Chapter Text
Scully clings to her glass of eggnog, watching the Christmas party her family dragged her to rather than joining in. They try. Tara tries first, asking her to dance with her and baby Matthew. Who, Scully has to admit, isn’t so baby anymore. When she keeps declining, they send Bill.
“Have some fun,” he grumbles, looking as miserable as her.
“I am having fun,” Scully says.
In the end, her mother puts a glass of eggnog into each of their hands, accepting that her two children are the party poopers here at the church’s Christmas party. After a while, Bill leaves her be to spend
time with his own small family unit. Scully watches her big brother smile at his wife and laugh at his son’s dancing moves. The sting in her heart is swift, but painful. She thinks of Emily. Of little babies with Mulder’s curious eyes and her nose. Dreams that will never materialize.
At least there’s eggnog.
Scully can guess why her mother wanted her here. She hasn’t said anything, but it’s always implied that she hopes she’ll meet a nice man, get married, settle down. Something that makes her shudder. She glances at the other people here, none of whom she knows. How could she? She’s on the other side of the country and far, far away from home. From Mulder. She tries not to think about him. At least not too much. The more time she spends here at the party, the harder it is. They did their whole spiel about not calling each other. And for once, Mulder is sticking to it.
“Hello.” She’s been so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t see a man approaching. He smiles at her, a bit shy. He lifts his own glass of eggnog as a greeting. Scully smiles back at him. Her eyes dart about, wondering if her mother or Bill has sent him over.
“Hi,” she says back, feeling like she’s back in school.
“Saw you standing here,” he says. “My name is Todd.”
“Dana.”
“Bill’s sister? He’s told me about you.” She sighs inwardly, putting on a fake smile. “You here for Christmas?”
“Yes.” She tries to find Tara or her mother somewhere. Anyone she knows so she can excuse herself.
“Are you here alone?” Todd’s smile is sweet enough.
“I’m alone,” she replies against her better judgment.
“If you need a date for New Year’s Eve,” Todd says, winking at her. “Or if you want to meet up again before that, we can-”
“Um, I think- this eggnog,” she says, clearing her throat. “I think I should-” she makes a hand gesture, but Todd just looks at her. “I’m not feeling well,” Scully explains. Todd continues to stare at her. “Excuse me.” She jogs off, hoping Todd doesn’t follow her. Her family is still nowhere to be found. Turning around, she catches Todd slowly making his way toward her.
Fuck.
Scully abandons her eggnog and makes her way through the large room, trying to find a perfect hiding spot. Her phone vibrates in her pocket and she takes it out, answering on autopilot.
“Scully.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too.” Mulder’s voice makes her smile in spite of the situation she finds herself in.
“I’m happy to hear your voice,” she admits, keeping an eye on the crowd.
“You could have called.”
“We said we wouldn’t.”
“Do you want me to hang up again?”
“Don’t you dare.” His chuckle is music to her ears. “So,” he asks. “Feel better?”
“Huh?”
“You just said you’re not feeling well. The eggnog.”
Her heart somersaults. It can’t be. How would Mulder know what she just said to Todd? Her eyes start roaming again. There are only unfamiliar faces. At least there’s no Todd either.
“How do you know what I-,” she trails off when she spots him. Mulder. Phone to his ear, grin on his face. He ends the call, pockets his phone and walks over to her.
“Mulder?” she asks, feeling breathless and fighting the urge to hug him.
“Funny running into you here.” Scully slaps his arm, making him laugh.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was invited.”
“By whom?”
“Your mother made it very clear that my being here was non-negotiable.”
“She didn’t tell me. I thought she was trying to-” she doesn’t finish her sentence. Here she thought her mother was trying to set her up with some church-going guy she deemed nice enough for a future son-in-law.
“Trying to what?”
“Nothing,” she says with a small laugh.
“Is this- is this a good surprise or would you rather spend more time with Todd?”
“I hope you know the answer to that.” He nods. Speak of the devil. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees the other man, who seems reluctant to give up. “Mulder? Would you dance with me?”
“Is Todd approaching?” he asks.
“He is, but I also- I want to dance with you.” Her cheeks warm when she realizes it’s true.
“Well then, Dr. Scully,” he says, taking her hand. It’s warm. His presence makes her feel light. When he draws her close, she giggles. She looks up at him, losing herself in his eyes. She doesn’t know if they’re moving in sync with the Christmas music. All she knows is that Mulder is here and everything feels right.