From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:16:54 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Repost: New YEars Eve Regrets by Pattie Source: direct Reply To: patfiler@hotmail.com TITLE: NEW YEAR'S EVE REGRETS AUTHOR: PATTIE RATED: G CATEGORY: KIDFIC, SEQUEL TO NEW YEAR'S EVE REVELATIONS, AU (MINE),MULDER/SCULLY MARRIED, ANGST ALL 'ROUND. SUMMARY: WILLIAM FINDS HIS PARENTS' RECORDS OF HIS LIFE AND THOSE OF HIS SISTERS. NOW IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER 'TALK". ARCHIVE: ANYWHERE, INCLUDING GOSSAMER. FREEDBACK: patfiler@hotmail.com DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS ORIGINAL TO THE SERIES BELONG TO CHRIS CARTER, FOX STUDIOS, and 1013 PRODUCTIONS. I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NEW KIDS. I GET NO MONEY WRITING FANFICTION. Young William Scully-Mulder was no slouch. Not only was he excelling in school, he was already reading Moby Dick and researching for projects at school. This boy had enormous curiosity. Fox Mulder, his father, was about to regret having told Mandy and William about their origins New Year's Eve. The only two "guys" in the family were in a local store when the inquisition began. "Daddy? "Yes, William?" Mulder was looking over boxes of nails. "What was that disease Mom and I had, and why were Alison, Bobby and Mandy so sick?" "I can tell Mandy and Alison right now, but not you." "Why not?" Mulder was trying hard not to become impatient. "Number one: This is not the time or place. Number two: It's all too complex to understand." "Oh." An unsatisfied William followed his Dad to the cashier and held his tongue until they had gone back to the car. "So, you think I'm not old enough for all that stuff." "Right. Fasten your seatbelt. We have a spice rack to build for Mom." Mulder was beginning to regret that 'Talk'. "Why all these questions now?" "Well, I found Mom's copy of Moby Dick and read it, but I also found some newspaper clippings saying you saved the world, our blood disorders and other things that went wrong, and there were just some things I don't understand." Mulder sighed. "William, if I told you now it just wouldn't be the right time. When you're a little older, I will. You're very smart, but there are some things better left until you can see the facts for what they are and take it. Not even Mandy and Alison know the whole story, and they're just past 14. What ARE you doing finding these things around the house, anyway?" William smiled. "I have this urge to know things, just like you, Daddy. I know it was wrong, but remember: I didn't snoop around for our Christmas presents." "Well, at least Sunday School got that part right. Please, just leave things that Mom and Dad own alone. After all, I don't read Mandy's diary or her fan letters to whomever she's listening to." "But... " "No 'buts' about it, Buddy. You're very special to us, but some things are better left until later, like when you're about 14. So, enjoy your childhood while you can, because then comes high school, college, girls and work. Even kids of your own and a million other things like taxes, questions from your kids... " "Okay. I get the idea. Mom's gonna love this spice rack." *** A FEW HOURS LATER As it was after supper, and more snow had fallen, Mandy was out shovelling the sidewalk and driveway, William threw on a coat, boots and headed out the door. He ran up to Mandy and nearly scared her out of her boots. "What do you want, William? It's bad enough I have to do this because I used up all the hot water this morning!" "What if I told you things weren't all that easy?" "I don't know 'easy', William. Can you help me out here with the other shovel?" She sure wasn't ready to remember her adopted childhood in Canada, and why her real mother had to give her up. "Well, I guess so. But don't you just want to know a lot more?" "No. I want to get this done, my music and Mrs. Poindexter's essay on The American Revolution done." Mandy's patience was wearing thin, and she didn't want to remember her drunken adopted father and mother, or anything else from that life. What was done was done. Dana Scully came out from the back yard. "So, it's so nice to see you two working together! Now, what's the story?" She had heard enough about the conversation to get the drift of what they were speaking of. William frowned. "Aww, you're not going to take me seriously, either. Dad told me not to bother." "Okay," his mother said reluctantly. "Look, you ARE your mother and father's son, and I wouldn't push it any further right now. When I was your age I didn't understand a lot of things, and I'm happy I didn't." "But Mo-omm..." At this point Mandy had to jump in. "Oh, we both want to know, but it can wait." "Maybe it can't," their mother replied. "I need to speak with your father about this." *** Scully entered Mulder's home office in the basement while Meg and Samantha Ann were sleeping, and Mandy and William were watching a video on the TV in the livingroom. "Mulder, we need to talk." He looked up from the profile he had been writing. "About?" "Remember that discussion we had New Year's Eve?" "William," they said in unison. "I'm afraid so. He's been telling Mandy he thinks they should know more. I really didn't think it was such a good idea to bring it up with them in the first place." Mulder pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes for a second. "I've been interrogated all day by him, and now I regret we spoke about it at all. We're going to need a strong box to keep everything about all the things we've been through. He'sbeen into things." Scully sat down in a chair. "I've seen a few things out of place lately, and being a Government Agent taught me to recognize these things. We've either got to get him a lot of things to keep him busy or store anything pertaining to the aliens, the virus, The Consortium somewhere else. What if Meg and Samantha Ann hear William trying to get Mandy on board his curiosity wagon and then THEY start to wonder about themselves and if they're safe?" "We won't let that happen. I guess we have to have a talk with our little man and lady. Even if it means throwing in a white lie or two. No, they're both too smart to buy that." "We know about lies, that's for sure," Scully threw in. "Let's just make the story short and... sweet." "Maybe we can have them hypnotized so they... " "No, Mulder. That wouldn't work for too long. You know that." "Yeah. Short and sweet. Sort of. I do believe William needs a private talk, and Mandy can handle a lot more. I think William is a rebel in a lot of ways. Like you, Scully." He smiled. "No, Mulder. Like you." She wasn't smiling at all. *** 9:05 PM Scully sat down with Mandy and worked with her on her History essay as Mulder sat william down in his room for another 'talk'. "Okay. So what have I done now?" William asked. "A swell job with your mother's Valentine's Day spice rack. But, these questions you've been asking, and the documents you were into have your mother and me concerned. Now, your mother went through a lot long before you were born. She went through horrible experiments, her eggs were stolen, she lost time and I looked for her for what seemed like a long time. We got her back to health, and of course, you were born. Mandy and Alison have been through hell because of all the nonsense that went on with your mother's eggs. By the way, sneaking into FBI files IS a Federal offence, andeven if I can't charge you right now, I AM tempted." "So, what are you telling me, Daddy?" "This is really about people's feelings. Mandy doesn't need reminders of her past, and neither does your mother. I'm not feeling that great myself." Wee William's eyes began to well up with tears. "I know I did wrong." He turned his head to the wall as he laid on his bed. Mulder patted his son on his shoulder. "You're hurting, too, right?" "Yeah," the boy sheepishly admitted. "I didn't do myself good by reading all that stuff." "I know. If it's any help to you, we get over our hurts and get stronger after a time." "Sure?" "Sure. Aree you okay?" "Yeah, Daddy. Can I have a drink of water?" "No problem. Mom will be in to kiss you good night soon. Then tomorrow, you get to paint those hearts on the spice rack." *** After a few minutes of quiet contemplation, Mulder knocked on Mandy's door. "Are you ladies decent?" "Well, we like to think so!" Mandy laughed. "We're just about done my rough draft. Come in." "So, how'd it go with Mr. Investigator?" Scully wondered. "He's cool to the fact that he just can't sneak around our belongings anymore. So, Mandy, how is the American History coming along?" "Fine. I have my books, and we had a lot of American TV in Canada. Did you want to talk to me, too?" "Well, I just wanted to remind you that William won't be talking you into any sneaky deals, at least I don't believe so. We will be having a talk when everyone manages to get some rest. Andremember, Valentine's Day IS coming up, hint hint..." "Can I still go to the dance, Mom?" "I don't see why not, if you get that schoolwork done, and we get to meet anyone you may be interested in." "Oh boy. Old-fashioned, huh?" The girl smiled a cheeky smile. "You bet," Mulder quickly answered. "Even if I'm not your REAL Dad I AM now your Dad. Now, William needs his hug from Mom, and you need to take a rest, too. So, we should leave you to get ready for bed, and PLEASE leave some hot water for us tomorrow morning?" Mandy gave it a thought. "All right. May I have a kiss too, Dad?" "Of course." Mulder bent over Mandy and kissed her cheek, patting her on the back, and kiddingly said, "I like red roses." "Well, we ALL like pink cupcakes, so I'll plan on those." Scully kissed her daughter and went downstairs with Mulder. "They sure are a pair," she mused. "As smart as any parent would want kids to be." "Sometimes TOO smart." "Yeah," Mulder realized. "Wait until they find out about the real father of Dad. Grandpa Spender." Scully frowned. "Yeah. Well, I think we'd better wait a long time for THAT story, Mulder." "I couldn't agree more." Mulder took her hand and walked her into the kitchen for a nice, soothing cup of coffee, and just knew that spice rack of William's would please his mother to no end. END DEDICATED TO THE LATE KIM MANNERS, A FINE X-FILES PRODUCER. MAY HE FIND HIS LOVE IN HEAVEN ON THAT SPECIAL DAY, TOO!