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In February, Mulder is convinced his girlfriend is slowly going crazy preparing for Audrey's first birthday. The night before the baby's party he finds his 6 months pregnant girlfriend on a ladder fixing the streamers she puts up. They decide to stay the night at Scully's apartment since the lease is not up until mid May and host the party there. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, Mulder makes sure to catch Scully's attention before asking why she is awake. With a heavy sigh, Scully steps off the ladder before telling her boyfriend that everything has to be perfect. The theme is a circus theme complete with a popcorn machine and child friendly "circus" snacks and games. No sooner does Scully speak than a small bank of streamers falls from the hallway entryway. Seeing she is on the verge of tears at this point, Mulder tells Scully that he will fix the decorations. Raising an eyebrow, her arms crossed, Scully doubts he will keep the decor from falling down again. Kissing his girlfriend, Mulder answers, "Trust me. Now go to sleep?"
Realizing just how tired she is, Scully relents padding into her bedroom to go to sleep.
The next morning, Scully enter the kitchen with Audrey on her hip amazed to find not only the streamers up and not falling, but the living room decorated as well. All that needs to be done is the food and games set up.
Kissing her daughter, Scully tells her, "Look at what Daddy did! All for you Birthday girl!"
Setting her now one year old in a high chair, Scully is halfway through feeding the baby when Mulder wakes up. Kissing Scully and then Audrey, he tells them good morning before pouring a cup of coffee.
"When is everyone getting here?" Mulder asks with a yawn.
"Three. Chloe and Anna are getting here after their shift at one to help finish getting everything ready. My mom is coming at two and bringing the cake. Three is when everyone else will get here."
Mulder nods amazed at how Scully can keep all this information straight. After a moment he asks Scully if she has eaten before preparing breakfast for the both of them.
The rest of the day goes by fairly stress free and Audrey seems to slightly grasp what is happening by the end. It is only when they start tearing things down that Scully begins to worry.
"Mulder, what did you end up putting the decorations up with?" She asks hesitantly when she cannot easily take down the streamers from the door way. Sheepishly, Mulder answers, "I ended up resorting to duct tape."
With a heavy sigh, Scully pinches the bridge of her nose muttering about never getting her deposit back and telling Mulder she is going to take a walk. Not much he can do, Mulder simply watches Scully grab her coat and head out the door. Chloe, who has been playing with Audrey looks up at her dad questioningly who shrugs. With a sigh of his own, Mulder begins to gingerly take down the decorations.
When Scully comes home, she immediately apologizes to Mulder adding, "There's so much going on right now, I guess I feel overwhelmed."
"I understand," Mulder answers thinking about paying the last installment on Chloe's trip last week.
By the end of March Chloe talks of nothing but her trip to Atlanta much to the chagrin of her parents. Her parents are excited for her, but are also well aware that their lives are about to get much busier with the newest baby arrive in a about two months.
"Are you sure still on the name William?" Mulder asks Scully one night as he plays with Audrey on the floor while his girlfriend folds clothes. Nodding, Scully answers, "Yeah, you?"
"I like it, too," Mulder answers as their youngest tries to crawl away. Grabbing her around the waist, Mulder holds her still- or tries to. Smirking, Scully puts the laundry aside asking, "You need some help?"
Tickling his daughter, Mulder answers, "No, I think I got it."
Scully laughs before asking about Mulder's day. Telling her nothing too important has happened and that his girlfriend has not missed out on any case files, Mulder begins to wonder if he will have a case soon.
Walking into the office the next day, the agent is shocked to find Monica sitting on the desk with a rather serious look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Mulder asks thinking someone is dead or the X-files is dismantled again. Standing from her spot, Monica explains to him that she just got off the phone with someone telling her that they need to be careful adding, "There are men coming to try and get your work."
"Okay," Mulder answers used to having his work taken from him. Shaking her head, Monica elaborates, "Mulder, they're also after us."
Immediately on edge, Mulder asks where she gets this information.
"I couldn't trace it," She admits just as the phone rings. Both agents glance at each other before Mulder answers.
"Skinner wants to see us in his office," Mulder states once he hangs up the phone.
Entering the Assistant Director's office, Monica and Mulder sit opposite him. Making sure the door is closed, Skinner looks back at the two agents, sighs, and states, "I have just received word from some higher ups that The X-files, and you two, are in danger."
"With all due respect, we got a call about that in our office earlier. Agent Reyes took the call," Mulder explains. Immediately, Skinner looks over at Monicaw who has to explain the call to her boss. Once he is told the full story, Skinner assures that the agents are to go home. Nodding, Monica and Mulder go down to the basement, collect their things, and head home.
"Be careful," Mulder tells Monica as she leaves before calling Scully and letting her know he is going to pick up Audrey from Rachel's.
Entering the unremarkable house, Mulder puts his keys on the entry table and the diaper bag and his own bag by the door. Changing Audrey, Mulder decides to spend some time with her watching Dora the Explorer and reading to her. Anything to keep his mind occupied from work. He manages to avoid the topic until Scully comes home from work. Not until Chloe leaves for work does Mulder even broach the topic.
"Mulder, what is it?" Scully asks noting her boyfriend's serious tone as he asks her to take a seat on the couch. Running his hands through his hair, Mulder explains the 'soldiers' who are after them. With a heavy sigh, Scully asks her boyfriend, "What do we need to do?"
"Lay low."
"What about Chloe's trip?"
"I've thought about that and I don't want to worry her or make her miss her trip. I'm going to talk with the Gunmen about setting up a tracking device on her just in case."
Calling his friends while Scully feeds Audrey that night, Mulder makes plans to go over to their place to set up a tracking device for Chloe in time for her trip at the end of April. Hanging up the phone, Mulder heads upstairs to find Scully rocking with Audrey and looking at a book. Standing and watching his girlfriend for a few minutes, Mulder finally knocks on the wood of the entryway. Looking up, Scully smiles at him.
"I talked to The Gunmen," He tells her. Raising her eyebrows in question, Mulder elaborates, "I'm meeting them Saturday, but um, I need something to put the trackers in. An idea, at least for The Boys to go on."
Nodding, Scully asks Mulder to take Audrey while she gets up from the rocking chair.
"Do you have any ideas?" Mulder asks as he bounces his daughter. Putting the baby book away, Scully answers, "No idea. I'll try to think of something by Saturday."
Heading to The Gunmen's place on Saturday, Mulder makes sure he has the items he's bugging. As his friends start their task, Mulder eventually asks how long the task will take.
"End of the weekend. Do you need us to make more than these?" Byers asks. Shrugging, Mulder answers, "I'll let you know. Um, I'd also like you guys to keep an eye out for anything."
With a laugh, Frohike answers, "Always are compadre!"
Chuckling, Mulder stays most of the day with his friends before heading home.
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