Trees

Disclaimer: Same as appears in chapter one. Nothing has changed; I haven't had a horrible bump on the head resulting in amnesia that would lead me to believe I am actually the creator of such wonderful characters, or the characters themselves. Copyright infringement is not intended and I will realize no profit.

Scully got out of the car and waited at the front, next to the headlight on the passenger side. "Mulder, remember that this can't be a huge tree. I do have a ceiling in my apartment."

"Where are we going to put it?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe in the corner next to the bay window." It hadn't really occurred to either of them that this conversation sounded more and more like it was a joint decision from two roommates than two work partners.

He stepped up next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "How about in the bay window? We'll move your desk until after the New Year and put your tree in the window. We can even set the lights on a timer so they're on when you come home from work and make an extra effort not to go out of town on a whim until after we take the tree down."

"I'm sorry, I got in the car with Fox Mulder. I'm not sure what happened to him, or how you traded places with him, but if you could just stick around for a while."

He moved his arm from around her shoulders and stepped around in front of her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Make an extra effort not to go out of town on a whim. I had no idea you are an expert sweet talker." She laced her arm through his and they walked into the tree lot.

"I didn't mean it that way. What I should have said is that we'll always make a point of swinging by your place on the way out to check on the tree."

"I should have known it wouldn't last." Scully looked up at him, "nothing taller than six feet, I'll need room for the topper. Oh and nothing with a terribly large diameter either. I would like to have a living room with a Christmas tree instead of a Christmas tree with a living room."

"Got it. So I guess that tree at the far end of the lot is out. The one that is a good bit taller than all the rest."

"I'm afraid so, Mulder. Here, look at this one." She pulled at his arm in the direction she was walking. "It looks very healthy, not to big or too small, and it's nice and full."

"That tree is barely five feet tall, Scully."

"Yeah, but I won't have to worry about it fitting or not. And after Christmas when you are on some alien hunting expedition and I'm left to get rid of this thing all by myself, I'm not wrestling with something ten times my size."

Mulder grinned a lopsided grin, "Scully, you always wrestle with things ten times your size. You're an FBI agent remember? An FBI agent on the X-Files, and if I'm out alien hunting you will most likely be there too. I'll be there to help you take the tree down whenever you say, I promise." He surveyed the lot from where they stood. "Ooh, Scully, look at this one."

Before she had time to turn her head, he clutched her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and dragged her to the tree of his choice. For the first time in a long time, Scully could see him get excited about something other than work, his life's quest for the Truth and proof in extraterrestrials. It was nice to see him excited over, what would be termed as, such a normal cause. She looked up at the treetop, glanced at the diameter, and back at the top. "That looks like it may be too tall, Mulder."

"Nah, I bet it's just at six feet tall. Wait here." He rushed off to the lot attendant and returned a minute later with a tape measurer. "I bet you twenty-nine, ninety-five this tree isn't an inch over six feet."

Scully had to laugh, she couldn't help herself, "okay, Mulder, prove me wrong."

"Tada, six feet exactly." Mulder pointed to the mark on the measuring tape. "Should I tell them to wrap it up?"

"Uh, I'm not sure it will fit in the front door and I can't afford to have another doorway replaced this year."

"No need to worry about that. I'll have them wrap it up so it will fit in even the smallest doorway."

She nodded, allowed her lips to curl into a smile and met her partner's gaze. "I'll have them wrap it up. Stay here with your tree."

Scully walked up to the attendant, "hi, I'd like that tree over there, please. Oh, and here's your measuring tape back. Thanks for the loan."

"Any time. Should I have this delivered? It could be there in just a couple of hours."

"That would be great. I don't want to scratch his car. And can you wrap the branches tightly so the tree will fit through the doorway without any trouble?"

"You bet. Is there anything else you need? Some mistletoe perhaps?"

She fought the blush that threatened to take over her facial features and looked back to her partner who was standing rather proudly with the Christmas tree he helped select. "Uhm . . .yeah, why not."

"He sure is a lucky fella, your boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?"

"I didn't see a ring, I just assumed you two weren't married." The man was an older man with white hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He had a heart-warming smile and just a little extra weight on him. He seemed to be a friendly man and before she could help herself, Scully found that she was explaining her situation with Mulder.

"No, we aren't married. He's actually just a good friend, and my partner."

"Whatever he is to you, he's a lucky man."

"Thank you." She paid for her purchases and went back to Mulder. "Come on, I'm having this thing delivered. We still need to beat it home though."

"Okay." He clutched her hand and they walked back to his car. "Where now?"

"Lets go home and see what Mom's up to. She might be having some trouble finding my decorations."

"Scully, what are the odds of finding another slice of pie in your kitchen with my name on it?" Mulder inquired as he put the car in reverse and began to back out of the space they previously occupied.

"Oh, I think the odds are pretty good. We might even find some ice cream to go with it."

"For future reference, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

She arched an auburn eyebrow, her trademark gesture, and glanced at Mulder. "Just what makes you think I needed that piece of information verified."

"Oh we both know you've been dying to know how to get to my heart, Scully. Now you know how."

"Through your stomach? I always thought it would be through your incurable craving for all things paranormal."

He stopped the car at a red light. "Oooh, you've given it some thought. Hmm. Well, yeah, I guess that would be another way."

"I didn't mean that I've actually thought about . . .never mind. Green light."

"Mmm hmm." Mulder muttered as he hit the gas and moved closer to Scully's apartment building.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"The 'Mmm hmm' that I heard. I'm serious, Mulder, I have never once given any thought to the best way to win your heart."

"I believe you."

"That sounded like a very skeptical 'Mmm hmm', Mulder. I must say I'm not convinced." She countered playfully.

He stopped at the stop sign before turning onto her street. "I was simply making a mental note, Agent Scully. Nothing skeptical about that, is there?"

"Nope, nothing at all." Scully unfastened her seat belt and clutched the passenger door handle, ready for a quick escape when he put the car in park.

Mulder parked the car, shut off the engine, and jumped out in what seemed to be one swift movement. Before Scully could get to the front bumper, Mulder was at her side placing his hand on the small of her back to escort her inside. "I hope we have a white Christmas this year, Scully."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Don't you? There is something so magical about a white Christmas. Do you know that more men propose on Christmas than any other holiday? Specifically on a white Christmas than any other holiday."

Scully gulped and prayed that it wasn't audible. "Uh . . .no, I didn't know that."

"Its true, only to be followed by Valentine's Day, which is a close second."

"And why are you telling me this?"

He shrugged, "just a random thought I figured I'd share."

Scully shivered and pulled her coat tightly around her. "Interesting. Where did you happen to pick up that information?"

Mulder couldn't stand it any longer. He grinned and shook his head in an effort not to laugh at her stunned expression. "I just made it up."

"Mulder! That's it, no pie for you," Scully teased.

"Oh, this means war!" He declared as they stepped onto the elevator.

"Mmm hmm," she mimicked his earlier comment.

"Mmm hmm."

When they got into her apartment, the lights were dimmed and her mother had decided to lay a fire in the fireplace. "Cozy," she mumbled. "Reminds me of winters at home as a girl."

"Me too." Mulder realized the minute he finished speaking that Scully could easily make some retort to his comment and thought best to clarify. "I mean when I was a boy, Mom almost always had a fire going in the fireplace."

"Ah. I was going to ask at what point in your childhood you were a girl."

"Oh I see how it is. Did you say the pie's in the fridge?"

"Yes, but I also remember something about no pie for you." Scully shrugged off her coat and hung it on the coat rack.

"But Scully . . ." She stepped up behind him, taking his coat to hang next to hers on the rack.

"But Mulder," Scully mocked.

"I have an incurable sweet tooth. My mouth is watering for pie and vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce and whipped topping."

"Mmm, sounds fantastic."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Kitchen."

"For?"

"A slice of pie with ice cream and caramel sauce and whipped topping and to wash it all down, maybe a glass of iced tea." Scully called over her shoulder as she moved into the kitchen. It was so unlike either of them to take teasing and flirting to such a level and she couldn't understand why she was actually encouraging it.

"Oh that's it." Mulder rushed around the sofa and into the kitchen, meeting Scully at the refrigerator. He turned her around to face him, backing her against the large appliance.

"Muld . . ." she looked up and met his hazel eyes. Before she could ask what he thought he was doing, he pressed her against the door with his body. "This is no way to get in the fridge."

"I changed my mind about the pie," he muttered, his lips hovering just above hers, before closing the distance between their mouths.

She didn't fight him, she couldn't have even if she wanted to. She wanted this, wanted him more than anything else. But she couldn't give in so easily. Scully dodged his lips, "what about that sweet tooth?"

"I think you'll cure it nicely," he informed then captured her mouth with his.

When the kiss broke, only from need of oxygen, not want, Scully allowed her body to relax against the previously cool surface of the refrigerator door. "Now that the ice cream is melted . . ."

"Who needs ice cream?"

"Not me," she said as she pulled him to her for another kiss.

"Dana? Dana? Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to help us decorate the tree when it gets here?"

Scully furrowed her brow and turned toward the voice, "wha . . .oh, sorry. Uhm, decorate the tree? Yes."

"Are you okay?" Mrs. Scully questioned as she placed a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Of course you are." She leaned in, "you were daydreaming about him, weren't you?"

"Mom!" Scully half whispered.

Mrs. Scully had her answer and went back to the living room. "Fox, I'm so glad you could spend the evening with us."

Scully stayed behind and silently cursed herself for allowing the daydreams to overtake her so completely and off guard. She opened the refrigerator and pulled out the pie pans and whipped topping. She forced herself to stop listening when Mulder began to speak for fear that his voice alone would drag her back into the world of daydreams.

"The tree looks beautiful!" Mrs. Scully exclaimed as she stood back and took in all their work.

"It just needs a star on top," Mulder decided, passing the final ornament to his partner.

Scully nodded in agreement. "I'll borrow a ladder from the super tomorrow."

"Nonsense," he stepped over and instructed Scully to stand still, "I'll lift you up there and you plop it on that top branch, then we'll be finished."

Not even turning around, Scully could see her mother beaming with pride and nearly boiling over with enthusiasm. "No, its okay." She squirmed, trying to get away from him but failed.

He wrapped his arms around her just above the knees and lifted her on his shoulder. "Don't kick, just sit still and make any movements slowly." Before moving away from the sofa, Mulder thought better of their situation and put her down on the piece of furniture. "Better yet, put your legs on either shoulder and give me your free hand to hold on to."

"I don't want . . ."

"I won't let you fall, Scully. Trust me."

Mrs. Scully crossed her arms over her chest and tried her best not to laugh at the scene before her. Deciding that she couldn't succeed in her efforts, she turned and went into the kitchen for coffee. In the kitchen she could still see everything but laugh silently in the shadows.

"All right, Mulder." Scully did as instructed careful not to jostle Mulder in the process. "Okay, I'm ready." He walked forward and Scully put the star atop the tree. "Mom, how does that look?"

"Perfect, Dana. Should I get the mistletoe from your coat pocket so you can hang it while you're up there? It might . . .come in handy sometime in the near future."

Mulder could feel Scully tense at her mother's last comments, particularly the grip she had on his hair. "Easy, Scully, I'm too young to go bald," he thought but said nothing. "What mistletoe?" He asked innocently.

"Dana always buys mistletoe at Christmas time. Always."

"I think you should go for it, Scully. Out of all the Christmas traditions, I think that one is my favorite." He patted her leg hoping to ease her grip a little.

"I don't . . ."

"Oh, come on. You never know when Prince Charming or Mr. Right will show up at your door and you'll have no good cover story when you kiss him in place of a hello. At least this way he won't think you're too forward and you can blame it on tradition."

"Maybe Mr. Right is already here," Mrs. Scully mumbled as she walked over to the coat rack and rummaged through her daughter's pockets.

"All right, I'll hang it." Scully caved and relaxed slightly. She could feel Mulder relax too and she ran her hand gently over his hair to smooth it. "Sorry," she mumbled.

"S'okay." He walked them to the front door so Scully could tack up the final decoration for her apartment. "Are you sure the front door is a good place to put it? I mean maybe it's a bad idea to go around kissing strange men."

"Jealous?" Scully countered.

"Nope, concerned."

"Well where do you suggest I put it?"

"Tack it to your ceiling between the kitchen and living room. At least if you're kissing a strange man, you might know his name at that point."

"Strange man, you keep saying that. Do you have any particular strange man in mind, Mulder?"

"Uhm . . .no?" He walked her over to the area between the two rooms he had mentioned. "But if said man is a stranger I can't exactly call him by name."

"If you say so. I'm done, you can put me down now."

Mulder put Scully down and stepped directly under the mistletoe. "You don't sound convinced. Wanna take this thing for a test drive?" He pointed above his head.

"Not really." Scully smirked and started to walk into the kitchen. Mulder grabbed her around the waist in one quick move. "Can't break tradition, Agent Scully. Dana."

Mrs. Scully was nearly beside herself with excitement. Finally they were going to share their first kiss and she could be a witness to the whole thing. She knew if she said anything though, that her daughter would do everything in her power to prevent any show of affection between herself and her best friend. So Mrs. Scully stood silently out of sight, hoping they wouldn't remember she never left.

"I guess not." Scully turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "This being your first Scully style holiday and all, breaking tradition wouldn't be a very good thing."

"Nope. It just might ruin my feelings about the holiday season from this point forward."

"We can't have that."

"Huh uh."

"Mulder?"

"Yes?"

Scully surrendered. "Kiss me?"

And Mulder complied.

And Mrs. Scully nearly jumped up and down with joy.

And Scully got her Christmas wish a little early that year, for real.