atths--twice

[atths--twice]

Chapter Four

Just a Dream

Scully’s eyes flew open as she gasped quietly. She looked at the bedroom door, her heart pounding. Something was wrong, but she was not sure what it could be. 

Mulder shifted, letting out a deep breath and then snored softly. She glanced at him, wondering if she should wake him and tell him of her concerns, but the sound of the doorknob turning pulled her attention away. 

The door opened and Faith stepped into the faintly lit room and paused, breathing hard. 

“Love?” Scully whispered. “You okay?” 

A whimper. A whine. And then she was running to the bed, pressing her face into the blankets. Scully turned and placed her hand on Faith’s head, stroking her hair. 

“My sweet girl, what is it?” Scully whispered, her mouth near Faith’s ear. “Are you okay?” Faith shook her head and Scully scrunched her chin. “Did you have a bad dream?” A nod and Scully smiled sadly as she rubbed Faith’s back, pulling the covers open. “Come up, love. Come on.” 

Faith moved, sobbing quietly as she pulled herself up into the bed and burrowed into Scully’s arms. She was warm and her hairline was slightly sweaty. It must have been a pretty bad dream for her to be so overly warm. 

“Hmm,” Scully hummed, holding her close as Faith cried and shivered with a whimper. “I’m so sorry you had a bad dream, my love. Do you want to talk about it?” Faith shook her head and Scully hummed again. “Okay. That’s okay.” 

Mulder mumbled in his sleep and Faith gasped. She pulled back and looked at Scully. 

“Is Daddy there?” she asked, her eyes wide. 

“Yes, sweetie,” Scully said, smoothing back her hair and then rubbing her thumb over her tear streaked cheek. 

“My dream was he was gone. I called for him, but he didn’t answer me. I could see him sometimes, but then he was gone. I walked and walked and then started to run, but he wouldn’t let me find him. I couldn’t find him,” Faith said, beginning to cry again. 

“Oh, honey,” Scully said, moving so Faith could see Mulder sleeping beside her. “He’s right here. Do you want to lay between us?” 

“Yes,” Faith said, still crying softly. “I want to see he’s really here.” 

“Mulder,” Scully said, touching his shoulder and giving him a little shake. “Mulder.” 

“Huh,” he breathed, his eyebrows raising, though his eyes remained closed. 

“Daddy?” Faith said, getting closer to him. His eyes opened instantly and he blinked as he focused on her. 

“Baby? You okay?” he asked, clearing his throat. 

“You’re here,” she whispered, touching his face. 

“Course I am. Where else would I be?” he asked, smiling at her as he covered her hand with his own. 

“I couldn’t find you in my dream. You were so far away,” Faith said, tears falling once more. 

“Oh, honey. Come here,” he said, his smile disappearing as he pulled her to him, Scully adjusting the covers as they all settled together. 

“I called for you and you didn’t hear me. You… I…” She cried in his arms, holding onto his shirt. 

“I’m so sorry, my love. I’m sorry you had a bad dream.” 

“I was so scared that you were gone forever.” 

“Never. I would never leave you.” 

“My heart was beating so fast when I came in here. I didn’t want to tell Mommy because I didn’t want her to be sad if you were gone.” 

“Oh, honey,” Scully whispered, rubbing her back as she looked at Mulder. 

“But then I heard you and Mommy said you were here,” Faith said, taking a deep shaky breath. 

“Right here, love,” he said, his eyes on Scully’s as he shook his head slightly and sighed. “I’m so sorry you couldn’t find me.” 

“I found you now,” Faith said, sniffling and then drawing in a sobbing breath. 

“I’m right here,” he said again, closing his eyes and kissing her temple. “I would never leave you, my love.” 

“Can I sleep with you? And Mommy?” 

“Of course you can.” 

“Oh… but I forgot Aley,” she said in a sad voice and Scully smiled, patting Faith’s back gently. 

“I’ll go get her for you, my love. Be right back.” 

“Thank you, Mommy,” Faith said, pressing even closer to Mulder as Scully got out of bed and walked to Faith’s room to get Aley, the grey alien with the pink belly. 

Her covers were a tangled mess and one of her pillows was on the floor. Scully pulled at the covers, straightening and smoothing them before placing the pillow back onto the bed. She picked up Aley, turned off Faith’s night light, and left the room. 

Coming back into their bedroom, she closed the door and got back into bed, sighing at the warmth lingering within the blankets. 

“Here’s Aley,” she said, handing the alien to Faith. 

“Thank you,” she whispered, holding it between her and Mulder. 

“You’re welcome,” Scully whispered back, meeting Mulder’s eyes and silently asking if she was okay. He nodded once and she smiled. Moving closer, she kissed the top of Faith’s head. 

“I love you, Mommy,” Faith said, reaching her hand up and onto her shoulder, waiting for Scully to take a hold of it. 

“I love you too, my love,” Scully said, giving her hand a squeeze. “I hope you have better dreams now.” 

“I will. Daddy said he would hold me all night, so I will be sure to know he’s right here.” 

“He’s a really good Daddy,” Scully said, looking at Mulder with a smile, and Faith nodded. 

“He is,” she said, yawning and then humming out a sigh. “I’m tired now. I love you, Daddy.” 

“Love you too, my Squatchy girl,” Mulder answered, kissing her temple softly. 

“Hmm,” she hummed again, her eyes closing as she began to breathe deeply. 

Scully and Mulder stared at one another as she fell asleep, her grip on his shirt slackening as she did. 

“I hate that she had a dream like that,” he whispered with a frown. 

“I know,” Scully whispered back, squeezing Faith’s hand gently before letting go. “But it was just a dream.” 

“Was it?” 

“Yes,” she said with a nod, deciding not to mention how she had woken up just before Faith had come into the room, chalking it up simply to mother’s intuition. “Just a dream. A bad one, yes. But just a dream.” He sighed as he looked down at Faith. 

“I don’t want her to ever worry about that,” he said. “To have the fear that I won’t be there. Or you.” He raised his eyes and looked at Scully. 

“It was just a bad dream,” she whispered again, moving even closer and placing her arm on his hip, encompassing Faith. “Tomorrow she’ll tell you what she remembers and then move on from it.” 

“Yeah,” he whispered in agreement, touching his forehead to hers as Faith hummed in her sleep and Scully smiled softly, closing her eyes with the hope for better dreams. 

_______

“Mommy?” 

Scully opened her eyes and saw Faith’s face inches from hers. 

“Hi, honey,” she said, humming and then clearing her throat. “How are you?” 

“I have to go to the bathroom.” 

“Go ahead, my love.” 

“Okay.” 

Faith shimmied around and extricated herself from the blankets, crawling across the bed with Aley in her hand. 

“Leave Aley,” Scully said, closing her eyes as she stretched. “She doesn’t need to go in the bathroom with you.” 

“Okay.” She left Aley on the bed as she slid down and then walked to the bathroom, pushing the door open with a squeak. 

“Hmmm,” Mulder mumbled and then sat up in a panic. “Where’s Faith?” 

“Bathroom, hon,” Scully said, patting his arm as she looked at him. 

“Is she-”

“She seems okay. But we’ll talk to her.” 

“Yeah.” 

She smiled at him and he nodded, glancing toward the bathroom. Laying back down, he stared at her. 

“She’s okay,” she said again. 

The toilet flushed and then the water was running at the sink. They heard her feet stepping across the floor and then she was climbing back into the bed, grabbing Aley as she made her way between them. 

“Hey, love,” Mulder said. “How are you today?” 

“I’m fine, Daddy. How are you?” she asked, getting under the blankets. Scully stifled a laugh, a hand at her mouth, as she stared at him. 

“You had a bad dream last night, do you remember?” 

“Umm, a little bit.” 

“Do you want to talk about it?” 

“I just couldn’t find you. I didn’t know where you were.” 

“Okay and then-”

“Then I came in here and I found you. You weren’t really gone. You were right here. I just forgot.” 

“Yes, I was here,” he said with a smile as she pet Aley’s head. “But it was a dream. You didn’t forget anything. It was a dream making you think I was gone.” 

“My brain was tricking me,” she said with a nod and he looked at Scully, his eyes wide. 

“Well, not exactly that,” he said, fighting back a smile. “Dreams aren’t tricks, although they might seem that way sometimes, especially if it’s a bad one.”��

“I don’t like bad dreams,” she said, turning toward him and snuggling close. 

“I don’t either,” he said, rubbing her back and smiling at Scully. 

“Good dreams are better.” 

“They are, but sometimes we do have bad dreams. But, if you do have one, you can always do exactly what you did last night and come in here with us. We can’t stop the bad dreams, but we can be here to talk about it and hold you if it helps you feel better.”  

“It does make me feel better. I like sleeping with you and Mommy. Your bed is warm and cozy.” 

“I feel the same about your bed. It’s very soft, Goldilocks,” Mulder said and Faith giggled. 

“No. It's just right,” Faith said and Scully smiled, understanding the groundwork he was laying for later when bedtime came around. 

“It is just right. The perfect bed for you. Especially with all your stuffies.” 

“Like Oreo,” she said, talking about the large orca whale she had gotten recently for Valentine’s Day from Skinner and Rachel. 

“Like Oreo,” he agreed. “Do you-”

“I’m hungry,” she said. “Can we have pancakes?” 

“Uhhh sure,” he said as Scully laughed silently. 

“Yay!” Faith said, pulling back and kicking away the blankets. “I’m gonna go get Oreo.” 

“Oh…kay,” he said, giving her the space to get out of the bed. “Get your slippers on and we’ll go downstairs.” 

“Can we have pink pancakes?” she asked, looking back at him. 

“Whatever you’d like, love,” he said and she grinned. 

“Thank you, Daddy,” she said. “Oreo will be happy to hear about the pink pancakes. She will say hooooooooray.” 

Scully laughed and Faith smiled at her as she continued off the bed and out of the room. She looked back at Mulder and he shook his head. 

“See? Just a dream.” 

“The way children can bounce back from things should be studied, if it hasn’t already.” 

“I agree. They-”

“Pink pancakes? That sounds goooooooood,” Faith said from her bedroom, speaking in Oreo’s whale voice. 

“Jesus Christ, I love her so much,” Mulder said, pushing the blankets back and getting out of bed with a grin as Scully laughed and shook her head. 

“Me too,” she said, laughing again as she also got up, the anticipation of pink pancakes causing her stomach to growl. 

[atths--twice]

Chapter Three

Snowy Findings

Mulder looked back as he walked along the path to the A-frame cabin he and Scully had rented for the week. It was quiet in the woods, the sun just beginning its climb into the sky. The snow crunched softly under his feet until he stopped, letting out a deep breath. 

So much white surrounded him, it was easy to spot the flash of orange and black he was waiting to see. 

“There you are,” he said quietly, smiling as the small cat that had been following him walked closer. 

It stopped a few feet from him and stared him down, its fluffy tail twitching back and forth. 

“Hey, kitty,” he said, squatting down and staring back at it. “Psp psp pssp. Come here.” 

The cat tilted its head and then made a trilling sound as it hurried over to him. It pressed against his hand, its purr loud in the quiet around them. 

“What are you doing out here?” he asked, rubbing its ears as the purring seemed to grow louder. “Do you belong somewhere close by? You don’t have a collar.” The cat closed its eyes, pressing further into his hand. “You’re a cute thing.” 

He looked around, contemplating what he would do. He could not leave the cat behind, knowing there were predators in the woods. But on the other hand… he was not sure bringing it back to the cabin was a good idea. They would only be there a few days and then what would they do with it? 

“Whoa!” he cried as the cat suddenly jumped onto his back, meowing loudly. “Hey now, I can’t have you there. Come on down.” 

He reached for it, turning his shoulder inward to make it easier. Grabbing at the scruff of its neck, he brought it forward and held it up for inspection. 

It was small in size as well as weight, probably still technically a kitten. It had big green eyes and on one side of its mouth, it had what looked like a beauty mark. 

“Oh… yeah,” he said with a chuckle. “I have to bring you with me now, Kitty Scully. Look at that face.” He laid it in his arms like a baby and checked by its tail. “Hello, little girl. Looks like you found a home, for a few days anyway.” 

The cat closed her eyes and rubbed against his coat, purring loudly. He laughed and turned back down the path, talking softly to the cat as they made their way back to the cabin. 

He opened the door and walked into the small entryway, toeing off his boots and leaving them by the locked door. He opened the next door and hummed at the warmth of the sitting room. He had started a fire before he left for his walk and it had heated the room perfectly. Walking to their halfway open bedroom door, he pushed it open, the cat continuing to purr in his arms. 

Scully was still sleeping, the thick blankets wrapped around her. He smiled at the sight of her, looking between her and the cat. 

“Well,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and holding the cat as he rubbed Scully’s arm. “Hey. Hey, hon.” 

“Hmm,” Scully hummed, shifting a little. 

“Scully,” he said and she hummed again. 

“Whaaat?” she breathed, but did not open her eyes. 

“I have something to show you.” 

“Mmmmulder… no…” she groaned and he chuckled as the cat meowed. 

Oh, now she was awake, her eyes opening wide as she scrambled to sit up. 

“What was that? What do you have?” 

“A wee cat I found in the woods,” he said, looking at the cat. 

“What? Let me see.” 

He lifted the cat a little and she gasped as she looked at it. 

“It was all alone?” 

“Yeah. Followed me for a fair bit and then came straight to me.” 

“So small,” she said, petting its head. “He’s barely more than a kitten.” 

“She,” he corrected her. “It’s a girl.” 

“It’s a calico, I should have known.” 

“Did you see this?” He pointed to the dark spot near her mouth. “She’s Kitty Scully.” 

“Stop,” she said with a small laugh. “Can I hold her?” 

“Yeah.” He transferred her to Scully’s arms and she immediately snuggled against her, purring loudly again. “She likes you.” 

“What are we going to do with a cat? We can’t keep her.” She looked up at him, her brow creased. “Here or with us when we leave.” 

“We can while we’re here,” he said, rubbing under the cat’s jaw. “It’s supposed to snow tomorrow. We can’t put her out in that kind of weather.” 

“We don’t have anything here for a cat.” 

“There’s a store down the road. We can get some things.” 

“I’ll go,” she said. “Can’t be too safe.” 

“Okay,” he said and she looked up at him, her chin scrunched. 

“I love her already,” she said and he laughed. 

“I know how you feel.” 

The snowfall made it easy to stay inside where a warm fire was always burning. They used that time to play with the cat they called Shadow, seeing as she followed Mulder both outside on the trail and inside the cabin, always wanting to be by his side. 

“What are we supposed to do with her?” Scully asked as Shadow lay between them on the bed, their last night in the cabin, purring quietly as she fell asleep. 

“It wouldn’t be sensible to bring her. Living in a car is no life for a cat,” he said, not sure who he was trying to convince. 

“But…” Scully said, scratching Shadow gently under the chin. “She’s your shadow.” 

“Scully, come on…” he said, shaking his head. “You’re supposed to be the pragmatic one.” 

“I can’t be at the moment,” she said, putting her face near Shadow’s and giving her a kiss. “Don’t ask me to be tonight.” 

“The last night.” 

“Stop talking,” she said, a quiet sob escaping as she kept her face close to Shadow’s. 

In the morning, they packed up and silently drove toward town to drop off the keys and ask about a nearby shelter. Shadow lay in Scully’s lap, washing herself and purring softly. Scully ran her fingers back and forth over the top of Shadow’s head, sighing often.  

At the rental agency, he put the car in park and sighed as he turned off the ignition. 

“Okay, I’ll be-” Scully started to say, but he stopped her. 

“I’ll do it.” 

“But they might-”

“They won’t pay attention to me. But I’ll wear my hat and glasses, just in case. You stay here.” 

“Okay,” she whispered, petting Shadow with the backs of her fingers. 

He got out of the car and walked into the building, his steps feeling heavy. For so long, it had been just them, and now they had something that relied on them and brought them joy. 

How was he supposed to take that from her? From both of them? 

He walked up to the desk and waited, the question he did not want to ask taking up residence in the back of his throat. 

“Did you enjoy your time at the cabin?” the older woman with the kind face asked him when she walked over to the desk. 

“Yes, thank you.” 

“That’s wonderful. Thank you for staying and please come again.” 

“Yeah,” he said. He opened his mouth to ask where the shelter was, but the words would not come out. “Uhhh… thank you again.” He smiled and stepped back, walking out of the building. 

Through the windshield, he saw Scully hugging Shadow with tears on her cheeks, and he knew they would never be searching for that shelter. 

Opening the door, he got in and heard her sniffle. Shadow trilled a meow at him and he smiled at her as he took off his hat and sunglasses, setting them on the dashboard and then looking back at her. 

“It’s an odd old life we live, Shadow girl,” he said softly and Scully sniffled again. “One we didn’t plan. But nor did we plan to find you.” He sighed and looked at Scully, seeing the tears in her blue eyes, but also a small spark of hope. “If we can adapt, I think she can learn to as well.” 

“Mulder,” Scully breathed, reaching for his hand. 

“I can’t lose my shadow,” he whispered. 

“No,” she agreed with a sob. “No, you can’t.” 

He smiled and her tears spilled over. Cupping her face, he wiped her tears and then leaned in to kiss her. 

“Let’s get outta here.” 

“Yeah,” she agreed, kissing him once more. 

He started the car, turned on the heater, and looked over at Shadow who meowed at him as she curled up in Scully’s lap. He laughed softly as he backed up and they drove down the snowy road, the sound of Shadow’s contented purrs filling the car, as Scully’s hand reached for his, squeezing as she held it.

No, he could not lose his shadow. 

[atths--twice]

Chapter Two

A Watchful Eye

Scully glanced around the room, her eyes scanning over everyone quickly, her hands in fists as she did. 

They had been placed on a special assignment by Skinner- undercover surveillance of a high ranking senator at a fundraising dinner. His life had been threatened and people below his station had already suffered injuries as a result of the suspect attempting to get to him through them. 

While she did not care for his politics, and even less for his personal life, as an FBI agent, her duty was to protect. 

The room they were in was large and filling with more people by the minute. The face of the suspect was seared into her memory and by constantly scanning the room, she knew they would find him before he was able to hurt anyone else. 

“Nothing at the west entrance,” Mulder said and she heard it in her concealed earpiece. 

“Nor the south,” Agent Bonner replied. “But there is a large group heading toward me. Getting closer for a better look.” 

Scully looked to her left and saw Agent Bonner smiling as he approached the south entrance. 

“What a lovely dress,” he said to a woman and Scully heard her laugh. “Have a good evening. Perhaps I’ll find you for a dance later.” 

“Oh… I’d like that,” came the woman’s reply and now Agent Bonner was laughing. Scully did another scan of the room before looking back at Bonner. 

“Negative,” he said, the earpiece crackling and causing her to wince, though she did not draw attention to it. 

“Excuse me.” 

Scully turned to her right and saw a blond man with green eyes standing beside her. 

“Yes?” 

“I couldn’t help but notice you from across the room,” he said with a smile and she held back a groan. “I saw that you were without a drink and came over to offer to remedy that for you.” 

“Oh,” she said, quickly scanning the room once again. 

“Unless you’re here with someone and I’ve made a miscalculation?” the man asked, his eyebrows raising, though his smile remained in place. “If I have, I do apologize. It’s just that you standing here on your own and looking so beautiful, I couldn’t help but-”

“There you are,” Mulder said on her left hand side. She turned to look at him, surprised he had made it from his post so quickly. “Sorry, honey. Got tied up at coat check.” He placed his hand on her lower back and bent to kiss her temple. She stared at him as he stood to his full height, the pressure of his hand increasing. “Have you made a new friend?” 

“Seems I have,” she said, looking back at the blond man. “Darling, this is… I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.” 

“I hadn’t introduced myself yet, no,” he said, his eyes flicking between them. 

“He offered to get me a drink.” 

“Oh, did he? You have been making new friends.” 

“I didn’t know she was with anyone. Didn’t see a ring…” 

“You see?” Mulder said, taking her left hand in his and shaking his head. “I’m always telling her the same thing. Without the ring, no one knows and everyone feels they have a chance.” 

“And I tell you…” she said, pulling her hand from his grasp. “… the diamond is too big and I want to downsize it.” 

“That’s three months salary, babe. No way. I want you to show that off.”

“Two months is standard,” she said and he laughed softly. 

“Nothing about me is standard,” he said, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her close, his lips near her ear. “As you well know.” She laughed and leaned into him, playing along. 

“Well,” the blond man said, clearing his throat. “Seeing as how you are not alone and have someone willing to get your drinks, I’ll… Goodbye.” He turned sharply on his heel and walked away. 

“Yeah. Goodbye,” Mulder said, his arm still around her waist. “Give it a second.” 

His lips were pressed against the shell of her ear and she put her head down, hoping it blocked the view of her eyes closing at the feel of them there. She worked at controlling her breathing, which had increased, as well as her heart rate.

But sweet suffering Jesus… he smelled so good. 

“He’s looking over here,” Mulder whispered and she swallowed before throwing her head back and laughing. Placing a hand on his chest, she pushed back slightly as she smiled. 

“Drinks?” she said, raising an eyebrow and glancing toward his station where she saw Agent Pruitt now standing. “Or I could ask my new friend…” 

“Hmm. Unnecessary,” he said, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles as he stepped backwards. “I’ll be back soon. Keep an eye out for me.” He nodded with a glance over her left shoulder and she nodded back. 

“I’ll be here.” 

He let go of her hand and she kept an eye on him until he disappeared into the crowd of his fellow tuxedo wearers, though she could spot him within seconds. Smoothing her hands over the simple, yet elegant black cocktail dress she wore, she began her surveillance once again. 

“Nicely handled,” came Skinner’s gruff voice. 

“Thanks,” they both said, and she held back a laugh as her eyes flicked through the new faces she had missed. 

“All clear here,” she stated. 

“Front entrance is gumming up,” Agent Kendall said. “Gonna need another agent.” 

“Heading your way,” Agent Pruitt said and Scully glanced over to see him and Mulder switching places with a nod. 

Agent Pruitt walked away and Mulder caught her eye as he began to watch the room. He smiled slowly at her and just as he had done years ago on a similar assignment, he winked at her. She smiled back and shook her head, rolling her eyes as turned her head. 

“West entrance clear,” he said and hearing his voice in her ear was not the same as feeling it vibrating against her skin. 

“Center still clear as well,” she said, wishing he was standing beside her, causing her heart rate to double. 

But… knowing that in the overly crowded room, his gaze paused to rest on her every few seconds, she found she was unable to hold back a smile. 

[atths--twice]

Little Look-Ins

Four look-ins, at different points in the life of Mulder and Scully. 💙

Chapter One

That Damn J-O-B

The basketball hit the floor as he dribbled down the court. Stopping at the free throw line, he bounced the ball twice more and then shot it to the net. It hit the rim and then ricocheted back at him. 

“Oh, so close,” he heard behind him, causing him to spin around in surprise and miss catching the ball. It hit him on the ass and he winced as Scully laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear. 

“Jesus. You scared me,” he said, rubbing his ass as the ball rolled past him. 

“So delicate,” she said, stopping the ball with her foot and then bending to pick it up. 

“How dare you,” he said, shaking his head. “Have you not seen how manly I am?” 

“Hmm,” she hummed, rolling her eyes as she smiled. He smiled back as he looked her up and down. 

“I’d say that’s a nice shirt, but I’d be lying.” 

“You don’t like the Lakers?” she asked, looking down at the shirt she was wearing. 

“I do not. As you are aware,” he said, motioning to his Knicks shirt. “They are my enemy.” 

“Your enemy?” she asked with a chortle. “Yours? Didn’t know you had joined the team.” 

“I’m a sideline participant.” 

“They pay you for that?” she asked, bouncing the basketball a couple of times. 

“All the money I’ve spent over the years… they should.” 

“Should they pay every fan?” she asked, stepping back as she continued to bounce the basketball. 

“Sideline participant,” he corrected her and she laughed with a nod. 

“I stand corrected.” 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear that before,” he said, silently admiring the way it hugged her curves. He did not see her in such casual clothing of this nature and it was hard to tear his eyes away. 

A long sleeved white shirt under the purple Lakers t-shirt, black non-work slacks, and black Converse… she could almost be mistaken for a college student. 

“You own Converse?” 

“They’re on my feet,” she said, rolling her eyes again. “It would seem I own them.” She tossed the ball to him and he caught it, letting out a surprised breath. 

“How’d you know I was here?” he asked, dribbling the ball. 

“It’s after hours of your J-O-B…” she said with a shrug. “It’s where you’ve been recently. Even during work hours.” Raising an eyebrow, she held out her hands and motioned with her chin for him to toss the ball. 

“My J-O-B…” he said, shaking his head as he bounced the ball to her. He sighed and she nodded, dribbling the ball. 

“We got the basement back,” she said, grabbing the ball and holding it as she stared at him. “The files.” 

“I know,” he answered. “And I am glad. But… I keep thinking about those people at the base. All those bodies.” She drew in a deep breath and nodded. “It’s not what I wanted.” 

“I know that.” 

“It’s not the truth I hoped to find. At least not that way.” 

“I know that too.” 

She gave him a sad smile and he let out a deep sigh, nodding slightly. 

“Let’s put a bet on whether I crush you at sinking this ball,” she said, beginning to dribble again. “Loser buys.” 

“I’ve got nearly foot on you,” he said with a snort. “You think you can beat me?” 

Two bounces and she tossed the ball. It hit the backboard, before falling silently through the net. His mouth dropped open as he looked at her in disbelief. 

“Yeah,” she said, nodding with a smile. “I think I’ll be alright.” 

“Well… shit,” he said and she laughed as he went to retrieve the ball. Tossing it back inbounds, he shook his head. “I hope I have some cash.” 

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll take a credit card,” she teased, as she started to dribble the ball, her shoes squeaking on the floor as she moved from side to side. 

“Or I’m washin’ dishes,” he said, stepping onto the court. 

“Either way,” she said, running toward and then around him, jumping as she tossed the ball into the net again. “Two points.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, waiting for her to throw the ball to him. “Bring it on.” 

And for the next thirty minutes, he forgot about the J-O-B that had recently been weighing him down.  

[atths--twice]

“Hey kids. Dad and I will be home later.”

“Hmm. That’s right. You better be in bed and have done your homework.”

“Yeah. Hope you did your reading. We’ll come in and give you kisses when we get back.”

“Love you. Go to sleep.”

“Yeah, love you. Goodnight.”

[atths--twice]

Snow Day

A storm hits Virginia, prompting a snow day filled with fun.

(part 66 in the Family Series)

January 5, 2025

“Sheesh,” Mulder said as he came inside, Bella following behind and shaking, just over the threshold. “It’s really cold out. Smells… like snow.” He drew in a deep breath as he shivered.

“Which you already knew is going to happen, seeing as we saw it on the news tonight,” Scully teased from her spot on the couch, where she was reading a book.

“Weather people are wrong all the time,” he said, taking in another deep breath. “But I know how it smells before it snows. I can feel it.”

“In your bones?” she asked with a smile.

“What are you trying to say?” he asked, turning his head to look at her.

“My great aunt used to say she could feel snow in the hip that she broke, which then became arthritic.”

“Your much older aunt, I’m sure.”

“Than me? As a child? Yes,” she said, turning a page and smiling. “But she was probably only in her seventies.”

“Well, that is old,” he said with a nod.

“Yes. And so much older than sixty three,” she said, watching him out of the corner of her eye.

The door closed harshly, the lock sounding louder than usual, as he turned to stare at her, his eyes narrowing.

“That’s a seven year difference. It’s huge.”

“Weren’t you saying something about your shoulder aching this morning?” she asked, a smile pulling at her lips.

“You mean where you shot me?” he asked, unzipping his coat and taking off his beanie. “Yeah. That tends to aggrieve me from time to time.”

“You mean when I saved your life,” she said pointedly. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

“And I’ve thanked you many times over the years, as you well know,” he said, hanging up his coat and beanie on the coat rack. “Must I do it every time it’s brought up?”

“Yes. Every time,” she said, nodding and licking her lips.

The floor creaked and she fought back a smile, keeping her eyes on the book in her lap. The ponytail she wore was grabbed gently and her head was tilted back. When she looked at him, she saw the smile on his lips as well as in his eyes.

“Thank you,” he whispered, before his lips pressed to hers. “Thank you.” Another kiss. “Thank you.” Another kiss and then another, his tongue touching hers briefly before he pulled back. “There. Now I have three freebies to simply nod the next time you bring it up.”

“Two. You didn’t technically thank me tonight.”

“Oh,” he said, bending his head and kissing her once more. “Thank you. Now it’s three.”

“We’ll see. Everything is negotiable.” He chuckled and she smiled, placing a hand on his cheek and then pulling it away. “Jesus, your face is freezing.”

“I was just outside in the soon to be snow filled air, Scully. Of course my face is freezing.” He stood up and released his hold on her hair, running his fingers across her neck as she yelped in surprise. “Sorry, were those cold too?”

“You know they were,” she said, rubbing at her neck as he chuckled again.

“I’m going to go down to the basement and get the container of snow clothes, hopefully everything still fits Faith. We haven’t had a good snow day in a while.”

“Hmm,” Scully hummed, her attention back on her book. “It should be fine, but she has new boots at least. We can put together an outfit of random items if needed.”

“She’s gonna be so excited,” he said and Scully smiled as she listened to him walk down the basement stairs.

Grey jumped onto the couch with a meow and stepped into her lap, purring loudly as she kneaded the blanket covering Scully.

“Hey, you,” she said to Grey, whose eyes were half closed. “You’ll probably want to stay inside tomorrow, it’s going to snow.” Grey began to purr louder as Scully rubbed her ears with a smile. “We won’t be so lucky with Faith wanting to go out and play. But it will be fun. Oh, I wonder if we have hot chocolate. Sorry, sweet girl, but I’m gonna need to leave you without a lap. But you can stay snuggled in the blanket.”

She placed her book beside her and then moved Grey as she stood up. Setting her back onto the blanket, she covered her as she had done when she was a kitten, making sure she was cozy before she went to see about their hot chocolate stash.

Finding two boxes, one with marshmallows and one without, she took down the box with marshmallows and set it on the counter. Checking to see if there were enough ingredients for pancakes and eggs, she then walked over to the door, unlocked it, and opened it.

A gust of cold air greeted her and she shivered, wrapping her long, dusty blue cardigan around her. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and smiled.

“Yeah, that’s snow air,” she said, opening her eyes and looking up at the still clear sky. She nodded, knowing it would all change in just a couple of hours.

“Hey, what are you doing with that door open?” Mulder asked and she turned to look at him.

“Just wanted to smell the incoming snow.”

“You feeling it in your bones?” he teased as he set the gray container of snow clothes down.

“No. I’m far too young for any of that,” she said, shaking her head.

“Okay,” he said, nodding as he laughed through his nose and took off the lid to begin taking out clothes.

“It smells so good. So crisp and anticipatory.” She drew in another deep breath and let it out. Shivering again, she shut the door and locked it. “It will be a different sight out there next time we open the door.”

“Good thing school was already closed in preparation,” Mulder said, laying Faith’s clothes on the back of the couch.

“And I don’t have to work. Though I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to make it there even if I did.”

“Nor should you have had to try, as much as I know you would want to,” he said, looking over at her. “We need you safe.”

“Aww. You love me,” she teased, walking over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Eh. You’re alright,” he said, sliding his arms around her waist as she laughed softly.

“Thanks.”

“Hmm,” he hummed, swaying them slowly. She smiled, shaking her head as he winked at her before lowering his head to kiss her.

“You’re alright too,” she whispered, kissing him again.

“Thanks.”

She laughed again and then pulled back.

“Okay. What have we got here?”

They looked through the clothes and took out anything that seemed too small.

“It’s a good start. We can add stuff tomorrow if needed,” she said and he nodded, now laying out their own clothes beside Faith’s. “And we have stuff for breakfast as well as a box of hot chocolate.”

“With-”

“Yes. The one with marshmallows,” she assured him with a smile.

“Yessssss,” he said, punching a fist into the air.

“Who persuaded who to buy that box?” she asked, crossing her arms and raising her eyebrows, knowing full well it was him.

“Oh, it was definitely me pushing for it,” he said. “But when she saw it had rainbow colored marshmallows, well… the box went straight into the cart.”

“Nothing but net,” Scully said and he nodded, miming throwing a basketball.

“Three points in overtime,” he said and she laughed, shaking her head.

“Well, we’re ready,” she said, touching the clothes and then yawning. “Just gotta wait for the snow.”

“You head on up, I’ll take care of stuff down here.”

“Thanks, hon,” she said, giving him a quick kiss.

“Warm my spot up,” he said as she started up the stairs.

“And leave my spot cold? No chance.”

“I thought you loved me!” he said.

“When it’s cold like this, it’s every man, or woman, for themselves.”

“My cold feet will definitely be making an acquaintance with yours.”

“Ha!” she said quietly as she continued up the stairs. “I’ll be wearing socks, so good luck with that.”

“Oh, I’ll be trying.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She smiled as she reached the top and stopped at Faith’s door. Opening the door quietly, she stepped inside the room to check on her.

The small portable heater they had purchased recently was keeping the room warm, but not overly so. Covering Faith, she kissed her on the cheek and smoothed back her hair.

“Hmm,” Faith hummed, turning over and sighing deeply.

“It’s going to be so much fun tomorrow,” Scully whispered, kissing her one more time. Leaving the bedroom, she closed the door softly and continued to their bedroom.

Dressed, with long thick socks on, their own small heater shifted to a lower setting, she laid under the covers, waiting for the sheets to warm up from her body heat.

Mulder came up a few minutes later, being loudly quiet as he closed the door.

“The bed warmed up?” he asked, opening and closing drawers.

“Once you get in, it should start to become so.”

“Hmmm,” he hummed as he went into the bathroom.

When he slipped into bed a few minutes later, he pressed flush against her, his arm going around her.

“Hey! No stealing my warmth!” she said, trying to move away.

“I’m not stealing it, woman. I’m adding to it. Just stay still,” he said. “I’ll even keep my feet away.”

“Mmm,” she grumbled, frowning as she resituated in her spot, his body pressed even closer. “No funny business.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he chuckled near her ear. “There are far too many layers for that at the moment.”

“Mmhmm,” she agreed, as she relaxed into the bed. “Just warmth tonight.”

“Agreed.”

“Good.”

He sighed as she closed her eyes, her arm over his as they lay close together, the small heater humming and filling the room.

Blinking her eyes, she woke slowly, the sun just beginning to light the day. Closing her eyes and attempting to sleep longer, she remembered the snow. Opening her eyes, she pushed the covers back and stood up. Mulder mumbled in his sleep, turning onto his side as she walked softly across the room.

Stepping into the cool bathroom, she looked out the window and sighed happily at the blanket of snow on the ground, watching as it continued to fall.

“Absolutely beautiful,” she whispered. Breathing out, she steamed up the window and drew a heart. “It’s gonna be a cold but fun time out there.”

She used the bathroom, washed her hands and face, and then brushed her teeth. Walking back to the bed, she got back under the covers and moved closer to Mulder, wrapping her arm around his waist.

“Hmm,” he hummed. “No stealing warmth.”

“Adding to it, remember?” she whispered, kissing between his shoulder blades, his shirt soft under her lips.

“Hmm,” he hummed again, the heater hissing softly as it kicked back on.

“It snowed,” she said, kissing him again and then pressing her cheek against his back. “It’s actually still falling.”

“A lot on the ground?” he said in his sleep graveled voice.

“Enough for a fun day.”

“Well,” he said, clearing his throat and squeezing her hand. “Let’s not waste any of it.” She laughed quietly and nodded against him. He pushed the covers away and sat up with a small groan, then stood to his feet.

“Sure the cold won’t bother you?” she teased and he turned around with narrowed eyes.

“Just watch it, woman.” He pointed at her as he walked backwards to the bathroom and she laid on her back, staring at the ceiling with a grin.

“It’s more than I thought,” he said, coming back to the bed a few minutes later and standing at her side. “I think we can make a few snowmen.”

“Ahem,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“And women,” he said and she nodded.

“No aliens? Or Bigfoot? Or any other monsters?”

“We’ll see how the day goes,” he said, holding out a hand to her. “Come on. Let’s go wake up our girl.”

She took his hand and he pulled her from the bed, kissing her before they walked hand in hand to Faith’s room, opening the door quietly.

To their surprise, she was standing at her window, inside the curtains as she stared outside.

“Oh, you’re already awake, love,” Mulder said and Faith turned to look at him, pushing the curtains back, her smile huge.

“Daddy! It snowed! Did you see? There is so much!”

“I did see,” he said, walking over to her and looking out the window. “Wow. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Can we make snow people?”

“We can, my love,” Scully said, coming over and smoothing down Faith’s bed head. “Right after breakfast we can go out.”

“Yay!” Faith shouted, jumping up and down. “Can we have pancakes?”

“It’s like you read my mind,” Scully said. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Yay!” Faith shouted again, spinning around happily.

“Come on,” Mulder said, scooping her up and causing her to squeal and then laugh. “Let’s eat and head out to play in this winter wonderland.”

“Pan-cakes! Pan-cakes!” Faith chanted from his arms, her own raised in the air. Scully laughed as she followed behind them down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Mulder took Bella out, intent on going to find the sleds out in the shed, if they decided to go sledding down the big hill.

Faith helped make the pancake batter, carefully measuring out the flour and baking powder.

“I’m getting really good at helping you cook, Mommy. I like to do it,” Faith said, grinning at Scully as she started to carefully mix the ingredients.

“You are, my love,” Scully said, kissing her on the head. “Makes it taste better when you help make it, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Faith agreed with a nod.

After they each had a full stomach and had been to the bathroom, twice, they dressed for their morning outside, the snow still falling softly.

Bella bounded outside when the door was opened, barking as she ran down the stairs and into the snow.

“It’s so pretty,” Faith said quietly, standing on the porch and staring out at the yard.

“It is,” Mulder and Scully both said, smiling at each other.

“Let’s go play in it!” Faith said, walking carefully down the stairs.

They followed behind her and walked through the powdery snow in their boots. Faith laughed as she spun around, snow falling down upon her. Tipping her head back, she stuck out her tongue.

“I caught one!” she shouted, looking at them with a huge grin.

“Yeah, you did. Try it again.”

She did with a laugh and then fell back into the snow, making a snow angel. Scully pulled out her phone and took pictures of her, smiling at the happiness she exuded.

“Daddy make one with me. And you too, Mommy. We can make our family.”

“Oh, I can’t say no to that,” Mulder said, lying next to her and making an angel. Scully put her phone away and then laid on the other side of Faith, raising her arms up and down and her legs open and closed.

When they were done, they got up carefully, smiling at the snow family they made. Scully took pictures and then they moved on to making snow people.

They had two done when Faith grew bored and Mulder suggested sledding.

“Yes!” Faith shouted.

“How about you guys play out here for just a bit longer and I will get some snacks ready for us to take along,” Scully suggested. “Unless you need to use the bathroom, Faithy…” She looked at Faith and she shook her head.

“I’m okay, Mommy.”

“Okay. How about you two make a snow cat and before we leave for the hill, we all go to the bathroom?”

“Okay!” Faith agreed. “I want to make a Grey snow cat!”

“You got it, babes,” Mulder said. “Let’s get cracking.”

Scully left them and went inside, only taking off minimal clothing as she packed a backpack with snacks and water, saving the hot chocolate for when they came back.

After they trooped back in to quickly use the bathroom, they left the house with two sleds and set off for the big hill. Faith sat in one of one of them and Mulder pulled her along the empty snow filled street, Scully carrying the other.

“Mush! Mush!” she called to him, waving her arm in the air. “Faster, doggie, faster.”

“Your bones will be tired tonight,” Scully said, side eyeing him.

“Pfft,” he expelled through his lips, shaking his head. “Faster you say, Squatch? I can do that.” He pulled the sled faster and Faith laughed happily, passing Scully and leaving her behind.

“Goodbye, Mommy!” Faith called, looking back at her and waving.

“Bye, love,” she called, waving back at her as Bella barked and chased after them.

Taking a deep breath, she readjusted the backpack and sled, looking around.

Jafadine, the large wooden giraffe at Violet and Denis’s house, was covered in snow, looking out of place for an animal from such a warm climate.

“Jafadine,” Scully said as she walked past, Faith’s laughter echoing back to her. “You’ll be needing a coat. It’s going to snow again soon.” She smiled as she continued on, the silence around her feeling different in the snow.

“Scullllaaaaayyy!” Mulder called and she snorted out a laugh, shaking her head.

“Well, the silence was nice,” she said to herself, looking up to see them, standing and waiting at the bottom of the hill.

“Come on, Mommy!” Faith called, waving her arms back and forth.

“Coming, love!” she called back, walking a little faster, dropping the sled and pulling it behind her.

Bella ran up to her, her whole body wiggling happily. She licked Scully’s hand and then started running back to Faith, who giggled as she caught her. Scully smiled at them, catching Mulder’s eyes as he nodded.

“Okay,” he said as she reached them. “Let’s start up the hill.”

“To the top?” Faith asked, looking up, snow falling softly onto her face.

“Maybe just to the middle? See how the walk is for you?” he suggested. “Walking through snow is a little more work.”

“Can you pull me up?” she asked.

“Yeah, can you?” Scully asked, looking up at him and smiling.

He looked between the two of them, taking in a deep breath.

“Let’s walk first and see how it goes. Snow is more work, like I said, for all of us. Adding your work to my own work makes it harder for me each time,” he said, Faith staring intently at him. “So, let’s do our own work and then if you need me to help you, I will.”

“Okay, Daddy. I’ll walk on my own. Can I hold your hand?”

“You… you absolutely can,” Mulder said, his voice a little shaky as Scully felt tears prick her eyes.

He held his hand out to Faith and she smiled as she took it, their mittened hands holding tight. Shaking his head as he looked at Scully, she rubbed his arm and smiled.

“Okay,” he said, letting out a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

“Yay!” Faith shouted and they began to trudge up the hill.

It was work reaching the middle of the hill, but flying down together, all of them laughing as Bella chased after them barking excitedly, was more than worth it.

Only on the last trip up, did Mulder give in and pull Faith up the hill as she lay on her back in the sled.

“So, I’ll be tired tonight,” he admitted to Scully, his breathing a little ragged.

“Me too,” she said, her hip feeling sore from tipping out of the sled.

“We have bags of frozen peas, right?”

“And carrots,” she laughed.

“Good. Good,” he said, moaning as he continued to walk up the hill and Faith sang Jingle Bells quietly.

Thirty minutes later, they walked through the front door, all of them pink cheeked and chilly.

Clothes and boots were shed, leaving them in their long underwear and socks. Hot chocolate was made, the rainbow marshmallows floating on the top. Sitting down at the table, they rehashed the day, discussing what they liked best.

Scully watched Faith smile and laugh, a hot chocolate mustache on her face, her legs swinging as she talked about how it felt to fly down the hill in the sled.

Not for the first time, she felt the pang of what was missed and what they had been denied. But that pain that sometimes felt like a heavy weight, was made lighter as Faith reached over and squeezed her hand three times- their silent way of saying I love you.

Squeezing back four times, Faith smiled at her before letting go and scooping a pink marshmallow from her mug with a spoon.

Mulder cleared his throat and Scully glanced at him. His eyebrows went up asking a question without speaking, and she nodded with a smile.

Reaching for her mug, she raised it up.

“A toast,” she said. “To snow days and sledding down hills.”

“To snow days!” Mulder and Faith shouted, lifting their own mugs.

Clinking them together, Faith giggled as she then took a big drink, her chocolate mustache deepening.

[atths--twice]

Saw this and immediately imagined a little AU. 💙

“Hello?”

“Hey,” he said. “I just wanted to call and say I had a good time tonight.”

“Oh. I did too,” she said and he could hear the smile in her voice. “Did you speed the whole way home? You got there quickly.”

“Not home yet,” he said, shaking his head as he rested his arm on top of the phone box. “I had to pull over and call you.”

“You…” she said and he smiled. “I barely walked in the door. How far did you get from my place?”

“Uh… not too far.”

“Okay.” She chuckled and his smile grew, loving the sound of it.

“I… really enjoyed our date, Dana. I’m glad we could finally make it happen.”

“Me too,” she whispered and he heard a cat meow. “Shhh, quiet Bertie.”

“Oh, you have a cat?”

“I do.”

“I like cats.” Another meow was heard and he chuckled.

“She’s looking for a snack and she won’t be quiet until I get it for her.”

“Then you better do it,” he said and she chuckled.

“Okay. I’ll do that as you drive home.”

“I still have some time left on my dime.”

She laughed and he smiled again.

“Didn’t know you dabbled in poetry,” she said and he heard a bag of something being shaken as the cat meowed again. “Here you go, Bertie Bird.”

“I like to make rhymes. Though not always.” She laughed a deep belly laugh and he chuckled softly, holding his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone.

“You’re very funny, Fox,” she said and he nodded.

“I try,” he said.

“You have thirty seconds left. Insert money for more time.”

“Oh, you better go,” she said.

“Yeah,” he said, wishing he did not have to hang up, but knowing that had been his only dime. “Call you when I get home?”

“Sure,” she said, the smile once again in her voice. “Drive safely.”

“I will. Give Bertie a pat from me.”

“Mmm,” she hummed. “Okay.”

“Bye. I lo-”

The dial tone sounded in his ear and he pulled back with wide eyes.

“Did you really just start to say you love her?” he asked himself as he hung up and stared at the phone. “It’s been one date. Get it together, man.”

He shook his head and exhaled as he walked to his car and got inside. Shaking his head again as he started the car, he hoped he had not scared her off, as he thought of how he could smooth this over.

He need not have worried however.

When he called her as soon as he entered his apartment, his cover story ready, she answered on the first ring.

“The phone company apologizes for the untimely disconnect with your previous phone call,” she said in the nasally tone of the phone company. “We believe we interrupted your sentence and we would like to offer you a chance to finish your conversation. Please, continue.”

He grinned, his plan to lie completely disappearing.

“I was interrupted. But I don’t know if I should continue what I was going to say.”

“We believe you should. We encourage it,” she said in the same nasally tone.

“I love you,” he said quietly, his heart racing. “I know it’s only been one date, but I…”

“It’s been more than that,” she said softly. “We just finally had the opportunity to go out, as we used to say.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, swallowing hard as he knew she was right, their relationship more than just the one date.

“I was thinking about what I would say to you once you called,” she whispered. “Trying to decide if I should brush off what I thought you were going to say. But I didn’t want to do that.”

“Why?”

“Because… I feel the same. I… I love you too. And I know it’s as crazy as you do.”

“Then let’s be crazy together,” he said, flopping down on his couch with a smile.

“Merowwww!”

“Let’s,” she said with a chuckle. “You, me, and Bertie B.”

“Sounds like a plan, man,” he replied and she laughed that belly laugh again, the one he wanted to hear for the rest of his life.

[atths--twice]

What if…

“Who are you?” he asked and even as her heart raced at the fact that he was finally awake, it broke at his words.

“You… you don’t…” ‬she said, her grip on his hand slipping as her stomach sank.

‪“I’m not… I feel like I should know you…” ‬he rasped, trying to clear his throat.

“No. You…” ‬She shook her head, now completely releasing his hand, wanting to run from the room and get the doctor.

“I… I…” ‬

“You’ve been through an ordeal‬. An… accident.”

“I have?” he asked, frowning slightly. “I don’t remember it.”

“You were…” She took a deep breath as the baby kicked, causing her to pitch forward slightly. “Let me go get the doctor.”

“What happened to me?”

“The doctor. Let me…”

“No doctors,” he rasped out. “Get me…” He frowned again and shook his head once. “It’s someone I need.”

“The doctor is who you need,” she pleaded, a hand going to her stomach as she wiped her eyes with her other hand. “I’ll be right back.”

“You’re a doctor,” he said, staring at her. “That’s right, isn’t it?”

“I… I am.”

“Then… aren’t you able to help me?”

“Not… Mulder, please…”

“Mulder,” he said, closing his eyes and frowning. “Mulder. Fox…”

“Yes. That’s your name,” she said softly, hope returning as she breathed deeply. “Do you remember?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Let me get the doctor. Please… Fox…”

“I even made my parents call me Mulder,” he said and her heart stopped beating for a second. He opened his eyes and stared at her. “Is that… have I told you that before?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“I don’t… it feels familiar.”

“Let me-”

“You’re… on the edges… blurry…” He raised his hand, moving his fingers as if trying to touch his thoughts.

“I’ll be right back. Please let me…” she said, drawing in a deep breath, gripping her stomach as she felt the baby move again.

“I know you… I just…”

“It’s okay. You’ll… we’ll figure it out. Let me get the doctor and we can talk to them. They can… please, Mulder.”

“I want to remember,” he whispered and her eyes filled with tears. “All of the thoughts crowding in my head… knowing you feels like the most important one.”

“I…” She stepped away from the bed and toward the door, his words panging her heart. “I’ll be right back. I have to-”

“Scully,” he said quietly and she stopped with her hand on the door handle. “You’re Scully.”

She turned around and stared at him, tears falling down her face.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“I remember. I remember you.”

“What… what do you remember?” she asked, stepping closer to him, her breathing increasing in anticipation.

“Everything. I remember everything.”

“Everything?” she asked and he nodded, holding his hand out to her. She took it, sniffling quietly as she stepped even closer.

“Everything,” he whispered, squeezing her hand, his eyes searching her face. “You’ve been worried. I can see it in your eyes.” She let out a shaky laugh and closed her eyes as she squeezed his hand.

“I have. I have been very worried,” she breathed, opening her eyes and staring at him, his injuries hurting her heart.

“I should have stayed. Should have…” he whispered. “Should have listened to you. Stayed with you.”

“Mulder…”

“Scully,” he whispered, smiling softly.

“Mulder,” she cried, leaning forward and laying her head on his chest, his heart beating beneath her ear.

“My Scully,” he breathed, fresh tears falling from her eyes and onto his hospital gown as his hand went to her head, his fingers running gently through her hair. “I don’t remember what happened to me, but I know that I missed you… ached for you.”

“God, Mulder,” she cried, her nails pressing into his chest. “Me too. So very much.”

[atths--twice]

Had an ask for a happy story during these moments we might not be feeling so happy. So… 💙💙

For the Moment

Her house out of commission, Scully receives an offer she can’t disregard.

2018

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself,” Scully said, turning to smile at Mulder as he came out of the diner.

“So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

“My plans?” she asked with a chuckle. “Well, I was thinking of going home, taking a bath, maybe reading a book… oh wait… I can’t. What with the explosion at my place and all.”

“Huh… well…” he said, taking the keys from his pocket. “I suppose you could, but I think it might be awkward doing that, what with the group of men working there at the moment.”

“I don’t know,” she said, walking toward the car. “It would be nice to have admirers.”

“Hmm,” he hummed, his arm brushing against hers. “Never knew you to be an exhibitionist.” She tried to hide her smile, but failed miserably.

“Pretty sure I’d stay covered up. Although, all those men…” He scoffed and she smiled again, bumping his arm lightly. “What are your plans?”

“I have none. I’m free as a bird.”

“Must be nice,” she said, catching his eye as she walked around the back of the car toward the passenger door. When she heard the click of it unlocking, she opened the door and got inside.

“It is nice,” he said, getting in beside her.

“Hmm,” she hummed, putting on her seatbelt.

“You know,” he said, putting his seatbelt on as well. “You packed a bag as you can’t go back there for a few days.”

“I do know.”

“You don’t have a hotel booked.”

“Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder,” she said, unlocking her phone and opening her search engine. “I could find a place now.”

“Well, now,” he said, putting his hand over the screen and pushing her phone down gently. “That wasn’t what I was thinking.”

“No?” she asked, knowing full well what he had meant.

“I was simply stating,” he said, taking her phone and locking it before setting it in the cup holder. “Your bag is packed and in the back of this car. You mentioned taking a bath. Maybe reading a book.”

“I did,” she said, nodding slowly.

“I… well…” He turned his hands palms up and shrugged, giving her a lopsided smile. “You don’t need a hotel when all of those amenities are at our… my… place. Plus free use of all areas of the house and food.”

“You have food? Because last time I was there, all that was in the fridge was orange juice, iced tea, and condiments. I don’t know about the cupboards.”

“We could stop and get some things. Whatever you’d like, no charge to you.”

“Hmm,” she hummed, tapping a finger to her chin. “No charge for food. No charge for the room. And access to all areas of the house… this is sounding like a pretty deluxe deal.”

“It is.”

“Do you have WiFi?”

“The best WiFi,” he said with a grin.

“Chocolates on the pillow?”

“If that’s what you would like, I’ll speak to the manager.” He nodded, still grinning.

“I don’t think I can pass this up.”

“I don’t think you should.”

“Are there other patrons?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head, his fingers gently tapping the top of her thigh. “Just me.”

“Hmm,” she hummed, glancing at his lips and then looking back into his eyes. “So it’s a two bedroom?”

“It is, but…” He let out a gentle sigh, his fingers now swirling gently against her thigh. “The choice will be yours where you want to sleep.”

“I’ll take it,” she whispered. His swirling fingers paused and then he was squeezing her leg softly as he nodded. “I mean, the house is going to be expensive to repair, so getting freebies where I can will be helpful.”

“It will,” he agreed, moving his hand, but she caught it.

“And I’ll take whichever bed is the biggest.”

“What if that’s my bed? Or the one I sleep in, I mean?” he asked, their fingers intertwining.

“I’d be okay with that.” She smiled and he smiled back, squeezing her fingers gently.

“Okay,” he whispered before letting go of her hand to start the car. “Good.”

“Mmhmm,” she hummed, turning her head to look out the window.

They stopped at the store for some food and she smiled as she saw him add a bottle of the bubble bath she liked as well as some individually wrapped chocolates. He winked as he paid the bill and she smiled as she shook her head.

At the house, he made a show of letting her enter first, informing her of the amenities offered. She just smiled and nodded, falling further in love with him.

He put her bag in their bedroom, glancing at her with questions in his eyes. She nodded, running a hand down his arm and squeezing his forearm.

“I’ll go get the bubble bath if you’d like to take a bath now.”

“I’d like that,” she said, looking around the room that had not changed since she had left.

“Be right back,” he said and she nodded as he walked out of the room.

Choosing to not dwell in the past, she entered the bathroom and turned the water on to begin filling the tub. When it was at the desired temperature, she placed the plug and dried her hands on her pants.

“Hey,” he said, walking back into the room and handing her the bottle of bubble bath. “Here you go. Come down whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you,” she said, holding his gaze as their fingers brushed.

“Yeah,” he said softly with a nod. “Enjoy your bath.”

“I will.”

He nodded again and turned to leave. Turning back around, he stepped closer to her and placed a hand on her cheek.

“Thank you for deciding to come here instead of going to a hotel.”

“It’s for the amenities,” she whispered and he laughed through his nose as he nodded again.

His thumb stroked her cheek as her eyes fell to his lips once more. He stepped one step closer and she drew in a deep breath.

“I’m glad they were to your satisfaction,” he whispered, his lips pressing to hers so softly it made her ache. She opened her mouth, but he kept the kiss chaste, leaving her stumbling forward as he stepped back with a smile. “See you soon.”

“Yeah,” she breathed, licking her lips and tasting his kiss. He smiled and turned around, closing the door behind him. She shook her head and drew in a deep breath. “Hoo boy.”

After her bath, she dressed in yoga pants and a long sleeved shirt. She brushed her hair and wrapped it up in a towel, leaving the bedroom to go find him.

He was on the couch, watching a movie they had watched at least ten times. Sitting down, she put a pillow against his leg and then laid down. He placed a blanket over her and rubbed a hand up and down her arm.

“Feeling better?”

“Hmm,” she hummed, closing her eyes as she suddenly felt exhausted. “Much.”

“Good.”

She woke up sometime later to the sound of Mulder snoring. She smiled and closed her eyes as the scent and sounds of home filled her senses.

Not moving until he woke up, they got up together and made a late lunch, eating it on the porch. They did not speak much, happy in the silence.

She perused the library of books they had collected over the years and picked a favorite, sitting in one of the room's overstuffed chairs.

“Oh, that’s a good one. Read it to me,” Mulder said, coming into the room a few minutes later and sitting in the other chair.

And so she did, both of them laughing at the more humorous bits.

Dinner was forgotten as neither felt hungry. Instead they decided to go to bed early, the previous evening finally catching up to them.

He took a shower as she brushed her teeth and applied her nighttime face lotion, the familiarity of it not lost on her.

Walking out to the bed, she smiled at the sight of the single, golden wrapped, chocolate lying on her pillow. Glancing at him, he winked as she laughed quietly.

“Only the best for our patrons,” he said and she laughed again.

“I’ll enjoy it tomorrow,” she said, moving it to the nightstand as she pulled the covers back and got into bed.

He shifted beside her, his arm going around her and pulling her to him. She closed her eyes, letting his scent wash over her.

“I’m sorry your fancy house blew up,” he said softly, his fingers running gently over her stomach.

“How sorry?”

“At the moment?” he asked, pulling her closer. “Not too sorry.”

“Hmm,” she hummed with a chuckle.

“I love you,” he whispered and she froze, the words so simple and easily spoken. “I know that we’re not-”

“No,” she whispered, turning over and placing a hand on his cheek. “Not tonight.”

He moved his hand from her hip and covered her hand on his cheek.

“Not tonight,” he agreed.

“No,” she confirmed. He smiled and she let out a breath. “I love you too. So very much.”

Her thumb brushed across his lips and he kissed it tenderly. She moved closer and pressed her forehead to his as they both drew in a deep breath and released it.

And for the moment, it was enough.

[atths--twice]

Faith’s Sixth Birthday

It’s time to celebrate the birthday of a very special Halloween girl. 🎂🎃❤️

October 30, 2024

“I feel like I say this every year,” Mulder said as he and Scully put together the little birthday gift bags for Faith’s class. “But I can’t believe that another year has already gone by. She’s going to be six, Scully.”

“I know,” she said with a smile, adding one of the beaded bracelets they had been making throughout the month. “Every year at this time, I remember how pregnant I was. The smell of fall triggers that sense of heaviness and the feel of her moving inside of me.”

“Hmm… that’s beautiful,” he said, smiling with a nod, adding a little container of modeling dough.

“It is,” she said, thinking about those last couple of days before Faith was born. “Still feels like it was yesterday, even though I know it wasn’t.” She ran her hand over her flat stomach and smiled. “It’s like a phantom sensation.”

“Like a ghost?” he asked, raising wide eyes to hers.

“No. Not a ghost,” she said with a laugh, throwing one of the little pompom monsters, that were all the rage with the kids in Faith’s class, at him. He caught it and added it to the bag in his hand.

“I think about it too,” he said. “Hoping she’d hold out until Halloween, but also realizing that seemed selfish on your behalf.”

“Just a bit,” she said, tying the bag she held with the same rainbow colored ribbon they had used for the goodie bags two years ago.

“And then she surprised us,” he said, smiling at her and she smiled back.

“She did indeed.”

“Did I tell you what she asked me today?”

“I don’t think so,” Scully said, taking a sip of wine before picking up another little plastic bag.

“She asked me what happened to five once she turned six,” he said. She looked at him and he nodded. “When we were walking in the garden watering the plants, she said she’s excited to be six, but wanted to know what happened to five once she turned six.”

“And what did you tell her?” Scully asked, breathing deeply as she waited for his answer.

“Well, I told her that that was a great question, first and foremost.”

“It really is,” Scully whispered with a nod.

“Then I told her that no one really knows, but I had a theory.” He grinned at Scully and she let out a breathy laugh.

“Go on… let’s hear it.”

“My theory is that the year you live between birthdays, there is like a gigantic invisible jar that starts to fill up as soon as you blow out the candles on the cake.”

“Okay,” Scully said, nodding slowly.

“You don’t see it, as I said, but everything you accomplish, attempt, or enjoy throughout the year, the memories and experiences, get placed in that jar. Holidays, birthdays, school days, days at home, time spent at Skinner and Rachel’s or Violet and Denis’s house, days spent drawing and playing, laughing, or even upset about something, there are so many moments and memories of the year of the new number you are, it fills up your jar.” He smiled at Scully and she smiled back as she imagined the invisible jar of memories.

“So then what happens to it when the next birthday comes?” she asked.

“Well, for that, I asked her if she remembered her third birthday, when we went to the park, and she said she did. I asked her what she remembered most and she thought for a few seconds and then she smiled and said she remembered her witch costume and putting gems on Skinner’s head. Oh, and the ducks of course.”

Scully laughed as she too remembered Skinner with the gems on his head. He had kept them on, driving away and waving as Faith waved back, giggling hysterically.

“I asked her what she remembered from her fourth and then fifth birthday and she gave me a few memories. Then I asked her if she remembered a few things we’d done within those years and she nodded, laughing about some of them and then adding her own memories.”

Scully smiled, understanding where he was going with his theory, but stayed silent and waited to hear what he had to say.

“So at that point, I brought it back to the invisible jar theory. I said that she remembers those things because a new jar had started when she blew out her candles. The memories, how she felt, what she experienced, it’s all in the jar for that year.” He sighed and then hummed. “She looked around the garden, out past the gate, and then up at me. “So, all my memories of making this garden, planting the seeds, painting the boxes… it’s all in my five jar?” is what she asked me and I nodded. “And the days at school, playing with the twins, everything I remember for this year, is in that jar?” I nodded again and she took a deep breath as she looked around again. “Then where does it go when I get older?” I asked her where she thought it went, considering she had those memories from years ago and could recall them quite easily.”

“What did she say?” Scully asked softly and he smiled.

“She thought about it and then she smiled at me. “I think that maybe it’s like a bookshelf. But not for books. Like the shelf in Mommy’s office that has stuff up high to keep it safe. I think the jars go on a high shelf and they stay there to be safe. But if I think about them, I can take them down and remember what I remember. And then I can put them back to keep the memories safe inside of them.” And honestly… I can’t think of anything more beautiful.” He smiled at Scully and she smiled back with tears in her eyes.

“It is beautiful. And you created that image in her head. Mulder, you…” She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You create so much beauty in her life. You fill her head with so many amazing ideas and possibilities. That’s something she will always think about now. Anytime something happens, a memory we talk about or something she thinks of on her own, she’s going to imagine that thought being placed in a jar to be kept safe on a shelf. She’s going to have shelves of jars throughout her life, looking back on them like glittering fireflies, just waiting to be observed.” She shook her head as she reached for a napkin and dabbed her eyes. “You give her life such imagination and beauty. You let her think and answer on her own, wanting that imagination to grow and develop. And I… I love you so much for it.”

“Scully,” he said softly, leaning forward and putting his hands on thighs. She sniffled and leaned forward, touching her forehead to his. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, sniffling again. “Thank you for the happiness and inquisitive spirit you allow her to express and grow within.”

“Thank you for the gift of being her father,” he whispered and she laughed softly.

“Well, I couldn't have done it without you,” she said and he laughed just as softly.

“Partners to the very end,” he whispered and she laughed again, wrapping her arms around his neck, and allowing him to pull her into his lap, both of them quiet as he held her close.

__________________

“Hey.”

Scully opened her eyes, finding that the room dark. She moaned and closed her eyes again, burrowing further into her pillow.

“Scully.”

“Mulder,” she groaned as he moved closer and put his arm around her. “It’s still dark out.” He chuckled and she groaned again.

“I know it is.”

“If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, you’re on your own at this early hour.”

“No,” he said, chuckling again, his arm tightening around her. “Not that.”

“The lower half of your body would disagree with your words,” she grumbled and he laughed quietly through his teeth.

“Sorry. Not exactly something I can help,” he replied, moving said lower half back a little as she hummed.

“Why are you up so early? It’s not even light out,” she said, yawning and then letting out a deep breath.

“We have some decorating to do before she wakes up,” he whispered and her eyes opened, a smile slowly stretching across her face.

“Yes. We do.”

She pushed the blankets back and he laughed softly as she sat up. She looked at him and smiled with a nod. He nodded back as he also sat up and they laughed quietly as they walked to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, they were downstairs blowing up balloons and adding them to a canvas laundry basket. She laughed as he made a funny face, pretending to blow up a balloon and failing.

When they were done, he grabbed the tape and rolls of crepe paper in pink, purple and black, sliding them into the pocket of his hoodie.

“Come on,” he said, picking up the laundry basket. “Let’s go.” She followed him up the stairs, stopping occasionally as both of them were suddenly overcome with quiet laughter.

When they had reached Faith’s door, they began to tape the crepe paper to it, twisting it first, with the three colors they knew Faith would love.

“Who knew doing this the one time for you would lead to us doing it every time for each of our birthdays?” he asked softly, taping one side to the door as Scully twisted them and taped them to the other side.

“You had to know. On some level,” she said with a smile, adding balloons to the small net they had created with the crepe paper.

“I suppose I did,” he agreed.

“She was so excited to put yours up, picking your balloons and paper so carefully. I think she really loves that you share a birthday month.”

“I love it too. And I loved my balloons.”

They smiled at each other and continued working on the door. When the whole thing was covered, the balloons held in the crepe paper net waiting to fall when Faith opened the door, they put away the laundry basket and went back downstairs.

The dining room table was covered in a plastic birthday/halloween tablecloth, the colors the same as the crepe paper upstairs. Her special plate, the one with confetti and happy birthday written on it, a little more faded than her first birthday, was set down in her spot. Her pink plastic cup with bats and spiders was added and the silverware with happy smiling ghosts were placed beside the plate.

“I’m glad that she embraces the mix of the holiday with her birthday. I know she might not as she gets older, the day losing some of its appeal, but for now…” Scully said, smiling as stroked the pictures of the ghosts on the silverware.

“Hmm, yeah,” Mulder said, coming into the room with a vase full of Gerbera daisies and setting them on the table.

“Mulder…” she said, staring at the brightly colored flowers. “Where did those come from?”

“I bought them yesterday and put them in the fridge in the basement.”

“They’re beautiful,” she said, touching an orange flower gently.

“Aren’t they? We saw some at the store about a week ago and she told me how beautiful they were, making sure to add that they don’t smell so good.”

“She’s right about that,” Scully said with a chuckle. “It’s like vanilla extract. It smells delicious, but the taste of it on its own…” She shuddered and he nodded with a smile. “She’s going to love these.”

“Yeah,” he said, looking at Scully and sighing.

“What?”

“It just occurred to me that one day someone else will be the one buying her flowers.”

“Mulder,” she said softly, walking over to him and putting her arms loosely around his neck. “That’s true. But not today. And not for a long time.”

“Yeah,” he said, placing his hands on her hips. “Sorry to bring the happiness down.”

“You didn’t,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I understand. It’s easy to slip away for a moment, thinking of the future… or the past.”

She looked at him, raising an eyebrow, knowing how often she had been the one slipping away, thinking of what could have been. He sighed with a nod and pulled her closer, swaying them slightly.

They were quiet for a few seconds until Bella shook her head, her tags jingling as she stood up and stretched. Walking over to them, her tail wagging, she nudged against them.

“Morning Bells,” Mulder murmured and her tail began to wag faster. Scully smiled as she pulled back and glanced down at Bella, her whole body now wiggling. Looking back up at Mulder, he smiled at her. “I think we can both conclude that she knows Faith will be waking up soon.”

“I was just about to say the same thing,” Scully said, her eyes widening.

“Seriously?” he asked, searching her face.

“No,” she said, scoffing as she patted his chest and stepped back, shaking her head as she smiled.

“You raise my hopes and then dash them immediately,” he said, dropping his head and sighing.

“Gotta keep you on your toes,” she said, stepping closer and touching his chin. He looked up and she lifted up on tiptoes to give him a quick kiss. “It is getting late though, so let Bella out and come back before Faith does wake up.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said, stealing another kiss and then patting his leg. “Come on, Bells, let’s go.” Bella licked his hand and then ran to the door, shaking again and causing her tags to jingle louder.

They went out and Scully went to the office to retrieve Faith’s gifts and place them on the table. She smiled at the flowers, touching them again, and then glanced at the clock. Nearly seven, Faith would be waking up soon.

Nodding as she looked at the decorations, she turned on the coffee pot, ready for a cup when they came back down for breakfast.

Mulder walked back inside, without Bella, and Scully frowned at him.

“The balloons,” he said, by way of explanation.

“Right,” she said, remembering how they always seemed to make Bella anxious.

“Thought it would be best to keep her out.”

“Smart,” she agreed.

He nodded to the stairs and she walked over to meet him at the bottom of them.

“Thank you,” he said softly and she frowned again.

“For what?”

“Keeping me here, in the present.”

“It was my turn to return the favor.”

“Partners to the very end,” he repeated from the night before.

“Always,” she said, as they both heard a creak from the floorboards above them.

Wide eyed, they raced up the stairs, trying to be quiet, but knowing they did not succeed. Breathing deeply, they stood at the top of the stairs and waited as they heard Faith moving around in her room.

“Meow!” called Grey, from inside Faith’s room.

“I know, Grey. Just a second. Let me get my slippers.”

“I didn't know Grey was in there,” Scully whispered. “She’s gonna get scared.”

“It’s too late now,” Mulder whispered back as the doorknob began to turn.

The door pulled back and the brightly colored balloons began to cascade into the room as Faith gasped.

“Happy birthday!” Mulder and Scully called out, though not as loudly as they would have, knowing Grey was on the other side of the avalanche of balloons.

“Oh my goodness,” Faith said and Mulder grinned at Scully.

“God, I love her,” he said, stepping closer to the door. “Hey, Squatchy. Grey okay?”

“She jumped onto my bed. She got a little scared, but I think she’s okay.” Faith grinned at them, in her new black pajamas with white skeleton bones, a pink heart and a belly full of candy, her hair a bed headed mess.

“Happy birthday, my love,” he said, bending down and leaning through the crepe paper. She leaned in too and he kissed her on the forehead.

“Happy birthday, honey,” Scully said, smiling as she also stepped closer.

“Thank you, Mommy,” Faith said, reaching her arms through the crepe paper and waiting for a hug. Scully laughed as she bent down and hugged her with the paper tickling her face.

“I love the balloons. I was dreaming about them,” Faith said and Scully smiled as she closed her eyes briefly.

“I’m happy you like them. You ready to come out, birthday girl?” Scully asked as she pulled back.

“Yes. But can we do it carefully so I can have the paper still hanging down?”

“We can do that,” Mulder said, ripping the paper gently and leaving enough space for Faith to walk out.

“Is Bella downstairs?” Faith asked, looking back at the balloons. “I don’t want her to be scared.”

“No, hon,” Mulder said, scooping her up and squeezing her as she shrieked happily. “She’s outside. I left her there so she wouldn’t get scared.”

“We had the same thought,” Faith said, smiling at him. “Did you read my mind?”

“Oh no,” Scully breathed and Mulder laughed.

“Maybe I did, Squatchy. Maybe I did,” he said and Faith grinned.

“Mulder,” Scully said softly and he shook his head.

“Birthday month twins have special powers,” he explained and Faith nodded.

“It’s true, Mommy. The other day, Daddy knew I wanted to get ice cream after school. He didn’t even have to ask me.”

Scully caught Mulder’s eye and he winked at her.

“That’s right. It’s because it’s our birthday month. Our strength grows in October.”

“Like a pumpkin,” Faith said, smiling at Mulder and then Scully.

“I’ll allow it, but only in October,” Scully said.

“I knew you were gonna say that,” Mulder said.

“Me too,” Faith chimed in with a nod and they all laughed. Scully rubbed Faith’s back and kissed her cheek.

“How about we go downstairs and have breakfast and open presents before it’s time for school?”

“Yes!” Faith called out, raising her arms up in the air. They all laughed again and then Mulder set her down. Grey came zooming past them out of Faith’s room and ran down the stairs ahead of them. “Whoa. She was really fast.”

When Faith saw the flowers on the table, she looked at Mulder and smiled, hugging him around the waist.

“Thank you, Daddy. Those are my favorite flowers.”

“Hmm,” he hummed, smiling at Scully as he rubbed Faith’s back and then ran his hand over her head. “Must have been our birthday month power again.”

“Maybe it was, Daddy. Maybe it was,” she said, repeating his words and causing them all to laugh.

“What do you want first? Breakfast or presents?”

“Presents!” she said, letting go of him and running to the table. Getting up in her chair, she smiled at them and waited for the gifts to be given to her.

She exclaimed over all of them: two new dresses she had been talking about after seeing them at the store. Pairs of fuzzy socks with ghosts, pumpkins, and witches. New coloring pencils, markers, and a pack of printing paper just for her. A book series they had been reading together. And last, a big bag of candy from a shop near their house.

“I love all of these presents!” she said, getting out of her seat and putting one of the dresses on over her pajamas. “Oh, it’s so pretty.” She spun around, the dress flaring out around her. Smiling at them as she stopped, she let out a deep breath. “Thank you for my presents.”

“You’re welcome, love,” they both said and she spun around again.

“You ready for your birthday breakfast?” Mulder asked, catching her as she stumbled slightly.

“Is it doughnuts?”

“What?! How did you know?!” Mulder asked, looking at her in mock surprise. “Did you read my mind again?!”

“No, Daddy,” she said with a giggle. “I see the pink box on the counter.” She pointed and he looked over. “See? It’s right there.”

“I do see it now. I was gonna say if you had read my mind again, that it would be pretty-”

“Spooky?” Scully asked, smiling at him.

“Without question,” he said, walking to the counter and opening the box. “I’m assuming you want the pink one with sprinkles?” He smiled at Faith and she nodded, getting back onto her chair.

He brought the box to the table and took the pink one out for her and set it on her plate.

“Mmm, it looks so yummy,” she said, licking her lips and reaching for the doughnut.

“Wait, love,” Scully said, placing her hand on top of Faith’s head, and stroking her hair gently. “We need to add the candles.”

“Oh… right,” Faith said, rising up on her knees, and nodding. Scully bent and kissed the top of her head as she watched Mulder take the box of candles from the counter, along with a lighter.

“Alright. Today is the birthday of Faith Katherine Mulder,” he said, opening the box and removing a candle, placing it into the doughnut. “Yesterday she was five, but now she’s six. A year has passed in which she has grown and learned and experienced so many different things.” He added three more candles, smiling at Faith. “So, today we celebrate her by lighting candles, singing, and then waiting as she blows them out to make her wish.”

The last two candles were added to the doughnut and Faith watched as he lit them.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you,” Scully and Mulder sang to her when the last candle had been lit. “Happy birthday dear Faithy, happy birthday to you.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she blew the candles out gently, leaving a faint cloud of smoke in their wake, as Scully and Mulder clapped.

“Did you make a wish?” Scully asked, taking the candles from the doughnut and laying them onto a plate.

“Yes,” Faith said softly with a nod.

“Good. You go ahead and eat that and I’ll get you some milk.”

“Thank you, Mommy,” Faith said, picking up the doughnut.

Smiling, Scully picked up Faith’s pink cup and walked toward the refrigerator to get the milk, when Mulder stopped her with a hand on her upper arm. She looked at him, finding his eyes on Faith.

“What?”

“Look,” he whispered, inclining his head to Faith.

Turning around, she saw that Faith had set the doughnut back down on her plate. She had her eyes closed and she was pinching at the air beside her head and then dipping her hand down.

“What is she-”

“The memory jar,” he whispered. “A new year has started.”

“Oh,” Scully breathed in acknowledgment, watching her collect her new memories and add them to the jar.

Two more pinches, and Faith nodded with a smile. Opening her eyes, she picked up the doughnut and took a big bite, completely unaware that they were staring at her.

Mulder looked at Scully and smiled softly, shaking his head in near disbelief.

“See? You create beauty, Mulder. Tangible…” She gestured to the flowers on the table and then at Faith. “… as well as those that can only be felt by the heart.”

“I know I’ll be adding this moment to my jar,” he said, bending close and giving her a kiss.

“Me too,” she said, imagining her own jar bursting into life as the beautiful moment was placed within it. “Me too.”

[atths--twice]

Compensation

After their quarantine in Washington, Mulder still carries guilt over what happened to their “nice trip to the forest.”

March, 1994

“Mulder, you can’t actually believe that,” Scully said, her hands on her hips as she stared at him.

He began to smile, but then stopped as he caught sight of the red rash on her face that still lingered from their trip to Washington state. She had attempted to cover it with makeup, but he could still see it and it made him feel bad once again.

“Why can’t I believe it?” he asked, though his mirth lessened slightly as he pulled his eyes from her face, thinking back to the moment when she had finally woken up in the contamination facility.

She had been disoriented, blinking her eyes in the harsh light. Turning her head, she had looked at him as he sat beside her.

“Hi,” he had whispered, watching her struggle to swallow. “Water?”

“Please,” she had rasped out, closing her eyes again. He had risen carefully, still feeling the effects of the bugs that had attacked them, and gotten her a cup of ice water, adding a straw as he walked back to her.

“You don’t need to sit up,” he had said. “I’ve got a straw here. I’ll hold it for you. Take small sips.”

She had taken only a few pulls before taking her mouth from the straw and lying back on the pillow, her eyes closed.

“Thank you,” she had said, her voice still a little scratchy.

“You’re welcome,” he had said, staring at the red marks on her face and shaking his head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it would… that we would end up in that situation.”

“Hmm,” she had hummed.

“Do you remember what happened?”

“Yeah,” she had said, opening her eyes slowly and looking at him, taking in his own injuries. “I do remember. You okay?”

“I am now. Seeing that you’re okay.”

“Hmm,” she had hummed again, her hand coming out from under the blanket covering her and reaching out for his hand. He had taken it and held it gently, careful of the rash that covered the top of it. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Yeah,” he had said, watching as she had fallen back to sleep, the light grip on his hand relaxing.

“How can you believe it, Mulder?” she asked, pulling him back to the present.

“Believe what?” he asked and she shook her head with a small chuckle.

“Did you seriously forget what we were just talking about? Should I schedule you an appointment to get your head examined?”

“Probably not a good idea. They might not let me out once I go in there.”

“If you held back any discussions about aliens, I’d say you’d be safe,” she said, laughing again.

“In that case, I’ll have to decline and hope for the best.”

“Hmm,” she hummed, shaking her head.

“We should get some lunch,” he said and she looked at him in surprise. “What? Are you not hungry?”

“I… I am. I just…” She looked around the office, at the slideshow he had just finished playing, and then glanced at the clock. “It’s quarter until eleven.”

“An early lunch then,” he said, shutting off the projector and smiling at her.

“Okaaaay,” she said, frowning though she still smiled.

“Wherever you want to go. My treat.”

“What?!” she asked, pulling back and staring at him, her eyebrows now raised. “Your treat? To anywhere I want to go?”

“Yep,” he said with a nod.

“Forget my disbelief over what you said earlier, this is the strangest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“That I want to treat you to lunch?”

“Yeah,” she said, nodding and crossing her arms.

“I’ve paid for meals,” he said defensively.

“There’s a difference between paying and treating,” she stated.

“Huh… I suppose you have a point there,” he said and she nodded again. “Well, the offer still stands. Early lunch. My treat.”

“Wherever I want,” she added and he smiled, his eyes quickly sweeping across her face.

“Wherever you want,” he confirmed. “Wait, let me check my wallet. Make sure I have enough cash.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about the amount of cash you have. You can use a credit card,” she said, turning and grabbing her coat.

“That’s nice.”

“You offered. Twice. Can’t take it back now,” she said, sliding on her coat and raising her eyebrows at him as she put her hands in her pockets.

“Is this gonna cost a lot?”

“It might. I have expensive tastes.”

“I’d say that’s half right.”

“Would you?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said, taking his coat off the coat rack and putting it on. “I’ve seen your apartment. Your suits. But… I’ve also seen you devour a burger at two in the morning in a greasy diner. So…” He shrugged and she narrowed her eyes at him.

“I just added dessert to the meal. So, be ready for that extra charge.”

He laughed as he opened the door, letting her walk out first.

“If my card is declined, you’ll have to wash some dishes.”

“You will,” she said, waiting for him to lock the door before they continued down the hall.

“So much for partners,” he muttered.

“Yeah. My line of loyalty is drawn at doing dishes to pay for my meal.”

“Nice to know there’s a line.”

“Yup,” she said, pushing the up button for the elevator as he smiled.

________

She chose Alberto’s, an Italian restaurant near the bureau. They had just opened and seemed surprised by their early arrival.

“We beat the lunch rush,” he said as they sat down.

“Any rush, for that matter,” she said, picking up her menu and glancing around at the empty dining room. “At least the service will be good. We have no competition for attention.”

“Exactly my plan.”

“Oh. You had this planned? Okay,” she said, smiling at him and then looking down at her menu. “Hmm… wonder if they have lobster.” He laughed, catching her eye as she quickly raised hers.

“My guess is no, but indulge, if that’s what you’d like.”

“Nah. I’ll keep looking.”

“You do that.”

In the end, she decided on a spinach tortellini in a light tomato sauce and a side salad. Garlic breadsticks were brought over and he waited for her to take one first, watching the way she ripped it apart and ate little bites as they waited for their food.

“I can share with you, if you’d like,” she offered, chewing slowly.

“You’re only offering because mine sounds better,” he said, taking a large bite of the breadstick. “Nothing quite compares to pasta in a rich creamy sauce.”

“You like spinach.”

“Eh, it’s okay. Better when it’s wrapped in some form of dough,” he said with a nod as he chewed.

“Well then, you’ll be happy to share with me and vice versa.”

“We’ll see,” he said, knowing full well he would share his meal as he often did. She smirked and looked towards the door of the restaurant as other people came in for lunch, chatting and laughing.

“Look at those suckers. Every one of them is already running late.”

He laughed quietly as he looked at them and then back at her. She smiled and ate another bite of her breadstick.

Forty five minutes later, stuffed from their meal, they walked out of the restaurant.

“Sure you didn’t want a dessert?” he asked as they began to walk back to the bureau.

“Ugh, no,” she said, shaking her head, a hand on her stomach.

“My card could’ve handled it. No dishes would have been required,” he said, glancing at her and watching her smile.

“Good to know. But the thought of it now doesn’t hold the same appeal and getting something to go would have no place to remain chilled.”

“Maybe I’ll have to make good on it when we leave tonight. Stop and get you an ice cream or something.”

“Maybe,” she said, smiling at him as he smiled back, the rash on her face still causing his eyes to linger a second longer than usual.

“I’ll buy you a pint.”

“Make it a half gallon and you’ve got a deal,” she said and he chuckled with a nod.

“Alright then. Deal.”

“Good,” she said, their arms brushing slightly as he chuckled again and slid his hands in his pockets.

[atths--twice]

Think Again

While on a case, Mulder makes an after work suggestion to Scully.

July, 2017

Las Vegas in the summer was no joke.

The heat made it feel like you could actually spontaneously combust, as Scully had sarcastically said to Mulder one day.

She pulled her hair up and held it on top of her head as she walked up the stairs to her motel room door, the heat feeling as though it could nearly split the backs of her legs open.

“God,” she said, sliding the card key in the slot and pushing the door open. The room was only slightly cooler than the temperature outside and the air felt thick.

Closing and locking the door, she lifted the door to the air conditioner controls and turned it to the coldest setting. It shuddered on and began to blow out cold air, much to her relief.

She took off her blazer, tossing it on the bed. Unbuttoning her shirt, that too joined the bed. Standing in front of the air conditioner in her bra and skirt, she let out a deep breath as the cool air hit her sweaty skin. Holding her hair up again, she turned around and moaned as she began to cool down.

“God, it is so hot,” she murmured, moving her neck from side to side. “I hate it.”

When she felt somewhat cooler, she walked away from the air conditioner, stripping off the rest of her clothes on the way to the bathroom and leaving them where they landed.

Taking a tepid shower, she washed her hair and body twice, getting rid of the sweat from the day. Drying off, she put on her robe and walked into the bedroom.

“Oooohhhh,” she exhaled with a smile, the room now cool and refreshing.

She checked her phone, but saw no calls or messages from Mulder. He had gone to speak to witnesses and family members of their victim, while she had been at the coroner’s office. Not having heard from him, she had left the office and driven to the motel.

Sitting in traffic on the Vegas strip, had left her irritable. Needing to park at the far end of the motel’s lot and thus walking to the room through the heat, had only added to her irritability.

Now, clean and cooler, she felt better and wondered what he was up to and when he would be back.

Her stomach growled and she realized she had not eaten since breakfast and it was now going on six. Deciding to get dressed and then call Mulder to see where he was and what he wanted to do for dinner, she took out her clothes and laid them on the bed, exchanging them for her blazer and dirty shirt.

Not wanting to stand under a hot hair dryer, she brushed her hair a few minutes later and left it to air dry. Putting on minimal makeup, she was replacing the cap on her mascara when she heard a knock on the door. Smiling, she put the mascara down and walked to the door.

Checking to be sure it was him, she then opened the door and took in his flushed face.

“It is so fucking hot,” he said, stepping inside and moaning as he took off his jacket. “Oh… it is so much better in here.”

“Hello,” she said, closing and locking the door.

“Hi,” he said, untying his tie and unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt. “The fact that I got this sweaty just walking from the car is insane. How is it so hot here?”

“It’s a desert. Did you not learn about geographical locations when you were in school?”

“Shut up,” he said, walking toward the air conditioner and sighing as the air hit him.

“Did you leave the air on in your room?” she asked and he groaned.

“I… think so?”

“Give me your key. I’ll go turn it on for you.”

“May the Lord bless you,” he said, handing her his key and unbuttoning his shirt the rest of the way, fanning it open and closed.

“You don’t believe in the Lord,” she said, snorting out a laugh.

“I can respect the blessing,” he said, making the sign of the cross, completely out of order.

“Shut up,” she parroted back at him, rolling her eyes as she unlocked and opened the door.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, closing his eyes with a low hum as he turned around.

She shook her head as she stepped out and closed the door, cursing the heat that hit her in full force.

“Jesus Christ,” she grumbled, walking to his room next door.

Opening the door, she turned her head as the warm, stuffy air washed over her. Quickly turning his air conditioner to the lowest temperature and the highest fan setting, she closed the door and walked back to her room.

Two sharp raps and the door opened a crack.

“Yeeeeessssss,” Mulder said in a deep Lurch voice.

“Open the door.”

“Password?”

“Get the fuck outta the way,” she said, laughing as she pushed against the door.

“Correct,” he said, opening it wider.

“Oh, it’s so much better in here,” she said, agreeing with his previous statement as she closed the door, sighing happily and handing him his key. “I don’t know how people are walking around the strip in this heat. I thought I might spontaneously combust earlier when I was walking up the stairs.”

“Scully,” he said, looking at her with a pleased smile. His dress shirt was now off and he was wearing only his undershirt and pants.

“Does that make you happy? That I was on the verge of combustion?”

“No, not that. Just that you believe it could happen… that’s enough for me.”

“You’re weird.”

“Eh, you already knew that.” He shrugged and she smiled with a nod.

Yes, she did know that.

“Anything to report about the day?”

“I’m hungry. Other than that… not much.”

“Same,” he said with a nod. “To both.”

“We should get dinner.”

“I was thinking the same on my way back here. And then after, maybe we could see a show.”

“A show?” she asked, furrowing her brow.

“Yeah. I stopped to get gas and I saw this inside the station. I thought maybe you’d like to go?” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a pamphlet, and handed it to her with a grin.

She took it and then looked up at him.

“The Thunder From Down Under?”

“Crickey,” he said, in an Australian accent.

“You…” she said, looking down at the pamphlet again and taking in the chiseled and oiled chests of the half naked men. “You want to go to this show?”

“If you do? Sure.”

“Have I…” She opened the pamphlet and looked at more pictures, her eyes widening as she shook her head slightly. “… ever expressed an interest in this type of show?”

“Not that I can recollect, but you know what they say: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” He grinned at her and she bit back a smile. She closed the pamphlet and then hit it into his chest.

“No, we’re not doing that,” she said. “Or at least, I’m not. If that’s something you want to do…”

“Oh, this was a sacrifice I was willing to make for you,” he said, looking down at the pamphlet. “I mean… I can’t deny they are good looking men, but not exactly my scene.”

“Your sacrifice is noted,” she said.

“The only problem now… what am I supposed to do with the large amount of ones I stopped and got at the bank?” he said quietly, running a finger over his lips as he stared at the pamphlet.

She kept her eyes on him, waiting for him to raise his eyes to hers. Holding his gaze until he was no longer able to keep the smile from his face, she rolled her eyes and smiled.

“So weird,” she whispered as he chuckled softly, crumbling the pamphlet in his hands and then tossing it into the trash. He winked and she shook her head. “Go shower and we can get something to eat.”

“Yeah,” he said, picking up his jacket, shirt, and tie. “My room is probably cooled off by now. Or at least somewhat cooler.”

“Probably,” she said, crossing her arms.

“You sure the answer is no?” he asked, glancing at the crumbled pamphlet in the trash can.

“Unless you really wanna go,” she said, raising her eyebrows as she stared at him.

“Hmm… I’m good.”

“Good. Go shower. I’m still hungry.”

He grinned as he opened the door, nodded at her as he stepped through it, and then groaned as the heat hit him and he closed the door. She shook her head as she smirked and let out a deep breath.

Picking up her clothes that still lay on the floor, she placed them in a small pile on the bottom of her closet. Straightening up the small table with her files and case notes, she laughed softly, thinking about the half dressed men on the pamphlet.

“Crikey,” she said, shaking her head and laughing again, imagining Mulder walking into that show, his pockets full of dollar bills, the music pulsing around them.

Maybe she should give that pamphlet another look…

[atths--twice]

A Bit of Nostalgia

Mulder invites Scully over for an evening free of any discussions of work or worries.

Hello there. It's been a bit since I've posted. Had some personal issues that needed all my attention and my writing took a backseat. Things are turning around and looking better so I'm here to post the next Fictober story. While this is not a birthday story, it is Mulder's month so this story seems fitting to be posted today. 💓🎃

October 1999

Mulder pulled his door open, grinning at Scully. 

“Hello,” she said, her eyebrows knitting together, looking him up and down. 

“Hi.” 

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” 

“Life,” he said with a shrug, stepping aside to let her enter, although she remained in the hallway. 

“Life?” she asked and he nodded, his smile growing. 

“Yes. Tonight I am happy to be living this life.” 

“Okay,” she said with a slight nod. 

“You gonna come in? Or just keep standing there?” 

“Is there a gas leak in your apartment?” she asked and he laughed, shaking his head. 

“Not that I’m aware of,” he said, beckoning her to come inside. 

“I’ll trust you,” she said, stepping across the threshold and then stopping in her tracks, pointing at the table. “What’s that?” 

“Oh, Scully,” he said, nudging her to keep moving so he could shut the door. “You’re an intelligent person. Surely you recognize a pumpkin when you see one.” 

“Or two?” she asked, looking at him. 

“Yes. There are two pumpkins. There are two of us, hence I got two.” 

“For what reason?” 

“Scully, Scully, Scully,” he said, shaking his head and reaching out to take her coat. “It’s October. What do we do with pumpkins in October?” 

“We, Mulder?” she asked, shrugging off her coat and crossing her arms. “We have never done anything with pumpkins.” 

“Exactly,” he said, hanging her coat on his coat rack. “We never have and so it needed to be rectified.” 

“So you bought pumpkins for us to carve?” she asked, looking at him with a half smile. 

“Yup!” he said, clapping and then rubbing his hands together. “I have a stack of newspapers I’ve been meaning to toss out that we can lay out on the table, spoons for scooping, and sharp knives for carving. We’re goin’ full board nostalgic here.” 

“Is that why you invited me over? Did you have this specific activity in mind?” she asked, stepping closer to the table and touching each of the pumpkins. “Because I remember you saying something about dinner and yet all I see are these pumpkins.” 

“Dinner is on the way. I ordered some Chinese food just a few minutes ago when I got home from the store. It should be here soon.” 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve carved a pumpkin,” she mused, glancing at him. 

“For me too. It should be fun.” He grinned as she looked back at the pumpkins. 

“I want this one,” she said, touching the rounder of the two. 

“Whatever you want,” he said, nodding at her. 

“But I want to eat first. No getting sidetracked.” 

“Of course not. I would never expect you to do anything on an empty stomach,” he said and she snorted, turning her head to look at him. 

“You’re so full of shit,” she said. 

“Sheesh. Such language.” 

She rolled her eyes and he smiled, watching as she patted her pumpkin. A knock sounded at the door and he turned around to answer it. 

The pumpkins were moved aside as they ate, and he watched how often her eyes fell on them, most likely imagining how it would look carved. 

When the food had been put away, he covered the table in newspaper while she went to use the bathroom. Two large bowls, different sized spoons, and knives were laid beside the pumpkins along with a couple of kitchen towels. 

“Okay. Let’s do this,” she said, walking back into the room. 

He looked up and froze for a moment, taking in the sight of her. She had changed out of her black sweater and was now wearing one of his gray t-shirts. 

“Well, go ahead and help yourself,” he said, hoping to cover how the sight of her in his clothes made him feel. 

“Thanks. I did,” she said, looking down at his shirt. “Seeing as how I wasn’t informed about the evening’s activities, I needed something different to wear than my sweater. It was expensive and I didn’t want to get pumpkin guts on it. So… I borrowed a shirt. That’s okay, right?” She raised her eyes to his and he had to push aside his myriad of thoughts, keeping his face neutral. 

“Ye… yeah… it’s fine. Not a problem.” 

“Good,” she said, smiling as she stepped past him and stood in front of her pumpkin. He cleared his throat and then picked up a knife, handing it to her. 

“Ready?” 

“I’m always ready to slice and dice,” she said and he laughed with a nod. 

They cut the tops off the pumpkins and began to scoop out the insides. 

“Ugh,” he said, separating the seeds and dropping them into a bowl. “I forgot how this feels.” 

“It’s not as bad as intestines,” she said, doing the same as she shrugged. 

“Come on,” he said, shaking his head and making a face. 

“You started it,” she said, smiling at him as she picked up her spoon, continuing to scoop out her pumpkin. 

When the insides were clean, they sat down to begin carving. He watched her, the concentrated expression on her face causing him to smile. 

Large pieces of pumpkin lay on the table when she set down her knife and looked up at him. 

“You done?” 

“Yeah,” he said. 

“You think yours is better than mine?” 

He glanced at the triangle eyes, the round nose, and large gaping mouth he had cut into his pumpkin, knowing it was quite simplistic. 

“No. Not a chance.” 

“Good. Because mine’s really good.” 

“Let’s see it then. Prove it,” he said, smiling and raising his eyebrows. She smiled back, turning her pumpkin around, and he laughed. 

She had made triangle eyes as well, but had added eyelashes and eyebrows, one of them raised higher than the other. The nose was also triangle and the mouth was shaped into a happy, wide smile. 

“That’s really good. I like the eyelashes.” 

“Hmm,” she hummed, looking at the pumpkin. “I thought you’d say the eyebrow.” She looked at him, raising hers to match the expression she had carved and he laughed. 

“Yeah. I like them both.” 

“Let me see yours.” 

He turned his pumpkin around and she shook her head as she smiled. 

“You went traditional. Nostalgic, just like you wanted. I like it.” 

“Thanks. I’m pretty proud of him. His name’s Greg, by the way.”

“Greg. Nice,” she said, laughing through her nose. “I didn’t name mine.” 

“Hmm,” he hummed, sitting back with a deep breath and staring at her pumpkin. “I think she looks like a LuEllen.” 

“LuEllen?” she asked with a laugh. 

“Hell yeah. But LuLu for short. She’s definitely a LuLu.” 

“Okay. LuLu it is then.” He nodded, holding her gaze as he smiled. She looked back down at his pumpkin and then at the mess on the table. “Should we clean up this mess and then cook the seeds?” 

“Yeah. That sounds good. Although I don’t know how to do that.” 

“Well,” she said, standing up and beginning to clear up the mess. “It’s lucky you invited me over since I do know how.” 

“Don’t look, Greg. Or you LuLu,” he said, standing up and turning them to face the wall. “We’re about to cook up your insides.” 

“Jesus, Mulder,” she said, shaking her head as she laughed. 

Sitting on the couch a couple of hours later, their feet up on the coffee table, they munched on the seeds from the bowl that sat between them. The only light in the room came from the pumpkins, lit by the two emergency candles he had found in the back of a kitchen drawer, and set on the two round tables across from them. 

“Greg gives off a lot of light,” she said. 

“He can’t really avoid it, with a mouth that large,” he said, grabbing a handful of seeds and putting them in his mouth. She snorted out a laugh and he smiled as he chewed, watching as she brushed absentmindedly at his shirt that she still wore, which continued to give him an internal thrill. 

“I was thinking as I was carving the pumpkin-”

“LuEllen,” he said and she exhaled a laugh. 

“LuEllen,” she agreed with a nod. “Anyway, I was thinking about a story my aunt used to tell us.” 

“Would this, by chance, be your Irish Aunt Olive?” 

“It would,” she said with a smile. 

“Well, this should be good then.” 

“Why?” 

“Ireland? The old country? Nostalgia, Scully. The theme of our evening. Come on now,” he said, picking up a few more seeds. 

“Anyway,” she said again. “She used to tell us about how they carved faces into turnips and potatoes in Ireland.” 

“Turnips? Oh, I’d cut myself for sure if I was carving into a turnip. That’s a given. Wait… is a turnip smaller than a potato?” 

“Depends on the potato, I suppose,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “A potato is softer, of course, but I feel the turnip would be better, as it would last longer once it was cut into. Especially if the reason for the carvings was to keep Stingy Jack away from your home.” 

“Stingy Jack?” 

“You’ve never heard about Stingy Jack?” she asked, looking at him incredulously. 

“Don’t think so,” he said, shaking his head. “Tell me about him.” 

“Well, what I remember is that he was an old, stingy, curmudgeon of a man-”

“Hence his name,” he said. 

“Are you gonna keep interrupting or do you want to hear the story?” 

“Sorry. Please, go ahead,” he said, putting a few more seeds in his mouth and then crossing his arms. 

“Thank you,” she said, shaking her head. “So he was a stingy and rude man who one day helped an old man, who was actually an angel in disguise.” 

“Hmm,” he hummed and she looked at him with narrowed eyes. “What? I didn’t say anything!” 

“Hmm,” she hummed in a mocking tone and he mimed locking his lips, chewing silently on the pumpkin seeds. “So, as I was saying, the angel revealed themself to Jack and granted him three wishes for his kindness. But, seeing as how he was truly a stingy and unkind person, he used the wishes to bring punishment to others and as a result, the angel didn't let him enter Heaven.” 

He looked at her and put his fingers to his lips, beginning to unzip them, when she put a hand up. 

“I’m not done yet, just hold on.” 

He nodded, re-zipping his lips and she smiled.  

“He wasn’t allowed into Heaven, but nor was he allowed into Hell because when Satan had heard of all he had done and he attempted to drag him to Hell as punishment, Jack deflected and tricked him, making him look foolish. So Satan basically told him to get fucked and he was condemned to roam the world between the two planes with only a hollowed out turnip, that contained a small ember of light, to guide his path,” she said and he smiled. “People then carved turnips to ward off the evil spirits, like Stingy Jack, that may be roaming around us, though we cannot see them.” She looked at him and nodded. “You may speak now.” 

He mimed unzipping his lips slowly, and then tossing the key away, as she rolled her eyes with a smile. 

“You believe that, but you don’t believe in ghosts?” he asked and she shook her head. 

“No, I don’t believe in ghosts. But, I’m not saying I believe that story either. It’s just something I was told as a child.” 

“I see,” he said, nodding slowly and she bumped his shoulder with her own. 

“It’s only a story.”

“I don’t know,” he said, looking at his pumpkin. “I think Greg could ward them off. Any spirits really, but especially Stingy Jack.” 

“With that smile, the spirits would definitely wonder what’s going on in his head,” she said and he laughed quietly. 

“LuEllen could do it as well, though in a different way.” 

“How do you mean?” 

“She’d play it cool… bat her eyelashes, draw them in sweetly, and then she’d strike with precision and no remorse.” 

“I could see that,” she agreed, nodding as she put another pumpkin seed in her mouth and he smiled. The flame of the candle sparked brighter for just a second and she bumped his shoulder again. “Oh, did you see that?!”

“I did,” he said, staring at the pumpkin, almost willing it to happen again, even though he knew it was most likely only a small draft. 

“Good thing you thought about getting the pumpkins tonight, huh?” she asked in a teasing tone. 

“Yeah,” he said with a nod, wondering if it was only a draft. “Although, I didn’t expect there to be spirits here…” 

“Mulder,” she laughed, shaking her head. 

“What?” 

“You just never fail to surprise me.” She smiled as he turned his head to look at her. 

“That’s good, right?” he asked, slightly teasing, but also serious. 

“Yeah. It is,” she said, chewing on another seed as she nodded, continuing to smile. 

The candlelight crackled and then flickered again, causing them to both look over at the pumpkins. 

“Got another one,” she said and he smiled. 

“Or it was just a draft,” he said quietly. 

“Nah. Not tonight,” she whispered, shaking her head, and his smile grew. 

“Not tonight,” he agreed. 

He felt her lean against him, sighing softly as they continued to watch the dancing candlelight in the pumpkins, keeping the evil spirits away.  

Because tonight, it was definitely not a draft.

[atths--twice]

Worry and Change

Worry and concern can lead to an honest, and much needed, discussion.

Todays story is for Sabine, who asked for a look in at their life, post IWTB.

Hope you enjoy. 💓

Mulder heard the car door shut and he looked toward the door, waiting for Scully to walk in, eager to hear how Christian’s surgery had gone. 

However, when the door opened and she came in, he could see how exhausted she was by the slump of her shoulders. 

“Hey,” he said softly and she looked over at him, her eyes tired. 

“Hi,” she nearly whispered, setting her bag down and taking off her coat, laying it on the back of the couch. 

“How was-”

“I’m gonna take a bath,” she said, cutting him off, as she took off her shoes and dropped them at the bottom of the stairs. “I just…” She shook her head and sighed before walking up the steps, leaving him staring after her. 

The floorboards creaked above him and then he heard the water running as the tub began to fill up. He exhaled as he crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling. Was it bad news or was it the stress and anxiety of the surgery itself? 

Whatever the reason, he decided to make her some tea to aid her in her ability to decompress. 

Filling the kettle with water, he placed it on the stove and turned the burner to medium. He prepared a travel mug with two bags of the nighttime tea, the water still running upstairs. The floorboard creaked again as she walked back and forth and he could picture her undressing and putting her clothes in their respective hampers. 

As the water continued to heat up, he took a plate from the cupboard and added strawberries, cubes of cheese, crackers, and a small bowl of almonds, sure she had not eaten much that day. He placed it on a cooking sheet along with a fork and some napkins. 

When the kettle started to whistle, he turned the burner off and poured the water into the mug. Adding a spoonful of sugar and a splash of milk, he stirred it and then put the lid on to allow the tea to steep. 

He picked up the cooking sheet and grabbed the handle of the travel mug with his uninjured hand. Walking carefully upstairs, he went into their bedroom, gently pushing the halfway closed bathroom door open. 

“Knock knock,” he said softly, walking into the room that was lit only by candles. 

“Hi,” she said. 

“I brought you some tea- the sleepy one- and some food. Just some snacks. I wasn’t sure if you were hungry or not.” 

“Not,” she whispered as he set the cooking sheet on the counter. 

“Okay,” he replied, looking at her lying in the tub full of bubbles. “How about the tea for now?” 

“Yeah, I’ll take the tea,” she said and he walked closer, handing it to her. 

“The bags are still in. I can take them out if you’d like.” 

“It’s okay for now,” she said, taking a small sip. “Mmm. Perfect. Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome,” he said, smiling softly. “I’ll leave the food there and if you change your mind, I’ll come back and bring it to you.” He started to leave, but she stopped him. 

“Don’t leave,” she whispered. “Please.” 

“Are you sure? I don’t wanna-”

“I’m sure. Please stay.” 

He nodded, taking a towel from the shelf and placing it on the floor next to the tub. Sitting down, he stared at her, watching her drink another sip of tea. 

“Thank you again, for the tea,” she said in a whisper. 

“You’re welcome… again,” he said, tilting his head slightly. She looked at him and he smiled faintly. “Do you wanna talk about it?” 

“No,” she said, shaking her head as she looked down at her mug. “Yes.” 

“Take your time,” he whispered, crossing his legs. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the tub. 

The day came pouring out, her worries and concerns for Christian tumbling from her lips. 

“But he’s okay?”

“Yeah. The surgery went well.” 

“That’s good.” 

“It is,” she agreed. Sighing, she lifted her head and looked at him. “It will still be a while before we know how he will be in recovery. If he will need another surgery…” She sighed again and he reached for her mug, setting it on the floor. 

“Do you think he will?” 

“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head. “I hope not, but…” He nodded, knowing she had more to say. “I was so worried about him. About… what he represented.” She sighed, looking down as she ran her fingers through the water. 

“You saw William in him,” he said, recalling their conversation from a few nights ago. 

“Yeah,” she said with a nod. “To be honest, I see him in many children.” 

“I know you do.” She lifted her head and looked at him, her eyes sad. “It would be impossible for you not to, for many reasons.” 

“I think about him every day,” she whispered, tears shining in her eyes. “What he would be doing. What obsessions he would have. If he would enjoy baseball as much as you do. If he…” She let out a shaky breath and shook her head. “I see him in them. And I feel like by fixing them, it will help heal parts of me.” 

“Scully…” he breathed, placing a hand on the tub, letting her decide if she wanted to take it. 

“I can’t help it,” she whispered, covering his hand with hers. 

“I know,” he said, nodding in understanding. 

“It’s different for you, I know.” 

“It is. And it isn’t,” he stated and she stared at him, her tears held at bay. “I agree it’s not the exact same. I didn’t have… I wasn’t afforded…” 

“I know,” she said, squeezing his hand and nodding. “I know you weren’t given the same opportunity. And I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t owe me an apology. Not for any reason.” 

“Mulder,” she exhaled, the tears in her eyes spilling over. “I-”

“Dana,” he whispered and she choked back a sob. “You don’t owe me anything. I know why you did what you did and how it has affected you. You owe me nothing, Scully.” 

She grasped his hand tighter, nodding as she closed her eyes, crying quietly. He stayed silent, only squeezing her hand periodically, letting her release her worries. 

When she had calmed, she released his hand and ducked under the water, wiping the bubbles from her face when she had reemerged. 

“Would you like your tea?” he asked and she nodded. 

“Could you get me a hair clip first?” 

“Yeah,” he said, getting up and grabbing a squeeze hair clip. He handed her the travel mug and as she took a drink, he gathered her hair up in the clip. 

“Thank you,” she said, smiling softly at him as he sat down beside the tub again. 

“Not a problem. Is it okay? Not too loose?” 

“No,” she said, taking another drink. “It’s perfect.” He smiled and she gave him a faint one in return before she sighed heavily. “I should have ignored the request from the FBI. Should have told them to fuck off.” 

“No. You did the right thing.” 

“Agent Whitney is dead.” 

“Not through any fault of yours.” 

“No,” she agreed, shaking her head and glancing down. “But it happened nonetheless.” 

“It did. But… we saved that woman.” 

“And you almost died,” she said, looking at him again. 

“You found me,” he whispered, shaking his head. “You saved me.” 

“Thankfully,” she whispered back. “If I hadn’t…” 

“But you did,” he said, reaching out his hand again. She grasped it, holding tightly, the mug held in her other hand and resting against her chest. 

“It was too close. Too… too fast down the rabbit hole again. I thought…” She closed her eyes as she drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t know. That it would be good for you. To give you a purpose, instead of simply existing here.” 

“Hmm,” he hummed, running his thumb over her knuckles. 

“I worry about you,” she said softly, looking at him. “I worry about so much recently. And then when I was there, back in those halls at the bureau, it was so familiar and I felt… like maybe it was where I should be. But then, I went back to the hospital and I knew I had to be there. That was, and is, my purpose. I couldn’t look into the darkness with you again. I couldn’t… let those monsters in anymore. I don’t want that for me. For you. For us.” 

He let out a breath as he contemplated her words, remembering how he had told her that he was fine with looking into the darkness. How it did not bother him like it bothered her. To see the evil in the world and try to make sense of it.

But then he remembered the cold of the shed, the smell of it, the sound as the ax broke through bone, and the realization that he had been about to die. 

Until Scully had changed everything. 

“No. I don’t want that either,” he said, glancing at his bandaged hand. “It might not be an overly exciting life out here, but… it beats the alternative.” He gave her a slight smile, which she did not return, her expression serious. 

“I don’t want those worries anymore. Not knowing where you are. If you’re alive. I want to know you’re safe and I’ll be coming home to you at the end of the day.” 

He smiled again, raising up on his knees, and kissing her softly. She placed a wet hand on his cheek, staring into his eyes as he pulled back. 

“I’ll be here.” 

“Good,” she whispered and he kissed her again. 

“Would you like something to eat now?” he asked and she nodded, moving her hand. 

“I’ll have a little bit.” 

He took her mug from her, set it down beside the tub, and picked up the cooking sheet from the counter. Handing her the fork, he held the sheet as she made her decisions, only eating a few strawberries, cheese, and almonds. 

She drank the rest of the tea and while she got out of the tub and dressed, he took the sheet with leftover food and the travel mug back downstairs. Putting everything away, he locked the doors and moved her shoes away from the stairs, before heading back up to the bedroom. 

He put on his pajamas and pulled the covers back on the bed. Scully turned off the light as she came out of the bathroom, patting his chest as she walked past him to the bed. He got in beside her, turning off the light and plunging the room into darkness. 

Turning toward her, she turned at the same time. He opened his arms, pulled her to him, and kissed her temple. 

“Thank you,” she breathed. 

“For what?” 

“Everything.” 

“Scully,” he whispered. “I know it’s been…” He sighed and she shifted with a quiet sigh of her own. “A lot happened in the past few days. And yeah, I’ve been… me recently, but we can fix this… start on a new page, so to speak. I know we can.” 

“Yeah,” she whispered, nodding against his neck. 

“We’ll get outta here,” he said, as he had that morning. “Get away from the cold and go somewhere warm. I read that it’s supposed to snow again soon.” 

“I’d like that,” she said with a quiet sniffle. “Somewhere with a beach?” 

“Absolutely. A beach is a must.”

“But not until I know that Christian is doing well,” she said and he nodded with a smile. 

“No. Not until you know he’s doing well,” he agreed, closing his eyes. “We’ll tough it out in the snow while we have the promise of somewhere warm and sunny ahead of us. You take care of Christian and I’ll take care of the plans.” 

“Thank you,” she said, her voice breaking slightly as he hummed softly in her ear.

His hand tangled in her damp hair and she shifted closer, breathing his name. He kissed her head as he thought of them getting away from the cold and lying somewhere on a blanket in the warmth of the sun and the sand. 

[atths--twice]

Brighten Up

On a case, Mulder and Scully stop at a diner. When she turns down dessert, he takes matters into his own hands.

Todays story is for Becks, who asked for a revival story with "I saw your eyes light up."

Hope you all enjoy! 🎃

Georgia

July, 2017

“God, it’s hot,” Scully said, getting in the car as Mulder started the engine. She turned the air conditioning up and directed the vents toward her, slipping her blazer off and tossing it into the backseat. 

“It is,” Mulder agreed, loosening his tie and then removing his own jacket, tossing it back to join hers. “I couldn’t live here.” 

“It gets hot at home,” Scully said, glancing at him. 

“Yeah, but not this muggy.” 

“Mulder,” she said, giving him a look. “That’s a lie. How often have we complained about the humidity?” 

“Hmm,” he said, putting on his sunglasses and looking over his shoulder. When two cars had passed, he pulled away from the curb and into traffic. 

“Your apartment got awfully hot when the air conditioning went out,” she said. 

“Shit. Yeah, it sure did. Trying to sleep in that heat was unbearable.” 

“Hmm,” she hummed with a nod and he cut his eyes at her, watching her smile as she leaned closer to the vents. 

His mind drifted to one particular hot night at his apartment when she had stayed over. Two fans had been blowing on them at full speed as they lay with no covers and minimal clothing, both sweating and moaning about the heat. They had eventually left, going to her apartment where they had turned on the air as cold as possible, until she had begun to shiver. 

“Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat and looking ahead. “Uh… how about some food? What sounds good?” 

“I’m fine with whatever. Although, hmm.. soup might be good.” 

“Soup, Scully?” he asked, turning to look at her in astonishment. “Aren’t we both currently complaining about this insane heat?” 

“But we’d be inside at the diner. In the cool air. Therefore, soup would be most welcome.” 

“You’re an odd person,” he said, shaking his head as he looked back at the road, though still glancing at her. 

“How dare you call me odd, you spooky man,” she said, leaning back and smiling at him, running her fingers through her hair, and he smiled back with a nod. 

“That diner we passed earlier?” 

“Sure,” she said, letting out a deep breath as she crossed her arms. “Soup and a sandwich is really starting to appeal to me.” 

“I agree with the sandwich, but soup, in this heat, still seems crazy.” 

“I’ll save you a few bites for when you change your mind,” she said, closing her eyes and smiling again. 

“Pretty sure that won’t happen.” 

“I know you. You will.” 

He smiled, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. 

They pulled into the parking lot of the diner a couple of minutes later and got out of the car. She shook her head, pulling at her shirt to create some air as they walked into the diner, sighing happily where the cold air hit her skin. 

“See? It’s cool enough in here for a bowl of soup. And ohhh look, they have pies,” she said, walking to the display case. 

“Cold enough for you maybe,” he said, taking off his sunglasses and following behind her, looking at the pies in the case. “Mmm. Sweet potato.” 

“And chocolate cream.” 

He looked at her, seeing the happy look on her face. But then it disappeared with a slightly defeated sigh and a shake of her head. 

“Come on. Let’s get a table,” she said, walking away from the display case. 

Sitting down, they looked over the menu, deciding on something to split. 

“But not the soup, as you’ve already stated,” she said, setting the menus on the edge of the table and glancing at him with a smirk. 

“I have a spoon here with my silverware. If it gets used for soup… well,” he said, setting his utensils to the side with a shrug. She sniggered, shaking her head as the waitress walked up to take their order. 

He did eat some of her soup, more than just a few bites, while she hummed a quiet “mmhmm” and looked at him knowingly. They split their sandwiches, each taking a half, as they discussed the case they were working on. When the waitress returned to clear their plates, she asked if they wanted dessert. 

“No,” Scully said with an almost sad smile. “That’s okay.” 

“No pie?” he asked as the waitress walked away, saying she would be back with the check. 

“I can’t, we can’t, eat a whole pie.” 

“I’m sure they sell slices,” he said. 

“Nah, that’s okay.” 

“Not even for chocolate cream pie?” he teased, nodding at the waitress when she set their bill onto the table. 

“I’m good,” Scully replied, with the same nearly sad look on her face. “I’m going to use the bathroom. Meet you at the car.” 

He nodded, rising with her and heading to the front as she went to the bathroom. 

“Do you sell slices of pie?” he asked, handing over the bill and his credit card to the man at the register. 

“Of course. Would you like one?” he asked with a smile. 

“Two, please. Sweet potato and chocolate cream. Extra whipped cream on the side.” 

“No problem. I’ll have it out for you in just a minute.” 

The slices of pie in a takeout bag, safely secured in the trunk, Mulder closed it down just as Scully walked outside, her face contorting at the heat. 

“Jesus,” she said, shaking her head. “I thought it would have cooled off a little when the sun went down.” 

“Doesn’t seem likely,” he said, getting in and starting the car, the air conditioning turned up to the maximum level. 

“I’m just thankful the motel’s system is working,” she said, putting her seatbelt on. 

“Same. Although, you could always share my room. If it’s needed, of course.” 

“Yeah,” she said, looking at him as she adjusted the vents again. 

“Just putting it out there. Reminding you of your options.” 

“Hmm,” she hummed and he smiled as he backed up and headed toward the motel. 

When they arrived, they took their jackets and other items out of the backseat, the heat still stifling as bugs flew around the lights in the walkway to their rooms. 

“If my room heats up, I’ll give you a call,” she said, unlocking her door. 

“I’ll be waiting to hear from you,” he said, watching her step inside, smiling as she closed the door behind her. 

He waited a beat and then hurried to get the bag of pies from the trunk. Going inside his room, he put them in the small refrigerator. 

Undressing and leaving his sweaty clothes on the floor, he went into the bathroom to shower. 

Clean and dressed in cooler clothes, he took the bag out of the refrigerator and grabbed his room key. 

Knocking on Scully’s door, he waited, hoping she was done with her own shower. He heard the lock being turned and he smiled, holding the bag behind his back. Cool air hit him as the door opened and she stood before him. 

“I’m not leaving this room,” she stated, her face free of makeup and her hair wet as it lay against the shirt she wore, one of his old ones, he was fairly certain. “I’m cool and comfortable. So, whatever you want, it can wait until tomorrow.” 

“What if it’s for something sweet?” 

“What do you mean?” she asked, frowning as she looked him up and down. He smiled as he pulled the bag from behind his back, showing it to her as she continued to frown. “What’s that?” 

“If you let me in and out of this goddamn heat, I’ll show you,” he said. 

She opened the door wider and he smiled as he walked into her room and to the table. Turning around, he watched her as she closed and locked the door. 

“What’s in the bag, Mulder?” 

“Come over and see,” he said. She walked over and he moved aside so she could look in the bag. 

“Pie?” she asked, taking the containers out, looking at him with a smile. 

“Mmhmm,” he said, taking the bag from her and getting out the plastic wrapped forks. “I saw your eyes light up when you saw the pie. And even though you denied it after our meal… well, I know you as you know me, and I know you wanted pie.” 

“I did,” she said softly, looking back down at the pie. 

“I know.” 

She looked up at him, her eyes traveling across his face and landing on his lips. 

If they had been in a different place, their relationship not broken at the moment, he would have kissed her. Made a silly joke to hear her laugh before kissing her again. 

But, at the moment, what he was able to offer to make her smile was pie. 

“There’s extra whipped cream too,” he said, taking it from the bag. “Which we can share.” 

“Okay,” she said, stepping back and setting the containers onto the table. They sat down and he handed her a fork, taking his pie and opening the lid. 

The air conditioner kicked on again, humming quietly as they shared their pie and the whipped cream. He watched her eyes close with nearly every bite as she smiled happily and he smiled back. 

The slice of sweet potato pie, one of the best he had ever tasted. 

[atths--twice]

A Needed Reminder

A pregnant Scully is feeling a little self conscious and out of sorts.

For Almut- who requested a pregnancy story including the phrase, "let me remind you."

Hope you enjoy your story, my friend. 💓

June, 2018

Scully sighed, rubbing her stomach and closing her eyes, everything feeling off at the moment. 

She had come outside, hoping the summer air would help to calm her. But, it was warmer than she had anticipated and it made her feel annoyed, even though this time of evening was normally her favorite. 

She knew she should be thankful and feeling happy that she was once again pregnant, the thought of it something she never believed would happen again. 

However… 

She stopped her slow walk at the end of the driveway, out of breath and sweaty, her hand once again on her stomach. 

“Don’t throw up,” she said quietly. “Don’t do it. You’re okay. Deep breath.” She took deep breaths, not wanting to be sick again, as she fought through the sudden nausea. Glad when her dinner stayed down, she licked her lips and swallowed hard. 

“Baby,” she whispered, looking down as she rubbed the slight swell beneath her shirt. “I love you, I truly do. But, could you try to keep the nausea and also the heartburn to a minimum? I’m barely hanging on here at times.” 

A quick movement in her stomach caused her to inhale a sharp breath, tears stinging her eyes. 

“I know. I shouldn’t complain as I’m so happy you’re in there, growing more every day. I just feel-”

“Hey,” Mulder called out and she turned to see him standing on the porch. “You alright?” 

“Yeah,” she called back, wiping her eyes. “Just having a little walk.” She turned away, taking more deep breaths, tears still feeling close to the surface. 

She heard crunching behind her and knew he was now walking toward her. 

“Mulder,” she said, turning back to look at him. “I’m fine.” The tears spilled over as she said it and he paused in his footsteps, staring at her with his head slightly tilted. 

“You’re not,” he said softly. 

“I am. I’m fine. I’m just…” She wiped the tears away, breathing in deeply as she felt the baby move again. “I’m pregnant.” 

He looked down at her stomach and then back at her face, his mouth opening and then closing. 

“Say what you want to say,” she said, feeling angry and hating it. “That of course you know I’m pregnant. That you can see that I am and that it’s obvious by how I’ve been behaving.” 

“I… I wasn’t gonna say any of that.” 

“This pregnancy is so different. Or maybe I don’t remember it the same way,” she said, sniffling and wiping her eyes again. “I’m tired. I feel nauseous so often. Out of breath. My legs cramp when I try to sleep. And my breasts…” She looked down and shook her head. “They’ve nearly doubled in size and it’s so uncomfortable. They feel tight and so itchy at times from growing so quickly. I feel huge even though I know I’m not… well, not yet anyway. I’m just…” She started crying in earnest, unable to hold back the onslaught of tears any longer. 

“Hey,” he said, the gravel again crunching under his feet as he stepped closer. 

“No,” she said, holding up her hand and shaking her head. “I don’t want… just…” 

He stopped walking and she stared at him as she cried, the slightly confused look on his face making her feel terrible. Despite feeling overly emotional, and as if she did not deserve his concern, she walked the few steps toward him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and cried into his chest. He did not say anything, just pulled her closer and let her cry. 

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t… shouldn’t feel the way I’m feeling,” she cried and he stopped her with a low hum, his hand rubbing her back gently. 

“Don’t apologize,” he whispered. 

“But-”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “You don’t need to say anything. It’s okay.”

She let out a deep breath, her tears slowing as he held her, his hand still rubbing up and down her back. When she was able, she pulled back with a sniffle, wiping her face and sighing. She looked at him and he smiled, reaching out to cup her cheek, wiping a remnant tear away. 

“Scully,” he said, shaking his head. “You don’t have to apologize or hide how you’re feeling from me. You’re pregnant. You’re going through a lot right now.” 

“But it’s-”

“Different, I know. This is all different,” he said, waving his hand to encompass everything around them, and her eyes landed on the brightly colored potted plants on the porch that he had brought home yesterday as a surprise. 

“Yeah,” she said, a small smile pulling at her lips.

“We are different,” he said softly, his expression serious, still cupping her cheek as she nodded. “For the better.” 

“Definitely better.” 

“Hmm,” he hummed, moving his hand and smiling at her. “What can I do to help you?” 

“Become a seahorse?” she suggested, sniffling again. “Help a woman out?” His forehead creased in confusion for a second and then he laughed softly. 

“If only I could,” he said with a nod. “Although natural delivery would be out, that’s for certain.” She closed her eyes and laughed through her nose. “Unless I gave birth to the world's smallest child and ended up splashed all over the news and tabloids.”

“Mulder,” she whispered, continuing to laugh as she opened her eyes and looked up at him. He smiled, winking at her as she sighed. 

“What can I do to help?” he asked again as she drew in a deep breath. “Because, let me remind you, I’ve been reading up on things. I’ve found blogs and articles that pertain to pregnancy. Especially later in life pregnancies and I-”

“You’re walking a thin line, buddy,” she interrupted, attempting to lighten the mood. 

“No. I’m being honest,” he replied, raising his eyebrows as he tilted his head slightly. 

“I know you are,” she agreed, putting a hand on her stomach and nodding. “That’s on my mind too.” 

“But everything is fine. You know it is,” he said, staring into her eyes. “Every scan. Every visit. It’s all been good.” 

“I know. I just…” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “It’s hard not to think of the past while standing in the present.” 

“I understand.” 

Opening her eyes, she held his gaze and then reached for his hand, placing it on her stomach. Moving it around, she found the spot where the most activity was taking place. 

“Do you feel that?” 

He stepped closer and pressed his hand a little firmer into her stomach. She watched his face as they waited, smiling when she felt the flutter and his head raised up to stare at her. 

“I know I don’t need to apologize, but I am,” she said softly, moving his hand as the baby moved. “I know I’ve been out of sorts. I’ve just not felt like myself.” 

“You’re creating a life, Scully,” he said, splaying his fingers and pressing firmly again. “It’s not easy or perfect.” 

“No,” she breathed, squeezing his hand gently. “It’s not.” 

“What can I do to help you? Honestly. Tell me what I can do to ease things for you,” he said, rubbing his thumb against her stomach. 

“I…” she said with a sigh. “I don’t know. It’s so up and down from day to day.” 

“Hmm,” he hummed. 

“Just let me vent. Don’t try to always fix it, because…” 

“Because you already know what needs to be done or said and you don’t need to hear me vocalize the thoughts already tumbling around in your head?” 

“Yes,” she said, nodding as she scrunched her chin. “I know I’m being emotional and perhaps unreasonable-”

“You’re not,” he assured her, moving his hand to her waist and stepping even closer. “There is nothing wrong with how you’re feeling or reacting.” 

“You learn that from your blogs and articles?” she asked with a smile, placing a hand on his chest. 

“That and knowing you for years,” he said, putting his other hand on her waist and rocking them slightly. “I know when you’re not you.” 

“Yeah,” she whispered, tears once again filling her eyes. “I hate it, but I need to accept it.” 

“Would a milkshake from Fred’s help?” he asked. 

“It couldn’t hurt to give it a shot,” she replied, blinking the tears away and smiling. 

“I’ll go get the keys and we’ll see if it does the trick,” he said, kissing her and then bending down to kiss her stomach, scratching it gently with his finger.  “Be kind to your mama, little one. I’ll be right back.” He kissed her again and she watched him jog to the house, her heart feeling lighter. 

“Oh, my baby,” she said, rubbing her stomach. “I can’t wait for you to meet him. He’s gonna make an absolute fool out of himself over you.” She smiled softly, the baby moving under her fingers as though in reply. 

“Let’s get those milkshakes,” Mulder called, the screen door slamming shut behind him, as he ran down the stairs and to the car. 

He drove down to her and stopped, waiting as she got in and buckled up. 

“Have I mentioned how beautiful you are today?” he asked and she smiled. 

“No, but thank you,” she said, leaning towards him and giving him a kiss. 

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s get those shakes.” 

He rolled the windows down as he took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. She smiled and closed her eyes, letting the warm summer air blow away any of her remaining cares and concerns. 

[atths--twice]

The Pull of Poetry

Mulder has a fun little surprise in store for Scully.

Happy Fictober everyone!🎃 Today kicks off the first of many stories that I'm excited to share with you all.

Hope you enjoy!

January, 2010

“What’s that?” Scully asked, pointing to a small plastic bag on the table. 

“Oh that? Nothing,” Mulder answered, picking the bag up and pocketing it. 

“Nothing?” she answered, smiling with an eyebrow raised. 

“Yup.” He nodded and winked at her as she shook her head. 

“Fine. Keep your little secrets.” 

“I plan to. For the moment anyway,” he said, smiling again. 

“Alright. You have fun with that. I have to get going.”  

“Yes, dear. Have a wonderful day.” 

“Goodbye, dear,” she said, rolling her eyes as she stepped closer and tipped her head back for a kiss. He smiled as he bent his head, meeting her halfway. 

“You want anything special for dinner?” he asked and she pulled back in surprise. 

“You’re gonna make something?” 

“I could. Or I could pick something up.” 

“That might be safer. And more edible.” 

“Hey,” he said, pulling her to him and locking his hands around her back, keeping her close. “I’m not a bad cook.” 

“Hmm,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist and looking up at him with a smile. “I think the pan we had to replace, and that one pot, would like to have a word about that statement.” 

“It didn’t catch on fire.” 

“No,” she laughed. “Just burnt to the pan and wouldn’t come off. And then no matter what was done to it, any food cooked in the pot still tasted burnt.” 

“Huh. I’ll pick something up,” he said, making a face at the memory of the burnt pot taste. 

“Good idea,” she said, patting his back and chuckling softly. 

“Any preferences? Or should I surprise you?” 

“Hmm,” she hummed, closing her eyes as she raised an eyebrow. “Surprise me. You know what I like.” 

“Hmm,” he hummed back in response, as she opened her eyes, rocking them gently. “That I do. In so many aspects.” 

“Yes. You do,” she said, bringing her arms from around his waist and placing her hands on his chest. “But, let’s leave it at food for the moment as I have to get going.” 

“Yes, dear,” he said, smiling as he bent to kiss her again. 

“Okay. I have to go.” 

“So go,” he said, making no move to release her. 

“Mulder!” She laughed as she squirmed in his arms. “Don’t make me kick your ass.” 

“But you know I like that,” he said, nuzzling her neck and growling softly. 

“Mulder… I have to go.” She laughed again as she moved to the left and he let her go, smiling as she shook her head. “You always do this right before I have to leave.” 

“Do what?” he asked innocently, knowing full well what she meant. 

“You know, Mulder,” she said, shaking her head again as she smoothed her hair down. “Your timing could be better.” 

“I’ll remember that,” he said and she chortled. 

“You won’t.” She stepped away and he followed her to the door, helping her with her coat. Handing her her bag, he kissed her again. 

“Goodbye, my darling,” he said and shook her head. 

“No. Darling, will not be tolerated.” 

“Okay, sweetie pie,” he said as she opened the door and stepped through it. 

“Nope,” she said, shaking her head. 

“My main squeeze?” 

“Mulder,” she said, laughing as she walked down the stairs. 

“Baby doll?” 

“Mulder, I will make myself vomit,” she said, looking back at him over her shoulder. He chuckled as he followed her down the stairs. 

“My one and only?” 

She opened the back door and put her bag inside. Closing it, she looked at him and he smiled with a shrug. 

“Your constant? Your touchstone?” she asked and he hummed as he stepped toward her, pulling her in for a kiss. He dipped her, his hand tangling in her hair, as she held onto his arms, laughing against his lips. 

“That will never change,” he said, kissing her once more, righting her and making sure she was steady on her feet, before letting her go. 

“Hmm,” she hummed, patting his chest with a smile. “And you are mine. Always.” He grinned, nodding as he stroked her cheek. 

“You need to get going.” 

“Yes, I do.” 

“Well then,” he said, stepping back and away from the car. “You have a good day… my touchstone.” 

“You too,” she said, opening the door and getting inside. She smiled as she closed the door and started the car.

Rolling the window down, she beckoned to him with her finger. He stepped forward and leaned down, placing a hand on the open window space. 

“Yes?” 

“I love you,” she said, squeezing his fingers as she smiled. 

“I love you too,” he said, smiling as he squeezed back.  

“Just wanted you to be absolutely sure.” 

“Thanks,” he said, kissing her once more before he stood up and stepped back. She nodded and put the car in reverse, watching him as she backed up. 

“Goodbye, my darling,” he called to her and she laughed as she shook her head, putting the car in drive and waving as she drove down the driveway. He grinned, waiting until she was out of sight before heading back inside. 

Taking out the small bag from his pocket, he smiled at the words he could see. He walked to the kitchen table, set the bag down, and then stood in front of the refrigerator, looking at the magnets upon it. 

While there were not many, the ones they had were from places they had bought when they had been on the run. Not having space for bulky items, magnets were easy to slip into a pocket or a bag. 

They had one shaped like a Ferris wheel from a harvest festival in Wyoming. Three ponderosa trees clumped together with an orange tent beneath them from Montana. A Bigfoot in the forest in Washington state. Two smiling cactuses wearing sunglasses from Arizona. A covered wagon and old fashioned windmill from Oklahoma. An idyllic village encapsulated within a snow globe from Wisconsin. And his favorite was an alligator, onto which Scully had carefully written Big Blue upon its back, from Florida. 

Things were held up with the magnets- a shopping list. An article he saw in the paper that he knew would make her laugh. A picture he had taken of her as she stood on the porch early one morning, staring out at the yard. A couple of restaurant menus. Ticket stubs to a sci-fi double feature they had attended on his birthday. 

He sighed as he began to take them all down, laying them on the table. They would be going back, but he had something else to put up first. When it was all cleared, he opened the plastic bag and dumped out its contents. 

Spreading out the small rectangular words, he smiled as he began to figure out what he wanted to create. 

Happy love with you 

My heart skips 

Thoughts are bright 

Me us forever 

Burn

Soft skin taste 

Touch 

Frantic whisper worship 

“Hmm,” he hummed, suddenly finding himself aroused by the thoughts in his head. “Gotta keep this PG or I might find myself in trouble.” He cleared his throat, trying not to think of the way Scully whisper-moaned his name as she approached climax. “Goddamn man…” 

He spread out all of the words, his thoughts still on Scully- her smile, the feel of her lips, the softness of her skin, her taste, the way her breathing increased, and the feel of her breaking around him. 

When he had arranged and then rearranged the words, he stood back and looked at what he had created. 

Smile

Laugh 

Skin 

Soft and light 

Kiss like a cloud 

Touch taste whisper 

Love burn red hot 

Slow body worship 

Heart mind soul symphony 

You me tonight 

Forever  

My darling 

He nodded, happy with the result. Especially with the last word, beyond ecstatic when he had seen it. 

Moving the words from the table and to the refrigerator, he lined them up in the center of the freezer door, spacing them apart in places. He smiled at his handiwork, nodding as he then replaced the other magnets and the items they had held. He kept them on the refrigerator door, the poem he had made front and center. 

Putting the remaining words into a stemless wine glass beside the refrigerator, for the moments when inspiration hit, he glanced repeatedly at the poem, smiling each time. 

Deciding to straighten up the house, he started with the laundry, rotating a load from the washer to the dryer. He hummed as he went about his tasks, running the vacuum when he was done. 

Hours later, the pizza from Giano’s warming in the oven as the salad chilled in the refrigerator, he heard the car door shut, announcing Scully’s arrival. Grinning, he turned off the light in the laundry room, the next load tumbling in the dryer. 

Walking into the living room, he waited for her to come in, glancing quickly at the refrigerator, anticipating what she would say when she saw it. 

The door opened and she walked in, carrying her bag and sighing as she rolled her neck.

“Hey,” he said and she raised her eyes to his, sighing again. 

“Hey,” she replied softly. Taking a deep breath, she smiled. “It smells good in here.” 

“Giano’s. Pizza.” She tilted her head and he smiled. “And a salad.”  

“Good man,” she said, setting her bag down and taking off her coat. “I’m really tired. It was busy today. Had some unexpected meetings and long conversations with some parents. I didn’t eat lunch and that pizza smells delicious.” 

“Well, perhaps I could interest you in a couple of slices, some salad, and a glass of wine?” 

“Yes,” she said with a nod, her eyes closing briefly. “Let me wash my hands and I’ll join you.” 

“You got it, hon,” he said and she gave him a look as she passed him. 

He smiled, walking into the kitchen and taking out plates, bowls, and silverware. He opened the wine and poured her a glass, glancing at the refrigerator again. 

“Sometimes I wonder how we ran on little to no sleep and skipped meals for days at a time,” she said, coming into the kitchen. “I feel drained from one shift these days.” 

“We were younger then,” he said, handing her her glass. 

“We’re not that much older,” she said, frowning slightly as she raised the glass to her lips. 

“Hmm,” he said with a shrug. 

“You’re older,” she stated and he grinned. 

“By three years,” he said with a small chuckle. 

“Well… older is older,” she said, raising an eyebrow as she shrugged. 

“Hmm,” he hummed again, licking his lips. 

“It looks nice in here,” she said, taking another drink as she looked around. 

“I did the laundry too.” 

“Did you-”

“Yes, I hung your delicates.” 

“Good man,” she said to him again. “I don’t see any pizza on my plate.” 

“Let me remedy that,” he replied, stepping toward her and staring at her lips. She smiled and raised up, kissing him softly. “You get the salad.” 

“Okay.” 

He stepped to the oven, watching her out of the corner of his eye as he took out the pizza and set it on the stovetop. She set her glass down, reached for the refrigerator door handle and pulled it open. She took out the container of salad and set it beside her glass of wine before taking out the bottle of salad dressing. Closing the refrigerator, she sighed as she shook the bottle. 

Opening his mouth to ask her how she missed it, he watched her look at the refrigerator and then at him. 

“What?” 

“What?” he parroted back, trying not to smile. 

“What is this?” she asked, setting the bottle of dressing down. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Smile. Laugh. Skin. Soft and light. Kiss like a cloud,” she read, glancing at him again. He smiled and nodded, encouraging her to keep reading. “Touch taste whisper. Love burn red hot. Slow body worship.” Looking at him again, he saw her breathing increase. “Heart mind soul symphony. You me tonight. Forever. My darling.” She laughed at the last word, looking at him and shaking her head. “Is this what you were hiding from me this morning?” 

“Maybe.” 

“I love it. Heart mind soul symphony,” she read again. “Forever.” 

“My darling,” he said, stepping closer to her. She laughed again as she looked at him.

“Did you know that was in that bag this morning?” 

“Nope. What a crazy coincidence, huh?” 

“One could even say spooky,” she said, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around his waist. 

“One could. But should one?” he asked, pulling her close. 

“You crazy, crazy, spooky man,” she said as he smiled. 

“There’s a glass of words just there,” he said, nodding to it and she looked at it with a nod of her own. “In case you felt inspired to create something as well.” 

“Perhaps after I eat,” she said, looking up at him. “And have a couple of glasses of wine.” 

“Drunk poetry is always better than sober poetry.” 

“I don’t know. I like what you came up with. Especially touch taste whisper.”

“Is that right?” 

“Mmhmm,” she said with a nod. “But I’ll need a rain check to show you how much I liked it.” 

“Rain check given.” 

“Thank you… darling.” 

He threw his head back and laughed as she laid her head on his chest and hugged him tightly. 

“Oh, Scully,” he said, kissing the top of her head as they swayed gently. 

Dinner eaten, her eyes closing from time to time, revealing how tired she truly was, he smiled when he suggested she take a bath while he cleaned the kitchen. 

“Thank you,” she said, brushing her hand across his back as she went upstairs. 

He brought her a cup of tea and her wine when he went upstairs, giving her the option. She took both with a tired smile and he chuckled, bending to kiss her head. 

Not wanting to go straight to bed, he suggested a movie and she agreed, though he knew she would most likely fall asleep before it made it further than the first few minutes. 

She laid on the couch with her head against his leg, his fingers running through her hair, when he heard her breathing even out and he knew his thoughts had been accurate. He smiled as he continued watching the movie, rubbing her scalp gently. 

When the movie was over, he woke her and helped her stumble up the stairs to bed, covering her and kissing her goodnight. 

“Hmm, night… darling,” she mumbled and he chuckled, kissing her again. 

“Love you,” he whispered and she hummed, putting her hand under her pillow. 

He went back downstairs, double checked the locks, and brought their cups of tea to the kitchen sink. Stepping to the refrigerator, he did a double take at the words he had put up. 

Four of them had been taken out and placed below his poem. He did not know when she had done it, but the sight of them made him smile, knowing his purchase of the poetry magnet words would be worth every penny. 

Love you forever 

Darling