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Title: Holiday Journal: Scully's Birthday Summary: Scully receives a cryptic message that sends her off in search of some things on her birthday. Note: This isn't really late. It's still February 23rd in my mind. I know this is out of order and those of you who are following this mini-series are waiting for the Christmas story. All I can say is, it's on it's way and it promises to be fun for those who read it. For now, please accept this humble offering in regards to Deb's challenge. For those of you just tuning in, the Holiday Journals are a group of stories centered around the X-File gang, some new characters headed by Mulder's adopted daughter Hunter and the holidays. If you would like the background on how Mulder acquired the Wunderkind, you can find it at Gossamer under the listing of Hunter's Day: To Laugh at Sunrise. The stories under the Holiday heading are Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Hanukkah. Wow. I can't believe it's February! It seems like only yesterday I was writing about Hanukkah. Well, I survived the disaster of Valentine's Day only by the skin of my teeth. Gram's still chuckling over that little fiasco and I discovered DA does blush all the way to the top of his adorable head (He'd kill me if I he knew I wrote that). Suzannah Blake is actually talking to me again and Dante and Christian are grovelling at both our feet because of the screw-up. Life's great. The only ones who don't seem too disturbed by what happened are Dad and Dana and Keemo and Trini. I know why the latter aren't bothered: their Valentine's Day bundle has been keeping them pretty busy. I've only seen him a couple of times, but young Mr. Valentino Koyaki Antanaka has definitely made an impression on me. Dana says since we got to the stain quickly, my jumper should be okay. What I can't figure out is why Dad and Dana aren't upset. I mean, they were in the middle of everything and they had the most revealed. You would think they'd be climbing the walls trying to deny everything or taking the stance of apology as policy. But, they're not. I'd think nothing had happened if I didn't catch them looking into each other's eyes all of the time. Adults! Anyway, I'm changing things up a bit. I've decided to include birthdays in this journal. It's not like they don't fit with the theme: birthdays are like holidays for the person celebrating them (At least that's what I believe. Dana says I should wait and see if I feel the same way after I've celebrated about twenty-five more). Of course, I came up with this brainstorm a few days ago ... a few days before Dana's birthday, I might add. Yep. Tomorrow, February, 23rd, is the big day. I've been trying to figure out what to do for her, but I can't really plan since I'm staying with her for a few days. DA sent Daddy to a conference in Minnesota. He says it's to develop more of Dad's people skills. Dana and I think it was to get him out of DA's hair ... so to speak. Anyway, when Dana's not around I've been asking Gram about her past birthdays. I thought Dad might have gone all out for her, but I've found he hasn't done hardly anything. He can be so dense! Gram says that Dana doesn't expect anything special from him so it doesn't bother her. Well, I have one thing to say to that: it bothers me! So I think this year's going to be different. Neither of them will know what hit them. February 23 S.B. and I had been playing on Dana's computer for most of the afternoon. Our classes ended around two-thirty and today, S.B.'s mom dropped us off since Dana said I could have a sleepover. I was just about to break into Dana's personal letters disk when I heard her key in the lock. We quickly jumped back into our educational game program (The only kind Dana allows on her computer) and turned to greet her with our most innocent smiles. "Hi, Girls. How was school?" she asked as she placed her briefcase on the table. "Still trying to rack up the honours?" "Of course. That's the only thing good about school, you know." Suzannah Blake winked at me. "How was work? Probably pretty boring without Agent Mulder there." "Actually, quieter would be a better way of putting it." "Yeah right. Fess up, Dana. You miss him." "I suppose in a sick kind of way, maybe." She started rifling through her mail and paused at a particularly loud blue envelope. "Why didn't you bring in the mail?" "Sorry, I guess I forgot." I tried to shut S.B. up before she could say anything, but I should have known it was a lost cause. With her most solemn look, she spilled. "Probably because she was too busy having an asthma attack." Dana dropped the note like it was on fire and hurried to me. Before I could so much as shoot my "friend" a withering glare, I was being given a preliminary, yet thorough, exam. "Obviously you didn't forget your inhaler this time." She grabbed my wrist and started monitoring my pulse. I was in awe every time she'd do this. Dana was the only person I knew who could do a pulse count and interrogate you at the same time. Maybe it has something to do with the company she normally keeps. "Why didn't S.B.'s mom do anything? What caused it? How long did it last? Are you feeling better?" So this is what it felt like to be in the Marines! "It happened after she left. I don't know. Fifteen minutes and I was fine. I'm fine, Dana." Two could play at this game. I accidently kicked Suzannah Blake and covered by pretending to get comfortable. I couldn't believe she had told! The only reason I had the stupid attack was because we were almost caught ... Well, let's just say we made a narrow escape and I panicked. I removed Dana's hand from my forehead. "I told you, I'm fine." "All right. I just didn't want your dad to come breaking down my door demanding why I let you get sick. You know how he can be." I decided to change my tactics. As soon as she walked back to the table and started reaching for the mail, I walked over to her and hugged her. She was startled to say the least and when she began to return my hug, I pulled back. "Happy birthday, Dana." The smile that she gave me almost made me wish I had my shades. I didn't think it was possible, but it grew even brighter when I gave her my card. She pulled away to open it. "I looked long and hard for it. I hope you like." As she read it, tears started forming in her eyes. I had thought about giving her a slapstick card, but this one had practically screamed to be bought. I think she liked it. "Thank you, Hunter." Dana took me back into her arms and kissed my forehead. "I love you, too." Uh huh. She liked it. Never one to be outdone, S.B. stepped forward holding out her humble offering. "Happy birthday, Agent Scully." "Thank you, Suzannah." She quickly read it and laughed. S.B. bought the slapstick one. Dana looked at both of us and smiled. "You've both made my day. How'd I get so lucky?" "It's not over yet. Gram and DA want us over at their place around nine for your big party. They sounded really excited." I winked at her. "It seems like it's going to be one unforgettable night." She tossed me one of those looks usually reserved for my dad and returned to her mail. We watched as she opened all of the regular mail, perused its contents and placed it in four individual stacks. She left the loud blue envelope for last. I was holding my breath as she opened it. Nothing but silence. I couldn't take it anymore! "What's that, Dana? Another card?" "Uhm, something like that." I couldn't believe the look on her face. She was flushed and wavering between a little smile and what Suzannah Blake called a "constipated look." Dana glanced at her watch. "It's just a little after six. I wonder ..." "You wonder what, Agent Scully?" I could have hit her! How was our surprise going to work if she kept running off at the mouth and then grinning about it? Grinning about it? My so-called best friend was smiling at my panic. She was setting me up! Maybe all wasn't quite forgiven from Valentine's Day. *Took you long enough to figure that one out, Hunter. There's this old saying that I think is rather appropriate for right now. The proverbial hotspot hath no fury like a ten year old scorned.* Great. Just what I needed. A philosophical telepath who just happened to be ticked. Thankfully, Dana was oblivious to our little turmoil. She seemed to be completely wrapped up in the letter. I think it had something to do with how well I forg .... I mean, how well I was able to imitate my dad's handwriting. "I was just thinking we could probably do a little sight-seeing before the party tonight." She looked up at us. "How about it, Girls?" "But we live in this area. What on earth could we possibly want to sight-see at this time of year?" That was it. Suzannah Blake had just declared war! I put on my most innocent look and let loose a pathetic cough. "I think it'll be good to get out of here for a little while. The fresh air will do me good and it'll be a great chance to take S.B. home." My best friend nearly choked as she tried to figure out what I was up to, but Dana beat her to it. "But, I thought Suzannah was staying the night? Has something changed that I don't know about?" Judging from the cocky look she had on her face, S.B. thought I'd been nailed. I guess she doesn't know me as well as she thinks she does. With a look that even my father would have admired, I played my hand. "I asked Suzannah Blake if she wouldn't mind putting off our sleepover for another weekend. When I first invited her, I hadn't realized today was your birthday." Now for my ace. I pulled up my stock of prefab tears and allowed them to strategically fall along my face. "I was really hoping we could spend most of this weekend together, just the two of us, celebrating." I pushed out my lip and raised my eyes to hers. "You're the closest thing to a mother I have now, and birthdays were always a special time when my pa ..." The final tactic engaged: lowering eyes; shoulders trembling. S.B. and I were both holding our breath to see who would come out the winner. "Oh, Hunt." Dana moved back to me and gathered me close yet again. Yes! "If it's all right with Suzannah, we'll do this another time." Success was mine! My mind was suddenly filled with the tune of Rocky's victory march as S.B. conceded defeat. "I hope you don't mind, Suzannah." "Of course not, Agent Scully. If it was my mother, I'd have all /sorts/ of things planned for her. I know exactly what Hunter's planning." Ooooh. Come Monday morning she and I were going to talk! *Why? I think we're even now. Besides, you need to be concentrating on what you're doing tonight. Have fun, Hunt.* And with that, the night was on. Michaels Memorial Park After we dropped off the Mouth, Dana let me read her mysterious letter. She watched me to see my reactions. After the performance back in the apartment, there was no way I was messing this up. "It looks like Daddy's handwriting." Again, I used my most innocent look. "I'm confused. I thought he already gave you a card?" He had, if that's what you wanted to call it. Suzannah Blake's had been more personal. "Do you think he skipped out on the conference and came home?" "I doubt it. Walter fixed it so that there was no way Mulder could get back here before his and Mom's vacation was over." "Then how did he send this? It doesn't have a postmark." She was quiet for a moment and I could feel her suspicion. "I was wondering if his personal, little imp might have something to do with it. I mean, it wouldn't have been too hard considering the Best Actress performance she put on this evening" Uh oh. Busted! "I'm sorry about earlier. That was something between her and me. But, I promise you, Dad did not put me up to this." I wasn't lying. He knew nothing about this, but he was going to reap the benefits. "Who knows? Maybe he's not as clueless as he seems." Yeah, right. And I wasn't even the skeptic in the group. "I'm still not sure this is where we're supposed to be." She paused. "Lemme see the letter again." "Why? I mean it still says the same thing." I looked around the darkening park. "We're both pretty sure this is the place because it's the only one that has everything listed in the poem. We need to follow the clues before it gets too dark instead of second-guessing stuff." I know. I sounded really desperate, but I could see Dana getting it in her head we were in the wrong place and making us leave. I had shelled out too much money for this whole thing to allow her analytical mind to mess things up. She sighed and cupped her hand over her eyes to shield them from the setting sun. That wasn't the only thing she was shielding; I couldn't read her at all. "We'll go ahead and check the place out, but we're out of here by eight." Dad was going to owe me big time if I was able to pull this off. Dana Scully's Explorer It had taken us a while to find the things strategically placed around the park. I was an absolute wreck by the time we were ready to leave. All evening long I had to pretend like I didn't know where the gifts were. A couple of times I wasn't pretending: the guys had decided to be a little too gung-ho in placing the items and I had no clue where they were. Dana seemed to love her gifts. I kept catching her eyes drifting to the rearview mirror to look at them. We had put a lot of planning into this. Do you know how hard it is to pick something Dana would like and that my dad would actually pick out? It was almost impossible! If it hadn't been for Dante, Christian and DA helping, I don't think I would have been able to do it. After about the millionth time her eyes strayed, I decided to help keep her attention on what was going on ahead of us. "I would say you did pretty good, don't you think?" "I suppose." She shrugged. "This whole thing reeks of my Mother's handiwork, though. It's too romantic and thoughtful. It just doesn't seem like something Mulder would do." Uh oh. "I think I'm going to have a little talk with her when we get there." This was not good. I had to think fast or else everything would have been for nothing. My plan hinged on her believing Daddy had done all of this. "What about the handwriting? Both of us confirmed it was his. I mean, Gram's good, but I don't think she's that good." I decided to use one of Dad's patented looks. "Why can't you give him the benefit of the doubt. Anything's possible." And money did grow on trees. "Especially after Valentine's ." "Like I said, I suppose..." "Well, I'm impressed with him. I think he took a lot of time to do this and it had to be doubly hard since he's in Minnesota. I mean, look at how much thought he put into these gifts." I tried to keep my smile hidden, but it kept on trying to peek through. "Just think how hard it was to find lemon roses in February. Not to mention, locating a watch identical to the one you lost on that case. And, everything you received tonight was like that. I think he was really trying to impress you." My face wasn't the only one trying to hide a smile. "Whatever." Dana maneuvered the Explorer onto Gram and DA's street. "If he did do this, and that's a big if, then I might have to revise my opinion of him." She turned us into their driveway and stopped the car in front of the house. "I'll reserve judgment until after we locate the last gift." I must give credit where credit's due. Suzannah Blake had thought of saving the big gift until last. And, it was her idea to bribe Mr. Siscoe, Dana's postman, with brownies to have him put the blue envelope in with Dana's regular mail. I suppose I would forgive her ... but not before I had a little fun at her expense. I was going to enjoy messing with her head. "Are you ready to go in?" "Sure." Of course I was ready. The sooner we went in; the quicker we'd be on our way back to her place. "Let's get this show on the road." Dana Scully's Apartment Building I was barely able to keep my eyes open as we made our way back to Dana's place. The party had lasted longer than I had figured and I was drooping badly. Even the excitement of what was waiting in Dana's closet wasn't enough to stop the sleep from slamming into my body. The only reason I was still somewhat aware was because I was helping her carry in her stash. As we turned the corner, all I could think about was how fast I could get to my bed ... and then we saw it. Placed carefully, right in front of her door was a medium-sized white box. We both slowed down as we moved closer to it. When we were in front of her door, Dana nudged the box with her foot like it had a snake or something in it. "I don't like this." She looked around the corridor to see if anyone was standing around. She had been spending too much time with Daddy. "Who would just leave a package on my doorstep?" Dana positioned herself around the box so that she could open the door without moving it. As the door swung open, she nudged me inside and watched me put the stuff I had on the table. I then turned back and grabbed the things in her arms and did the same with them. She motioned for me to move further into the apartment as she bent to pick up the box. I suddenly felt frightened. This wasn't a part of my plan or any of the other's who had helped me. An image of smoke popped into my head, and I couldn't stop myself from saying, "Be careful, Dana!" This made her jump a little but she recovered quickly as she lifted the box and headed in the direction of the kitchen. I closed and locked the door (I know. What difference would it make if we were blown to smithereens by whatever was in the box? That was beside the point; I was Mulder's daughter and we locked the door to the bathroom just to be sure) and soon followed her. By the time I reached her, she had already located some scissors and was cutting the ribbons holding the lid on. Dana glanced at me and I took a step back; I wasn't picking up anything from the box. She lifted the lid and I suddenly flashed back to all of the times I'd encountered mysterious boxes in the past few months. This was starting to get ridiculous. As I heard her moving the tissue paper, I returned my attention back to her rummaging. Her hand must have touched something because the oddest look crossed her face as she pulled out what looked to be .... a dog collar? "What the ....?" She stopped for a moment. "If this is Frohike's idea of a joke, I'm going to ..." "I don't think it's from Uncle Fro. It's not the right size for a human's use." As Dana's shocked eyes trained on me, I realized what I had said. Exhaustion has a way of loosening my tongue. "What? You're looking at me like I've never accidentally discovered the guys' secret room of stuff I shouldn't have seen or known about. I found that room a week or two after I discovered the boxes of Daddy's that came in the mail in plain-brown wrappers." I noticed something hanging off of the little collar and tried to direct Dana's attention away from me. "I think it has a tag. Maybe it'll clue you into who sent it." It worked. She turned the collar around to read the tag. "Q2? Property of Dana Scully. If lost please contact ... What is this?" About that time, we both heard a whimper and scratching coming from the direction of her bedroom and she quickly dropped the collar and grabbed her gun. She made sure I was behind her as we walked toward the room. The closer we got the louder the whimpering. She stopped right in front of her door and nodded for me to stay behind the foyer door. I did what she wanted, but I still peeked. Dana put her hand on the doorknob and waited a few seconds. I could see her concentrating on what was behind the door. Quick as a flash, she slammed the door open and the whimpering dissolved into a yelp as a little furball shot past both of us and headed toward the kitchen. Dana was too stunned, so I took off after it and cornered the living hairball near the oven. It was so cute! I bent down to the trembling bundle and lifted it in my arms. Two black eyes peeked out at me from underneath a mass of yellow hair no one would believe. Tied to its neck was a card and a big red bow that was almost bigger than the puppy. I cuddled the shivering little .... (Hold on a second. Oh, okay) male and turned back to Dana who was finally coming into the kitchen. "Isn't he the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" I asked. I guess my voice disturbed him in his resting place because he raised his little head, whimpered and licked my chin with his little black tongue. "Uhmmm, Dana, what exactly is he? I mean, outside of the obvious, of course." She rubbed his head and started to remove the bow and card. "He's a Chow-chow. They're originally from China but have been domesticated in the States for years. Judging from his tongue, I'd say he's a full breed." She opened the card and pulled out some papers. "Yep. Here are his papers. It seems I'm now the owner of ... (She gasped) Lord Queequag Ahab Scully the Second, pedigreed." Tears glistened in her eyes as she took him and cradled him next to her face. It looked like Lord Quee ... Q2 liked her because he started licking her face like it was the best puppy treat on the market. Dana giggled as she kissed his tiny head. "Oh, Mulder." Huh? I think I'm lost now. Maybe it was because of the late hour or the surprise of discovering the puppy, but I wasn't following. "What are you talking about?" Dana moved her tiny, hairy bundle securely into her arms before she handed me the card. I was still just as confused as before, but I put on an understanding face as I read it. The only thing I did understand on the card was his signature and a promise that it was Uncle Byers, with the help of Dad's key, who had brought the dog over rather than Uncle Fro. That alone was enough to probably make Dana happy. "I told you I was reserving judgment until the big gift. To be honest, I was expecting a pizza dinner and a 'Super Bowl Bloopers III' tape. But, this ... " She cleared her throat. "This was .... the perfect end to a perfect day." The megawatt smile was back as she looked down at the now sleeping puppy. She turned her gaze back to me. "Why don't you get ready for bed while I settle him down. I'll come tuck you in soon." The adrenaline must have been wearing off because all I could do was nod. She kissed my forehead and headed toward her bedroom. Right before she disappeared into her room, she turned back to me with that big smile still on her face and said, "He impressed me, Hunt. He really did." I turned to go into my room and as I closed my door, I heard the beeper going off. Dad had insisted that all three of us have one just to be on the safe side. Yeah, like I actually carried it around with me. I walked to it and lifted it up so that I could see the display. I pushed the button to call up the message and dropped on my bed in exhaustion as it flashed across the screen. "Great work, Hunter. Your plan was perfect. I think I can handle things from now on. Pleasant dreams and thanks. Love, Dad. All done. Bye-Bye." As I read aloud what he had sent, I slowly realized he had somehow figured out what I was planning. I don't know how or when, but he had outmaneuvered me and given her exactly what he knew she needed. Maybe there was hope for him yet. I was still confused about what his card meant, but I suppose it was something just for the two of them. What did I care as long as the end result was what I wanted. But, I suppose I should write what was in the card so that I'll be able to prove all of this to my brothers and sisters (I know it's a bit early, but after tonight, I can hope). Dad's card had simply said: To the Birthday Beauty: Like I said, I had no idea, but Dana liked it. And, that's all that really matters. Happy Birthday, Dana and many more. The End.
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