Spoilers for Hollywood A.D. and Je Souhaite. Then, we have Requiem! Afterward, it's off to AU land because Chris Carter's timeline makes no sense!
Enjoy!
After helping Skinner on a case a few days later, Scully and Mulder happily accept the lighter work load assigned to them over the next couple weeks. One afternoon as Scully performs an autopsy, Chloe sits in the office with her father.
"Hey, Dad?" Chloe asks as she sits in the chair across from her father's desk. "Can I get a car for my sixteenth birthday?"
Quizzically, Mulder answers, "You'll have to get your license first."
Watching his daughter's face light up, the agent realizes what his daughter does. Knowing Chloe has to learn eventually, the father states, "Okay, be ready to drive on Saturday."
On Saturday, the teen happily wakes up her father to begin their driving practice. Groggy, Mulder stumbles from the couch mumbling about getting dressed. At an abandoned parking lot a couple hours later, Mulder gives his daughter the keys.
"Now, I want you to circle the lot and we're going to practice parking and staying in a lane."
"Can't you just go through the spaces?" The teen asks seeing her father and other family doing so multiple times. Shaking his head, Mulder answers, "Do as I say, not as I do. Get in the car."
Excitedly, Chloe slides into the driver's seat.
After around an hour, Mulder asks, "How would you feel if I got out and watched you park?"
Eyes wide, Chloe watches her father laugh a little before answering, "It'll be fine. Just remember what I told you."
Letting his daughter practice backing in and out of various parking spaces, Mulder finally agrees to let them go home. Stopping at their apartment complex, Mulder stops the car. Looking at her father, confused, Chloe soon realizes that she is going to be parking the car. Nervous, Chloe finds a good spot and begins to drive toward it. She slams on the brakes when her father gasps.
"Dad!" She yells. Shaking his head, Mulder apologizes.
"I thought you were going to hit that car," He admits. Chloe merely rolls her eyes before readjusting the wheel and pulling into the spot again. Parked, Chloe looks at her father for reassurance.
"Looks good," Mulder admits. Getting out of the car, Chloe asks, "Can I have a car for my sixteenth birthday?"
Chuckling, Mulder answers, "We'll see."
Picking up his phone when it rings, Mulder soon calls out to his daughter, "Do you want to go to Scully's for dinner?"
"Can I drive?" The teen asks. Mulder merely rolls his eyes before grabbing the car keys from the dining table.
"How did driving go?" Scully asks Chloe once the teen enters her apartment.
"Fine. Dad mainly taught me parking and I drove around a parking lot a lot."
On Monday, Mulder and Scully enter the Bureau only to be told to go to Skinner's office.
"What do you think he wants?" Scully whispers as they walk down the hallway. Mulder shrugs, "It's probably just a case."
Entering the office, the agents take notice of a man on the couch.
"Agents Scully and Mulder, will you sit down?"
Complying, the couple sits in the chairs across from Skinner's desk before being briefed on a case. As they ask questions to better understand the assignment, Mulder and Scully try to ignore the man sitting on the couch. Finally, Mulder asks who the man who now talks on his cellphone is.
"'This is Wayne Federman. He's an old buddy of mine from college. He's a writer out in Hollywood now and he's working on an FBI-based movie. He's asked me to give him access'," Skinner states. Unimpressed, Scully deadpans, "'A screenwriter?'"
Defending his title, Wayne corrects, "'It's actually... It's a writer-slash-producer.'"
Just as unimpressed as Scully, Mulder jibes, "'Well, that's actually just a hindrance-slash-pain in the neck.'"
Not hearing the remark, Wayne hangs up his phone and addresses Mulder, "'I don't want to eat your lunch. I'm just here for some procedural flavor- just a taste.'"
Unable to comprehend what the visitor even says, Mulder announces as such.
"'Well, the Skinman's filled me in on your particular bent'," Wayne admits. Still confused by the producer's phrasing, Mulder gives his boss a questioning look. Skinner just shrugs as Wayne explains, "'He said that you come at things maybe a little fahkatke, a little Star Trekky, which is the exact vibe I'm looking for for this thing I'm doing. It's a Silence of the Lambs meets Greatest Story Ever Told type thing. It's... beautiful, and I will not be in your way. I'll be strictly Heisenbergian- a hologram.'"
Mulder shares a forced smile with his girlfriend before putting a hand to his forehead as Skinner orders, "'Agent Mulder, Mr. Federman will accompany you today to Christ's Church where he will act as an observer on this case. You will extend to him every courtesy and protection you would a friend of mine and a friend of the Bureau's. Agent Scully, I require your services here for the morning.' Get settled in the office and meet me back up here in fifteen minutes."
Leaving Skinner's office, Mulder and Scully dash to the basement hoping to have a repreive from Wayne Federman.
"He's doing this on purpose," Mulder grouses to Scully in their office while they wait to meet up with Skinner again. "I blame it on FBI agents ending up on COPS."
"Mulder, that wasn't our fault. Besides, the FBI pulled strings to pull that episode from the air."
Shaking his head, Mulder answers, "It showed once. I found a tape of it when I was packing for England."
"Chloe?" Scully asks in disbelief wondering what she uses the recorded episode for. Her boyfriend nods. Sighing, Mulder asks, "If this gets to Hollywood, should we bring Chloe?"
"I don't see why not? It can make up for the first time we took her to California," Scully smirks.
"We or me?" Mulder questions. Her eyes clouding over, Scully gives a weak smile before completely changing the subject.
"Did Skinner say why he wants me up there?" She asks. Shrugging, Mulder answers, "I know as much as you do. We'll just have to keep this relationship out of the office."
Noticing a small smile from his girlfriend, Mulder silently revels in the small victory after accidentally reminding Scully of Emily.
Meeting up with Mulder later in the day, Mulder asks Scully what Skinner has her do.
"'Paperwork'," Scully replies as she ignores Wayne's suggestive remark afterward. The pair continues to stay professional and finally ends up at a diner near the FBI building. As they walk inside, Mulder and Scully hope that no one recognizes them. In no way are they willing to let Skinner's producer friend know about Chloe. For the next hour, the agents and Wayne go over the case. When the man finally leaves, Mulder teases, "'I miss him already.'"
Still thinking about their case, Scully states, "'You know, Mulder, I... I know that Federman's bs-ing you, so I'm really hesitant to mention this, but, um... his story reminds me of the Lazarus Bowl.'"
Not privy to the Lazarus Bowl, Mulder asks what it is. Shaking her head, Scully explains, "'We had this wacky nun in Catholic school- Sister Callahan- we used to call her "Sister Spooky" 'cause she would tell us scary stories all the time.'"
"'Twisted sisters, my kind of nun, you know?'" Mulder jokes hoping she understands the band reference. Understanding him, but dismissing his remark, Scully continues, "'Well, she would hold up an old piece of wood with a rusty nail in it, and she would say "this is an actual piece of the cross that Christ's wrist was nailed to." Or she'd show us a vial of red liquid and say that it was John the Baptist's blood, or something.'"
Wondering what kind of school his girlfriend attends as a teenager, Mulder remarks, "'She'd be in prison today. You realize that.'"
Not arguing, but also knowing the ins and outs of a private, Catholic school, Scully explains, "'Well, she would tell this story of when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and she said that there was this old woman who was Lazarus's aunt or something.'"
"'Lazarus's aunt?'" Her boyfriend interrups as she continues, "'Who was spinning a clay bowl on a wheel nearby and that Christ's words- the actual incantation to raise the dead-were recorded in the clay grooves of the pottery just like the way music is recorded into vinyl.'"
"'You see? It's just not true that you can't get good science at Catholic school. It's a lie'," Mulder teases. She laughs at the remark before finishing her story.
"'Well, Sister Spooky says that, uh... that these words in the clay still have the power to raise the dead just like Jesus raised Lazarus.'"
Smiling at his girlfriend, Mulder admits, "'That is a very cool story coming from you, Scully. I'll have Chuck Burks meet you over at my office see if this clay has Christ's Greatest Hits on it and I'm going... I'm going to go have another audience with Cardinal O'Fallon.'"
When their case is over, Mulder treats Scully and Chloe to dinner at the diner they first eat at six years earlier. When Mulder takes a call and leaves the table, Chloe takes her chance to ask Scully to help her drive.
"Why can't your dad teach you?" Scully questions. He has been for a couple weeks already. Chloe sighs dramatically before explaining, "He screams."
"Excuse me?"
Noticing her mother's raised eyebrow, Chloe replies, "He's always yelling for me to watch out or to stay in the lanes!"
"Do you?" Scully asks as she tries to repress a smirk. Affronted, the teen replies, "Yes! Please teach me?"
With a dramatic sigh of her own, the red head answers, "Fine."
The next Saturday, Scully shows up at Mulder's apartment.
"We're using your dad's car," Scully states when Chloe waits for the car keys.
"Thanks," Mulder teases before wishing his girlfriend luck.
An hour later, Scully and Chloe reenter the apartment to find Mulder on the couch watching a movie. Turning the TV on mute, Mulder stands and teases, "You made it home!"
Chloe merely rolls her eyes before handing over the car keys to her father.
"How was it really?" Mulder questions once Chloe goes off to her room. Scully merely rolls her eyes as she sits down at the dining table.
"It really wan't that bad, Mulder," The red head admits taking in a deep breath and then exhaling slowly.
"You okay?" Mulder asks his girlfriend when he sees her peaked look. Nodding, Scully replies, "I think Chloe's driving made me car sick. I used to get that way a lot as a kid. Every so often it comes back."
Nodding Mulder stands up and goes to the kitchen. Coming back with a cup of water, the agent hands it to his girlfriend.
"Thanks," Scully whispers as she takes the glass from Mulder. "She's really not that bad of a driver."
"I know, I'm surprised."
The couple is quiet for a while before Mulder asks if Scully needs anything else. Shaking her head, Scully asks, "Did you ever hear back from Skinner about that producer?"
Nodding, Mulder answers, "They're making a movie about our work."
Sighing, Scully remarks, "After Josie Chung, I'm a little apprehensive."
Chuckling, Mulder replies, "Me too. Who do you think they'll get to play me?"
Scully hums a noncommital answer before asking what his phone call from the diner is about. Mulder shrugs answering, "Skinner wanted to thank me for showing his buddy around."
His girlfriend groans, "I'm just glad he's gone."
Smirking, Mulder answers, "Me too."
Monday morning, Scully enters the office to find someone else sitting in her chair. A little confused, the red head greets Mulder who nods slightly toward their guest before replying, "'Morning.'"
Scully mouths "'Who's that?'" to her boyfriend before he introduces Jay Gilmore to her. A little shocked at his appearance, Scully covers it well as Jay explains his reasons for meeting the agents. Once Gilmore leaves, Mulder looks at his girlfriend with a grin.
"Looks like we're going to Missouri!" He happily states. Scully grimaces as she parrots disappointedly, "Looks like we're going to Missouri. I'll call Rachel and see if Chloe can't stay with Anna."
Getting a call from the office during homeroom, Chloe gets the message that she is going home with Rachel since it is a school night. Excitedly heading back to her classroom, the teenager whispers to her best friend, "I'm going to your house tonight. Mom and Dad got a case."
"Cool!" Anna exclaims excited to have a sleepover after Chloe spends so much time with Kyle.
A day and a half later, Mulder gets home while his daughter is in school. Still having Jenn around, Mulder knows he needs to make his wishes. After giving stipulations Mulder ponders his first wish before asking, "'I wish for peace on earth.'"
"'Peace on earth. That's it?'" Jenn questions. Concerned, Mulder asks if there is anything wrong with the wish and adds, "'You can't do it?'"
"'No. I can'," Jenn reassures. There is a pause before Jenn tells the agent his wish is granted. Grinning, Mulder knows that his job will be over, but at least Scully is safe. Not hearing any noise from the usual traffic outside, the agent realizes that his wish backfires. Going out to the street, Mulder sees absolutely nothing. No people walk around anywhere as if he is the last person on earth.
"'I guess I should have seen this coming!'" Mulder remarks before concern clouds his voice as he yells his partner's name. Running around the city, Mulder calls out for Jenn who tells him his wish is granted. Telling her she knows what he means when he wishes for peace, Jenn answers, "'You didn't specify.'"
Truly upset, Mulder yells at the jinn while she returns the world to normal causing Skinner to question how Mulder is currently in his office. Embarrassed, Mulder has no real answer, but slinks down to the basement. Still stuck with Jenn and his final wish, Mulder mulls over the specificity of his answer before having it granted. Thankfully, nothing goes wrong this time. Asking Scully over to his apartment later that night, he invites his daughter over, but she happily declines mumbling something about a date night for them. After he puts the movie into the VCR, Mulder goes to sit next to Scully on the couch. Watching her eat some popcorn, he remarks, "'I can't believe you don't want butter on your popcorn. Uggh. It's un- American.'"
She merely rolls her eyes before looking at the movie title that now shows up on the screen.
"'Caddyshack, Mulder?'" The red head questions. Smiling, her boyfriend answers, "'It's a classic American movie.'"
Slumping a little in her seat, Scully opens her beer before stating, "'That's what every guy says. It's a guy movie.'"
"'Okay, when you invite me over to your place we can watch Steel Magnolias'," Mulder teases. Tossing her beer cap toward ceramic bowl on the coffee table. Opening his own beer, Mulder does the same. When his cap lands away from the bowl, Scully smiles into her beer bottle before asking, "'So, uh... What's the occasion?'"
Mulder shrugs answering, "'I don't know. Just felt like the thing to do. Cheers.'"
"'Cheers'," She replies clinking her bottle with Mulder's. Each taking a sip, Mulder finally decides to approach the topic of his wishes from earlier in the day.
"'I don't know if you noticed but, um, I never made the world a happier place'," He comments.
"'Well, I'm fairly happy. That's something'," Scully remarks as the couple smiles at each other. They barely register the announcer on the screen telling them about the movie starting as Scully asks what Mulder actually wishes for. He gazes at her a moment before smiling and taking another drink of his beer. As Caddyshack starts up, Scully glances over at her boyfriend. Feigning shock, the red head asks, "Are you not going to tell me?"
"Nope," Mulder answers with a smirk. Scully merely shakes her head before turning back to the movie. A moment later, Scully asks, "You really aren't going to tell me?"
"No. I'm just keeping it between me and Jenn," Her boyfriend answers before noticing she looks a little hurt. Worried he is in trouble, Mulder states, "It's not bad! I just don't want to tell you."
Teasing she asks, "Is it about me?"
"Maybe," He mumbles liking the flirty side of his girlfriend. Turning back to the movie, and taking another drink, Mulder instantly freezes when his girlfriend whispers, "Are you sure you don't want to tell me?"
After a moment, Mulder nods toward his bedroom answering, "Not in here."
Suppressing a smile, Scully lets Mulder shut off the TV before they happily make their way to his bedroom.
Review!