A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate them :) To answer the question that was included in one of them, Scully is sixteen.

September 21, 2014

4:48pm

Mulder had installed security cameras out the front of his house. As they were FBI issued cameras the zoom on them was good enough so that positioned at the right angle he had a clear view of the front of Botch's house. This meant he could keep an eye on his movements at all times from anywhere within the house, the feed linked directly to his laptop as well as another computer he had set up in one of the bedrooms upstairs. He needed to keep all his surveillance gear up there lest any prying neighbours decided they should invite themselves in.

There had been barely any action across the street however. The guy rarely left the house and when he did it was just to collect the mail or newspaper or to weed the garden. He seemed so boringly ordinary. He did however spend a bit of time in the garage with the door closed.

Mulder was presently sitting on his couch watching a documentary on Bigfoot. In theory he had one eye on the TV and one on the laptop but in reality when the doorbell rang he jumped, not seeing who had approached the door.

He looked through the peep hole.

Shit! It was A.D. Skinner from the FBI, come to check on him.

He dived back into the living room and grabbing the remote killed the TV. Returning to the door he opened it letting Skinner in without a word.

Once the door was secured they finally spoke.

"Sir," said Mulder. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm just here to make sure everything's going smoothly so far," answered Skinner. "Check up and see how things are progressing."

"Well I've set up the surveillance equipment," reported Mulder. "And I've been keeping a close eye on him. Other than that I plan on talking to the neighbours..."

"Very good," Skinner cut in. "Do whatever you have to. I'd like this animal behind bars before Christmas. Do you need anything else? Equipment? Supplies?"

"I'm all good for now, thanks sir," replied Mulder.

"Very well," said Skinner. "I'll get out of here now. Remember to check in every 48 hours and I'll be sending someone over regularly to check on your progress."

With that he exited through the front door and left Mulder alone again.

XXX

September 22, 2014

4:17pm

Dana Scully marched up the street and into her house.

"I'm home," she called out on her way through.

"How was your day?" her mother asked.

"Fine," returned Scully before calling out. "Queequeg! Here boy!"

The golden Pomeranian came running to her from the back of the house mud covering his lower half.

"Dana!" exclaimed her mother. "Get him out! Quick! He's getting mud everywhere!"

Scully gulped, then scooping the mud soaked ball of fluff up as she went headed straight for the back door.

Just as the door banged shut behind her, Queequeg leapt from Scully's arms and took off. Not paying attention to where the mischievous pup was going Scully bent down to lock the dog-door.

She heard someone cry out.

Scully gulped again and stood up, swinging around quickly as she did so to find Queequeg jumping up at Fox and barking. The gate between the two yards was ajar.

Scully hurried over and grabbed the dog mid bounce but it was too late. Fox's suit was covered in muddy paw prints.

"I am so sorry," she gasped as the little dog wriggled in her arms.

Mulder looked down at his muddied suit.

"What is that thing?" He finally asked trying to brush away the mud but only making it worse.

"He's a dog," giggled Scully.

"More like an over-fluffed, over-stuffed demonic rat," said Mulder also laughing.

"He's adorable!" defended Scully holding him up to her face and hugging him despite getting more mud all over her.

X

"She's over there talking to that creepy guy next door," announced Melissa looking out the window.

"Oh Melissa!" scolded Mrs Scully. "Stop calling him creepy!"

"Fine then spooky!" corrected Melissa.

"He's not spooky either!" retorted her mother. "He is actually really nice. You'd know that if you ever bothered to say hello."

"Whatever," she said dismissing her mother's point. "He is definitely spooky. I heard he believes in aliens!"

"Don't you believe in that kind of thing?" asked her mother, confused.

"Not aliens!" she shot back. "That's ridiculous!"

X

"It's fine, I'll just take it to the cleaners," Mulder was trying to stop Scully from wanting to launder his suit.

"I just feel terrible but," Scully continued. "Please let me make it up to you somehow."

"I'm serious Scully, it's cool, you don't have to do anything," Mulder said.

Scully still looked put out but didn't press the issue any further.

"Why are you wearing that anyway?" she asked.

"If a client drops by I like to look professional," Mulder replied without skipping a beat.

"Well you don't look too professional right now," returned Scully smirking.

"I did!" exclaimed Mulder laughing.

"I should really get this dog washed," said Scully. "I'll see you around Fox."

"Bye, Scully," smiled Mulder as she returned to her own backyard.

Scully was still smiling as she ran warm water into the tub for Queequeg's bath.

A/N: Please review. Thanks for reading.