I don't think I'd argue with any of this--and thanks for correcting me on the lengths; just *love* being corrected--and I suspect CH could use a trim. It's been a long time since I read it, but I remember being kind of entranced during the second part, with the sex. (The story itself starts strong and suspenseful and then, with Scully's meltdown, kind of enters onto a plateau.) That part of it didn't strike me as oversweet. It was more as if the two of them had entered into a magical union, were inhabiting a timeless place where their souls could at last communicate. Doesn't sound like me, does it? But Penumbra's way with words is capable of casting a spell.

And I'm CRAZY about Sore Luck. I think what I was trying to say is: how wonderful that we have two such terrific writers writing about the same thing and they're so distinctive. It's proof that Chris Carter, damn him, had something unique going there for a while. And further proof is that a lot of television to this day imitates The X-Files and tips him a homage.