The Teenage Years
Part 4
by Trycee
Time-Line: Present Day
Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Files, this is written for fun not profit.
*I've drawn from my own experiences as a parent of a teenager. I have had some strange experiences with other parents with my child in both sports and in dating and so I am using them in this story. *
"I don't get it," Maggie said, as she chopped a few vegetables. "Why couldn't we have gone over to THEY'RE house. I mean, why do they have to come here?"
"Mulder and I were wondering the same thing," Scully said as she chopped the celery for the roasts. "Was it a fascination with us? I mean, we've lived here several years and yet no one really knows us. Are they going back to report to the rest of them what they've seen in our house. We don't know."
"I know when I moved in to my new place," Maggie said, adding her chopped carrots and mushrooms to the large heaping bowl of veggies. "I got 20 questions from just about everyone, the neighbor's, the people at my new church. Once I answered everyone's questions to their satisfaction, they left me alone and moved on to someone else."
"So, you're saying by not having introduced ourselves along time ago, we remained a curiosity?", Scully asked.
Maggie looked her daughter directly in the eye. "Dana, all I'm saying is that this entire dinner is a strange idea to me, that's all I know."
"I agree," Scully sighed. "But, this is Williams first crush and he really likes this girl. He's so nervous that when I went to check on him earlier, he was spinning the photos around on his walls with his powers, just lying in his bed making them move faster and faster until I walked in and then they all crashed and of course he easily repaired them. I mean...he is trying so hard to be 'Normal' and not extraordinary and you almost forget that this is the kid that less than a year ago saved the entire world from an alien invasion!"
Maggie smiled and touched her daughters shoulder. "He has your strength, Dana and he is a teenager and teens want to fit in and so they adapt to their environments. Plus, he has ALOT of Fox in him," and they both interrupted into laughter. "So," Maggie said, trying hard to stop laughing. "He," she said, stopping again to giggle with Dana. "He is going to attract women."
Scully smiled and shook her head. "I know...I know...Maybe it would've been easier if he'd been a girl."
"I had two very attractive daughters," Maggie said, looking directly at Scully. "They would come out of the wood work after both of my daughters.
"I don't remember that."
"Good," Maggie said. "That means your father, Bill and I did a good job at blocking them," she said with complete seriousness as she dumped the veggies into the roasting pan with the two large roasts.
"I knew Dad and Bill would get mad at guys but I don't remember a whole bunch," Scully said, looking surprised.
"Oh, I do!", Maggie stated as she seasoned the roast and oiled it and rubbed it down. With Scully's help, she placed it in the stove.
Maggie then washed her hands and turned her attention back toward her daughter. "Missy was a wild card as you know. She gave your dad and I the flux but she was still a good girl overall. I mean, she was home taking care of you and Charles and not running off with her friends and I think all that tarot card stuff was her way of rebelling. But the boys loved her."
"Yes they did," Scully said, rolling her eyes.
"But they also loved the quiet little sister too," she said, raising her eyebrow. "You were a daddy's girl, always trying to please your father or me when you're dad wasn't around. And with the age gap between you and Missy, you kind of held back from Missy a little...plus you were a tomboy for a long time but eventually you started coming out of that and you began to blossom and BOY did the guys notice."
Scully looked surprised. Her memories were completely different from what her mother was telling her. "And even Charles got in on the act, trying to keep them at bay. They'd tell all the boys you were a nerd and weren't interested or something."
"And you never stopped them!", Scully said, shocked.
Maggie smiled. "No...You were my baby girl. I didn't want you running off and becoming a hippie like Missy did."
Scully shook her head. "Mom, she wasn't a hippie. She was just...dabbling...exploring."
"Yeah, well, your father would've never let you date at 14, I mean what are the parents of this girl thinking?"
Scully looked at her mother. "Mom, Mulder and I are considering letting William date her at 14."
"Well, he's a boy," Maggie said, "It's different. "
Scully shook her head. "Mom, you and you're old fashioned ideas."
"I know its a different time...", Maggie said, as she helped Scully prepare the side dishes. "I tell you what," Maggie said. "I'm curious to hear what they have to say."
William waited on the front steps despite Mulder and Scully's insistence that he wait on the inside. He stood up as soon as the car pulled up the driveway. He approached the passenger seat and waited by the door until Susie stepped out. When she did, he extended his hand and she placed her hand in his and she stared into his eyes. He smiled shyly and ducked his head down but Mrs. Carter cleared her throat and they both parted.
"This way," William said, as he escorted them to the front door.
He showed them where to hang their coats and pointed towards the sofa. "Have a seat. My dad is in his office and my mom and grandma are in the kitchen. I'll let them know you're here."
The Carter's nodded as they looked around but said nothing. William could hear their thoughts though he tried to ignore them and walked on towards his dad's office. "Hey dad, they're here."
Mulder looked over to his 'I Want To Believe' Poster as if it were to give him strength to get through the evening. "Where's your mom?"
"They're in the kitchen."
"Alright, feed me to the sharks, Junior."
William gave Mulder a look that made him stop in his tracks. It was definitely one he'd inherited from his mother. He followed his son to the living room where the Carter's were seated. "Hi, Carter Family," Mulder said. "Will, go get your mom and grandmother."
Mulder seated himself. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes," Dan Carter said. "Water would be nice."
"We'll take whatever you have," Tammy Carter said.
Mulder looked at Susie but she was nervously fidgeting with her hands and so he stood up and passed by Scully and Maggie to gather the waters.
William quickly came back and sat next to Susie with a small distance between them. He opened up his laptop and started showing her photos and videos and they were lost in their own teenage world, oblivious to the adult world around them.
"Hi, Welcome," Scully said.
"Thanks," the two adults said.
"Dinner will be served in about five minutes."
"Alright," Tammy said. "This sure is a lovely home."
"Thank You," Scully said. "It's cozy. Just enough for us," she said.
"You know, this house was bought so long ago, we never knew who bought it," Tammy said, to know one in particular. "It was on the market for years since I was a kid and then one day someone bought it, sight-unseen and we still didn't know who bought it for years until one day y'all moved in...but then we only knew that you moved in, Mrs. Scully."
Scully looked at her mother and then back at Tammy. "Yes."
"And for like six years, we only saw you and then one day we start seeing him,", she said, pointing to Mulder who was carrying a tray with three cups of water. "And then after a year or two or was it three?"
"Something like that," Dan added.
"There was William. I mean, he's the spitting image of you both. He's definitely yours. But no one could figure out where he was all this time."
"Mrs. Carter, Mr. Carter," Scully said, her arms, crossing in front of her. "Our personal business is that...PERSONAL."
Tammy looked at her husband and then back at Scully. "I didn't mean to offend you."
Scully glared at her and then turned and walked off back in the direction of the kitchen. Mulder looked at Maggie and she glanced over at the guests who were watching them both and began to pass out the waters. "Less than five minutes, "Maggie said. "I'm setting the table now," She said, taking the tray from Mulder and retreated back to the kitchen.
Mulder plopped down and grabbed the remote. "Well, how about a little TV."
Scully was pacing the kitchen floor when her mother entered. She turned to face her.
"Dana, calm that Irish temper. I understand. I have one of my own.", Maggie stated.
"You know, I'm starting to think this whole...breaking bread nonsense was just a ploy to come over here. God, they know more about us than we do!"
"They've certainly been watching this house!", Maggie stated, grabbing the silverware and plates.
"William knows what they're thinking, why isn't he saying anything?", Scully said, angrily.
"Maybe he doesn't want to think about it, Dana. He can hear what they're thinking but he can also choose NOT to know what they're thinking if he wants too. Maybe he just likes this girl so much he is willing to do whatever it takes."
"Yeah well, as soon as this dinner is over, I want them out of here!"
Mulder sat at the Head of the Table and Scully sat at his side. He looked proudly at her and the meal she and her mother had prepared. Maggie sat directly across from Scully and William sat next to Scully and across from Susie. Dan sat at the other end of the table with Tammy at his side.
"We need to bless the food," Maggie stated.
The Carter's immediately bowed their heads for prayer while Scully and Maggie made signs of the Cross. And when no formal prayer was forthcoming, Dan Carter took it upon himself to give a lengthy prayer with references to "the true God" and may the "true God" be known.
They all said Amen except for Mulder who nearly gagged at such blatant religious expression in his own home but then Dan Carter began to speak, again. "I noticed Mrs. Scully..."
"I'm Mrs. Scully," Maggie stated.
"I'm Dr. Scully," Dana said.
"Oh!", Dan said. "Well in that case...Dr. Scully, I noticed you don't have any religious artwork of any kind in your home. "
Scully glanced quickly at Mulder. "I didn't realize that was a requirement of some sort."
"You wear a cross...You must be Catholic."
"We are Catholic, Yes!", Maggie answered.
"Catholics are like Christians but they haven't gotten it right," Dan said. "Kind of like Jehovah Witnesses."
"We certainly have!", Maggie said, getting highly offended. "That has to be the most ignorant statement I've ever heard!", Maggie said.
"Look!," Mulder said. "We are here for William and Susie. Not politics or Religion."
"DAD!", William said, standing up. "What are you doing?", he said, looking at his parents.
"William", Scully said.
"Mom!", he said., "This isn't the time. I thought we were just having dinner."
Mulder patted his shoulder. "Just sit down son."
"You're right." Dan said to William.
Maggie shook her head and began to slice the roast and she passed it over to Mulder who began to place it on each awaiting plate. They passed around the side dishes and sat in silence a few minutes before the Carter's began again. "So," Mrs. Carter said. "What football team are you rooting for?."
All three, Mulder, Scully and Maggie looked at each other but remained silent. Dan turned and glanced at his wife and she shrugged her shoulders and ate without saying a word. When the meal was done. Scully and Maggie retrieved the dishes and placed them in the kitchen. They gave each other a knowing look, wishing the evening would quickly end and grabbed the dessert, dessert plates and silverware and returned. Scully sliced the homemade banana cake and served it along with cups of steaming coffee.
"Now, can we talk about their dating," Dan said.
"OK," Mulder said. "Let's sit on the sofa first," he said, locking eyes with Scully.
"I'll wash the dishes," Maggie said.
Mulder stood up and could see that Scully was uncomfortable. He placed her small hand in he's and then walked into the living room with their guests following behind them. William trailed Susie as Maggie a few yards away cleaned the table.
"What are we discussing?", Mulder questioned.
Tammy looked at her husband and they both looked at Mulder and Scully. "Are you married?", they asked.
Mulder placed his arm around Scully's shoulder. "What does that have to do with our son dating your daughter?", Mulder asked.
"Our values...You're values."
William looked at his parents and then glanced over to the Carters and then to his girl Susie.
"Yes," Scully answered. "We are married," Scully said, finally.
Mulders mouth flew open briefly but he quickly recovered and continued to stared at the Carters.
"Well," Tammy said. "With you having a different name...I was wondering."
"You were sticking your nose where it didn't belong!," Scully stated. "Anything else you'd like. Our tax information, perhaps our blood types.", she said, her eyes cold as ice.
Tammy and Dan looked at each other uncomfortably.
"MOM!", William said. "Are you trying to make it so I can't date her. Is that it?", he said, jumping up. "Is that your plan? What, you don't like her!"
"I like her, William. We both like her," Scully said, surprised.
"We're just trying to get to know you too," Tammy said. "Like, We know you're a Dr. and you, Mr. Mulder?"
Mulder stared down at Scully and then back at them. "I'm retired. "
"Oh, from what?", Dan asked.
Scully reached her hand across her chest to grasp Mulder's hand that was laying around her shoulder. "Scully and I are former FBI Agents."
"Oh my!", Tammy stated.
"I used to Head my own Division in the FBI and Scully was assigned to work with me. "
"Obviously, you two fell in love," Tammy stated.
"But it took seven years before they acted on it," William said to the Carters.
Both Scully and Mulder turned to look at William. He smiled meekly back at them. Mulder shook his head.
"What was your Division," Dan asked.
Mulder curled his lip and with a twinkle in his eye he spoke. "It was the X-files."
"Hmm, never heard of that," Tammy said.
Scully rolled her eyes and Mulder squeezed her shoulder.
"What did you do in the X-files?", Dan questioned.
Mulder locked eyes with Scully and they both turned to William and they could see the horror in his expression but Mulder answered anyway as he continued to stare at his son who had thrown his head back against the couch cushions and was staring up at the ceiling. "We investigated the paranormal," Mulder answered.
Tammy and Dan both sat back in their seats and looked around them as if they were afraid of something attaching to them. Suddenly, Dan stood up. "Umm..There's no such thing as the Paranormal, it's all either from God or from Satan."
Mulder chuckled. "Actually, I currently have a Paranormal Investigation business."
"DAD!", William said, covering his face.
"And what is it that you do, Dan?", Mulder questioned.
Tammy grabbed Dan's shirt tail and pulled him back down to the couch. He seated himself and then looked at his daughter who was begging him to please be civil. "I'm a teacher," he stated. "I teach kindergarten through second grade."
"Oh, well that's noble," Scully said. "Where?"
"Our church has a school."
"Oh!", both Mulder and Scully said. "Well, that's nice," Scully said.
"Yeah," Tammy and Dan stated. "Well, it concerns us that your values are so drastically different than our own. I mean. You chase after ghosts...What's next Aliens?"
Mulder chuckled. "We've been known to do a little Alien chasing in our day," he said, glancing at Scully.
She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, once or twice in our heyday."
"We need to talk about all this," Dan said. "I don't know...I mean. She's a Catholic, You are into dabbling with a lot of Devil stuff..."
"No, Daddy, please!", Susie said, begging her parents. "I really like him."
Tammy interrupted."But William is such a sweet boy...perhaps he could go to Church with US and maybe that would save him," Tammy said.
"Absolutely Not.", Scully said.
"Mom, I don't mind, if it means I get to see Susie."
Scully turned and looked at her son. "William Mulder, You need to remember who you are! We are not compromising for no one! Now," she said, turning to the Carters. "It was a nice visit, but I would like for you to leave now. "
"Yeah," Mulder stated. "We need to practice our Satanic-Catholic-UFO-Religion in private, if you don't mind!"
The Carters looked shocked. Susie stood up and tried to grip William's hand but Dan grabbed it away and they left quickly. William plopped down hard on the sofa and then flung his head back and outstretched his arms to the sides of him. "You ruined my life," he said. "You have no idea how you ruined my life."
"William," Mulder said. "Sometimes you have to stand up to what you believe in," he said, as William jumped up and raced to his room. slamming his bedroom door.
Maggie touched her daughter's arm. "I think that went well," she said, sarcastically.
"Yeah, and to think this was the first girl he ever brought home. There are still more to come."
"Oh it's not over," Maggie stated. "You're just getting started," she said, heading back to the kitchen.
Scully looked up at Mulder and sighed. "Great...Just Great."
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