This series takes place post-Closure, but branches off into its own universe sometime after that; so Requiem isn't going to happen and "Moonlight" will provide an alternate series ending.
"…Yitgadal v'yitkadash shemi rabbah, Ever evolving and increasing in holiness are the many names of God within this intentionally created world. May awareness of this governing principle be in effect for the days of each life and the lives of all our people in a time that is quickly approaching. Let us affirm this faithful God…" The rabbi droned on in an endless monotone, and Dana Scully raised her eyes to scan the semi-circle of strange, glazed expressions of the mourners. All of them were elderly, and several patted their moist cheeks with embroidered handkerchiefs. She glanced up and to the left, keeping her head bowed, so she could inconspicuously observe Mulder. He stared straight ahead, his expression fixed and stony. Scully took his hand and squeezed gently, and his eyes met hers with an attempted half-smile. "May the one who makes cosmic harmony make this for us, our people and all residents of this planet. Let us affirm this faithful God." A hushed chorus of "Amens" echoed across the circle, and then everyone automatically formed a line beside the open grave. Mulder remained unmoving in his trance-like state as the mourners turned to wait for him to begin. Suddenly remembering his role in the service, he startled to attention and still grasping Scully's hand, led her to the front of the line. He had not been to many Jewish funerals; and though he was half Jewish himself, he knew little of their customs, since he'd been raised in an agnostic household. Yet this was what she had wanted. She wrote it in her will: a religious funeral after her childhood faith. He bent and scooped a handful of fresh earth into his palm and sprinkled it onto the coffin below. "Bye Mom…" he whispered.
Mulder and Scully remained under the burial canopy until the last of Teena's cronies and bridge companions paid their respects and offered a handshake or hug. Several commented on how lucky Fox was to have such a beautiful, adoring wife at his side, and after the fourth compliment, the partners gave up trying to explain their situation and simply smiled and nodded. When it was at last just the two of them with the groundskeepers, Mulder breathed out a small sigh.
"We had this ritual when I was really young. When we were living in Chilmark, before she changed and before we were distant- before Samantha…Whenever there was a thunderstorm late at night, she would come into my room and wake me. She'd make me a mug of her famous cocoa that tasted like melted Hershey's, and we'd sit together in the old, creaky rocking chair on the screened porch. I remember resting my head on her chest and listening to the beating of her heart… I remember feeling the spray of the sweet summer rain and being bathed in the flashes of light between cracks of thunder and counting the seconds…I remember when life was simple and safe…. After Samantha disappeared, Mom was never the same…she would have these fits of depression and lock herself in her bedroom, so I traveled with my father a great deal… I've barely spoken to her in years. I hardly ever called or visited; I knew next to nothing about her daily life… I mean, Jesus, you were the only person I recognized at her funeral."
"Mulder, she was your mother. She knew you loved her."
"I guess. I don't know…Um, I have to decide what to do with the house and everything. She left it all to me, but I suppose I'll just sell it; it's not like I'd ever go back. I need to drive up there in the next few days though to sort through all of her belongings. Do you think that maybe you could, if you don't mind… I mean if it wouldn't be any trouble…"
"Of course I'll come with you."
"Thank you," he said softly and gently took her hand once more.
Scully gazed through the pitch-black room and fixed her bleary eyes on the shadows of a Renoir print on the opposite wall. She squirmed restlessly under the cream silk comforter and tossed her body over in a fruitless attempt to find sleep. After willing her eyes shut and relaxing her breathing, she sighed in defeat and grabbed the cell phone from the nightstand to check the time-3:17. Older, unfamiliar houses always made her a bit uneasy, though most likely she was on edge because Teena Mulder had committed suicide in an adjacent sitting room. Mulder was asleep in his old childhood bedroom just across the hall and knowing that he was near helped her feel slightly more at ease.
They had had an excruciatingly long day of moving and covering furniture, packing all sorts of knick-knacks in boxes, and discarding expendable items that were serving no purpose except taking up space. Mulder had not engaged in much conversation as he sorted through the remnants of his mother's life, and Scully almost wished that he would break down and cry once more; his silence worried her. They had paused their exertions for a brief dinner of turkey sandwiches, and then finally called it a day at one a.m. After the obligatory exchange of goodnights in the upstairs hallway, Scully secretly wished that he would truly allow her to comfort him; that he would invite her to share his bed and cradle her in his strong arms until morning. But, of course, he would never initiate something so forward, and to be honest, neither would she. She closed her eyes and smiled at the memory of the soft brush of his lips against hers. It hadn't meant anything, only a New Year's peck between close friends, but what if there was something more? She had felt a tiny spark of energy at that intimate contact and had been rendered speechless. Did he sense it too?
A distant, haunting melody slowly embraced Scully's ears. She recognized it immediately: the first movement of Moonlight Sonata emanating from the parlor and flowing up the spiral staircase. Mulder was probably just watching television, though the sound of the piano seemed to echo and resonate. Scully, her curiosity awakened, pulled the comforter aside and stepped out of bed. Gooseflesh prickled lightly up her bare arms not only from the cool air of the drafty guestroom, but also from the chills that the evocative serenade provoked. She grabbed her robe from the back of the old rocker and headed for the stairs.
Mulder lovingly traced his fingers over the black and white keys of his mother's baby grand. He hadn't played in years, but much like the cliché of riding a bike, he had never forgotten the music. His eyes fluttered shut and his hands began to move with a will of their own. The loud ringing of the first chord in the hushed room startled him, and he stopped himself quickly so as not to wake Scully; she had appeared to be sleeping when he'd peeked into the guestroom before he wandered downstairs. But at that moment, he longed for a familiarity, for a home that had been lost to him long ago; so he took a seat at the bench, awkwardly stooped over the keys, and began to play the first thing he remembered.
When he finished, he slowly opened his eyes and turned sharply at the sound of a creak on the staircase. Scully stood silently frozen with one hand on the oak banister. Moonlight cascaded from the bay window behind her, silhouetting her form in an ethereal glow. Sparkles of light danced in her wavy auburn hair, and she appeared to be wearing a crown of soft fire; and flecks of glitter shone in her pale sapphire eyes. Mulder sucked in his breath at the sight. He had always found her beautiful, but at that moment she was angelic. He forced himself to give her a crooked smile and fumbled to find words.
"I, uh…I'm sorry I woke you. Come on down…I mean if you want. I can make you some tea or something," he stuttered. Damn it, Mulder. Tact. You've worked with this woman for seven years and you know her better than anyone. Why are nervous?, he silently chastised himself.
She padded down the steps and sat on the antique rose sofa, pulling her knees up underneath her. Mulder studied her face in the yellow glow of lamplight and gasped worriedly at the tears that streaked her cheeks.
"Scully what is it? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine…I'm sorry, I don't usually…that was beautiful, Mulder. Why have you never played for me before?"
"Well, I don't have a piano for starters. And I stopped playing a long time ago. My parents forced me to take lessons when I was a kid, and I hated it then, but now I guess it's sort of a comfort…finding it again."
"Play something else."
"Sure. What would you like to hear?"
"Anything. It doesn't matter. Just play."
"Okay…let's see, what do I remember…how about Chopin? Raindrop Prelude. Chopin's preludes are said to be the sound of tears."
Mulder turned and allowed his hands to resume their familiar dance with the ivory keys, and his soul seeped through the tips of his fingers. The powerful melody built from a haunting whisper to a heartbreaking catharsis, and at its resolution Mulder no longer bothered to censor his tears. He wept because his parents and sister were gone, and all that was left of a family was the mere shell of this house and the memories it held. He rested his head on the keys as he sobbed lightly, and he felt Scully scoot next to him on the bench and drape an arm over his shaking shoulders. He slowly raised his head and turned to face her, cupping her cheeks with his palms, and she held his gaze for what could have been seconds or minutes, or perhaps, even hours. All inhibitions were released from his brain before he had a chance to analyze the situation, and in a quick move of uncharacteristic assuredness, he tilted his head and leaned closer. The kiss began as a delicate whisper on their lips, their mouths softly meeting in a light brush. An electricity of long-ignored passion danced between them, and they deepened the contact gradually until their mouths opened in helpless surrender. After an endless moment, Scully gently pulled away.
"Dana, I'm sorry. I just, I…"
She brought her finger to his lips and smiled.
"Shhh" She took his face in her hands and kissed his forehead before standing and offering him her hand. "Let's have a cup of tea. Or cocoa. Whichever you prefer."
Please forgive me; the updates will be a bit slow, because classes are crazy and I'm doing a show right now. My goal is a chapter a week. Thanks for reading, and feedback is awesome. : )