Title: Setting the Record Straight 2: Conversation with Bill

Author: Sara B.

E-mail: sabo...@tampabay.rr.com

URL: http://sabo727.tripod.com/

Rating: Early Teens - few bad words

Category: MSF leaning toward MSR 

Spoilers: No real spoilers from the show but references to events from
various episodes.

Summary:  This story is a continuation of 'Setting the Record Straight'
(I'll bet you figured that out from the name) only this time it centers on
the conversation between Mulder and Bill.

Feedback:  Release your guilt for all the stories you've read in the past
and never sent the author any feedback send me some now.  You know you will
feel so much better, and so will I. 

Archive: I would be honored, just let me know.

Disclaimer:  The recognized characters are used Without Prejudice and are
the property of C. Carter, Fox and the wonderful actors who breathed life
into written words, most notably G. Anderson and D. Duchovny who were able
to make us believe in the improbable.  No Infringements of these copyrights
are intended, and are used here without permission.  The story and before
unknown characters belongs to me.

Gratitude: To Kim Knight, you are the best, thank you.  To my Dennis, enough
said.  To CC and Company, who created the X-Files.  Lastly, but my no means
least, to the readers, you make this hobby of mine have meaning. 

Author's Notes:  I've been going through some emotional times lately (thanks
to everyone who consoled me).  I just needed to do something to focus my
thoughts and this is the result.  I guess I should dedicate this to my dad
even when I know he'd never read such drivel and wouldn't know Mulder or
Scully or even the X-Files.  

Dedication: To Nancy again and to the several people who asked me to
continue the story.  I hope you are all satisfied with the results

Dedication:  To Nina, Erin and Mags - Thank you.

 

Setting the Record Straight 2: Conversation with Bill

 

Sara B. 06/06

 

From Setting the Record Straight

 

Mulder was channel surfing when his phone rang.  He looked at the caller ID
and smiled.  "If you miss me this much why not just come home and see me in
the flesh, Scully?"

"Wrong Scully." 

Mulder choked, "Bill?"

~

"Yep, betcha didn't expect that did you, Mr. Mulder?"

Mulder panicked, "is Scu, I mean, is Dana all right?  Has something happened
to her?"  Bill Scully just nodded.  This guy's first concern was Dana's well
being, just like she told him. Suddenly Mulder's pleading voice came through
the phone.  "Bill!"

"Sorry, just distracted.  Dana's fine, there's nothing wrong.  It's just,
well she and I were talking and," Bill stopped trying to figure out what to
say.  "Mr. Mulder, do you think you could come to Mom's and join the family
reunion for the weekend?"

It was Mulder's turn to be distracted.  "Bill?"  It was only one word but
both men heard the question.

"Listen, I know I've been a hard ass where you're concerned but, like I
said, Dana and I were talking and I think I may have misjudged you."  Bill
stopped then added, "a little."  Mulder barked out a laugh and Bill
followed.  "So, will you come?"

"Does Scully, I mean," Mulder went to correct himself but Bill interrupted.

"It's okay, call her Scully, we all know who you mean.  No, I didn't ask
Dana but I know she'd be happy if you came and, Mr. Mulder, I'd appreciate
it if you'd join us.  Besides, you'll get to meet our brother Charles.  Dana
tells me that you tease her about him.  I assure you he does exist, same
with his wife, Jeanne, and their three rugrats, Mike, Paul and Katie."  

Mulder didn't know what to make of this offer.  Part of him wanted to go,
Scully was there and he always enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Scully, at
least when it didn't involve a hospital or convalescents of some kind.  The
other part worried that Bill was setting him up.  

"Mr. Mulder, are you coming?"  Bill asked with a tone of hope in his voice.

"It's just Mulder and I'll be there in about an hour."

"Good, that's really good.  I'm not telling Dana so it will be a surprise."

 

~

Mulder approached the house with trepidation.  This visit was either going
to be a good thing or a disaster rivaling Hiroshima.  The only thing that
stopped him from turning around was the hope that this would please Scully.

His knock was answered by a boy that looked to be around eleven or twelve.
"May I help," the boy started to say then changed, "hey, you're Mulder, Aunt
Dana's Mulder, right?"

"I'm Mulder," he held back saying anything about being Aunt Dana's.

"Great," he turned back to the house and yelled, "Hey, everyone, Aunt Dana's
Mulder arrived!"  This announcement was followed by a stampede of running
feet headed toward the door.

"For goodness sake, stand back and let the man in."  Mrs. Scully admonished
the children, which from Mulder's quick count, seemed to be about seven
possibly eight.  "Fox, come in.  Dana didn't mention you were coming but you
know you are always welcome."

"I wasn't, I mean, Bill called and asked me to come,"  Mulder stammered.

Maggie's face was confused for a moment but quickly hid it.  "Well, I am so
glad that he convinced you.  I know Dana will be thrilled; she was quite
vexed with you for turning down her invitation."  She was leading him toward
the back.  "Dana's out back trying to teach Matty how to ride a two
wheeler."  She looked at him conspiratorially, "it's been quite amusing." 

"Mrs.," Mulder started but she gave him the famous Scully stern look and he
knew instantly what was wrong.  "Maggie, as much as I want to see Dana, I
think I should talk with Bill."

"Maybe you're right.  Why don't you go to the study and I'll send Bill in."
Mulder had the impression she wanted to shield the rest of the guests from
what could be a very volatile situation.

 

~

Mulder was examining the navigational charts that lined the walls of the
study when he heard the door open and close.  Bill had arrived.

"Those were Dad's, Mom had them framed for their anniversary one year."

"I don't know what it is about maps but they fascinate me; these are a true
testament to the cartographer's art," Mulder said as he turned.  Bill
stunned him by smiling.  

He handed Mulder a drink.  "That's iced tea.  I remember Dana mentioning
that you don't drink much and I thought we could both use our full faculties
for this conversation."

"Thanks," Mulder smiled a little wistfully remembering another conversation
about iced tea with a different Scully.

Bill pointed toward the maps, "Dad was an incredible seaman and left quite
the legacy.  I've had a lot to live up to."

"You're lucky, Bill.  I've had to live down my father's legacy."

"Sorry to hear that, no man should have to be shamed by something his
parents did.  It isn't like you had any say in the matter."

"Yeah, well," Mulder's words failed him.  He wasn't expecting Bill to be so
understanding.

"Mulder," Bill began, "I think I owe you a huge apology.  When we met it was
a really rough period for me.  Missy was gone and it looked like Dana was
leaving us.  I needed somewhere to focus my anger and I set my sights on
you.  I placed every bad thing that happened to Dana on you."

"I can understand that," Mulder said while taking a sip of tea.

Bill chuckled, "Dana said that about you.  She said that the only person who
thought less of you than me was you."  He pointed at Mulder with his hand
holding his drink.  "Today Dana and I had a really serious talk about you
and after really listening to her, maybe for the first time, I think maybe
we both should re-examine our positions."

Mulder was curious as to what Scully had said.  "Wha, what did she say?"

"I won't go into all the details but I will say that the man she described
was not the man I'd built up in my head."  Bill looked toward the maps
again.

"Why listen to her now?"

"I had this idea that you were some sort of Svengali for her.  But now I
understand that Dana Scully makes her choices for herself and to think
otherwise is an insult to her and maybe you too."  He stood and walked to
the bookshelves.  

"I suppose in some ways she will always be that little moppet that regretted
shooting a garter snake and followed my friends and I around just hoping
we'd let her play basketball or baseball with us."  Bill pulled down a photo
album, opened it and handed it to Mulder.  

Mulder looked at the picture of a small girl with a long braid and wearing
overalls holding a bat in a classic batter's stance.  "Wait a minute,
Scully played baseball?"  

"Oh, yeah.  Good hitter and great arm; played right field, why?"

Mulder chuckled and shook his head.  "I once gave her batting lessons."

Bill took the album and turned toward the back.  "She's holding out on you."
Mulder looked at a series of pictures, Scully leaping for a ball, sliding
head first into second and holding a trophy for 'Most Valuable Player'.
"Those are college; she led them to division championship three years
running."

"She told me she had better things do to than hit balls around,"  Mulder
said incredulously.  

"Maybe she liked the way you coached her?"  Bill looked at him knowingly.
"Mulder, she was a tomboy if the boys did it, she had to do it too and she
tried to do it twice as well.  Her biggest problem, besides being a girl,
was her size."  Bill sat back down.  "But sometimes that was a major asset.
People, men mostly, underestimated her."

"Still happens all the time.  Then she comes in and zings 'em; they don't
know what hit them."

"You never did though, did you?  You looked beyond her size and pretty face
and found out what she has inside."  Bill was beginning to like the man he'd
hated for so long.  There was something that he just couldn't figure out but
then he understood.  "Dana comes first to you, doesn't she?  When I called
earlier she was your first concern."  His head was nodding just slightly.
"She means as much to you as you mean to her."   

"Your sister is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I know that if
I'd never met Dana Scully there wouldn't be a Fox Mulder."

"She said the same thing about you."  Bill was deep in thought for a moment.
"You two really should do something about that.  How long has it been since
you two fell in love?"  Mulder's head dipped.  "Are you telling me, man, do
you mean you two have never," Bill didn't finish, he didn't have to.

"Mulder, I'd like to start again and really get to know each other.  We're
both part of Dana's life and I don't see that changing any time soon.  What
do you think?"

"All I can say is you're Scully's brother, that's all I need.  It's all I
ever needed," Mulder said earnestly.

"Fine, what's say you and I join the rest of the Scully clan?  I know there
are quite a few that are curious about Dana's mysterious Mulder."

The two men stood and headed toward the door.  "I got a taste of that when I
came in, what is that all about?"

Bill laughed and patted Mulder on the shoulder.  "Whenever the gangs all
around and Mom wants to corral the kids she makes Dana tell them about one
of your cases.  They all have their favorite Mulder stories."

 

~

Maggie watched the door to the study anxiously.  When it opened her heart
fell to her feet.  She breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Bill and Fox
walk out laughing.  

Maggie walked over and asked, "Everything okay?"

Bill looked at Mulder and replied, "Yeah, Mom, we're fine.  Now I think
Mulder here would like to see Dana.  Do you know where she is?"

Maggie smiled and told Fox that Dana was out back playing for the annual
Scully shuttlecock tournament.

Mulder stood near a tree watching Scully defeat a tall sandy haired young
man.  The man rallied for a while but ultimately Scully won out.

Amid the cheers calling for Dana was one voice saying Scully.  Scully turned
and saw him and she broke out into a glorious smile.  "Mulder!"  She called
as she ran toward him.  "You're here?"

"Bill called and asked me to come so we could talk."  Scully's brow lifted.
"I just left him; I think we've come to a new understanding."

"I'm glad for that; those 'Mulder ruined your life' stories get pretty
boring after a couple years."

Mulder leaned in close and whispered, "So, Scully, you want to explain the
finer art of baseball?"  Mulder couldn't hide his smirk at Scully's shocked
expression.  'Scully, you are so busted,' he thought.

Scully composed herself and decided it was now or never time.  She looked
him right in the eye and said in a sultry sigh, "I'm always up for some good
one on one," she paused and trailed a finger down his jaw, "coaching."

Mulder's jaw dropped and he had a hard time swallowing.  Scully turned and
walked toward the house.  Mulder soon recovered and ran to catch her.

 

Over to the side Charles walked up to Bill.  "So that's Mulder."  Bill
nodded but didn't say anything.  "Mom says you two had a talk and you seemed
to be getting along."  Again Bill nodded.  

The two men watched the interchange between their sister and Mulder.  Mulder
leaned into Dana.  They weren't close enough to hear but whatever he said
shocked Dana.  "He's gonna pay for that," Bill said knowingly and Charles
agreed.

They watched as Dana moved to within a hairs breath from Mulder, his
reaction to her words was immediate.  It took a moment for Mulder to recover
his senses then they saw him trot after Dana.

"Whipped," they said in unison as they high fived each other.

 

End

 

Sara B.