Title: Cousin of Scully
Author: Erin M. Blair
E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net
Classification: SRA--Story, Romance, Angst
Content: Mulder/Scully Romance. Mulder/Other UST.
Time Span/Spoilers: Ascension.
Rating: PG.
Distribution/Archive Statement: OK to Gossamer, Xemplary, Basement Office Archives, FanficX. Other archivists - ask me first. No forwarding to ATXC.

Disclaimer: They belong to Chris Carter except for the character of Marianne Scully.

Summary: What would happen if Scully's cousin walks into Mulder's life?

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COUSIN OF SCULLY
Written by: Erin M. Blair
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Marianne Scully walked into the dining room and she pulled a chair next to her Aunt Margaret Scully. "Aunt Maggie, I know how much you miss Dana."

Margaret looked up at her niece and smiled at her. "Thank you, Marianne." A short pause. "Do you know how much you look like Dana?"

Marianne nodded. She always knew the similar looks - her long auburn hair and azure colored eyes - that she shared with Dana. "I always knew how much I look like Dana, Aunt Maggie." A short pause. "How's Agent Mulder doing?"

Margaret's eyebrows lifted up curiously. "I thought you didn't know about him."

"Dana told me."

"Oh, well, he hasn't given up hope for her."

"I was wondering if - " sighed Marianne. She wasn't sure if its in her place to ask. After all, Agent Mulder was off limits as far as she was concerned.

He didn't want her, Marianne Scully.

He wanted *Dana* Scully.

"If what?" Margaret inquired of her niece.

"Never mind," murmured Marianne softly. "Do you think he would mind if I cheered him up?"

"I don't think he would mind, Mari."

Melissa walked into the dining room and saw her cousin with her mother. "Marianne? What brings you here?"

"I'm staying with Aunt Maggie for a few days because of Dana," explained Marianne. "And besides, I have a slow week at the DA's office." She works as an Assistant District Attorney in Baltimore, MD.

"So who's the Executive District Attorney nowadays? Is it Jeff, Steve, or Brian?" inquired Melissa.

"Steve Miller," answered Marianne. "A little of the weird side but hey, he's a nice guy. You want me to set the two of you up?"

"You're not interested in him?" asked Melissa.

"I don't know," replied Marianne. She decided to change the subject. She got out of her chair and walked near Melissa. "Do you know anything about Dana's partner?"

"No - I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet," said Melissa with a sigh. "Dana likes things private. Mom has already met him."

"I would like to meet him," said Marianne.

"So would I," replied Melissa. "However, I think we should wait until Dana returns."

Marianne nodded. "I agree." *But I don't like it."

***

Marianne walked towards Mulder's apartment door. "Apartment 42. This has got to be it," she mumbled as she knocked on the door."

Mulder opened the door. At first, he thought Marianne was his partner coming back to him. "Scully?"

"I'm not Dana Scully, if that's who you mean. I'm Marianne Scully - Dana's cousin."

"You look so much like her," replied Mulder. He saw her face light up with a smile.

"You're not the first person to tell me that," said Marianne. "I'm staying with Aunt Maggie."

"Do you want to come in?" inquired Mulder. He didn't want her to stand in the hallway all day long.

He wanted to get to know Scully's cousin.

Marianne nodded. "Sure." She walked inside of Mulder's apartment and her blue eyes gazed at his furniture. A short pause. "Tell me about her."

"You're her cousin, right?"

"Yes, but - I haven't seen her lately."

"Neither have I."

"I didn't mean - " Marianne stopped and then cleared her throat. "I don't mean to be rude but I can tell how much you love Dana."

"And you figured this out in a couple of minutes?" inquired Mulder. "How?"

"I have my ways, Mulder. Dana once told me you like to be called 'Mulder' - I hope you don't mind if I call you that."

"It's ok," said Mulder. "So what do you do?"

"I'm an Assistant District Attorney in Baltimore," said Marianne. "It's an interesting position."

"Where did you went to law school?"

"Harvard," said Marianne.

"I bet your high school grades were a 4.00 GPA," commented Mulder.

"And a pile of money," chimed Marianne. "My dad worked in the State Department."

"So did mine."

"Really?" inquired Marianne. "Perhaps we met and we never knew about it?"

"You wouldn't believe how many memories are repressed," said Mulder with a deep sigh.

Marianne gave him a nod of understanding. "I'm sorry."

"Don't feel sorry for me - I'm fine," said Mulder.

"That's what Dana *usually* says."

Mulder laughed. "I guess she rubs off on me at times. You know what I mean?"

Marianne gave him a warm, tender smile and she nodded. "Yes, I do. I always know when she's hiding her feelings. We Scullys do that all the time."

"Even you?"

"Occasionally. My fellow ADA complains that I hide *too* much."

Mulder nodded vehemously. "I can relate." He decided to change the subject. "How old are you?"

"Women aren't supposed to tell men their ages. It gives a certain sense of mystique," said Marianne with a grin. "All right, I'm the same age as Dana. We were both born in February. I was born the day before Dana - February 22, 1964. Dana was born - "

"I know her birthdate," interrupted Mulder. "You don't need to let me know."

Marianne looked down at her watch and gasped. She had an early morning court preceding and she needed her rest. "I have to go, Mulder, but I'll see you around," she said as got off the couch.

"When?"

"Anytime you want to talk - I'm there," said Marianne.

"Thanks," replied Mulder. "I know your Aunt Maggie's phone number."

Marianne pulled him a tender, warm hug. "I know you'll find Dana. Always have hope."

"Do you know something that I don't know?"

Marianne grinned mysteriously and then she chimed sweetly, "Maybe." All she knew what was within her own gut instincts: Dana would be found...soon. Her heart tells her whenever she becomes worried about her cousin. "It's not something I know but we've always had this psychic connection. All Scully women have this: Dana, Melissa, and myself. Even my sisters have this."

"You have sisters?"

Marianne nodded. "Yeah - I have three sisters: Erin, Leanna, and Clarice. I have a brother named Christopher."

"You have a huge family," said Mulder. He led her towards the door. "I'll see you."

"I'll see you too," said Marianne.

"Thanks for coming by, Marianne."

"You're welcome," said Marianne as she opened the door to walk out.

* * *

Office of ADA Marianne Scully
Baltimore, Maryland

Marianne walked into her office after a long day prosecuting a case and took off her jacket.

"You go, ADA Scully," said a male voice.

She turned around with a look of shock in her voice. "Fox, what are you doing here?"

Mulder sighed. "I was in the neighborhood. I stopped by Mrs. Scully's - your aunt - and she told me you're here. I thought...well...I wanted to surprise you."

Marianne gave him a soft, sad smile. "The truth is you wanted to be near me 'cause I remind you of Dana."

Mulder drew a sigh and knew she was right. "You've got me, Marianne."

There was a slight uncomfortable wave in the air and Mulder decided to continue, "I thought we could continue our conversation the other day."

Marianne nodded. "That sounds good to me." She wanted, more than anything, to get to know the man who knows her cousin like a book.

"What has she told you about me?" asked Mulder with an air of curiosity.

"Just the basics," replied Marianne. "You know, I always knew how much she likes you."

"Really?"

Marianne nodded. "I'm observant." A short, but brief pause. "And I can tell you love her."

"You're very observant, Marianne," said Mulder with a nervous laugh. "I hope I'll find her. Sometimes, it's hard. I don't want to lose hope - "

"Don't lose hope. I can tell my Aunt Maggie and my cousins are losing faith in finding Dana." She paused. "But you...you can't lose hope, Mulder. She needs you - she loves you. I know she'll return to you. We just have to hope for the best and not for the worst," said Marianne with optimism and hope.

She saw the tears slide down against his cheeks and she struggled to listen what he said. "I'll find her, Mari. I have to tell her how much I love her..."


End of story.

Feedback: Much appreciated. Send to: eblair@sonic.net


Author's Notes: This story was in my notebook. I have forgotten about it until now. I always wanted to have some cousins thrown in the mix and I wanted a character different yet similar to Scully. With all the "Requiem" fic pouring in, I wanted to embrace the time when Scully was abducted as sort of a balance.

The character of Marianne was inspired after the Jill Hennessy character, Claire Kincaid, from "Law and Order." Of course, Marianne has several differences than similarities with the Claire character.

Special Thanks: To Joey, Tanja, and Lizabelle as always. =) I would love to thank my fellow shippers on several lists which I take part. You know who you are. =)

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- Erin Blair
- eblair@sonic.net
- "And if I quit now, they win."
- from the X-Files: Fight the Future Movie