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After the events in Chinatown, Scully knew that she had no desire to go back to California for a good long while. But reality hit her and Mulder like a freight train after they did properly leave. Having been caught up in the atmosphere and exclusivity of the place, both agents had genuinely forgotten that it was Christmastime in the outside world. Heaven also had some fun.
All they wished for? To be home. But also to be with each other. In some fashion.
So...
The agents made it back on their expected flight to the Dulles International airport on December twenty-fourth only to learn that an incoming snow storm would be stranding them there. Traveling home was highly inadvisable until the roads were safe.
In short? Mulder and Scully had now been stuck at the airport for over a day.
Scully would have lost it if not for the fact that they were promptly compensated with adjoining rooms at the airport's brand-new on-site hotel overlooking the main concourse. Her mood further improved when the concierge cheerfully upgraded them for free-of-charge to the only remaining and biggest adjoining room. (She had unintentionally mistaken Scully and Mulder for a married couple.) Perks of being in this particular set-up came included free laundry service and ticket vouchers for meals at hotel-exclusive restaurants.
Meanwhile...
The man himself didn't mind the holidays because his own lost sister had loved them so. Being home would have been preferred. But he was happy to be with Scully. Still... He felt bad because this was her first Christmas without her sister. Now Scully was just stuck with him for the two holidays. What confused him was that she hadn't complained about being away from her family. Not once.
While Scully would have definitely liked to have been with her mother this year, she had elected to make the most of their current situation. But she was also experiencing enough content because she was with Mulder for the holidays. And that brought her joy. Heaps of it.
Now she was making the most of things. While she would have liked to have been at her mother's house, the woman understood that life really was what it was. For that? Scully had cheerfully helped Mulder to make their sleeping spaces into a home away from home.
Which brought them today. December the twenty-fifth.
Scully had stepped out. At least for a few moments.
Peeking into her suite, Mulder grew curious. His partner's bed had been made up a little neater than usual, and the switched-on television was also showing a commercial stating that A Charlie Brown Christmas was to start in awhile.
All the same? He realized that Scully had made the space inviting because she wanted to spend more time with him today. They already spent the day people-watching on the concourse below as means of a scenery-change. Now Scully was up to something else.
It was yet the last sight in the room that Mulder then laid eyes on that truly captured his attention.
Exactly like he had in his room, so too did Scully have in hers a hotel-provided tabletop tree on the writing desk by the window. But there was a small pile of parcels wrapped in fox-themed paper underneath it. Mulder felt curious. But then he remembered that he had his own parcel pile for his partner underneath his own tabletop tree. So he hurried to fetch them. Fast.
Scully had gone to the main hotel desk so as to redeem a special holiday dinner voucher that she'd found amongst their freebie pile. Now she was returning with more than she'd bargained for. It even felt fitting.
She found Mulder standing on the threshold between their suites when she returned. He even beamed. For all the times they drove one other crazy, each enjoyed the other's company. Rather a lot.
When he saw her toting a very full heavy-looking wicker basket, he quickly moved a different table to the walkway in front of the bed as he quipped, "Hey. Did you see any big bad wolves while you were on your quest?”
Shaking her head at the Little Red Riding Hood joke, Scully said, “Ha ha. Actually, there is a special desk set up in the lobby as a distribution point for the dinner vouchers. It so happens that they have something special for the holiday.”
"Indeed." remarked Mulder. "Just what is in your magic basket? Any clue?"
Scully set the basket on the table. “I guess it’s time to find out.”
Mulder proceeded to watch in sheer amazement as his partner pulled out a variety of sandwiches, on-the-go portions of roast turkey and gravy, a big tin of mashed potatoes, even a variety of bread rolls. For dessert? A treat that Mulder soon recognized as Old English Trifle.
But Mulder then pulled a large thermos from the basket. And he was tickled when he discovered it was full of cold lemonade. One other decent-sized thermos was full of cold fresh drinking water. Then he found a disposable tablecloth decorated in a whimsical snowflake pattern, and even a disposable set of holiday-bedecked utensils and other such necessities.
Resting at the bottom of the basket was a card about what to leave in the hallway for clean-up. All in all? They had a proper feast.
“Wow.” Mulder said to Scully. “Did you expect anything like this?”
“Mm-mm.” answered Scully. “It reminds me of the picnic lunches my mom would pack for us when she took us out on our nature walks while my dad was overseas during the England years…”
Hanging on to one piece of information in particular, Mulder interjected, “Wait a second.”
Greatly amused, Scully said, “Yes?”
Mulder asked, “You also lived in England?”
Remembering well that Mulder was an Oxford-educated psychologist, Scully said, “I’m a grown-up Navy brat. Am I Annapolis-born? Yes. But except for one brief time when I was in junior high school, I was educated abroad. Mostly in England. Do you remember that accent prank I faked you out with when Phoebe Green left?”
“Yes.” Mulder said honestly.
“Well, it was not that hard to pull off because I had an accent for a majority of my childhood. Locale assimilation. Or something.” Scully shrugged. “It certainly distracted people away from the fact that I had a lisp…”
Mulder periodically heard vestiges of this particular speech issue in his partner from time-to-time. But he’d never mentioned it because he hadn’t wanted her to feel bad. So he was amazed that she was sharing this much about her pre-FBI life. In all truth? He fell for her on the spot even more.
But Mulder said, “Woah. Did any of your other siblings adapt like that?”
“Mm-mm. Only me. But my big siblings liked to set anyone straight who made fun of me for sounding off.” Scully blushed when she realized Mulder was watching her fascination, so she pointed to the hamper. “Anyway… I’ll set the tablecloth out on the bed. Okay? Why don’t you open things up?”
Mulder followed through. And after Scully spread the tablecloth out on the bed, it wasn’t long before Mulder had their feast properly settled. Contentment befell both partners from there.
Snow kept falling outside as they ate.
And after some passed, Mulder unceremoniously blurted, “Scully? I’m sorry.”
Tearing her eyes away from the television as a commercial reel began, Scully said, “Hm? For what? I’m having fun. Aren’t you?”
Mulder melted into a puddle. Christmas Day at the airport hotel while snow raged, and she was actually having fun? Wow. And she was even concerned about his well-being just then even though the situation was as absurd as it was. Truly. This woman was a keeper. Full-stop.
Finally, Mulder said, “Yes. I am also having fun.”
“Then what are you sorry about?” Scully asked curiously. “That I’m not with my family during the first Christmas without Melissa?”
“Yes.” Mulder confessed. “That.”
“Well, it is what it is, isn’t it?” Scully mused. “Our version of FBI life obviously means being away from home a lot, but you know? My mom understands.”
Mulder said in surprise, “Really?”
“Uh-huh.” Scully answered. “I promise you that she does.”
“What about Charlie?” Mulder wanted to know.
“Him, too.” said Scully. “But he’s also not the type to really make a fuss because he’s peaceful.”
Mulder promised, “So noted. What is the age difference there, anyway?”
“Four years.” responded Scully. “I’m thirty-one. But my brother just celebrated his twenty-seventh in June. My sister was two years older than me.”
Mulder asked, “Then what about Bill and Melissa?”
“Ten months.” answered Scully. “But I’m also older than Bill’s wife.”
“Wow.” said Mulder.
“And when I become a mom one day, I’ll make sure for the sake of all-around sanity, that my kids’ll have a decent gap. I really can’t imagine two babies at once.” she arched her back involuntarily and then shuddered before having a sigh. “Of course… Now that I say this… You’ll probably hear me telling you at some point in the future that I’ll be having twins…”
Mulder felt his heart jump. Was this conversation actually happening? At all? He didn’t want to wake up if it happened to be fake.
Pulling himself together in time, the man asked, “You’d include me in your life milestones?”
“Mhm. Of course I would.” Scully answered. “There isn’t any way I could spend the rest of my life without you in it through some fashion. Skyland Mountain sealed our bond. So did the New Mexico events. And the ones about the explosive-laden train car.”
“All good points.” agreed Mulder.
“So,” Scully said in a ‘That’s that!’ way. “I mean it when I say that I’d tell you about my life milestones.”
Mulder said sincerely, “Thank you.”
Amazed that she could still remember the original train of thought, Scully gave Mulder’s hand a gentle squeeze before saying, “Like I said… Charles Joshua is peaceful. Overdramatic behavior about other peoples’ plans is just not his way. He and my mother are presently spending time together on a cruise down the Mississippi in Louisiana. They’re doing so because my sister always wanted to. She just never got a chance.”
“Oh. So they’re doing it in Melissa's memory. That is actually really nice.” Mulder said kindly. “I mean it.”
“You are a kind man.” Scully told him. “By the way… Did I ever mention before now that my mother is a New Orleans native?”
“No.” answered Mulder. “I would’ve remembered that.”
“Ask Maggie some time. I mean it. She’s got stories for days. And I know she’d love to tell you.” Scully replied earnestly. “But I declined to go on the excursion because I really do not like boats at all.”
Chuckling, Mulder said, “Even though your dad was a Navy captain?”
“Yeah. I did worship Ahab. You know that. Unfortunately… It doesn’t change the fact that boats freak me out. Big time. If,” Scully briefly wrapped her knuckles against the surface of the wooden end table. “You and I end up on a boat some time, I will hold you responsible if the tracking equipment malfunctions because it’ll make me feel better. Alright?”
Wondering just how many maritime disasters Scully had read about to have her this wound up, Mulder answered obediently, “Deal.”
“Good.” Scully then centered herself as she grew darkly amused about something else. “My big brother is heavily opinionated about my career choices. He took over the role after Ahab died. But Billy isn’t allowed any opinions this year.”
“Oh?” said Mulder. “How’s that?”
Scully smirked. “It so happens he and Tara are on a U.S. base in Germany.”
“That’s quite a ways away.” Mulder observed.
“Uh-huh.” Scully agreed. “I will go lay flowers on Missy’s headstone when the weather permits. However…”
Mulder asked, “Yes?”
Winking at him because she knew he’d remember it, Scully told her partner, “I promise you that Melissa Margaret would have absolutely found this most recent case fascinating. Her ‘cosmic abilities’ would have gone haywire. Also? My sister was born in Japan. Still, she really loved San Francisco. But that’s another story for another day. Capiche?”
Amazed that he was learning even more about the Scullys, Mulder said, “Comprende.”
Scully bobbed her head. “You are my best friend. I would rather we spend Christmas together than apart because of these utterly wacky circumstances. And I mean it about any time we get stranded somewhere. That will never change. Ever.”
And then Scully turned her attention back to the television set again. But Mulder could still see her blushing spectacularly, anyway. So he also turned his attention back to the television. Like Scully, Mulder chose to soak in the moment. His partner considered him her best friend. Even that was a Christmas miracle.
Talk turned to even more things as the meal went on. Dessert also flew by. However, it was not until the leftovers had been stored and the necessary items had been set in the hallway for the cleaning staff to collect, that talk circled back to family. But they didn’t mind.
While the Charlie Brown special continued on, Scully told Mulder, “Missy really did have an interest in things that most people find wacky.”
“I noticed that.” recalled Mulder. “So I guess that that’s why she’d seek me out on her own… even if it was to verbally kick my ass. You know? I find those memories of her endearing.”
“My sister was also fond of you.” Scully got up from the bed. “And to be honest?”
Hanging on to every word, Mulder asked, “Yes?”
“Missy was well aware that she freaked you out a little bit,” Scully responded. “But during one of the last times that I saw her, she described you as a normal big brother. Hand to God.”
Flattered and then amused, Mulder said, “Thanks for telling me that…”
Scully laughed softly when she saw her partner wondering how to phrase his next words aloud, so she said, “Are you wondering why Missy considered you as normal?”
Mulder said nervously, “That obvious?”
“Just a tad.” Scully teased. “My sister had old memories of our big brother holding his breath as a wee thing when he didn’t get his way."
Mulder's tone conveyed immediate amusement as he said, "Oh? And what about you?"
Scully answered, "I remember that Billy has been Mister Neatfreak since… my entire life. At least. I also remember that my brother kept his room shipshape and bristol fashion since before joining the Navy was ever even a thought. That even included keeping his baseball cards in obnoxiously neat stacks. He’d flip out if anyone ever touched them.”
Feeling better, Mulder said in stunned amazement, "Wild..."
“So I think," Scully crossed the room towards the tabletop tree for parcel collection. "That you can tell how my sister thought of you as a normal big brother. Are there any tidbits about your sister to tell me? I would really love to know."
Mulder watched his partner collect all the parcels and rejoin him on the bed. “It happens that our fellow agents at The Hoover Building are not the first people to call me ‘Spooky.’ At all. So I just let them think that.”
Scully asked, “Was your sister the first?”
“Yes.” Mulder answered. “I know that I’m obsessed with learning what the hell happened to Samantha. That's fine. It does make me happy that you’ve been invested in things now. But I am so deeply and sincerely sorry that you ever had to be traumatized for it to happen.”
Scully’s heart skipped a beat at Mulder’s unexpected kindness and so she said, “Thank you.”
Mulder gave Scully’s hand a gentle squeeze of acknowledgement before getting himself back on track. “It still means the world that you're with me.”
“I’m with you until the very last stop.” Scully promised. “But I’ve also noticed over the years that you don’t seem to care what other people think about our quest. Would that be an accurate assumption?”
His own heart having already skipped a beat at her use of ‘our,’ Mulder answered, “Yes. That assumption is completely accurate.”
Scully said to Mulder, “Excellent. Then did you like being a big brother? What can you recall about the kind of person Samantha was? I've always been curious about that."
“I loved being a big brother. Truly.” answered Mulder. “I also remember that Samantha was warm, gentle, curious about the world around her, amazing at baseball, even just genuinely kind. You and Melissa and Maggie would have loved her. She would have loved you all. Including your father and brothers.
Now brightening, Scully said, “Really?”
“Mhm. I’m also confident that she and Melissa would’ve even been best friends.” Mulder cleared his throat so he wouldn’t get caught up in the emotion all over again. “And most of all? Samantha loved to read. Her favorite book was Peter Pan.”
“Oh?” Scully moved closer to Mulder. “Why was that?”
“My sister loved the adventure aspect.” explained Mulder. “I read the book to her, especially on the nights our parents fought.”
“Wow.” said Scully. “I always adored Tinker Bell. Did Samantha have a favorite character?”
Mulder laughed, “How funny that you should say Tinker Bell…”
“No.” Scully laughed in genuine amusement as she made a particular leap. “Samantha loved Captain Hook? Why?”
“The idea of the only adults on the island of Neverland being actual pirates was amazing to her because those kinds of pirates are something a kid can understand. You know? My sister even loved the idea of a kid-led adventure.” elaborated Mulder. “And because I did my best so as to make the readings dramatic, Samantha lovingly called me ‘Spooky’ for it. Honestly? My sister is who I think of when I hear the jibes at work. Scully… What do you think?”
“I am so deeply honored that you’d share. Thank you.” answered Scully. “Have I been the only person…?”
“Yeah.” Mulder admitted. “You really are the only person I’d ever want to tell in the first place, anyway, because you always give me the time of day. Thank you.”
Deeply moved, Scully told Mulder, “And you are completely welcome.”
Each could have stayed happily in that moment because they were enjoying each other’s company even more with each passing moment just then. But both partners also experienced a moment of imagining the idea of growing old together and spending many fun Christmases together in a pleasant countryside house. That sounded like paradise. Or something.
Scully broke out of the moment first. New curiosity was catching up to her.
“The fox-wrapped parcels are for you. But,” Scully pointed to the parcels in the pile wrapped surprisingly neat in Pomeranian-themed paper. “Just what is the story here? Hm?”
“Well,” Mulder set the items in Scully’s lap. “I can safely say that those are for you.”
“Thank you, Mulder.” Scully told him. “Then am I to take it that you packed them on the off-chance we wouldn’t get all the way home for Christmas? Hm? I did that for yours.”
Mulder laughed. “Then I guess great minds think alike.”
“Too true.” Scully pointed to the parcel atop Mulder’s pile. “Please. Open that one first.”
Mulder wasn’t sure what to expect when undoing the paper. But he was quite soon at a loss for words. Now Mulder found himself holding a stuffed fox toy, dressed in a ghost costume. It was completely perfect. And endearing.
Now giving his attention back to Scully, Murder said, “Wow. It’s beautiful. Thanks.”
Bobbing her head, Scully tacked on a new memory. “That one was purchased by my sister during her last trip to San Francisco. Hm. I guess it went full circle."
“Back up.” Mulder said when he realized what Scully had just informed him of. “Are you saying that Melissa went all the way to California and thought of me?”
“Exactly. Fox, you are a kinder, gentler, way more likable person than you think.” Scully said. “Give yourself some credit. I believe in you. And my sister always did. Trust me.”
Mulder replied without hesitation, “Always.”
Pointing to the trinket, Scully told Mulder, “Missy gave that to me to give to you for Christmas. Just in case she wouldn’t have been able to do it herself. And I’ve been saving it.”
Very sincere, Mulder now said, “And I’m deeply touched. Thanks again.”
Scully bobbed her head in acknowledgement before pointing to the next parcel. “Okay. This one is a find that my mother and I discovered some time ago.”
Surprised, Mulder asked, “Is that right?”
"Yeah. Full disclosure? I was on that shopping trip and she saw it first. However…" Scully quickly quashed her stomach butterflies. "When she showed it to me, I just knew that you had to have it.”
Mulder undid the newest round of wrapping paper to this time discover a handsomely-illustrated copy of Moby Dick. He knew Scully was an avid reader because it was her favorite way to spend plane rides and long road trips. But this was the first time he’s ever seen any indication that she was into the classics. Usually? The woman read science fiction.
But Mulder said, “Wow. This is incredibly thoughtful. I mean it, Dana. Thank you so much. And please pass my thanks to your mother, too. Okay?”
“Okay.” Scully said bashfully. “And long story short? Moby Dick is a childhood favorite.”
Mulder asked, “Will I ever get the full version?”
Scully joked, “When we’re stranded on a rock in the middle of a lake because our boat sank.”
Mulder lifted his eyebrows. “That… Is incredibly specific.”
Scully shrugged again. “Well, better than you on a UFO and me left behind, no?”
"Again about the specificity." Mulder laughed. "Is this you playing with me?”
Now Scully knew that Mulder was presently both confused and amazed at how playful she was being. It even surprised her. But she felt only contentment because she could quite easily picture growing old with him in some fashion. And for that, Scully decided she would let Mulder get to know her more. Even like this.
“You are so important to me. This is who I am.” Scully finally said. “I am not anti-fun. That said…”
Mulder guessed, “You’re not used to having friends because being a young academic is that time-consuming?”
“Mhm. Wow. That’s the nail hit on the head.” Scully praised. “Uh… I even fell out of contact with my friend who asked me to be the godmother of her son because the family moved to England some time ago. But I guess these things happen. Don’t they?”
Gently, Mulder lifted Scully’s closest hand in his. Then he kissed it. Why? If only to convey more gentleness and even reassurances. Mulder still felt his heart skip a beat when Scully’s pulse quickened. He knew she understood what he was doing. Even why. But it always made him happy when Scully was happy.
Now Mulder said, “Hey. I’m also not used to having friends. But I’ve always considered you as my best friend because we match each other’s insanity. Am I wrong?”
“After everything we’ve been through? No.” Scully laughed softly. “I do match your insanity. And you do match mine. It’s probably why people at work think we’re a peculiar pair. But you know? I couldn’t have it any other way. Ever. What about you?”
“Mm-mm. I cherish every ounce as much as you do. And that won’t change. Ever.” now Mulder kissed Scully’s hand again. “But I’m down for continuing whatever this ‘uniquely us’ bond is. Are you?”
Scully answered, “Always.”
“Good.” Mulder now pointed to Scully’s topmost unopened parcel. “Uh… I guess that great minds really do think alike because that was a find on my mother’s part. She does like you because you are kind to me. But…”
Picking the parcel up, Scully said, “Oh. The rest of it is that life steamrolled her in the autumn of 1973 and she hasn’t really been good at expressing herself ever since?”
“Yeah.” Mulder nodded. “What do you think?”
Without hesitation, Scully responded, “I’m amazed Teena would let me into one corner of her world by thinking of me.”
“All I know is that my mom gave me that package during the last time I saw before her the case that you and I just finished. Said she found it while going through a box one day." Mulder explained. “Then I dropped her off at the airport. She’s happily spending time on the South Carolina coast."
"Hm. That sounds nice right now." said Scully. "Did Teena say anything else?"
Mulder answered, "She instructed me to give that to you at the first opportune moment. I suppose we can’t get any more to the point than a room at Dulles. Can we?”
Chuckling as she undid the wrapping paper, Scully began, “I suppose n… Oh, my God…”
Her words tapered as she digested what she was looking at. Great emotion filled her. Just as she had given Mulder a book of meaning to herself, Scully was now holding an old beautifully-illustrated copy of Peter Pan from her partner’s mother. Was this real?
Inside, a hand-written message could be seen. ‘This copy belonged to Samantha. My daughter would have loved you. Very much. Now you can hold both of my babies close. I also wanted to give this to you because Fox thinks the world of you. Thanks for looking out for him. I think Fox is lucky to have you. Happy holidays. –Teena’
Scully looked at Mulder. “Did you know…?”
Mulder shook his head. “Mm-mm. What’d the inscription say?”
Scully showed him. “Here. Take a look.”
Mulder did. And his heart filled with as much emotion as his partner’s had. Teena was not unkind. Life had just well and truly damaged her. But her being so kind to Scully was as good as full approval. In a word? Mulder felt promptly flooded by emotions.
Taking care to pull himself together, Mulder handed the book back as he said, "Wow. My mother loves you. Dearly."
Nodding swiftly so she didn't burst into over-emotional tears like her body was threatening of her, Scully said, "Mhm. Looks that way. I will also send her a thank you card."
Now Mulder perked up. “She would really love that.”
“Wonderful.” Scully pointed to the last of Mulder’s parcels. “Hey. Open that one. It’s from yours truly.”
Curious, Mulder undid the wrapping paper. And he was amused. Scully had given him a jigsaw puzzle. It depicted a cozy living room setting decorated with a lavishly-done Christmas tree, and even a bough of holly draped across the mantle. Five rather full stockings even hung from it. A big mountain of beautifully-wrapped presents could even be seen at the foot of the tree. In pride of place on the fireplace hearth rug? A Border Collie dog wearing a Christmas-themed sweater.
“Hey.” Mulder said gratefully to Scully. “I love it. Thank you so much. Why don’t you open your last parcel now?”
Scully did. Vast amusement also became her friend. Mulder had gifted her a jigsaw puzzle with a near-identical setting. There was even a dog in a holiday sweater. Breed? Pomeranian.
“Oh, my God. This is amazing. And thank you. I love it.” Scully laughed. “However…”
Mulder joked, “That’s two generations of Mulders and Scullys thinking exactly alike?”
“Uh-huh. More proof that you and I were meant to meet and become friends with each other.” Scully flicked her eyes towards the dining table and back. “Why don’t we switch things out and work on our puzzles?”
“I’m down.” Mulder agreed. “Come on.”
And together, they worked to further set the space up how they needed. It wasn't long before they even unboxed their puzzles. Yet another Christmas movie began playing on television, but neither Mulder nor Scully paid attention. They were having even more fun. And they even began trading stories about the funnier parts of their childhoods. Everything was perfect here. And that was quite undeniably that.
Speaking to his friend again, Mulder said, “Hey. Dana?”
Beaming because she loved when he said her actual name, she said, “Hm? Yes, Fox?”
“Merry Christmas.” he told her.
“Oh.” Scully beamed even more. “Merry Christmas.”