Takes place: Season six, post- "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas"
Characters: Mulder, Scully, mention of Lyda
Rating: Tame. G.
Disclaimer: The word formatting is mine, anything else, not.
A/N: Please R and R!
Time
When Scully arrived at Mulder's apartment, he welcomed her, glad to reassure himself that she hadn't shot him and he hadn't shot her. She was understandably rattled, even if she didn't show it.
And like past Christmases, they pretended to be above gift giving.
Mulder gives her a package, and Scully laughs cheerfully; there is relief and gratitude in her eyes, and she hands him his gift, and he smiles in admiration.
They sit on the couch, and when she moves closer to him in happy silence, they think nothing of it.
It is simply a gesture between two close friends, who are more comfortable together than alone. Scully moves closer to him because…those few feet can make all the difference.
Outside it is snowing, and in other homes, everywhere, couples like them are doing the same thing. The only difference is in what follows. After they are done unwrapping gifts, Scully will not nudge closer to Mulder, attempt to burrow into his shoulder or fall asleep in his arms. At the most, she will sit next to him, and he will put his arm behind her shoulders.
It is a gesture of familiarity, but the comfort the other one feels is something few ever experience.
The room is cheery in its plainness, and they are both happy in their separated spheres. It is warm inside and cold outside, and they know that as long as the other is there, the evening will not digress to things "only in their heads."
Bill will be angry in the morning, and her mother will look at her with worry, but now, Scully is happy. She is content, and she does not think of Bill or her family. Mulder is next to her and the evening is like a dream. They are sitting next to each other on the worn leather couch, and later Mulder will be passed on the floor—Scully will be sleeping on that couch.
But in that moment, they do not yearn for more. In the back of their minds, there is the nagging feeling that the ghosts were right…but they are both content where they are.
They are together and they are alive. Between the two of them, they have already had more adventures than most have in a lifetime. It is Christmas, and she feels more at ease here than with her own family.
Scully glances over at Mulder, and smiles—he's nibbling on sunflower seeds, appearing to be thoroughly engrossed in an old movie. She can tell he's barely paying attention, more reflecting on the evening.
She thinks that someday they'll look back, and they'll laugh about the good times they had.
In Mulder's warm apartment, two people sit in complete silence and understanding. "Merry Christmas Mulder," Scully says to the air, and without a word, Mulder turns to her and kisses her on the forehead.
"Merry Christmas Scully."
She needs nothing more than to sit next to him.
They're not lovers, but like Lyda said, "There'll be a lot of time to work that out."