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FBI life was not glamorous. Mulder had learned so, long ago.
But having Dana Katherine Scully in his life made things better. Always.
While the woman had most certainly been assigned to debunk his work, they’d had more than enough adventures together by now that each knew they were bonded. Permanently.
Eventually, this fact also meant they’d seen all sides of each other. But especially personality-wise. It didn’t take Mulder long to find out that Scully was warm, gentle, kind, even funny. Or that he was the only person in the entire work building who knew these things about her at all. In turn, Mulder cheerfully let Scully into as many corners of his world as she was interested in.
A unique friendship had been born of those efforts. Mulder cherished it. So did Scully. No one in the building really understood it at all. But they didn’t have to. Life was beautiful.
Even in the mundane moments like this one that found both agents rather far from home because of work.
JUST OUTSIDE OF NEW ORLEANS
DECEMBER 25, 1996
The FBI had sent them to Louisiana in the first place because they were both needed as court witnesses in a case they’d helped another unit solve. It hadn’t even been an X-File. Sometimes… FBI life really was humdrum. At best.
However… Owing to the non-ordinary circumstances that had sent them traveling, every aspect of the arrangements had been truly out of their hands this time. And so? The agents found themselves being made to spend their Christmas at a small roadside motel a few miles outside New Orleans. Transport from the airport would not be coming until the following morning.
Luckily, the place was more ‘hidden Southern gem’ than ‘Bates Motel.’ Mulder felt pleased.
Any other day, he would have rather been in the big city. Or even welcome a paranormal peculiarity. But he preferred a Christmas that wasn’t at all drama-filled when they could be spared. Scully felt the same way. A Christmas in some place off any beaten track after a mind-numbingly dull court case was exactly what she wanted. The city wasn’t her favorite, anyway. So she chose to be content. Mulder decided to echo her example.
Christmas Day. Twilight time.
Great curiosity was what caused Mulder and Scully to emerge from their motel room and head for the main office. The couple who owned the place had summoned them. But because it was Christmas? Neither agent felt overly-concerned.
Still… It was not until they were some feet from the office door that Scully took a sharp diversion. And chose to stand in the middle of the rather empty parking lot. The woman had also turned her gaze upward. If anything? Mulder felt confused.
Swiftly joining Scully, Mulder said, “Hey. What is it?”
“You know…” Scully told him. “I’ve lived in so many places because Ahab worked for the Navy.”
“Oh?” asked Mulder. “Was there one place in particular that was a mainstay?”
“England.” Scully shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she thought of how to phrase her words now. “Melissa was a city person. Both Bill and Charlie still are. Why do you think they live in major world cities to this day? Hm?”
Connecting the dots, Mulder deduced, “Oh. Because they prefer Manhattan and Stuttgart to the countryside.”
“Exactly.” now Scully looked at her partner for some-odd beats before continuing. “Ahab hailed from rural California. I promise you that he also loved the countryside.
Mulder asked, “What about your mother?”
“She’s from the coast of Oregon.” explained Scully. “Her parents’ home was near the woods.”
“I think I’m starting to understand where your general awareness of nature and water comes from.” Mulder quipped. “You said your father loved the outdoors. And whatnot. Is your mother the same?”
“Uh-huh. I got it from both of them.” Scully answered. “But… No matter where I go, there’s always been one thing that’s comforted me.”
Mulder asked, “What is it?”
Scully pointed upward. “Stars.”
Mulder followed Scully’s indication. Though it was not wholly dark, stars had filled the sky already. Mulder felt very taken aback because there were just so many of them. A full moon was even looming in to view.
But returning his attention to Scully, Mulder said, “You really like stars?”
“Mhm.” answered Scully. “I guess I live in Georgetown because it's easy. But when I retire one day, I will definitely live somewhere out in Virginia where the stars are always visible. And if I’m lucky? Planets. Mercury was overhead when I was born. Plus Jupiter.”
First, Mulder wondered how Scully even had knowledge of this information. But then he just felt smitten. All the same…
As they both heard the rumble of thunder in the distance, Mulder turned to Scully. “Hey. I am going to go see what the managers want. Okay? Now you can just look at the stars for awhile.”
Sighing in content, Scully responded, “Okay.”
Even though Mulder’s heart fluttered just because he felt happy that Scully was happy, the man still headed for the office door at the end of the hallway overhang. The motel owners were a nice charming older couple by the names of Noah and Lily Broussard. Old enough to be the parents of their only two current patrons, Mulder and Scully had found them pleasant. Even vice versa. The main area of the motel’s management office also had the atmosphere of a cozy sitting room. And furniture to match. Mulder immediately felt at ease when he entered.
“There you are, Agent Mulder.” Lily came from behind the diner to close the gap in between them. “And merry Christmas.”
He returned, “Merry Christmas to you.”
Lily looked around. “Where’s your partner?”
“She’s outside, looking at the stars because they make her happy.” Mulder answered honestly. “Did you need her?”
“Mm-mm.” Lily shook her head. “But… Have you two eaten?”
“We found an open diner up the road. Had breakfast and lunch there.” said Mulder. “Why?”
“Because,” Lily said brightly. “We can most certainly help with dinner!”
Mulder began to ask what Lily meant before becoming distracted at once. Noah Broussard had emerged from an area further back. Where Lily Broussard was dark-skinned and on the shorter side, Noah Broussard was her physical opposite coming in somewhere in the six-foot range. He even had light skin and blond hair. Lily’s hair was dark. But what well and truly caught Mulder’s attention? The older man was carrying a picnic basket.
“How do you do, Agent Mulder? And merry Christmas.” Noah told him kindly. “I heard you say that Agent Scully’s outside…?”
Approaching the counter, Mulder answered, “Yes. That is correct.”
“We made a Christmas feast for you both." said Noah.
Lily bobbed head. “All we ask? Just return the basket and everything in at checkout time tomorrow.”
Immediately stunned and pleased, Mulder said, “Wow. Thanks very much.”
Taking the basket from Noah and handing it to Mulder, Lily replied, “And you’re quite welcome. Being away from home on Christmas really isn’t fun when you have to be gone because of drab work things. And so? My husband and I decided to put some cheer into the picture.”
Noah now opened the office door for Mulder again. “Have a lovely evening.”
“We will.” promised Mulder. “Thanks again.
The couple wished Mulder well.
By the time that Mulder found Scully again, she was yet lost in wonder about the evening sky. Mulder felt weak-kneed. That was not unusual because he’d been in love with her mind since first reading her thesis paper. But he fell in love with her as a person the first morning they met. And as time had passed? Mulder only fell in love with Scully even more.
He also knew that she felt the same way about him. Even if she didn’t say it aloud. So just watching Scully do something as normal as appreciating Mother Nature made Mulder happy. This woman had been through an absurd amount of crazy things during their partnership now. She deserved something normal. Especially because it made her happy.
Just why is it so easy to picture forever with her? thought Mulder.
Scully saw him watching and because of pleasant thoughts she’d already been having, one more entered her brain. Just why is it so easy to picture forever with him?
But then three things happened at the same time.
She noticed the basket Mulder was carrying. There was then a tremendous rumble of thunder overhead, even bigger and closer than the one they’d heard earlier. Then the heavens opened up. And poured. As for Scully? The woman became soaked to the bone at once.
Momentarily defeated, she cried out, “What the hell?!”
Experiencing both a great swell of pity and even dark amusement, Mulder called, “Hey! Come here!”
Scully felt grateful because the rain had already caused her to short-circuit about thinking straight. It was cold. Mulder still bailed her out. Exactly like always.
Reaching Mulder, she lamely joked, “Huh. Some Christmas. Exactly what did the Broussards want?”
Mulder gave his partner a gentle nudge in the needed direction. “Hey. I think we had better get back first. Come on.”
Minutes later, Scully found herself sighing in relief. Now she was in her bathroom and soaking in the hot water that came out of the showerhead. Quite a welcome change from the downpour.
Meanwhile…
Now in his pajamas, Mulder had made quick work of moving his room’s dining table closer to the television set. He also moved the chairs there. But then he placed the picnic basket atop his table. Mulder still had no idea what was inside because he would wait for Scully’s return.
So he passed the time by channel-surfing. It was to his amusement when landed on a commercial stating that a non-traditional Christmas movie would begin soon. (Of course, the validity of the descriptor depended on who you asked.) Mulder just hoped that Scully’s mood would match his own. He felt she needed every ounce of amusement could get.
After her shower, Scully realized she only had one clean outfit. She needed it for the plane ride home. But worrying about what her partner thought of her appearance went out after being returned after The Skyland Incident. So it was without any deep thought that she slipped into cotton pajama pants decorated with a cheerful yuletide pattern, a 1989 tour t-shirt featuring Pink Floyd, and an open flannel button-down that did not in any way match the rest of her clothes. She also wasn’t wearing any makeup.
Purely smitten because had also scaled back, Scully sat opposite Mulder as she said, “Hey. Did you peek in the basket?”
Miraculously staying focused at the sight of Scully’s own casual state, Mulder cleared his throat before he responded, “Mm-mm. I was waiting for you. The Broussards made us a Louisiana-style Christmas feast.”
“Woah.” said Scully in surprise. “That was incredibly generous.”
“Uh-huh.” Mulder agreed. “They’re spreading holiday cheer because you and I are away from home today.”
“Rain be damned,” Scully decided as they both heard it increase. “I would absolutely pick this over the snow dreck that is D.C. right now. Let’s open the basket.”
A treasure trove was unearthed.
Mulder and Scully found a bundle containing utensils, napkins, plates, and bowls on top. Then came the rest. A series of tupperware containers containing rice, fried okra, sweet potato salad, ham slices, collard greens, hushpuppies, even slices of softest French bread. Scully also found one last container labeled, ‘CREOLE BREAD PUDDING.’ Mulder was the one who opened the thermoses to learn they had lemonade and water. But then came the cherry on top. A large container of gumbo, with all the fixings to boot. Splendid smells were soon in the air.
“Outstanding.” Scully returned to the table with paper cups she’d plucked from the nearby hot drink station. “I will call the Broussards to say thanks before it gets too late.”
“Excellent idea.” Mulder approved before changing tracks. “What would you be doing if you were home right now?”
“Me?” Scully shrugged as they worked on serving themselves. “I probably wouldn’t be doing anything.”
Genuinely surprised, Mulder said, “Woah. But you’re such a social butterfly.”
“Well…” Scully laughed hollowly. “It’s immensely difficult to be one at all when your family isn’t in the country…”
Arching his eyebrows, Mulder queried, “Where’d your mom and Charlie even go?”
“They’ve gone to Germany to visit Bill and Tara because they live on a Navy base there.” explained Scullly.
“Oh.” acknowledged Mulder. “That’s cool.”
“It’s also going to be their last Christmas there for awhile because my brother’s next stop in the coming year is going to be San Diego.” now the woman pushed packed an explainable ominous feeling she always experienced about America’s Finest City when she heard the name spoken. “But anyway… I was already prevented from going along because the unbreakable office plans came first. That’s that. No? Just what would you be doing?”
Mulder admitted lamely, “Also nothing. I always call my mom because I try to be a good son like that. Still…”
“You usually end up flying solo by the time that Christmas Day is done, anyway?” Scully guessed.
“Yep.” said Mulder blandly before perking back up. “All the same…”
Now Scully suggested, “This is miles better?”
Thinking of how they’d already spent the day just enjoying each other’s company and exchanging presents, Mulder answered confidently, “One hundred percent.”
Scully told him kindly, “I agree. The holidays are always better when spent with someone you truly care about.”
It wasn’t lost on Mulder that Scully meant him. Or that she was now doing all in her power to not blush. He found this last part particularly endearing.
“Glad we’re on the same page. By the way…” Mulder pointed at the television. “Seems like we don’t exactly have White Christmas or Miracle On 34th Street happening. But…”
Scully lit up when she saw exactly what was in the opening credits. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Turning back to Mulder, Scully said, “I definitely enjoy those other Christmas movies. However…”
“Okay.” Mulder sighed. “What?”
Now Scully asked innocently, “Can you remember Christmas 1994?”
“ Too well. I was cooped up in my apartment because I had the flu. My only highlight was when you dropped off the food bounty that you, your mom, and your sister made for me after you told them what was going on. And I still haven’t forgotten the freezer meals. But…” now Mulder had another sigh, this time because of the expecting expression on Scully’s face as she arched her eyebrows. “What?”
“I definitely spent time with my family.” Scully answered him. “But Melissa and I were also sent on a ‘side quest’ at my mom’s behest that had us ending up on the other side of Arlington, that Christmas Eve Day.”
“Wait a second.” Mulder made a quick physical ‘time-out’ signal. “What were you two doing?”
Scully lamented, “We were sent in that direction because mom wanted us to pick up a very specific list of ingredients from a Dutch import store.”
Now Mulder said blankly, “Dutch?”
Scully shrugged again. “Her original family name wasn’t ‘Van Belle’ for nothing.”
“Then…” Mulder said carefully. “Is your family matriarch even American-born?”
“Mm-mm. But she’s been in the states for most of her life.” Scully answered. “The same can be said of her brother. What do you think?”
Mulder answered honestly, “I’m fascinated… But…”
Scully laughed. “You’d like to know just what became of that side quest.”
“Yes.” Mulder confirmed. “I also remember there being a wicked widespread rainstorm on the entire Christmas Eve in question. Multiple ground-floor apartments in my building flooded. Was the store that you and Melissa drove to even open?”
“Uh-uh.” Scully shook her head. “They closed up early because of the storm.”
“Par for the course.” Mulder joked. “Then… What the hell happened after that?”
“We ended up having to get a room at a Motel 6 near the freeway.” Scully told Mulder. “Guess what was playing on television after we’d settled in with food? Hm?”
Now Mulder pointed to the television screen again. “Please tell me it was the misadventures of the Griswold clan.”
“Square on the money.” praised Scully.
“Did you and Melissa ever make it back on Christmas Day?” Mulder wanted to know.
“Yes.” replied Scully. “But then mom just felt so bad that she made sure we had the most to eat.”
“Wild…” Mulder murmured.
“That is for sure…” said Scully. “Because there’s also the part where Melissa decided to get gas after we left my neighborhood. Shall I begin from the top?”
“Yes. I would love to know everything.” Mulder said without hesitation. “All of this absolutely beats the Christmas I had that year.”
“Okay.” Scully said. “Here we go. Listen up…”
Rain poured even more outside. But the friends finally dug into their feast at last while the misadventures of the Griswolds unfolded on the television. Scully still cheerfully began her tale about her own Christmas misadventure with her sister. How had it been two years ago already?
Mulder listened with deep interest. Scully was important to him. Always would be. So Mulder continued to cherish it. And across the table? Well… Scully was thinking the same thing.