Title: The UFO Conference Author: Erin M. Blair E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net Classification: SRA--Story, Romance, Angst Content: Pre-XF. Mulder/Scully Romance Alternate Universe. Time Span/Spoilers: Up to Requeim. Set in Season Six. No Doggett and Reyes. Rating: PG. Distribution/Archive Statement: OK to Gossamer, Xemplary, FanficX, Basement Office. Others: ask me first. Disclaimer: They're not mine. Summary: Mulder and Scully met years earlier at a UFO Conference. ------------------------------------ THE UFO CONFERENCE Written by: Erin M. Blair ------------------------------------ "Missy, I don't even *believe* in that kind of stuff," complained Dana Scully to her older sister, Melissa. "You know I don't." The two Scully sisters, under the watchful eyes of their parents, were walking towards the hall where the UFO Conference was being held in Boston. Melissa took a deep breath as she thought she had convinced her a few days ago. "Come on, Dana, I *believe* in that stuff, and you always come to the New Age stuff with me, remember?" Dana looked at the crowds of people and frowned. "What happens if I run into people that I know?" "So what if you do? It's not a big deal, Dana." "Not to you but it is to me!" exclaimed Dana. She heard a young girl behind her saying the same thing to her brother. Then she grinned. * * * "I can't believe you dragged me here, Fox!" Fox smiled at his nine year old sister, Samantha, and then sighed. "Well...I thought it would be fun." He paused and then he whispered. "You were abducted by aliens a few months back..." "I don't remember." Samantha quieted down and listened to a red haired young girl complaining about the same thing. She knew she wasn't alone in the world with her comments and then she smiled. "What?" "Fox, you're the greatest brother in the whole world!" exclaimed Samantha as she gave him a quick hug. Teena Mulder looked at her husband, Bill, with tears in her eyes, thankful their children were happy. She noticed Samantha walking towards the young red haired girl. * * * Dana saw the young, dark haired, hazel eyed girl walked up to her. "Hi." "What's your name?" "Dana Scully," said Dana. "What's yours?" "Samantha Mulder," replied Samantha. "I don't want to be here." "I don't either." Dana pointed to her sister, Melissa, and then she continued, "My sister dragged me here - Melissa." Samantha nodded. "I can relate. My brother, Fox, dragged me here too." "Do you believe in that kinds of stuff?" asked Dana. "How old are you? I'm ten." "No...but my brother sure does. In fact, my whole family believes in aliens. Anyway, I'm nine." "My sister's a New Ager and she believes in aliens too." Dana paused. "What about you?" Samantha saw a look of her mother and father waiting for her. "We have to go. Where do you live?" "Right now, it's Chilmark." "Really? I live there too!" "But I move around a lot though - I hate it. Whenever I make friends, we move!" "Why?" "My dad's a military man. He's in the Navy." Samantha nodded with understanding. "My dad's works in the government too! We have so much in common, Dana. You're near the same age as I am, we both live in Chilmark." Dana told her address and saw Samantha's smile deepened. "What?" "You live next door to me, Dana!" "That's great, Samantha!" exclaimed Dana as she noticed Samantha's brother - Fox, she guessed - walking up to them. "Hi Fox." "Mulder," reminded Fox. "Are you still on that kick, *Fox*?" teased Samantha. She smiled at Dana and then decided to introduce her new friend to her brother. "Fox, this is Dana Scully. Dana, this is Fox Mulder, my brother." "Hi Fox," said Dana. "Hi Dana," said Fox. "She lives next door to us!" exclaimed Samantha, happily. "That's great," replied Fox. "I didn't know you live next door..." "We just moved in last week," said Dana with a sigh. She frowned. "My dad's in the military and we move from place to place. I'm originally from San Diego." "That's neat - have you been to Sea World?" asked Fox. "No," said Dana, sadly. "I've never been there." The children decided to look at the sites but Fox wanted to ask Dana's parents for permission. "Hi. I was wondering if Dana could look at the exhibits with my sister and myself." "I don't see why not," Mrs. Scully said. She turned towards her husband. "Is it OK with you, William?" Captain Scully nodded. "It's fine if Starbuck goes with you." Dana smiled and gave her father a hug. "Thanks, Ahab." She turned around to face her new friends, and they headed off to see the sights. Fox wanted to ask Dana a simple question which was bothering his eidectic mind. "Dana, why does your father call you 'Starbuck'?" "It's from 'Moby Dick' - I love that story!" "Fox read that novel a million times," said Samantha. Dana replied back with an enthuastic smile. "That's great!" She paused. "It's my favorite book." Dana's smile deepened as she reflects on her good fortune that she has something in common with Samantha's brother. "Really?" inquired Fox. "It's my favorite book too." "We have something in common," said Dana. They were standing in front of the Area 51 display. All of them were in complete silence, thinking 'what ifs?' and 'is it true?" at the unknown possibility of alien life. "What would happen if aliens actually come down to Earth?" Fox asked. "I don't know," said Samantha with a sigh. "That's such "Star Trek", Fox." "What happens if it's true? Daddy has been rather secretive about things lately." Dana listened to their conversation with interest, but not wanting to speak about. It didn't concern her, she thought, and she didn't know them too well to comment. Samantha noticed how shy her new friend was and decided to change the subject to benefit Dana. "Dana, do you know what teacher you'll have?" "Not really. On Monday, my parents and I will go to school to get me settled in. I don't know how long I'll be in Chilmark - the last time we moved, it was only for a month. It's hard to make friends," said Dana. "Well, consider you've made two friends already," said Fox. His lips lifted into a bright, caring smile at his new friend. He looked down at his watch - it was getting a bit late. Fox knew he should bring Dana back to her family. When Fox, Samantha, and Dana saw their respective families talking to each other near the gate of the UFO CONFERENCE, they knew they had to say their temporary goodbyes. "I'm glad we ran into each other," said Dana. "Me too," said Fox. He blushed. There was a million things he wanted to tell her but wasn't sure what to say next. "I'm sure Samantha wants you all to herself." "Oh, I do, Fox!" exclaimed Samantha, laughing. "Dana, I was wondering if we can play on the swings later." She paused. "It's so much fun." "I love playing on the swings, Samantha. I'll have to ask my parents, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind." As Fox looked upon the conversation, he didn't know Dana would be the one for him in years to come. * * * Mulder and Scully's bedroom Arcadia, CA April 1999 "Mulder, where did this UFO conference idea came from?" inquired Scully, as she noticed her partner sprawled on their bed. She was wondering why he mentioned meeting her at the conference. He totally made Laura Petrie sound like her sister, she thought. She wanted Laura to be a bit closer to her own self image. "I seem to recall that's how we met originally. It's the truth, Scully." "How come I don't remember any of this, Mulder? I think I would recall something like that." "I don't know, Scully. That's how we met you." "We?" "I was with Samantha at the UFO Conference. You were new to Chilmark and you were with your family. In fact, it was Melissa who suggested the idea that you attend. That's what you told us at the time -" "I still don't remember." "You lived in Chilmark for several years until I graduated from high school. That was the last I've heard from you until you walked into my life that day in 1992." "Mulder, you don't have to go into details about it. I do remember now." Scully sat down on the bed and looked into Mulder's eyes. "There's something I need to talk to you about. I still didn't believe it at the time..." Chilmark, MA Several Years Earlier "You've got to tell him, Dana," said Samantha. They were walking home from school. "He needs to know this." "It's not a good idea, Samantha. It just isn't." "You saw something... A bright light," said Samantha as she remembered Dana describing how she witnessed her brother's abduction. "You were paralyzed with fright when I found you." "Why should I tell him, Samantha? He doesn't remember being abducted in the first place!" "I know," said Samantha. She sighed. She knew her brother wouldn't believe her if she told him. "Ever since his abduction, my parents have been fighting." "Why?" "I don't know - I'm not sure, Dana. I think it has to do with both of us." "Are they gonna divorce?" Samantha nodded. "Yeah." "That's too bad. Are you going to leave Chilmark?" "That's what Mommy and Daddy said. Daddy's going to have custody of me while Mommy has Fox." She paused. "My Aunt Mary will take care of me while Daddy tends to business." She shrugs. "I guess it's for the best." She frowns. "I want you to tell Fox the truth. They're gonna hide this. You're his only hope, Dana. I've tried to get him to listen to me every single day...but I'm his little sister. He thinks it was me who was abducted but not him." "What makes you think I'll help?" "I don't know. It's something I just know." "I'll see what I can do, Samantha. I just don't think he'll believe me when I tell him." * * * "Mulder, I know this will sound very strange coming from me - you were abducted right in front of me when I was a kid. I did meet you and your sister - she was my best friend - at the time. You were too." "You're right - this is strange coming from you. Samantha was never abducted - your father took her when your parents divorced. You were the one who was abducted. Samantha told me the truth when we were little." "I never knew... I always thought it was Samantha who was abducted. I never knew where she was." "She wanted you to know the truth so she can see you. She told me I was her only hope in reaching you." "How come I don't recall any of this?" "It's possible you blocked this out. It was too painful for you. Whatever they did to you was painful. According to your notes, Duane Barry mentioned the tests was painful. I know from my own abduction, the tests was painful. I think that's the reason you don't remember your abduction. That's the most logical explanation, I can think of." "If this is true, than I'm a target for any future abduction." Scully nodded. "Yes, I think you have to be careful for now on." "I guess I have another case in the X-Files," Mulder said dryly. "Scully?" "Yeah?" "Thank you for telling me." "Mulder, you're welcome." End of Story Feedback: Much appreciated. Send to: eblair@sonic.net Author's Notes: This is a "what if they met earlier" kind of story and a new twist of the Samantha Mulder abduction scenario.