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Title: A Runaway Christmas Author: Kelly J. Thompson Rating: PG Category: MSR, Angst, Baby Will fic, AU Summary: Mulder, Scully and William take on the Holidays on the run. Spoilers: NIHT Disclaimer: Santa said I could have them for Christmas, but then I found out he was just a fake Santa working at the Mall. So unfortunately, they still belong to CC, 1013, and Fox. Feedback: Is always welcomed and coveted, so please send it my way at: foreverkel@zoominternet.net Archive: Anywhere as long as it's ok with Karen! Authors Notes: This was written for Karen Perez as part of the MSR Preservation Society's 2004 Holiday Gift Exchange. I hope it's ok , it's not exactly what you asked for, but I had to go where my muse said to. Location Note: I know virtually nothing about the city of Detroit, It just seemed like a good city to set this in. I stayed as vague as I could as to not offend anyone. A special thanks to my beta the one and only Bear, once again you came through for me in a pinch, you're the best! May 2001 Scully glances around her living room, as she tries to calm her fussy baby. She takes in all the luggage littering the floor. The more she stares at the suitcases, the angrier she becomes-- not so much at the man showering in her bathroom, but with herself for willingly sending him away while she and their son stay behind. Pacing anxiously, holding William close, she contemplates her options again. She lists the pros and cons of the situation, with the pros adding up to him leaving. Even though her mind supplies that the best answer is to keep with the plan they devised only twenty-four hours ago, her heart is vehement in its opposition. She's only just gotten Mulder back, and to let him go again would surely be considered insane, especially now when they should be enjoying the miracle that God has so generously bestowed upon them. Gazing down at the child, she can already tell he is going to look just like his father. "How can I possibly be able to look at you everyday, and live with the fact that I sent your father away?" she soothingly asks he infant as she gently rubs his back. Coming to a decision, she walks into her bedroom, easing the now sleeping William into the cradle. Walking to her closet, she pulls out her own luggage, then begins throwing clothes inside. She hears Mulder enter the room but doesn't acknowledge him as she continues packing her bags. Feeling his eyes watch her movements, she finally turns around to face him. "What are you doing, Scully?" he asks, walking closer to her clad in only a towel. "I'm coming with you," she replies simply, staring at him with steely-eyed determination. "But you said yourself that it would be better if I went away by myself," he states. "I know what I said," she snaps, their eyes locked on one another. "But I changed my mind." "There's nothing I'd like more," Mulder responds, gently laying his hands on her shoulders. "But we can't take a newborn baby on the run with us." "We're going with you," she avows staunchly. "I can't let you go without me. Not this time." "It's too dangerous," he vehemently declares, trying to hold his ground as he finds himself taking her earlier stance. "Mulder, you'll be safer with me watching your back, and William will be safer with both of us there for him." "But you shot down all those reasons earlier!" he infers, his confusion evident on his face. "What changed your mind? "My heart," she answers, with tears in her eyes. "Aw, Scully," he croons gently, pulling her into his embrace. "We have to do this together," she mumbles, burying her face into his chest. "It will be tough," he affirms, rubbing his hands over her back. "Not just the usual dangers, either, Scully. Life in hiding with a infant is going to make it so much harder." "I know," she concurs, looking up at him with bleary eyes. "It's one of the reasons I was willing to let you go in the first place." "And you're sure you want to do this?" he inquires, wanting to be one hundred percent sure. "Positive." "Okay," he declares with his eyes locked with hers. "Let's do it." Early Dec. 2001 Scully stares out the window as she sits in the back seat to be close to William. She watches as the snow begins to fall, thinking about how they spent Thanksgiving and every other day since that day in May. They haven't stayed anywhere over one week, and Thanksgiving they were on the road their dinner consisting of a Big Mac for Mulder and a chicken sandwich for herself. She thinks about the little blue 'Baby's First Christmas' stocking that's tucked away in the trunk. She bought it on impulse earlier that day, unable to deny herself of purchasing something to commemorate this milestone in their son's life, even though she has no place to hang it. Leaning her head against the cold glass, she imagines the Christmas they'd have in a perfect world. She can clearly see that little blue stocking hanging on her mantle along side two larger ones in red and white labeled Mulder and Scully in gold glitter. The fire is dancing in the fireplace as the lights on the tree glow with multi-colored splendor. Mulder is on the floor blowing raspberries onto William's belly, causing him to squeal and giggle. She sits on the couch watching father and son. Scully smiles at this vision briefly before the sadness of what they'll be missing overwhelms her. "Mulder," she whispers quietly, unsure if he would even hear her. "Hmm?" he replies softly, not taking his eyes off the road. "Have you given any thought to Christmas?" "Nice holiday, pretty lights. I especially like those little red nighties with the white fur trimming the edges." "I meant about how we're going to be spending it," she retorts, not able to hold keep the amusement from her voice. "I was hoping you'd be wearing one of those nighties," he jokes, looking back at her briefly. "I'm serious," she counters, rolling her eyes. "I know." he answers. "I've seen the lights and decorations everywhere, I just haven't wanted to think about it." "I think we should stop somewhere," she hesitantly suggests. "Maybe rent a small furnished apartment, get a Christmas tree. You know have a real Christmas, for William. . . for us." "I don't know, Scully." "It's Will's first Christmas and I want it to be special," she pleads. "He's not even going to remember it," he argues. "But I will!" she states simply. "We don't know if they're still looking for us." "We haven't had any indication that they are for the last month or so," she reasons. "Besides, it will only be a few weeks, then we can go back to this wonderful nomad lifestyle we have right now." "I know you hate this, but until we're sure it's safe, this lifestyle is what we have to deal with," he affirms, catching a glimpse of her sad face in in the rearview mirror. "Just a few weeks, please," Scully pleads, trying to keep the tears she usually denies herself to keep from falling. Pulling the car over to the side of the road, Mulder gets out, opens Scully's door and pulls her out into his arms. They stand silent in an embrace for a moment, her face buried into his chest. "You really want this?" he inquires softly, stroking her hair. "Yes," she answers, looking up at him the unshed tears glistening in her eyes. "A real Christmas, huh?" he asks, tenderly brushing her cheek. "Yes, with a tree, stockings, gifts, and a nice big dinner," she verifies, a tiny smile appearing on her face. "We can do that," he agrees, smiling down at her. "Yes, we can," she confirms, hugging him close once again. With one last kiss, they get back into the car to begin their search for the a good place to spend the holiday. Mid Dec. 2001 They found themselves a small one-bedroom apartment in Detroit Michigan. It isn't much to look at, but it had everything they'd need for their short stay. After moving in their scant belongings, they spent a couple of days just enjoying a stationary existence, making plans for the holiday and watching their son crawl around, exploring his new surroundings. They were in the new apartment a week before it was decided it was time to pick out a tree. "You know, Scully," Mulder announces as they stand outside a tree lot right there in the middle of the bustling city. "We could have gotten the tree at Wal-Mart, along with everything else we bought." "I know," she acknowledges, bouncing a antsy William on her hip. "But where's the fun in that?" "You want me to take over monkey duty?" he asks with a smile, watching her struggle with the little blue bundle of squirming baby. "No," she answers, smiling back. "You have to handle the tree." "Okay, but that's the easy job," he jibes as they walk out into the lot. They spend a few minutes looking over the array of trees, debating the pros and cons of several of them, when a kindly, chubby, old, fellow who with his snow white hair and beard, completed by the presence of his heavy red coat, resembled Jolly Old Saint Nick. "Can I help you fine folks find a tree this evening?" the old man asks cheerfully, smiling at them. "Oh, my wife and I are just trying to agree on the type of tree to get," Mulder responds, smiling back. "Well, I have a great little tree in the back of the lot just waiting for a young family such as yourselves." Mulder and Scully look at each other questioningly, shrugging their shoulders they agree to follow the man. "I assure you that I'm not trying to rip you off," the man explains. "It's just a really nice little tree." They walk to where the tree was being kept. It was on the small side but they had to agree that it was really a great tree. "Well, what you think, Karen?" Mulder asks , using her alias, after looking over the tree. "I think it's perfect!" Scully declares. "It's just the right size for the apartment." "Well, she's the expert," Mulder announces to the old man. "So, I guess we'll take it." A happy squeal from William shows that he agrees with the decision. The older man lets out a strangely Santa-like laugh. Mulder goes on to pay the man for the tree. "Why don't you go and pull your car closer?" the man orders Mulder. "You can pay for it then, and after that we can get you and your lovely family out of the cold and back at home where you belong." "We'll be fine," she assures him with a smile, at his look of concern. "Go ahead." "Okay," he answers, waving to them as he lopes back to the car. William waves his arms gleefully at his father, causing Scully to laugh and clutch the baby tighter, to keep his squirming body under control. "That's a fine boy you have there," the man observes with a smile. "Thanks," she answers. "We think so too, sir." "Please call me Nicholas," he specifies. "Well, then, thank you Nicholas," she corrects with a kind smile. "So, do you think you you'll get everything you want this year?" Nicholas inquires in the manner of many elderly men. "All I wanted was a nice quiet holiday with my family," she responds, with a sad tone to her voice, as she sits Will on her other hip. "And I already received that, for the most part." "You don't sound so sure of that," Nicholas observes. "Oh, just some family missing this year," she dismisses, thinking of her mother and brothers. "They're missing you too, Dana," he assures her. "And your mother knows you did what you had to." "Wait, how did you know my name?" she asks, shocked at his knowledge. Just as the old man flashes her a gentle smile and a wink, Mulder pulls up, honking the car horn. She turns away from the man toward the car, Mulder waves at them and gets out of the car. "Hey, where did 'Santa Claus' go," Mulder questions with a grin, walking toward her. "What?" she asks, confused, looking around and finds Nicholas nowhere to be seen. "He was just here." "I should go find him," he declares. "I'm going to need some help getting this tree strapped onto the car." "Mul. . . I mean Jim, did you find that man strange at all?" "He seemed all right to me. Why?" "He knew my name," she admits, a worried and confused look on her face. "My real name." "Did he do anything to you or Will?" he asks, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder, the worry evident on his face. "No, we're fine," she affirms, holding Mulder's gaze. "He just said something. That's all." "Did he threaten you?" He demands, his gaze and hand moving to William in examination. "Nothing like that!" Scully assures him. "If anything, he actually was reassuring. It was strange." "What exactly did he say?" "He just said that my family misses me, and that my mom understands why I had to come with you." "That doesn't sound bad at all," he declares, smiling down at her. "I know," she acknowledges. "So, where do you think he went?" They both take a few moments to look for the kindly old man, asking fellow customers if they've seen him. Coming up with nothing, they hunt down another employee to help them with their tree. When they finally are to find a young man to help them they inquire him about Nicholas. "I'm sorry," the boy announces. "But we don't have anyone by that name or description working here." "But that man helped us pick out this tree," Scully argues, shielding the baby from the cold. "Well, it is paid for, so if your last name is Miller, I'll help you get this baby onto your car," the boy points out to them. Mulder and Scully exchange curious glances at the mention of their alias. "That's us," Mulder admits hesitantly. "But we never paid for it." "Says here this tree was bought and paid for, the original receipt and the copy were both attached to the tree," the young man says with a shrug. After accepting the unexpected gift, and getting the tree and themselves settled in their vehicle. "What do you think happened back there?" Scully inquires from the passenger seat. "Do you really want to know what I think?" he asks with a mischievous smile. "No way, Mulder," she admonishes, shaking her head. "That man was not Santa Claus!" "Whoa, Scully, you know me too well," he replies with a chuckle. "What do you expect after nine years?" she retorts with a smirk. "Just think about it for a minute!" He demands, glancing over at her. "The red coat, white beard, mysterious gift and disappearing act." "Yeah , yeah, but we both know Santa Claus doesn't exist," she argues. "That's what you said about aliens," he rejoins. "And look how that's changed." "That's different, and you know it!" Scully declares defensively. "Well, then, what's your explanation?" he queries. "He was just a nice old man, Mulder," she declares. "He knew your real name, Scully!" Mulder exclaims. "Okay, I can't explain that," she admits. "But that doesn't mean he's Santa Claus." "I know," he agrees. "It's a nice thought, though." The conversation is interrupted by a cry from the back seat. Turning their attention to the cranky baby, they forget about the nice old man at the tree lot. Dec. 25, 2001 Scully lies her exhausted baby into the porta-crib they have set up in their small bedroom. Tucking a blanket around him and leaning down to kiss his downy head, she thinks about his happy squeals as he played with the wrapping paper instead of the toys. "Is he asleep?" Mulder asks, leaning against the door frame. "Yeah," she whispers, turning to face Mulder. "Today was good," he declares, smiling at her. "It's not over yet, Mulder," she replies, with a soft chuckle, as she walk up to him. "It's only noon." "I know," he admits, wrapping his arm around her. "It's just been a big day." "He did seem to enjoy himself didn't he?" she asks with a smile, snuggling close to Mulder. "I'd say the gift wrap was a hit," he chuckles, hugging her close. "Mmm, I could stay here forever," she admits, looking up into his eyes. "But I know we can't." "I wish we could too," he agrees, moving his hands over her back in a comforting motion. "But, we have leave sometime next week." "I was talking about getting the turkey ready," she snaps, pulling away from him, flashing him a glare as she stalks away. "But thanks for reminding me." "I'm sorry, Scully," he announces, following after her. "I just wanted this one day without thinking about the road that lie ahead of us," she pleads, stopping in front of the small lighted tree. "And you can have it," he promises taking her into his arms once again. She nestles into his loving embrace, burying her face against his neck. They stay that way for a few moments, until she spots an envelope with 'Dana' written on it sitting on a branch. "What's that, Mulder?" she asks, pointing to the envelope, curious as to what else he may have gotten her. "I don't know," he states with a shrug. "Why don't you open it and see?" "Yes," she concurs, stepping out of his embrace, and grabbing it. She walks to the small sofa and holds it in her hands a moment before pulling out the contents, gasping as she reads the words. "Where did this come from?" "What is it?" Mulder inquires in concern, sitting down beside her. She just sits there with a shocked look on her face, dropping the letter onto her lap. Seizing the opportunity, he takes the letter and reads it as well. ~My Dear Dana,
I do understand why you had to go, the need to be with the man you love far out weighs the need for you mother. Please stay safe. Your Loving Mother~ Mulder finishes the note, looking over at Scully once again to find her in the same position as before. "How the hell did that get here?" she demands, finally looking over at Mulder. "I don't know, Baby," he acknowledges, looking over the letter once again, as he does a smaller piece of paper fall down onto his lap. Seeing the paper fall she picks it up and reads the lines ~Dana,
Stunned, she casts a glance at Mulder, a wry grin forming at her lips. "Well, Mulder, perhaps you'll be getting your wish after all." "Oh, I thought it was a bit early for that, Scully," he declares in a slightly confused voice, an evil grin playing at his lips. "No, not that," Scully replies. "You've definitely made a believer out of me. I now officially believe in Santa Claus." "So do I," Mulder replies, his arms snaking around her. "And I believe in you. And no matter what happens, it's going to be all right. We're not alone, and maybe that's a good thing." "Definitely a good thing," she murmurs as she reaches up to kiss him. The two continue to the kitchen, hand in hand. ~The End~ :santa2: :reindeer: :crazysanta:
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