Story 221: "In a Dark Time" by eliade

[wendelah1]

"In a Dark Time" by eliade is one of the first Mulder/Krycek stories I read, and it's still one of my all-time favorite XF fics, in any genre. It fulfills every requirement of mine for good M/K: it's set during season two, prior to Scully's abduction, it's by turns violent, twisted and passionate—and so is the sex. If you haven't watched "Sleepless," "Duane Barry" and "Ascension" recently, this story will let you see the episodes in an entirely different light. I have reread this compelling story many times, because it is just that good.

The link is to her X-Files fic page, way-backed; the story links are on the right. You can also find this at the Basement but I believe this is a more recent version, plus it includes a unfinished sequel.

The X-Files fanfic of Anna S

You can try sending feedback to the author via her LiveJournal address. Please let us know what you think of the story. The nomination post is always open for your suggestions.

Comments

[wendelah1]

You have never read slash? I had already read slash in Stargate SG-1, and even some terribly written Kirk/Spock my husband found on the internet, so I'm not sure what to tell you. I mean, I'm really a gen person, especially now, but I still love this story. I don't ship M/K at all. If anything I'm a really hard sell on the pairing because I don't like Krycek as a character and don't believe Mulder would ever have sex with him, let alone fall in love with him after what happened to Scully, and Melissa, and his father. But eliade still convinces me that this could have happened during "Sleepless," for which I give her mad props. However, I like doomed ships, and M/K is a train-wreck in the making, which is probably why I love this story even though I don't care for the pairing. And one reason why Andrea dislikes it so much, since she ships them.

There isn't anything to be afraid of. This is "Sleepless" with the addition of a developing relationship between Mulder and Krycek, which (obviously) is aborted by Mulder's discovery of Krycek's betrayal. You get both character's POV, and even some Scully. There is plenty of very hot, and at times, very kinky sex.

There is profanity. The guys talk like (some) guys in real life, not like guys do on tv. Andrea described the story's language as crude, I defended it as realistic.

There is a lot of sex in this story but there is also a very detailed recounting of the casefile of "Sleepless." We spend a lot of time being in the heads of the characters, listening to them think: about the case, and about each other. The psychological insight is excellent. I felt like I understood all of the characters better by the end.

If you aren't enjoying the story, just stop reading it, unless you are under 18, in which case, don't be reading it at all. (;

[mogster495.livejournal.com]

Im a strange fan fic reader sometimes. It took me years to actually get the courage to read fanfic, and still some types makes me feel too embarassed for the characters.

I've started this story several times and I wish I could get through it, if only to say something about it.

[wendelah1]

Why don't you try section 1? There is no sex at all in it, just mutual, unexpressed lust. It will give you the flavor of the writing and of eliade's characterizations, so you can comment if you want. If you want, you can keep going, if not, I'm going to post a new story tomorrow.

This is supposed to be fun. No pressure. OK?