A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews and for reading this. Hope you enjoy this chapter, it's probably my favourite :)
October 31, 2014
6:01pm
The Scullys arrived at the Doggetts' annual Halloween party one minute late. By today's standards however this was early.
Margaret and Bill Snr were dressed conservatively as Mr and Mrs Wilson from Dennis the Menace which Charlie insisted were not real costumes. He, himself, had gone all out and was dressed in a full Yeti suit. Melissa was dressed as Sandy from Grease, the black leather version. Bill Jr who was home from college for a few days was in attendance as well, wearing a cheap Hulk costume he'd bought only an hour ago.
Scully had put a lot of effort into her costume. Ever since she could remember she'd loved dressing up for Halloween. This year she wore a tight, silvery gray jumpsuit. Her short red hair was slicked back, her face painted the same color as her outfit and large, black almond-shaped eyes were painted over her black contact-lensed eyes.
John answered the door and they all filed in. He commented on all the costumes, saying to Scully who was last;
"Wow! Looking good Dana!"
"Right back at ya John," she said with a huge grin, he was sporting his usual Frankenstein's Monster costume that he pulled out every year.
Barbara Doggett came into the room dressed as Marilyn Monroe and greeted them all.
"You're the first ones here," she informed them. "Luke's in the living room, make yourself at home."
"Barbara, can I help you in the kitchen?" asked Mrs Scully as they bustled off together. "I've brought a pumpkin pie..."
John and the two Bills were all cracking open a beer by this stage. Scully wandered off to find Luke. She found him playing a video game. He looked absolutely adorable in a tiny Woody from Toy Story costume.
"Hey Luke," she said sitting down next to him. "Cool costume."
"Thanks," he replied looking up at her with a grin. He was missing a front tooth making him look even cuter. "Wow I like yours!"
His eyes widened when he spotted her costume. They were the same intense blue as his father's.
"Thank you Luke," she said beaming. "I worked real hard on it. What are you playing anyway?"
"Animal Crossing," he chimed.
"Luke, turn that off now buddy, guests are arriving," John had just stuck his head in the door.
"Okay Dad," he switched the Wii off and trotted off to where his father had just disappeared to.
Scully remained where she was and not half a minute later someone entered the room.
"Dana!" cried out a girl the same age as Scully with dark hair and eyes, dressed as a vampire.
It was Monica Reyes. She lived right at the opposite end of the street and went to the same school as Scully. They'd been friends since they were kids but weren't super close.
"Hi Monica," replied Scully.
"Nice costume!" she said claiming the seat next to Scully. "Good work in securing us prime position."
Scully laughed. Monica was one of those people that everybody liked, she was outgoing and a bit of a joker but also kind and very clever.
A few more people were starting to arrive.
John Doggett had made his way into the huge living room also and was having an animated debate about football with a couple of other guys.
"God I wish he'd worn his cop uniform," said Monica looking over in his direction.
"Monica!" exclaimed Scully.
"What?!" asked Monica. "He looks hot in it. Every time I see him in it makes me want to break the law just so he'll arrest me."
She giggled at the astonished look on Scully's face, before adding; "Come on, you've got to admit you've thought the same thing."
"No I haven't actually," defended Scully. "It's kind of weird because he's Luke's dad and he is married."
"Oh don't give me that," scolded Monica with a glint in her eye. "It's not as if I'd actually do anything, I just think he's hot. I thought everyone did."
"Well I don't think of him that way," Scully reiterated. There was only one person she'd been thinking of that way lately.
"Oh my god, look at that!" Monica suddenly exclaimed. "What the?!"
Scully looked up and saw exactly what she was talking about.
Mr Botch was there wearing a full clown suit that looked like it was about a hundred years old. It was all faded and baggy and even said Patches on the right breast. His face was painted and everything.
Scully and Monica shuddered involuntarily at the same time.
"Crap!" Monica was now looking towards the doorway.
Brad Follmer, Monica's ex was standing there, not wearing a costume probably either because he thought he was too cool or he thought that he was prolific enough of a person to come as himself. His usual arrogant smirk was in place.
Just then, Botch let out a clown laugh that sent chills down Scully's spine.
"Fuck this!" said Monica grabbing Scully's arm and dragging her away towards the door at the other end of the room.
Scully had no choice but to go with her.
"That was just way too much creep in one room for me," said Monica when she finally stopped.
They had come full circle back to the front door.
"I know," agreed Scully. "That Botch guy is freaky. I know it's Halloween but that costume is just wrong!"
"Aw, I thought you'd like it."
Scully's head flew up, Fox was standing in the doorway, having just arrived. He had his hair styled exactly like Special Agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks and was wearing a tan trench coat over a black suit.
If Scully was an anime character her eyes would've been love-heart shaped by now.
"I love it!" she exclaimed without thinking.
"Thanks. You didn't do too bad yourself Scully," Fox replied with a laughing smile.
"Excuse me!" said Monica loudly.
The other two looked at her.
"Cool outfit Coop," said Monica in acknowledgement to Fox before turning to her friend and saying; "Can I talk to you for a second Dana?"
"Sure," said Scully but she knew she didn't really have a choice.
"You like him!" declared Monica in a whisper once they were out of earshot.
"What are you talking about?" asked Scully, thankful that the silver face paint wouldn't reveal the blush beneath.
"I have this six sense for that kind of thing," explained Monica. "I can feel things about people and you my friend have got the hots for Fox!"
Scully bit her lip before saying with less confidence than she would've liked; "I don't know what you are talking about Monica Reyes. He's my next door neighbor."
"Convenient," pointed out Monica with raised eyebrows.
"Mon," said Scully, it was almost a plea.
"Don't worry Dana," she cut in. "Your secret is safe with me." She made a motion as if she were pulling a zip along her lips, putting a padlock on it and throwing away the key.
When they returned, Fox hadn't made it much further.
Barbara Doggett was telling him how wonderful the jack-o-lantern he'd carved was. Scully caught a glimpse of it in Mrs Doggett's hands who was marching off with it, a smile plastered across her face. It was an alien.
"Well, I better mingle!" said Monica winking at Scully and leaving her alone with Fox.
They proceeded into the party. By this time everyone had arrived and were eating, drinking and chatting away.
"So Scully," said Fox leaning up against a wall. "What inspired your costume?"
"Oh I just have this annoying neighbor who never shuts up about aliens," she replied smiling. "Thought I'd humor him."
"Oh, is that right?" asked Fox with mock intrigue.
"How about you?" asked Scully.
"Pretty much the same," he replied. "Only my annoying neighbor never shuts up about Agent Cooper from Twin Peaks."
"Well that's understandable," said Scully matter-of-factly. "He's got it."
They were still chatting away when Scully's dad appeared at her side.
"Ahab," she greeted him.
"Starbuck," he returned.
"You haven't meet F... David Fox have you?" Scully continued. "He lives in Mr and Mrs Blunt's old house."
"Haven't had the pleasure," her father returned looking at Fox and extending his hand. "William Scully."
They shook hands.
"Pleased to meet you Mr Scully," said Fox.
At that moment Bill Jnr arrived on the scene.
A similar introduction played out.
Mr Scully was called away by another neighbor who hadn't seen him for a while.
"Excuse me," he said exiting, leaving just the three of them.
Bill who had had a few beers by now asked; "What the hell kind of costume is that?"
"Bill!" reprimanded Scully, mortified.
"Ah don't worry about it Scully," said Fox dismissively.
"How old are you?" asked Bill suddenly, his eyes narrowed.
"Twenty seven," replied Fox not really knowing why he was being asked that question.
"Dana is sixteen," said Bill. "Stay away from her."
"Oh my god!" exclaimed Scully. "What are you talking about?!"
She glared at Bill, Fox seemed lost for words.
"I know what he's after," said Bill still eyeing Fox with contempt.
Scully dragged Bill away angrily.
"We are just friends," said Scully firmly. "You don't know what you are talking about. You've only just met him."
"All guys are the same," said Bill off-handedly.
"What you're saying is ridiculous," said Scully finally. "I can't believe you."
Scully marched back over to Fox and said; "Come on, Fox."
He obeyed; not wanting to piss her off any more but for some reason couldn't get Bill's words out of his head.
"It's kind of hot in here with this coat on," said Fox. "Want to go outside?"
"Okay," Scully agreed and they exited the house into the backyard.
It was all lit up with fairy lights and jack-o-lanterns. A few others had ventured out too. Some teenagers, a few smokers and some kids were running around.
"Oh," gasped Scully. "It's definitely not too hot out here."
"Here," said Fox immediately.
He took his trench coat off and put it around Scully's shoulders.
"I know it's not actually Coop's but that's probably as close as you'll get," he said with a small smile.
"Thanks," she looked up to smile at him. It was still warm and somehow she found it even better than if it'd belonged to Coop.
Flash!
Scully blinked. So did Fox.
"Sorry!" said Mrs Doggett cheerily, holding up a camera. "Just getting some snaps for the album. You looked so natural, I couldn't resist."
She wandered off to take more photos.
"You don't see much of your dad?" Fox asked Scully after a short silence.
"No," she replied. "He's away a lot with the Navy. Sometimes he comes home for a while and sometimes he is away a lot. He's a captain."
"Is that why you call him Ahab?" asked Fox.
"Kind of, I guess," answered Scully thoughtfully. "Moby Dick is my favorite book. I've called him Ahab and he's called me Starbuck for as long as I can remember. He's not always around but he always makes sure he is home for the important things."
"Like Doggett's Halloween party?" said Fox seriously.
"Well of course!" said Scully. "Who'd miss this?!"
Fox laughed and then sobered.
"You're lucky Scully," he said. "At least your parents care enough to make an effort."
"Are you not close to your parents?" asked Scully gently.
"Na," answered Fox. "After my sister's disappearance things were never the same. I don't keep in touch with my father and I don't see much of my Mom either."
"Don't you get lonely?" asked Scully after a moment.
"Sometimes I guess," said Fox quietly. "Not so much now..."
Scully was watching Fox. He looked so forlorn at that moment she just wanted to give him a big hug but somehow it seemed inappropriate, especially after what Bill had said. Instead she reached out and touched his arm.
"Hey everyone," Luke called suddenly from the backdoor in his cute little voice. "Come and see!"
No one knew what he was talking about yet no one resisted. They all followed him back inside. When they got there, they found Mr Botch or rather "Patches" making balloon animals for all the kids.
Mulder watched on, with mingled feelings of horror and fascination. It disgusted him to see the act playing out before him yet he couldn't look away either. A friendly clown on the outside, a terrible monster within, and all these innocent people oblivious to the charade.
"That creepy bastard," someone suddenly muttered next to Mulder. Apparently not everyone.
He turned to see it was Monica Reyes.
"Excuse me?" said Mulder quietly.
"I don't know if you know much about paranormal phenomenon Coop," she continued quietly. "But I get these feelings about people. It's like a supernatural thing, more than just intuition, and I can tell you I get a very bad vibe from old Patches there."
She tilted her beer bottle towards Botch as she said this and the Federal Agent was so struck by what she had said he didn't even try to stop her from continuing her underage drinking.
"Monica! What are you doing?!" Scully, who was on Mulder's other side, had leaned around in front of him and had spotted Monica with the bottle in her hand.
"I didn't think you were serious about getting arrested," she hissed.
"Relax," said Monica casually. "John's cool."
"He's a cop," Scully reminded her. "And you're drinking in his house."
Their loud whispers had knocked Mulder out of his trance.
"Hey, give me that," he said plucking the drink from Monica's hand and taking a swig himself.
"Hey!" said Monica indignantly. "I was enjoying that."
"And now I am," said Fox.
By this time Patches had finished his show and the crowd had dispersed.
Mulder watched Botch move towards the door. He had a feeling he should follow him. It was the whole reason he'd come tonight, wasn't it?
Skinner's voice suddenly sprang up in his mind; is this a problem for you?
No, he lied to himself this time.
"Fox, where are you going?" asked Scully when he started to cross the room.
"I'm going home," he said without stopping. "I've got things to do."
"What?"
He left Scully behind with a confused look on her face. He couldn't have her go with him.
He'd just rounded the corner, almost running into Bill, when he saw Botch disappear through the front door.
"What's the hurry?" sneered Bill but Mulder ignored him and kept going.
Once out on the street, Mulder pulled out his gun.
The street was empty and he could just hear Botches quiet footfalls. He followed him at a distance.
They were about half way back to their houses when Botch suddenly burst into song.
"I'm Patches the clown!" was one line Mulder could make out.
"You freaky son of a bitch," muttered Mulder, peering out from behind a tree.
Botch practically skipped back to his house singing his eerie song. Once he reached his front gate he let out a blood chilling clown laugh, clicked his heels and proceeded in through the front door.
Mulder was still standing frozen to the spot moments after Botch was gone. Something about that laugh really brought home the fact that this really was some crazy serial killer he was dealing with and that all the people in this street which Mulder had come to know and befriend were in danger. Who would the next victim be? Mulder hadn't personally known the murder victims he'd dealt with before. This was new territory for him and right then he felt like retreating.
A/N: Woo hoo! Doggett and Reyes make their entrance :) Thanks for reading. Please review.