A/N: Hey guys it's been awhile since I've written a fanfiction but I have been binging The X-Files recently and I have really been in the mood to write. I am currently on summer vacation of hopefully my final year at school. As much as I should be working on my portfolio I much rather spend it here. So a few things before I start, I love Mulder angst stories it's my guilty pleasure, with that being said, every chapter will start with a warning of the contents of the chapter without spoiling the story.
Summary: Mulder falls ill while on holiday. A serial killer running amuck. And the ups and down of his relationship with Scully
Word Count: 2,863
Warning: Drinking, anxiety, Depression,
X…X
4:00 AM
Washington D.C.
December 23rd, 1999
It was quite out, still dark as the cool december night slowly shifts to day. The streets of the often crowded D.C. area are silent, individuals laid still sleeping in the warmness of their homes, pardoning the few who prefer an early start to their day. One home in particular had flashes of light protruding through the open window, inside is a man sat on his sofa. His breathing is slow, the man almost seems asleep, however his bloodshot green eyes, that are following the actions on the TV, give away his wakefulness. A pile of used tissues lay on the floor next to the man's feet and an empty bottle of Tylenol sit atop his coffee table. He was ill, that was obvious.
A loud bang and an angry voice sound over the loudness of the movie that was playing on the TV.
"Turn that the fuck down! It's four in the fucking mornin'!" The man jumps up, swaying slightly on his feet but quickly moves towards his TV, turning the dial until the TV switched off. Silence remained in the room after, just darkness and silence. The man, other wise known as Special Agent Fox Mulder, stood still not daring to move in case a squeaky floorboard disturbs his neighbors obnoxiously short temper. After a minute of no yelling from his neighbor Mulder felt it safe to move. He made his way towards his bedroom, he had lost hope at sleep about an hour ago and now he was just counting the hours before it was an appropriate enough time to head into work. But he was antsy, he had hopped he could get a few hours of sleep if just to make the time go faster.
Going through his wardrobe Mulder picked out his outfit for the day, unfortunately he didn't have much variety in clothing and it took him no more than 5 minutes to pick out a suit shirt and tie. Sighing the weakened man slowly made his way to his bed allowing his body to just fall onto the cushioned mattress. He lay face first against the black sheets and inhales deeply, they still smell like her. It's been a few days but the sheets still have her smell lingering on them, he inhaled again and this time memories came flying back, he stomach clenched and his breath hitched.
8:00 pm
Washington D.C.
December 20th 1999
"Mulder we are going to be late!" Light taps are heard moving into the living room as Scully makes her way towards her apparently hard of hearing boyfriend. Scully stopped in her tracks as she stared at Mulder her hands lying softly on her hips. Mulder was on his laptop, hunched over so she couldn't see what was on his screen.
Scully, who was growing more agitated, began moving towards him curious as to what could possibly have him so focused that he wouldn't even acknowledge her. Soft christmas music played as she walked towards Mulder, he seemed oblivious to her movement distracted by whatever he was looking at on his screen as scully grew closer more of the screen became visible, at first Scully was confused, it seemed as if Mulder was looking at a girl, she saw brown curly hair and pale skin, Scully became increasingly more curious she took another step towards Mulder, creating a loud and deep creek to sound across the apartment. Mulder jumped at the sound, closing his laptop quickly and turning towards Scully.
He seemed mildly embarrassed, like a boy caught looking at some dirty pictures. His cheeks and neck turned a light shade of red and his green eyes looked pass Scully.
"Hey Mulder I was calling, are you ok?" Scully looked at Mulder, he was acting strange, stranger than normal. A small smile crept onto Mulder's face and the distance in his eyes seemed to change.
"Yeah I'm fine I was just really into an article I found online." Mulder stood up from his seat at his desk and this was the first time Scully laid eyes on her partner. Mulder was dressed in a pair of fitted black trousers, a plain white dress shirt, a black bowtie, and black suspenders with a plain black blazer. His hair, which was longer than it normally was, was slicked back into a stylized mold. He bright green eyes reflected brightly through the lense of his new glasses. Scully's eyes shifted down to Mulder's face making eye contact with him and seeing a smirk plastered across his features. "See something you like?"
It's Scully's turn to blush like a schoolgirl, she turned her head away and a smile graced her features. "You look very Handsome." Mulder's smile grew larger and his eyebrows wiggled.
"Well thank you. You look absolutely stunning if I do say so myself." Mulder leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Scully's cheek and down her neck to her shoulder. "And you smell absolutely delightful." He kissed her neck tasting her scent, she tasted like vanilla.
"Mulder we are going to be late."
"Remind me why we are going to this party again?" Mulder said placing one final kiss apon Scully's plump lips and stepped back.
"Because we are invited every year and you never go."
"Because half of those people don't associate with me."
"Maybe because you don't let them, but you are a charming" Scully lays a kiss onto his forehead "Handsome" kiss on his cheek "and an intelligent man" she lays a gentle kiss onto his lips. "There's no reason someone wouldn't want to associate with you." a small smile graced Mulder's lips. "Now let's get movie we're already late.
X...x
The couple walked hand in hand through the lobby, towards the cold winter night, it had begun to snow, small flakes of snow littered down on Mulder's Jacket and on Scully's thing sweater.
"I guess that's a no on the walking?" Scully looked at him with a 'no shit' expression wrapping her thin arms around her shivering body. Mulder chuckled, he removed his jacket off his shoulders and placed them on Scully's. Moving to the curb Mulder reaches out his arm in an attempt to hail a cab. Luckily one was dropping someone off and was glad to pick up the couple.
"Where to sir?"\
"The Wilward, uh 1401 Penn avenue I think." The cabbie nods his head, turning into the street, classic christmas music plays on the radio. Mulder and Scully sit silently in the car, Mulder is looking out the window and Scully could tell he was miles away.
"Mulder?"
"Hmm?"
"What were you looking at on you computer" A beat. Mulder stayed silent still looking out the window. After a few seconds Mulder cleared his throat and turned towards Scully.
"I told you just an article" Scully looked skeptical, she could tell he was hiding something but she didn't want to push him, this was suppose to be a happy night.
"What was in the article? Was it a possible case?" Mulder looked down, he looked like he was deep in thought.
"Maybe." He didn't say anything more after that, and Scully didn't push him.
X...x
Stepping out the taxi Mulder offers his arm to Scully and led her into the Building. Reaching the door Mulder was stopped by a Vallet.
"We are here for a Private Party." Mulder told the well dressed gentlemen.
"Ah yes, may I ask the name of your Party?"
"J. Edgar Hoover FBI Christmas Party"
"Name?"
"Special Agent Fox Mulder & Special Agent Dana Scully."
"Right this way sir., ma'am."
The two agents are led through the lobby and into a ballroom, inside the ballroom they are met with hundreds of agents and other employees of the FBI. The room was littered with men in black tuxedos and women in elegant dresses.
Mulder took a deep breath but didn't move from the spot he was standing in. Scully looked up and Mulder and gently clenched onto Mulders bicep. He looked down at her, and Scully gave him a small smile. He returned the gesture and began leading her towards an open table.
Walking further into the room Mulder looked around noticing a couple of people he recognized. None that he particularly knew but plenty who he recognized thanks to his eidetic memory.
Mulder tried looking over the crowd of people for an empty table when his eyes made contact with his boss. Skinner's eyes grew wide in surprise, but you can tell by the expression on his face he was happy to see us.
"Mulder! You actually made it this year." Mulder Smiled and patter skinner on the shoulder as a hello.
"Oh trust me skinman if it wasn't for Scully here I would be at home watching 'A Christmas Story'" Skinner chuckled at Mulders comment.
"Well it's great to have you here anyhow." Mulder smiled and thanked him. Scully was chatting with Skinner's wife so Mulder took this as prime time to slip away for a drink.
"Hey sir do you mind showing me where the bar is?"
"Oh yeah follow me." Mulder nodded at Skinner and turned to Scully wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Pardon me." Mulder interrupted the two ladies. "Dana, I am making a trip to the bar with Skinner, would you like me to bring anything back for you?" Scully smiled and slightly blushed at Mulders use of her first name.
"No thank you Fox, I'll find you there once I'm done talking with Mrs. Skinner." Mulder cringed at the use of his first name, and then smiled. He gave Scully a quick kiss on the cheek and moved to follow Skinner to the bar.
X...x
"Whiskey please, two fingers."
Mulder reached for the glass full of amber fluid and finished it in one swig, giving it back to the bartender for a refill.
"Four fingers this time please." The bartender nodded poured him another drink and passed it to him.
"I advise you don't chug that glass Agent Mulder." Mulder nodded his agreement and sipped his drink.
"Sorry sir, I have some serious nerves going right now." Mulder said, taking another sip of his drink.
"Don't Mulder, it's a fun night just try and enjoy it." Mulder nodded gazing out into the crowd.
"Walter Skinner!" Both Mulder and Skinner turned towards the loud voice. A pudgy but tall man made his way towards the two men. "Oh my goodness it is you." Skinner who seemed confused at first, now had a surprised and excited expression on his face.
"Barry Lestrain! I haven't seen you in years what are you doing here?" Skinner exclaimed
"Me and the gang get invited every year, this is just the first one we had the opportunity to get to." Barry had a massive grin as he pointed his thumb back at a group of men sitting at a table.
"Is that? Holy shit!" Skinner went to move towards the table, forgetting Mulders presence behind him. The two gentlemen make there way out of the bar and towards the table leaving Mulder behind. Figuring he will be fine if he just sits here and waits for Scully. Finishing the contents of his cup in one swig, Mulder motioned for another.
"Whats a handsome man doing sitting here all alone?"
Mulder turned towards the voice, his head was beginning to fog after finishing those last two drinks within a matter of minutes. The owner of the voice was a small brunnette, her eyes a light brown and her hair a mess of tangles.
"Isn't that suppose to be my line?" Mulder said, slower then he would normally but still legible.
"I suppose, if you believe in gender roles, I on the other hand was just trying to start a conversation." The younger women took the empty seat next to Mulder and motioned for the bartender. "New York sour please."
Mulder smirked at the younger women and shrugged his shoulders. He was supposed to be having a good time.
"I'm Mulder"
"I'm Beth."
"Pleasure to meet you Beth."
"The pleasure is all mine Mulder." Beth winks at Mulder and takes a sip of her drink. "So, Mulder what do you do for the FBI" Mulder takes another sip of his drink before answering.
"I'm a Federal Agent"
"Yeah? What department." Mulder thought about how to answer that one, his eyebrows cringed together and his lips pursed in thought.
"I work for an exclusive department, in the FBI, my partner and I investigate case to difficult for the average Agent." Mulder slurred a few of his words, but was relatively happy with how his sentence came out. It's obvious this lady didn't know of his reputation and he wanted to keep it that way.
"Sounds impressive Mr. Mulder, or should I call you Agent Mulder."
"Actually my official Title is Special Agent Mulder."
"Special Agent" Beth takes another sip of her drink "I like the way it rolls of the tongue."
"Spooky Mulder!" Color slightly drained from Mulder's face, turning towards the voice he had heard, he was met with a tall lanky man with blond hair. The blond man came up to Mulder wrapping his arm around Mulder's shoulders and laughing next to him. "Holy Shit I haven't seen you in ages."
"Spender." Spender tousled Mulder's hair.
"Ahh is that all you got to say to me Spooky?" Spender drunkenly smiled at Mulder and turned his attention to Beth. "Aye Spooky why haven't you introduced me to your friend." letting out an agitated puff Mulder responded.
"Spender this Beth, Beth this is spender, I went through the academy with him and then we worked together for a few years afterwards."
"Lovely to me you Spender."
"Lovely to meet you too. So tell me Beth, how do you know spooky here?"
"I'm sorry, Spooky?"
"Yeah our old friend here" Spender points behind him "spooky"
"Spooky? Why spooky?" Mulder had turned away from the conversation attempting to ignore it but every words stuck to him like if he was glue.
"Wait you don't know? Ole spooky Mulder here gave up being the best Agent at the FBI to chase aliens and monsters." Mulder is looking down at the bar table, he is sure he can feel Beth starring at him. "They lock him up in the basement don't they spooky?" Mulder finished his drink and stood up. He felt dizzy but he wasn't going to show it, he moved to walk away. "It all go to do with his sister." Mulder stopped in his tracks. Spender takes another swig of his drink obviously not comprehensive about what he is saying. "He think his sister got abducted by aliens when he was a wee boy. What the mind does to cope aye."
Mulder didn't know what was happening exactly, he felt really dizzy and then things went black. His hands hurt, and he can see now but his vision is slightly blurry. It's quite he notices. And he can't move. No someone was holding him.
"Agent Mulder I need you to calm down, now!" Skinner, why was Skinner holding him. His hands really hurt, looking down his hands were bloody.
"What.." Mulder couldn't talk his face was wet, was he crying? People were staring, and then there was spender, he was bleeding on the floor. Mulder looked up again slightly panicked, what had happened?
"Can I let you go Agent Mulder." All he could do was nodd. Skinner let him go and Mulder bent down his adrenaline wearing on him. Mulder looked up and was met with disappointed and surprised faces. One of which was Scully's, she looked sad. A pain struck in Mulder's chest. He watched Scully walk away.
"Scully.." he whimpered. Standing up he moved to follow her, the crowd parting like the red sea in his wake. He followed her to the eit where she was getting in a taxi, "Scully wait." he walked towards the taxi but it was already driving away as he approached. Fresh tears made his way down his face. The snow was falling harder now, his wallet was in his coat that Scully was still wearing when she left. It was dark and late, the streets were empty. Mulder walked home alone that night.
X...x
4:30 AM
Washington D.C.
December 23rd, 1999
Mulder's eyes opened slowly, fresh tears coated the sheets below him. He had received many phone calls and emails since the incident all from his superiors, not one from Scully. He was told that he attacked Spender, not that he remembered much of it. And he knew that he had a meeting with Skinner at 9 AM tomorrow morning, but in regards to his relationship with Scully he knew nothing.
Mulder closed his eyes, his hair was soaked and his body sweaty, he didn't feel too well, worse than the past few days, his body exhausted from lack of sleep.
"Maybe just an hour." Mulder fell into a restless slumber, hopping the next few minutes of sleep would help ease the growing pain in his head.