From: "Anukis ." Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2002 00:13:48 -0600 Subject: a story Source: direct Title: 21:20 Author: Anukis Rated: PG Classification: Angst Spoilers: Season 8-9 Summary: none Disclaimer: ...yep, they're alllll mine....as if. I'm kidding. Archive: anywhere, as long as my name's attached. XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX 20:38 The department store swarmed with last minute shoppers and she knew she was blending in nicely. A beige sweater in one hand and a perfume gift pack in the other, she made her way unobtrusively to the escalator. 20:43 The sporting goods section was relatively empty. She browsed amongst the ski suits, plucking idly at one then another, sliding them from left to right, her brow furrowed in mock concentration. 20:46 Her back was to the support beam near the middle of the department. She glanced casually at her watch, then sky blue eyes swept the store. Only three people and herself. A man with two young children. One looked to be about 11, the other a toddler. "...but Daaad!" the 11 year old whined, dark eyes gazing imploringly up at the taller man. "I need a new snow suit! Not Mom." "Joe, we talked about this before we left the house..." She looked down at her watch again. 20:56 "Attention shoppers, The Paulson will be closing in 5 minutes. If you have not already paid for your items, please make your way to the nearest checkout now. We thank you for your co-operation." Her gaze slid across the racks of winter paraphernalia one last time as she slowly made her way to the checkout counter. The father and his two-now quarreling-children stood before her. There was nobody else. "I said enough, Joseph! Now watch your brother for a second...." The cashier eyed her suspiciously until she deposited the sweater and perfume pack onto a shelf of mittens. 20:59 "...and you have a great Christmas, Ma'am!" She ignored the doorman, eyes downcast, blinking furiously as the tears threatened to spill over. Her breath rose in steamy white puffs as she trotted down the large concrete steps, scanning the busy sidewalks one last time. The trees glittered with decorative white lights, and far off at the end of the block a robust man in red waved his bell, collecting for charity. People moved to and fro, some with arms linked, huddling against winter's bite, others laughing, arms waving in an animated version of their words. She stepped up to the curb and hailed a taxi. 21:03 The cab was toasty warm as she slid in behind the driver. He turned partially to glance at her, but she barely noticed. "Where to?" "Georgetown," she said curtly, yanking off her hat, and loosening her scarf. Red hair spilled around her shoulders and she swiped an angry hand through it to tone down the static. The cab pulled away from the street side into the busy DC traffic. "You look pretty disappointed. Couldn't find that last minute gift?" She regarded the back of the driver's head. He was wearing a bright, red, white and green striped toque, dark hair sticking out at all angles from beneath the hem, and a candy cane protruded from the right side of his mouth. "No," she replied softly. "I guess I didn't." "Mighty sorry to here that. Don't suppose a candy cane would cheer you up?" He glanced down at the seat beside him and in a second was holding one brightly colored treat over his shoulder. She hesitated for just a moment, then smiled sadly. "Thanks. This just might do the trick." 21:10 "Well, here you go miss. George Avenue," the driver said, pulling in front of a darkened, decrepit looking old house. She stared at the back of his head, her mouth opening slightly, swallowing back her protest. "How--how much?" she stuttered, fumbling for her wallet. "Nothing. "Tis the season," he replied. His eyes met hers briefly in the rear view mirror. "Have a Merry Christmas." She nodded her thanks and scrambled out onto the sidewalk. The cab drove away. The taxi sign on the roof remained off. 21:12 The door had been unlocked, but she chose to turn the deadbolt when she entered. It was dark and cold inside, devoid of any furniture, and illuminated only by the streetlights outside. Her heart hammered painfully against her rib cage as she walked slowly down the hallway, and she tried to steady her now irregular breathing. The soles of her shoes were wet from the snow and they squelched as she tread across the empty kitchen. 21:13 The back porch was blanketed in unmarred snow. It had drifted in the back yard and swirled around her legs now as a gust of bitter wind blew over the empty house. She felt rather than saw the shadows shift and take form behind her. She froze, holding her breath, eyes closing for a very brief moment. "Where you followed?" "No." "Are you sure?" "Yes." There was a pause. "I didn't think you were going to make it," she said, her voice cracking. The tears brimmed again and this time she did nothing to stop them. "You doubted me?" he asked, his voice holding that teasing quality she'd grown to love and hate. "Not you," she said, ducking her chin, her head shaking slowly. "Never you. Just the circumstances that surround you." She turned, almost afraid that when she did, he wouldn't be there. But he was, hair a little longer than she remembered, face a little thinner. But it was him. And he stood there waiting. "I've missed you," he said softly, his voice breaking. "Merry Christmas, Scully." He held out his right hand, palm up, shaking ever so slightly, and she reached out with her own. Her chin began to tremble, her vision blurred, and a sob choked its way out. "Mulder--" They collided, his arms desperately locking around her torso, hers around his neck. He picked her right up off the porch, rocking slowly in a circle, crying into her soft hair, and she pressed her face into his shoulder. Words poured forth, jumbled and unintelligible, broken by shaky little laughs and sob-filled hiccups. She was standing again, their hands each cupping tear stained cheeks, watery smiles gracing trembling lips. The kiss, feathery soft, scented with peppermint and salty to taste. Promises were whispered and all too soon, they were parting. She watched him disappear down the alley beside the house, and glanced down at her watch. 21:20 Fin. Authors Notes: Yep, it's short and sweet. Just a piece of X-mas melancholy. Hope you enjoyed it. Feedbacks always welcome. psvtz@hotmail.com