From: donaldpi@bellatlantic.net Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2000 23:23:50 -0400 Subject: xfc: ***NEW***"Babysitting, X-Files Style"~by Krystine Source: xfc Reply To: donaldpi@bellatlantic.net TITLE: Babysitting, X-Files Style AUTHOR: Miss K (Krystine) CLASSIFICATIONS: Fluff...pure and simple KEYWORDS: Slight MSR RATING: PG-13...some profanity...mild though AUTHOR'S RAMBLINGS: Hey, I know we are in August, but bite me, I've been having a tough year and just got around to finishing this. FEEDBACK: Oh hell yes...please???? December 30, 1999 Mulder's office J. Edgar Hoover Building Washington D.C. Dana Scully sighed heavily as she shut down her computer. It had been one of those days where the paperwork was due the next day, and, as usual, she got stuck trying to accomplish most of it. Finally, at 8:45 she decided enough was enough. "Mulder, I'm leaving. I've had enough paperwork for one day. You can finish the rest." "Oh come on Scully, we've gotten this far...let's just finish it off...it won't take too much longer." Mulder whined. "What do you mean 'we'? As I recall, I did most of the work, that is between your whining and pencil tossing contests." Scully replied, motioning to the ceiling. "Scully, why have you been so damn irritable today?" "I'm sorry Mulder, I'm just really stressed about my three nieces staying over my apartment this weekend. I'm sorry if I've been taking it out on you." "So you're baby-sitting over the New Year? What a shame." "Why is that a shame? I had no other plans anyway. Not as if I get many offers in the romance department." "It's a shame that you'll only have the company of children to ring in the New Year with, that's all." "Mulder, are you trying to suggest that you would like to join me? Because if you would, you are more than welcome to. I must warn you however, that Charlie's kids are quite a handful." "You doubt my parenting abilities Scully? I think I should be taking offense at that. What time should I be at your place?" "5:30pm, and make sure you have a bag of Chinese takeout with you, or I won't be opening the door." "No problem...see you then." "Bye Mulder." "Bye Scully." December 31, 1999 Dana Scully's apartment Georgetown 5:42pm Dana Scully sat in the corner of her couch, coffee mug in hand. Soft strains of Christmas carols filled the room. Soon, the doorbell rang. "Let the games begin." She thought as she placed her mug on the coffee table and walked to the door. She glanced through the peephole and since it was Mulder, she opened the door. "You'd better have Pork Lo Mein or you're a dead man." She said while opening the door. "Yes, I have Pork Lo Mein your majesty." Mulder said jokingly. "Bow when you say that." Scully countered. Mulder set out the food on the coffee table while Scully poured them each a glass of iced tea. "So Scully, you neglected to mention to me the names and ages of your nieces." Mulder said between bites. "Did I? It must have slipped my mind. Well then, to get you up to speed...Sarah is 6, Claire is 2, and Grace is 8 months, and they should be here within the hour." "Yay." Mulder replied. "Something wrong Mulder?" "I didn't realize we'd be dealing with two babies, that's all." "Does that scare you? If so, bail now." "Nah, not really." "Good, because you have diaper duty for Claire." Scully smirked. "Wonderful." The two finished their meal and relaxed on the couch for a while. Not long after, the doorbell rang. Scully opened it to find her brother Charlie trying to balance two diaper bags, a playpen, a bassinet, and Grace in his arms. "Jesus Charlie, let me help you!" Scully said while taking both Grace and the playpen from him. "Thanks Dana." "Mulder, come give Charlie a hand please." Scully called to Mulder. Mulder appeared behind her, "Let me help you with that." He said taking the bassinet from him. "Thanks...Dana, who is he?" "Oh, I'm sorry! Charlie, this is Fox Mulder, my partner at the FBI. Mulder this is my baby brother, Charlie." "Nice to meet you Mulder," Charlie replied, shaking Mulder's hand. "Same here, Charlie." "Come on in girls, Mulder won't bite." Dana said to Sarah and Claire. The two slowly walked into Dana's apartment and looked around. "Mulder can you please set up the bassinet so I can put Gracie in it?" "Sure, give me a minute." Soon the bassinet was up and the baby content in it. "Sarah, Claire, come here and give Aunt Dana a hug." Scully said. The two small girls didn't have to be asked twice. They ran to her and nearly knocked her over with the force of their affection. "Aunt Dana, I missed you!" Sarah declared. "Who's he?" She asked, pointing to Mulder. "That's Mulder. He's my work partner." Mulder bent down to her level. "Hi Sarah, it's nice to meet you." He said while shaking her tiny hand. "Nice to meet you too Mulder." Charlie broke in then, "I have to get going. I can't thank you enough for doing this for Kerri and I Dana, we really appreciate it." "Don't mention it Charlie. I love being with the girls. Now you go and have fun!" Dana hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. Charlie said good-bye to all his girls and headed out. "So girls, what would you like to do tonight?" Scully asked Sarah and Claire. "I wanna watch 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'!" Sarah decried. "Daddy packed it in the baby's bag." Mulder got up and retrieved the video. He put on the tape and tucked Claire and Sarah into the couch and wandered off to find Dana. He found her sitting on her bed changing Grace's diaper. "Hey, how are you holding up?" She asked when she saw him enter the room. "Pretty good...how are you doing?" "We're doing just fine, right Gracie?" She asked the smiling baby. Mulder was quiet for a few moments, caught in his own thoughts. "What's going on in that mind of yours, Mulder?" Scully wondered aloud. "I was just thinking...it's amazing." "What's amazing Mulder?" "It's amazing what a baby can do to a person." "What do you mean, Mulder?" Scully asked, her brow furrowed with confusion. "Usually, at work, you are emotionless, but still caring, now, when you're with Grace, you're completely different––smiling and laughing. It's a complete 360o turn around." Scully was quiet for a few moments then rose from the bed. "Here Mulder, take Gracie while I go check on Claire and Sarah. I'll be right back." Mulder took Grace from Scully and sat back down on the bed, "How do you operate one of these?" He wondered aloud. "Mulder, they don't come with instructions...sorry to rain on your parade." Scully said while leaving the room. She entered the living room to find Claire sound asleep, and Sarah wide-awake. "Well, that's one down and two to go," she thought to herself. Scully picked up Claire and carried her into her bedroom. Mulder, seeing her return with Claire evacuated the bed and pulled down the covers. Scully placed Claire down in the center of the bed and put pillows around her to prevent her from rolling. Both she and Mulder sat back down on the foot of the bed. Mulder began to hand Grace back to Scully, when she suddenly protested, "Mulder, she won't bite you, you know." Scully whispered. "I'll be right back, Mulder, I need to get her a bottle and then try my hand at getting her to sleep." Scully exited the room and returned about five minutes later, bottle and blanket in hand. "I'll take her Mulder, unless you want to put her to sleep." Mulder handed her the baby without much protest. "You never know what kinds of stuff one of these will shoot at you." He said. Scully took the baby and wrapped her in her blanket and offered her the bottle, which she readily accepted. "That didn't take too much, now did it, Mulder?" "I still don't trust her, no matter how cute she is." Mulder said touching the soft red hair that was just starting to make an appearance on her head. Scully looked up at Mulder and smiled, "She is rather cute, isn't she?" "Yup, but not as cute as you were when you were a baby," Mulder replied. "How do you know what I looked like as a baby?" "You honestly think in all the times I have spent with your mother, she hasn't broken out any baby pictures of you? I think not." "I think I'm going to have to have a little chat with Mom later on this week...we have loads to chat about...like not showing embarrassing pictures of me without my consent." "Don't worry Scully, I didn't see that one of you when you were six and decided to streak around the backyard running through the sprinklers, now did I?" "She didn't show you that one Mulder!" "Oh yes she did...don't worry Scully, I won't tell anyone...especially one little man who seems to resemble a troll." "Mulder I'll kick your ass if you do, and you damn well know I will." "Okay, okay, I'll keep my trap shut. I'll be a good little boy, I promise." "Good." Scully looked down at the baby in her arms. She was thrilled to see that Grace had fallen asleep. "Mulder, get the bassinet from the living room please––Gracie's asleep." "Sure, gimme a sec. Be right back." Mulder returned moments later, bassinet in hand. "Thanks Mulder." Scully said as she placed Grace carefully in bassinet and covered her with the blanket. "Let's go sit in the living room with Sarah, Scully," Mulder suggested. "Sounds good to me...do you want anything to eat?" "Sure, what have you got Scully?" "Chips, dip, pretzels, popcorn, you know, the usual junk food." "Bring it on!" Scully walked into the kitchen and poured some pretzels into a bowl and poured two glasses of iced tea. She brought them into the living room and placed them on the coffee table. "Sarah, do you want anything to drink?" "Can I have some iced tea please, Aunt Dana?" "Sure, I'll be right back." Scully returned a few minutes later, cup in hand. She sat on the couch next to Mulder. "What time is it Mulder?" "It's 10:45 already. Sarah, I think you should try to get some sleep." Mulder suggested. "Daddy said I could stay up and watch the ball drop...can I Aunt Dana? Please??" "I suppose Sarah, but you have to go right to bed afterward." "Okay, I promise. I love you Aunt Dana. Can I watch Cinderella now, please?" "Sure, lemme see if I can find it." Scully got up to look for her copy of Cinderella. Momentarily, she had located it and the soft strains of the beginning credits were rolling. Scully rejoined Mulder on the couch and brought a crocheted blanket back with her, and proceeded to cover the two of them with it. Long after the pretzels and iced tea were finished, the movie came to an end. "Mulder, you have the remote, turn on channel 7...let's watch Dick Clark for the last five minutes of 1999." He did as he was asked and Dick Clark's voice filled the air, "For those of you just joining us here in Time Square, we have four minutes and fifty-six seconds left in 1999. It's been a rather mild evening, we're at 38o and holding." "The last five minutes of 1999...what are you're resolutions going to be Scully?" "You know, the usual, exercise more, eat better, all the stuff you always say you are going to do, but always wind up finding a wonderful reason not to." Scully replied. "How 'bout you Mulder, what are your resolutions?" "Hmm...enact a DNDS order." He said with a smile. "What the hell is a 'DNDS' order?" "Do not ditch Scully." "We'll just see how long *THAT* lasts." She smirked. "I know I'm not perfect Scully, but I'm so close it's pretty damn scary." "What's scary Mulder, is that you actually believe that." Both agents laughed languidly, watching the small clock in the corner of the screen tick down. Soon, there was only thirty seconds left. Scully pulled Sarah into her lap and smiled. Dick Clark's voice filled the air once more, "Here we are with fifteen seconds left until the year 2000...are you ready? Here we go folks! 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...Happy New Year 2000!!" The beginning strains of "Auld Lang Syne" filled the air. "Happy New Year, Scully." Mulder said, as he covered her lips with his, not even giving her a chance to respond. Once they broke their kiss, Scully responded, "Oh yes it is Mulder. Happy New Year, Sarah," She looked down only to find that Sarah had already fallen asleep. Scully picked her up and brought her into the bedroom, placing her down next to Claire. While in the bedroom, she checked on Gracie. Satisfied that she was asleep, Scully returned to the living room and sat back down on the couch next to Mulder. "They all asleep?" "Yes, what a relief! Last time I sat for them, Gracie had to be about 2 months old and would not sleep for anything! I think she eventually cried herself to sleep. Sarah wasn't much help either...she was sick and still on the 'you don't love me as much as you love the baby' kick. Claire was probably the most civil one that night." Mulder smiled. "I'm sure that you were just fine, and one day, the kids will be thankful to have their 'Aunt Dana'." "Where are you going?" Mulder questioned when Scully got up off the couch. "To get us some pillows and blankets," She replied. Just as she reached the linen closet, crying stopped her dead in her tracks. "I'll get the pillows and blankets and you get the baby," Mulder suggested. "Works for me." Scully said as she headed into the bedroom. She returned a few moments later with Gracie, her blanket and diaper bag. "Mulder, can you please warm up a bottle for me? Make it pretty warm, she won't take it any other way." Scully requested as she headed toward the couch that had been transformed into a makeshift bed. Mulder returned a few minutes later to find Scully cradling the baby to her chest. "Thanks," Scully said as she took the proffered bottle from Mulder as he sat on the couch next to her. She placed it on the table and changed the baby's diaper, then offered Grace the bottle. The baby accepted and Scully gently rocked her until she was asleep, then placed her back in her bassinet. She returned to the couch to find Mulder channel surfing. "That bored, huh?" She asked. "Yup." He replied emotionlessly. "Just find something half decent and drop the remote, will you?" Scully said as she stretched out on the couch. "You know, for a tiny person you certainly do know how to take up all available space." "You'll live and I'm tired. You have two choices: squeeze in or hit the floor." "I think I'll opt for the latter...much more alluring." Mulder replied. "Well, which ever one you choose, make it quick, I'm tired." Scully whined. Mulder squeezed behind Scully on the couch and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Good night Scully, Happy New Year." "G'night Mulder." Scully replied as she snuggled into his arms and drifted into sleep. Scully's Apartment January 1, 2000 6:47 am Dana Scully awoke with a start to the sound of crying. "Your turn," She muttered to Mulder as she rolled over and tried unsuccessfully to fall back asleep. "Sure. Fine. Whatever." He said as he got up from the couch and tended to the baby. "Diaper and bottle." Scully said as she watched him disappear into her bedroom. He mumbled something incoherent as he continued walking. Mulder emerged from the bedroom a few minutes later carrying not only Grace, but Claire as well. Mulder opened his mouth to speak, but Scully interjected, "Don't even say it...I'm coming, I'm coming." She said as she pulled herself up off the couch. Lazily running a hand through her unruly red hair, she moved toward the kitchen and took the baby from Mulder. She proceeded toward the refrigerator and took a can of formula from it. While pouring it into a bottle, she noticed Mulder making a mess on the table. "Mulder, what in the hell are you doing?" She questioned. "Getting Claire breakfast." He replied innocently. "Why don't you change her first––I'll make breakfast." "Sounds like a plan." Mulder said as he took Claire over to the couch and changed her diaper. Meanwhile, while feeding the baby, Scully managed to pour some Cheerios® into a small bowl for Claire and place it on the table. "All ready, Mulder...bring her in." Scully announced. Just as they were all seated at the table, Sarah emerged from the bedroom. "'Morning Sarah." Scully said. "Good morning Aunt Dana." She replied as she walked over to the table and sat down. "Would you like some cereal?" Scully asked. "Sure." "Mulder, would you mind?" "Not at all, is Cheerios® okay, Sarah?" He questioned. "Yes, but no milk in them please. Just in a cup if that's okay." "Sure, coming right up, Chef Mulder to the rescue." A few minutes later, they were all eating calmly. "So what would you girls like to do today?" Mulder asked. "I want to see the Pokèmon movie Aunt Dana, can we? Please! Please!" Sarah asked. "Yes, we'll go see the movie, just as soon as everything is settled here and we get ready." "Mulder will you be okay if I leave you here with Gracie for a few hours?" The color drained from his face slightly, "Um...sure, we'll be okay...I hope." The last part he muttered under his breath. "Good, at least that's settled. Will you hand me the newspaper so I can see what time it's playing please?" Scully asked. Mulder handed her the paper and she opened it to the movie listings. After which, she put the baby over her shoulder and gently patted her back. Not long after, the baby burped and Scully declared, "The movie is showing at 12:00pm and 1:50pm. I think we'll shoot for the 1:50pm showing, that way, you won't have to deal with lunch on your own and I'll be back in time for dinner." "Sounds like a plan with promise." Mulder replied. "Well, let's get this mess cleaned up and start getting ready to make the movie." Scully suggested. At just about 1:15pm, everything was cleaned up and Scully, along with Sarah and Claire were ready to go. "Mulder, if you need anything, I have my cell with me, and it will be on the whole time, okay?" Scully told him, picking up her purse and keys. "Thanks, but I think we'll be fine, right Gracie?" Mulder replied. "Okay, we'll be back soon. Girls, say good-bye to your sister and Mulder." "Bye Gracie, bye Mulder!" Sarah exclaimed. "Buh Bye." Claire said. The three headed out the door, and Mulder's excitement began. He placed Gracie on the floor near some of her toys while he went to straighten up the bedroom, from which he could easily see her. Turning his back for no more than three minutes to make the bed, Gracie was gone. Mulder heard a crash and flew out of the bedroom toward where it emanated. He found Gracie sitting on the kitchen floor covered in flour and banging on pots and pans happily. "Oh no you don't Missy, come on, let's get you cleaned up before Aunt Dana sees this and has my head." He picked the baby up and carried her into the bathroom. After starting the water, he placed a towel on the floor and undressed the baby. When the tub had about 3 inches of water in it, Mulder put Gracie in, not noticing he'd forgotten to remove her diaper. After a few moments, a loud 'pop' was heard and the two of them were covered in bits of diaper. "I *knew* I forgot the do something! Now I know why you usually don't put the kid in the tub with the diaper still on!" Mulder mumbled, frustration evident in his voice. After cleaning the flour off Gracie, he took her out of the tub, not bothering to drain it, or remove the diaper particles, and sat her down on the towel. Mulder wrapped her in it, and then took her to the bedroom to dress her. Leaving her on the bed momentarily, Mulder went to retrieve her diaper bag from the living room. He instantly regretted it when he came back and found her playing with the jewelry on Scully's nightstand. "Now, let's put that down, Gracie, Aunt Dana will be upset if she finds you playing with her expensive emerald earrings." Mulder cooed. The baby refused to loosen her death grip on the earrings, so Mulder dropped the subject momentarily, while he dressed her. When he was finished, he picked her up and attempted to extricate the earrings from her tiny hand. Eventually, he succeeded, only to find himself bleeding because of the sharp stones. "Great, just dandy." He muttered under his breath. Mulder carried Gracie into the bathroom and proceeded to wash his injured palm. After he was satisfied it was cleaned out, he turned off the water, dried his hand and took the baby into the living room. He sat on the floor and put her next to him while offering her a few toys. He played with her for about a half an hour, then without realizing it, fell asleep against the couch. After what seemed like moments, he heard the door open and Scully, Sarah, and Claire come in. "Mulder, what in the hell happened here?!" Scully exclaimed. "What? I was just playing with the baby...where is she?!" Mulder replied. "Mulder this isn't funny. Where's Gracie?" Scully demanded. "She was right here a minute ago...I must have dozed off." "You *dozed off*! You don't doze off while watching an 8 month old! Now help me find her!" Scully ordered. Scully went into her bedroom and searched high and low with no luck. "Mulder, have you found her yet?" Scully questioned. "Not yet." Scully suddenly remembered she'd forgotten to look under the bed. She picked up the dust ruffle, and saw two tiny feet. She reached under the bed and pulled the sleeping baby out from under it. "I've got her Mulder, you're one damn lucky man. From the looks of it, I'd say she fell asleep not long after you did." Scully said with a smile, pointing to the carpet impressions on the baby's cheek. She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms and was suddenly puzzled, "Mulder why is her shirt inside out and backwards? And were you aware she is wearing Claire's diaper that is leaking all over me because it is too big?" She questioned. "Um...well, she kept wriggling around while I was dressing her, and as for the diaper, I thought they were all the same!" He said, almost whining. "Don't worry about it...we all make mistakes." Scully said with a half smile. "I'm just glad you are being such a good sport about all of this...I'm seeing a whole new side to you, Mulder." "Is that a good thing?" He questioned, moving closer to Scully. "I like it." She replied, the got a chill after realizing what had just happened. "What?" Mulder asked. "Nothing, I just got a case of déjà vu, it was kind of freaky." Scully put the baby in her bassinet and headed into the bathroom to wash her face. She stepped into the bathroom and was greeted by a huge mess, "MULDERRRR!!!" she fumed. He appeared in the doorway moments later, "What's the matter?" "What in the *HELL* is this?!" She demanded pointed to her bathtub, which currently had mystery goo stuck to the bottom. "Oh that...Gracie's diaper kinda exploded when I gave her bath." Scully shook her head, "And you didn't bother to clean it?" "I forgot?" He offered. "The cleaning supplies are under the kitchen sink." She said as she walked out of the bathroom towards the living room. She sat on the couch in between Sarah and Claire who were happily watching Rugrats. "Is everything okay Aunt Dana?" Sarah asked. "Yes, don't worry about it Sarah." She replied. Claire climbed into her lap and leaned up against her chest and resumed watching Rugrats. A short time later, Mulder emerged from the bathroom and put the cleaning supplies away. Just as he was about to sit down, the baby began to wail. "I think it's time to start dinner...what would you girls like?" Scully asked Sarah and Claire. "PIZZA!" Sarah exclaimed. "Sounds easy enough," Scully replied as she picked up the phone and ordered their dinner. "Scully, can you come here for a minute, please?" Mulder asked. "I'm coming." She entered the bedroom to find Mulder sitting on the bed changing Gracie's diaper. "This is the wrong one, isn't it?" He asked, picking up the baby and allowing her to watch the diaper slide off her. "I'd say so." She replied taking her from Mulder. "I'll take care of this, you wait for the pizza." She suggested. "Sounds good." Mulder replied. He exited the room and joined the two older girls on the couch. Not long after, the pizza arrived, and they assumed their positions around the kitchen table. Mulder cut the pizza into finger size pieces for Sarah and Claire then proceeded to eat his own. Scully, on the other hand, attempted to feed the baby and herself at the same time, and with much effort, succeeded. After dinner was over, Scully suggested Mulder give Sarah and Claire a bath. "Oh, and make sure you take her diaper off first this time." Scully chided him. "Bite me." He replied. "Be careful what you wish for, Mulder." Scully replied with a smile. Mulder stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her. "Bath, now Mulder." He resumed walking towards her bedroom. "The baby shampoo is in Claire's bag in my room, and make sure you use the sleepy time bubbles." She called over her shoulder. "Anything else, your majesty?" He asked sarcastically. "Bow when you say that." She countered. Soon Claire and Sarah were washed and in their pajamas and watching Bambi on the couch. Mulder sat across from them on the chair and kept his eye on them. Scully was in the bedroom, trying to put Gracie to bed. Ten minutes passed and Mulder decided to check on Scully's progress. He walked in to find her sitting on the edge of her bed, rocking the sleeping baby. She looked up and put her finger over her lips to indicate to him 'be quiet'. He nodded and sat down next to her. "How are the other two?" Scully questioned. "Dozing peacefully in front of Bambi." He replied. "Good, they were up late last night." She said as she kissed the baby on the forehead and placed her in the bassinet. "Scully, do you ever regret the choices you've made in your life?" Mulder questioned. "Some of them, yes, but the one thing I don't regret nor will I ever regret is becoming your partner." She answered quietly. "If it wasn't for me, you could have been happily married with a family of your own." "Maybe so Mulder, but how can you be so sure? How do you know that I wouldn't be right where I am right now, only doing this alone? The bottom line is, you don't know how my life would have turned out if I hadn't met you. No one does. For all we know, I could have been killed out in the field somewhere four years ago. I could have been married at the time, maybe not. But I'd rather not live on what could have been. I want to go for the future, maybes and what ifs just don't cut it. Who wants to live like that? I know I certainly don't, and I don't want you to either, okay? So please do me a favor and don't ever ask yourself that question again. Not because your not allowed be curious, but because what's done is done, and you can't change it." Scully said, she leaned over and kissed him softly, then hugged him. "Come on, let's go check on the girls." They walked into the living room to find both girls sound asleep. Scully picked up Claire and Mulder took Sarah in to Scully's bedroom and put them in her bed. After which, they snuggled on the couch and fell asleep. Scully's apartment January 2, 2000 8:49am Incessant knocking awakened Scully, "Who in the hell is that?!" She wondered out loud, obviously rather annoyed. She extricated herself from Mulder's embrace and opened the door. "Charlie! What are you doing here so early?" She asked. "I said I'd be here at nine to pick up my girls Day, it's quarter to." He replied, confused. "It's that late? They're still asleep, Charlie." Scully replied. "Even Gracie? How'd you get so damn lucky?" He asked with a smile. "I don't know, but come on in. I'll wake them up. Oh, just be careful not to sit on Mulder, he's still on the couch." Scully said. "No he's not Dana." Charlie said pointing to the couch. "He was when I got up. Oh well, he's probably in the bathroom." Scully went into her bedroom to wake the girls only to find Mulder had already done it and in the process of changing Claire's diaper. "Thanks Mulder, I appreciate your help. I'll get the baby." She said, walking toward the bassinet. She looked down and was greeted by a pair of big blue eyes staring at her. "And how long have you been up, Missy?" She cooed as he picked the baby up, and grabbed a diaper. The baby gurgled merrily as Scully changed her and dressed her. Mulder packed up all of the kids' belongings and put them in the bassinet, which he proceeded to push into the living room. "Daddy!!" Sarah exclaimed. "Da!" Claire chimed in. Charlie hugged the two girls and talked with them, while he waited for the baby. Scully emerged from her bedroom baby and diaper bag in hand moments later. She handed Gracie to Charlie, and placed the bag in the bassinet. "So were they good for you?" Charlie asked. "Angels." Mulder and Scully replied in unison. "That's good...how would you girls like to go out for ice cream after dinner tonight, as a reward?" "Yes!!" The two girls yelled. "Well, we'd be going now, I can't thank you guys enough for watching them for Kerri and I, we definitely appreciate it." "Don't worry about it, we enjoyed it." Scully replied. Charlie took his troop and left a few minutes later. "Well, looks like we survived, Mulder." Scully said. "I'd say so, there were some interesting moments though." "Yes, yes there were. But none the less, we made it, and lived to tell the tale, that's what counts." "I suppose you're right." "Suppose, I know I'm right." They sat back down on the couch and Scully yawned, "I think I could use a few more hours of sleep, how bout you?" "Sounds wonderful, how bout we move this party into the bedroom though, there's more room." "Works for me." Mulder and Scully walked into her bedroom and climbed into bed and fell into a heavy sleep, unbeknownst to them, sharing the same dream, about sharing a family of three little girls...