Jumping up even faster than they'd gone down the two agents found themselves face to face with a somewhat bemused but very definitely annoyed Skinner.

"First I find you wandering around the corridors upstairs," he growled, staring at Mulder, "And then I come down here because you've had quite long enough to find these reports and find you lying on the floor. Is it too much to ask for an explanation?"

"No sir." Came two muttered replies, hard to hear as both Mulder and Scully were staring determinedly down at the floor, afraid that if they caught the others eye they wouldn't be able to stop themselves laughing. But to Skinner's eyes they looked the very picture of a pair of naughty children caught doing something they shouldn't have been.

The corners of Skinner's mouth twitched as he took in the state of the office, and the state of his two agents, who were both looking a little the worse for wear. Straightening his face he made sure to keep any hint of amusement out of his voice.

"Well?" He demanded.

Seeing that Mulder was going to keep his mouth firmly closed Scully took on the task of answering.

"Well sir, we found all the reports you wanted, though um, you'll have to wait a moment for us to get them back together." Pausing she gave Mulder a quick shove in the direction of the desk and he went to do just that, though not passing up the opportunity to make a grab for the paper they had been fighting over. Scully had been expecting this however, and scrunched the paper into her fist as he reached for it, making him stumble again and earning him another glare from Skinner. Abandoning his attempts to retrieve it for the time being Mulder crouched down to gather up the reports.

"And then we were just putting them into a pile when we realised we were still missing one. Mulder reached over the desk to put it on the pile but slipped and knocked them to the floor. I went to help him but he grabbed me as he tried to regain his balance and we both fell."

Looking up at him with innocent eyes Scully felt only a little shame, as it wasn't entirely a lie. Skinner tried to stare her down, knowing he hadn't got the entire truth, but found himself wilting in the face of her gaze and gave up, mentally cursing himself for being unable to withstand it.

As he tore his eyes away he found Mulder standing before him, a pile of papers in his hands.

"This is all of them sir." He said, and dumped them into Skinner's arms.

"Good. Next year perhaps you could see your way to getting them all in on time?"

Mulder grinned and nodded, and Skinner turned on his heel and walked out, calling out a final order to them as he went.

"Clean this office up before you go, and have a merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, sir!" They shouted after him, and then turned to survey the wreckage of their office. Papers were scattered everywhere, and the desk was a good 3 feet from its usual position, and some of its contents were spilling out, though at least it was still upright. Sighing the two set to work, or at least Scully set to work, and Mulder set to thinking how he could get that piece of paper back from her.

As if she'd heard his thoughts Scully straightened up and uncurled her fist.

"What is this Mulder?" She asked, deciding to try proper questioning again.

"Does it matter?" He replied, squirming uncomfortably.

"It does when you so obviously don't want me to read it." She stated, not about to let him back out of it.

"It's personal." He muttered, hoping that would be enough for her, but he'd piqued her curiosity too much already.

"Personal? Don't tell me this is a list of those movies that aren't yours?" She smirked as she spoke, but the smile fell away as he lifted his eyes to meet hers. They were filled with emotion, and she suddenly realised that he was serious. Stepping toward him she held out her hand for him to take the paper.

"I'm sorry." She said, hoping he'd understand that she hadn't known he wasn't kidding around.

"It's ok." He took the paper and smoothed it carefully, tucking it into a pocket with something akin to reverence. Scully watched curiously, but didn't question him further. Instead she threw everything on the floor into a draw and grabbed their coats, holding his out for him to put on. He looked up surprised.

"But we didn't put all this stuff away properly." He protested, well aware of Scully's distaste for mess of any kind.

"I know." She said smiling at him. "But I think we need to get out of here don't you? Anyway, mom will kill me if I don't get back before Charlie arrives."

Mulder's face had brightened considerably at the prospect of leaving, but when Scully mentioned going home it fell again. Trying to mask his disappointment he berated himself for wishing she would spend the day with him rather than her family, and attempted to feign enthusiasm.

"Oh right, Charlie. The only Scully I haven't met yet."

"Mmhm, though you'll be meeting him today of course." His partner replied matter-of-factly, pushing him out the door and locking it.

"What?"

"I said you'll be meeting Charlie today."

"Yeah, I heard you but, I am?"

"Well of course you are. I mean, you are staying with us for Christmas, right?" Scully looked at him as they entered the elevator, eyebrow raised in question.

"Uh, are you sure?" Mulder answered the question with a question. "I mean, I know Bill is there and Charlie might not even like me and I don't want to impose on your mom and I know you get sick of me and –"

"Mulder?" Scully interrupted his ramblings. "We want you to come, ok? Charlie, mom and me."

"And Bill?"

"Well, no, but he's just going to have to put up with it. You're as much my family as he is."

Mulder felt a lump in his throat as she spoke and swallowed quickly.

"In that case," he said clearing his throat a little, "I'd love to come."