I didn't know what fandom was before Buffy. I'd read some fanfic for the Pretender, but like you with X-Files, didn't interact with the writers at all. It never occurred to me that there was a community surrounding a beloved show. Until I started reading and writing BtVS fanfic.

To this day, I still thank emeraldswan for emailing me when it wasn't just feedback all those years ago. She drew me out and made it okay to try to get to know these other writers who shared the same passions that I did.

When Buffy, and then Angel, ended, I never thought I'd find another show that would envelop me so completely. Until I found Heroes, of course. While there is a community, it's not the same as for Jossverse shows. Which is one reason that I can't see myself withdrawing completely from Jossverse.