From: xphilernj@aol.com
Title: An Unexpected Surprise
Author: xphilernj
E-Mail: xphilernj@aol.com
Date: 25 December 2004
Rating: PG-13
Category: Christmas Fic,AU,V,M/S established
relationship with a smidgen of angst, not much,
I promise. Definitely Sallie Safe.
Spoilers: Emily/Christmas Carol
Timeline: Somewhere around the seventh season.
Requiem NEVER HAPPENED!!
Summary: *I can't breathe.* As he looked into
her glistening eyes, the only thought was, *I
can't breathe.*
Author Notes: This story is dedicated to my
dear friend Fibbie. Love you dearly.
Disclaimer: Run, run as fast as you can. You
can't catch me.
* * *
One week before Christmas...
Mulder shivered as he drew the collar of his
leather jacket up close around his neck and
gingerly stepped through the ice and snow to
the glass doors which would lead him to the
warmth he desperately needed at the moment.
He glanced back and shook his head as the
snow that had plagued D.C. for the fourth day
running kept falling. He opened the door
before him, stepped inside and was instantly
warmed by the central heating and the sea of
people searching for the perfect Christmas gift.
His eyes scanned the crowd with amusement at
the hustle and bustle of so many. Mothers with
frowns and exhaustion etched across their faces
as they tugged screaming toddlers behind them.
Couples holding hands with looks of wonder and
excitement the season had to offer. The music
that filtered in from above seemed to lend an
air of magic to the little ones who, with their
noses pressed to the window panes, stared at the
many treasures they hoped would magically appear
Christmas morning under the grand tree.
Mulder smiled. He couldn't believe he was actually
looking forward to shopping. Like any other human
male on this planet, he went in, got what he needed
and was out in a matter of minutes. No browsing,
seeking, or searching. Just grab and run.
Shaking his head, he ventured into the fray on a
mission borne of determination and hope.
* * *
Three days earlier...
Mulder looked at his watch for the fifth time. He
glanced at Scully when she sighed, closed another
file and tossed it to the side. He wondered what
was bothering her this time. He could probably
venture a guess, but he had much rather her tell
him than embarrass himself, or her, coming to the
wrong conclusion, again.
She looked up as the phone rang and quickly
snatched up the receiver.
"Scully. Hi, mom." Mulder couldn't help but
worry when her face paled. "No. I told you last
week. No, nothing's changed. I know, mom, but I
just can't this time. Please, mom, not now."
Mulder tried to pretend he wasn't listening, but
his curiosity and overwhelming concern for his
partner overrode any common sense he might have
had before she answered the phone. He watched
her carefully: saw the small lines form on her
forehead, her face pale and the down turn of her
lips as she listened to the caller. It was all
he could do to sit passively by and watch the
myriad of emotions flitting across her face.
When the single tear escaped her closed eyes he
couldn't sit by any longer.
Mulder quietly rose from his chair and made it
around his desk before her eyes opened wide and
she shook her head.
"Mom, I know you want me to go and I know Bill
is expecting me there, but I just can't.
Please. I just can't. All right. We'll talk
later. I love you, too."
Mulder didn't move as she hung up the phone and
closed her eyes. He slowly walked to her side
and knelt beside her. Scully bowed her head as
another tear followed the one before. Mulder
gingerly pulled her into his arms and palmed
the back of her head, holding her to his chest.
Glancing at the door, he took a shaky breath,
praying that no one would venture in.
"Scully, talk to me. Please," he whispered in
her ear.
He felt her body shake and then her arms wound
around his waist. She turned her face into his
neck and he could feel the dampness of her
cheeks as she softly kissed him.
"Scully, let's close up and head home. There's
nothing else that needs to be done. It's almost
five and Skinner's in a meeting. No one will
care if we leave a little early. How about it,
partner?"
Mulder pulled back enough to caress her cheek
with the back of his fingers and then pushed a
strand of hair behind her ear. With a smile,
he pulled a hankerchief from his back pocket and
gently wiped the tears away. She sniffled and
then nodded her head.
"Okay? Come on, let's go." He stood and pulled
her to her feet and placed a kiss on her cheek
before turning and retrieving his jacket and
briefcase.
With his hand on the small of her back, he led
her out, turned and locked the door.
* * *
Scully's apartment
Mulder busied himself in the kitchen as Scully
retreated to her bathroom. Placing the kettle
on the stove and then pulling out a couple of
mugs and bags of tea, he went about his task
with familiarity.
Waiting for the water to boil, he leaned against
the counter and stared at the two cups, then
closed his eyes. He knew if he was still long
enough all his senses could detect every nuance
that was Scully. Here, he felt warm and safe.
He felt at home. Yes, he had a place. A place
that held too many ghosts - memories, good and
bad. A cold, dark place that never seemed to
hold the warmth he craved. A lonely place he
could never call home. A place, he had come to
realize, he only visited. A place he couldn't
stay in for too long.
He smiled as his senses detected a presence.
He could hear the whisper of silk, smell the
light scent of lavender, feel the touch of a
soft, gentle hand on his face. He opened his
eyes, could see the light of love and taste the
honey she offered with a kiss.
He pulled her closer, craving the warmth and
love only she could provide.
* * *
Scully stood in front of the bare tree and
sighed. When they brought in the tree two
days ago, her intentions were to have it
decorated by now. But, she had been so tired
by the end of the work day and the bouts of
nausea had left her with little or no energy
to deal with digging out the boxes of lights
and ornaments. And then, there was the task
of finding another angel to adorn the top of
the tree. She wasn't sure she wanted to replace
it yet.
Sadly, she remembered taking the small angel
that had been a light and comfort to her to
the cemetery and placing it upon Emily's grave.
There, she said a prayer that the angel would
watch over her daughter. There, she shed the
tears that she would not allow anyone else to
see. There, she left a piece of her heart.
Scully inhaled the scent of pine and wiped a
solitary tear from her cheek. Two strong arms
encirled her with the warmth and love she had
come to depend upon. She leaned her head back
against his chest and felt his lips caress her
cheek. She closed her eyes and whispered softly.
"Mulder, we need to talk."
She turned in his arms and looked up into his
eyes. Her hand shook as she reached up and
tenderly tried to stroke the frown from his
[continued in next message]
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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