Chapter Text
December 21st
4:05 pm
X-Files Basement
The holidays were never Fox Mulder’s favorite. All they did was remind him of how lonely he actually was, despite having a mother that was still breathing. Ever since his sister was abducted, everyone else in his household was numb. His parents divorced soon after and he ultimately ended up spending time in two different houses with parents who barely acknowledged his existence. So yes, he was virtually alone.
“Mulder?” Scully’s voice interrupted his trail of self pitying thoughts. “Are you alright?” The air in the basement office was cold but stiff.
“Im fine,” he lied, “I was just thinking.”
“What are your christmas plans this year?” She asked him.
“Same old, same old. Days on my trusty couch.” He leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on his desk.
“Why don't you come with me this year?” She wouldn't meet his eyes, but she knew that he was watching her.
“Christmas with the Scully clan? Sounds appealing, but I’m not sure your brother likes me.” He laughed to pass off his anxiety, hoping she wouldn't notice.
“That may be true Mulder, but wouldn't it be better than spending it alone?”
“I don't know Scully. I either stay home or get beat up by big brother Bill. Which one would you pick?” Mulder crossed his arms over his chest.
“Sounds to me like you'd be the one doing the beating if you stayed here.” Scully held back a smile, trying to keep with her demeanor.
“Touche Agent Scully,” Mulder replied, “If i take you up on this offer you have to promise not to leave my side.”
“I wouldn't dream of it.”
*****
December 23rd
9:00AM
Maggie Scully’s House
Dana Scully did not inform her mother that Fox Mulder was accompanying her. Having said that, Bill Scully Jr. was not aware of him either. All of Scully’s siblings were there: Melissa, Bill, and for once- Charlie.
“I don't think we've met before,” Charlie had said to Mulder. He looked a lot like Melissa but also a lot like Scully. His hair fell into coppery curls, almost like an afro but not quite the texture. Physically, he was built almost like Mulder but slightly shorter and slightly more gawky- the complete opposite of his brother.
“No, I don't believe we have.”
“I’m Danas younger and nicer brother Charlie.” He shook Mulder's hand as a disgruntled Bill looked on.
“Nice to see you again, Spooky.” Melissa was leaning against a doorway with her arms folded.
“Likewise.” Mulder found himself feeling out of place. He did not belong there, and he knew that. This was not his family. All things considered, he did not belong to a family at all.
Scully was busy catching up with her mother while Mulder stood by himself. The Scully siblings were talking amongst themselves, but Bill would look over at him every few seconds as if to check to see if he left yet. Truthfully, he was very uncomfortable being there. He only went because Scully insisted on it, and deep down (maybe not so deep) he knew that he would do almost anything for her.
Despite his anxieties, he could tell that he was welcomed; not by everyone, but still welcomed. Charlie seemed nice and looked like he knew how to have a good time, Melissa was spiritual and free like she always was, and Maggie was always pleased to see Fox Mulder- despite it being a surprise. Bill Scully hated his fucking guts. He blamed him for everything wrong or traumatic that happened to his little sister; and there was a lot to mention in the short years they had been partners.
“You okay, Mulder?” Her voice was suddenly next to him, interrupting his thoughts.
“Scully, I’m fine.” He shot her a half smile to reassure her, though he didn't even believe himself.
Scully wrapped her dainty hands around his wrist and squeezed it to let him know that things would be alright. Mulder looked down at his partner and felt all of his worries slip away with each second she held on to him. She knew he was lying when he said he was fine, but she wasn't going to make him feel more uncomfortable by saying so. This small interaction did not go unnoticed by her family, as they were all watching very carefully. Of course, Bill was not fascinated like the rest of them, no, he was nauseated. How could his little sister still stick with this guy after everything he put her through? This was the thought that crossed his mind every time his mother mentioned her job over the phone.
“Umm, well,” Maggie cleared her throat and brought the two agents back to reality. “Why don't we get you settled into a room.”
“ A room? As in singular?” Mulder questioned.
“Melissa and Charlie are sharing a room, I’m in the master, and Bill is in the guest room. That leaves Dana’s room being the only room left.” Scully and Mulder let out identical sighs and looked at the hardwood floor, almost in complete unison.
“Well that should be wonderful!” Melissa clasped her hands together in delight of her sister's situation. She was pleased; she told Mulder once before to tell her how he feels. To be fair, it was at a rather difficult and draining time for all of them. Still, he knew she had a deeper meaning to her words.
“Am I missing something here?” Charlie looked around the room, wondering why everyone was acting so strange. “Why is it so wonderful? Aren’t they dating or something?”
“They better not be,” Bill snapped.
“No no no, not dating. I can sleep on the floor, it’s no big deal.” Mulder rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
“Fox, are you sure?” The concern in Maggie Scully’s voice made him feel like a child. It was a good feeling.
“Oh yeah, I’m positive. I’ll take our overnight bags upstairs.”
“It’s the room on the end,” Scully told him. He nodded and headed up, avoiding any and all eye contact.
“Sooooo,” Charlie began, “What is the deal with this?”
“What do you mean?!” Scully’s voice was shrill like she was a child again.
“Dana, come on,” Charlie replied. “You two are just oozing in sexual frustration and pent up aggression.”
“I must say I agree,” Melissa chimed in.
“Alright, Alright. Let's cut all this out before they start getting ideas.” Bill rolled his eyes.
“We’re not…” Scully’s voice trailed off as she saw Mulder descending the stairs.
“Well don’t stop on account of me Scully,” he said. “It seems like it was just about to get interesting.”
“Never a dull moment with you, Mulder.” Scully grinned and turned her attention back towards her family.
“Well, what’s on the agenda?” Charlie asked.
*****
9:50AM
Dining Room Table
Board games were always a way for the Scully Family to reconnect after a long time of not seeing each other. It took them back to the times of moving from place to place and only having one another to rely on and talk to. Sometimes they didn't even bother to make friends because they weren't sure how long they were going to stay, Family was important, sure, but now everyone was doing their own thing and living their own separate lives. Scully’s favorite was checkers, though she wouldn't admit it. She had coaxed Mulder into playing her while the rest of the family played Candy Land.
“You can’t beat me Scully,” Mulder joked, “I’m a pro at this.”
“You know Mulder, you shouldn't give yourself this much hype. It’s gonna look even worse when you lose.” She beamed at him and raised both of her eyebrows.
“Lose? That isn't in my vocabulary.”
“It is now.” Just like that, she captured all of his pieces. “Look at that Mulder, I’m a queen.” That she was.
“You got me,” he said as he shrugged and threw his hands in the air. “Guess you always will.” He looked at her; really looked at her, and she noticed. She looked too. It seemed only right that a game of strategy would bring this on. Neither of them expecting anything more.
Bill watched on as Scully and Mulder seemed to be in their own little spooky fantasy land. “Bill it's your turn,” Charlie had said. “Stop being so paranoid brother.”
“Hey you two, you wanna join us?” Melissa asked them.
“If you don’t mind, I think I want to try to beat your sister just one more time,” Mulder replied.
“Suit yourselves,” She shrugged as she took her turn.
“I told you Mulder, you can’t win.” Scully was resetting the board as he rested his elbow on the table and his head on palm.
“Yeah, yeah, G-woman. Did you ever stop to think that I let you win?”
“And lose your pride and ego? No way you let me win.”
“Ouch! Wow Scully, and so close to Christmas too.” They laughed and for the first time in a long while, they let themselves let go.
Scully’s mother couldn't help but notice her daughter's mood change. Hell, she couldn't help but notice Mulders also. They both seemed so happy and he finally seemed comfortable to be in her home. The thing he didn't realize was that it could be his home too- or maybe he did. Maybe he was just afraid; afraid to really give his whole self to her in fear that she might leave like everyone else. He had lost her once already and blamed himself every day that she was gone. That surfaced feelings in him that he wasn't sure he experience before.
Half an hour later, Scully had beaten him again. “When are you going to start believing me, Mulder?”
“When you start to believe in aliens.”
*****
10:30AM
The Kitchen
“Mom, where do you want me to put this batch of gingerbread?” Charlie carefully grabbed the tray out of the oven.
“Just set them on the dining room table. We’ll decorate once we have enough pieces.” Maggie wiped her hands down her apron and sighed. She was content here with her family (and Mulder) by her side. So far, no fights had broken out.
Mulder and Charlie had seemed to hit it off. They were alike in many ways but so very different. They had a pretty similar sense of humor but Charlie was more outgoing and open. He wasn't afraid to pickup and travel. At the moment, they were looking at all the different types of frosting and candies that Bill had picked up before he arrived to the house the day before.
“Do you think anyone would notice if we ate some if it?” Charlie asked Mulder.
“I dunno, I think they might when only half the house is decorated.” The two men laughed, which caused Scully to walk over to the table.
“Well whats going on here? Are you, dare I say, bonding?”
“See Scully? I can be a social guy.” Mulder playfully bumped into her and she couldn't help the smile that crept its way onto her face. She was blushing.
“I’m very proud of you Mulder!”
“Oh be still my heart.” His tone was sarcastic but his face was genuine.
“If you need me, I will be right...not here.” Charlie went to join his mother and other two siblings, who were getting the rest of the gingerbread. “ All I want for Christmas is you ,” he sang.
“Wow Scully, I can’t believe you drove your own brother away.” Mulder shook his head and put his hand on top of hers.
“No it was you too!” Charlie called out over his shoulder. “I don’t want to be a third wheel to your relentless flirting!”
“Would ya cut it out!” Bill smacked his brother's arm and nearly dropped the gingerbread he was holding.
“Enough,” Maggie had said, “Let's put these down to cool.”
Dining Room Table
11:00AM
“Charlie that looks wonderful!” Scully complimented her brother on his excellent craftsmanship. He was absolutely wonderful; it was always natural for him. That was something Scully secretly wished she had.
“Thanks! You really know how to make a guy feel at home, don't you?” He nudged his older sister and offered her a soft smile.
“Dana’s right, you’re doing an amazing job.” Melissa admired her brothers work, as did their mother.
“Oh please, I’ll be here all week!” Charlie winked at his family and continued his work.
“Hey Scully, why don't you give me a hand with these gingerbread men, will ya?” Mulder called out to her from the kitchen.
“Really?” Scully almost laughed when she saw the poor job he had managed to do.
“I’ve never really done this before,” he admitted, “I guess we never did any true family stuff on holidays.” He chuckled nervously and wiped his hand across his face.
“I’m sorry, Mulder.”
Scully didn't know what it was like to not have a family. Yes, her dear father had passed, but she still had a mother and three well siblings. Mulder had a mother who didn’t even call to check up on him. She worried about her partner constantly, that’s why she invited him. A part of her also wanted to spend more time with him outside of chasing aliens.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You have frosting on your face,” she said to lift the tension.
“What?”
She took her thumb and gently touched the corner of his mouth and kept it there until she got all of it off. When she was sure she had, she lightly touched her thumb to her tongue almost without even thinking about it. Mulder watched and tried to will himself to not get excited in all the wrong places- Bill would murder him.
“Help me with these cookies will ya,” was all he managed to say.
Scully’s Bedroom
12:05 PM
“I must say, I didn't expect pink.” Mulder was sitting on her bed with his back against the wall.
“I may have been a tomboy but I still enjoyed the nice and frilly things.” Scully took a spot next to him and sighed.
“The day isn’t even close to being over and I already feel exhausted. I swear I can feel Bill staring daggers at me every time I even think of you.”
“You think of me?”
“Almost always. So of course I get daggers every second I’m around him.” He turned his head to look at her. She wouldn’t return his stare and he knew why. Things were too complicated to deal with right now. He was sure he had feelings for her; in fact, it was the only thing he was sure of. Her on the other hand, it was sometimes hard to tell. On the other hand, maybe he just doubted the thought by default.
“I want to take a nap,” she said breaking the silence.
“Me too.”
And so they did.
1:35PM
“Dana?” Charlie knocked on his sister's door and opened it when he got no answer. “Oh,” he whispered as he saw the two agents spooning in her bed. “I guess that explains where he is also.” So he shut the door and continued about his day.
A few minutes later, Scully woke up to Mulder’s arm over her. His hand was slightly under her shirt and his breath was warm against the back of her neck. As much as she wanted to stay in his heat, she had to get up before her family got suspicious. She tried her best not to wake him as she got up. He hadn't been sleeping, she could tell by his eyes.
Slowly, she tried to escape from his grasp. “You trying to give me the slip, Scully?” His voice startled her… and caused her to fall off the bed.
“Fuck,” she laughed as Mulder scrambled to her side.
“Are you okay?” He asked, holding back amused tears.
“I’m fine Mulder, just help me up so we can go downstairs.”
***
“Here they are!” Maggie exclaimed when they both walked down the stairs. “Where were you?”
“Hugged up on her bed,” Charlie mumbled as he and Melissa snickered in the corner of the living room.
Scully’s face turned a shade of red that Mulder had not seen before- it was pretty amusing. Or at least it would have been if Bill wasn’t piercing through to his soul.
“We were both exhausted from the drive and work y'know,” Mulder stated as they sat together on the couch. He unconsciously put his arm over her shoulders. Force of habit.
“Say Mulder,” Bill began, “Why aren’t you with your own family for Christmas?”
“Bill!” Maggie quipped.
“No it’s okay Mrs. Scully.” Mulder cleared his voice before he continued, “Well my father was killed at our own home by… an unidentified shooter. My sister, as you all may know, was taken when we were kids. An my mother, well she wasn’t really the warm type. We don't really spend time together regardless of occasion.”
Everyone was quiet until Charlie let out a sympathetic “Shit,” and exhaled. To this, Mulder laughed and caught everyone off guard. “Some life. I know,” he said, “Scully here is the closest thing I have to family.”
Scully’s face flushed. She kept her head down but she felt Mulder tighten his grip on her shoulder. Looking up and seeing everyone’s eyes on her was not an option. It was going to be quite a long visit.
****
Living Room
3:00 PM
To pass the time leading up to dinner, they watched the Christmas movies that were playing on cable. Maggie even brought out the blankets and made hot chocolate. Purposefully, she gave Scully and Mulder one blanket. She knew her daughter, and she could tell when she really loved someone. All she needed was a little bit of a push.
“I think your mom is up to something,” Mulder had whispered to Scully. She had pulled her knees up to her chest.
“What could she possibly be up to?” She asked, making sure no one could hear them. So far so good.
“Come on, one blanket? You’re practically sitting on my lap.”
Scully arched her eyebrow. “So what, do you want me to ask for another one?”
“No I’m not complaining, believe me, but I’m a profiler. I can tell.”
“So now you’re profiling my family?” She looked at him, brows furrowed, eyes questioning.
“No- no I- well,” He stuttered, not sure what to say without upsetting her. As he was looking for the right words, she smiled.
“Had you big time, didn't I?”
“You did not,” he laughed.
“Shut up, Mulder.”
*****
Scully’s Room
8:05PM
Dinner went surprisingly well. Everyone was civil and thankfully no arguments broke it...this time. After all, they still had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“Scully, how am I supposed to sleep this early?” Mulder whined.
“You have to. We have a big day tomorrow with it being Christmas Eve. Mom always has us go out as a family.” Scully was adjusting the sheets on her bed while Mulder lay on the floor with a pillow and a comforter.
“You know my sleep habits,” he responded, trying to sound irritated but failing.
“You'd actually have to sleep to have habits.” She snuggled into her blankets and stared at the ceiling.
“Well you got me there,” he chuckled.
“Big time?” She asked.
“Big time.”