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

[wendelah1]

Yes. I think the contrast at the beginning with the woman who is in a hurry to call her granddaughter, oblivious to the sacrifice that's been made to save them both is particularly poignant. During the series, there are so many scenes between Mulder and Scully that take place on the phone, too, as well as scenes where a missed phone call is pivotal. Occasionally phone calls bring us news from faraway, both good and bad, but just as often they're an annoyance.

The phone call at the end could be anyone but since no one knows where Mulder is in hiding, it's most likely a salesperson or someone taking a survey: another example of how life goes on around us in the midst of our personal tragedies.