Disclaimer: They are not mine.
A/N: Had this idea while spending a couple of days with my grandma. It was the most exhausting vacation of my life. No offense, grandma.
"You know, Mulder," Scully began, buckling her seatbelt. "My grandparents live here."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They're not right in the city, but close enough."
"They're still alive?"
"They got married young. Had my mom young. She had kids young. They were 39 when I was born."
"Way to break the bell curve on procreation there, Scully. They're only in their 70's?"
She ignored his remark about her reproductive tendencies because it was hot outside and that made him cranky.
"Yes. I thought that since you're in such hot water with accounting, we could skip the hotel and stay with them. Save some money."
"Isn't that complying with the man?"
"I already called them."
He sighed.
"You knew I would give in, didn't you?"
"I thought you would put up more of a fight, but I'm comfortable with this."
"Alright, just tell me where to go."
"Yes!"
He chuckled as he looked over at her, glad he could make her happy. To be quite honest, he was a little upset that she had just sprung this on him. Their relationship was in such a strange place right now, and he wasn't sure if this was meeting the grandparents or meeting the grandparents. They had been taking things so slowly, he assumed it was the former, but with Scully, lately he never could tell. It almost made him regret that impulsive New Years kiss that had started this whole thing. Almost.
"So what are they like?"
"You'll understand Melissa a lot better once you meet Grams."
"Really?"
"Not so much the hippy stuff as the explosion of personality. She's feisty."
"Not unlike you."
"I have yet to make it to her level. Grandy on the other hand just kind of sits back and watches things happen."
"Kind of the way Charlie starts a fight between you and Bill and sits there and laughs as it unfolds."
"Yes, kind of like that."
"This is going to be quite the experience."
"It'll be fun. They have an old barn on the property and they have horses. If we have time, I'll even take you into the Back Forty to go fishing in the crick."
"I never thought I would hear you say crick, or suggest fishing."
"I'm full of surprises."
"You spent a lot of time here as a kid I take it."
"Every summer."
"I bet you were as red as a lobster."
"I lived in a straw hat."
"Please tell me there are pictures of that."
"There are. And don't get it in that head of yours that you can tease me about it."
"Why not?"
"I'm a Quarter-Okie. I was raised to be proud of that."
"Scully, I always think you're so normal and then you go and say something like that."
It was a long drive from the airport to the local P.D. By the time they were done there and on the road to the grandparents house, it was well after 9 p.m. The old farm house was only a 15 minute drive from downtown, and soon they were turning into a gravel driveway. A large mutt was on the porch and peeked up at them, then went back to chewing on an old boot.
Mulder parked the car just as the front door opened. Scully's grandmother was a short woman, and probably the best age progression of Margaret Scully that there ever would be. She came down the old porch steps and wrapped her grand-daughter in a hug.
"I'm so glad you're here, Peanut, even if it's just for a few days."
"Me too. I haven't been here since Mitzi was a puppy," she said, referring to the dog, who was now making her way to them, slowly but surely.
"And you must be Dana's partner. I'm Edith. I've been instructed by my daughter to call you Fox, but Dana insists that you hate that."
"I don't hate it, I just don't prefer it."
"Well then Mulder it is."
"You're much less stubborn than your daughter."
"Oh?"
"It must increase exponentially with every generation."
"Mulder!" Scully huffed, slapping his arm.
He chuckled and got the bags out of the car, following the gabbing women into the house.
"Do I hear the voice of my favorite grand-daughter?"
"No, Grandy, it's just me."
Her grandfather stood up as they entered, smiling widely at them. He was tall and didn't look anywhere near 70.
"My Dana Katherine, in a business suit. I half expected you in flannel, denims, suspenders, and mud pie on your face."
Mulder had to bite back a laugh at the mental picture.
"Or was that a mud pee pie?"
"I never made mud pee pie in my life."
"But you did drink the well water."
"That I did."
He chuckled and turned to Mulder.
"I'm Gene. You must be the Fox Mulder Margaret loves so much."
"I suppose I am."
"It's good to know Dana Katherine has someone watching her back."
"She watches mine more often, but I do try to return the favor."
"Good. Is this all your stuff?"
"One bag for each of us."
"We power pack," Scully added.
"Dana, I put you in the girls room, and Mulder in the boys room. You'll have to share the privy."
"As long as he doesn't drop my toothbrush in the toilet again, I think we'll survive."
They followed her down the photo lined hallway, and Mulder was sure he spotted a few baby Scully's smiling back at him from their frames. The bedrooms were right next to each other, and for the most part, mirror images.
"Your grandfather and I are going to turn in. There are extra pillows in the hall closet if you need them."
"Thanks, Gram."
Mulder tossed his suitcase on the bed then ventured over to Scully's room.
"Can I come in?"
"What? Since when do you ask permission?"
"Well, I wasn't sure of the protocol."
"You can come in. I'm a big girl."
"In that case..." he said, flopping down on the rose patterned comforter.
"Don't get your shoes on my bed, Mulder."
"Alright. Peanut."
"Shut up."
"It'll be nice to stay in a house for a change," he said, rolling on to his back. "We might even get hot water in the morning."
"Out of a clean shower no less."
"I really hope we're not putting your grandparents out at all."
"As long as we get up at five to milk the cows."
"I roll my eyes because I know you're kidding."
"Farm girls never kid."
"Peanut."
"Stop."
He smiled as she kicked off her shoes and laid down next to him.
"I'm so tired," she sighed, rubbing her eyes. "We've been working too hard."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Mulder."
"Partly."
"Partly, but not all. Okay?"
"Alright."
"Good. Now get out of here. I'm going to bed."
"Lightweight."
"I said I was tired. I couldn't sleep last night," she explained, raking a hand through her hair.
"Anything wrong?"
"No, just one of those nights."
"I'll leave you alone then. I'm going to read through the case file one more time; see if I can come up with anything."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. We can Morse code through the wall."
"We can?"
"Yeah. Charlie and I used to do it all the time."
"I try."
He chuckled and stood from the bed, then leaned down to kiss her.
"Night, Scully."
"Goodnight."
One more quick kiss and he was out the door.