Work Text:
GEORGETOWN
WASHINGTON, D.C.
CHRISTMAS DAY 1996
Scully was alone for Christmas this year.
Everyone was traveling. Or they lived out of the country. Then a court case concerning an entirely different department in The Hoover Building proceeded to keep Scully from being able to make any holiday plans with friends. Not that she had many these days. Except Mulder. Thank God for him and their unique friendship.
Electing to not stay in her empty apartment, Scully still walked herself to a popular cozy nostalgia diner around the corner. It was open twenty-four hours and seven days a week. Even on Christmas. But Barb's Diner was a fun place to be as yo u people-watched while enjoying a meal.
This point was proven when Scully entered. Spread throughout the dining room and at the counter, families, couples, and even an older couple were enjoying a holiday breakfast already. Contentment had settled in.
Scully still took a brief mental time-out after being shown to a window booth. While December had been a blur, between the Tunguska-Terma mess, the Temple Of The Seven Suns ‘misadventure,’ and even the John Lee Roche debacle, November had been a nightmare. At best.
Scully also hadn’t forgotten Mulder’s hypnotherapy confession, either. Hopefully 1997 would bring less horror. And weirdness.
Before leaving the diner, Scully had also dropped into her purse a wrapped parcel for Mulder into her purse. They always exchanged gifts at Christmastime. This year, Scully had purchased a copy of Twister on home video and had it wrapped in whimsical wrapping paper at the store. Sitting beside the parcel in Scully’s purse was her phone.
She decided to call Mulder. But Scully didn’t get that far. Why? Because her heart leapt in joy when she noticed Mulder outside. In the diner parking lot.
Mulder ended up at the diner after a holiday morning drive. He hadn’t intended on ending up in Scully’s neighborhood. But he felt amused. A wrapped copy of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on home video was in his inner jacket pocket. The wrapping paper had a Flintstones theme. He’d picked it up for Scully while out on errands the previous day, then accidentally left it in his inner-jacket pocket. Mulder hoped the gift would make her smile. It had been quite recently that Scully mentioned wanting it for her movie collection at home because it had just been released to own.
But reality caught up to Mulder. He was hungry. Exiting his car after he parked in the lot of Barb's Diner, he decided to call Scully. Perhaps she would join him for breakfast. The woman lived around the corner. And he knew she’d be home.
Mulder still felt his heart jump in excitement when he entered the diner.
Scully was across the dining room. Not only was she surprised to see him, but she seemed genuinely excited. Mulder had no idea what he’d ever done to deserve a best friend as kind and as loving as her. All the same? He would cheerfully do it all again.
Hugging Mulder when he joined her, Scully looked up at him. “Wow. I was just about to call you.”
“Me, too.” Mulder winked. “You.”
Scully laughed softly at the quip. “Wow. Anyway… Great minds think alike.”
Mulder nodded and returned the hug. “Now I suppose it’s time for the next step…?”
“Mhm.” Scully was already helping Mulder out of his coat. “Please come have breakfast with me.”
“Alright.” said Mulder. “Thank you.”
It didn’t take long for both partners to order what they wanted to eat. While they both went for orange juice and coffee to drink, Scully ordered French toast, sausage, and scrambled eggs. Mulder? He went for a stack of chocolate chip pancakes, with bacon strips, and hashbrowns. Today was about indulging.
They talked about everyday things, but when they were done eating, Scully said to Mulder, “It’s definitely a very good thing that you’re here.”
“Oh?” Mulder perked up. “How’s that?”
Scully told him, “I actually brought your Christmas present with me.”
Mulder watched as his partner pulled the gift out of her purse and held it out before he murmured, “Uh… Great minds really think alike.”
“No way.” Scully said in amazement.
“Yeah.” Mulder held out his own parcel. “I really was just going for a drive. Wasn’t until I got to the elevator in my building that I realized this was in my pocket. Arriving here? Total providence.”
“I agree.” they traded parcels. “By the way, I really love the wrapping paper.”
“Excellent.” Mulder approved. “I also hope you love what’s inside.”
Scully was elated when she did undo the paper. One thing most people didn’t realize about her was that she had a vast movie collection at home containing many genres. E.T. was a longtime favorite, but not in her collection. Until now.
Quite in turn, Mulder was delighted with his gift. He’d wanted to see Twister in the theaters but had missed it. And he’d been curious about it because it looked like fun. Mulder had only lamented it once. But Scully had remembered. Perfection.
Mulder told Scully, “Thank you. And Merry Christmas.”
“Right back at you.” replied Scully before gently tapping the tabletop. “Are you doing anything for the rest of the day?”
Mulder shook his head. “Mm-mm. What’d you have in mind?”
“Well, my mother is on a trip to California right now. She went with friends. And the two of us exchanged presents before she left.” began Scully. “Amongst the things she gave me was a board game, and spending money. Plus a warning.”
Mulder arched her eyebrows. “Exactly what did your mother warn you about?”
“Only,” Scully laughed nervously. “That if I don’t invite you over today so that we both aren’t alone… she promised to haunt me when she dies. And the money? It’s to go buy lunch at the store.”
“I like her style. And I accept the invitation. Thanks. However...” Mulder said in amusement. “Today is a national holiday.”
“The grocery store just past my building in the other direction,” explained Scully. “Is open until noon.”
“Ah.” Mulder checked the time on his watch. “It is presently twenty past ten.”
“Oh. Is that all?” Scully perked up when a new idea came to her. “Why don’t we pay the bill and go to the grocery store? It shouldn’t even be crowded.”
Mulder said, “That sounds good to me.”
When it came time for the bill after their dishes had been bussed, Mulder and Scully were surprised when the diner’s manager came to their table. She even returned the cash they’d laid out for the fee. Most of all? The agents noticed that she had a large closed wicker basket with her.
“Is there something wrong?” Mulder asked.
“No.” the manager looked from one agent to the other. “An older couple was here. They’ve left already. However, they also saw the two of you and chose to pay the bill.”
“Wow.” said Scully. “That’s incredibly generous of them.”
“They also decided, as a present, to give you both one of our deluxe Christmas hampers. Every expense has been paid.” the manager heaved the basket onto the table with some effort because it was heavy. “All the items are more than enough to make a nice Christmas dinner.”
Scully and Mulder both chorused in great surprise, “Wow.”
The manager went on. “They also made sure I tell you that today is their forty-fifth wedding anniversary. Both also hope that the two of you have a long-lasting bond like they do. Isn’t that kind?”
Scully said, “Absolutely.”
Mulder agreed, “That is for sure.”
“So that is that.” the manager straightened herself out. “I thank you both for coming. And Merry Christmas.”
Mulder and Scully chimed, “Merry Christmas.”
After she left, Mulder said to Scully, “What just happened? Some kind of cosmic wink?”
Scully answered, “Mhm. But… Would you like to also stay for dinner?”
“Yes. I would.” decided Mulder. “Thank you very much.”
For the sake of practicality, Mulder drove them to Scully’s apartment first so they could put the hamper in the kitchen. And set their new movies on the living room table. Scully also collected the money Maggie had given her. Then they left again.
Still…
A radio report on the way to the grocery store had them leaving the place with even more than they’d intended. Rather a snowstorm would be coming by nightfall. So they ended up getting enough to eat until the last of the bad weather had passed. Mulder even accepted Scully’s invitation to stay overnight until the weather cleared.
Back at Scully’s apartment…
She called her mother to catch up while she put the groceries away. But the Christmas hamper was untouched for now. Deciding to follow her example, Mulder called his own mother. Teena was in Florida. But then Mulder called a neighbor in his own building, a Missus Karpowski. She was kind to everyone. The woman even had a spare key to Mulder’s apartment. Upon wishing Mulder a happy holiday, she then agreed to his request about feeding his fish until he made it back home again. Pleasant neighbors were always a wonderful asset.
Joining Scully in the kitchen when they’d both finished their phone calls. Mulder said, “Okay. I just called my neighbor to ask her to feed my fish until I get back. She agreed.”
“Oh.” said Scully. “My mother says hello, by the way. I told her about the weather hoodwinking us. Now she’s pleased that we’re both in one spot. How’d your call with Teena go?”
Mulder answered. “Quite nicely. And she also says hello. The family history being what it is, Christmas really isn’t her favorite anymore. So she’s at her favorite beach resort in Florida. Can you blame her for that one?”
Scully said, “No. But I’m glad she’s having fun. My mother also told me that she’s going to call my brothers. I guess that that’s that.”
“Uh-huh.” now Mulder gestured towards the hamper. “Hey. Why don’t we see what’s in here?”
Both occupants of Number 35 were surprised by what they pulled out. A variety of sandwiches and miniature meat pies, even scotch eggs, fresh bread with a number of tasty bread toppings, and sausage rolls. But for dessert? A variety of cookies, tucked away in a festively-decorated tin. The friends had been given a feast. Why? All because two strangers had chosen to show them kindness on Christmas Day.
Mulder said, “Wow. This looks amazing.”
Now closing the basket lid again, Scully agreed. “Mhm. We can delve into it later. But come on. I think it’s time we work on making lunch.”
Together, the friends made a nice lunch of spaghetti pasta sauce, instant rolls, and salad. Scully even made fruit juice from a concentrate block. This had been amongst their grocery store purchases. It added a nice touch. Living alone, Scully didn’t often think much of what she prepared for her own meals. But she was in a pleasant mood now. Having someone to share with made her happy. But the woman felt especially so because she was hanging out with someone whom she so deeply cherished.
Lunch still flew by fast. The movie Twister was more exciting than they’d bargained for.
Outside, the predicted storm came early. And with a vengeance. Nobody was going anywhere. Both Mulder and Scully appreciated being cozy. This Christmas quite certainly beat being alone. Could either ask for anything else? Not at all.
When dinnertime rolled around, Mulder and Scully happily loaded their plates with a little bit of everything from their Christmas hamper. And they sat at opposite ends of Scully’s coffee table. Just like they had at lunch. In the middle of the table? Scully’s new board game. Her mother had given her a full Scrabble set. E.T. was even in the opening credits on the television screen. Mulder felt content. So did Scully. This was perfect. Full-stop.
“You know,” she told Mulder eventually. “My heart is full.”
Mulder answered, “So’s mine. Thank you for letting me stay.”
“Of course.” returned Scully. “I do miss you if you aren’t around. But there’s also no earthly way I’d let you drive in this kind of weather. Still…”
“Yes?” prompted Mulder.
“I had a dream the other night that I somehow got trapped in Antarctica. But,” Scully shrugged when she was met with an incredulous-laden stare. “From there? You really did walk to the ends of the planet to find me. Do I remember the rest? No. All the same, I felt very safe. What do you think? Silly?”
Mulder shook his head. “Mm-mm. I will happily walk to the ends of the planet for you if it means getting you out of danger. Okay? Do you understand?”
Scully said, “Yes. Thank you. And… Mulder?”
“Hm?” he said. “What’s up?”
Scully held her drinking glass to him. “A toast.”
Mulder extended his own. “Please go on.”
“Here,” Scully’s tone was one of deciding. “Is to a hope for forty-five years. Or more.”
Mulder echoed, “A hope for forty-five years. Or more.”
They clinked their glasses and they drank.
Each felt more content than ever. Did they make for a peculiar pair of best friends? Absolutely. But neither would trade what they had. For anything. Ever. Both were grateful to the universe and to the heavens for what they had. That wouldn’t change. Not ever
The rest of the evening was about good food, an entertaining board game, a nostalgic movie, fun dessert, and just enjoying each other’s company. Each’d remember this Christmas for the rest of their lives. No matter what.