From: taffyxf@yahoo.com
Title: Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Author: Taffy Northwood
E-Mail: taffyxf@yahoo.com
Rating: NC17 (now and then)
Category: AU, MSR
Archives: Just ask.
Feedback: Never in bad taste
Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, Skinner and any
other XF characters are on loan only.
Summary: In 1911 New York City, there were two
distinct and separate worlds: that of the very wealthy
and that of the very poor. Could love bridge the
great divide between those worlds for two star-crossed
lovers?
Author Notes: Like a huge part of the fandom, I've
become absolutely dotty over AU fic. This is my
modest attempt to put Mulder and Scully into another
time and place. Please be aware, this is a
work-in-progress.
Author Notes: Well, dear readers, we're nearly at the end
of the story. Stay tuned for the epilogue after this
chapter.
Forgive Us Our Trespasses - Mr. and Mrs. Fox Mulder's
story - Part 28
Charlie Scully paced as he spoke, back and forth
across the large office, the hitch in his gait most
noticeable when he reached the edge of the Persian carpet
and pivoted around.
"See, Mulder, I got nothin' against school, but it
takes away from my time here. Mr. Traut says I'm a
great help to him, says I have a memory like an
elephant. And I feel bad, Mulder, havin' you pay
for my schoolin' when I don't need it."
"Your continued employment here is contingent upon you
finishing your education," Mulder said firmly.
"I'm getting the best education right here. My
arithmetic's better than DT's already. My brother was
done when he was my age, an' Missy too. Hey, it's
Katie, isn't it? Is she the reason you're tellin' me I
have to go on to graduate?"
When Mulder had returned to the office, he found that
people treated him differently. Voices were hushed,
speech was carefully formal. But Charlie Scully was
always the same.
"Charlie, where's Russia?" Mulder asked.
"What kind of question is that? It's far away, that's
for sure, and you'd have to cross an ocean."
"What do you know about Austria?"
"Well, kangaroos, I guess."
Mulder didn't laugh, but Charlie colored anyway.
"I understand what you're sayin', Mulder, and I know
there's a lot I have to learn, but--"
"Sit down," Mulder said. "Maybe your ears will work
better if you stop walking in circles."
Charlie dropped into a chair across the desk.
"You were a crackerjack newsie. Remember?"
"Oh, sure."
"You knew where your customers would be, and what
would interest them. You knew when a big headline
would make you more sales. You're a natural-born
businessman."
"Nothin' much to it," Charlie mumbled.
"You have a keen aptitude, but that won't substitute
for a broad education."
"How about a compromise?" Charlie asked.
Mulder decided to end the discussion.
"If you're determined to leave school, I won't stop
you," he said.
"Thank you!" Charlie jumped up from his chair. "I'll
write up a letter of withdrawal to the headmaster."
"I'll see that your last paycheck is mailed to your
home."
"What?"
"Let me know if you'd like a letter of
recommendation."
Charlie's blue eyes flashed.
"So if I leave school, I lose my job? You could have
just said so."
"I thought I had," Mulder answered, mildly.
Charlie huffed as he stalked from the room.
Probably the day would come when Charlie would thank
Mulder for his generosity. Maybe on that day Mulder
would be candid enough to admit that backing Charlie's
education was not charity, but an investment.
Walter Skinner was another recipient of Mulder's
largesse, but he knew full well that he was being
used. Mulder had installed his former tutor into his
old office, and Skinner had accepted the position
grudgingly. Fortunately Skinner turned out to have an
unexpected flair for finance.
Mulder was pleased to see the growing respect Skinner
commanded around the firm. It made him wonder if he
should have spent more time cultivating his own scowl.
Skinner could stare down anyone, from DT to Morris
Fletcher, and it was only in private that he would
reveal his uncertainty.
Besides Skinner and young Charlie, there were other
men at Mulder & Traut who showed talent and integrity.
It took an effort of will for Mulder to step back and
let them exercise their abilities. DT was content
when their efforts brought more profits, angry when
their maneuvers went awry, as if he had forgotten that
investment was always speculative.
DT still insisted that Mulder was a genius of finance
and that no other man could do his job. Mulder
answered coolly that if one man couldn't do it,
perhaps it took two, or three, or four.
Mulder couldn't allow himself to regret that he hadn't
found the strength to release his hold on the reins
while his daughter was alive. Some days any thought
of Mairead was too much to bear, but other times he
could take comfort from his memories.
DT neither liked nor understood Mulder's detachment
from the firm. He recommended the waters at Gstaad or
a tour of the Orient for a man to regain his zest.
Mulder told him flatly that his zest had never been
for banking.
Mulder sighed, wondering if it was any favor at all to
push Charlie toward a profession that valued wealth
and power above everything. The pursuit of the
almighty dollar could be intoxicating. When was the
last time Charlie had taken his bike for a spin, or
pitched a game of stickball?
Mulder pushed himself away from his desk. He had
spent the morning at work and was determined to keep
the afternoon for himself. First he would stop by
Skinner's office, but then he would be off.
Morris Fletcher jumped to his feet at Mulder's
approach.
"Coffee, sir?"
"No, thank you."
"I'll tell Mr. Skinner you're here."
"Please."
Fletcher simpered into his 'phone and then ushered
Mulder through the door with another offer of coffee.
Skinner glared, and Fletcher retreated. As the door
closed, Mulder settled into a chair and Skinner
dropped his facade.
"I suppose it doesn't trouble you that I have no idea
what I'm doing," Skinner said.
"I have complete faith in you."
"I've tried to learn the business, but I think my
decisions are no better or worse than a roll of
the dice."
"No one can take issue with your results," Mulder
reminded him.
"I believe I've uncovered your secret. Where Mulder &
Traut goes, others follow. We can scarcely
fail to make money."
"Money goes to money, Skinner. I thought everyone
knew that."
Skinner frowned, then removed his spectacles
and polished them with his handkerchief.
"What would you do, Mulder, if your analysis lead you
to one conclusion, yet your impulse was to do the
opposite?" he asked.
"I'd follow my impulse."
"Even if every logical argument told you you were
wrong?"
"Especially then," Mulder said.
"Standard Oil--"
"May it rest in pieces," Mulder interrupted.
"Perhaps a few pieces for us?"
"If you think so."
"American Tobacco Company?"
"A similar opportunity."
"I don't like it, and I can't explain why," Skinner
said.
"Then leave it alone."
[continued in next message]
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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