in any jeopardy over it either. I also think people, even characters, are allowed, even expected to be changed by something as profound as gaining one's heart's desire.

Anyway, since this was written and posted in 2004, way past the UST and the RST, I think we can put aside any concerns over the ship ruining the show. The show was over.

Re: Wonderful review!

[amyhit.livejournal.com]

What case? The X-File was why they couldn't remember having pool table sex, apparently off duty. Why they couldn't remember feeling happy. That's not "the work."

It's an unexplained and seemingly paranormal occurrence, though, and the idea that they wouldn't want to get to the bottom of it seems bizarre to me. It's not that they're obliged to the FBI to solve these mysterious happenings, but it seems neglectful of themselves for them not to look any further. This is something that happened to them, and their work is so much a part of who they are, who they've become.

since this was written and posted in 2004, way past the UST and the RST, I think we can put aside any concerns over the ship ruining the show.

What I mean is, there are fics that are good examples of, "this is how RST can work well," and then there are fics that are examples of, "this is how RST can really mess things up for the show." This fic was almost an example of the former, but the last couple of lines felt more like the latter to me.

Re: Wonderful review!

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

So I guess my "meta" theory doesn't smooth things out for you.

In my opinion we should just provide satin sheets and some lovely body lotion, fluff everything fluffable (not a porn reference), and put them to bed.

The show got messed up, but Mulder and Scully didn't do it.

Re: Wonderful review!

[wendelah1]

Your meta theory works fine for me!

Re: Wonderful review!

[amyhit.livejournal.com]

So I guess my "meta" theory doesn't smooth things out for you.

It makes sense, and I think I understand what you're saying, but no, it doesn't smooth things out for me. I do often like fanfic that gives me the MSR the show didn't, but this kind of MSR is not for me. Or, rather, most of Sense memory does it the way I like, but the post coital isn't exactly to my taste.

I think what it comes down to is that I long for their happiness, but not for their contentment.