CHAPTER ONE

A/N- I'm an X-Files fan, who loves MSR, and I thought I'd try a story. It's a first attempt at X-Files fanfiction, so constructive criticism is badly needed! Please review!

"God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay -

"Remember Christ Our Savior was born on Christmas Day -

"To save us all from Santen's power when we were gone astray -

"Oh, tidings of comfort and joy (comfort and joy),

"Oh tidings of comfort and joy!"

As the carolers walked away, arm in arm, from my front door, I let out a sigh of pure contentment. When was the last time I'd been this happy? Never, since I left home. Never, since I was recruited from Med. School. Never, since I began to work in the basement of DC's FBI headquarters had I been this truly happy.

Here was my home - a small, cozy house on a side street in Washington DC. Here, my life: the life of a government employee - married to a wonderful man, and with two small boys to raise. Here, my joy.

I snapped out of my daydream with a start, as my partner, Agent Fox Mulder, entered the office. Even as he nodded a sleepy morning greeting and sat down at his desk, I frowned in wonder. What a dream! I . that wasn't really what I wanted, was it? To be married . to be married to Mulder! Mulder, who cracked bad puns by the minute. Mulder, whose mind worked at a speed one never would have imagined at the sight of him in his runners and jogging sweats. Mulder - my partner for a scant two weeks!

No. It wasn't what I wanted, of course. But where had the dream come from?

"Penny for your thoughts, Scully."

"O-oh. It's - it's nothing, Mulder. Nothing."

"You sure? You look perturbed?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Fine . . .