From: "starbuck22" <> Saturday, November 28th, Noon Scully was trying to wrestle the turkey platter out of the refrigerator when Charlie walked into the kitchen. He did a mock-powerlifting pose. "This looks like a job for... Nayyyyyveeee Mahhhhhhhhn!" "My hero," she laughed, gratefully handing him the ungainly package. As usual, there was tons of food at the Scully Thanksgiving feast. Hence, there were tons of leftovers. Between Scully and Charlie, they got most of it spread out on the kitchen table, as well as all the necessary condiments. The overflow took up most of the kitchen counter. "Should we just have everyone help themselves, or should we fix something?" Scully asked. "Let's just make up a mess of sandwiches. To heck with heating anything up. We can save what's left of the leftovers for dinner." Scully held up a jar of mayonnaise, a mischievous smile on her face. "You like this stuff on your turkey sandwich, right?" Charlie looked like he had been presented with a full pail of diapers. "Do Marines register on the evolutionary scale?" His sister just laughed. They quickly fell into their familiar teamwork, assembling a stack of sandwiches in record time. "Charlie, did you and Jill tell Mom that Jill's expecting again?" He frowned. "_I_ didn't. I don't know if Jill did. I don't _think_ she did. Why?" "I'm just trying to figure out why she's walking around with that mysterious smile on her face." Scully was baffled by her mother's behavior. Maggie Scully had been smiling and humming all morning. It was almost getting to point where it was irritating Scully. "She's probably just happy to have us all home for the holiday," he reasoned. "She doesn't usually get to see us all at once." "I guess so, but I think it's something else, too." "Could be she's happy to see you the way you've been," he said off-handedly, not looking up from a half-created sandwich. "What do you mean?" she said carefully. Charlie sighed. He put a mustard-covered knife down on a plate and turned to her. "Dana, I don't know what's happened in your life, and you don't have to tell me, either. But _I_ know I haven't seen you smile this much since...well, never." Scully felt her face grow warm, and she knew she was blushing. Charlie pretended not to notice, knowing that if he did, she'd be even more embarrassed. He picked up the knife and finished his creation. "You don't have to tell me anything, sis. When you're ready, you will. Just know that I'm happy to see you this happy." She gave her brother's free hand a brief squeeze. "Between you and me, Charlie...you'll know at Christmas." "Okay," he said simply, ending the discussion. "Why don't you call the troops and tell them lunch is ready?" - - - - - Charlie set the box of Christmas decorations between his sons. "Okay, sailors, shore leave is over. I have a job for you." "What?" Kevin asked, turning away from the television for the first time that day. "I want you to untangle the strings of lights. Your Uncle Bill and I have to put them up on Gramma's house this afternoon. Think you can do it?" "Yeah," JR enthused, already diving into the mass of green cable. His brother was right behind him. "No problemo," Kevin piped up. "Then make it happen, gentlemen," Charlie intoned. "Aye, sir," the boys said smartly. Charlie stood back up and winked at Scully. They walked out of the living room and started up the stairs. "That'll keep them occupied for a few hours, give Bill and I a chance to get the extension cords set up." She looked over her shoulder as she went up the stairs. Both boys were working on a large green knot of cable and bulbs. "They're good boys, Charlie." "They are," he agreed. "Jill's done a great job with them." "So have you." He grinned, embarrassed and pleased by his sister's words. "They work well together, don't they? Almost as well as you and I did when we were their age." "You were the only one I could boss around, Charlie," she teased. "Ah, yes, the many disadvantages of being the youngest." "Until you got bigger than me." "I've always been bigger than you, Dana." "Have not." "Well, I think I got taller than you when I turned five. You were such a pipsqueak. Still are." He laughed, his arm around her neck as he rubbed his knuckles lightly across the top of her head. "Charlie!" He let go of her, his smile wide and warm. "I'm beginning to think that you still haven't grown up," she scolded him, her eyes laughing. Saturday, 2:30 PM Fletcher was still a bit annoyed and just a little hungover. They'd overslept and missed the early ferry, which meant they'd waited over an hour for the next one. Even the coffee she'd sent Mulder out for wasn't helping. she thought. Neither of them had showered, and Mulder hadn't shaved in 2 days. Their clothes were wrinkled - like they'd been slept in. And even though the sun wasn't shining, Fletcher still wore her sunglasses. "So, Mulder," she said breaking the silence that they'd sat in for the past five hours, "what have you decided for us tonight?" "Let's get a motel room in Baltimore, grab a quick dinner and then go to Fanny's." "Fanny's? You want to go to _Fanny's_?" "Why not? We haven't been there in months and months. Besides, with you practically _married_ to Scully now, who knows when we'll ever get a chance to paint the town again?" "What do you mean?" "I think your, uh, your bachelor - or should I say 'bachelorette'- days are over," he half-joked. "I don't know, Mulder...a strip joint? Can't you think of anything better?" "You promised," he whined in his best little boy voice. "Yes, you're right. I did promise. Still..." "C'mon. It'll be fun. Maybe they've got some new girls there," he said, his eyes lighting up. "Oh, all right," she sighed. "Just get me a couple of aspirin, willya? They're in the glovebox." "Sure." "And Mulder, not a word to Scully. The last thing I need is to have her know I was in a strip joint with you." - - - - - "Goddamnit, Charlie, not that one," Bill said, throwing the string of lights back through the window. "The other one. Yes, that one. Hand it to me, will you? C'mon, get with it." Charlie rolled his eyes at his sister. He'd grown used to his brother by now, and all of Bill's blustering and bullying didn't bother him in the least. He saluted once. "Yessir, Commander Scully," he replied, sarcastically. Scully snorted and choked back her laughter. Down on the front lawn, Maggie watched with grandchildren. Jill stood next to her, a hand hiding the smile on her face. "William Scully!" Maggie called out. "Watch your language. There are young children out here watching you." Bill's ears reddened and he called out an apology. "Sorry, Mom." "Yeah, Billy, watch your mouth," Charlie smirked. "Just give me the goddamn lights," Bill hissed back through a smile. Once Bill had completed stringing up one set of lights, he climbed down the ladder and moved it down to the next window. Charlie picked up the box and headed for the next room. "It's going to be a long afternoon." "He doesn't know any better, Charlie." "I know. He's been the man of the house ever since dad sat him down one day when he was thirteen." He saw the look on her face and knew he needed to explain further. "Dad had the same talk with me when Bill went to Annapolis. Told me I was the man of the house while he was at sea. Bill, unfortunately, still thinks he's it." "So cut him some slack, Charlie." "I do. It doesn't mean I like it." Charlie held his tongue the rest of the time they put the lights up. He and Bill were able to finish their task without any further arguing. When Bill was down on the ground, Scully took Charlie's hand. "Thanks." "For what?" "For holding back your comments. I know it couldn't have been easy, especially since you've been putting the lights up the past three years." "Well, it was better for everyone this way." Katie came running up the stairs in search of her father and her aunt. Charlie swept her up into his arms. "What's your hurry, kiddo?" "Gramma wants everyone out front so we can see her turn the Chrissmiss lights on." Saturday, 8:30 PM Mulder unlocked the door and turned on the light. A large king-sized bed with a canopy dominated the seedy room. The carpet was worn and there were more than a few stains and scorch marks on it. It was hard to even tell what the original color was. The walls were smoke stained and the paint was peeling in spots. he thought, blocking the doorway. "C'mon, Mulder, get out of the way so I can get my bring my bag in." "We've got a problem," he said, bracing himself for Fletcher's ire. "What?" "We've only got one bed," he said, holding the door for her. "What? No way. I thought you told her 'two beds'." "I told her I needed a room for two." "Great. Just great. And I suppose this is the only room they have left?" she asked, throwing her bag on the bed. "Yes." He set his own bag down. "At least it's a king-sized bed," he offered. She sat down on the bed. Her eyes moved up and she groaned, then swore to herself. "Do you know that there's a mirror over the bed?" "Really?" He flopped down on the bed beside her and looked up. "Cool." "This day just keeps getting better and better." "I'm sure you wouldn't complain about a mirrored ceiling if _Scully_ was with you." He made a half-hearted attempt at a leer. "I woudn't be caught dead in a place like this with Scully," she retorted, laying down beside him. She looked up at the two of them, laying side by side. "Bullshit. C'mon, Fletcher, be honest," he said, nudging her in the ribs with his elbow. "Wouldn't you enjoy it just a _little_ bit?" she thought, "What do you want to do for dinner?" she asked, forcing herself to clear her mind. Images of Scully laying naked on top of her, seeing it in a mirror, kept dancing through her brain. "Do you want to go out or order in?" "Well, are you planning on showering first?" "Nah. We'll fit in better if we stay the way we are. At least it won't be obvious that you're the only woman in the audience." "And my body odor will certainly keep away the perverts," she added. Saturday, 10:10 PM Scully poured herself a glass of wine, then grabbed a few bottles of beer for her brothers. She handed Charlie and Bill the beer, then sat down on the sofa beside her mother. Bill suddenly stood up, holding his hand out for Tara. "Mom, there's something we need to tell you," he said, smiling. "What?" "Tara's expecting again." Scully's eyes flew open wide. She looked over at Jill and Charlie. They were both sporting wide smiles. Scully thought. Maggie jumped up from the couch and hugged them both. "When?" "Late May." "How wonderful." "Um, Mom," Charlie said after a round of hugs and cheer. "We've got some news of our own." Maggie looked excitedly at Charlie and Jill. "Number four is scheduled for arrival about July Fourth." "No! Really?" Scully offered up her congratulations to her brothers again, pretending that she hadn't known about Jill's pregnancy. In a way, she was relieved not to be the focus of her mother's attention. Charlie sat down on the sofa beside Scully as they watched Jill, Tara and Maggie talk about the babies. "You okay with all of this, Dana?" he asked kindly. "Yes. Jill asked me the same thing yesterday. I'm happy for all of you. Really." She sipped from her glass. "Besides, it'll keep Mom from worrying about me not having any kids." "True," he agreed. - - - - - Fletcher followed Mulder into the bar. It was loud and smoke-filled, with most of the light centered around the stage. He threaded his way through the crowd, finding them two seats at the front. Fletcher thought about taking her baseball cap off, then thought better of it. A large breasted and scantily clad woman approached them. Mulder couldn't hide the 'kid in a candy store' look on his face. "What'll it be, fellas?" she asked. "Two bottles of beer," Fletcher ordered. "Sure, sugar," she said, sashaying away. "Nice ass," Mulder remarked. "I didn't notice," Fletcher said truthfully. "Seriously? Man, you _are_ slipping. Scully must have you blinded by love." Fletcher's curt response was drowned out by a flood of sound that turned out to be a scratchy recording of "Jungle Love". A tall, leggy brunette sauntered out onto the stage to the hoots and catcalls of the audience. She wore a leopard skin bra and skirt, and her feet were bare. "All right, gentlemahhhn," the deejay shouted into the mike "Time to let your Inner Animal roam free! Give it up for... Tarzana! Tamer of Man and Beast!" The crowd cheered lustily, and Mulder whistled. Tarzana reached behind her back and then brought her arm foreward, cracking a whip. Mulder jumped and Fletcher laughed. Fletcher said, drinking from her bottle. Saturday, Midnight Scully thought. She'd been trying to reach Fletcher for almost an hour. Every single time she'd dialed Fletcher's cell phone, she got an "out of service" message. She put her cell phone into her purse. - - - - - Fletcher looked up to see two very large breasts in her face. The waitress had leaned over to pick up their empties. "Can I get you anything else?" she asked. "Spooky, you want another beer?" Fletcher asked. "Yeah, sure," he said, grinning at Fletcher. "Two more of the same, thanks." She walked away, and this time Fletcher noticed her ass. "You're right, Mulder. That is definitely a work of art." "Why do you always get that kind of service?" he complained. "The barmaids never do that with me." "I tip well." "Well, if you have to _pay_ for it..." "Why don't you ask her next time she's here, Mulder," she suggested, knowing he'd never do it. The last dancer's music faded out as the next act came up. Fletcher wasn't complaining; the last girl danced to Metallica. she thought wryly. She was pleased to hear a golden oldie, Wilson Pickett's 'Mustang Sally', booming out of the big speakers now. "Hi ho, silver, awaaaaayyyyy," the deejay shouted. "Let's give a big Fanny's welcome to a _true_ Triple Crown winner... Miss! Stella! Equusssssssss!" A carousel horse rolled out onto the stage, an attractive blond woman wearing chaps and a fringed vest astride it. Fletcher thought, sucking on her beer. Mulder's eyes were glued to her. Stella strutted down the stage, various articles of clothing dropping to the floor. She danced her way over to where Fletcher and Mulder sat. Fletcher reached into her pocket and took out some money. She nudged Mulder, then handed it to him. He grinned gleefully as he stood up to stuff the money in her g-string. As he did, Stella looked over at Fletcher as she danced. She'd seen Fletcher give him the money. Fletcher grinned cockily at her and winked. A look of recognition crossed the buxom stripper's face as she realized Fletcher was a woman. "Got another five?" Mulder asked Fletcher. "Here." Even though Mulder was putting the money in her g-string, Stella was dancing at Fletcher, her every move directed at her. Mulder was too entranced by her to notice that she wasn't dancing for him. As the song ended and she began to saunter away, she tossed her tassle to Fletcher. "Goddamn, Fletcher! Will you stop it?" Mulder whined. "Stop what?" "Getting the women to notice you." "Must be the baseball cap," she said innocently. - - - - - They sat through several more acts, each a little more explicit than the last. By the end of the night, Mulder and Fletcher were both tipsy and flustered by their experience in the bar. "This is great, just great," Mulder said, a happy smile on his face, too drunk to notice the hardened edge on the strippers faces, the look of desperation on most of the men's faces. "Well, I'm glad you're having a good time, Wonder Boy, but you'd best take care of that before we leave." "Take care of what?" Fletcher sipped her beer as she looked at the bulge in his pants. "You're not bringing 'Mr. Happy' back to the motel room with us. Find some way to say goodbye to him, or I'm dumping a bucket of ice down your pants." "Christ, Fletcher," he said, embarrassed. He crossed his legs uncomfortably. "I mean it, Mulder. It's bad enough we've got to share a bed, which I'm still having second thoughts about, by the way. I absolutely refuse to have your _little_ friend in bed with us." With Fletcher's emphasis on the word 'little', Mulder cringed. "Geez, you really know how to hurt a guy, Fletcher." "They don't call me 'ball-breaker Buchanan' for nothing, Wonder Boy." She set her empty bottle on the table. "Let's go. It's late." Sunday, 9:40 AM Scully stayed for breakfast before she left. She was glad to be on the road, heading for Fletcher's. As expected, the topic around the breakfast table was the two pregnancies. She fumbled in her purse for her cell phone as she pulled onto the interstate. - - - - - Fletcher groaned at the sound of her cell phone. She had passed out on top of the bed, sprawled across Mulder's inert body. She blinked several times, her hands touching her chest, making sure she was still wearing clothes. She touched Mulder's back and was relieved to find he was fully clothed as well. She cleared her throat. She picked up her phone. "Buchanan," she said, her voice hoarse. "Fletcher?" "Yeah, Red." "Are you okay?" "I'm fine, you just woke me up, that's all." "Where are you?" "Some motel." "I'm on my way to your house. When should I expect you?" "Coupla hours." "Are you sure you're okay? You sound horrible." "Just hungover. We had a very late night last night. I'll wake Mulder and we'll head out in a few." "I tried calling you last night." "We were bar-hopping," Fletcher lied. "I shut my phone off and left it in the motel room." "Call me when you're about fifty minutes from home," Scully said, her voice throaty. "Why?" Fletcher began to wake up, her body stirring from the tone in Scully's voice. "I'll have a nice hot bath waiting for you." "Sounds good, but Mulder'll be with me." "Fuck Mulder," Scully said, surprising herself and Fletcher. "No, thanks. Not my type," Fletcher laughed. Scully laughed with her. "Hurry home. I miss you." "I miss you, too." Sunday, 1:00 PM Scully heard the security system acknowledge a car, and she knew it was Fletcher and Mulder. She hurried outside in time to see them drive up and park the car. She began to rush over to Fletcher, but stopped. She didn't know whether to be amused or disgusted by their appearance. Neither one of them looked as if they'd bathed in days and their clothes looked slept in. Mulder was sporting the beginnings of a beard and deep circles under his eyes. Fletcher was wearing her hat pulled low and her sunglasses hid her eyes. "Must have been some weekend," she said dryly. "Hey, Red," Fletcher said, waving. Scully gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, but quickly leaned back. Fletcher's clothes reeked of stale beer and cigarettes. "Whew. You need a bath and some clean clothes." "We didn't take time to clean up this morning. We wanted to come right home." "She, not we, wanted to come right home," Mulder corrected. "I wanted to sleep until noon." "What are you complaining about, Spooky? You slept all the way home." "Are you hungry?" "Famished." Fletcher's cell phone began to ring and she reached into the car for it. "Buchanan... What? When?... How many?...Oh, fuck..." Her hand went to her forehead and she grimaced. "No, I just got home..." She glanced at her watch. "Maybe an hour...hold the chopper 'til then...uh huh...And Tim, make sure the crime scene is secured... I don't give a damn. You get the field agents on site. Now. I don't want anything touched, and I mean _anything_, until I get there... Yes... And get me somebody from forensics who knows what they're doing." She turned her phone off and put it in her coat pocket. "Trouble?" Mulder asked cautiously. "My New Jersey boy got active again. Another multiple killing. Now he's escalated into a serial multiple killer." She spun around and slammed her fist on the hood of the car. "Goddamnit!" Mulder gently grabbed Scully's arm to prevent her from going to Fletcher. 'Wait' he mouthed silently. They watched as Fletcher slowly brought her anger under control. "Mulder, could you unpack? Just leave it in the garage. I've got to shower and get to Quantico. There's a chopper waiting for me." She started towards the house. "Do you want me to make you something to eat?" Scully called after her. "Yes, thanks, Red," she said over her shoulder. "That'd be great. We skipped breakfast and I don't know when I'll have a chance to eat." "Go take your shower. I'll bring you up a sandwich. I brought home leftovers." "Lucky me," she said wryly, her mind already on the scene in New Jersey. <>