The X Files

Folie a Deux by Heather
Scully/Diana - Heather rewrites Diana's first appearance in Scully's and constructs a clever twist on events during late season 5. Diana is cool, collected, intelligent and inexplicably drawn to Scully. The two woman are portrayed with such power - they leave Mulder in the dust. Great writing.

Leaving Shangri La by Kelly Keil
Krycek/Marita - After all these year, still one of my favourite fandom pairings. Kelly writes a little back and forth between past and present for these two with subtle metaphors thrown in just to make things less simple than they appear to be. If you've not tried the pairing before, here's a good place to start.

The Best Lies by Julie Fortune
The Scully and Mulder characterizations are spot-on in this taut and suspenseful fic, which put their relationship -- professional and personal -- on the firing line during the course of an X-File.

Once More, With Feeling by Jaime Lyn
The ending comes first, and it's a delightful and light-hearted trip to the beginning of Mulder and Scully's budding relationship.

Life During Wartime by cofax, Marasmus, Maria Nicole and Fialka
Yes, boys and girls. The longest-running WIP in the history of X-Files fandom and the granddaddy of apocalyptic fic is now actually finished, and it only took them five and a half years.*snickers*. The last chapter by cofax is called "Gonna Be Different This Time", and it's both an emotional and action-packed story, and a fitting finish to a long, involving saga. And if you haven't read the Wartime before, you're in for a treat, because you get to read the series from the start to the end with no waiting. Yay!

Heated by Joann Humby
Mulder/Scully - and AU that tells the story of Mulder and Scully as it might have turned out if they'd gotten together a lot earlier. It reminds us of how the fragile the *now* is - how easily it could have been so different.

Chiaroscuro by Seema
Doggett/Reyes - Uncertain in his new role, John Dogget seeks solace in an old friend. A story that captures the nuances of the triangle in the early days but it also about two people who are good friends as well as lovers and how that is kind of complicated.

Relativistic Gravitation and Celestial Mechanics by Lyman's Might
Mulder/ Scully - Lyman's Might describes the early days of their intimacy, the way it's all a little strange at first but somehow very familiar. Scully looks for a scientific explanation to the unnatural phenomena of her and Mulder. Poetic and sweet.

On a Star Spangled Night by Gina Rain
A fun but sweet Fourth of July X-Files case file with a nice little twist at the end, plus some nice Mulder and Scully characterization and romance.

The Breakfast Club by bcfan
Set post-Amor Fati, this story really gives credence to the adage "the quicket way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Nice characterizations with a dash of M/S UST that ends on a quiet but hopeful note.

Above Minnesota by Cecily Sasserbaum
Mulder and Scully's cross-country flight leads to an interesting conversation about their relationship. It's sweet, occasionally funny but both learn a little about the other in the course of the flight. Mulder is written especially well in this one.

Something in Between by Rain
I love this story because it gives a realistic idea of just how much difficulty Scully must have had in navigating her relationships with both Doggett and Mulder. This story captures that fledgling dynamic beautifully.

Night Song by Zuffy
This is a sweet and light-hearted "all things" coda and I especially love the teasing dialogue and even with all the UST in the air, Mulder and Scully are adorably in character.

Even Thieves and Scoundrels by Bardsmaid
Krycek and Marita captured in the still of the night. Not a romanctic story but something that remembers the ordinariness of extraodinary people.

Unbreakable by Lynn Saunders
A good, Mulder/ Scully piece is a rare and precious thing these days and this is one of those rare and precious things. The mystique of memory and
dream-scape mix easily with the X-Files' mood in this story. And there's a slightly unreal touch that rounds it off perfectly.

Egypt Under Pharoah (A Song of Plague) by David Stoddard-Hunt
A post-colonisation story where colonisation wasn't exactly what everyone imagined it would be. Lots of grand themes are touched upon in this and handled with great care. A story about the way things return and return again even in the face of the end of the world. Something the MSR faithful can be proud of.

The Unfinished Universe by Revely
An AU set sometime in season 8, Mulder and Scully get to know each other once again on this bittersweetly painful but ultimately fulfilling roadtrip across America. The story meanders somewhat but that fits perfectly given the type of journey Mulder and Scully are on.

Anyone with a Gun by V. Salmone
Terrific Mulder POV post-Orison. What struck me about this story was the uniqueness of Mulder's perspective that he's looking for the Scully lost in aftermath of Donnie Pfaster's violent attack on his partner. Some really pretty and sad lines in this story.

Ask About the Weather by Rachel Howard
This is a haunting picture of life post-Colonization, told from the POV of an OC. Scully here is ruthless and nothing soft as she searches for Mulder.

Embracing Eternity by Rhetta
This fic answers the question to the ultimate X-File: is there life after death? Mulder and Scully find out in a story that's more humorous than bittersweet, and perfectly in character.

Objects in Mirror by Lauren Belmont
Gorgeous imagery, revealing dialogue, hope and sorrow all bundled up together; this is perfect picture of Mulder and Scully post-"The Truth". 

Sacrificed by Terma99
I like this story because it's painful, passionate, angsty, atmospheric -- a perfect post-The Truth PWP.

The Ninth Plague by cgb
This story has the distinction of not only being a well-written Doggett/Reyes, but the relationship is set against the backdrop of a case that twists and turns into a climactic finish.

In Trutina by Seema
One of the sweetest treatments of the Dogget/ Reyes relationship I've yet to see. Seema convinces me that people in relationships still have stories to tell.

Bleeding Kansas by Maidenjedi
A very cool story with all the right elements: road trip, scared yet mature kid, suspense, flashbacks, and a repeated segment that works cinematically. A damn fine read that packs a real punch.

Scenes for Quiescence by Jesemie's Evil Twin
Surely, even the most hard-arsed, anti-MSR's can appreciate the beauty of the relationship when it's written like this. This is a story that understands there are no happy endings for these two (three) but there is something.

Forty-Two By Emma Brightman
Life on the run doesn't offer much opportunity for quiet contemplation, but Scully still manages it on the morning of Mulder's birthday. The vivid description stands out and is deftly used to create the emotional tone of the story.

A Spanish Fairytale by Vanessa Nichols
Very Clever. In a fine stroke of artistry Ness turns the story on its head and the whole thing changes. And it *is* beautiful whether she likes it or not.

Feria #40 by not jenny
Who can resist a fucked up and crazy Scully story? Damned Powerful - and the last line about the hat is a killer.

Keeping Melissa by Oracle
Scully contemplates her relationship with her now deceased sister. A thoughtful story with plenty of heart.

Five Moments of Truth and Trust by winter baby
Oh god... [sob, sob, sob] This is just lovely. This is beautiful: "And because without him, she's nothing." And who can resist a ghost story?

Don't Stop Swaying by Deslea R. Judd
I have to say, I love the way Deslea give these characers humanity. And what I find most impressive, is that she does so with the added difficulty of getting around their lack of physical humanity. I mean, how the fuck do you write about someone who has lost a head?

An Honest Word by winter baby
Why, why, why do I LOVE fucked up characters so? Everyone in this story is beautifully drawn - Scully, Monica, John - all heartbreakingly vivid.

Something Strange by MaidenJedi
MJ does a great Diana. She's just the way I see her - poised and ambivalent and complicated. She calls Mulder the "love of her life" like she finds the phrase unwieldy. And it is a difficult idea. This is a Diana that is real.

Restitution by Deslea
So we all knew that Deslea would have the last word on Krycek and Marita, right? However you saw these two ending up, this story will make you believe this is the way is should have been. An involving story with some wonderfully rounded characters who tell a different story. Philes can't go past this.

Let's Play House by Polly Burns
One of the things that impresses me about this story, is the intensity of the (albeit short) sex scene. It's amazing what an author can do with a few choice pieces of dialogue in the right setting. If you're a Krycek/Mulder fan, and hell even if you're not, you'll find this story very appealing.

Nightblindedness by Shaye
This is the kind of post "the Truth" X-Files fic I've been hanging out for. The two teams get treated here and they're all in love with the wrong person and going a little crazy and messy. It's beautifully written and there's that "end of it all" tone that I just love.

Badlands by JS Michel
A seamless story with wonderful characterisations and an intriguing future setting. Read it for happy Doggett/ Reyes interaction and the fact that it *works* so well. It will make you want to write post-colonisation fic. Trust me.

Fimbulwinter by Cofax and Marasmus
The "Wartime" series, as far as I'm concerned, is the best and brightest in the venerable genre of X-Files post-colonization stories. These ladies have been working on this series for *years* and it shows. "Fimbulwinter" is the latest chapter in this ongoing epic, and it's a beauty. Alternatively grim, funny, full of despair and hope, Mulder and Scully (and Gunmen! Oh, how I miss them) come alive here in vivid colors. And if you haven't yet read the earlier (mostly self-contained) chapters of this series, well, what are you waiting for?

Down With the Marked by Deslea
Deslea is surely the queen of taking minor X-Files characters and turning them into legends. This story has a lyrical feel and the underwater setting gives it a dream-like quality. And it makes you think you might want to know a hell of a lot more about Knowle and Shannon.

Abstract Love by Fran58
This fic is made on the basis of its creative setting - a place that doesn't exist for the US Geographical Service. But also noteworthy for its Mulder and Scully characterization.

Each to Each by MeridyM
MeridyM makes the end of the world romantic, haunting and beautiful all at the same time.

Exiles by Michelle Kiefer
Very well-written smut and terrific Mulder/Scully dynamic here.

What the Thunder Said by Firecracker
A post XF story with wonderful poetry, powerful images, and wonderful language. Proof that this once most favoured pairing is not dead.

Undying by Elanor G
The story of Tooms. Insightful and scary and so reminiscent of one of XF's best monsters. It's a real pleasure to come across.

About Face by R.J. Anderson
I admit it, I'm a sucker for any fic that includes the line: "Mulder, it's me." This is perfect Mulder and Scully, set right after that kiss in "Millennium." Nice descriptions and lovely prose exploring the aftermath.

Another Night in Roswell by Elizabeth Rowandale
This fic is post-series - a lovely midnight chat between Mulder and Scully, in which both of the characters remain in character.

Hearts and Bones by Michelle Kiefer
In summary, MSR, married with child, casefile and novel-length. When a case hits too close to home, Mulder struggles to do his job properly. His characterization is what makes the story and the mystery will keep
readers at the edge of their seats.

Only Apples by Kelly Keil
Lovely, lovely vignette of Mulder and Scully doing 'real people' type things, and enjoying the simpler pleasures in life, showing that yes indeed, some things are worth fighting for.

Two Step by Teanna
An eclectic, meandering story that conveys some of the darkness of the X-Files. I miss X-Files fic like this, I really do.

French Inhaler by Onemillionandnine
Go. Read this and remember why you wrote X-Files fanfic in the first place - because Mulder was barely in control, because Scully is a beautiful tragedy, because they love each and it really fucks them up. Yep, thank god people still do this stuff.

Sweet seasons by Maren
Here's a post-William story about Scully grieving that will overwhelm you with its simplicity.  Lovely writing that aches, with especially
nice  insights into the other people in Scully's life.

In My Secret Life by David Hearne
I love this story for the possibilities. This series never gave us answers and we loved it for this reason. This is a story that keeps so much my love for the X-Files alive. Because, afterall, it was always about ghosts.

In the Bleak by Teanna
There's just something so appealing about post-colonisation fic. There's something so desolate and, well, bleak, about the whole genre. Teanna takes all the elements of the best post-colonisation stories and produces something that will make you want to write XF again.

This is Agamemnon by Vanzetti
I've always loved stories about minor characters in XF. But what really appeals to me here, is the way Vanzetti takes something that made no sense at all in the series, and gives it meaning. A short piece, but destined to make you think.

Forbidding Mourning by MeridyM
A post-series story that is just beautiful in its portrayal of Doggett and its attention to detail.  There are so many little touches, so many poignant moments, that make this story a standout.

The Truer Lie by Sophia Jirafe
So brutal and nasty. I have to love fics that are so mean to their characters that they keep me up at night. Sophia examines the Scully/Doggett/Reyes triangle with Reyes as the undesirable centre. Read this because the discomfort is so exquisitely executed.