Story 238: "Telephones" by cucumberspy

[wendelah1]

This is probably one of those stories that got recced everywhere back in the day. It's so good I wish I'd written it. Cucumberspy has a lovely, spare style, plus an ear for dialogue and an eye for detail. Season nine, AU, thank God.

There are warnings on the author's header. Heed them.

Summary: She thinks there's nothing anyone can take from her now.

Read Telephones.

SPOILERS IN THE COMMENT THREADS.

Comments

[infinitlight.livejournal.com]

I didn't understand the reference to Doggett's face in the war room, so that makes it clearer. (And now that I think about it, of course. He also lost a child.)

The plans to kill herself were very obvious to me. Especially "It wouldn't be so far down" when she's looking down at the ducks in the icy pond. And for me it infuses the whole story: she has to fulfill this last responsibility, telling Mulder, but the utmost importance in her mind is reserved for the place she has to be.

"I'm coming" is an interesting line--there's several mentions of coming and going. Mulder's note to her says "Please come", at the end she says "I have to go".

[wendelah1]

The suicide plan seem clear now that I look back. "I'm coming" has to be spoken to William. You're right, the entire story is about this one last task she has to do here, tell Mulder that their son is dead, then she can go to him.

[tri-sbr.livejournal.com]

yes...I hadn't thought of the Doggett-Luke connection; good catch.