Story 202: "Laws of Motion" by Syntax6

[wendelah1]

Hi! I had spotty internet access the later part of March so amyhit kindly filled in for my last turn. I'm bypassing the queue this time around to suggest a story I've been meaning to reread for at least six months. "Laws of Motion" is a sequel to "Universal Invariants," which we discussed back in November, 2010. If you haven't read her first story, you won't get as much out of the sequel. (But you totally should read UI! It's my favorite of syntax6's stories!)

However, if you don't want to read "Universal Invariants" before tackling "Laws of Motion," here's a brief summary: "Universal Invariants" is an au in which Scully is living with her boyfriend Ethan (who was deleted from the pilot) when she is assigned to the X-Files. The novel spans all of season one and the beginning of season two through "One Breath," and has scenes from many of the episodes artfully woven through it. There is also an original casefile, which is the B plot, with the A plot being their developing partnership, and the effect it has on her personal life, especially her relationship with Ethan. HUGE SPOILER here: Scully gets engaged to Ethan after the X-Files are closed down, then has sex (amazing sex!) with Mulder while they are in Arecibo, Puerto Rico during "Little Green Men." Major awkwardness ensues, Mulder and Scully never discuss it, and she is too ashamed to tell Ethan. Then Scully is kidnapped by Duane Barry. Months later, when she is returned, not only is she missing time from the abduction, she can't remember earlier events, including what happened at Arecibo. Mulder can't bring himself to tell her. She never regains the lost memories, but breaks up with Ethan anyway. The End.

So. "Laws of Motion" picks up at the beginning of season five, just after "Redux 2." Scully is cured of cancer and Mulder has just brought her home from the hospital, when there is a phone call from her ex-boyfriend, Ethan. He's in jail, accused of murdering a colleague, and wants their help. Like "Universal Invariants," "Laws of Motion" is structured around a casefile, the murder Ethan has been accused of committing, but the story's focus is squarely on the secret (from the previous story) Mulder has been keeping from Scully and the consequences of that deception. It's a fun read and I remember loving it almost as much as "Universal Invariants."

"Universal Invariants"

"Laws of Motion"

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Comments

[(Anonymous)]

God these were such brilliant reads! I think it's probably the most frustratingly realistic description of "first" sex between Mulder and Scully, too; no one ever portrays their first kiss or sex as anything other than heavenly and it's the type of thing that is so unbearably awkward. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had a first kiss with a best friend that felt so strange and unfortunate while seeming so necessary. The characters are sooo spot on, and the first collection did a great job of exploring the strain of outside relationships that the show never dared to--a really incredible dynamic, I think. Not to mention the maintaining of FOUR DIFFERENT PLOTLINES--mytharc (and NEW mytharc elements), monsters of the week, arching investigation, and ROMANCE. Ugh, just, like...making a trophy out of my elation.

[amyhit.livejournal.com]

I think it's probably the most frustratingly realistic description of "first" sex between Mulder and Scully, too; no one ever portrays their first kiss or sex as anything other than heavenly and it's the type of thing that is so unbearably awkward.

Do you mean their first time in Universal Invariants, or their “second first time” in LOM? Because I thought their real first time was pretty astounding, actually. Maybe not “heavenly,” as that implies a kind of gentleness they didn’t have, but it was mind-meltingly great sex nonetheless. To me it seems...honestly, it seems pretty ideal in its own kind of messed up way.

Not to mention the maintaining of FOUR DIFFERENT PLOTLINES--mytharc (and NEW mytharc elements), monsters of the week, arching investigation, and ROMANCE. Ugh, just, like...making a trophy out of my elation.

YES. This is the aspect of Syn’s writing that I can never get over. It has everything, and it all fits together so well. There is literally no level on which her writing is not excellent. Her fics start with excellent characterization and outstanding use of canonical plot elements (better use of them than the show, for the most part), and they just build from there. I always believe in her plots and in the actions of her characters, and everything that happens feels earned. There’s never just some big, nasty plot element thrown it haphazardly to thrill the reader. Syn’s fics make big statements, but not without making sure they feel like inherent, necessary parts of the story.

I shall also make a trophy of my elation. Perhaps we can make her a shelf out of adulation to put her elation-trophies on?

Also wanted to let you know that I read all the stories here every week and I enjoy this website very much.

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy our recs and discussions.