Mulder wakes a sleepy Scully, who is not super happy about it. But she agrees and is pleasantly surprised by what he planned.

December 19, 1997

The ringing of the phone woke her and Scully groaned as she stretched, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. Tangled, she fought to sit upright and blinked as she looked around, the phone now silent.

The television was still on, some Christmas movie playing quietly. The quick lighting log she had purchased on her way home, was very nearly done burning, the room warm and cozy. Her empty plate and almost empty glass of wine sat on the coffee table beside autopsy reports.

Groaning again, she stretched more, rolling her neck to remove the kinks. How Mulder slept on his couch so often, she would never understand. It was fine for a quick nap, but every night, no thank you. She would take her comfortable, soft bed any day.

The phone rang again and she grumbled as she uncovered and walked to pick it up.

"Scully," she said, clearing her throat as her words came out gruff with sleep.

"Scully! It's me," Mulder shouted down the line, far too happy and excited for the late hour.

"Mulder, do you know what time it is?" she asked with a sigh, hoping he was not calling with a case.

"Not as late as you think it is," he said with a chuckle and she looked at the clock, finding he was right, it was only 9:30. She must have been more tired than she thought.

"So... what do you want?" she asked, walking back to the couch and lying down, covering up with the blanket and closing her eyes.

"Meet me outside in ten minutes."

"Mulder," she groaned with a growl, a deep frown on her face. "No, it's late, or it will be soon. I'm tired. Can't this wait until-"

"No, Scully," he chuckled and she never hated the sound more. "It has to be now. Come on."

"Mulder, I'm not even dressed."

"Really? Well that's okay with me, but I think you might be cold. But you do what makes you most comfortable, I won't complain one bit." She smiled and then frowned again.

"Mulder," she whined, knowing she would not be able to turn him down, and he laughed.

"Five minutes, Scully."

"You said ten!" she said, throwing off the blanket and standing up. She stomped into her room which was slightly cooler than the rest of the apartment and she shivered.

"Welllll, it's more like five… ish. I'll be waiting."

"Mul-" But he hung up before she could finish and she threw the phone on the bed with an annoyed growl as she yanked open a drawer to take out a thick sweater. "That damn man… he drives me crazy. Doesn't matter the time, oh no, it's just come on, Scully, let's go! And of course I do because…"

She shook her head and took off her long sleeved shirt she had been wearing. It was actually one of Mulder's, one he had given to her after she had been ill one night during chemo. He had held her as she cried in some small town motel room, angry at everything. She had kept the shirt and slept in it from time to time, the feeling of it bringing her comfort.

Debating on a bra, she decided instead on a camisole, a more fitting long sleeved shirt, and her sweater. Whatever he had planned, most likely they would be outside, chasing down something in a forest somewhere.

Grumbling, she put on long thick socks and pants, then warm boots. She brushed her hair and her teeth, before grabbing her coat, gloves, keys, phone and wallet. Making sure the fire was out, she turned off the television and the lights. Locking the door, she let out an annoyed sigh and walked down the hall and out of her lobby.

True to his word, he was sitting at the curb, watching for her to emerge. When he saw her he grinned, though she did not return it. Snow was falling and she shook her head as she motioned to it, which caused him to laugh. Opening up the car door, she got in and he handed her a paper cup.

"This better have some alcohol in it and not just be hot chocolate," she said by way of a greeting. He laughed again and waited with his eyebrows raised. Taking a sip, she tasted the peppermint liqueur he had added and she nodded. "Smart man."

"As if I don't know you," he responded, looking over his shoulder and pulling out from the parking spot.

"Pretty ballsy of you to be driving with a passenger drinking an alcoholic beverage."

"I'm an FBI agent, I'm not scared." He glanced at her and she exhaled a laugh, shaking her head at him.

"Where are we going?"

"Nope. Not yet. We have a little drive to take first."

"Mulder…"

"Look, I have the radio set to Christmas songs, it's warm, you have your drink… sit back and relax. It's just a few minutes."

"And this couldn't wait?"

"No. You're leaving in a couple of days for your brother's and it won't be there when you get back. So…"

"Fine, I give up."

"Perfect," he said, with a wink and the click of his tongue. She took a drink, hiding her smile behind her cup, not wanting him to know he had gotten to her.

Christmas carols played quietly as they drove, his fingers drumming softly on the steering wheel. The liqueur was doing its job nicely; warming her belly and relaxing her back into the seat.

"Are we chasing something?"

"No," he chuckled.

"Searching for something?"

"Nah uh," he said with a shake of his head.

"Meeting an informant with information to the heart of a major global conspiracy that the public desperately needs to know about?"

"God, I wish." He let out a low whistle and she laughed softly. "No, none of that, now stop guessing. We'll be there soon."

"Whatever you say."

"That's more like it." He winked at her again and she smiled, the sudden urge to kiss him overwhelming. Instead she took another sip of her hot chocolate, turning her head to look out the window.

They exited the highway and made a left, driving into the suburbs.

"A monster, disguising itself as an ordinary average man. But by night he roams the streets looking for his next meal," she said, her voice quiet and chilling.

"Isn't that just a lawyer?" he asked and she laughed, shaking her head with a smile.

He grinned and turned into a neighborhood bearing the name, Windsong. As they did, she gasped, looking at the houses lit up with Christmas lights and decorations.

"Ohhhh… wow," she breathed, seeing him smiling out of the corner of her eye as she looked around, trying to see everything.

He drove slowly, down many streets, other cars in front of and behind them doing the same thing. They pointed out things they enjoyed, laughing and speaking quietly. He produced candy canes, both of them then sucking on and crunching them in turn.

"How did you find out about this place?" she asked, holding the crook of her candy cane in her hand, the sweet taste of mint on her tongue and Christmas lights glowing around them.

"Langly, if you can believe it," he said with a look to her.

"What?" she asked in surprise.

"He's apparently seeing someone and they came out here at her request."

"Really? Well, good for him." She smiled and nodded, happy to hear he had found someone. "How did he tell you about it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't think discussions of… Candy Cane Lane here, are your typical conversations." She laughed and he nodded with a smile.

"True. Frohike kept teasing him about his "chickadee" and how they had come out here to see the lights… you know how they are. Byers had to stop them from arguing, as I'm sure he does a lot. Anyway, I asked Langly about it before I left and here we are."

"Here we are," she repeated and smiled, lightly squeezing his arm in thanks. He nodded and their attention returned to the lights.

Thirty minutes later, they were in a small diner, non spiked hot chocolates sitting in front of them, their late night snack of fries and a shared sandwich gone and cleared away.

Not long after, they were pulling up in front of her apartment. He parked the car and turned off the engine, the snowflakes landing softly on the windshield.

"Thank you," she said, smiling at him. "That was… different than our usual car rides. I liked it."

"Good," he said with a smile and a nod. "What time do you leave on Sunday?"

"Early. We have a layover and a plane change in… Atlanta, I think."

"Hmm…"

"Did you decide if you'll do anything? See your mom perhaps?"

"Haven't decided yet. Most likely nothing."

"An idle Mulder… not always the best Mulder." She smiled and he returned it with a nod.

"I'll find something."

"Just don't find anything too dangerous. I won't be here to bail you out."

"Best behavior," he said, crossing his heart and sticking up three fingers.

"Famous last words," she said softly as she placed her hand over his, squeezing gently and nodding. "Goodnight, Mulder. Thank you and Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you, Scully," he whispered, turning her hand over and bringing it to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. She smiled as her heart fluttered, pulling her hand away slowly and stepping out of the car.

She waved to him before she walked inside, the snow beginning to fall harder. He waved back and started the car, driving away as she stepped inside.

Back in her apartment, she put her dishes in the sink, folded her blanket, and made sure the door was locked. Undressing, she put his shirt back on, brushed her teeth and got into bed.

She dreamed of twinkling lights, candy canes lining long pathways, snow falling in large puffs, and Mulder's smile as he watched her staring at the beauty of the lights.