Katie dkscully@juno.com Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, they belong to CC at 1013 Productions. No infringement intended. Hey, everyone, I worte this little x-mas story, cause i thought it fitted the characters very well, don't you think? "Merry X-Mas" Mulder was working late on Christmas Eve. and Scully had gone to her mother's for the holidays. She begged him to come, but he made some lame excuse, and wished her a happy holiday. At 12:00 P.M., he falls asleep, face forward onto his desk. He wakes up with a start, to find his father staring at him. "Dad?" "It's me, son." "Dad, what are you doin here?" "I've come to show you something, come with me." Fox got up, and followed his dad out the office door. When the door opened, they were in their old house, before his parents had divorced. Mulder the whole family, including Samantha, sitting before the Christmas tree, opening presents. Everyone was so happy, and carefree. Mulder turned to his dad, with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Why did you bring me here?" "I had to show you Christmas past." "But, why?" "Because, Fox, if you don't learn from the past, you're doomed to repeat it." "But, this is back when Sam was still here, and you and Mom were still together. Why wouldn't I want to repeat it?" "You still don't understand. I don't want you to repeat my mistakes. " Fox couldn't find a reply. They just watched the scene play like an old memory. All of a sudden, the younger Mr. Mulder got up, and walked away. Mrs. Mulder protested, but his father made a lame excuse, and left. "You see, Fox, I let my work distance myself from the ones I loved. It got worse and worse, until..." "Until you and Mom broke up, and Samantha was gone." Mulder's father nodded, and hung his head in shame. Mr. Mulder laid a hand on his son's back, and lead him back into the office. Mulder awoke this time to find eight year old Samantha standing before him. "Samantha," he breathed. "Hello, Fox. I'm here to show you something. Come with me." Again, he followed this all too real apparition out of the office. This time, when she opened the door, they walked out into Mulder's apartment, standing just behind his couch. Mulder saw himself in present day form, sitting in front of the TV, gulping down screw drivers. He appeared to be watching "The Fly", alone on Christmas morning. Samantha looked up into her brother's eyes. "Why are you alone on Christams, Fox?" "Well, I have no one to be with." "You know that's not true. Why didn't you go with Dana?" "I didn't want to burden her. Besides, I really don't like the holidays." "Why are you lying to me, Fox? I know you wanted to be with Dana. Why didn't you go with her?" He looked down at his shoes, defeated. "Ever since you've been gone, Christmas wasn't the same, and I haven't celebrated it since." "Look, Fox, you have to get over it. Right now, tonight, there's nothing you can do to change anything, except you could save yourself by taking Dana's invitation." He nodded, pondering her words for a moment. "When will I see you again? Will I ever find you?" "You will find me someday, Fox, but as for when, that's not for me to say." He looked at her sorrowfully. "I've missed you so much." "I know, I've missed you too, butt munch." He smiled slightly. "Look, like I said. The only thing you can do for me now, is enjoy your Christmas with Dana." She leaned in closer, and whispered, "She posesses the power to ease your pain." He waited for her to continue, but she said no more, and lead him back into the office. This last time, he awoke to find DeepThroat standing before him. "Hello, Mulder." He said in his raspy voice. "Hello." Mulder replied a bit dazed. "I have come to show you two things. Come with me." Asking no questions, Mulder did as he was told. When DeepThroat opened the door, they were in Mulder's apartment again, but it looked different somehow. "Where are we?" Mulder asked. "I think you know where we are. The question, Mr. Mulder, is when are we? This is the year 2000. This is one of your possible futures. This is the path you will follow if you stay as you are, and not try to change anything." Mulder stared at himself. This time, he was growing quite the five-o-clock shadow, and was still drinking. There was something playing on the TV, which appeared to be science fiction. Again, he was alone. Laid out along his couch, he fell in and out of conciousness. Unable to watch anymore, Mulder turned away. "You said this was one possible future. What is the other one?" "Take a look." DeepThroat said. When Mulder turned around, he saw hazel-eyed, auburn-haired kids running around his apartment, and Scully was sitting next to him on his couch, holding what appeared to be their youngest. He saw himself with an arm around Dana, and a little girl on his knee. A warm feeling filled him, and a single tear ran down his cheek. DeepThroat turned to look at him. "It's your choice, Mulder. A life sad, and alone, or a life with Dana filled with happiness. It's up to you." Mulder nodded,turned, and walked slowly back into the office with DeepThroat. He awoke, half expecting to find another ghostly form in front of him, but saw no one. The feeling of loneliness filled him, and he remember the words of the people in his dream. After driving to Mrs. Scully's house, he went to the front door, and rang the bell. Dana came to answer it, probably expecting someone else. When Mulder saw her, all he said was, "Dana." "Fox, you came. " he simply nodded, and smiled. For the first time in a long time, he was home. The End So, how'd you like this little holiday treat? well, I'd love to know! Email me at: dkscully@juno.com Happy Holidays!!!