Title: Yes, Mulder, There Is a Santa Claus Summary: Scully is leaving for Christmas vacation. Mulder would like time for one last gift. It was Thursday, December 23, and most people were of the mind to complete their Christmas shopping or gather with friends and family. Even those not of the Christian faith or belief shared in the festivities of the season. And at least this year, Christmas fell conveniently on a Saturday, giving most people a 4 day weekend. But Fox Mulder was not among the revelers or shoppers. Instead, he was focused on what he WASN'T getting for Christmas, namely Dana Scully. Not that he was expecting her to wrap herself in cellophane and ribbons then appear on his doorstep with an invitation to unwrap her - a gift he would welcome with open arms despite his paranoia that it might be a cruel trick. Mulder was just hoping to share some of his time off with her without dragging her into another X-File like last year. The one gift he wanted to give her was the knowledge that he could be somewhat 'normal' and that she meant more to him than just his partner in his seemingly endless pursuit. Mulder had told her countless times how much he needed her as part of his work but he could never find the words or opportunity to tell her that he wanted to be with her even after it was all over. When there was nothing left but a man, very much in love with a beautiful woman of loving character and strong ideals. But this was not the time, not the Christmas, to offer that gift of love. Scully has hurrying to finish at the office so she could get on with her own life. She and her mother were flying to San Diego early the next day to see her bother and his family, and she wasn't going to be back for a week. Mulder would spend his holiday alone with his X-Files and old movies filled with sentimental cheer he could only imagine. Watching from across his desk, pretending to read his files, Mulder watched Scully's growing anticipation of her vacation. There was an almost child-like enthusiasm laid over her professional business-like fa=E7ade. Her cheeks were ruddy with the flush of activity and excitement. He could almost imagine her sitting on Santa's lap asking for a new set of lock picking tools. Suddenly his thoughts shifted to more adult wishes as he pictured this radiant woman sitting on his lap instead. Licking his lips nervously, he asked, "Hey, Scully, what are your chances for a Merry Christmas? Have you been naughty or nice?" He grinned with a teasing leer and added, "Or have you been nice and naughty?" Scully pouted her lips trying to suppress the growing smile. "Neither, Mulder. I've been working with you." she shot back with playful sarcasm. "Ouch!" he feigned. "So is that why you're deserting me for a week?" "Deserting you?" Scully stopped her work and gave him her full attention. "May I remind you about the two page list of military contacts you asked me check out while I'm in California? Not to mention the fact that I haven't had any time off in months. And I promised to be back before New Year's Eve in case any Y2K bugs or monsters break loose. And..." Mulder held up his hands in mock surrender. "All right! Go! Enjoy yourself. Give Bill my love and kisses." Scully smiled and remarked, "How about I work on mentioning your name without him cringing?" then resumed her work. After a few minutes, a serious look crossed her face. "Mulder, do you have any plans for this weekend?" He swallowed hard trying to think of an answer that didn't sound hopelessly pathetic. "Naw. I was hoping to just relax for a few days, catch up on my newsletters..." Scully laughed lightly. "You...relax? Only if someone poisons your water supply again." Mulder shrugged because she was right. She knew him so well yet she never let on if she knew how he felt about her. "You know I'd invite you to come along if the flights weren't so booked up..." Mulder waved his hand in a polite refusal. "Don't worry about it. It's a family gathering. I wouldn't fit in." Scully approached his desk and gazed at him with soft eyes. Touching his hand as it rested on the desk she replied quietly, "Mulder, you are family. My X-Files family. The family I chose to be a part of. " "I...I appreciate the sentiment." Mulder bit his lower lip and fought the urge to say more, as he stared at her hand upon his. With his other hand he reached into his desk and pulled out a wrapped present. "Here, Scully. Merry Christmas," he said as casually as possible. Scully moved her hand off his and took the gift. "Mulder, I thought we agreed not to..." Mulder chuckled, "Seriously, Scully, when I have I ever really agreed with you on anything?" Scully smiled and caressed the present. "You're right. I was going to get you something but I haven't had time. I decided to bring you back something from San Diego." "As long as it's not an alien infested diving suit." Mulder quipped referring to an old X-File. He frowned slightly was he realized his whole history with Scully really was all about the X-Files. How could he ever hope for more unless.... "Hey, Scully, what are you doing tonight?" "Why? What did you have in mind?" Scully asked suspiciously. "If you really feel bad about not getting me anything, why don't we go now?" Mulder asked nervously. Scully raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Go shopping? With you? For your Christmas present?" Mulder cleared his throat and retreated slightly. "It's just an idea. Don't feel obligated..." Scully beamed and replied, "Actually, I think it's a great idea. It would nice to not worry about work for a change. Consider this a warm up for my days off." Scully examined the gift. "Can I open it now?" she asked excited. He grinned and nodded. Tearing off the wrapping, she saw it was a CD then practically giggled with glee. "Hotel California. This was my favorite when I was a teenager. How did you know?" "I talked with your mother the other day. And then I thought about it and decided the song was probably the first X-File you ever showed an interest in. You know... 'you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave...' Kind of spooky, isn't it." Mulder rocked in his chair trying to hide the pure pleasure of a minor breakthrough in his relationship with his enigmatic partner. She was delighted with his present and they were getting away from the office, together. Mulder and Scully went to a large mall in Arlington with no particular agenda. Although the intent was to find something for Mulder, they wandered casually window shopping, letting the conversation flow freely. The teasing and banter continued as usual but there was a spark of something new and different. Something tempting and exciting. Something neither would dare to label as 'romance.' But the mood came to sudden halt when a commotion broke out at one of the major department stores. A rather large display of ornaments had fallen over and injured several people. Most injuries were minor but one man was knocked unconscious. Mulder and Scully approached the distraught store manager and offered to help. "Not unless you can remove a curse from this store," the manager moaned. "A curse?" Mulder said asked excitedly as Scully rolled her eyes and tended to the victims. The manager nodded. "Yes. Ever since I fired my assistant manager, we've been having accidents and all sorts of problems." "And you fired him because...?" Mulder inquired. "He was a Satanist," the middle aged portly manager whispered. "He wore black all the time. Had that pentagram symbol around his neck. Came in at odd hours of the night to finish his bookkeeping." Mulder frowned. "And you think he cursed your store?" Nodding her replied, "And it couldn't happen at a worse time. Rumors are spreading, people are avoiding the store, sales are down..." A young boy, no more than 12 years old approached and said, "It's no curse. You're just a lousy manager. Jason knew how to do it ten times better." Mulder raised an eyebrow at the boy then turned to the manager. "Jason is the man you fired?" "Yes, Jason Reed." Looking rudely at the boy he asked, "And who are you, young man, butting into my business." The boy pointed to the decoration wreckage and replied, "That's my Dad knocked out over there. We're going to sue!" By this time Scully had joined them and addressed the boy directly, being almost eye-to-eye with the gangly youth. "I don't think it's anything serious but the ambulance is on the way." The smart mouthed boy replied, "And who are you? Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman?" Scully pursed her lips and displayed her badge. "No, Special Agent Scully, FBI. But I do happen to be a medical doctor and your father does not have any signs of a serious head injury. I do think he should be checked more thoroughly." Mulder nodded and looked back at the manager. "About that curse?" "We've had five large accidents over the last two weeks since I fired Jason," he explained. "Could it just be a simple case of sabotage by a disgruntle former employee?" Scully asked seriously. Pointing to the display, she remarked, "A simple wedge would put the whole thing off balance and anyone touching it could trigger the fall." The boy ran over to the mess and dug around, stepping around his father with a concerned look. Scully followed after him. "Why don't you leave that to us?" she suggested kindly. The boy snapped at her. "Don't condescend to me. I know the FBI doesn't have any case here. My Dad's a lawyer." Scully was about to be talked down to by a punk kid. "Maybe you'd better leave the arguments to your father. The FBI does have jurisdiction in case of a conspiracy to retrain trade." She and the boy continued to argue as Mulder spoke to the manager again. "Now about that curse..." Mulder started. "Do you have the details on the other accidents?" "In my office. No one's been injured seriously so I never called the police but our lawyers insisted we keep records and photos." He pointed at the unconscious man who stirred slightly. "But this...this is getting out of hand. And that kid...what I'm I going to do about him?" Mulder glanced over at Scully who seemed to have reached a truce with the boy, just as the ambulance arrived. "Let us take care of him. We'll see if there's family to notify or we'll call child protective services. In the mean times we'll see what he knows about Jason Reed." He signaled Scully to join him as the boy watched his father be loaded in the ambulance. "I know you have a plane to catch in the morning but how about one more X-Files for the road?" Scully frowned. "This is not an X-Files. At worst, it's a series of pranks perpetrated by the former employee, maybe even by that boy." Mulder patted her on the shoulder and grinned, "On come, Scully. We came here to get me a Christmas present. What could be better than a Christmas X-File? The price is right." Scully shook her head. "All right, fine. But don't even think of trying to exchange it." Mulder's hand had wandered down her arm and he clasped her hand in his. "It's just what I wanted." He remained at the store to check the scene and look over the information from the previous accidents. Scully would accompany the boy to the hospital in the ambulance and work her magic on uncovering the hidden secrets of a 12-year-old. The boy's father was identified as Kingston Lassiter and he faded in and out of lucidity but the boy didn't seem unduly upset. Settling next to him, she said, "We got off to a bad start back there. Why don't we start over? I'm Special Agent Dana Scully, FBI." She extended her hand out professionally. The boy shook hands heartily. "Kingston Lassiter, Jr.," he announced confidently. Scully went through the formalities of asking if there was anyone else she should notify about his father condition but Kingston informed her they were alone this Christmas. His parents were divorced and his mother was off "...in Fiji or Tahiti or some place..." Scully looked over at the disinterested Paramedic and continued to get information. "Your father seems to be suffering from more than just a bump on the head. Does he have spells of dizziness or blacking out?" The boy nodded. "Yeah. He takes medicine for it but sometimes getting knocked around makes it come back." Scully nodded to the paramedic who scribbled a note on his clipboard. The boy spoke up, changing the subject quickly. "So you think this was some kind of conspiracy? I think it's just poor management." "You seem to know a lot about that store. Do you visit it often?" Scully asked as innocently as possible. The boy shrugged. "I used to when Jason worked there. He was into on-line gaming and we used to team up together." Scully started formulating possible scenarios where this Jason used the boy to act out his revenge, emulating a computer search-and-destroy game. Then she realized she was getting just a paranoid as Mulder and went back to trying to be open minded. When she asked if he still spoke to Jason, Kingston replied, "Yeah, all the time. He got job at a bookstore. He says it doesn't pay as well but it's a lot more fun. He can dress anyway he likes without his boss getting all over him." "So he doesn't seem upset about being fired?" Scully inquired directly. "Nope," Kingston replied. "He didn't do it, you know. He's not causing those accidents. There's no curse." Scully smiled. "I didn't think there was. My partner may have other ideas but he's checking them out at the store." The boy wrinkled his face. "What? Is he crazy or something? How could an FBI agent think someone put a spell on a department store?" Scully lips turned up at the corner. "Agent Mulder never rules out any possibilities." The boy huffed. "I suppose he believes in Santa Claus, too." "Don't you believe in Santa Claus?" Scully asked. "That's just for little kids," Kingston growled. Before she could reply, they arrived at the hospital and they unloaded the boy's father. Scully explained what all the procedures were from the x-ray to the CAT Scan and the boy seemed to be able to understand most of it. It was obvious he was educated well in science and facts but even Scully saw a void in his emotional development. He didn't seem the least bit bothered by his father under going all these tests. And when he was told his father would have to spend the night in the hospital, Kingston just shrugged and said he'd be fine alone for the night. It struck Scully that this boy was not unlike her is his no-nonsense practical attitude. But there was something missing. He was not without emotions but there was an almost fatalistic sense of the inevitable, as if he simply put up with this world until he found new alternatives. She had found Mulder which turned her entire outlook around, learning faith and hope as a way of life. As she pondered how she might help to restore hope to this young boy, Mulder called to tell her someone was clearly trying to make these accidents look supernatural. There was no evidence of any mechanical device to trigger the accidents but the scenes were not secured from the perpetrator removing the evidence. In the time since Reed was fired, several other incidents had occurred. A meaningless collection of unrelated icons was painted on the shipping door, a pool of fake blood was found in the ladies room, and chicken bones were scattered in the Children's clothing department. Someone was 'spooking' the manager. Scully reported that according to the boy, it wasn't likely to be Jason Reed and she had no reason to doubt him. Mulder thought for a moment. "Ask the kid if he knew anyone else who as upset when he lost his job?" In moments in he could overhear the boy's description of Reed's girl friend who constantly told him to 'stop playing kids games and grow up.' She kept pushing him to try to get his job back but Jason was happy where he was. "Got that, Mulder?" Scully finished. "According to Mr. Lassiter here, we have a prime suspect. Sorry, no X-File." Mulder mused, "I don't know...the plotting mind of a scorned woman is as mysterious as any X-Files." He paused for a moment then said sincerely, "Thanks for indulging me anyway, Scully." "I live to indulge you, Mulder," she answered, halfway serious. The sentiment wasn't lost on her partner who promised to turn the case over to police so he could pick her up at the hospital. "There's no rush," she explained. "It might be a while for the social worker to arrive to take custody of Kingston and he's proving to be better at deductive reasoning than you." "I'd better hurry then. I don't want anyone stealing my partner," he answered sincerely. He didn't want anyone taking her from his work, or his life or his heart. Not even a 12-year-old prodigy. As Scully and Kingston waited in the hospital cafeteria, the boy told her that he wanted to be scientist when he grew up. "I like dealing with facts. Real facts, not like that stuff my Dad is always talking about." Scully offered, "You mean 'testimonials' and 'expert opinions'?" Kingston nodded wildly. "You know, Kingston, facts don't tell the whole story. That's why I rely on my partner to investigate some of the more extreme possibilities. " "Sounds like a waste of time." The boy twitched slightly as if he was trying to think of a good example. "Like that Santa Claus thing. Why waste my time believing in someone that doesn't exist." Scully gazed at the boy seriously. "How do you know he doesn't exist?" The boy raised his eyes in a surprised gawk. "Can you scientifically prove that Santa Claus doesn't exist." "Come on. He's just a fairy tale, a myth, a story parents made up to get kids to behave." Kingston argued. "That's not how a serious researcher approaches a question." Scully rebuked. "Check the background. Santa Claus is based on real historic figures. Some of the details may have been lost over the years but the basic fact remains that a man who loved children brought them gifts in celebration of the birth of Christ." "But how can it be the same man? He'd be ancient." Kingston argued. "And how could he do all the things they say he can? And why don't all good kids get presents out of thin air?" Scully nodded. "You're off to a good start. You're asking 'how' instead of saying 'it can't be'. That's the toughest part of all." She sighed as she recalled her years with Mulder and seeing things which, in her mind, couldn't be real. "All right then...let's go item by item." Much to her surprise, Scully went on to explain how Santa Claus could be real and she had a lot more fun than trying to rationalize alien viruses and zombies. "First, Santa Claus may be a title instead of just one man. There could be generations of them. Or he might even be a spirit manifested in the flesh for only a brief time each year." The boy gave her a doubtful look. "Several tribal cultures practice spirit transmigration as part of ritual celebration. Whether it's actually a spirit or just the psychological manifestation of a cultural arch-type, the person truly believes he has become the spirit." The kid scratched his head. "Are you saying Santa Claus is a ghost that possess someone each year?" Scully shrugged. "In a way, it possess us all. We all give gifts and celebrate. And it's more than just mass marketing. It's a real human emotion that we're afraid to show the rest of the year. Sometimes, it's not easy to tell a friend how much they mean to you but if you can give them a gift from the heart, they understand. And the gift doesn't have to be store bought and gift-wrapped. Sometimes it's just an emotion or a moment that is shared completely between two people." Scully suddenly wished Mulder was there to hear her. She gazed down self consciously when she heard a familiar voice join in. "So Doctor Scully," Mulder said slowly as he walked in the room, "What about all those stories of flying reindeer and visiting all the children of the world in one night? Is that just legend, or is there some facts that might support the scientific possibilities albeit extreme in nature." A broad bright smile appeared on her face as she address Mulder and the boy. "Well, quantum physics has opened some new ideas in the field of matter and energy transfer. Some people even believe we can overcome the physical barriers to space travel if we study the applications of an energy beam which can travel at the speed of light." "Why reindeer?" Mulder teased. "Increased surface area due to the fur and antlers, to facilitate re-materialization, and the raw pulling power once the matter conversion is complete." Scully replied as if she truly meant it. By now Kingston was smiling as well. "So now you're saying that Santa Claus is a practical physicist?" Scully hugged the boy and replied, "I'm saying that if we believe, we can understand miracles. If we take off the blinders of skepticism, we can create a world of our choosing. We can't ignore the real world, the law of physics and the laws of social order that govern our day to day life. But we can learn that laws and rules are boundaries that we set ourselves with doubts and fears. Once we have the knowledge and maturity to let go of the old rules, we can ask the dreamers among us where to go next." She glanced over at Mulder who walked slowly towards her. "There's a bit of dreamer in all of us." Mulder remarked. "And maybe that's the greatest gift of all." By now he had across the room and had taken Scully's hand. Just then the social worker arrived to collect Kingston. Scully reluctantly said good night but he promised to remember what she said as he remarked, "When I discover the real Santa Claus, you'll be the first to know." Mulder escorted Scully outside to the car, still holding her hand. "Hey, Scully. Thanks for the Christmas present." Scully looked curiously at him. "What present? We left the mall before I got you anything." He smiled and squeezed her hand affectionately. "You opened your eyes and your heart to my world, to our world, without regret and without restrictions. Scully, you believe in Santa Claus." She softly stretched up and kissed his cheek. "Why shouldn't I? I believe in you." He brushed his cheek against hers in a heartfelt hug. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Spooky." END
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