"Christmas Eve & Airports" (2/2)

Scully came back, her smile dissipating. Mulder's own form slumped at seeing her smile fading.

"What's wrong?" Scully sat next to him, and turned toward him.

"Well, remember that storm I said might hit D.C.?"

Mulder nodded, though he only vaguely remembering Scully mentioning it. Not the time to bring that up now though.

"Well, it's here. And we're stuck."

"Say that again, Scully?"

"I said we're stuck. No flights to D.C. are leaving until tomorrow morning. So I decided to ask if we could rent a car. No such luck. Turns out the storm is coming up the coast. Supposed to hit here within the hour. The roads are already dangerously icy, I'm told. So, we're"

"Stuck," Mulder finished for her, and sneezed as soon as he finished. The sneeze soon turned to a cough, which soon turned into a series of coughs.

Scully frowned and sighed and took out the thermometer, playing with it in her hands. "Yes, we're stuck. Till tomorrow." She sighed again. "And I'm supposed to be at my mom's at six a.m. sharp to open Christmas presents."

Mulder immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry, Scully."

Scully looked at him, taking his chin so she could see his face. "I'm only going to say this once. This is _not_ your fault, Mulder. Kersh was the one who gave us this assignment." She sat back, still wondering why he would give them an assignment so close to Christmas.

"But Scully, we could have left yesterday if I hadn't."

"Fallen down that snow bank?" Scully teased, a smile creeping back onto her face. "It's not your fault you're clumsy, Mulder."

"Hey, I resent that, Scully!" Mulder defended, turning his head when another series of coughs decided to creep up on him again.

Scully shook her head. "Only you, Mulder, would decide to get sick on Christmas Eve."

"What can I say, Scully? I'm special." He gave her one of his trademark grins.

"Yeah and with your luck you'll end up with pneumonia by new year's." She sighed thoughtfully. "Well, I'd better call my mom and let her know I'll be late for the Christmas celebration." She picked up her purse and began digging through it again.

"Celebration? Is that what you Scullys call it?" The pounding in Mulder's head had began to lessen.

"Sure do. Everyone comes in for Christmas. Bill and Tara will be there, with Matthew, who I haven't since Thanksgiving. He was walking then. Tara said she thought he was even ready to say his first word." Scully looked of into the distance, thoughtful. A grin was on her face.

"Charlie's coming, too. Bringing his wife, Mary and their two kids. I've haven't seen them for awhile, I guess. My mom is probably cooking up a storm."

Mulder smiled, laughing a little. "What?" Scully said, puzzled.

"It's just, I've never seen you talk about your family quite like that. It's like watching someone from those Christmas specials describe a 'Christmas straight from the heart.'"

Scully nudged Mulder in the knee. "Well maybe someday you'll see me on one of those specials."

Mulder laughed. "Yeah sure. I can just see it. 'Dana Scully how did you spend your last Christmas?'" He paused for effect. "'Well I spent it in an airport in New Jersey with my sick 'Spooky' partner whose interest in the paranormal got me stuck there in the first place.' Quite a Christmas for the TV specials, isn't it?"

Scully laughed. "Well, Mulder, one thing I can never say is that you never make a Christmas Eve boring." Her tone softened. "Trust me, Mulder," she gripped his hand in her own, "I would never consider a Christmas Eve with you boring."

The airport bustled with excitement. Announcements about canceled flights were announced and eyes turned toward the windows. A soft blanket of white was adding to the white that already covered the ground.

"Wow, mommy look at all the snow!" a little girl cried. "The snow is going to be taller than me!"

An older boy next to her gave a mock sigh of sadness. "Oh darn! Guess we can't go to grandma's!"

"God damn mother nature! Why can't she wait till after Christmas!"

"Honey, watch your language in front of the children!"

Mulder saw Scully's eyes glued on the little girl who was fascinated by the falling snow. He watched her turn her head and smile as the girl happily pointed out every falling flake to her mother, who smiled and acknowledged her daughter's excitement. Then he watched Scully's face fall to her hands. And he knew why. Staring back at the little girl at the window, he noticed yet another little girl standing near her. A little girl that looked about four, maybe five. She looked about how old Emily would be this Christmas. Mulder reached for Scully's hand and this time he gripped hers. She turned to him and smiled.

"Thanks, Mulder," she whispered, "I needed that."

And for the next half-hour they sat there, hand in hand, and watched the snow fall and the children run by. It fell fast, covering the ground and whatever fell in it's path. More flights were canceled. The airport was closing. They were all stuck here for the night. Finally Mulder has to break his grip with Scully's hand to cover his mouth as another round of coughing hit him.

Scully looked at him concerned, and reached for his forehead. Mulder sat back, suddenly feeling slightly dizzy. He hadn't barely noticed he was sick before, but his body suddenly decided to make it known. He sat back in his chair as Scully frowned again, bringing her hand first to his forehead then down to his check.

"You feel warmer then before," she murmured, a definite frown on her face. Her hand moved to the thermometer she still had in her lap. Mulder shook his head.

"Scully, we've been though this. This an airport. I don't want to have my temperature taken in front of all these people."

Scully was silent for a minute. "Mulder, you're sick. I need to get a temperature."

"Scully, I.." Mulder had started to rise, but a dizzy spell sent him back to his seat. He closed his eyes, willing it to pass, and praying no one except Scully saw him do that. He felt Scully's fingers on his wrist and knew she was taking his pulse.

"Mulder, come on, open your eyes."

He really didn't want to, but he opened them and was met by Scully's own blue eyes, shining. She sighed.

"Well, Mulder, you are definitely sick." She got up and stood in front of him, for once she was taller then he was. "I'm going to get some cough medicine from the gift shop, and then I'm calling my mother. I don't expect to see you move, never the less get out of that chair. Unless you want to relive the experience you had a few minutes ago." She gave him a long look then walked over to toward the pay phones.

Mulder sighed and closed his eyes.

"Mulder."

He sighed and turned. Opening his eyes was not a top priority now.

"Mulder, come on. It's me."

He listened to the voice again and smiled. He managed to open his eyes and once again found Scully's blue eyes staring into his own.

"Morning and Merry Christmas," she said.

"Morning?" he asked, his voice horse.

"Yep, you were sleeping when I got back from the phone. I decided not to wake you. You needed the rest. How do you feel?"

Mulder thought that other for a second. His throat was on fire, his head hurt, and overall he felt horrible. Only one response seemed fit.

"I feel like hell," he responded.

Scully laughed at his response. "I bet you do. Next time you won't fall down a snow bank with no coat on." She extended her hand and offered him help up. He grabbed her hand and after a few unsuccessful tries, managed to get on his feet.

Scully put a hand behind his back. "Come on, the snow let up late last night. We have just enough time to get the terminal and for you to take some cough medicine. Then it's back home and to my mother's."

Mulder groaned. "Your mother's?"

Scully nodded. "Yes. I called her last night and told her how I didn't want to leave you alone, sick on Christmas. So she said come on over. Nothing cures illness better then a bowl of my mom's chicken soup. Just wait."

Mulder stopped walking. "But, Scully I can't put out your mother. And you have your brothers coming with the kids…..And I'm not really up to chatting now."

"I know. You're getting tucked into the guest bedroom as soon as we get there. And my brothers won't mind. In fact, Charlie's been wanting to meet you."

Mulder took a deep breath, causing him to cough. "Even like this?"

Scully laughed. "Even like this Mulder. Come on, you don't want me sitting at my mother's all day worrying about you, do you?"

"Well, I'm sure Bill will love to see me," Mulder muttered sarcastically.

"Well, Bill can kiss my ass. Come on."

Mulder stood shakily for a minute. "Why Agent Scully, I've never heard you speak with so much _love_ for your brother."

Scully tightened her grip around Mulder's waist. "Mulder, my brother can be a real pain in the ass. Of course when I say it, it's in a loving way."

Mulder just smiled in return. Together they walk to the gate. Mulder looked down at Scully, and was content. This was how he liked it. He was one lucky guy. He had the best present in the world.

"Merry Christmas, Scully," he said as they reached the gate.

Scully looked back at him, surprised at first. "Merry Christmas, Mulder."

{It sure is} he thought as they waited to board the plane. {It really is.}

"The End"

Merry Christmas (and a Happy Chanukah, even though it has passed) to everyone!! Feedback is the best Christmas gift. JenR13@aol.com

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