Title: Everything and Nothing

Author: Shadow's Echo (also known as Cindy from CindyandSandy)

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own the X-files or anything. I do own any character's not on the X-files and the plot, so if you want to use any of that, you better be askin' first.

Chapter 2 – One Tear


Mulder awoke the next morning to complete silence. It greeted him every morning, and reminded him again how alone he really was. It was that silence that made him want a family, something more. He realized he was in the kitchen and was instantly confused.

"Was it all a dream?" he asked himself as he looked at his hands and at the room around him. He remembered the woman and her little girl knocking on his door. He remembered letting them in and asking them to sleep on his couch. He flew up out of his chair and to the living room to find it completely empty. The blanket was neatly folded on the back of the couch. There were no coats on his coat hanger but his own. He was almost disappointed. It was a dream. It had to be.

He sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. He was about to lean back when he noticed a note on the table. He immediately grabbed it. It hadn't been a dream.

Thank you for everything, Fox. You've done more for us than anyone ever has before. I wish there was a way we could thank you more. I'm sorry we had to leave so quickly, but we didn't want to take up any more of your time. We were already enough of a burden to you. Besides, it's Christmas. I'm sure you can find someone meaningful to spend it with. Hopefully we will see you again someday.

Catrina and Elizabeth

He smiled as he remembered them. He wished they had stayed for a while. He was sure that he could do more for them. Scully would never believe this. Mulder not alone on Christmas Eve? Helping homeless people? He needed to call her, but he didn't want to ruin her Christmas with his problems. She wouldn't want to talk to him anyway. He could always call her later.


Scully mindlessly opened her presents. Christmas was always the same; Bill and Charlie brought their families. The little ones open their gifts instantly and run off to play with their new found toys. The adults lounge around the living room, taking their time. They had all the time in the world. Sometimes Scully wished she could just run off with the children. They were so sweet, and their innocence always managed to amaze her. They would tell her stories while they imagined them, and she wished that she could do the same. But being an adult causes her to only smile and watch as their innocence slowly slips away.

"Dana." Her mother had noticed her distance. Scully shook her head to bring herself back into the real world.

"Yes?"

"What's wrong? I haven't seen you smile once. It's Christmas. Be happy," her mother said quietly.

"I am happy." She faked a slight smile.

"You can't fool me." Her mother got up and walked to the kitchen. Scully followed. "What is this about, Dana? You've been like this for a while now, and I can only sit around and watch it for so long." She sat at the table with two cups of tea. "Sit down. Let's talk." Scully sat down next to her.

"Nothing's wrong, Mom, honestly. I'm fine."

"I know my daughter. You could be in a hospital bed hooked up to fifty different machines and you would still say 'I'm fine'." Her mother knew her all too well.

"I've just been worried."

"About what?"

She didn't want to say. It was stupid. It didn't matter. "Mulder."

"Why? Dana, I'm sure he's alright."

"He's just not been himself." And when he's not himself, I'm not myself. She couldn't deny the truth. His effect on her lately was even alarming to herself. They knew each other well. They cared about each other. But when did his mood start affecting hers? Her mother looked at her questioningly. "He has no one. And on the holidays it's hard for him. He's completely alone."

"He's got you, Dana."

"But he's still stuck there, with no one."

"Go see him then."

"But I rarely get to see Bill and I never get to see Charlie's—"

"They'll understand that you have other places to be. Go. We're all done here. You're no use to us absent-minded anyway." She let out a little laugh.

"Okay." Her mother gave her a tight squeeze. Scully wasn't even sure why she was so worried in the first place. But there was also something inside of her that wanted to see him. Needed to see him. She hated to let that feeling overtake her. It rarely came around with anyone. And when it did, she fought it until it went away. She hated to be so dependant on something other than herself. It was not her.

But she listened to her mother anyway, and as her brothers wished her goodbye, she let a tear slip down her face. There was no reason. She was not sad or happy. This was definitely not her.


A/N: I'm sorry if this isn't making much sense, and if it is, please omit this comment completely. I love reviews, but there is absolutely not review forcings taking place on this page.