Title: Ballgame Author: Cathey Scully Rating: PG-13 at the highest Spoilers: Existence, The Unnatural Category: R, S, H, shmoopiness Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance Summary: For William’s ‘half-birthday’, Mulder has a surprise for him, and Scully. Feedback: Please! CatheyScully@the-pentagon.com or Scully@ga.prestige.net Archive: If you want to archive it, just tell me where you’re putting it. Notes: To read more of my fics, visit: http://catheysfic.tripod.com Disclaimer: They’re not mine. No copyright infringement is intended, and I’m not making money off of this story. ~ * ~ Scully swatted at the disturbance of her much needed sleep. She’d been up over half the night with William. He was cutting another tooth and hadn’t wanted anyone’s comfort, but hers. Scully felt the bed dip, and another round of annoyance began. Without opening her eyes, she groaned out, “Mulder, what are you doing?” “Rise and shine sweetie pumpkin,” she could hear the sardonic grin in his voice. “Mulderrrr,” Scully pushed herself up on her elbows to get a glimpse of her alarm clock. She flopped back down exhaustedly, gripping the sheet in her fist and tugging it over her head. “It’s not even 7 am, go back to bed.” “Come on. We have to get going. I want to get to Baltimore to see batting practice,” Mulder wheedled, smoothing kisses over her eyelids and down her cheeks. “Mulder, do I need to remind you that your son kept me awake until nearly 5 am?” “Nope, because that late at night, he’s your son.” Mulder grinned into her mouth as he kissed her. “Yuck, morning breath,” he teased. “Watch it mister. There’s always a spot for you in *your* son’s room to sleep,” she mumbled sleepily, rolling away from him. He caught her shoulders, “Come on, you can sleep in the car. I’ll even get the baby ready, just get dressed.” Scully opened her eyes and gazed at him defiantly. “And if I don’t?” Mulder grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “And if you don’t,” he began, “if you don’t, then I’ll have to do… this!” he scooped her up, pulling her from bed. She shrieked when his hold changed to what she called the cave-man position. “Mulder! Put me down, right now!” she hissed, hoping her earlier yelling hadn’t bothered William. He ignored her, rounding into the bathroom and closing the door, making sure it was locked before he deposited her in the shower. He kept a tight, but not hurtful hold on her while he turned on the water, soaking her and her silk pajamas. “Mulder! God! You’re an asshole!” she fought him off as she attempted to stop the spray of water. He held her off, until she grabbed his collar and pulled him in with her. “You’re such an asshole,” she repeated, threading her fingers through his newly wet hair. “You ruined my favorite pjs, but now that I’m up, and in the shower. Where are we going?” Mulder was silent, seemingly completely focused on unbuttoning her shirt and tossing the wet garment on top of the toilet seat. He helped her step from her pants and panties before undressing himself quickly. “Mulder,” she warned, giving his hair a tug that was a little too sharp to be considered gentle. “It’s William’s half-birthday, so as his present, we’re going to a baseball game.” “Half-birthday?” she asked, “what, is this a spin on the Mad Hatter’s ‘unbirthday’? Mulder, I think the stay-at-home daddying has gotten to you.” “I promise you Scully, I am completely sane.” Scully snorted, and Mulder reached down, pinching her behind. She jumped and hit his arm in protest. “Asshole,” she hissed, smiling to let him know she wasn’t serious. “I’m up now, you can go get the baby as promised.” “What if I wanna stay here?” “Then put yourself to good use, Mulder.” Mulder grinned, leaning down to kiss her. ~ / ~ Scully sighed, shifting William’s snugli against her chest. William flailed an arm to her, and she took his fingers, kissing his baby knuckles. “How’s mama’s sweetie?” she cooed. “Are you feeling better than you did last night when you wouldn’t let me sleep? Do you think maybe I can tire you out enough to sleep tonight?” she tickled his legs, making him squeal. “Where has your daddy gone?” she asked aloud, patting William’s bottom lightly. “It was his crazy idea to come out here.” “You callin’ me crazy, Scully?” Mulder touched her shoulder, making her jump slightly. “I got ‘em.” “Got what?” Mulder produced 3 tickets for dugout level. He grinned, picking up one of William’s hands. “Can’t you see it Scully? You, me, and this guy on the big screen that looks over centerfield, while we watch a bunch of guys slap a piece of horsehide with a stick.” “Mulder,” Scully sighed in affectionate exasperation. “This is his ‘half-birthday’ present?” “Yep.” Mulder grinned down at her. Scully rolled her eyes until William called for her attention. She looked down at him to find him grinning a nearly toothless grin at her. “You too?” she asked, already caving. “Fine…” Mulder kissed her cheek and reached for her hand to lead her to their seats. Scully felt herself smiling as she leaned back in her seat. Mulder was explaining the rules of baseball to William. The boy was watching his father with undivided, rapt attention. Mulder leaned over and kissed her before standing with William. “Where’re you guys going?” she asked, delighting in the sight of father and son. “Food, beer, souvenirs for Will. You want anything?” “I’ll have whatever you’re having,” Scully smiled, waving to William. “And Mulder, don’t spend too much on souvenirs. Okay?” “I got it,” Mulder rolled his eyes, poking William playfully. William giggled reaching for Scully. She shook her head and touched his hand. “Not right now baby, go with Daddy.” “Mama.” William waved. Scully waved back. William looked up at Mulder and smiled. Mulder grinned down at his son, and turned to walk away. When her two ‘men’ returned, William was now sporting a new baby-sized ball cap and had a teddy bear adorned with the team jersey clutched in his fist. In Mulder’s other arm, he had a tray with two hot dogs and two beers. Scully took her half of the meal from Mulder and watched cautiously as he balanced the baby and his hotdog and sat down. Mulder unwrapped his hotdog and moved to take a bite when he realized that William was reaching for the food. “Na uh kiddo, this ain’t for you. This is daddy’s,” Mulder reached into William’s diaper bag and pulled out a bottle. “This is for you.” William ignored the bottle; his entire focus was on his daddy’s hot dog. Scully snickered, watching the two of them. “Don’t you dare give him any of that. If you do, you’ll be on diaper duty for a month.” “Come on Scully? Just a little? He wants some. It won’t hurt him,” Mulder grinned over at her. William took advantage of his father’s lapse in concentration and pulled Mulder’s hotdog down to his mouth. Once Mulder realized what happened, he lifted his arm, pulling the hotdog away from the baby. “William! And I almost had her convinced too.” Mulder looked helplessly over at Scully. She smiled, knowing it wasn’t his fault, and handed him a wipe. While Mulder cleaned up the baby’s face, Scully tapped his shoulder. “Smile, we’re on candid camera. You got your wish.” Mulder grinned; picking up William’s hand and making him wave. William laughed in his baby way. They smiled and watched as the camera moved onto someone else. Mulder turned back to Scully and took his ‘dog back. William reached for it again, making them both chuckle. Scully lifted William out of Mulder’s lap. “Here baby boy, let’s eat your lunch,” she fed William his bottle, making sure he wasn’t gulping too much down at once in his frenzy. Once he’d finished, she opened up a container of strained peaches and tried to get him to eat. William refused it and Scully patted his back, getting him to burp out the excess air he’d consumed. Mulder polished off his hotdog and took a sip of his beer before reaching for the baby. He gave his son a small kiss before beckoning to Scully. She curled up beneath his left arm and rested her head on his shoulder. William touched her face, and she smiled, kissing his fingertips. William pointed gleefully out to the field, and Mulder laughed, resuming his talk about the players. Scully smiled happily, content to listen and occasionally watch. ~ X ~ Night had fallen when they finally left the stadium. Having handed Scully the keys, Mulder lifted William up, and held him to his chest, not bothering to strap the carrier onto his chest. As they walked back to their car, Scully reached over and took Mulder’s arm. Mulder smiled down at her, but said nothing as they continued walking. “That was fun, Mulder. Thank you.” Mulder shook his head, indicating that her thanks weren’t necessary. “Told ya baseball with me was fun. I’m 2 for 2 so far. Right Will?” Mulder asked the sleeping boy. “For your full birthday, we’ll start your lessons. Maybe mom will even join in,” he continued, pressing a kiss to the downy head. Scully sighed playfully and pulled him along. “Come on, I have lost sleep to make up for.” Mulder laughed and tangled their fingers together. “Sleep? That’s all you want, Scully?” “Don’t push your luck. You ruined my pajamas this morning.” “I’ll buy you new ones.” “I’m holding you to that. When?” “Whenever you decide that you need pajamas,” Mulder grinned. “That’s one discussion we can save for when we get home,” Scully retorted, not letting him know whether or not he’d be getting lucky or not. Mulder smiled, shifting William, and grinning. END!