Soooo... I'm back after a long hiatus. I've been up to a lot lately. Going around the world and what not. This summer I went to Germany, Austria, France and Southern California. I've been inspired by the 20th anniversary and I've been pulled by gravity back into this amazing fandom.

I'm upset that there's no more X-files, but we're what keep The X-files alive... especially the Fan Fiction writers. I'm just doing my part.

Ch. 37

Scully came home the next morning at around 8 am. Her house was quiet, which was very different from what it was about fifteen hours ago. She went straight to her bedroom, changed into grey pajama pants and a black camisole then crawled into bed. Her room was freezing, so she pulled her down comforter up to her nose and began to drift off.

It wasn't long until she heard her door open. She was so comfortable, that she pretended to be a sleep so that hopefully, whoever was in her bedroom would get the hint and go away. Except, they weren't getting the hint.

"Dana, I know you're awake. I heard you come home not even ten minutes ago."

It became very hard for Scully to continue her fake slumber, because she knew that voice and that voice was making her very angry. It was Bill.

"I told you. We're not finished with our conversation from yesterday."

Without moving from her position she replied, "And I told you to go fuck yourself. Fuck yourself and get out of my fucking room." Her steady voice amazed herself. She played passive aggressive well.

"Where were you last night Dana?"

Annoyed, Scully chose not to respond and to remain laying down, back towards Bill, with her eyes closed.

"I came home from Tara's parent's house around eleven thirty. I asked mom where you were. She said, Monica's. I decided to walk down to Monica's… your car wasn't at our house, around Monica's, in front of Monica's, in her driveway or garage. I'll ask you again where were you?" Silence. "No response? Okay. Well, how about this? After that I got in my car and drove to Mulder's house. Guess who's car I saw in his driveway?"

She mentally kicked herself a thousand times over. She knew not to leave her car in his driveway especially after what happened yesterday. She had to think fast. She finally turned up in her bed to face her older brother.

"Mulder had a few things of mine that I left over there last time I watched Cara at his place. I left around 2 a.m. so I could get to the mall for Black Friday. I've been shopping since then. Does that answer satisfy you? I've freaking tired. Get out of my room and let me be!"

"Whatever you did last night, doesn't matter. I know you're with Mulder. I know it."

"Bill! You were just telling me that I had a crush on him and he didn't want me. Now you're saying that we're having some sort of love affair. Do you know how crazy you sound?!" She was now raising her voice.

"You're with him. I know you are. And I'm gonna break Mulder's fucking neck if I ever see him again. I can tell by house defensive you've been. It's not just a crush. You're with him."

"One, if you even try to get into an altercation with him you'll inevitably lose. Two, we're not together! And Three, Even if we were it wouldn't be any of your business!"

"It IS my business. You're my little sister and that shit's just fucking disgusting. He's older than you."

"Out of my room. NOW!"

-

Nearly a month passed –a month of anxiety over her and Mulder's relationship. Bill had all together quit speaking to her. At first, Scully didn't care that he wouldn't acknowledge her. She was fine with it even. Then, she grew angry and annoyed at her older brother. Now, with his going away for basic training with the Navy after the New Year, she was getting upset. Still, she repeatedly reminded herself that he didn't tell her parents.

The anxiety she was having over her relationship was nearly too much to handle with her final exams. Still, she got through it –receiving A's in all of her classes. With school done for over a month, stress was lifted from her shoulders, but with that stress leaving, more came. She and Mulder both had decided to come out about their relationship to Scully's parents and family before the New Year.

She kept asking herself, 'Is it really time? Could we wait longer?' But she knew that the longer she waited, the harder it would be to cover the secret relationship up. And if it got out unexpectedly from say, Bill, that would only make matters worse. No, the time was now. The plan was for that night, two weeks before Christmas.

Scully sat on the couch, next to the blazing fireplace reading one of her favorite novels, The Fountainhead. It was around 4 o'clock and her mother was in the kitchen humming as she started to prepare dinner. Other than her mother's humming and the crackling fire, the whole house was silent. Melissa was picking Shay up from the airport, Mr. Scully and Bill were out and poor Charlie was sick with strep throat, napping in his bed.

"Dana? When are Fox and Cara coming over? I'm about to put the roast in the oven. It was so nice of you to invite them over for dinner. I haven't seen either of them since Thanksgiving!"

"Oh, it's just Mulder coming over, mom. Cara's with her aunt until tomorrow."

"Oh, well I'm glad to have him over. Will he be here soon? Dinner should be ready around 5:30."

"He texted me saying he left his house. So yeah, soon."

"So you two are friends now? Not just seeing each other when you watch Cara?" Scully's heart dropped not only at her mother's question, but the tone of voice she was using. It worried her.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Oh, it's just nice that you invited him over that's all. I don't think him and Bill talk anymore. Whenever I bring Mulder up, Bill doesn't even acknowledge it. He just changes the subject."

Scully just wanted to say, 'Well, Bill sucks if you ask me,' but she chose to remain silent.

A half an hour passed before Scully heard the doorbell ring. Placing her book on the coffee table, she got up and made her way to the door to meet Mulder.

Mulder, clad in a black pea coat, stepped in, grinning at her. She was less enthusiastic with her smile. That was, until she looked up and saw all the snow that dusted his hair. Scully couldn't help but let out a giggle and dust off the top of his head. He caught her hand in his and held it.

"Glad you think this is funny," Mulder said. Still holding her hand in his, he shook the rest of the snow off on her. She laughed before offering to take his coat.

"How's Cara?" Scully asked, hanging Mulder's coat up in the closet. He was now in just a light grey v-neck and dark was jeans. He and Scully were unintentionally matching.

"She's good. I was actually just on the phone with her. I told her I was coming over your house this evening –big mistake. She started to beg me to take her with me. She misses the crap out of you, Scully."

"Well, hopefully I can see her soon. We'll play in the snow. I miss her too."

Charlie's bedroom door opened and out from it came Mrs. Scully, followed by a pale and disheveled looking Charlie. The came down the steps and Mrs. Scully greeted Mulder with a huge smile from ear to ear.

"Fox," Mrs. Scully said, pulling Mulder into a hug. "I haven't seen you in a long time it seems. You look good."

"Thank you Maggie. You look amazing as always. Charlie, your sister told me you're sick. How are you feeling?"

"Getting better. I'm just glad I'm not contagious anymore."

"Yeah, I was about to run and hide," Mulder said playfully, patting Charlie on the back.

Just then, the door opened and Melissa and Shay came in through the door.

"Hey Mulder!"

"Melissa, how are you?"

"I'm great you?"

"Pretty good."

"Good to hear," Shay said, chiming in as he gave Mulder a hug and clap on the back.

Bill and Mr. Sully were running late and asked everyone to begin eating without them. The long table was nearly full with Mrs. Scully, Scully, Mulder, Charlie, Melissa and Shay. Two spots were left open for Bill and Mr. Scully of course.

They were about 10 minutes into dinner when the front door opened and Bill and Mr. Sully began stomping off their shoes to rid them of snow. With snowflakes in their hair, the two came into the dining room to join the rest of the family. Bill shot Mulder a glare as he crossed the room to his spot at the table.

"Fox, Shay… how are you two doing?" Mr. Scully asked with a grin, ready to eat.

Mulder and Shay replied back politely while Mrs. Scully got up to fix a plate for both her son and her husband.

'At least Dad seems in good spirits,' Scully reminded herself.

Dinner went by fast. Scully was hoping it would last a long time, but the more she hoped, the faster time sped on. Soon, Melissa and Scully were up clearing the table and Mrs. Scully was bringing out a homemade lemon cake for dessert.

"Melissa, I'm so nervous. I don't know if we should just wait or get it over with." Scully whispered to her sister as they set plates in the sink.

"Do it now, Dana. If you prolong it, you'll just get bad anxiety over it. You need to do it now. You don't want to start this New Year off with lies built around your relationship. You need to start fresh."

"You're right, but –"

"No buts. I'll be there for you when you tell. No more lies. Besides, dad's in a good mood." Melissa gave her little sister an encouraging hug. "It'll be fine."

Together, the girls walked back into the dining room. Scully sat back down next to Mulder and they exchanged a glance. Mulder knew what was coming next.

"Uhm… everyone," Scully began. She glanced at Melissa, who gave her an encouraging smile. Her heart began pounding in her chest, threatening to explode. Her mouth was going dry. She had to do it now. "Mulder and I have something to share. We –" She was cut off unexpectantly by Bill who flew up in his chair. Eyes went from Scully to her brother and his heated expression.

"I knew it! And you lied to me. You were lying for months!" Mrs. Scully, Mr. Scully, Shay and Charlie stared at Bill completely dumbfounded and confused.

"Dana, what is he talking about?" Mrs. Scully asked.

"I haven't been lying for months. It just happened… Mom, Dad… Mulder and I are together."

Please Review and let me know your thoughts! :)
-AK