I know, I know, this couldn't have happened, but they say that everything is possible in an infinite universe. Or something. All characters, as usual, don't belong to me (I wish), but to Chris Carter and the Fox Network. Please don't sue me, I was just indulging my capacity for innocent enjoyment.

You know, I find I write the best when I'm supposed to be revising. Yes, I'm afraid this _is_ my best. Hey, I'm only seventeen.

Grateful acknowledgements to the person who first wrote an X-Files Early Years story, about Father Christmas, my copy of which I can't find, but who originally made me want to write one. This is not, however, a continuation of that, although it could possibly be a prequel. Also thanks to the recent story with M + S as kids - which I can't find either - which I thought was very sweet, and which prompted me.

And, by the way, You Know You're A Creative Phile When... you stay in school after you've had your _last ever_ lesson there, just to write an X-F story. Nothing else could have kept me.

Forgive me if I get minute details wrong, but I haven't seen the second series. Pity me.

Now here's the story...


   Dana Scully gasped involuntarily, and her mouth widened into a circle of delight, as she watched the soft coloured balls magically appear from behind the conjurors red handkerchief. This was the best birthday party this year, it was mush better than the silly clown shed had for _her_ eighth. She looked across at her schoolfriend Samantha Mulder with slight envy, then her attention was drawn back to the miraculous things the magician was doing with a length of string and two balloons.

   Fox Mulder watched his sisters party from out of his window. He longed to be out there in the garden with them, but was too old at age twelve to admit such a thing, and anyway, he couldn't: he was in his room after the 'disgraceful' way he had pulled his sisters hair at breakfast that morning. After all, she had been asking for it, it was all her stupid fault. She shouldn't have taken his book without asking for it.
   He watched the appearance of a model elephant with the gloomiest expression he could muster. He felt a pang of jealousy as Sam was called out to have a quarter taken from behind her ear. They _always_ took Sam's side. He _hated_ having a sister. He wished desperately that he had been an only child.

   Dana clapped with the rest when the magician finished in an explosion of silvery bits, although there were quite a few moans that it was over. No one interrupted her as she wandered through the milling children to the drinks table, and picked up an orange squash. Pausing occasionally to sip it, she indulged her curiosity, and wandered into the house to look around. This was the first time she had been there - Samantha was not really a close friend, just a classmate, and Dana had only recently come to the school when they moved from their old house. She was beginning to like the new neighbourhood, but still found it unfamiliar. She hadn't made any close friends yet in school, and she remembered Nikki and Laura with a pang of regret, and slight guilt that she hadn't written to either of them yet. She made a mental resolution to get her best paper and her new pen and write as soon as she got home. 

   Fox watched as the group around the magician broke up, and saw the man being led off by one of the bolder children to get a piece of birthday cake. Then he looked carefully around the garden for his parents: neither of them were there. Sam was playing chase with a gang of her friends, and as he watched she ran around the corner of the house, leading to the front yard, in pursuit of another little girl.
   It had been her fault that he was stuck up here, he reasoned, sliding off the window seat and crossing to the door. And it was the only opportunity he would get to talk to the magician, as he tried the handle, which hadn't been locked. And anyway, he wasn't _really_ taking part in the party, as he crept down the stairs, peering cautiously ahead over the curve of the banister. And he had had enough punishment that day. And he wouldn't even have any of the birthday cake, he decided virtuously, feeling the thrill of escaping without permission. It was exciting, it felt like being on an adventure, and maybe the magician would teach him how to - he almost leapt a foot into the air as a face appeared around the end of the banister and inquired, 'What are you doing?'
   Recovering, he saw it was a girl he didn't recognise, but of Sam's age. 'I'm going to see the magician,' he said imperiously. 'What're you doing in the house?'
   'I was just looking,' she said, shrinking back, a worried frown appearing on her forehead.
   'Well, go out and play with Sam,' he commanded.
   'I can't. She's playing with her group.' The little girl looked truly apprehensive now, and Fox felt a little guilty about treating her so brusquely. Anyway, she didn't appear to be a crony of Sam's, and today that made her a friend in his eyes.
   'D'you want to come see the magician with me?' he asked casually. Her eyes widened, and he was pleased with the effect he had created.
   'Can I?'
   'Of course. But don't be a nuisance,' he warned.
   'Oh, I won't,' she assured him firmly.
   'Come on, then.' Fox led the way through to the garden, and looked across to the cake table, but the magician had gone. 'What's your name?' he asked as he threaded purposefully to where the man had last been seen.
   'I'm Dana Katherine Scully,' she said meticulously. 'Are you Samantha's brother?'
   'Yes.'
   'What's your name?' she prompted.
   'Fox.' His voice almost dared her to make fun of it, but when she spoke there was nothing but admiration in her voice.
   'That's a _nice_ name. I wish I had a name like that.' He was surprised. She didnt seem like most of the other little girls he had met. 'Where are we going?' she asked next. Fox looked around, spotted the boy who had been leading the conjuror, and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, and looked nervously up at the much taller and older boy.
   'Where'd the magician go?' asked Fox. The boy shrugged.
   'I think he went round the front.'
   'Okay. Come on, Dana.' Dana had to move quite quickly to keep up with Fox, who was much taller than her, too, and moved with the confidence of a proprietor through his surroundings.
   'He can't have gone through the house,' she said as she hurried. 'Wed have seen him. We could catch him if we went through the house. It'd be quicker.'
   'Hmm,' said Fox non-committally, but led the way into the house. Dana was pleased not to have her advice dismissed, treatment she was used to from her elder brothers. They hurried in, but Fox checked as he saw a figure appear through a doorway. 'Quick!' he hissed at her, and took her hand, pulling her up several stairs. Dana went along in puzzlement, and watched from their perch behind the banisters as Samatha's mum passed them without looking up.
   'What's up?' she asked Fox, who was watching his mother go out into the back garden.
   'I didn't tell you I was in trouble, did I. I'm supposed to be in my room. I pulled Sam's hair this morning, cause she took my book. _They_ took _her_ side.'
   Dana, used to the injustice of having siblings, nodded sympathetically. 'I'll go first,' she offered. Fox crept forwards in reply.
   'It's okay,' was all he said.
   The moment they reached the bottom of the stairs they broke into a run, and they hurried through the house. Dana helped Fox up as he tripped over an overlapping piece of carpet and pulled him on. They had to go fast, both felt the need for urgency. Fox fumbled with the catch, and they erupted out of the front door just in time to see the tail-lights of the magicians silver car speed out into the road. Fox raced crazily after him, knowing the uselessness of it, and seeing his father as he ran past, but still going out into the road in the hopeless hope that maybe, just maybe, the conjuror would see him, would stop. He slowed to a halt a few steps down, and watched as the car, painted with arcane magic symbols, speeded up and disappeared around a bend. Then he jumped out of the road just in time, as a car brushed by, honking at him and swerving. His father grabbed him by the elbow.
   'What were you doing, Fox?' he demanded angrily. 'You could have been killed! Do you know how stupid that was?' Fox didn't answer. Instead he looked at Dana, watching in shock at the quick succession of disasters.
   'Maybe next time,' he said, and gave her a half smile. A slight, uncertain smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, and Mr Mulder shook Fox's elbow, holding it tightly.
   'I should ground you for a month!' he threatened. Fox looked up at his father in quick alarm, but just then Dana stepped forwards impulsively.
   'Mr Mulder,' she began bravely, 'it was my fault. I got lost, looking for the toilet, and I found Fox, and I wanted to see the magician.' She looked up at him, her clear blue eyes steady, and Fox gave her a glance of astonishment. 'Its not Fox's fault,' she declared.
   Mr Mulder looked down at the little girl gazing so truthfully at him, and his grasp on Fox's arm lessened. His mouth relaxed into an almost-smile, but he frowned at her.
   'So how did you find Fox, then?' he asked sternly.
   'I knocked on a door,' she said, unabashed. 'I couldn't find the toilet. And now I want to go again, sir.' Her voice was appealing, ringing with truth. Mr Mulder examined her face for a moment in silence, and Fox held his breath. Then his father relaxed into a smile, and let go of Fox.
   'I'll let you off this time, Fox,' he said, 'since it seems you were only playing the knight-errant.' He patted his son's shoulder. 'You'd better show the young lady the way,' he said, and smiled at Dana, 'in case she gets _lost_ again.'
   'Yes, sir,' said Fox thankfully. 'Come one, Dana, it's upstairs.'
   'All right, Fox,' she said obediently, and Mr Mulder allowed the smile to remain on his face as he watched Fox escort the girl into the house, courteously holding the door for her. What a team they made, he thought amusedly to himself.


The End.

So? Flame suit donned with caution, but it's only my first. Be gentle.