Author's Note: I got this idea while listening to a song by Finger Eleven. It's not a song fic, it's just where I got the idea. Hope you like it. Feedback is always welcome! Let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me (except the original ones, like Riley). Don't sue, I don't own any of it.

Spoilers: None.

Chapter 1

He glanced down at the postmark in the corner - it was almost two months old. The return address was smudged from the many different pairs of hands he was sure had handled the envelope, but he could still make out the name: Margaret Scully. The corner of his mouth twitched up in the ghost of a smile. It may take two months for her letter to get here, but Maggie always wrote him. Like mother, like daughter he supposed.

He turned over the envelope and slowly broke open the seal, idly wondering what fun little anecdote she had written about this time. Most of her letters started out with a short story, meant to make him smile or relay a lesson, and always dealing with the same thing - Scully. He doubted her daughter had any idea she was telling him any of this; he wondered what her reaction would be.

He unfolded the letter and was greeted by the sight of Maggie's familiar handwriting. He glanced around the tent - everyone seemed to be taking a break, so he figured he could do the same.

Dear Fox,

When she was five, Dana begged me to let her take horseback riding lessons. At first, I told her no because I was afraid of what a thousand pound animal could do to a little girl. Between her begging and her father's insistence (she always did have him wrapped around her finger), I finally agreed. It wasn't always easy, what with us moving and all, but Dana took lessons all the way until she was eleven. I really believed that she would grow up to do something with horses. Then she turned twelve and suddenly wanted to become a doctor. But that's beside the point. When she was ten, Dana fell in love with her lesson horse, Cole. He was a beautiful black horse, kind of reminded me of black beauty. Anyway, she begged and pleaded with us to buy this horse for her. Her father and I kept dragging our feet about it. We didn't know what would happen the next time Bill got re-stationed, etc. After much debate, we decided we'd buy him for her birthday, as a surprise. The day before her eleventh birthday, Dana and Cole went out for a trail ride; to this day I'm not sure of all the details. All Dana would say is that something spooked him - she wasn't prepared and lost control. Somehow he managed to break his leg; he had to be put down on the spot. It broke Dana's heart. She swore that if she hadn't lost control he would be fine; I think that's when she started to associate loss of control with pain. I also think that was part of the reason she wanted to become a doctor.

I'll never forget how happy she was when she was with that horse. I know it may be hard for you to imagine, but Dana wasn't always so guarded. Maybe you already know that - I've seen her around you. When she's with you, I see that happy little girl again. I'll never be able to tell you how glad I am that you can do that for her. I'm just sorry that you're separated by so many miles.

Keep your head up, Fox. I know that the Lord will provide for you and keep you safe, no matter where you go. Write if you get the chance.

Godspeed,

Maggie

He could hear conversations picking up behind him as he finished reading the letter, signaling the end of his downtime. He tried to picture a ten year old Dana in his mind, sitting atop a black horse. He tried to bring it into focus, but someone slapped a hand on his shoulder and it was gone.

"Hey Mulder. That a letter from your girl?"

"How many times do I have to tell you, Riley, she's not my girl."

"Then who's the letter from?"

"Her mom," Mulder replied matter -of-factly

"So Dana's not your girl, but both her and her mom write you letters regularly?"

The other man just stared at him for a minute, then shrugged when Mulder didn't argue.

"Whatever you say, man. Anyway, break's over."

He sighed and watched Riley walk away. James Riley was the first guy he'd met when he got here, and somehow they'd become friends. In the six months he'd already been in the desert, he and Riley had learned a lot about each other. He was the only person Mulder would talk about Scully to, besides her mother.

Resignedly, he picked up his M-16 and made his way over to the group of guys at the other end of the tent, who were receiving their taskings for the rest of the day. He got there just in time to hear his name called.

"Mulder."

"Over here," he answered

"You and Riley are on fence patrol. Keep your eyes open for insurgents, and watch where you step. You'll be relieved at 0200 by the next shift."

Mulder nodded and glanced down at his watch. It was only six p.m. Eight hours to go. He pushed the thoughts about time from his head and followed Riley out of the tent into the sweltering heat.

"I hate the desert," Riley informed him as they made their way to the barbed wire fence, "It's always hot and dusty."

Mulder let out a low, dry chuckle and pushed his Kevlar helmet up a little farther on his head.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Mulder retorted

Riley laughed.

"Seriously though. Do you remember where you were when you found out?"

"Like it was yesterday."