The Snapshot Page |
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Snapshot is my first X-Files novel, and as
such, I'm not really that proud of it. It started off as a vingette, and due to the
substantial (and flattering) reader feedback, I just kept adding onto it. After about 10
chapters, after the MSR/UST had been resolved, I cooked up a rather anemic X-File and
finished it off. However, writing this novel did give me a taste of what it was like to play in Mr. Carter's universe; the result was my next X-Files novel, Umbra, which I think is substantially better. If you're looking to read my stuff in order to see how I've, er, grown as a writer, then this is as good a place to start as any. If, however, you're looking to read something of substance, read Umbra first, and then ELS, and then come back here for some mind-fluff brain-candy.
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Summary : Originally designed to be a vingette, this chapter finds Our Favorite Duo (OFD) alone in Mulder's office after a particularly harrowing case. Mulder lets his growing attraction to his partner show, and they share an incredible kiss. Scully informs her partner that, "[now]...is not the time" for hanky-panky
Summary : This chapter takes place immediately after Snapshot 1, and finds both partners thinking about what had transpired in the office. Mulder is off renting a video for them to watch together, and when he returns to Scully's apartment, them 'ol sparks return. Someone told me this was the best "run from across the room into each other's arms" scene they'd ever seen.
Summary: After the rental movie is over, Mulder and Scully decide that he should return to his apartment to take some time and think things over. The next day, it's time for Mulder's annual pistol qualification, where he lets slip his feelings for Mulder in front of Skinner.
Summary : Skinner and Mulder have a discussion regarding the current state of the relationship between Mulder and Scully. Mulder returns to the apartment to let Scully know that he's let the relationship out of the bag. Scully reacts as expected at first...
Summary : Scully takes the news of Skinner's involvement well, and asks a very special favor from Mulder. He agrees, and goes home to think things over. Along the way, he stops and has an experience that shows his formidable mind at works
Summary: Mulder and Scully in the days before the Big Event. . Scully is giving a pathology lecture, and Mulder is over at the BSU giving a talk. Both of them have trouble concentrating, because their thoughts are elsewhere. Mulder picks Scully up.
Summary : Mulder and Scully at the Big Event. They run in to some people that Scully knows, and true to form, Mulder adheres to his once-stated principle. They go to a diner after for a bite to eat, and Scully invites her partner home...for a nightcap.
Summary :The Big Night. What the preceding seven chapters have been leading up to. Mulder and Scully return to her apartment and become lovers for the first time. Some hot scenes here, folks. Be warned!
Summary :The Next Day. Mulder and Scully both have some thoughts about what happened, and Mulder begins to think that he might have ruined things. After an early dinner, Our Favorite Duo has a discussion in the parking lot, and work things out...for the moment.
Summary : Mulder and Scully return to her apartment, where she agrees to fulfill one of his fantasies regarding her. Mulder also makes a decision regarding his prodigious collection of 'adult entertainment material.'
Summary : Skinner decides to send Scully to San Diego to attend a criminal forensics conference. But who is pulling Skinner's strings? Scully, elated that she and Mulder will have almost two weeks together "in private",embraces him in their office. They are almost caught by Agent Pendrall, who takes one look and figures out what is going on.
Summary :Scully and Mulder depart for San Diego. They share an intimate dinner in the hotel's resturant, and Mulder displays his musical abilities for his new lover. Mulder notices something on the TV news and begins to put two and two together.
Summary : A computer located inside the NSA notices the queries that Mulder is running and alerts a mysterious intelligence official, who dispatches a 'mechanic' to San Diego. Additionally, we get to read about portions of M&S's vacation, including a hilarious interlude with a poolside waitress.
Summary : The mysterious NSA operator Walter Starke (or is he with DIA?) arrives in San Diego, towing a flight attendant that he's convinced to play along in his game. Mulder and Scully take a walk on the beach, eat lunch, and hang out at one of San Diego's more famous outdoor bars. Walking by the San Diego bay, Scully whispers one of HER sexual fantasies in Mulder's ear.
Summary : Mulder and Scully return to the hotel to make love, unaware that they are being watched by the mysterious Starke and Jenny. After making love, they retire to the bathtub for a good soak, and the realization that they haven't been using protection stuns them both. They discuss the implications of pregnancy, among other things.
Summary : Mulder figures out that someone has visited the room. Starke escapes just as Mulder bursts into his hotel room. Skinner orders both Mulder and Scully back to Washington. Jenny is taken down to the local FBI office for questioning.
Summary: Scully and Mulder return to Washington, DC, and are met by the Office of Professional Responsibility. They are reassured when the OPR agents reveal that Scully and Mulder will go undercover (as man and wife) on a mission that will take them to the fictitious town of Pave Creek, Montana.
Summary : Scully and Mulder learn who they will be impersonating when they go undercover in Montana. Dr. Karen Edwards, a child psychologist and her husband, David Edwards, a science fiction novelist. After leaving the special OPR Unit 620 office, M&S realize that although they've been provided with every form of identification known to man, the OPR did forget one important prop: Wedding rings.
Summary : Scully and Mulder travel to Montana to begin the undercover assignment. Along the way, they both have private thoughts about the relationship. After landing at the airport, they meet their local contact, and arrive at their 'new house' for the next several weeks. They share some deep conversations about the nature of their feelings for each other.
Summary : Mulder awakens from a nightmare and snuggles closer to Scully, and they talk about all the details a married life would have. We learn a lot about the private lives of Our Favorite Duo. This is another fluff chapter, folks. Be warned! :)
Summary : Scully and Mulder meet the person they were sent to Montana for. We also learn that the Israeli Intelligence Service (Mossad) is very interested in the same thing that Mulder and Scully are.
Summary : Mulder makes contact with his local support system, trying to figure out the true nature of the mission. Meanwhile, the Mossad agent Avi enters the country, trailed by Starke.
Summary : Starke performs an action of termination with extreme prejudice, and continues to dog Mulder and Scully.
Summary : Their cover blown, Scully and Mulder begin to realize what they've gotten themselves into. The nature of the case before them is explained, opening the door for a final resolution regarding the fate of Mulder's sister Samantha. We also meet the mysterious Mossad operative Scimitar.
Summary :More about the case is explained to M&S, and they realize that there is the very real risk that they are being watched by the US Military, or perhaps foreign intelligence agents. Mulder decides to call out the calvary.
Summary : After Mulder calls out the calvary, the Denver Hostage Rescue Team and the US Navy's SEAL Team Six are mobilized to Montana in support of a mission that no one completely understands.
Summary : As Mulder and Scully await the endgame, they each take time to muse about their relationship. Meanwhile, SEAL Team Six is flying across the country and the Denver HRT is crusing into Billings.Skinner has also left DC for Montana, and all of them are preparing to encounter something they never thought they'd see.
Summary : As the Navy SEALs, the Denver HRT and Skinner all arrive at Billings Municipal Airport, things begin to pick up speed. Starke and Scimitar are watching the house, and a deadly dance begins as the hunters become the hunted and this story moves closer still to its explosive conclusion.
Summary : The conclusion to the "Snapshot" saga. Mulder, Scully and Zack travel to the hiding place of The Box, with Scimitar, the US Navy SEALs, and the FBI Hostage Rescue Team close on their heels.
Summary : Ties up all the loose ends. Includes the wedding, the birth, and the return of two very special characters. The final endcap to the "Snapshot" saga.