Red Fireworks - Chapter 3

As Scully finished changing into her bathing suit and was digging out her beach towel, there was a knock on the door.

"Auntie Dane! Time to go swimming!" Tommy shouted from the other side.

Scully laughed. "I'm coming!"

She emerged from her room and skipped down the stairs after her nephew.

Maggie Scully had a nice cemented area in her backyard with a table, chairs, and umbrella, barbeque, and lounge chairs, surrounding her large in-ground pool. Three large steps led down into the shallow end while in the deeper part there was a diving board and ladder.

Laura slid Michaela into a baby float and began putting Tommy in his "water wings."

Scully slowly walked down the steps into the pool, getting used to the water.

The sun was out in full force, and the sky was a clear, beautiful blue. The trees around the yard rustled lightly with the warm breeze that occassionally picked up.

Scully pulled the baby around the pool until Michaela cried to be taken out of the water.

Laura got out and set off to put her down for a nap, while Charlie kept an eye on Tommy, playing ball with him.

Scully had a great time with the two of them, finally tiring of the game and floating down into the deeper end. She drifted on her back, edging around the pool's perimeter and back to the shallow end. With her eyes closed and the water under her, it was very peaceful.

When Scully opened her eyes to see where she was, she was surprised to see Mulder standing above her at the edge of the pool.

He was dressed in a t-shirt and jean shorts, sun glasses covering his eyes while he watched his partner float around.

Scully stood up quickly in the shallow water.

"Mulder?" She sputtered, still shocked that he was there.

He smiled down at her. "I got a call from one Mrs. Scully, who told me that I better get my butt up here, and that I'd be toast if I even attempted to argue with her."

"And this actually made you come?" She asked, grinning.

"Scully, you're mother is the QUEEN of guilt tripping. I could not refuse her."

Scully nodded. "Now if only I had that power..."

Mulder gave her a LOOK, and she realized that Charlie and Tommy were still in the water.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Mulder, this is my younger brother Charlie and his son Tommy."

Charlie smiled, glad to finally meet Mulder. He laughed. "I'd shake your hand...but..." He splashed the water. "Dane tells me a lot about you and your work."

Mulder shot Scully an "oh really?" glance, expecting Bill-like hostility from her younger brother.

"Don't worry, its all positive. She really enjoys working with you," he said. "And you are 100% right about Mom...haha."

Scully smiled, realizing that Charlie was overcompansating to be nice. He did not want to come off as another Bill.

"You know what, Tommy?" Charlie began. "I think Grandma bought some popsicles. You want to go inside and get one?"

Scully watched as Tommy took the bait and the two headed for the house, then she laughed out loud.

"Well, THAT was a hint," She said, drifting off of her feet in the water.

"Charlie seems...nice," Mulder said, grinning.

Scully let herself float around the pool, and Mulder followed her on foot around the perimeter.

"He really couldn't wait to meet you. He was disappointed when I told him that you weren't coming."

"Score," Mulder said. "One brother who likes me..."

Scully stopped in the deep water and tread close to the side. "Bill doesn't...well...nevermind. He isn't here and you'll get along with Charlie and his family just fine."

Mulder nodded and Scully reached up to be pulled out of the pool.

When Mulder grabbed hold of her hands to help her, she pushed back from the wall, pulling him into the water with her.

Mulder sputtered to the surface.

"I can't BELIEVE you just did that!"

Scully was already swimming away from him.

"Get back here G-woman...you are SO getting it!"

Mulder chased Scully around the pool while she giggled and splashed.

Mulder finally caught her in the shallow end and picked her up, though she fought with him the entire way.

Standing up, he cradled her in his arms, climbing out of the pool via the stairs.

"Mulder? What are you doing?" She asked, no longer fighting him for fear of falling on the ground.

He didn't answer but carried her to the deep end.

"Put me down!" She shrieked, as he chucked her into the pool.

He dove in after her and chased her around some more.

Inside the house Mrs. Scully, Laura, and Charlie took turns watching them from the window.

Charlie smiled at his big sister's enjoyment and muttered, "Those two..."

His mother just smiled, knowingly. "I've been saying it for years."

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Ok, is it better now? Mulder is in the picture. :) That's ALWAYS a good thing. Hehe. Let me know what you think with the magical review button!