Title: Sarah Companion - Treading The Boards
Author: Carol Gritton
Series: Sarah series
Disclaimer: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully belong to Chris Carter, 1013 and Fox TV. They are used without permission, and no infringement of copyright is intended. Sarah belongs to me and Eleanore.
Rating: G
Classification: S, MSR

Summary: Sarah gets a part in the end of term school play.

Note: This story takes place after Sarah XV: Interlude 3. A full list of titles in the 'Sarah' master series, and their companions, is available from the above address.

Mulder stood just inside the entrance to the schoolyard. He didn't get to pick Sarah up from school very often, so it was a treat for him as much as for his daughter. Whoever collected Sarah always stood in the same place, so that she would know where to find them. Mulder watched the children stream out, and spotted his daughter immediately. She was slightly taller than most of her friends, several of whom she was chatting to animatedly. Sarah spotted her father, and she ran towards him, a big smile on her face. Her thick, long hair bounced around her shoulders as she sped across the yard.

"Daddy!" Sarah jumped into his outstretched arms, and he closed them around her, lifting her off the ground.

Mulder buried his face in her hair, holding her tight, familiarising himself once more with her unique fragrance. "Hi, pumpkin! Did you have a good day at school?" He kissed her soft, peachy cheek.

Sarah made no move to detach herself from him, nodding vigorously in answer to his question. "Guess what, Daddy!" The little girl was bubbling over with excitement as he carried her to the car.

"What?" he asked, smiling.

"We're going to do a play. It's called "The Pied Piper," and I'm going to be a rat!"

"A rat?"

Another nod. "I'm a black rat, with a long tail and ears. And you have to help me learn my lines."

Mulder settled his daughter in the front seat of the car, making sure that she buckled herself in securely. "You have to learn lines, too?"

"And sing songs, but Miss Smythe is going to teach us the words."

"It must be a big part."

"It is," Sarah assured him gravely. "I have to have a costume as well. Do you think Dana could make me a costume?"

"Why can't I make your costume?" asked Mulder. He knew he was probably biting off more than he could chew here - he was a dab hand at sewing on missing buttons, even if it was with the wrong coloured thread at times, but that was about as far as his needlework skills went.

Sarah obviously thought he was joking, for she looked up at him and said, "You're funny, Daddy," and giggled. Mulder tried not to look too offended. "Do you think Dana would make my costume for me?" asked Sarah, when the giggles had subsided.

"I expect so," answered her father, pulling away from the curb.

"What sort of a costume is it?"

Sarah rummaged in her little rucksack and drew out several sheets of paper that had been stapled together in one corner.

"The instructions are all on here, with my lines."

"Okay, I'll take a look at it later." Mulder glanced down at her. "So tell me about the Pied Piper," he said.

"Well, he lived hundreds of years ago in a town called Hamelin. That's in Germany, Daddy." Sarah imparted that piece of information as if telling her father something he didn't know already. Mulder looked suitably impressed by her knowledge.

"Yes, that's right." He gave her a smile. "Did you know that there are people living in Germany and Holland with the same name as us?"

Sarah looked up at her father wide eyed. "Does that mean we came from Germany, Daddy?"

"Well, not us, sweetheart, but maybe someone came over from there a long time ago and set up home in this country."

"How long ago?"

"At least one hundred years ago, maybe more. He or she would be our ancestor."

He watched Sarah's face out of the corner of his eye as she digested that.

"Miss Smythe said that in Germany, the mayor is called the burger master."

Mulder tried not to smile as he thought of someone giving lessons in burger making. "It's burgermeister, sweetheart."

"Burgermeister," repeated Sarah.

"That's right," said her father, with a warm smile. "Now tell me what the Pied Piper did."

"The town was invaded by thousands and thousands of rats, and the Pied Piper said he would get rid of them for one thousand guilders. So the Mayor and the Town Council agreed, and the Pied Piper played his pipe, and all the rats followed him to the river and they drowned."

"What happened after that?" asked Mulder.

"The piper went back to collect the money, but the Mayor wouldn't pay, so the Pied Piper played his pipe again and took all the children in the town away and hid them in a big cave." Sarah looked at her father with big eyes.

"Goodness! Then what happened?"

"Everyone in the town was sad, because their children were gone. The Mayor sent for the piper, and told him that he would pay him lots of money if he brought the children back. The piper said he only wanted the money that he had been promised for getting rid of the rats."

"Did the Mayor give the piper the money?" asked Mulder.

Sarah nodded, adding, "Then all the children came back, and it all ended happily ever after."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," declared her father, pulling up outside their apartment.

"Daddy, can I call Dana later and ask her if she'll make my costume?"

"If you like, sweetheart. You can call her after dinner - I know she'll be home then."

Scully listened in amusement as Sarah told her about the play, and her part in it.

"You and Daddy have to come and watch me," announced Sarah.

"When is it, sweetheart? If you tell me now, I'll put it in my diary so that I don't forget," answered Scully. She knew there would be no chance of that - Sarah would remind her constantly. Scully also knew how important it would be to Sarah to have her there.

"It's at the end of term, in two weeks time. Will you make my costume for me? I have to have a long tail and some ears. I gave Daddy all the instructions."

"I don't see why not. Let me speak to your Daddy about what you need."

Sarah handed the phone to her father and scampered off to her room.

"Hey, Scully. Sarah's really excited about this play," said Mulder. "Do you mind making her costume? For some reason, Sarah doesn't seem to have much faith in my skills as a tailor!" He could hear Scully laughing at the other end of the line.

"What does she need?"

"She has to be dressed in black - that's no problem. Sarah has some black leggings, and black socks - I just need to get her a black t-shirt. The only things you'll have to make are the ears and the tail."

"I can get some nice soft felt for the ears and attach them to some elastic... once her hair is arranged over it, you won't see it. I'm sure we can get something suitable to make a tail."

"That's great, Scully. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Mulder, I'm pleased to do it, and I'm looking forward to seeing Sarah in the play."

"Yeah... me too." He was also looking forward to Scully being there at his side, and the opportunity it gave them of feeling like a family, if only for one night. "Well, I'd better go. Sarah wants me to run through the lines with her before she has her bath."

Scully chuckled. "You'd better not keep the budding thespian waiting, then! Give Sarah a goodnight kiss from me, and I'll see you in the morning."

Sarah was doing rather well at learning her lines. She was a fast learner, and threw herself into the task with enthusiasm. Sarah and Mulder sat down every night after dinner, and went over the lines she'd already mastered, then they would tackle a couple of new ones. While she was in the bath, she gave him a rendition of the songs she was learning at school. Mulder was very proud of her.

Come the weekend, Scully and Sarah took off to buy the things needed for Sarah's costume. The black t-shirt was easy enough to find. Then they set off in search of felt and elastic, and something to make the rat's tail.

They took themselves off to the fabric department. Scully found some soft black felt, and she also selected some in pink, for the insides of the ears. She also picked up a little stiffening, to sew inside the ears so that they wouldn't flop. A length of elastic to attach them to, then all she needed was the tail. Scully looked around, searching for something suitable. Then her eye was caught by some decorative cording - the sort you find on curtains and cushions.

That would be ideal for the tail. She found some in black, then they proceeded to the cash desk with their purchases.

The goods wrapped and paid for, Scully took Sarah's hand and off they went for lunch. Sarah fidgeted throughout the meal - she was anxious to get back to Scully's apartment and for Scully to make a start on the costume.

"Can we go now, Dana?" she asked, as soon as Scully had drained her coffee cup. It had hardly touched the saucer before Sarah was on her feet and ready to go.

Scully chuckled - Sarah was something to see when she was all fired up, just like her father.

"Okay, let's go."

"Daddy! We're home!"

Scully closed the door behind her just as Mulder came out of her kitchen drying his hands on a towel. He bent down to kiss his daughter's cheek, then Scully's mouth.

"Did you get everything you need?" he asked.

"Yes, thanks," replied Scully, glancing at Sarah, who was busy upending the bags containing their purchases onto the couch. The little girl hadn't even stopped to remove her jacket.

"Look, Daddy... this is for my ears, and this is for my tail." She showed him the felt and cording. "And here's my t-shirt." Sarah unfolded the garment and held it against her.

"Look's like you're all set then," he commented with a smile.

"Shall I get the needlework box?" asked Sarah expectantly.

"In a while, Sarah," replied Scully. She was tired - they'd had a busy week at work, and after trailing around the shops amongst the weekend crowds, she just wanted to take it easy for a while.

"But I want to do it now." Sarah's mouth pouted just like her father's sometimes did, and her voice had taken on a whiny tone. "Please Dana, you said you would make the costume for me."

"Not right now!" It came out a little more sharply than Scully had intended. Sarah's mouth turned down at the corners, and Scully thought for a moment that the little girl was going to cry. She reached out and took Sarah's hands. "We'll do it in a little while, Sarah. Right now, I just want to have a rest, and talk to your Daddy for a bit, okay? We've got the rest of the afternoon and all evening to make the costume. It won't take that long to make."

Sarah didn't look at all mollified by that. Her pretty face wore a most unbecoming scowl. Her father placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Sweetheart, why don't you take off your jacket, then come and help me get some drinks. I'm sure you could both do with something - you must be thirsty after all that shopping." He smoothed a hand over her head and gave her a gentle push towards the door. "Go and put your jacket in your room."

He turned to Scully. "You put your feet up and I'll make some coffee."

Sarah came back, still looking unhappy, and went to her father's side.

"What would you like to drink, Sarah?"

"Grape juice, please."

Mulder was just heading for the kitchen when Scully said, "On second thoughts, Mulder, I'll have grape juice too. I had a coffee not long ago - I think I'd prefer something cold."

"Okay - two grape juices coming up." Mulder smiled and headed for the kitchen, with Sarah trailing along in his wake.

Mulder had a quiet word with Sarah while they were in the kitchen, for when he came back with the drinks, she went to the desk, took out her colouring book and pens and sat there quietly while Mulder and Scully talked.

Scully sniffed. There was a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. "What have you been up to out there?"

"Just making a start on dinner." He grinned.

"What is it? It smells wonderful."

"Beef bourguignon, with a few extra touches of my own. I thought I'd put it on early, and let it cook nice and slow. That way, the meat will absorb all the flavours, and be extra tender." He looked suitably pleased with himself. Even if he said so himself, Mulder was getting rather good at cooking.

"Well, I can't wait to try it, Mulder."

"I don't think you'll be disappointed, Scully. In fact, I think I'll just go and give it a stir." He rose, and went back out into the kitchen.

Suddenly Scully's eye was caught by a small, state of the art video camera sitting on the end table farthest away from her.

"Been splashing out, Mulder?" said Scully loudly, so that he could hear her out in the kitchen.

"Huh?" Mulder appeared in the doorway.

"The camera. Did you buy it this morning?"

"No, I borrowed it from the guys." Mulder gave her a sheepish look. "I thought it would be nice to capture Sarah's performance for posterity. She's growing up so quickly, Scully - I want something that I... we, can look back on in years to come."

"I think that's a wonderful idea, Mulder," said Scully warmly. She picked up the small, palm sized camera and examined it thoughtfully. The fact that he had used the word `we' wasn't lost on Scully. Several months had passed since Sarah had found her father and Scully in bed together, and Mulder had proposed marriage. Scully was still content with things as they were, she couldn't envisage spending her life with anyone else other than Mulder, and Sarah. She just wasn't ready to make the final commitment. "Perhaps we should think about buying one ourselves... that way you wouldn't have to keep borrowing one."

"I don't know if I could justify the expense, Scully."

"You said it yourself, Mulder - Sarah's growing quickly, and you want to record that. There'll be other occasions in the future that you'll want to record. Anyway, we don't have to buy anything as sophisticated as this."

"Well, I'll think about it." He just wondered what other 'future occasions' Scully had in mind. He hadn't mentioned marriage since that first morning - he didn't want to pressure her, that would drive Scully away for sure. He just had to be content to let things run their course... she would give him her answer when she was ready, but the fact that she'd used `we' when talking about buying a video camera was promising. He returned to the living room with a spring in his step.

It was late afternoon by the time Scully made a start on the ears, at the same time listening to Sarah practice her lines with her father. The child spoke in a clear, resonant voice, a trick her father had taught her so that those at the back of the audience would be able to hear her. When they'd finished going over the lines, Sarah sung, for Scully, the songs that she and the other members of the cast would be performing.

"That's wonderful, Sarah," said Scully warmly. The little girl looked thrilled with the praise, and beamed at her father. He drew her into his embrace and kissed her.

"Come and help me in the kitchen, Sarah. I'm sure Scully would like some peace and quiet to finish those ears."

Scully smiled up at Mulder gratefully, and Sarah trotted off to the kitchen holding her father's hand. She could hear the two of them talking as they got on with the rest of the dinner. It sounded like Sarah was setting the table.

"Daddy, are we staying at Dana's tonight?"

"You know we are, Sarah. It's Saturday... we always stay at Dana's on Saturday."

Since Mulder and Scully had taken the final step to becoming a couple, that was.

"Can I stay up till ten o'clock?"

"Yes, you may stay up till ten o'clock." Mulder inspected the rice on the stove, tasting a few grains. It was almost done. "Can you pass me that dish, sweetheart?"

"Are we going to watch videos?" asked Sarah, passing her father a pretty dish.

"I don't know, Sarah. Maybe Scully might like to do something else."

Mulder took the saucepan of rice and tipped it into the dish, fluffing it with a fork before setting it on the table. The beef bourguignon was already sitting on the table in a casserole dish, the delicious aroma wafting into the living room and tantalising Scully's tastebuds.

Mulder made one last check that the table was set with everything they needed, then called Scully. He was just opening a bottle of wine when she appeared.

"Oh, wine! You're pushing the boat out, aren't you?" She grinned at him.

"You don't want any, then?"

"I didn't say that - I'm just wondering what we're celebrating."

"Well, let me think... how about we celebrate the fact that I love you, and I'm sitting down to eat with the two most beautiful women in Washington?"

Scully laughed. "Mulder, you're crazy!" But she reached up and kissed him.

The dinner that Mulder had prepared did not disappoint Scully. She sat back in her chair, comfortably replete, as Sarah helped her father to clear the table and load the dishwasher. Scully felt a bit guilty that they were doing all the work, but Mulder had insisted that it was the least he could do in view of Scully making Sarah's costume. Actually, he was very good when he and Sarah stayed on weekends. If he didn't make dinner, he made breakfast, or brunch, depending on the time they rose in the morning. Once or twice, he'd even brought her breakfast in bed, rising before she or Sarah were awake. Scully smiled - she rather liked this new model Mulder.

"Sarah, stand still a minute," said Scully. The child was jiggling about from one foot to the other. "I want to make sure that I've got this right." Scully adjusted the elastic that the ears had been attached to around the child's head. Satisfied that she finally had it right, she pushed Sarah in the direction of the mirror. "How do they look?"

The little girl stood there, turning this way and that before declaring herself satisfied with the ears.

"What about the tail, Dana?" asked Sarah.

"I think we can get away with just pinning that onto the t-shirt," answered Scully. She turned to Mulder. "How does she look?"

"Like a rat!" he grinned. "You'll be the best rat in the house, sweetheart."

Sarah ran to him and hugged him. Mulder kissed his daughter's soft cheek.

"Okay, Sarah... go put your night things on."

"But Daddy, you said I could stay up till ten!" Sarah looked miffed.

"You can, but I want you to change now to save time later."

He knew she was crafty, and tried to spin her bedtime ritual out as long as possible when they stayed at Scully's, but he'd gotten wise to it. Sarah knew when she was beaten, so she scampered off to the little guest room to put on her pyjamas.

Beside Mulder, Scully was laughing softly.

"What's so funny?" asked Mulder, his face wearing a puzzled expression.

Scully regarded him with amusement. "I must say, Mulder, I'm surprised it took you so long to get wise to Sarah's little trick."

"Oh, I knew, Scully... I was just letting Sarah think that she could get one over on me."

Scully snorted. She didn't believe him for a minute.

Mulder changed the subject. "Thanks for taking Sarah out this morning, and making her costume. I'm really grateful." He placed his arm around Scully's shoulders and drew her towards him.

"You're welcome, Mulder. I was pleased to do it... it was worth it for that delicious meal you cooked." Scully leaned in against him.

Mulder's eyebrows raised suggestively, and spoke in a low voice. "I'm glad you liked it, Scully... I'll have to see what I can cook up later!"

"Mulder!" Scully feigned shock, but it turned to laughter. She dug him in the ribs. Mulder silenced her with a kiss.

The day of the performance finally arrived. Mulder ran Sarah to school in the morning, and they went through her lines. She was word perfect.

"Dana is coming tonight, isn't she?" Sarah asked anxiously as they pulled up outside the school gates.

"Yes, sweetheart," answered Mulder. He came round and helped his daughter out of the car. "Have you got your rucksack?"

Sarah nodded. Mulder walked her into the yard, and crouched down in front of her.

"I'll come and pick you up later, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy. There's Vanessa... I've got to go..."

"Give me a hug?"

Sarah turned back and gave Mulder a quick squeeze.

"Have a good day," he called after her.

"Bye, Daddy," she tossed back over her shoulder, as she moved confidently into her own world. Mulder followed her with his eyes until she was lost in the crowd, then made his way back to the car.

Mulder and Scully arrived early and bagged seats in the front row. He spent the next half hour before the performance began fiddling about with the video camera.

Scully leaned in and said softly, "I take it there's a tape in there, Mulder."

Mulder's head whipped round and he looked highly offended.

"Of course there is, Scully."

Scully nodded, and patted his hand. "Of course there is, Mulder. I was just checking."

He'd driven her mad with it over the last few days, following her around, taping her, until she'd threatened to inflict serious damage on him. Sarah, on the other hand, had loved it, and played to the camera whenever he was near.

"You still think we should get one, Scully?"

The answer was a resounding 'no.'

The performance was about to begin. Mulder quickly consulted the little brochure that had been on his seat - it listed some background to the story of the Pied Piper, and a list of those in the cast. He smiled proudly when he saw Sarah's name, and pointed it out to Scully. Although she had already noticed, she said nothing and just smiled.

The principal came out onto the little stage and said a few words, and then the play began.

Mulder and Scully sat through it patiently, waiting for Sarah to appear. And then there she was, bounding up onto the stage, with her three fellow rats, her ears in place and her tail swinging behind her. Her face had been painted a grey colour, with a little black nose and white whiskers. Mulder was ready with the video, and Sarah beamed at her father and Scully. She wasn't supposed to, but she couldn't help it. Sarah got through her first set of lines without any problem, and everyone applauded the four little rat girls before they bounded off the stage.

The play progressed. One or two of the children forgot a line here or there, or missed their cue. Then Sarah was back again. She was speaking her lines, and Scully noticed Mulder mouthing the words along with her. Suddenly, Sarah's face went blank. She looked down at her father, trying to hide her panic. Then Scully heard Mulder whisper the words to her. Sarah's little face broke into a smile, and she carried on until the end of her speech. Scully took Mulder's hand and squeezed it.

The Pied Piper's costume was very impressive - red and yellow. He wore knickerbockers, one leg red, the other yellow. His cape was red on the outside and yellow on the inside. At his neck, he wore a yellow and red rosette, on his head a red hat with another rosette. In his hands, he carried his pipe. When he charmed the rats away, all the children that were playing rats followed him up the aisle and around the back of the audience to disappear behind the stage. The same happened when he charmed the children away.

Soon the play came to an end, and there was rapturous applause from the audience. Then the principal players came out to more applause. No-one clapped louder than Mulder and Scully when Sarah and her three co-rats appeared once more. They took a bow, and gave everyone a big smile. There were flowers for the music teacher, and Miss Smythe, for producing the play.

Afterwards there was coffee for the parents, and orange juice for the children. Mulder and Scully were drinking their coffee when Sarah bounded up, still wearing her face paint and her costume.

"Hi sweetheart!" Mulder put down his cup and lifted his daughter into his arms, giving her a hug.

"I forgot my lines, Daddy."

"It doesn't matter, baby. You were fine." He stroked her hair, and gave her another kiss, then set her down on the floor.

At that point Miss Smythe came over.

"Mr Mulder, I'm very pleased to see you again." She proffered her hand and Mulder shook it.

"Miss Smythe. I don't think you've met my partner, Dana Scully. Scully, Miss Smythe is Sarah's teacher."

'My partner.' The words echoed in Scully's head, and now they meant more than just Mulder's work partner.

"I'm pleased to meet you," said Scully. The last time Mulder had seen Sarah's teacher had been less than auspicious. Sarah had been going through a bad patch, and he'd been invited to the school to discuss her behaviour.

Miss Smythe turned to Sarah, smiling down at the young girl holding onto her father's hand.

"You did very well tonight, Sarah." She looked up at Mulder again. "You should be very proud of her, Mr Mulder.

"I am," he replied, a hand running over the child's dark curls. Sarah looked up at him adoringly.

"Sarah tells me that you made her ears." Miss Smythe addressed Scully.

"That's correct," replied Scully, with a smile. "It was a pleasure to do it."

"Well, I hope you both enjoyed the performance, and that we'll see you both again in the future."

"Count on it," answered Mulder. He glanced down at Sarah, who was yawning. "If you'll excuse us, we should be going. It's past Sarah's bedtime."

"Of course. I shouldn't keep Sarah from her bed."

Mulder carried an exhausted Sarah to the car. He sat in the back with her cuddled in his arms, and she was asleep by the time they reached their apartment. He carried her up to her bed, and carefully undressed her.

"What do I do about this face paint, Scully?" he asked softly. "You'll have to clean it off, Mulder. She can't sleep in it. Apart from the mess it'll make on the pillows, it might cause an allergic reaction on her skin. I think you'll have to wake her just enough to wash her face and use the toilet. I'll get some water ready."

Mulder shook Sarah's shoulder gently, and spoke softly to wake her.

"Sarah, sweetheart, wake up. I have to wash your face. Come on, baby."

The little girl opened one groggy eyeball.

"I'm tired, Daddy. I want to go to sleep."

"I know, baby. I just want to wash your face over to remove the paint."

He lifted her and carried her to the bathroom, then sat on the closed toilet with Sarah on his lap. He proceeded to wash her face while Scully busied herself making tea. The little girl could barely stay awake. He gently dried her face, and then woke her enough to use the toilet. Mulder carried her back to bed, tucking her in. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

He sat with her for a moment, then leaned in and kissed her before making his way out into the living room.

"It went well, don't you think?" he asked over the tea.

"She was very good - they were all very good. There's just something about seeing your child up there on the stage..." Scully trailed off. She'd come to think of Sarah as her own after all this time. "I'm as proud of her as you are, Mulder."

"Thanks, Scully." His lips brushed her hair, in the same way they so often did Sarah's, his arm around her shoulders. His fingers stroked her upper arm idly, his eyes closed. "Thanks for coming with us. I know it meant a lot to Sarah."

"It was my pleasure, Mulder." Another comfortable silence followed.

"Why don't you stay tonight, Scully?"

"I'd like that, Mulder." Scully kept a few spare items of clothing in Sarah's dresser, just in case. "I'll just go check on Sarah." He stood, then leaned over and kissed her. "Don't go away." As if she would... as if she wanted to. Scully was quite happy where she was... with her family.

The End