Disclaimer: sadly I don't own these characters. Wish I did, but I don't. They belong to the master, CC, fox networks and 1013. But if Chris carter accidently came across this story and decided to use it to made a third X Files movie, he can have it.

Summary: Mulder hides scully's birthday present, which bugs her. Looking around the house didn't work either and scully wants to know! This one is really short and perhaps not necessary, but I can't bring myself to write pages and pages of dribble, but I thought this would be nice before the drama begins.

Spoilers: This story will make frequent references the show. Be warned. I did some research with the dates and ages of the characters, I like being accurate. It helps if you have watched the show, but if you haven't recently; just trust me. I even get brave and let Mulder and Scully refer to David duchovny and Gillian Anderson, but that's not till later.

A/note: this isn't what I intended to write, but it kinda wrote itself. This one is a bit cheekier than last chapter, this chapter and next chapter are pretty cheery, but I can only handle so much domestic bliss. But be prepared for one of those twists I warned you about in chapter 4.

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11:36 PM

February 22nd- 2012

Mulder- scully residence, Virginia

As scully's birthday loomed closer, she became unbearably curious about what Mulder had gotten her and where he had hidden it. She even found herself searching their closet for any foreign gifts. Mulder had said that it was hidden in an obvious place, that it was secure because he really didn't want her to find it before the right time. If she 'accidently' stumbled across it during the day, it wasn't technically her fault now was it? But unfortunately she didn't find it. There was one thing about Mulder she could have lived without; his cryptic way of telling her things. She hadn't actually asked him about her present, but there was an even more burning question she wanted to ask:

"Mulder?" she asked him, directing her attention away from her book. Mulder had been smiling all day, a mischievous little smirk that grew every time he knew scully was looking at him. He was up to no good, he still had a rather child like quality about him, but it had settled down over the last few years.

"Yes scully?" he replied without taking his eyes off his magazine; 'popular science', go figure, he just liked to read about new aircraft and stealth technology, his obsession in government conspiracies had dwindled only slightly. His lips tightened as he tried to suppress another smile. He remembered watching her sneak around the house looking for his gift, like a child at Christmas, trying not to get caught.

"Okay, Mulder" she put her book down and took off her reading glasses. "Why have you been smiling like you just met Santa, all day?" She was giving him the 'what are you up to' look. His Lips grew into a wide smile, pausing he said "because I love you…", it was sweet, not the answer she was looking for; but still, "well I love you, too," she leaned over and gave him a peck on his lips, " now tell me the real reason."

Mulder chuckled slightly as he took off his own reading glasses, placing them on the table next to his side of the bed with his magazine, he turned back to face scully. "I'm enjoying one of those rare moment when I know something you don't" he said proudly, sliding down the bed to lie on his back. "Oh really, pray, what do you know?" she replied mockingly.

"What you're getting for your birthday and where it's hidden…" he said as he snuggled onto the pillow behind his head, his hands resting lazily on his stomach; basking in the warmth of superior knowledge. "Mulder, it's my birthday in," she looked over her shoulder at her alarm clock, turning back to him "twenty minutes, can't I just have it now?" she added a small pout for effect.

"Sorry scully, you're just gonna have to wait. But trust me when I say you're going to like it, and it would mean everything to me to know that you like it. It's not much but it's pretty valuable. Just wait till tomorrow morning." He replied sleepily.

'What the hell does that mean?!' she thought. It better not be his 'I want to believe' poster or a rare alien picture. Mulder saw the look of bewilderment cross her face; he leaned up and kissed her cheek. "Good night scully" he said to her, he rolled onto his side, facing away from scully and tucked a hand under his pillow.

Scully rolled her eyes and smiled. She put her book on the floor next to her bed, and then grabbed her glasses case from her bed stand, snapping it shut around her glasses. Mulder never did this with his; he just put them any where and then forgot where he left them. At least before scully found him or his photographic memory kicked in. He was pretty hopeless at the best of times.

Scully turned off the lamp next to her and laid down into her bed. Mulder's hand reached behind him and slid between the sheets to where her hand lay, entwining her fingers with his. Mulder always made sure that if they didn't fall asleep In each others arms; he would at least hold her hand. Even after an argument, they still did it as their way of silently assuring each other that, 'I may be angry, but I still love you.' Tonight though, there was no conflict; Mulder's other hand was just occupied with something else under his pillow.

"Good night Mulder" scully whispered sleepily. Mulder smiled as his hand tightened around the little black velvet box hidden under his pillow. He knew her really well too. He knew scully would look everywhere for her present; in his office, the car, the lounge room, but she would have never checked under his pillow, her own maybe, but not his. Admittedly, it wasn't there the whole time; it spent most of the time In Mulder's jacket pocket; it wasn't safe in his pants, she was near those quite often. He had only put it under his pillow this morning. Mulder drifted into peaceful slumber, very content with his life; but he knew he would be far more content tomorrow.