Rerun: "Fugue" (the series) by rivkat

[wendelah1]

This week, we're doing a rerun, while I'm waiting on a friend to finish editing her podfic of "Ingenue" or for so-kiss-me-goodbye to complete "The Lambs," whichever comes first.

Back in the day, I had a theory that "Fugue" was written as a response to complaints that the show is a deeply sexist text, with Mulder being the one who drives the plot, and Scully as his sidekick. That's not how I see the series, and it is just a theory. But there does seem to be a subtext to this fable, one that hinges on female identity and how easily women still can submerge themselves in deference to their mates' ambition and passions.

We discussed this for the first time back in 2008. Eight years seems long enough to justify a rerun of one of my personal favs. Reading this deeply affected me; in fact, the first fic I wrote was in response to "Fugue," rather than the series, and that was long before I'd heard of Remix. It remains one of my favorite stories, in this or any fandom.

Fugue (26052 words) by rivkat
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Dana Scully/Fox Mulder
Characters: Dana Scully, Fox Mulder
Additional Tags: Amnesia, Juvenilia
Series: Part 1 of Fugue
Summary:

The DSM-IV defines fugue as travel in foreign places, often under an assumed identity.

Since our first discussion, "Fugue" has become a series, providing two more reasons to revisit the fic.

Devoutly to be wished (496 words) by rivkat
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dana Scully, Fox Mulder, C.G.B. Spender
Additional Tags: Eight crazy nights
Series: Part 2 of Fugue
Summary:

The prompt: The ending of Fugue: The image of Scully shivering on that cold floor, in shock after the visit from the Smoking Man? It haunts me. Please get her up off that floor and, if possible, into a happier ending.

Variations on a Fugue (1224 words) by rivkat
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dana Scully, Fox Mulder
Additional Tags: Amnesia, Remix
Series: Part 3 of Fugue
Summary:

Alternate vision of Fugue, for hulamoth. Fox was the one who couldn't remember, and Dana got her memories back.

After you read the series, consider leaving feedback and/or kudos for the author. Please come back and let us know what you think. As always, the nomination post is open for your suggestions.

Comments

[wendelah1]

Why "Beyond the Sea"? Well. Okay. I've long felt that season one or even early in season two, say before her abduction but after "Little Green Men," was their best chance for a romantic relationship. She was emotionally more open in season one. She actually went on a date in season one. I don't think it's a stretch to imagine her having a little crush on Mulder in season one. This goes a long way in explaining why Syntax6's "Universal Invariants" is such a favorite of mine. And why her sex scene set during LGM in Arecibo is my favorite sex scene in all of XFiles fanfic. Her excellent writing and outstanding characterizations and deft plotting also help. :)

Why "Beyond the Sea"? Well, Scully is more emotionally open to Mulder, first because of her father's death and then because Mulder gets shot during the case. There is even more than the usual amount of touchy-feely happening in BtS. He easily could have died, especially since Scully M.D. seemed to have forgotten basic first aid. Even though we never see it, Mulder would logically need a prolonged recovery from that gunshot wound. He'd be recovering at home, he'd be bored out of his mind, she'd naturally visit him. I can go on and on, but I can see it working in fanfic.

[hooves.livejournal.com]

I didn't ask for the explanation but I was hoping you'd give one, anyway, because I was also curious to know the answer. Hah!

I was pretty dubious of the idea at first but you explain it really well. I see what you mean, where the earlier episodes were their best chance to have something romantic happen (and, dare I say, work out well?). I'm not sure I've seen that fanfic, yet. Gosh, I have so much reading to do! But at least it's not for a class. Whew.

[wendelah1]

I've enjoyed everything by Syntax6 but "Universal Invariants" is my favorite. It's one of those fics that I can read again and again with pleasure. It has a sequel, too. "Laws of Motion." We've discussed both of them.

Fanfiction by Syntax6.

[bmerb.livejournal.com]

Ok Wendy, I think you may have sold me on that timeline then. I didn't necessarily SEE much sexual tension around then, but there was the comment in the Jersy Devil episode where Scully's friend mentions that she (Dana) said Mulder was cute, and there was Mulder acting possessive in the first episode with Tooms (professionally possessive? Is that even a thing? Territorial, whatever). All that bored recuperation time...

Still I think what Syntax6 did with Universal Invariants, placing during LGM, that was perfect. We have some very clear evidence within canon of connection and affection and draw. That clandestine meeting at the bench where Scully declares that if Mulder quit the FBI she would consider it more than a professional loss (plus extra touching and hair ruffling. Don't know about you but I've never ruffled my coworkers hair), the constant reaching out to one another to consult over things (was it me or did they seem particularly flirty in the flukeman episode?), and the obvious actual flirting that came after Mulder was paired with Krychek, particularly during that one phone conversation). And of course, not being partnered would be something of a green light to have a personal relationship...

Ha, apparently Syntax6 sold it to me reeeally well 😅 And yes, that sex scene in UI, omg... Wish I liked the follow up fic as well!