From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org Date: 25 Dec 2005 01:00:51 -0000 Subject: NEW: Christmas Eve 2004, 4:20 p.m. (1 of 1) by Diana Battis and Forte, VA, Rated PG-13 by Forte Source: direct Reply To: bjm1352@aol.com TITLE: Christmas Eve 2004, 4:20 p.m. AUTHORS: Diana Battis and Forte E-MAIL: all4mulder@aol.com and Bjm1352@aol.com URL: http://www.geocities.com/dbattis.geo/TheXFilesFic.html and http://www.thebasementoffice.com/ RATING: PG-13 CATEGORY: VA SPOILERS: Basically everything through "The Truth" SUMMARY: Last-minute Christmas presents can be wonderful. TIMEFRAME: Post-"The Truth." Sequel to "Christmas Day 2001, 4:20 p.m." and "Christmas Eve 2003, 4:20 p.m."; it's not absolutely necessary to read them first but it couldn't hurt. ;) You can find them at http://www.thebasementoffice.com/stories/Xmas2001.txt and http://www.thebasementoffice.com/stories/Xmas2003.txt ARCHIVE: Gossamer/Ephemeral/Spooky awards site OK; anywhere else please ask first. DISCLAIMER: They belong to CC, 1013, and FOX; *definitely* not us. FEEDBACK: Would make our day! THANKS: To Musea, especially Blackwood, for beta and all manner of support. **** Christmas Eve 2004, 4:20 p.m. **** Walker's Bookstore & Cafe Omaha, Nebraska December 24, 2004 4:20 p.m. James Walker smiled the smile of a weary Christmas-time retailer with only an hour and forty minutes to go before switching off the OPEN sign and locking the door. "Here you go... hope she enjoys it." He handed the customer his bagged purchase and then winked at the dark-haired little girl, about four years old, who accompanied him. "Ho ho ho... I have a little candy cane for you if you'd like one," he cast a glance up at his customer, "as long as it's okay with your dad." The customer nodded, the little girl squealed with delight, and James leaned over the counter to place the treat in the girl's upstretched hand. "What do you say, Grace?" the girl's father asked her. "Thank you!" Little hops punctuated her enthusiasm. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" "You're welcome," James laughed. "A little excited about Santa coming tonight, are you?" Her father nodded and rolled his eyes in one motion. "She's been VERY good this year, so she's expecting a lot of love from Santa." "Well, I'm sure Santa will bring you some nice toys and books." He gave the two a wave as they turned to leave. "Merry Christmas!" Caroline Walker jockeyed for position with her husband at the cash register as she rang up another customer's purchases. "Don't forget to brush your teeth afterwards, Grace," she called. "I won't! Thank you!" Grace skipped away from the counter, one hand in her father's and the other clutching the candy. James turned to grin at his wife. "You really know how to spoil a kid's Christmas, don't you?" She gave him a good-natured poke with her elbow to get more space at the register. "I just don't want her spending December 26th at the dentist's office." He squeezed behind her to reach around for some extra bags, leaning close to her ear in the process. "I'm sure her father will appreciate having her distracted by that candy cane," he murmured, "so she won't ask what book Daddy just bought for Mommy for Christmas." He grabbed the needed bags and on his way back answered the unspoken question, whispering in her other ear: "The Kama Sutra." Without waiting for her reaction -- which, knowing her, would have been to ignore the innuendo anyway -- he turned to wait on their next customer. "Can I --" he started, then stopped cold. The man before him was tall, lean, tired-looking, with at least two weeks' worth of silvery beard growth. A dark knit cap was pulled over his head, nearly touching the turned-up collar of his heavy coat. "Sir --", he started to blurt, then forced himself to stop. Start again. He's just another customer. James cleared his throat. "Can I help you, sir?" "I need two fifty dollar gift certificates, please." Caroline, busy with her customer, heard the familiar voice. Her eyes darted up and she nearly dropped the roll of quarters she was about to break open into the register. "Sure," James replied. He reached under the counter for the gift certificate book, composure regained on the surface but heart pounding in his chest. "Would you like me to fill in the names for you, or do you want to do that yourself?" "One is for John, the other for Monica," was the gruff reply. Caroline, finished with her customer, squatted down next to James and pulled out two envelopes to go with the gift certificates, catching James' eye as she stood. Message received: John Doggett and Monica Reyes were okay. Caroline helped the next customer while James completed the certificates and placed them with their envelopes in a bag. "That'll be a hundred dollars, please," he said, hoping his voice wasn't shaking. The man handed him a folded hundred-dollar bill, took his bag, and looked James square in the eye. "Merry Christmas," he said, then turned and walked away without looking back. Sleigh bells hanging from the store's front door jangled as he left; he strode down the sidewalk and quickly disappearing from sight. James rang up the purchase, putting the folded bill in the register under the drawer that held the coins and smaller bills. As he turned to the next person in line, he felt Caroline place her hand on his and give it a brief squeeze. There was no question they were thinking the same thing: Christmas had come early in the form of Walter Skinner. Whatever was written inside that folded hundred dollar bill was surely going to be interesting. But James and Caroline Walker had another hour and a half to go before they could switch off the OPEN sign, lock the door, and once again become Mulder and Scully. END **** Feedback is better than spiked eggnog: all4mulder@aol.com and Bjm1352@aol.com Why yes, this fic is a year late. We may be slow, but we're cheap. ;-) Thanks for reading. May you and yours have a wonderful holiday season and a happy, peaceful 2006.