Don't Mess with Maggie
by Xraycat
Category: Discipline
Rating: R for violence, language
Disclaimer: They belong to Chris, I'm not profiting
Note: Please write and let me know what you think of this.
It was hard work.
Synopsis: Mulder *experiences* a mother's touch. My
contribution to DiAnn's new sub-category.
Thanks: Xanthe, thanks DiAnn, Brown eyed Girl. I love to
hear back from the masters..er..mistresses!
As Mulder reached his office, he ran a hand through his hair, and straightened his clothing. He checked that his shirt was tucked in, and smoothed the seat of his pants, 'Ow! Got to remember not to do that for a while.' He braced himself and entered the office.
Scully looked relieved to see him, "Mulder! Looks like you're still in one piece. What did Skinner need to see you about, anyway?"
"Nothing. It was a misunderstanding. All taken care of now," he went to the file cabinet and pulled a folder at random. "What are you working on?"
"Just expense reports," Scully was watching him closely. "Are you sure you're all right? Your face looks flushed."
"I'm fine, really. I..uh..ran down the stairs coming back. I guess the paint fumes got to me," he hedged. "How was your weekend? How's the baby? Can he say Aunt Dana yet?"
"Yes, he can, as a matter of fact!" Dana smiled, "Aren't all the babies in the Mulder family talking by the time they're four months old? Mulder! Would you please sit down? You're making me nervous lurking over there in the corner!"
"What? Oh, sure," he moved slowly to his desk, and carefully sat down. He swallowed the gasp that threatened to escape, 'That's all I need. Scully thinking I'm injured and insisting on an examination!'
The phone rang. Scully picked up. "Yes, sir. Right away sir." Hanging up she glanced at Mulder, "That was Skinner again. I guess it's my turn in the hot seat."
"Be careful what you wish for, Scully," was Mulder's mysterious reply. She looked sharply at him. He smiled weakly and waved her to the door. "Go find out what he wants."
As soon as the door closed, Mulder's head landed on his desk. Surely, Skinner didn't mean to show her the video! His life was over. It's bad enough that his boss uses corporal punishment to keep him in line, but to let Scully in on it?
He strengthened his resolve to murder the Lone Gunmen. All kinds of violent fantasies ran through his head, making him feel a little better.
Skinner couldn't resist requesting Scully's presence in his office. He could easily get the information he needed over the telephone, but making Mulder squirm was too good to resist.
The intercom buzzed. "Mr. Skinner? Agent Scully is here."
"Thank you, please send her in," he tried his to wipe the smile from his face. He stood as Dana entered. "Agent Scully, please have a seat."
"Thank you sir," Scully was puzzled. Skinner didn't appear angry. As a matter of fact, he looked more relaxed than she ever remembered seeing him. He seemed to be hiding a smile. "You wanted to see me, sir?" Dana was anxious to hear his request.
"Yes, I did. I need your mother's telephone number" he was intentionally vague.
"Certainly sir, but may I ask why?" Scully could not imagine what the boss would need to speak to her mother about.
"This information will be released on a need to know basis, Agent Scully, and right now, you don't need to know." He loved that line. He had always wanted to use it. "After I speak with your mother, whatever she chooses to tell you will be up to her. Now, may I please have the number?"
Scully nodded, took a pen and paper from the assistant director's desk and wrote done the information.
"Thank you, that will be all," Skinner stared intently at the piece of paper, afraid he'd laugh if he caught a glimpse of Dana Scully's expression.
"Yes, sir" Scully reached for the door and turned back.
"Please tell Kim to hold my calls," Skinner cut her off before she could speak. She nodded again, and left.
Skinner entered the restaurant and saw Maggie Scully wave. He made his way to the table and sat across from her, "Thank you for meeting me. I'm sorry for the short notice, as well as the secrecy. This is something I feel we should discuss face to face."
The waitress approached their table and further conversation was postponed until she had taken their order.
Maggie looked worried, "Is this about Dana?"
"Dana's fine. I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that on the phone." Skinner wanted to kick himself for upsetting her, "I'm afraid my problem concerns her partner." He felt better as Maggie relaxed.
"That Fox! He is a handful. Dana tells me about some of the trouble that young man manages to get himself into," Maggie laughed. "I'm sure his mother has plenty of sleepless nights."
"Well, actually Mrs. Mulder has nothing to do with this particular problem." Skinner appeared grim. "I have something I need to show you, and then we can discuss a way to deal with it."
They walked to the parking lot. Skinner saw Maggie to her car. "Would you mind following me to my apartment? I want to explain the situation, show you this videotape and then decide how to proceed."
"Certainly, Walter. I can tell that this is very important to you. Please, let me help."
Maggie's sincerity brought a lump to Skinner's throat. "Thank you," he replied hoarsely. They drove to Skinner's apartment. He unlocked the door, and Maggie entered first.
"It's not much, but it's home," he told her as he turned on the lights. "Would you like something to drink?" He offered, "I have wine in the refrigerator."
"That sounds nice, thank you," Maggie smiled. "I'll come with you and you can tell me about Fox."
When Walter finished, he collapsed on the couch, exhausted. He rubbed his face and sighed.
Maggie placed a hand on his arm, "Walter, I'm so sorry!" She had cried a little while the tape was running. Now her concern was for the man sitting beside her, "I had no idea that Fox was so troubled. He's so lucky to have a caring superior like you to look out for him."
Walter cleared his throat. He was not going to cry! 'Don't think, talk!'
"I do care, but I'm his boss. Fox and I have never been friends, I don't encourage it with agents under my command. He needs someone outside of work that can keep an eye on him, so to speak. I don't want Dana involved in this for obvious reasons. I hoped that you might be willing to help me."
"I do care for Fox, and I do want to help," Maggie was in heavy maternal-mode now. "Fox is such a wonderful young man. He's intelligent, handsome, and has a good heart." Maggie stopped. "How do we go about this, Walter? Will Fox be willing to accept my help?"
"I've been thinking about this all afternoon. Mulder is accident prone, as we all know," he smile briefly at this. "He's overdue, actually. I figure that when the next incident comes, Dana will be otherwise occupied, and we'll need to find someone to look after him."
Maggie smiled. "You are truly devious, Walter. I'm sure that we can get Fox Mulder 'whipped into shape' in no time."
They laughed at her choice of words.
Walter felt better already. This just might work after all.
During his morning run, Mulder got clipped by a beer bottle thrown from a passing car. He called Scully, who promptly took him to the Emergency Room for X-rays and stitches. The attending physician told Scully, "Mr. Mulder was very lucky today, but he does have a mild concussion. Someone will need to watch him closely for the next two to three days. Wake him periodically, clean his laceration, that sort of thing. I'll send a list of instructions home with you."
Skinner arrived just as the doctor began to speak. After the physician left them, he took Dana's arm and guided her to the waiting area. "This couldn't have come at a worse time. I have orders for you to report to Quantico. You're to cover lectures and lab for the rest of the week." If Scully ever caught wind of the strings he had pulled to arrange this re-assignment, she'd kill him.
Dana's face fell, "But sir, who's going to look after Mulder? He can't be left alone. You heard the doctor. Can't someone else cover Quantico?"
"No, Agent Scully, there's no on else. I'll call Agent Mulder's mother. She can look after him for a couple of days." Skinner was afraid he was being too obvious.
Scully shot him a sour look, "I don't think so, sir. Mrs. Mulder is unwilling to spend time with her son when he's well. I can't see her taking care of him now." She frowned, then brightened. "I know, I'll call Mom! She'd love to have someone to fuss over, and I can go to Quantico knowing that Mulder's in good hands."
"That sounds fine," Skinner was amazed at how well his plan had worked. "I'll go check on Agent Mulder while you make the arrangements. If you don't mind, I'll let *you* tell him."
Scully chuckled. "That's probably a good idea. I'll be there in just a few minutes."
Fox Mulder was one very unhappy man. He'd tried to argue with Scully about needing a baby-sitter. She ignored him, as usual. When she finally told him who was to be his baby-sitter, he'd gone ballistic.
The nurse had offered to sedate him. Scully declined.
Mulder was gearing up for a full force tantrum when Walter Skinner leaned close, and quietly reminded him of the consequences for disobeying orders, "Agent Mulder, you should rethink your decision in this matter. If the doctor feels it necessary that someone care for you these next few days, you will comply and cooperate fully. Do you understand? If necessary, I can refresh your memory."
"No sir, that won't be necessary," Mulder was seething, but wasn't going to press his luck. He had one lesson in disobeying orders. Granted, it had been almost a week ago, but he remembered it well. Every time he sat down, as a matter of fact.
Scully was astounded. "Sir, I don't know what you said to him, but I've never seen him give in so quickly. Whatever it is, would you care to share it with me...?"
"No dice, Agent Scully. Need to know, remember?" Skinner once again seemed quite pleased with himself. "Have all the arrangements been made with your mother? Mulder has been discharged and his prescriptions should be ready by now. We can leave any time."
"Any time, sir," Scully mumbled. She knew Skinner was up to something, but she didn't have a clue as to what it was.
"I think it best Agent Mulder ride with me. We'll meet at his apartment. He needs to pack a few things to take to your mother's house." Skinner was back to business.
"Yes sir, I'll stop by the pharmacy on my way out." Scully picked up her purse, shot Skinner another frown, and left.
"Now, Fox. You are going to get dressed and walk out of here calmly and quietly. You will thank the nurses and staff. If you give anyone, I mean anyone one ounce of trouble, I will pick you up and carry you out. If that happens, when we get to the car, I will spank you black and blue. Are we clear on this?"
Skinner's glare withered any possible retort Mulder might have tried. "Yes, sir. We're clear. I'll behave."
In his apartment, Mulder made one more attempt. "I really don't think staying with your mother is necessary. I'll be fine."
Scully rolled here eyes. "Mulder, we have been over this. You are going, and that's final. End of discussion." As she packed his overnight bag, "If you continue to argue, I'll call Skinner in. I don't know what he said to you at the hospital, but I'm sure he would be willing to say it again."
"Scully, give it a rest. I don't want to go, but I will. Leave Skinner out of it. I never knew you were such a tattletale." Mulder had no desire to be on the receiving end of another *good talking to*.
"Good, your packed, let's go," Scully shouldered the bag, and started for the door. "One more thing, Mulder. My mother's an expert at taking care of 'bratty boys'. Don't try any monkey-business, or you'll be sorry."
"You're hilarious, Scully. Stop now, my ribs can't take it," was Mulder's sarcastic response.
Scully giggled, linked elbows with him, and pulled him toward the door. "Charm won't get you anywhere with my Mom, G-Man!"
Mulder laughed at that, and allowed himself to be dragged out of his apartment door.
The drive to Maggie Scully's was interesting. Mulder slept in the back seat, while Skinner and Scully talked quietly in the front. "Sir, do you think that Mulder will leave my mother's house? I know him so well, I can't help but worry."
"He won't, if he knows what's good for him," Skinner sternly pronounced. "I would think your mother learned long ago how to deal with 'problem children'," he smiled. "I wouldn't want to be in Mulder's shoes, if he makes her angry."
Scully smiled ruefully. "Take it from someone with first-hand experience, neither would I. Although, I think the correct term would be 'when' he makes her angry." Scully chuckled. "I would dearly love to be looking through the keyhole when it happens."
"Now, Agent Scully! What would make you say a thing like that?" Skinner's face was alight with a wolfish grin. "What has Agent Mulder ever done to you, that you would wish such a terrible fate to befall him?"
Scully gaped at her superior officer, "Why, Walter Skinner? I think you just might be enjoying yourself! Will wonders never cease?" They laughed and woke the patient in the back seat.
"What's so funny?" Mulder asked sleepily, which brought fresh gales of laughter form the front of the car.
Maggie Scully was thrilled with how quickly Fox had agreed to stay with her. What she didn't know was just how much persuasion was required from Walter Skinner. When she heard the car in her driveway, she hurried out to meet them. "Hello sweetie, I've missed you." She hugged her daughter close and kissed Dana's cheek.
"Hi, Mom. I'm glad to see you too," Dana snuggled in the mother's arms for a moment. "We had a nice drive. How's your day been?"
"I've been so excited. I couldn't wait for you to get here,"
Maggie admitted. "How's our patient?"
Walter was helping Mulder out of the car. "I'm fine Mrs. Scully. I'm glad to see you too, but this really isn't necessary. I would have been okay at home."
Skinner gave him a discreet shake, "Don't start it, Fox. You're here and you're staying. I won't tell you again."
Maggie came over and took Mulder by the arm, "We're going to have a wonderful time. You'll forget all about staying home alone. Just wait and see!" She led him into the house. "I've got every thing you might need right here in the living room."
The couch was made up with a fluffy afghan and a pillow. On the coffee table was a bag of sunflower seeds, a pitcher of iced tea and the television remote control. Mulder was starting to see real possibilities.
"Let's get you settled in and Dana can put your things in the spare bedroom." Maggie bustled him to the couch, "How are you feeling, Fox. Does your head hurt? We can get one of your pain pills if you need it."
"Mrs. Scully, I'm fine. Really," he hugged her to take the sting out of his words. "I'm not hurt that badly. Dana's just overreacting as usual. For some reason, our boss always seems to take her side."
Maggie laughed, "You are a charmer, Fox Mulder. It won't get you anywhere with me, but I must admit, you sure know how to talk the talk." She motioned him to the couch, "Now, lay down like a good boy, and let me take care of you. You don't have any choice in the matter. Haven't you realized that yet? And Dana told me you were such a smart young man!"
Mulder cringed. He didn't know if he could survive three more minutes of this TLC, let alone three days! He sat down on the couch and smiled. "Happy now?"
"Ecstatic!" Maggie laughed again, "I'm going to have you better in no time, no matter how hard you fight me."
Mulder bowed his head, and acknowledged defeat, "Do your worst. I'm your willing slave."
Walter and Maggie were speaking quietly out on the porch, "Maggie, I hope this isn't too much trouble for you. I didn't think Fox would be so resistant to the idea. I know how difficult he can be. You have my cell phone number, as well as my home and office numbers. Don't hesitate to call if you need my help."
"Don't worry Walter, we'll be fine. Fox is a nice boy, he just doesn't know it." Maggie put an arm around Walter's waist, "He will do as I tell him, or pay the price. I raised four children, I know how to handle him."
"You've done a fine job of it, too. Maggie, I'm so grateful. I hope you understand that. I can't offer Mulder this kind of affection. I wouldn't know how. He needs you, no matter how much he denies it." Walter squeezed her close for a moment, "We'd better get back inside, before we're missed."
"Oh, there you are, Mom. Here is the list of things you and Fox need to do. It's very important, so don't let Fox talk you out of it." Dana handed Maggie a printed sheet with instructions for care of a minor head injury. "I hate to leave so soon, but I have to get back in time to catch my plane. Be good, Mulder. I love you, Mom. Thanks so much," Dana embraced her mother again.
The women walked out to the car arm in arm. Skinner took the opportunity to caution Mulder one last time. "Don't give Maggie any trouble, Fox. You do as you're told. If you don't, you'll answer to me. Any questions?"
"No, sir." Mulder wanted nothing more than to run to the car and beg to go with them, "I don't like it, but I'll do it."
"That's all I'm asking. I'll be back for you the day after tomorrow, in time for your doctor's appointment. Even you can survive until then," Skinner ruffled Fox's hair. He couldn't resist.
"It's going to be pure torture, sir. I hope you realize my sanity might not be intact when you return," Mulder smiled in spite of himself.
Skinner smiled back, "I'll see you later. Be good!" He walked out the door, leaving Mulder completely at the mercy of Maggie Scully.
The couch was empty when Maggie came back inside, "Fox? Where are you, honey?"
A voice drifted downstairs, "I'm just in my room, Mrs. Scully. I'm getting a couple of things. Be down in a minute."
When Mulder returned to the living room, Maggie was waiting for him, "Fox, you didn't have to get up. I could have brought you anything you needed. Please stay still. Let me take care of you."
"Sure, Mrs. Scully. Next time," Mulder was flipping through his address/phone book, cell phone in hand. "I just have a couple of quick calls to make," he finished distractedly.
Maggie eyed the phone, "I don't know Fox. Dana didn't say anything about working while you're here. Maybe you should wait until tomorrow. We can see how you feel then," she reached for the phone, but Mulder sidestepped her effortlessly.
"It's just a couple of telephone calls. I'm not working. I promise not tire myself out," Mulder was dialing as he spoke. "Hello, this is Marty, is...." covering the speaker with this hand, he whispered, "Would you please excuse me Mrs. Scully? Thanks," he wandered toward the front door, speaking quietly into the phone.
Maggie watched as he walked out onto the porch, settled in a chair and placed his feet on the porch railing. She tried not to be angry, but wasn't succeeding. He had been here less than two hours and had already made her cross. This wasn't going to be as easy as she'd thought.
Fox eventually wandered back in and sat on the couch playing with the remote. Maggie began to calm down. She'd give it a few moments before approaching him again. She fussed around the kitchen making soup and sandwiches. She fixed Fox a lunch tray, placed one of his pain pills on the napkin and re-entered the living room. Maggie now knew that Fox Mulder was going to require a lot of hands-on attention, if he was going to get better. She was already in the mood for some
*hands-on*, "Fox, I've made you some lunch. I think you should have something to eat, then try to sleep. There's one of your pills here, too. It will help you rest," she attempted to sound firm, but not scold. It was an effort not to lecture him about house rules. Maggie wanted to be calm and rational when she approached that subject, so she held her tongue.
To her complete surprise, Mulder offered no resistance, "Wow! Lunch sounds good! Thanks, Mrs. Scully. If you don't mind, I'll save the medicine until after I eat. It won't make my stomach hurt that way." He took the tray from her and placed it on the coffee table, "Aren't you eating?"
"Well, I have my plate in the kitchen," Maggie stammered. He'd managed to cut the wind from her sails.
"Bring your lunch in here and eat with me," Fox scooted down the couch. He used his arm to sweep a spot clear on the coffee table. "Come on. Join me, please? I hate to eat alone."
"Thank you Fox, I will," Maggie was sure she would never figure this young man out. One minute she's ready to strangle him, the next she's ready to kiss his cheek!
Fox woke to someone gently shaking him, "What? Is something wrong?"
"Fox dear, I was just making sure that you would wake up easily," Maggie soothed. "That's what this paper says to do. How are you feeling?"
"Where am I? Who are you?" Fox pretended to be disoriented and frightened.
Maggie looked stricken, then immediately scowled at him, "Very funny, Fox. What would you have told Dana if I'd had a heart attack?" She lifted his chin and looked deeply into his eyes. "Your pupils look even to me. Does anything hurt?"
"No, I'm fine," Mulder sat up and stretched. He stopped suddenly and grabbed his head. "Whoa! I guess I moved too quickly, I'm a little dizzy." He leaned back to rest his head, "Mrs. Scully, I feel kind of sick to my stomach."
Maggie placed a hand to his forehead, "I'm sorry, Fox. I'll get you a wet wash cloth. Do you think you can get to the bathroom by yourself, if you need to?" She stood beside the couch, silently debating whether to leave him alone or not.
"The dizziness has passed and the nausea is almost gone. I didn't mean to frighten you," he apologized. "I'll just have to move more slowly, for a while," he smiled to reassure her. Fox hated it when people worried over him. One more thing to feel guilty about.
Relief washed over Maggie, "If you feel up to it, Fox, we really need to check your head. The instruction sheet says to check the wound for infection or swelling. We should clean the sutures and put on a fresh bandage, too."
"Okay. Kitchen or bathroom?" Mulder stood up very carefully and slowly, "There. That's better."
"There's more room and the light's better in the kitchen. You go sit at the table, while I get the first aid kit." Maggie was becoming a little suspicious. Fox Mulder was never this agreeable or cooperative. She knew from Dana and Walter. He'd better not be 'up to something'. She had no intention of letting him get by with anything, injured or not. Entering the kitchen, Maggie proclaimed, "Fox, I think it would be a good idea if you went to bed early tonight. I can bring a dinner tray to your room. How decadent is that?"
"You don't have to go to all that trouble," Mulder protested. "I sleep on my couch at home. I wouldn't know how to act in a proper bed."
"Well, guests in my home do not sleep on the couch. Especially sick or injured guests," Maggie insisted. "Let's get your head tended to, and I'll help you up the stairs. You don't have to sleep if you don't want to, but I want you in bed." It was obvious that she would accept no argument.
*Now what?* Mulder thought. *She's worse than Scully....Idiot! She IS a Scully!* Maybe after she went to bed he could sneak back downstairs. He could always say he was hungry, if she caught him. "Whatever you say, warden," Mulder moaned. "I guess solitary confinement won't kill me." He tried his best puppy-dog look, and pouted a little for good measure.
Maggie kissed his forehead, "That's a good boy. Now, let's check out those stitches." She could easily fall under this young man's spell, if she wasn't careful. It took all her willpower to resist that pouting lip. *I wonder if he does that on purpose?* Maggie pondered while cleaning his wound.
Midnight.
*Is she ever going to bed?* Mulder was wearing out. He had things to do. Maggie was driving him crazy. He'd pretended to be asleep the last time she'd checked on him. Evidently, she wasn't fooled. She was still downstairs. In the kitchen, from the sound of it. *No wait! ....is she coming up the stairs? YES!* Mulder snuggled down into the bed and tried to slow his breathing. The door opened a crack, then closed quietly.
*Finally!* Mulder waited until he heard Maggie's bedroom door close. He got up silently and dressed. He waited ten more minutes. It seemed like an eternity. Creeping through the hall and down the stairs, Mulder made for the front door. Navigating carefully through the dark room, Mulder was afraid he would trip over something at any moment.
Once outside, he wished he'd remembered to bring a jacket. He was chilly. He started jogging to warm up. If he could find a pay phone, he could call a cab. Then it would just be a short train ride, and he would be home. Home! He had traveled a mile or so when the dizziness returned. Mulder stumbled and fell. "Shit!" He was so light-headed, he couldn't get up. That's when the nausea struck. He rolled up on his side and was sick. He hardly had the strength to scoot away from the puddle.
"This is great. If I'm really lucky, someone will come along and find me laying in my own vomit!"
When the dizziness passed, he sat on the curb considering his options. On one hand, if he went back to Mrs. Scully's house, he could clean up and change clothes. That also meant the risk of being discovered. If he went on, he would be at risk also. A man with vomit on his clothing, not to mention a bandaged head, drew attention to himself. Mulder knew that there was no choice. He got up slowly and started back the way he came. He would change clothes and try again.
When he reached the house he could tell it was going to be bad. The lights were on. The front door was open, and Maggie Scully was standing on the porch, phone in hand.
*If there is a God she has called the police, not Skinner,* Mulder was near panic.
When she saw him, she flew down the porch steps, "Fox Mulder! Where have you been? You get in the house this instant, young man!" She grabbed him by the arm, "March!"
"Mrs. Scully, I fell. I got sick and vomited." Mulder whined. He had no shame. At this point, Mulder wanted to change her anger to concern. It might work, when she saw his sorry state.
"Well, that's what happens to boys that run away in the middle of the night," Maggie scolded. "You get to the bathroom and clean yourself up. I want you in the kitchen in fifteen minutes. I need to check your head. I only hope you didn't break any stitches loose. THEN, we are going to discuss your behavior,"
Here eyes were glowing with an unearthly light.
"Yes ma'am," Mulder mumbled. "I think my head's okay, though. If you want, I can just go to bed and we can talk in the morning," trying to stall.
"Kitchen. Fifteen minutes." Maggie's foot was tapping a fast tattoo on the tile floor.
Mulder swallowed loudly, and nodded. He exaggerated his limp while walking to the stairs.
The specified fifteen minutes later....
Mulder hobbled into the kitchen, "I'm sorry Mrs. Scully. I didn't mean to frighten you. I just felt like getting some air."
"Fox, I don't want to hear any excuses. You sneaked out and ran off. Without even leaving me a note. Your actions tonight are totally unacceptable. When Walter left yesterday, he placed me in charge. He asked me to act in his stead, as I see fit. I don't think that Walter would tolerate this type of behavior. Do you?" Maggie was so angry she was shaking.
"No ma'am, Mrs. Scully. You're probably right. I doubt that he would," Mulder admitted.
"All right. If Walter Skinner were here right now, how would HE deal with you? I want the truth, because I can call him, if need be." Maggie left no room for Mulder to wriggle out of this one.
Mulder looked at his feet.
"I'm waiting, Fox," Maggie prompted.
"He would probably take me over his knee and spank me," Mulder murmured. He hoped Mrs. Scully was not planning to take her duties seriously, at least, not *that* seriously.
"Well, that sounds like a perfectly good idea to me," Maggie declared.
"Mrs. Scully! I'm far too big to fit over your knee." Mulder tried desperately to discourage her, "Surely, you can think of something else. Can't you?"
Maggie looked sincere, "If Walter feels that taking you over his knee is appropriate, then who am I to change things. I'm sure his reasons are sound."
With that, she turned to the utensil drawer and removed a wicked looking wooden spatula, "I'm not as strong as Walter, but this can be my equalizer." She glanced at Mulder again, "Undo your jeans, Fox." Maggie pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down, "I said, undo your jeans. Then, I want you across my knees. Obviously, you're familiar with the position," she couldn't resist adding, as she patted her thigh.
Mulder was torn. He did not want to submit to a spanking from Maggie Scully, but he really didn't want her calling Skinner. Picking the lesser of two evils, he undid the fly of his Levis and knelt at her side, "I guess there's no way to talk you out of this?" Mulder tried his most pitiful look. He let his lip quiver, just a little.
"Not a chance," Maggie's face could have been carved from stone. "Now, over my knee." Maggie placed a hand on his shoulder, and guided Fox into position. She tugged at his jeans and underwear until they were just below his buttocks, leaving him little dignity.
"Fox, you have to realize there are people that care about you and what happens to you. When you do foolish things that cause you pain, you are hurting us also. I want you to think about this: Walter and I care enough about you to try and curb your reckless behavior. I love you like a son and I will not have you acting like a fool any longer. If it takes a spanking now and then to remind you of that, then I'm willing. Now, hold still because I don't want you to fall. If you hurt your head again, Dana will skin us both. If you think I'm mean when I'm angry, you should see Dana when she's on a tear!"
The first blow caused Fox to jump and his breath hissed from between his clenched teeth. How had he managed to encounter TWO people that felt spankings were exactly what was needed to change his lifestyle? Why were both of these people in positions that forced him to submit to the spankings? Was it some kind of great cosmic joke? Fox Mulder the child had uncaring, neglectful parents. Fox
Mulder the adult, has an embarrassing abundance of disciplinarians willing to do whatever is best for him. Are the gods really so perverse?
The second blow wiped all philosophical thoughts from his mind. All he could concentrate on was the pain being inflicted to his posterior. He tried his best to suffer in silence, but he started to cry, long about blow number twelve. He also started to take other people's feelings into consideration before acting. Scully had told him as much, at least a hundred times. For some reason, it just hadn't had the same impact. Not like having it pounded into you did.
He had lost count long before Maggie had stopped the spanking. She slid him backwards, until just his head was resting in her lap, and smoothed his hair. She held him there until he was able to get his tears under control. She undid the tape from his bandage, "I need to look at your stitches, Fox. Hold still just a little longer, then you can go to bed," she crooned tenderly.
Fox did exactly as he was told, no arguments. When she sent him to bed, he went without question. He cried himself to sleep and wasn't embarrassed.
Maggie waited to call Walter until after Fox had fallen asleep. No need to worry. She had handled the situation. Walter would
not need to take any action. This time.
Walter was pleased, "I'm glad that Fox is learning so quickly. I hate the idea of having to punish him like a child. Maybe this will be the last time. For either of us."
Maggie smiled sadly at the phone. "Walter, take it from a mother. I doubt this will be the last. It's probably just the first of many."
End