Story 237: "Sixty Degrees of Separation" by denynothing1

[wendelah1]

Finally. She posts.

Hey now. I've been busy. With what? Yuletide, xf_santa, reccing for The X-Files at crack_van (and updating the fandom overview). And now, I have a new community with tree to celebrate Dana Scully's 50th birthday: scully_fest. Go check it out.

So. I've been looking everywhere for this story. As it turned out, the author wrote under a different name back in the day, changed it at Gossamer, then changed it again--as one does--on LiveJournal. Fortunately, she archived it at AO3, where I ran into it accidentally looking for something else entirely.

Ahem. I am supposed to be telling you why you should read this. Well, it's a funny, character-driven fic set between "Triangle" and "Dreamland". Mulder and Scully deal with the fallout from his bedside confession of love. He's caught between two realities and two women: the woman from his fantasy world in 1939 and his partner, Dana Scully. Her character voices are perfect--wherever Mulder's imagination takes him.

Read Sixty Degrees of Separation. You can easily leave feedback for the author at AO3.

If you're interested, this Chronicle X Author's interview can also be found at Fialka's Candybox.

Comments

[tri-sbr.livejournal.com]

I had read this before, but this time was even better. This was excellent! funny and fun and also touching. And yes, good voices for both characters. I just went and found as much of her other stuff as I could because somehow I didn't have any of it...reading now.

[(Anonymous)]

Ooh. I loved this. First, thank you to introducing me to this author. I am not new to XF but I am new to fanfic and I'm always looking for more great authors and stories.

I feel like Mulder having to experience these dream sequences in order to come to his realization about Scully is a very Mulder-esque thing. Both character voices are excellent and the dream world was such a fantastic follow up to the world we were introduced to in "Triangle". Mulder's dream-world Scully was spot-on.

I think my favorite bit was Mulder's recount of the previous night's phone conversation with Scully where we only see one side of the conversation. I love it when writers give us just enough content and then trust us to fill in the blanks.

I loved the author's interview, too. Can't wait to read the rest of her work!

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

Who wrote this? I mean, what is the other name? Or aren't we allowed to know. Because I remember liking it and liking the writer back in the distant past. God, this fandom has taken up an enormous part of my adulthood.

It is clever and very Scullyesque (you must have loved it, W) and I'm a sucker for dream sequences. I liked the WWII bits, as a think Skinner is deserving of love. It did bother me slightly how very apologetic Mulder was in his Scully-love and how touchy Scully was, but I think relationship talk must be the hardest thing in the world to do. And quite frankly I don't think Mulder's "I love you" in bed was worth taking so seriously, as 1) he was drugged; 2) of course he loves Scully, and she knows it, but love can also be translated as "you're my best buddy; you've got my back; you always come through for me," etc. But fans got all excited and why not? Carter was such a sadistic tease. So I'm sure this filled a need and did it quite well. And it remains perky, inventive, and fun.

[badforthefish.livejournal.com]

I haven't had the time to read this one yet, but I am going to try and make some time for it. This is the same author who wrote the very cute Stakeout Through the Heart I loved the silly banter and easy flippancy of this piece which gradually turns into something more serious about where they stand in their relationship.

So yeah I am really looking forward to read this one.

[infinitlight.livejournal.com]

Triangle is not a favourite episode of mine, but this story used it very well. I liked the extension of the episode and more 1939 Scully! I would watch a show just about her.

[hooves.livejournal.com]

I wish I had more to say about this piece, but it was fun and amusing. I loved the Get Smart reference (I feel severe delight when anyone references that series), and the lighthearted tone that was just barely shadowed with the expected angst.

I didn't think his "I love you" was such a big deal except for the fact that he said it. For once. Love can mean a lot of things but I do think it's meaningful that Mulder took the time to try to put words to the feeling, regardless of the drugs or what kind of love he felt at the time for Scully. ;)

I also personally find the episode Triangle to be pretty interesting; it's one of those episodes where you're like, "Well, how should we proceed with this? A figment of his imagination? Reality?" It doesn't quite line up with what is presented in "The Field Where I Died" but Mulder's memory is so good I find it hard to imagine he'd even hallucinate something incorrect.

Anyway, this was a fun take on things. Made me smile at work: a feat, let me tell you.