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Title: This Is The Way Thanksgiving Should Be
Rated: G
Category: Vignette
Spoiler(s): Set in Season 5
Archive: Gossamer. Anyone who wants this story can write
to me first, and I usually give permission.
Disclaimer: All characters and the name X-Files belong to
Chris Carter, Ten Thirteen Productions and Fox Studios. They
needed some fresh air and light. When I visit them I make
no money, and intend no copyright infringement when I tell
people what happened during the visits.
Author's Note: Dedicated to my American neighbors. You
have had a hard year and deserve a Happy Thanksgiving.
Written in 2005.
*Now this is the way it should be for me, after all these
years,* Scully felt, as she was unpacking her new, silky
little black dress. The smell of turkey roasting and
pumpkin pie permeated the house and she wanted this for
herself. Poor Mulder. He was last seen in the basement
office, his face in a book and feet on that desk of his.
His habit of introspection during holidays worried her
each time Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas rolled
around. Hadn't he missed real stuffing and real mashed
potatoes?
"I have enough to keep me busy every single day. Don't
worry about me. Gotta see that football game by myself, so
I can say all those words no one can hear. Besides, who
wants to argue over all those bad ref. calls when I know I'm
right? I will see you on Tuesday." Who else would be
rifling through old X-Files and checking the hard drive
for anomalous messages, if he wasn't there? Mulder looked
up from the dog-eared folders and motioned for Scully to
leave. "Vamos! Shoo! Home awaits."
"Mulder, if you feel you can't have a real Thanksgiving
with your mother, and it's too awkward to be with your her
right now, please consider my offer. I think it would do
you a world of good." She had smiled that smile and spoken
ever so gently. Surely her concern had been noted! Her
coat was slung over her arm as she stood by the door.
His eyes softened, and he smiled reassuringly. "Go. I will
be fine, and raring to go with some crazy wild goose chase
by the time you get back here. Now get going, Scully."
Her smile faded. Back to the business face. "See you on
Tuesday, partner. And don't go anywhere without telling
me."
"I can do that," he smirked.
Scully left the Hoover Building knowing that this man was
lonely. More than that she knew he was unhappy.
Dana Scully was pleased with the way the dress made her look.
Time off, a festive occasion, and being thankful with her family.
She knew she was very lucky to have them. She felt for Mulder in
his loneliness. His family relationships hadn't been that great, and
the years of sadness, guilt and separation had to be hurting him.
Well, it was time to go downstairs and help with the cooking. As
she headed for the bedroom door, her cell phone jingled. *I couldn't
turn it off just this once. I'm so damn responsible.*
"Scully."
"Scully, it's me."
"Mulder? Is everything okay? Don't tell me Skinner's calling
me back to Washington..."
"No, no. Nothing like that. It's just... goodtohearyour-
voice. Happy Thanksgiving." Beep.
"Mulder?" She folded the phone and placed it on her night
stand. "Okay, lonely boy. Happy Thanksgiving." She guessed
it was half-time in the game and he needed to hear someone's
voice. *You might see what The Gunmen are doing,* she
thought, wishing that telepathy was a bona fide ability.
A kitchen full of women. Why was that always the case?
Scully reached for a small dish of chopped parsley. "Mom,
how much of this do you want in the potatoes?"
"All of it, honey. I measured it out." Margaret Scully
smiled a knowing smile at Tara.
"Navy wives, Dana! Remember how you grew up? So many
things timed just right and organized as good as a ship?"
Scully felt a longing for that sort of arrangement. A family routine.
"Yeah. I do. It's been so long. But I do have my own routine down
pat. Everything is to the letter as long as there are no surprises."
"You mean sudden Fox Mulder?" Tara asked.
Dana Katherine smiled warmly. She felt like herself, not
like her FBI Agent persona. "Uh huh. He does have a habit
of getting sudden leads, sudden cases and sudden
emergencies."
Bill came into the kitchen with Matthew. "Well, Matthew
wants to chase his old man around the backyard. We promise
we won't get dirty."
Tara laughed. "He can barely walk yet, honey! You just
want some fresh air, I know. Go on."
"Great!" Bill picked up his little boy and headed out the
back door.
Margaret dried her hands and started peeling sweet potatoes.
"Dana, Honey. Would you check the answering machine for any
messages? I invited one of the younger priests to dinner. He's
from out of town, and his family has the 'flu this year. He turned
me down, but I'm hoping he's changed his mind."
"Sure Mom." Scully smiled. "Are you sure you want to keep
the ringer on?"
"Positive." Her Mom basted the turkey. "You just never
know."
The only message was from a nervy telemarketer, and Scully
erased it promptly. "Someone should clean your ducts," she
whispered in disgust.
Having had no success in reaching his partner on her cell
phone, Mulder called by land line.
Scully had been on her way upstairs, but quickly ran to
the phone. "I've got it! Scully residence."
"Hi, Scully. How's the family?"
"They're great. You sound rather cheery. I'm glad you're
okay."
"I bet you've been in a hot kitchen for some time now, and
need a break. I know it did wonders for me when I got stir
crazy this morning."
"Well, I'm kind of busy, and it's great you're sounding so
good, but I really should get back to... "
"You really should get back to a hot kitchen in a stuffy
house? Naw. I hear the weather's great where you are.
Just step outside that front door for a second, just for
me, and tell me you don't feel better... "
"Well I... think that's strange, but why not? It's a
festive occasion."
"And you deserve a treat. Go on. Tell me you don't want
to take in the scenery, the fresh breeze, the... "
Scully felt herself smiling at the thought of actually
doing that just for the heck of one moment of selfishness.
Silly as it all sounded, she did want to see what it was
like outside. "Okay. Okay, give me a minute. I'll be right
back... "
"Oh I'm not going anywhere... " Mulder's voice said dryly.
When Scully opened the front door, there was Mulder, cell
phone in hand. She closed the door, looking back for any
sign of brother Bill. "You had me... You're crazy!" She
spied a bottle of wine in his other hand.
"I know. Hadn't you better hang up that phone?" He eyed her
from head to toe, taking in the dress. There was no
innuendo this time. This was a moment of profound respect.
"Come in, Mulder. You're more than welcome! I want you to
have a Happy Thanksgiving."
Mulder grinned, and looked into those bright eyes of
Scully's. Was that a tear of happiness there he was
seeing? "I think the smile I put on your face right now
is the best part of this Thanksgiving."
END
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