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Title: Trouver L'Amour un Jour de Fete: Joyeux Noel Summary: Mulder and Scully are together for Christmas with a lot of kids (and their parents as well!) Hehehehehehe...A little late. I thought 'I'd better get this out before February. It's the last day of January...Better late than never. Christmas is long gone and Valentines day is nearing but I suppose a few *might* miss X-mas. WHo knows? Well, midterms, debate, sickness, are some of the excuses (they are the same excuses I used last time) so I really have no excuse this time. I'm just plain slow! SORRY! I just don't have time lately...Homework is very time consuming.
"Morning Scully." Mulder's head was buried in a file, not that it was anything unusual. "Hi Mulder. What are you looking at? Our next assignment? What is it this time? UFO's, Ouija Oracles, poltergeists, pyromaniacs, more maggots, more cockroaches, more irritating planetary alignments? What?" Scully said, good-humoredly while pouring the poor excuse for coffee which Mulder brewed each morning. "It's of this planet." "That's good to hear," Scully remarked, still in a good mood. She poured her cream into her coffee and went to her desk. "It's a stakeout." "A stakeout," Scully echoed weakly. Stakeouts always seemed to last forever, even if you were with your best friend, her legs never seemed to cooperate with her afterwards, and it nothing ever happened on their shift. "What enthusiasm, Scully. And since you are so excited about it, I'll tell you the best part of all." "Do I want to hear this?" Scully already knew that she didn't. "Christmas Eve." "We have a stakeout on Christmas Eve. Are you telling me that I have to sit in that car on a major holiday observed by the whole of the United States and surrounding countries. And we have to work. I have to sit in a little cramped car waiting for a criminal that probably won't show on the Eve of the our Savior's birth? You're joking, Mulder. Tell me that you're joking." "The car is not that little."
"I don't believe the Bureau did this to us! They act like we don't have any lives." By the time Christmas Eve rolled around and they were already camped out in the not-so-small car, Scully was still complaining about their assignment. "Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you but we don't." "You may not. But I do. My family usually gets together for Christmas Eve and we all stay at Mom's. I guess I'll just have to go tomorrow morning." "You can go tonight, really late, but better late than never. I'll drive you there after we finish this." Her partner offered. "Really, Mulder? Thanks!" Scully was truly grateful and finally decided to give up on the griping. After all, a week of it was probably making him sick. They sat in amicable silence for ten minutes when she got an idea, "Hey, Mulder," she said, lightly nudging him, "why don't you stay over at Mom's for Christmas?" "I don't think I should impose, it is a family thing and..." "And all you're gonna do is sit at home and watch TV Christmas specials," she finished off for him. "I don't know, Scully. Are you sure your mom would be OK with it?" Mulder was still unconvinced. "Sure, in fact I'll ask." Before Mulder could do much, Scully was already on the phone, calling her mother." "Hi, Mom! It's me, Dana...No, I'm still at the stakeout...It's going fine...No, none of the bad guys have shown up yet, I think it's this sixth sense they have. They never seem to show up on our shifts...Don't worry, Mom. Anyway, I called I wanted to tell you that I'll be home a little bit after Midnight...yeah, the stakeout's that long! I need to ask a favor of you...You see, Mulder...Really? Thanks Mom. I'll tell him that...OK, bye Mom. Love you...Bye." She hung up and turned to her partner, "See, told you it was OK and Mom is expecting *both* of us." "OK, then. Who else is going to be there?" "My brothers, Bill and Charlie, with their wives and kids; Chris will be over with Sarah and Bobby; and my cousins, Helen and Robin with their husbands and kids. All in all, there will be a lot of kids: Bobby, Sarah, Jesse, Andrea, Daphne, Marc, Topher, Emily, and Zachary." "Just what I needed. A bunch of kids. How old?" "Mulder, unlike you, I don't have a perfect memory for details. All I know is Sarah's and Bobby's age..." "5 and 7," Mulder interrupted. He looked at her, "Go on." "Jessie is 8, Andrea is 7, Daphne's 10, I think, and so is Topher. Marc's 3, Emily is 9 and Zach, um, I forgot his age but he's one of the older. Topher's the oldest one unless I'm right about Daphne." "Lots and lots of kids." Mulder monotoned. "They're all really sweet, except Topher, he's the proverbial thorn in the lion's paw. Hell, thorn isn't the word. They'll be asleep by the time we get there at any rate, so don't complain." "What? They won't be up waiting for St. Nick and his reindeer?" Mulder sounded surprised. It was hard to tell in the darkness of the car what his expression was. "Who knows? Mom is an expert at getting kids to bed. I betcha you can't name all of Santa's reindeer." "Yeah I can: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid, Vixen and Blitzen. And I can't forget Rudolph." "Correct." They were silent again for another 20 minutes. It was snowing now. Not too much but it was gathering already on the ground. "Hey, Scully, look it's snowing." "So I noticed. Looks like Santa is gonna need Rudolph's nose tonight." "I was just about to say that." "Oh, my, God. We must be telepathically connected," Scully said in an obviously sarcastic voice. "Just what I was thinking!" Mulder mocked surprise. They were quiet for another 5 minutes when Mulder decided to speak up again, "I'll bet you I can stay up longer than you can." "Why, Mulder? You want to stay up for Santa? Anyway, I'll think about it, depends on what you want to bet." "Well, what about..." Mulder's thoughts wandered back to Halloween night. "About..." his partner prompted. "a kiss?" He suggested quickly and under his breath. "A kiss?" Her voice scaled up, "Maybe. What will you give me if I win?" "Me kissing you, isn't that what you get if you win?" Mulder asked innocently. "Spare me, Mulder. How about you wearing a decent tie for a month? Or do you not have a decent tie?" "I have one...somewhere. I'll dig something up." "With the conditions of your apartment, 'dig' would be an appropriate word."
"Scully? Scully?" Mulder gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "Hhmm? Wha..?" She came slowly and reluctantly out of her sleep. Opening her eyes a crack, she shook her head a bit and faced Mulder, trying to focus her eyes, "Did I fall asleep? What time is it?" "Yes and 11:58. These guys have 2 minutes to show up until we go." "Did I doze for that long?" "Yup." "Did I drool this time?" "Nope. Lucky for me. This is a good coat." He watched her smile and shake her head. She rubbed her eyes and turned to the window. Another car was coming to relieve them of their duties. "Hey, Mulder, looks like we can go now," she said, gesturing at the approaching car. "OK, next stop, your Mom's house."
"So, Scully, is our little bet still on?" "Yeah." she paused, then added quickly sensing what he was about to say, "But dozing off in the car does NOT count." "Aww, Scully, why not?" His eyes twinkled with mischief, "Then again, if dozing off in the car did count, I'm afraid a kiss would not suffice." "And what would?" Dana dared. "Oh, I don't know..." he started. "Yes you do." She smiled widely. "Well, you know, Scully, I have been a very good boy this year..." "A pure angel, I'm sure."
"Aunt Dana! Aunt Dana!" a familiar voice piped up as Dana and Fox walked through the front door. A small blond girl with seemingly innocent blue eyes came running to them, "Merry Christmas!" she chimed. "Sarah! Aren't you supposed to be in bed? Don't you know that Santa only comes when you're asleep?" Dana teasingly reproved. "Aw, Aunt Dana, I'm no baby. I know that Santa doesn't exist!" Sarah answered, indignant, "Anyway, I'm still up because I made a bet with Bobby that I could stay up longer than him! And I'm gonna win, too!" "Hey, Scully, looks like we're not going to be alone," Mulder whispered. Scully was about to answer back on how her mom could get any kid in bed on Christmas eve but before she could say anything, a taller, older woman with dark blondish-reddish hair greeted her. "Dana, I didn't hear you come in! Merry Christmas!" She didn't notice Mulder at first. "Hi, Chris, Merry Christmas to you too. You remember Mulder don't you?" Maggie Scully, who had been standing by the door, spoke up, "Dana, it's Christmas, will you at least call each other by your first names? For one day. It just seems so impersonal." "Mulder has a first name?" Dana said, under her breath, but purposely loud enough for everyone to hear. Mulder chuckled at this, "One day's fine. I think, I can manage to be called Fox for one day." He looked at Scully, "And only one day." "But I'm *always* allowed to call him Fox," Sarah announced proudly. "Sarah! I forgot you were still down here. You have to be in bed!" Chris faced her daughter in consternation. "Mommy," Sarah whined, "I'm not tired, plus, I want to show Fox and Aunt Dana the Christmas tree!" "OK, then up to bed." This order went unanswered for Sarah was already dragging Fox and Dana towards the living room. Actually, it was more like she was dragging Fox and Fox was dragging Dana along. They walked into a dimmed living room with a roaring fire and at least 6 candles. The Christmas tree had small colorful flashing lights, cute decorations made out of wood or glass and tons and tons of tinsel spread all over it. Specifically the bottom half of the tree. The top half seemed a lot more organized and a lot less tinseled. "Me, Bobby, Andrea, Jessie, Emily, Marc, Daphne, Zach, and Topher decorated it. The grown-ups did the top half since only Daphne and Topher are tall enough to reach the top. Actually Daphne put the star on top! But she wasn't tall enough and had to stand on a chair." Sarah motioned at one of the chairs from the dining room. "The tree turned out very nicely and it's so beautiful. You kids did a great job." Dana picked up the slender child who beamed with happiness at the praise. "Yeah, you and the others really did a great job," Fox agreed. "They did a lovely job." Another voice said behind them. It was Dana's sister in law, Mary. "Hi Mary. Merry Christmas!" Dana greeted her, "You look very tired." "Is it Christmas?" "Yeah, it's 1:00." "What do you know, it's Christmas. Helen, Robin, Karen and I just spent two hours fixing up the children's room and trying to get them asleep!" Her gaze wandered to the small blond girl in Dana's arms. "Looks like I missed one!" "Aunt Mary, is Bobby asleep?" "Yes, dear, why?" A big grin spread across Sarah's face showing a missing tooth in the back. She tugged on Fox's sleeve from (and she was still in Dana's arms), pulled his head close and whispered something in his ear. He nodded understandingly. "I promise I won't tell anybody," he said and noticed Dana looking at him expectantly. Keeping his eyes on Dana he asked, "Can I tell Sc...Dana?" Sarah nodded solemnly. "Tell me what?" "I'll tell you later." "Oh, Mary, this is my partner, Mulder...I mean Fox." She nodded towards him. "Oh, I thought he was your boyfriend!" Mary exclaimed, very seriously. "Dana? You have a boyfriend?" Three other female voices came. Three other tired, disheveled women came in. "Hi Karen, hi, Robin, hi Helen! Merry Christmas! It IS Christmas, it's one o'clock. And this is Fox, he's my partner from work, not my boyfriend and not potential boyfriend material." "Gee, thanks, Scully..." He rolled his eyes, forgetting the no-surnames rule. " 'Scully'?" Four voices echoed. "Scully," Dana confirmed, a smirk on her face. "Are you convinced?" "How long have you guys been working together?" Helen questioned, looking at Dana worriedly. "4 years," both said simultaneously. Then Dana said, "Why are looking at me like that? It's not like I come from outer space!" "you might as well!" Helen exclaimed with a smile, "4 years. You guys probably are the best of friends by now and you are still addressing each other by your last names?" "We're...just more comfortable with it...it's been that way for 4 years." Dana shrugged and looked at Mulder for a bit a support. "Yeah. To me, this is Scully," he half-lied, and motioned towards Dana. "and this is Mulder, no question whatsoever," she agreed, "In fact the last time I called him Fox was, was, um, uh, during the Tooms case 3 1/2 years ago." "Actually, *Dana*, it was 10 minutes ago." "yeah, but Mom's no-last names rule is in effect." "Wait, wait, Dana, what's his first name?" Robin asked, a little confused. "Fox," Dana answered. "Fox? That's a nice name," Karen commented. "See, Mulder? Everyone thinks that it's a nice name...except you." "I'm sorry, I cannot get used to anyone addressing anyone else by their last name." Helen shook her head and the others shook their heads in agreement. "Where are Charlie, Bill, Anthony, and Dave?" Dana asked a minute later. "Anthony and Dave are upstairs, asleep and Charlie and Bill couldn't make it home this year." Robin informed her. "Again?" She sighed, her brothers were almost never around for Christmas. It really was getting tedious. Just then, Sarah yawned. Dana had almost forgotten that she was still holding Sarah. The little girl yawned again, a big yawn. "Sarah! What are you still doing down here? You should be upstairs with the rest of the kids!" Karen chided. "I know, Aunt Karen. I'm going now." Sarah yawned yet again and wiggled to get out of Dana's arms. Dana obliged and let go of the little girl who ran up the stairs. Mary followed to make sure that Sarah was actually going to go sleep. Robin, Karen and Helen idled around for a little while longer, chatting with Dana and basically filling her in on what was going on lately. Half an hour later, they decided to go help Maggie and Chris finish wrapping the presents and put the finishing touches to everything. Everyone filed out of the living room except for Fox and Dana. Sitting down on the couch, Dana asked, "What did Sarah tell you earlier?" "She said that all the kids are going to stay up and wait for Santa because Topher told the younger kids that there was no Santa and they want to see if he was right." "Well, they're probably asleep now." Dana sighed, "Leave it up to Topher to do that. He's always spoiling everyone's fun. Just this year, he told Andrea that there were no such things as fairies and Andrea was about to start bawling." "Did he happen to learn this art from his Aunt Dana?" "I've never made you cry before! Not even when I shot you. But there is some truth in there...Five or so years ago, he went through a haunted house at a carnival. He was so terrified, he wouldn't sleep. Karen had me come and talk to me because I was 'his favorite aunt' and I managed to convince him that there were no ghouls nor goblins. And then he decided to pass on my teachings in a less constructive way." "What did you tell the kid, Scully?!" "Dana," she corrected, "I told him that ghosts and stuff like that did not exist. And don't worry, I didn't lecture him like I do with you." She cast an endearing smile at him. "I guess you didn't exactly get the practice for lecturing me from him, did you?" "Nope. Not at all. I winged the first argument and after that, well, you gave me plenty of practice." "I shudder to think what your kids are going to be like," Mulder teased. "Likewise for you." "Me, kids? Are you feeling all right?" Mulder asked with fake incredulity. "I think you'd make an excellent father. You and Sarah get along really well. And during cases when there are children, you act great. You'd be a great father," she repeated. "You'd make a really great mother, Dana," he said it in a low voice looking straight at her eyes. She froze, and looked back at his green eyes. They were the color of the Christmas tree now. Her eyes wandered down to his lips briefly and back up to his eyes. They weren't in the least bit aware of the conversation going on just outside the room: "Karen!" An urgent whisper reached the ears of the young brunette, "look. At Dana." "Shh, Helen! Not too loud. She'll hear us. Hhmp. Not potential boyfriend material, huh? Dana, I love you but who do you think you were fooling? I guess Chris was right." "I guess she was, but they didn't seem all that close when we were talking to them." Helen sounded doubtful. "I thought the exact opposite! You think they're sleeping together?" asked Karen, even though part of the family had no idea what the status of her sister-in-law's love life was. In fact, no one had much of an idea. "Yeah." A third voice broke in. It was Mary. "I think they are." "Oh, come on! Why don't you just ask her when...Fox isn't here?" Robin asked, a little annoyed at the gossiping done about her cousin although she was curious as well. "Robin! You know as well as I do that Dana, under no circumstances, will say a thing!" Helen said, amazed at Robin. "Well, even if they are involved, why should we care?" Robin was truly annoyed now. "Robin!" The three other women nearly shouted but checked themselves in time as to not let on that they were spying on Dana and Fox. "One, do you realize that Dana is the only single one left of the Scully's? Two, there is an obvious attraction between them. Three, it's even more obvious that they are in love. Four, didn't we say, awhile ago that we would get Dana engaged before the age of 30?! Well, we're kinda late." Mary smiled mischievously. "Mary, you look like a teenager trying to set her best friend up!" "And your point?" Mary grinned. "And my point," Robin said, exasperated, "is that we shouldn't mess around with her life!" "Dana doesn't have a life," Karen pointed out. "Yeah she does," Robin argued and thought about what kind of life her cousin actually had, "a pretty darn small one but a life nonetheless." "Robin..." "Don't mess around with her life!" "What life?" Helen asked, oh-so-innocently. "We've already gone through this!" Robin was really irritated now. "Well, Robin, I assure you that we'll all be at Dana's 60th wedding anniversary *with Fox*!" Mary said triumphantly. "What if it doesn't work out that way?" Robin questioned. "What is it with you and skepticism?" "Yeah, you and Dana have a lot in common," Helen teased. Robin sighed, "You guys, quit it...don't set Dana up. Fox and her seem to have a very delicate relationship..." "And they don't know that they're in love!" Karen finished off. "Robin, Mary, Karen, Helen? You still out there?" Dana had obviously snapped out of her slight trance and she had heard the last few seconds of the conversation as with Fox. "Yeah, we were just going!" Mary was about to start laughing but she was trying her best to hold it in, which inevitably, made her look like a puffer fish when it was filled to it's top with air. "Yeah, right." Dana rolled her eyes at Fox. She lowered her voice so her sisters and cousins could not hear, "I have got to talk to Chris. Funny, I don't recall her being a gossip lover..." "Well, Mary seemed to have a penchant for it." "That's Mary. She used to go to my school when I was in junior high and the first two years of high school and she was the cupid of the school. But Cupid's arrows seemed a little askew at times. She set up the class clown with the girl voted 'most popular'." Scully paused then added as an after thought, "I think Jimmy and Sally got married after college." "Cupid was not so stupid after all," Fox commented. "Cupid should of retired years ago. Especially after she set me up with Ben in my sophomore year of high school. That date was the WORST date I had ever been on!" she exclaimed, then said to herself, "If I had bothered to date that much..." "So, she's still after you?" "yeah, I think she was expecting me to walk down the aisle sooner than this. She grabs any guy, left or right, and trying to imagine them in a tux walking down the aisle with yours truly." "Are you really mine?" He smiled sweetly. "If Mary succeeds, probably." Dana tried to sound light hearted. It wasn't really working. She had heard truth in what Mary, Helen and Karen had said. She did love him, but it wasn't supposed to work out like that: her falling in love with him. It was supposed to be her *spying* on him. She sighed and leaned back onto the couch and gazed burning fire...until she fell asleep a couple minutes later. "Dana? You awake?" No answer. His first reaction was to wake her up. But how to wake her up was the question. Observing her, he noticed how peaceful she seemed. She looked so angelic, so innocent and so beautiful. Reaching over with his hand, he brushed away stray lock of hair from her face, caressing her cheek. Running his thumb over her bottom lip. Many times during the day, his gaze wandered down to her lips. Knowing the sense of euphoria it could give by just one gentle brush of lips. Halloween night still eluded him, he really was not sure what happened. Hoping for an encore of it on Thanksgiving night, he was disappointed although the good-bye kiss wasn't as chaste as it could've been. Suddenly a smile spread on his face...there was an excuse tonight. She would no doubt, kill him if he did it under any other circumstance. Or would she? On impulse, he bent down and gently kissed her. Their lips barely touched but Dana awoke anyhow. Surprised at first, she immediately deepened the kiss. Wrapping his arms around her waist, his tongue dipped slowly into her mouth, mildly tasting the minty sweetness candy cane she had been sucking on earlier. Dana answered back, her tongue exploring his mouth, her arms went around her neck and she pulled him down deeper onto the couch. Running her fingers through his soft brown hair, she thought of how nice it would be if they could stay like this forever... **-X Deja vu. Definate deja vu. A soprano giggle sounded from behind the couch. Astonished that there was someone else here besides them, Dana and Fox quickly sat up- tearing away from the kiss oh-so-regretfully-and looked at who had giggled. They came face to face with Sarah who had both hands clasped over her mouth in vain to try to stop her laughter. Not only Sarah but Bobby, Andrea, Jessie, Emily, Marc, Daphne, Zach, and Topher as well. Topher, and Zach were making gagging sounds. Little Bobby and Marc were rubbing their eyes, to try to wipe the sleepiness from them. Andrea and Sarah were trying not to laugh. Jessie, Emily and Daphne were surreptitiously whispering to each other. This, of course, did not make Dana and Fox any more comfortable. As a blush crept up from Dana's neck, she looked at Fox who also seemed embarrassed but who was obviously thought that this was a funny predicament. She shot him a look that clearly said, I-love-you-but-laugh-and-you-die-at-dawn. Wiping away any traces of a smile he put on a straight face. "Wow! I really had you fooled didn't I? You actually thought I was sleepy! Didn't I tell you that we were going to stay up?" Sarah piped. "Yes, but you looked real sleepy," Fox offered a weak excuse. "Fox, did I ever tell you that besides Sarah's ambition to be a detective, she also wants to be an actress?" asked Dana, quite innocently. "No." "How do you think I did?" Sarah asked, happy. "An Academy Award shoe-in.," Fox remarked. "Really?" she asked, excitedly. "Really." Dana suddenly cut in, "Sarah, you and the rest of the kids should ought to be asleep. Santa might be watching. "Aunt Dana! There's no such thing as Santa!" Sarah said, indignant. The other children joined in agreement. Only Daphne and Emily stood aside. "How do you know?" Dana persisted. "Well, if there was a Santa, he'd be very old and no one that old could be that fast! Plus, how does he get to all the kids around the world? Huh, Aunt Dana?" Topher challenged with a knowledgeable air. "It's....magic. Anyway, once me and Fox were on a camping trip..." "Were you kissing there too?" Andrea interrupted. "...No, we weren't, Andi. Anyway, there were these green bugs that lived in trees, millions of them, and they were very active. They were probably 100 times older than Santa." "Yeah, they managed to cocoon..." "Fox, be quiet," Dana ordered shortly. "I don't believe you." Topher remained skeptical. "Well, Christopher Scully, it's true." "Is not." "Is too." "why should I believe you?" The stubborn boy crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Because. And you kids better get to bed before Santa finds out that you aren't asleep!" Thereupon Marc and Bobby scurried off and up the stairs. Andrea, Topher, Zach, Sarah, Jessie, Daphne and Emily remained. "Great. Two down, 7 to go." Dana breathed deeply. This was not going to be easy, "Daphne, Emily, Jessie, would you three be dears and go up to bed? Please?" "Aunt Dana! Why?" Jessie and Emily whined. "Oh, I'll go, Aunt Dana. Good Night." Daphne gave Dana a peck on the cheek and started towards the stairs. Jessie and Emily looked at Fox and Dana and then looked at Daphne. They quickly ran to catch up to her, saying good night while running. 5 down, 4 to go. This wasn't as hard as it seemed. "Zach, darling, do your Aunt Dana a favor. Fox and I have a lot to discuss and..." "Yeah, yeah, I'm going. I can tell when I'm not wanted," Zach said, melodramatically, "Oh and Aunt Dana? Have fun *discussing* ." He snickered and hurried up the steps. Dana elbowed Fox, for she noticed that he was about to start laughing. But it still did not wipe off the grin on his face. 6 down and 3 to go. Topher sensed that he was next and decided to cut a deal, "Hey Fox." "Yeah?" "Tell you what: if you let me hold your gun, I'll go right up to bed and straight to sleep. and I won't tell grandma that you two were making out." "Uh-uh, Topher, if I did that, your aunt Dana would personally murder me. Not to mention your mother and your grandmother. And everyone else in this household would probably partake of my slaughtering if I were to let you. Which I am not." "I'm telling..." Topher baited. "Go ahead," Fox said, coolly. Too coolly. Dana looked at him, almost alarmed. "Aww, you're no fun." "3 words Topher. Up. Bed. Now." Fox sounded stern. A disappointed Topher, sulkily seemed to give up and headed towards the stairs. At the foot of them, he stopped and turned around. "I'm telling them tomorrow morning!" He ran up the stairs, but not before noting the consternation that crossed Dana's face. "Nice kid, Dana." "Sweet guy isn't he?" Her lip was curled slightly downwards. Maggie would not forget this as long as either of them lived, nor would Chris, nor would anybody else... "Why don't you want Granma Maggie to know?" Sarah asked. Both agents looked down at the small blond girl, looked at each other and looked back at Sarah. "Well, Sarah, Mom would...um...probably start planning a wedding." Dana shrugged, there really was no reason she didn't want her mother to know. And a wedding wasn't that bad...hang on! This was Mulder she was talking about! Getting married to Mulder. What the hell was she thinking?! "Really? I love weddings! I never been to one but I saw plenty on TV..." Andrea chattered on about a wedding she had seen on Lois and Clark. "What's so bad about weddings?" Sarah interrupted. "One, I don't want to marry anybody yet. Two, who am I going to marry?" "Fox." The prompt answer came from both the little blond girls. "Me." Fox smiled, endearingly. He wound his arms around her, "What about it, Sweetheart? We can run away together and get married in Bermuda." "The Triangle? What do you want to do, have the aliens down there perform the ceremony?" "Gosh, you always argued that it was a giant magnetic field." "No, we haven't gotten to the Bermuda Triangle yet." "Ahh, something to do during the free moments of our honeymoon. Not that there is going to be many of those since we would be engaged in *other* activities," he whispered the last remark into her ear, his breath tickled her neck. A shiver ran down her spine and she unconsciously pressed herself closer to him. "Aunt Dana?" Sarah chirped. She focused her eyes in on Sarah with a questioning look. "Aunt Dana, is there such thing as Santa?" Fox and Dana looked at each other for the millionth time that night and it was silently decided that Fox would handle it. He was the one who usually dealt with the more, shall we say, extreme subjects. "Sarah, if Santa didn't exist, why would people think of him as someone who gives out presents to kids on Christmas?" "I don't know. I'm only 7." Sarah pouted. "Do you think that Santa might have a chance of existing?" Fox was not sure at all of which direction this was going. "Maybe?" "Are you going to take a chance?" "I don't know..." She looked at Fox and Dana who were still cuddled up nicely, contemplated the situation seriously, too seriously for a seven year old that she looked more adorable than ever. Then nodded her head. "You know what Aunt Dana, I don't believe in Santa but I won't let the kids or the grown-ups know. And I'll act surprised tomorrow. Right Andi?" "Yup!" Andi agreed while yawning. Dana realized how late it was and quickly glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. "It's 2:30! OK, Andrea, Sarah, you guys better go to sleep or else you'll never wake up on time to open the presents with the others." "OK, Aunt Dana! See you tomorrow morning...or today morning...I don't know. Love you Aunt Dana! Good night Fox! Hey Sarah, I betcha a candy cane that I can make it to the room faster than you!" Sarah yelled, already running towards the steps and Andrea struggling to catch up. After the two figures disappeared, Dana turned to Fox, "Um, Mulder, let go of me." "What happened to 'Fox'? And why do I have to let go of you?" "Mulder, I'm tired and I want to get to bed already..." "Great, want me to join you?" He squeezed her. "Perhaps some other time," she said carelessly. "Is that a promise?" he asked, serious. His eyes were dark, his voice low, and she found her breath quicken slightly. She lowered her eyes from his and pulled away slowly. He held her fast. "Dana, I..." he started but she silenced him with her finger on his lips. "Mulder...Fox...I'm tired, you're tired...we're both tired...uh...what I'm trying to say is that...that...don't say anything, please. It's too dangerous...uh...don't you understand what I'm talking about?" She looked up at him, hopefully. There was fear in her eyes now, they both knew that they risked separation if anyone were to get romantically involved, that they might lose what they already have, that it would make them an easier target than ever. He saw the fear, was frustrated by it, but understood it nevertheless. "I understand, but..." "Night, Fox." She kissed him lightly on the lips. Then went upstairs to her room leaving him alone in the living room. After around 15 minutes, when he was sure that she was safely in her room, he went upstairs and sought out the room that was for him. But he didn't sleep until dawn.
"Fox! Fox! Wake up! It's morning!" Sarah shouted through the closed door. A rumpled up Fox opened the door and groggily rubbed his eyes. "I'm up Sarah. I'm up. Let me get dressed and I'll be down in a minute. Why don't you go wake up Dana?" "Oh, Emily and Daphne are doing that. Come on Fox! Hurry up! It's Christmas!" she exclaimed impatiently. "I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying..."
"Hey, watch it! You're sitting on my Game Boy game!" Zach accused Jesse. "No, I'm not! It's right here..."She picked something from off the table and handed it to Zach. All the presents had been opened, thank you's had been exchanged, breakfast was eaten and now everyone was just relaxing and examining their gifts. Fox and Dana hardly said a word to each other all morning. A 'good morning', a 'merry Christmas' and perhaps 'please pass the coffee' were all that were exchanged. Both were pretty uncomfortable with what had happened earlier that day. Both knew it was the reasonable thing to do, but they did not agree to it at all. It was almost painful, keeping it in. As if adding injury to insult, Topher decided to speak up. "Hey Granma!" he said loudly, "Did you know that Fox and Dana were kissing last night?" The room went silent. A giggling from Mary, Karen, and Helen started. Even Robin had trouble biting back a smile. Her brothers were smiling too, they had come just a couple hours ago. Dana looked up at the ceiling. And Fox looked at his feet. Sarah piped up abruptly, "Granma! Can we go outside and play in the snow? Please?!" She begged. The rest of the kids started begging also. The grown-ups glanced at Fox and Dana with a gaze that said we'll-get-back-to-this-later. Most of them went scrambling after the kids who had run up the stairs in a stampede to get their clothing on. Topher went up slowly, a smirk on his face. After all the kids were bundled up, which did not take more than fifteen minutes, they ran down the stairs with their parents behind them trying to get earmuffs or scarves or whatever on their kids as well as trying to get into their coats on. All of them were filed out of the house in within 20 minutes. Except Dana, Fox, Chris, Sarah and Maggie. Sarah was outside last, winking at Dana as she ran by. Chris and Maggie caught the wink and burst out laughing with Fox and Dana looking very sheepish. "You're lucky that Sarah thought that up." Chris mentioned after she had caught her breath, "She's good, you gotta give her credit for thinking up that reprieve." "I don't know what you're talking about." Dana smiled. "Come on, you two..." "What?" both asked innocently. "Well, I don't see any mistletoe up. Ooh, Maggie that's what we forgot! The mistletoe!" She gave a look of regret, then brightened again, "Looks like you did fine without it." "Topher doesn't know what he's talking about." Dana was still smiling. "Topher didn't tell me. Mary did. He *confirmed* it." "Remind me to *thank* Mary. Anyway, what if we did?" She sounded defiant. "Why are you being so defensive then?" "Do we have to talk about with Mulder here?" "Why not? It concerns him as well. And stop calling him Mulder!" "Yeah, why shouldn't I be here? And call me Mulder, Scully." He spoke up finally, a gleam in his eye. "Mulder..." "Yeah, Scully?" "Do I take this as a sign that you two are not about to have a wedding anytime soon?" Chris asked. "Don't hold your breath," Dana answered, smiling sweetly, "Anyway, Mom, Mulder has to go soon." "Why aren't you staying longer, Fox?" Maggie questioned. "I'm going to spend the rest of the day with my mom." "Oh, that's sweet of you." "yeah," he agreed and turned to Dana, "So I guess I'll pick you up tomorrow." "No, Mulder, that's OK, it's totally out of your way and..." "That's fine. It doesn't matter. You got your cell phone?" "Yup." "Great, I'll call you tonight then." He nodded towards Chris and Maggie, "Merry Christmas, and thanks for having me." "Your welcome, Fox. Merry Christmas...wait a minute, let me get a picture of you two. Just wait a minute." Maggie went and fetched the camera. When she came back she shifted the two around to find a good place to take the picture. She decided that in front of the wreath in the front hall would do. "OK, move a little to the right, walk a little forward, put your arm around her Fox..." She directed., "What are you talking about, Chris, we didn't forget the mistletoe! They're standing right below it!" Both agents looked up, laughed at what Dana's mother just did and Maggie snapped a picture of them both laughing. "OK, you two lovebirds...ahem...partners. Kiss for goodness sake! Don't break tradition now!" Chris urged them. The two complied and he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Jeez you guys! You didn't pause long enough for Maggie to snap the picture! Longer and on the lips!" "You are pushing it so badly, Chris. I get the negatives of that role of film! Mary'd kill for them and I know it." Dana chuckled. "I'd keep this away from Frohike too," Mulder whispered to her. While she was still smiling, he kissed her. A long one and on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her close. Both of them heard the shutter click three times. Breaking away from each other, they faced Chris who had a smug smile on. "It was a Kodak moment!" she said in her defense. "OK, as much as I would love to stay and help Chris with more pictures, I really have to go, Mom's expecting me in two hours...I'm late. Bye!" He walked out the door and was immediately bombarded by snowballs. Chris, Maggie and Dana laughed loudly as they watched him try to block himself from the chunks of snow. After he got away from the snowballs, he waved back at the women who were still giggling. Watching him drive away, they turned to Dana. "OK, Dana, we really have to talk to you..." The End
Sorry it's SO late! I love comments *hint hint* \(^_^)/
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