BACCARAT FIGURINES (NC-17 Sk/M) by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com RATING: NC-17 (M/M) WARNING: Graphic but always loving consensual sexual activity between members of the same sex. No bad words except for S-t (once or twice). SPOILERS: Colony/End Game CATEGORY: SRA KEYWORDS: Slash, Skinner/Mulder ARCHIVE: Yes ATXC: No DISCLAIMER: Please be informed that Walter Skinner, Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Bill Mulder, and Mom Mulder are the intellectual property of Chris Carter, FOX television and 1013 Productions. No infringement nor copyright validation is implied or should be inferred from their use in this work of fiction. All creative works and original characters contained herein remain the sole property of the author. AUTHOR'S NOTE: There are lots of marriage series of Scully and Mulder in fanfiction. This is an attempt at something similar in a Skinner/Mulder relationship point of view. ADDITIONAL AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is set in season 2 except for the vampire encounter in Three which definitely never happened. We want Mulder to be disease- free when he meets up with Skinner. Scully is also very seriously involved with another person but she does not figure in any of the graphic stuff (because I can't write about something I don't know about). Also, in this alternative reality, Mulder and Skinner never use gel on their hair. So you can banish all those gelled episodes featured so prominently in the third season. I wanted Mulder assigned to another section of the Bureau and not to be Skinner's subordinate at work at the moment they start their relationship so that it's clear that Skinner wasn't using his more superior status to take advantage of Mulder. I want Skinner (the hunk) to be an honorable gentleman. Nagging questions in the episodes that are hopefully answered by this story: 1. Why does Mulder borrow Dworkin's car in Sleepless? 2. Does Skinner have a lot of cars? 3. Why can Mulder afford expensive suits on a G-12(?) salary? 4. Why does Mulder find Mr. Nutt's size intriguingly alluring? 5. Why was Skinner so concerned that Dworkin make sure that Mulder went home safe and sound in Ascension? 6. Why are Skinner's shirts so white and well-pressed all the time? Does he spend hours ironing his shirts at home? Does he do his laundry? 7. Why does Mulder have so many bad hair days and is unshaven in a lot of the first and second season episodes, alternating with episodes where he had very nice short hair and has a smooth jaw? 8. Why does Mulder sometimes dress so bad when he's not in his Bureau monkey suits? Those flannel shirts with shirttails flapping in the breeze are the absolute pits! Skinner agrees with me on this. 9. Why does Skinner provide a sharpshooter so willingly when Mulder asked for one in End Game? Why does Skinner think nothing of going to Mulder's apartment in that episode and why did Mulder likewise think nothing about one's AD going to a subordinate's apartment? Does your boss drop by your apartment when he feels like it? These questions and more will be answered on reading Baccarat Figurines! SUMMARY: Major romance and angst between a closeted AD and a certain similarly closeted tall Bureau agent. BACCARAT FIGURINES (1/16) by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com CHAPTER ONE ON YOUR MARK. Mulder wearily entered his apartment. It was another day of wire-tap surveillance. He felt that everything around him was crumbling. Scully was gone, two months now. His rookie partner drove him up the wall. He was reassigned to the VCS with a new boss who liked him a lot less than Skinner even on his bad days. He just came from the office where AD Ashcraft had chewed him out. Mulder had been horrified that he was going to cry right then and there in the AD's office. That never happened to him before not since sixth grade when he was summoned to the principal's office to answer for one of his schoolboy pranks. Paul Dworkin, his new rookie partner saw his pale face and wanted to know what was wrong. Mulder just shoved him away, got into his car and went home. Two months now that she was gone. Mulder shakily got a drink of water from the sink and sagged into his couch. He turned on the television but the flickering images barely registered in his brain. To top it all off, it was his birthday but no one remembered. It was childish, he knew, but it just added to his general misery. His mother never called anymore even for his birthday and no one sent a birthday card. If Scully were here, she would have remembered. Every time he checked on the ASAC who was assigned to look for Scully, he was getting rolled eyeballs and whispers, as if finding her wasn't so important for them anymore. Intellectually, he knew that there was a decreased chance that she was still alive for each day that passed but it still hurt him that the other agents treated Scully's case like it was just an ordinary kidnapping. Mulder felt tears roll down his cheeks as the day's events overwhelmed him. It wasn't long after that he was sobbing his heart out in the privacy of his apartment. The last time he cried like this was when he was in church, clutching Samantha's picture in his hand. It was better to cry at home, of course, because no one had to hear. He didn't know how long he was crying, only that it seemed to be a long time. He heard the phone ring but he didn't answer it. He was just about finished wallowing in his misery when the doorbell rang. Mulder blew his nose into his handkerchief and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He looked through the peephole and saw that AD Skinner was at his door. "Agent Mulder, I know you're in there," Skinner said. "Let me in." Shit. The AD probably even heard him crying through the door. Mulder took a deep breath and steeled himself as he opened it. He looked at his feet so that Skinner wouldn't see his eyes. "You left the Hoover in a hurry," Skinner stated as his eyes settled on the gloomy interiors of Mulder's apartment. "Agent Dworkin was worried about your state of mind. He said that your AD talked to you?" Mulder gave a sardonic grin. "Talked to me?" Mulder had a near hysterical note in his voice. "More of chewed my hide off." There was an uncomfortable silence between them. Skinner reached out to tip Mulder's chin so that he would see his face but was startled when the agent reared off as if struck. "I'm sorry," Skinner said, with both hands face up to show that he meant no harm. "I was just seeing if you were all right. It's been two months since Scully disappeared. How are you holding up?" It was the first time anyone showed some concern for him in a long time. Mulder looked up and Skinner saw his tear-stained cheeks and reddened, swollen eyes. Mulder bit his lip but couldn't keep in the sob that escaped. He was crying again and desperately tried to stop. "I'm sorry, sir," Mulder managed to say. "I'll be okay in a minute." Skinner saw that the agent was in much mental anguish. Mulder dropped on the couch buried his face in hands and cried again. Skinner patted the back of the agent awkwardly as he cried himself out. Mulder was obviously very depressed and it took more than a minute for him to get his act together. Such open displays of distress reminded Skinner of his days in Vietnam when he himself went through the anguish and terror of losing one's friends. He knew that Scully was basically Mulder's only close friend in the Bureau. When the worst of it passed, Skinner got up and refreshed Mulder's water glass and handed it to him. Mulder mumbled his thanks, totally embarrassed by his runaway emotions. Amazingly, Skinner didn't seem to mind and only asked again if he was all right. Mulder shakily gulped down the water and fearfully watched the AD. It wouldn't really surprise him if everyone at the Bureau would know tomorrow that Spooky lost it because he couldn't take what his AD dished out. Skinner walked around the apartment, found the bathroom and gave Mulder a damp washcloth for his eyes. Then without much ado, Skinner ordered him to get to bed and sleep it off. He saw Skinner get a hold of his service revolver and pointedly remove the clip. Skinner made sure that Mulder saw him put the clips in his pocket. Mulder didn't even protest Skinner's blatant suicide watch of him. Mulder stripped to his shorts and got into bed. Skinner told him to leave the door open. Skinner occupied himself with Mulder's television and read the various weird publications that were lying around Mulder's apartment. When Dworkin called him about Mulder's state of mind as he left the building, Skinner was glad that his instincts were right in following the agent home. Mulder was a brilliant agent but extremely volatile and unstable. That was why he was presently assigned to surveillance. It was insulting, for sure, but better than going off the deep end while Scully was still missing. His personnel file was thicker than most agents and contained numerous reports of various reprimands, incident reports and so on. Skinner also knew that aside from Scully, Mulder lacked a stable support system. The reports of his previous therapy sessions revealed that he was essentially alone and that his family had virtually washed their hands of him. Mulder, of course, didn't know that all these were in his files. Each and everyone of his Bureau superiors were thoroughly briefed by the higher ups in handling him with kid gloves. Apparently, there was much interest in his work beyond the Bureau confines. Skinner initially called AD Ashcraft of the situation but Ashcraft was worried that Mulder hadn't taken the well- deserved criticism of his work in stride. When Ashcraft mentioned that the agent was about to cry in his office, Skinner had taken off after the agent. Now, the agent in question could be heard moaning in his sleep. Skinner got up and checked on him and found Mulder thrashing in his bed and was in a grip of some nightmare. Skinner was just debating on whether he should wake the agent when Mulder started screaming for his sister in his sleep. Skinner went over to him and tried to shake the agent from his dreams. Mulder clutched at the AD, seemingly terrified out of his wits. Skinner almost fell out of the bed as Mulder's weight overbalanced him. Mulder was barely awake. He still wasn't very lucid and Skinner whispered to him that everything was okay. Mulder was in the half-dreaming state and wasn't aware that he was starting to kiss a startled Skinner in the mouth. He was also starting to rub his groin against the AD's leg. Skinner debated whether this bald plea for physical comfort would further mess up the agent. He told himself that he would stop once Mulder showed any bad reactions. Skinner had the two homosexual encounters in his youth to draw on. Mulder curled up against him and gave a soft sigh of pleasure when Skinner started lightly massaging his terror-induced erection through the thin cotton of his shorts. "Please, sir," Mulder whispered. "It's been three years since I've had sex. Please, sir." "Agent Mulder," Skinner asked through his clenched teeth. "Have you ever had sex with a man before?" The agent shook his head but still had that pleading look in his eyes. He was starting to arch his back to give Skinner better access to his erection. Skinner then made a decision that he would just pleasure Mulder and concentrate on him. The less actual intercourse between them, the better it would be for the young agent, especially for his present state of mind. Skinner told Mulder that if he continued caressing him with his hands, he was going to come too soon. He might get too excited too fast, considering the length of time since his last sexual encounter. The AD left the agent and went to the bathroom where he found the dry skin cream in the medicine cabinet. If he never had sex with a man before, Skinner doubted that Mulder would have KY Jelly in his night table. Plus his leaving the bedroom would give the younger man time to change his mind if he really wanted. When Skinner came back, Mulder was still aroused and started kissing Skinner desperately. Skinner then just petted and hugged him, knowing instinctively that this was probably what Mulder really wanted. At first, Mulder sighed contentedly and was satisfied with being embraced by the bigger man, making him feel safe and secure, feelings he hadn't had most of his life. After about ten minutes of cuddling, Mulder placed Skinner's hand back onto his shorts and Skinner asked him if he was sure. Mulder nodded and whispered an insistent yes. Skinner told him that he would just be doing the work and that Mulder should lie back. Skinner reassured him that everything was just for him and that Mulder should just concentrate on himself for the moment. Skinner slowly pulled down the agent's shorts and marveled that the agent seemed totally relaxed and trusted him. He knew that Mulder found it difficult to trust people and Skinner was frankly flattered. Skinner just continued massaging the younger man's lithe and supple body. Mulder only had sparse chest hairs and the rest of his body was smooth and unblemished. But there was the long scar down one thigh from the gunshot he sustained in Raleigh during the Bogg's case. The massaging seemed to calm down the agent but he was going crazy since Skinner seemed to be going everywhere, even to the soles of his feet, except where Mulder so desperately wanted him. When Skinner started concentrating on his buttocks, Mulder tensed for a while and held his breath. Skinner told him to lie down on his side and reassured him that actual anal intercourse was not in the agenda since Mulder wasn't ready for it. Skinner just massaged his buttocks and occasionally flitted his hand between the cheeks. Mulder didn't know that this could be so maddening until he was starting to thrust his buttocks backwards against Skinner's hands. "Has anything ever been inserted up your anus, Fox?" Skinner asked. Mulder, through closed eyes, said that only the doctor had done that when he underwent occasional physical exams. "Suppositories when you were a kid?" Mulder nodded and Skinner was glad. Mulder was truly a virgin. He was still tense and Skinner could feel that Mulder was really tight. "Honey, I just want you to concentrate on the new feelings," Skinner growled. He just held his index finger at the entrance of Mulder's tight orifice and rubbed his finger in a circle. Mulder was starting to relax and Skinner told him to lie on his back so that he could better be stimulated down there. The AD put a pillow beneath Mulder's hips and told him to put his knees to his chest. The sight of Mulder so relaxed and sexually aroused with his erection on his belly was something that Skinner would treasure forever. The younger man was in a totally submissive posture with his engorged genitals getting pinker and redder by the second and the pink puckered orifice fully exposed. "Push against my finger like you're going to pass stool, Fox," Skinner instructed. "Don't worry, you're not going to mess the bed." Mulder was nervous again as he did what Skinner said. But his eyes transformed when the AD's lubricated finger went up his tight anus. Mulder gasped at the unfamiliar sensation, totally different to the distaste that his last rectal exam had elicited from him. "I feel like I'm going to take a dump," Mulder said a little nervously after a few minutes as he felt Skinner's thick index finger go beyond the ring of his sphincters. "I feel kind of full." "Ssh, baby, just let the pleasure flow through you," Skinner reassured him. "Baby, I'll keep my finger there a while so you'll get used to it." The feeling of creating a mess passed and when Skinner felt Mulder's pelvis relax against his hand, he started a slow rhythmic in and out motion. The new unfamiliar stretching of his anal tract was starting to embarrass the agent due to the intensity. He tried to cover his face with a pillow as occasional involuntary grunts escaped from his lips. It was starting to feel really good, especially when Skinner's slick finger went in and out. Mulder's hips started rocking instinctively on the pillow while Skinner's other hand steadied his hips. Skinner tugged the pillow from Mulder and murmured to him that he wanted to see the agent's face which was turning red from arousal. Skinner told the younger man to make as much a noise as he wanted and Mulder started moaning much louder, much to Skinner's gratification. Mulder's face was caught in a grimace and his mouth was open as loud pants emitted from his parted lips. He never made sounds as loud as these before when he had sex with a woman. With women, he was always so concerned with pleasing them, but the AD was bent on pleasing just him and not expecting anything in return. It was just so good. Everything felt so much more intense and dangerous. He grabbed the still clothed AD and held onto his arm, totally forgetting to ask that his penis be caressed. Mulder put his knees up to his chest to urge the AD's finger deeper into him. Skinner's eyes were focused solely on his face and totally focused on his pleasure, something Mulder never experienced with his encounters with women. The AD was smiling tenderly at him. Skinner was even humming in his ear. More heavy grunts and moans and sighs came deep from Mulder's chest as Skinner's penetrating finger continued its maddening rhythm. "I never knew friction down there could feel so nice," Mulder managed to gasp out. His hips were involuntarily rocking on the pillow now. He wanted Skinner to go deeper in him. "Honey, I'm just going to scrape your prostate so that you'll know how it feels like," Skinner said and Mulder's hips rose higher from the pillow. He gave a hiss of extreme surprise as Skinner lovingly traced a finger over the sensitive gland. "Does that feel good?" Skinner had to ask as he repeated it and Mulder almost screamed. "Yes, sir!" the agent exclaimed. A thin sheen of sweat now covered his body. Skinner was increasing the pace of the stimulation as Mulder adjusted to the sensation and found it so nice. When he withdrew his finger, Mulder made a disappointed noise but Skinner just added more of the lotion between Mulder's anus and his fingers. Skinner noted with satisfaction that the agent's orifice was more open now. He whispered to the agent again. "I'm going to insert a second finger now, Fox, honey," Skinner said. "Just push down... there...good." Mulder was too far gone now as his perceptions narrowed to his nether region. He bucked against Skinner's hand and tried to take more of Skinner's thick fingers. He never knew that feeling so gently stretched by the older man's fingers could make him feel so good. The AD murmured to him that all this was for him only while his other hand started masturpating the agent. This triggered Mulder's orgasm and copious ropy semen splashed onto Skinner's hand as Mulder's sphincters tightened on his fingers. Mulder was too stunned as he blankly looked at the ceiling as his body quieted down. He cuddled next to Skinner after a few seconds and nodded his head when Skinner asked him if he had a good come. Skinner had his own erection to deal with but he just willed it away. When Mulder's body stopped trembling, Skinner stiffly went to the bathroom and washed his hands, there were traces of Mulder's feces on his fingers. He came back to Mulder's bedroom and with a towel and a wet washcloth, cleaned up the semen on Mulder's abdomen and chest and between his legs and wiped off the lubricant from between the buttocks and the anus. "Are you sore?" Skinner asked. "Somewhat," Mulder answered sleepily as he allowed his former boss to clean him like a newborn baby. "Is anal intercourse like that, sir?" "Much better," the AD laughed gently. "Feel better now? No bad feelings?" "It's the best birthday present I ever had in a long time," Mulder kissed his former AD once again. "We must go all the way next time, sir." Mulder fell back to sleep in a second once he felt Skinner's strong arms enfold him in the safety of his embrace. Skinner felt better when his erection eventually subsided. Mulder huddled up to him and Skinner was amazed that someone that tall could make himself so small and cuddly. More than twenty years had passed since Skinner's last homosexual encounter with a high school football buddy and the AD never remembered it being so sweet and tender like this. Mulder really could be sweet when he put his mind to it and Skinner was now wondering if both of them would be able to tolerate a long-term relationship. Of course, there was the profound risk of being found out by the Bureau which would eventually be a death sentence to both of their careers. Both of them had trouble sustaining a long-term relationship, what with his divorce and Mulder's numerous emotional problems. If Mulder's parents found out, it might just cause irreparable damage to his already fractured family. Nevertheless, it was quite feasible that Mulder would hate him in the morning once daylight would put their actions in sharp perspective. Or else, Skinner would hate himself in the morning. Because no matter how he tried to rationalize, Skinner still took advantage of a Bureau subordinate, an emotionally vulnerable younger man, nearly fifteen years his junior who had a profound need for his father's approval. Although Skinner was too young to be Mulder's father's age, he was still someone of authority in Mulder's world. He might just add to Mulder's emotional and psychic problems. Although Mulder had really been the one who made the first move for sexual gratification, Skinner was more in his head throughout the whole thing with Mulder basically led by his body's new sensations throughout the night. However, Skinner could just be the stabilizing factor Mulder needed in his fairly disorganized life. Skinner of course would be able to advise him on how to handle Bureau policies on a more personal level plus having an older man as a mentor to more than work might help him. Skinner wasn't surprised really when Mulder woke up at dawn and everything finally sunk in. Mulder gasped when his arm encountered the broad torso of his former boss who himself woke up. The AD was still fully clothed but Mulder grabbed his shorts and ran naked to the bathroom. "Mulder, are you okay in there?" Skinner knocked on the bathroom door. The shower was running. "If you don't open up this door, I'm coming in to get you." Skinner waited a few minutes before the door reluctantly opened. Mulder had his shorts on with his arms across his chest. His eyes were red and swollen and his nose was running. "I-I really don't know if I c-can handle this, sir," Mulder trembled on the cold bathroom tiles. Skinner watched his face carefully and saw the uncertainty and confusion plastered on the agent's face. "I just don't know what came over..." Skinner held up his hand. "We'll forget this ever happened, Agent Mulder," Skinner went into his AD mode. Mulder relaxed visibly as Skinner's more familiar persona reasserted itself. "I trust you won't tell anyone about this, that it's just a moment of madness between the two of us?" Mulder nodded vigorously, desperate that everything be the same as it was before. "You call Dworkin and tell him that you'll take the day off today," Skinner gently told him what to do which seemed to calm him down. "I'll deal with Ashcraft. Is that okay?" Mulder thought for a minute and nodded again slowly. Skinner then told him he was leaving. He closed the door behind him with some regret but Skinner convinced himself that Mulder's reaction wasn't totally unexpected. Skinner then proceeded home to change and go to work. END CHAPTER ONE OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 2/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com Disclaimer in Chapter One WARNING: Slash (Skinner/Mulder) relationship NC-17 CHAPTER TWO CABIN HIDEAWAY Skinner frankly thought it was over. Mulder couldn't look him in the eye and blushed whenever they passed each other in the corridors of the Hoover Building. AD Ashcraft reported to him that Mulder's work continued to be erratic and he still had scrapes with authority figures. Skinner just made sure that he didn't treat Mulder any differently from the other agents. Then out of the blue, Scully suddenly appeared out of nowhere and Mulder's energies were focused on finding out who her abductors were; but no leads were forthcoming as Scully was comatose. Mulder spent most of his time at Scully's side when he wasn't at work. Mulder really appreciated Skinner visiting Scully at the hospital. When Skinner had permission to reinstate the X-files, Mulder wasn't overjoyed because he was distracted with Scully. He was too preoccupied. Like a miracle, Scully recovered from her coma but her memories of the recent events were nonexistent. After a month of physical therapy, Scully was deemed fit to go back to work. She and Mulder went on to pursue the strange phenomena that seemed to attract Mulder like a moth to a flame. Mulder settled down and with the reinstatement of the X-files, his work continued to improve, except that his paperwork was still atrocious. It was six months after Scully was recovered that Mulder waited uncertainly outside Skinner's house, sweating in the confines of the car. It was high summer. He was nervous because he really didn't know what to expect. He was just convinced that he really messed things up with Skinner although his boss never seemed to hold it against him. Skinner was his boss again so that made Mulder more nervous. He tensed when he saw Skinner's Cadillac get into the drive and his boss step out of the car. Skinner seemed tired and stretched out his back before reaching into the car for his briefcase. Mulder got out of his Taurus, actually Scully's Taurus, and sauntered to catch up with his boss. He nervously wiped the sweat off his brow. Skinner whirled around at the sound of the agent's footsteps but relaxed when he saw Mulder. Mulder was suddenly shy when he was finally in front of the AD. He stammered a good evening and was far from the confident Bureau agent. Skinner rolled his eyes and sighed inwardly at the stuttering younger man and told Mulder to follow him inside for a drink. Mulder took off his suit jacket, aware of how much his shirt stuck on his bad. He looked around the huge house as Skinner turned on the lights. Skinner was amused when Mulder asked for orange juice and he was surprised to find out that Mulder rarely if at all drank alcohol. He himself thirstily guzzled down a beer. The AD suspected that Mulder wanted to make amends for his rebuff half a year ago but things were too complicated now for the AD. He tolerated Mulder's small talk as Skinner prepared a spaghetti dinner and waited for Mulder to express his sentiments. After all, Mulder was really his subordinate now since the X-files reopened. Six months ago he was just a superior from another division. He had to be careful. Skinner set the table for two and didn't have to ask Mulder if he wanted to have dinner with him. He correctly surmised that Mulder was always hungry. They ate in companionable silence. Skinner rooted around in the freezer and found some leftover ice cream and handed the container to Mulder, who gobbled down the month old dessert. "Sir, I'm really sorry about, you know, last time," Mulder began with an uncertain tone in his voice as he helped Skinner clear away the dinner things. "Nothing like that ever happened to me and I really didn't know how to handle it." Skinner murmured some reassuring nonthreatening words and allowed Mulder to continue. The agent stammered along and blushed as he said that he wanted to keep seeing the AD on a social basis, if that was all right with Skinner. Skinner gave a big sigh and told him to follow him to the living room. He pointed to the couch and sat across from Mulder. The younger man's expression was wary with the fear of rejection darkening his expression. Skinner laid out the cards for him; Mulder was certainly intelligent enough to realize what he was getting himself into, even if only on an intellectual level. "Fox," Skinner began, using the agent's first name so that it was clear that he was speaking not as his boss. "Please listen. I really have thought about this and I want you to think about it, too. You're a nice lovable young man but you're not really experienced with these things..." As usual, the agent thought that he made a mistake and was abruptly setting to leave. Skinner was able to catch his wrist and sat him down again on the couch. "Will you please listen to what I have to say?" Skinner continued. He sat beside the agent and looked him in the eye. "As I was saying, I'm also not experienced with these kind of relationships." He frankly told Mulder that the last time he had a male lover was when he was in high school and that was only a fleeting affair, nothing much really. He'd had it more out of curiosity than anything. "Once we start with this I know that you know we can't do certain things, heck, we can't do most things together because of our work. I might be accused of taking advantage of you. Once anyone gets wind of this, even Scully, it's over for both of our careers and you know how that is important for each of us. As your boss, there will be times when you deserve a kick in the butt but I don't know if you can take it on a nonpersonal level. Plus I will have to assign you to occasional dangerous cases and I don't know if I'll be able to tolerate that. Have you thought about what will happen if either your mom or dad found out about us?" Skinner held up his hand to stop Mulder whose mouth had opened to give his side. "I do really want to give it a try but I just want you to know that each of us can lose a great deal if we do this the wrong way. You're very sweet and forthright but you do have the tendency to feel your emotions too much when things go wrong. I just don't know if you'll be able to take it if everything literally falls apart on us," Skinner finished. "I've thought about it since you rejected my resignation letter when Scully came back," Mulder said. "I've thought about it a lot. I've even tried dating again but it just pales in comparison to what I felt when I was with you, sir. It's not just the sex. I really felt... safe when you were with me." Mulder swallowed. "I don't know what will happen in the future, if anyone really will find out about us. But I know that I'm willing to risk everything just so that we'll be together. I know it sounds trite and cliched but I truly feel that way. I'm not some dumb teenager who doesn't know any better and I know that I want you. Also, I don't think my mom and dad really care about what I do. They haven't seen me or called in two years already. You were there when I got shot. I was close to dying in the ICU but they never even called to find out how I was." Mulder was absolutely right about his parents. Skinner was the one who informed both Mr. and Mrs. Mulder but they didn't express interest in even finding out how their son was. Skinner then set absolutely strict guidelines and Mulder listened with growing dismay. He said that they were never to see each other in the city, not in Mulder's apartment or Skinner's house nor anywhere like restaurants, malls and the like. Seeing each other on weekdays was a no-no, too. Phone calls were to be kept at a minimum, but after office hours, they could call each other and only at home. Promiscuity will not be tolerated because such behavior was too risky, whether socially or medically. Skinner made sure that Mulder knew that although he had been married and divorced, he never ran around with women and that it wasn't in his nature to run around with men either and that the agent should do the same thing. He asked for Mulder's HIV status and he volunteered his own. Skinner had to know because he knew that Mulder received quite a lot of blood transfusions in the past. "If we can't be with each other in the city on weekdays where and when will we see one another," Mulder said in befuddlement. His head was still reeling with all the restrictions Skinner was proposing but he had to admit that as usual Skinner made perfect sense. Skinner explained that he had an isolated cabin by the lake which was about an hour away by car. And he added that Mulder was not to call him sir whenever they were together, especially there by the lake. In other words, spontaneity was a luxury for them. "Let's go to the lake now," Skinner stood up. "I assume you have some clothes ready in your car." Mulder grinned with relief and nodded. It might not be so bad after all. Skinner got some clothes from upstairs and they stowed Scully's Taurus in Skinner's huge garage. Mulder had to grin with delight when he found out that Skinner had a shiny Range Rover for trips to the country. He wanted to drive but Skinner said that they'll get there faster in the dark with him driving because he knew the way. As expected, Mulder fell asleep in the four wheel vehicle as they made good time on the expressway. It was already ten at night and Skinner knew that Mulder and Scully just came from Arkansas on a case. The agent was understandably tired. At first, his head rested on the window but that was dangerous and uncomfortable so Skinner pulled Mulder to him and the agent's head created a pleasant weight on Skinner's shoulder. Skinner sniffed and couldn't believe that Mulder's shampoo smelled like Ivory. He almost laughed out loud. This was carrying the innocent angle too far. Because of the late night, Skinner was able to get to the cabin in forty-five minutes. He gently shook Mulder awake and the agent blinked in confusion until he saw the cabin. "Shit, Walter," Mulder remarked,. "This isn't a cabin, it's a house." The house had sleek modern lines and to Mulder seemed as huge as Skinner's house in the DC suburb. He wondered where Skinner's obvious wealth came from. Certainly one cannot create a comfortable nest egg with the salary from the Bureau, even if one was an AD. He asked Skinner about it as they unloaded the car and Mulder was surprised to find out that Skinner's money came from his parents, who were well-off. Since he was an only child, he got the bulk of it only recently when his mother died two years ago. The house in Virginia was where he grew up and he had the cabin built three years ago. Skinner said that his one greatest regret was that he and his ex-wife Sharon never had children because they would certainly be the one to benefit from all this space. He led Mulder upstairs to the bedroom and told him to stow his gear in the closet. Skinner went to the bathroom and washed up and got into his pajamas. When he got out, he saw Mulder's face looking expectantly at him. He was still dressed. "Aw, Fox," Skinner muttered. "Don't expect anything to happen tonight. I can see the dark rings under your eyes and I'm tired, too. Just get into bed." Mulder grinned and took his turn in the bathroom. When he emerged in his undershorts, Skinner patted the bed and Mulder slipped in beside him. Mulder easily curled up in his arms and gave a contented sigh. "This I really missed," Mulder sleepily murmured and was snoring lightly in a few seconds. Skinner watched the late night news. Mulder was a cuddler and burrowed his way until his head rested on Skinner's chest. Skinner smelled his velvety skin and underneath the light scent of sweat, Mulder still smelled of Ivory soap; when Skinner smelled his hair, again the Ivory shampoo. He shook his head in disbelief and concentrated on the news. He always watched the late night news. Just before Skinner turned in, he had to chuckle. Mulder's cotton boxers had flying saucers on it. He lightly kissed the younger man's cheek just before he turned off the light. END OF CHAPTER TWO OUT OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES (3/16) by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash (Skinner/Mulder)NC-17 DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER THREE PETAL PLUCKING The next morning was a warm spring morning and Skinner woke up even before Mulder. He wanted to take things very slow and vowed to just do more of the same where they left off. Mulder was still out of it and it amazed Skinner that Mulder didn't even wake when he pulled down the agent's shorts to his thighs and exposed his buttocks. Skinner was ready now and he had the KY which worked infinitely better than the dry skin cream he had to make do with last time. Mulder's eyes popped open with a gasp from his lips when he felt Skinner's finger easily slide up his anus. He wriggled his hips and sighed happily as Skinner's finger worked its magic. Skinner reminded him that they were alone and that there were no neighbors for miles around and Mulder was encouraged to verbalize his appreciation as much as possible. Mulder was tight again because of the months of inactivity in that area. He would just get hurt if they went all the way. Mulder was reliving the excitement when this happened for the first time and he moaned Skinner's name over and over as Skinner curled his fist around Mulder's penis. Mulder didn't last long, less than three minutes because of his extreme excitement. He had his orgasm with a hoarse cry as his twitching penis ejaculated his semen. Skinner went to the bathroom like before and cleaned them both up. He got back in bed and they started kissing deeply, much more than before. Mulder opened his mouth wide as his excitement built again as Skinner's tongue thrust into his mouth and ran his tongue over Mulder's own tongue and palate. No one ever kissed him like that before and felt for the first time the full force of the power that Skinner's body seemed to contain. It left him breathless and he couldn't deny that he was beginning to feel faint. Then Mulder was suddenly distracted and blushed as he stopped and pulled away from the older man. He looked uncertain. "You need to go?" Skinner said tolerantly. Mulder blushed even more and hurried out of the bed. Skinner laughed to himself, careful that Mulder not hear him or else he would just be more embarrassed. Of course, Skinner knew that it would happen. He had felt Mulder's rectal vault which was full of stool when he had his finger up him. It was just one of the things about having a relationship like this. Mulder was still new to it and found some things a little weird. "I'm sorry," Mulder muttered when he came back a few minutes later. "I spoiled the mood." "That's okay, honey," Skinner reassured him. "It's sometimes bound to happen." "Uhm," Mulder wanted to say something. "I read on the Internet the other day that some people do enemas to avoid this from happening." "So you did some research?" Skinner said incredulous. Mulder rummaged in his duffel bag and showed Skinner his bottle of Fleet Enema. "What would Scully say if she found that in your things?" "I want to be clean for you, Walter," Mulder muttered. "Aw, honey, you're always clean for me," Skinner took him in his arms to make him feel better. Skinner took the box from him and read the medical literature as Mulder cuddled on his chest again, which was turning out to be his usual pose with him. "It says here that you shouldn't use this so often, you know. It will cause irritation." "After all, it's just for the weekend, Walter," Mulder said. "Maybe once is enough. I really want to try it." Skinner shrugged and read more of the literature accompanying the Fleet thing. He read the instructions carefully and positioned Mulder as was illustrated on the paper. As he pumped in the fluid, Mulder shivered, complaining that it felt cold. They waited for a few minutes, with both of them watching the morning cartoons, although Mulder was the one paying more attention. The clear solution lived up to its name and Mulder rushed to the bathroom for the second time that morning as his bowels emptied most of its contents. The agent shakily returned to the bed. Sometimes, Mulder could be so frail. "Fox, I don't think this is such a good idea if you'll have to go through this every weekend," Skinner was beginning to have his doubts. He gathered Mulder in his arms again and stroked his back. "I'm okay, really," Mulder said. "It just tired me out. I'll be okay in a few minutes." Skinner got up and took a shower. He went down to prepare breakfast for them and Mulder followed after a while, his damp hair sticking up in all directions. As he cooked, Skinner asked him about what else he found out in the Internet about their alternative lifestyle. "Nothing much," Mulder said as he crunched on a slice of bacon. "I use Scully's laptop for surfing, mostly when we're out on a case and I don't want her to find out that I have a new interest, other than the paranormal. She might suddenly want to shift around some files and her Catholic self might get too much of a shock. But I did brush up on safe sex practices." Skinner nodded approvingly. He himself knew about that already because he had to after the divorce pushed through. Mulder seemed to gain back his good mood and was enthusiastically following Skinner around the extensive grounds of the land. However, Mulder was unused to the physical show of affection out in daylight and out of the bedroom. He shunned Skinner's attempts to take a hold of his hand and kiss him, despite Skinner's assurances that there was no one for miles around. Skinner just let him be and he told himself that the cabin was still new for Mulder so he should take his time. Skinner was glad much later when Mulder finally was convinced that there was no one around and ran up to him like a puppy and put his arm around Skinner's waist. He balked however when he saw the boathouse. He vehemently shook his head when Skinner suggested a go at the lake. "I-I get seasick even if it's a lake," Mulder looked uncomfortable. "Dad always shouted at me whenever he took us sailing because I threw up a lot. I'm useless on boats so Dad gave up teaching me to sail and he and Samantha would stay out for hours on the Cape. She knew how to sail." Skinner got a sudden vision of a forlorn boy out at the docks jealous that his father spent hours with his sister and not with him. Skinner drew Mulder to him and kissed his cheek. Mulder turned away, suddenly upset by the memory. Skinner couldn't quite comprehend the way Mulder's parents treated him. Skinner himself was very close to his father and up to the day he died, they almost talked everyday with his father offering his sage advice even when Skinner was already forty years old. Skinner even called him Daddy up to the very end. Joining the marines had caused problems between them because his father didn't want his only child exposed to the obvious physical dangers. But Skinner was selfish in his youth and his father was just too glad to have him back even stretcher borne after Skinner was severely injured. They made up after that. His mother on the other hand grew up with six brothers so she didn't baby Skinner at all even if he was an only child. She didn't have as tight a rein on him like Daddy. Nothing shocked her really and Skinner blushed as he remembered how his mother caught him furiously masturbating in the bathroom one afternoon when he was sixteen. She just calmly told him that such activities should be done in private in bed where it was more comfortable with the door locked. He was terrified that she had found out his secret preoccupation but she just brushed off the incident as part of his growing up and never mentioned the incident again. He was sure that if she were still alive, she would have welcomed Mulder as her son's lover with open arms. She probably would have approved of Mulder more than Sharon since she was unconvinced from the beginning that Sharon was the right mate for her son. They walked side by side as Mulder tried to erase the unhappy memories that sometimes flooded back at the most inopportune times. His abrupt mood swings and generally morose behavior was what drove away the women he tried to take out. Scully was the only one who could figure him out with consistency but Krycek and later Dworkin were totally at sea and antagonistic whenever he was in a bad mood. But Mulder was finding out that Skinner was understanding also, but he didn't know that Skinner had a longer fuse with him these days because he had perused his personnel file. ...................................................... Skinner continued to hold Mulder close to him as both of them regained their breath. Mulder just experienced anal intercourse for the first time and he was still speechless. Skinner had done it face to face, something that Mulder didn't know was possible and seeing his boss lose all control like that moved him. It burned terribly at first and Mulder was terrified for a fleeting second because Skinner was quite big . But Skinner was patient and careful and the younger man was able to enjoy it. The feeling of penetration and Skinner's strong thrusting were incredible and literally blew his breath away. Being showered with kisses and Skinner's gentle, encouraging words were the best part. Skinner was a very considerate lover, Mulder was finding out happily. Mulder was initially tense about not knowing what to do but the older man had guided him carefully throughout the whole thing and had treasured Mulder's inexperience as part of the pleasure. Everything was new for Skinner as well since it was the first time that he had intercourse without a condom since he and Sharon last made love. Being naked within your lover was still the best and Mulder was so tight. It was already Sunday afternoon and Skinner said they had to go home this evening. Mulder was feeling bad about that as he was regaining his breath. Of course, the best part for Skinner was that he was Mulder's first. If things went as Skinner intended, he was determined to be Mulder's only for a long, long time. Mulder was still clutching Skinner's broad shoulders, his eyes shut tightly and his mouth open. Skinner looked down at him with extreme satisfaction and bestowed a series of intense open mouthed kisses on him. Mulder groaned, wishing that they could stay like this forever. "Was it good for you?" Skinner had to ask because he wanted to be sure that this was something they would do very regularly in the future. Mulder seemed to come back to himself and opened his eyes. He really loved the way Skinner was so solicitous of him, especially the way the bigger man was hovering over him. The agent took in a big shaky breath and nodded. Then he inexplicably found that his eyes were leaking. "Hey," Skinner said with slight alarm. He took Mulder's face in both of his hands and looked closely at the agent's face. "No, please don't worry," Mulder said. He hugged the bigger man to him to reassure him. "It's just that no one has ever shown so much concern for me before. Yes, it was good for me and I really loved it." "Sorry, I'm getting too heavy for you," Skinner gave him a final kiss as he withdrew from Mulder and got a wad of tissue. He cursed violently when he saw that there was some blood on the sheet and the tissue. But they had used a lot of the lubricant. "I'm okay," Mulder said, still languorous after such a big orgasm. He absently wiped off the tears from his face. Mulder had actually screamed when he ejaculated. "I just don't want you to be sore and it's not really safe if this happens, honey," Skinner muttered as he saw a tiny tearing of Mulder's soft tissue. Skinner kissed the spot gently and Mulder was startled at the sensation. He stiffened involuntarily, embarrassed and Skinner laughed at him and told him that he still had a lot to learn. Mulder that morning just experienced the best oral sex he ever had, although he did admit that his previous girlfriends didn't exactly perform the service as willingly and as expertly as Skinner had. Mulder learned a lot these past two days. Skinner was a great lover, patient and kind and Mulder never felt like he wasn't loved. In fact, the whole weekend was focused on him, his pleasure since Skinner refused his attempts to reciprocate until this afternoon. He never had so much sex in a two day period his whole life. He felt at peace with none of the nervous energy that constantly emanated from him. The whole weekend was like a dream that Mulder didn't want to end. He knew that he would appear tomorrow with a silly grin on his face and Scully would know that he got lucky. She never grilled him as to who he went out with although she would have been surprised if she found out that her partner's latest lover was a man. He just hoped to remain standing most of the day tomorrow because he was somewhat tender by now. Mulder stiffly got out of the Range Rover that Sunday night in Skinner's Virginia home, avoiding Skinner's gaze as he got his stuff from the car. The older man was reverting back to the AD mode and Mulder had to admit that he didn't like it. He thanked Skinner for the wonderful two days with his voice trembling. It was just sinking in how difficult their double lives were going to be. END OF CHAPTER THREE OUT OF SIXTEEN BACARRAT FIGURINES (4/16) by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 (Skinner/Mulder) DISCLAIMER in Chapter One CHAPTER FOUR SCULLY'S POOH MUSINGS Mulder was kept busy the next three days as he and Scully pursued their case in Georgia. As Scully had predicted, it wasn't really an X-file and Mulder was sullen as Scully dropped him off in front of his building that Wednesday night. Sometimes he couldn't stand it when Scully was in her I-Told-You-So mood. Mulder wearily trudged up the stoop and the apartment manager opened the door to her office. Mulder knew that he paid his rent on time this month and he was about to mouth off at her when she wordlessly thrust a package in his hand then receded back into her office. It was a small Pooh bear in a basket with chocolates wrapped in clear cellophane. A note was inside. He grinned for the first time that day. He tore open the cellophane in the elevator to get to the note. It was kind of difficult to do, what with having to balance his luggage. The note was short. "Missed my hunny bear." It was typewritten and there was no signature of course but Mulder knew where it came from. No one ever called him honey even when he was small. Terms of endearment like that never came his way. He'd never been lovable even as a kid because he was so hyperactive that he just got into constant trouble. Mulder was surprised as his body suddenly remembered the pleasant ache in his backside. He rushed to his apartment and remembered that Skinner said they could call each other after office hours and at home. Skinner's voice was already fuzzy from sleep but it was so good to hear. Mulder shyly thanked him and Skinner told him to make sure he ate the chocolates because he still needed to gain weight. Mulder said that Skinner cheated because the AD didn't clarify that they could give each other stuff through the mail. Skinner chuckled tiredly. They talked a few minutes about the case then about more personal stuff. Skinner asked him if he was still sore but Mulder said that everything was all right. Mulder repeated that he missed him and Skinner just laughed and told him to just sit on it until the weekend. He had no intention of giving Mulder too much of a workout, not after the blood on the sheets. It still unnerved him. Skinner had taken no chances and even had an antisurveillance device, the best that money could buy installed to both their home phones. He had already thought of the possibility of someone tapping their lines especially since their relationship could be rich cannon fodder for blackmail because Mulder ruffled so many feathers the wrong way. Since then, Mulder would get little presents in the mail on some days and every time he came home from a case away from DC. There were little toy soldiers and fox figurines accumulating on his shelf such that Scully commented that she didn't know that Mulder was collecting them. She was spending the night at his apartment as they tried to catch up on the paperwork. Because Mulder wanted to subconsciously avoid preferential treatment, his paperwork was much improved. He cringed inwardly when Scully accidentally sat on his Pooh bear. Mulder kept it close by on the couch whenever he slept. He surreptitiously got it from under Scully's butt and fluffed it up again as it had flattened under her weight. When the phone rang Mulder was preoccupied with the work and belatedly ran for the phone. It was too late. Mulder tensed up visibly as he listened to Scully talk. It was obvious that Skinner was at the other end. But he sighed when Scully did not suspect anything and continued to talk to the AD. While she talked, Scully played with his fox collection, something Skinner also started. "You sure got a lot of new little stuff around here, Mulder," Scully said as she got off the phone. She scrutinized more of the foxes then the soldiers. Mulder muttered that he got them from a hobby store at the mall. Scully just raised her right eyebrow like Mr. Spock and surveyed the pieces. The toy soldiers seemed to be antiques. Most of the foxes were porcelain or crystal, the more expensive European kind. Scully gingerly turned over a larger fox and reared back when she saw that it was Baccarat. This definitely was not hobby store material and she looked strangely at her partner. He never liked his first name so why was he suddenly collecting all these foxes? He never liked the military so what were all these soldiers doing here? "Okay, Mulder," Scully fastened her gaze on her partner who was trying to appear busy with the paperwork. "Who is she?" "What do you mean?" Mulder feigned innocence as he looked up from the coffee table from where he worked. His hands were starting to sweat and he didn't like the way the conversation was turning. He knew that Scully aced Interrogation Techniques at Quantico and he didn't want her to apply techniques on him now. "Someone's giving you all these little toys, Mulder," Scully said triumphantly. "In fact, I can put up a fairly accurate profile on her right now." "What?" Mulder squeaked in confusion. "It's obvious that she's older than you, probably in her forties, has a lot of money and has an appreciation for the finer things in life," Scully teased. "She has a nice sense of humor, judging by that Winnie the Pooh bear you've been trying to protect from me since I sat on your couch. She has all these stuff delivered here, doesn't she? She probably holds down a job even if she doesn't need to, maybe someone in high authority because she obviously knows exactly what she wants. I know your daily schedule, Mulder and you don't have time to go scouring around hobby shops for such trivialities. Am I right or am I right?" "How do you know that...she's older?" Mulder said faintly. She must be psychic, Mulder cursed. But he had to admit that Scully was merely using everything he had taught her in the field. "All her stuff is the classic kind, Mulder, even down to the Winnie the Pooh," Scully wondered why Mulder looked like he was going to faint. "She also loves you very much because each and every gift is so well thought out. It's serious, Mulder, isn't it? You love her a lot, too because you hold all her gifts in such high regard. They're all near the top shelf. This is the longest relationship you ever sustained since Phoebe." Mulder for once was speechless and looked at her with fright in his eyes. She was so accurate that if she just changed her UNSUB's sex and recalled the phone call from Skinner, she could hit the nail on the head. "Oh, Mulder," Scully suddenly realized something and had a sad note in her voice, the disapproving Catholic tone. Mulder braced himself for the inevitable. I'm dead, I'm dead. She Knows! "She's married, Mulder," Scully muttered. "That's why there's all this secrecy and drama surrounding her. Mulder, what if her husband finds out and runs after you?" Mulder tried to look sheepish and said that Scully had a hit. He reassured her that her husband would never find out but Scully was unamused and said that he was on dangerous ground. Dangerous was right, Mulder thought. END OF CHAPTER FOUR OUT OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES (6/16) by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 (Skinner/Mulder) DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER SIX SHADOW IN THE TREES Mulder was feeling especially vulnerable today after his revelation of his love for the older man. He followed Skinner around the cabin and outside like a puppy yapping at Skinner's heels. He left Skinner only when the bigger man started chopping the wood for the fireplace. Skinner liked to do this alone because he said it cleared his head and gave him a good workout. Mulder wandered over to the driveway where he shoveled the snow. He stopped when the hairs on the back of his neck gave a prickly sensation. He knew he was being watched. He nonchalantly continued shoveling. He could hear that Skinner was still chopping wood at the woodpile. Mulder saw a light glint off in the woods as if there was a mirrored surface from which light reflected from. Maybe binoculars. Mulder put down the shovel and slowly walked down the driveway to the road. He walked at a slow pace and made a big show of looking at the sky and the trees as if he were going for a walk. He saw the black car parked by the side of the road about two hundred yards away and his stomach clenched. Then he saw a man in dark clothes just as slowly get in the car and drive off, heedless of Mulder's shout at him. Skinner heard Mulder's shout and he went to the front of the house and saw Mulder running. "Someone was watching me," Mulder said with a tight nervous tone in his voice. He told Skinner of the man in the woods who seemed to have either binoculars or even a camera. They went together at the general direction of where the man had stood and they found fresh footprints in the area. Skinner was the one who saw the gray plastic container where 36 mm films were usually stored. The AD used his handkerchief in putting the plastic container in his pocket. They followed the footprints to the road where the car was parked but they didn't find anything there. More disturbing was the set of footprints that led directly to the first floor windows of the cabin. Both of them were upset but Mulder was shaking by the time they got back into the house. Bad things always happened to him and it was just a matter of time before the real world found out about their little cosy place here. He was also convinced that all this happened because he had professed his love for Skinner that morning. He numbly listened as Skinner reported the incident to the local authorities, that there was a trespasser but Skinner didn't mention the film cartridge. Mulder sat by the window looking out on the driveway as Skinner continued talking to the police. When Skinner put down the phone, he saw that Mulder was pale although the agent said he was okay. Skinner knew that Mulder wanted to leave but he gently reminded him that they both had to issue statements for the police. Mulder even withdrew his hand when Skinner took it. The police car pulled up to the driveway 5 minutes later and inspected the site where Mulder spotted the man. The officer didn't give them the eye like Mulder expected, just nodded his head when he said he was Skinner's friend. After ten minutes, the officer left. Mulder went back into the house and got a few of his things. He just got the books he was currently reading and the suit he wore yesterday. Most of his weekend clothes were already here. Skinner watched him silently until he had to say that whoever took those pictures already had it and they couldn't do anything about it anymore. Mulder just angrily shook his head and said that he had to leave. Skinner waved goodbye to the agent as Mulder eased the Camry out of the driveway. Mulder waved back and set off. Both of them were at the edge of their seats for the rest of the week, each of them expecting to find an envelope with blown-up copies of the cabin with each of them in compromising positions. Scully was in the midst of it as Mulder snapped at her unnecessarily. Scully just concluded that Mulder was in some sort of trouble with his lady friend, and had to bite her tongue because she really wanted to know if her husband had found out about them. She didn't make her usual little digs at him, wrongfully assuming that Mulder was upset about his "girlfriend", maybe because they had a fight. Skinner tried to call Mulder on the night he left the cabin but Mulder was in full paranoid mode and didn't want to talk long on the telephone. The rest of the week, Mulder was avoiding his calls and Skinner tried to reassure him that things were still okay between them. Skinner continued to send the small gifts with the typewritten notes but Mulder never even called to thank him like he did before. Skinner didn't know it but Mulder was really scared out of his wits. He had more to lose if their relationship ever came out in the open. If Mulder lost his job, he would essentially lose his chance to find his sister, no one would hire him and his parents would think even less of him. Skinner never really needed to work since he had a substantial legacy, he had no one to answer to in his family and he might find a job at a security agency because of his more extensive experience in federal law enforcement. The AD just gave him his space and didn't force the issue. He always checked with the local police regarding the prowler but so far there weren't any leads, not that Skinner expected any. The film cartridge likewise didn't have any prints on it. Skinner still spent weekends at the cabin but Mulder didn't go there anymore. Except for Christmas day but things were still too uncomfortable between them. It was always difficult for Mulder to trust anyone or anything. Yes, he still trusted Skinner implicitly but the cabin didn't seem like a haven anymore. Two months passed with hardly a word said between them. Skinner thought that it was long enough. When he couldn't stand it anymore, he summoned Mulder and Scully to his office ostensibly to ask for updates on some of their cases. When Scully left and Mulder lingered awhile, Skinner said that he was going to pick him up that afternoon at a building near his apartment. Skinner used a Bureau pool car this time and he used evasion tactics several times to make sure that they not being followed. Mulder looked dully ahead and fell asleep in the car during the two hour ride. Skinner checked them into adjoining rooms at an anonymous hotel. Skinner spent two hours just holding Mulder to him, something he had been deprived of for months. Neither of them wanted sex; they just wanted to be near each other. Mulder rested against the AD as he watched television. Skinner just inhaled the Ivory scent he missed. He continued to sniff the agent's hair and neck and occasionally kissed his cheek. Mulder was just bone tired of being on his toes the whole time, each person he met a prime suspect. Being in the quiet hotel room in the quiet town with Skinner and thick curtains just felt safer. He fell asleep as Skinner rubbed his back comfortingly. Both of them were still in their office clothes. Skinner wasn't surprised when Mulder had a nightmare. The Samantha dreams were back with a vengeance. They tried the hotel route for three weekends but Skinner finally said enough. The hotels were uncomfortable and reminded them of business trips they had to take while in the field. Skinner installed a reasonable security system and they started using the cabin again after a lull of four more months. END CHAPTER SIX OUT OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES (7/16) by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 (Skinner/Mulder) DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER SEVEN CLONE CHAOS The agent felt better now about their relationship. The scare he got from the prowler was just an echo now. They still stuck to Skinner's original precautions and Scully breathed a sigh of relief when Mulder seemed to settle down again. Both of them were caught unawares however when Samantha returned out of the blue. Skinner was first surprised when he received a call from Mulder's father. Bill Mulder wanted him to relay the message that Mulder must call home for some emergency. At first, Skinner thought that Mulder's mother might have died so he even summoned Mulder to his office to tell him that his dad called. Mulder wasn't taking his latest reprimand very well., about the dead field agent from the Syracuse regional office. He thought that Skinner was just going to dig it in. But when he entered Skinner's office and saw his boss's grave face, he knew that he was called for something else. Skinner then told him that there was a family emergency. Skinner received a call that night from a distraught Mulder. He said that Samantha was at his father's house in West Tisbury; she just appeared out of nowhere. Mulder was having his doubts that it was the real Samantha but she did bear a striking resemblance to some relative. Skinner was more concerned that Mulder was in his father's house and knew that the whole set-up there was just contributing to the agent's distress. He asked Mulder how his parents were treating him but Mulder never answered, just made some remarks that his mother seemed to be happy with having Samantha beside her. .......................... It took Mulder a month to recuperate from the Arctic escapade. Skinner took Mulder to the cabin after they made up a story for Scully, saying that Mulder was going home to his mother in Greenwich to fully recover. Mulder tiredly told Scully that she wasn't to call him; his mother was in a fragile state too. He promised to call her instead to give him daily progress reports. Skinner was able to get the private nurses for Mulder from their Baltimore doctor. They took care of him there. Finally, Mulder was well enough so that didn't need the nurses anymore. Skinner didn't want him to exert himself so that they just cuddled in bed. Skinner could feel Mulder's bones sticking out at odd angles against his body. He lost almost twenty pounds, weight he couldn't spare. He was very depressed again only telling Skinner bits and pieces of what really happened: that Samantha was a clone, that the pilot he encountered in the submarine said that the real Samantha was still alive. What enraged Skinner above all was that Mulder's parents were convinced that their son traded their daughter for Scully. Neither one wanted to listen to Mulder's explanation of the actual events. Mulder was reliving every aspect of Samantha's abduction only everything was now magnified. He knew exactly what happened but his parents still wouldn't listen to his side of the story. He was particularly devastated by his mother's reaction; she was furious with him and said he wasn't some kid anymore who could be excused for misinterpreting events. No, she wasn't depressed this time. She made sure that her son knew exactly how she felt. Skinner now fully understood why Mulder resisted his suggestion that he call his parents that Thanksgiving day when he left in a huff and disappeared for hours in the woods. The term unconditional love was not in their vocabulary and had passed on that warped sense of the world onto their son. No wonder Mulder always became agitated when anyone so much as criticized him, especially his work. He was convinced that he had to do things in order to be accepted by others. He still had a hard time warming up to Skinner after some of their little fights and he bent over backwards to make up for some of the fights he himself initiated. It also made Skinner wonder if Mulder's improving work at the Bureau since they started was due to his fear that Skinner would withdraw his love if he messed up at work. These whole series of events was going to irretrievably scar Mulder and Skinner knew that it was up to him to make sure that those scars didn't run so deep. END OF CHAPTER SEVEN OUT OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES (8/16) by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 (Skinner/Mulder) DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER EIGHT BODY LESSONS Of course, Mulder physically recovered from the Arctic experience and his relationship with Skinner changed for the better. Skinner was the only one in his sphere of relationships who loved him no matter what he did. He still got into scrapes in the Bureau and the AD still officially reprimanded him and his personnel file just got thicker and thicker but Skinner's expansive personality just allowed him to forget about It once they were in the cabin. Scully may be his partner but she sometimes got on his nerves for questioning his every move. They had a lot of little hissy spats lately and Skinner even noticed. It seemed to Skinner that Scully still resented Mulder for running off to Alaska without telling her where he was going. But neither one requested for a transfer especially when their closure rate just continued to climb. Skinner was touched one day when he saw that Mulder had his picture in a silver frame on his night stand. . It was beside Samantha's picture, a copy of the one he had on his desk in the Bureau. Skinner didn't like the way he looked in the picture because he looked too stern but Mulder said that Skinner was like that to him, that he was Mulder's shield in life. Skinner tickled Mulder for that with extreme affection and Mulder kept laughing until he was hysterical and fully aroused. When he got back his breath, he kissed Skinner aggressively and started caressing the AD's broad body. Skinner usually initiated their sexual encounters because he was the dominant one in the relationship but he passively sat back against the headboard as Mulder undressed him and took him in his mouth. Mulder was better at fellatio now after much coaching from Skinner. Skinner moaned as Mulder settled between his legs and enclosed his member. Skinner knew that Mulder still found it difficult to do because he really was big. When he felt himself near the edge, he pushed Mulder away. "Come on , honey," Skinner said as he lay flat on his back, "I want to come in you." Skinner unbuttoned Mulder's trousers and removed it along with his underwear. He just wore his shirt. Mulder turned his back on Skinner as Skinner lubricated him generously. He was tighter now after the long abstinence, almost like the first few times they were together. Skinner directed his penis as Mulder carefully sat on it and impaled himself. Skinner rarely did it this way because it was harder on Mulder's thighs to maintain the rhythm and Skinner couldn't see his face and Mulder would have to touch his own penis, but he did like the way that it gave him a direct view of his penis disappearing into Mulder's pink lubricated orifice at each thrust. Skinner even raised up Mulder's shirt from his hips to get a better view of their joining. Mulder cried out as he came with some of his semen dripping down between his legs and onto Skinner's scrotum. Seeing that Mulder was tired, Skinner carefully rolled them both onto their side while they were still as one. He continued thrusting into Mulder with his leg over Mulder's hip so that he could go deeper. Mulder closed his eyes in bliss as he felt Skinner prolonged penetration of him and the kisses the older man showered onto his back and neck. He loved it when he already came but Skinner kept going and he could feel Skinner's bulging muscles tensing all over. The older man inserted his hand into Mulder's shirt to lightly tweak his nipples. Mulder ran his hand over Skinner's hairy thigh. Skinner was sometimes so controlled that he could constantly stimulate Mulder's prostate with his member when he held him at a certain angle. Mulder felt his excitement building again as soft keening sounds escaped from him. "I'm going to come again, sir," Mulder gasped with some amazement in his voice. He was so overcome that he didn't notice he hadn't used Skinner's first name. Mulder tightened his hold on Skinner's enclosing arms. When Mulder ejaculated again Skinner was still hard within him then he felt Skinner's semen splash in him with its heat. Mulder was drained. It was the first time he had multiple orgasms, something he didn't know was possible in men. Skinner chuckled at his stunned expression as he cleaned the younger man. Every inch of Mulder's skin tingled and there was a sensation of heavy congestion deep in his pelvis which was nicely pleasant. "Can you teach me to last that long?" Mulder said after a while as they cuddled. "I like it better when you barely have a grip on yourself," Skinner kissed his head. He was referring to the times when Mulder was so hot that he ejaculated prematurely in his jeans, when Skinner stimulated him while they drove in from the Safeway. It happened more than once and Mulder was embarrassed for being like a teenager. Skinner just reassured him that he was extremely flattered. Skinner was never vulgar when he talked about sex. He was furious at Mulder when he inadvertently used the F word. He said they didn't just have sex, that they made love. It was clean and beautiful so he shouldn't use such words. Sometimes, he asked Mulder if he wanted to do something specific and they would try things but he toed the line with the handcuffs. Skinner got so mad over that saying he never wanted Mulder in such a position, that it was degrading especially for someone in law enforcement. Mulder may be more well read on the variations of sex but he wasn't necessarily more knowledgeable about it. Although their homosexual relationship was now fully entrenched between them, they only had eyes for each other. Mulder still got agitated when he would go to the mall or the supermarket and some man would baldly give him the eye. Occasionally, they would even brush up against him. Before he was with Skinner, Mulder would angrily rebuff those men. Now, he worriedly asked Skinner if his behavior was changing, if he was any different to the outside world, such that the other gay men seemed to be bolder now. Skinner told him that his behavior was still the same in the Bureau where it mattered. Both of them knew that there weren't any rumors flying around either of them. Especially when Skinner told Mulder to keep up the pretense of acceding to blind dates. Some of the older women at the Hoover just loved to arrange these things for Mulder. But after the Arctic episode and the total rejection of his parents, Mulder now had that air of vulnerability that seemed to seep through his pores. It also attracted the women and when Skinner pointed that out to him, Mulder was able to relax about that issue. The Arctic escapade also made Mulder more aware of his mortality. Aside from the gunshot wound on his thigh and previous childhood illnesses, this was his first serious illness. He hated it at the military hospital as he got better and was more aware of his surroundings. The medical personnel were kind enough but Mulder missed Skinner terribly. At the military hospital, he was so weak that everything was done for him and he had to piss into a urinal and use the bedpan which humiliated him intensely. They even brushed his teeth for him and shaved him. Scully told him that Skinner had visited one weekend but he was still comatose then. As far as he was concerned, Skinner was the only one who took care of him adequately enough and didn't make it uncomfortable for him. Even when he was back in civilization, the nurses Skinner hired were professionally competent but Skinner still took over whenever he was able to get away from DC. Now that he was recovered, he made sure that he was eating better, keeping his doctor's appointments and exercised regularly. He still needed to gain back a lot of the weight he had lost and made the extra effort of loading up on higher quality proteins, fats and carbohydrates instead of the usual high sugar, high sodium junk food he would have chosen before. As a celebration of his return to health, Skinner arranged for them to go to New York for Thanksgiving. The bigger and more cosmopolitan city was a revelation for both of them. It was the first time in their two year relationship that they were able to go out to all public places together without fear of being recognized. No one made funny faces when they checked into a single hotel room together or sat beside each other in a restaurant. Skinner booked them a marvelous room at a small luxurious hotel and it was Mulder's first taste of a lifestyle that Skinner previously took for granted. Mulder was more comfortable now with Skinner spending money on him. Previously, he felt put out when Skinner picked up the tab for the expenses at the cabin so that Skinner relented and made sure that Mulder paid his share of their living expenses. But after Alaska, Skinner had emphasized that they were essentially married to each other so if he used to spend on his wife, why shouldn't he with Mulder? Anyway, for Skinner, Mulder incurred less expense as his life partner than Sharon, on a month to month basis. Furthermore, Skinner just got a substantial raise at work. END OF CHAPTER EIGHT OUT OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 9/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 Skinner/Mulder DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER NINE THANKS TO NEW YORK Skinner was in his dressing gown reading the morning papers. He glanced tenderly at Mulder and smiled to himself as Mulder continued with his slumber. Lately, Mulder was sleeping far longer than before and Skinner knew that it was due to Mulder's still incomplete recovery from the Arctic episode. At least now, looking at Mulder's body, he was starting to gain back some weight. He was lying on his side which gave Skinner a good view of his haunches. Skinner couldn't resist and sat by Mulder on the bed and ran his hand through the sleeping agent's hair. The velvety skin on Mulder's back attracted the older man no end and he had to stroke his back gently and lovingly. Just then, room service rang with breakfast. Mulder was still asleep and Skinner covered his naked body with the sheet before answering the door. The waiter didn't even bat an eyelash when he saw the two men who shared the room, one of whom was still asleep on the large bed. He just rolled in the breakfast table as Skinner signed for it and then thanked him for the tip. As expected, the smell of food roused Mulder. Skinner handed him his shorts which was discarded last night onto the floor and without a word, Mulder groggily put it on. He was still slightly disoriented and he sported the usual pillow hair but he readily tackled the food. Skinner gave him the sports pages while he continued reading the day's headlines. They finished breakfast and Skinner started dressing. He'd already taken a shower. Mulder chose to dawdle as usual and channel surfed a while until Skinner told him that it was time to get ready. Mulder had been to New York before, on cases, but never as a tourist and Skinner wanted him to see the sights. Mulder also wanted to see the parade. And this afternoon, they were going to the matinee of a play Mulder wanted to see. It was a full day for both of them and Mulder was feeling totally relaxed and happy by the time they returned to the hotel that evening. It was a rare sentiment for him and he hadn't felt it in a long time because of Alaska. Skinner took out the tube of lubricant from the end table as Mulder undressed. Skinner got into his pajamas and both of them got in bed. The bigger man kissed Mulder thoroughly and lovingly as he pulled down the agent's shorts and started massaging him before he used his hands to stimulate Mulder. Skinner was doing this more frequently now, using his hands and pleasuring Mulder without taking pleasure himself. He wanted to make Mulder feel better about himself, especially after having such a difficult time last month. He wanted Mulder to know that he was important and deserved such loving treatment. They only had anal intercourse once a week lately but Skinner made sure that Mulder had his daily dose of this loving petting. Even if he said he was okay, Mulder still tired easily. Skinner didn't want him to exert so much even in sex. He was convinced that Mulder's self esteem was at an all time low because of the illness and the battering he got from the strange clone events plus his parents' rejection. He was sloppier with himself than usual and Skinner had rightly surmised that he was as depressed as when he blamed himself for Scully's disappearance. So Skinner touched on this idea of daily loving touches which to his surprise seemed to work. Mulder got a new haircut the really short kind that made him look so young, shaved daily, exercised regularly and became more talkative with Skinner. He was just puzzled by all the attention Skinner lavished on his body, but he ended up feeling more attractive than before. Skinner stroked Mulder's nipples and penis but he concentrated on inserting his finger into Mulder's nether orifice. Mulder particularly loved this consistently because it always reminded him of their first time on a special birthday. He clung to Skinner as his body shuddered with building excitement. He gave little moans and cries which Skinner occasionally drowned out with kisses. "This is the best," Mulder gasped and shivered as he came into the washcloth that Skinner held out for him to catch his emission. He had less semen because of the daily orgasms. Skinner had asked many times before if Mulder wanted to switch places during sex but he repeatedly refused each time. Skinner wondered about this because Mulder had already gone two years without his penis being enclosed by the warm wet heat of a body, something Skinner thought was important for any male, of thrusting powerfully. But later, he interrogated Mulder as to why he didn't want to do it that way and Mulder's reply had surprised him. The younger man said that if he performed anal intercourse on Skinner, it might be physically good but it would be like Mulder making love to someone not Skinner. He literally meant what he said when he thought of Skinner as his shield in life. "When you're hunched over me and I can feel you inside me and kissing me, it doesn't just feel great," Mulder whispered. "It's like you're protecting me and making me feel real safe, you know? That's when I'm really sure of how you feel about me." That remark had so heated Skinner by the agent's graphic description of how it felt like for him when they made love that he made it so good for Mulder that night in the cabin that the agent was limp by the time Skinner finished with him. To Skinner, Mulder lived up to his name. He was thin, wiry and muscular like a fox, a cuddly fox sometimes, who had a tendency to get wild and drive him crazy with his strange theories and misadventures. But when the outside world overwhelmed Mulder, he would slink back to Skinner with his tail between his legs and asked to be petted until he felt better. Skinner just wanted to protect him during those overwhelming times, of creating a safe haven for the younger man. He was just glad that Mulder felt the same way, that he was a haven of safety. Right now, after the heavy petting, Mulder settled against Skinner and slept. Skinner had to wake him after a few minutes to remind him to get back into his shorts and even wear a T-shirt. Nights were turning cold already. Mulder groggily sat up as Skinner had to almost dress him himself. Once this was done, Skinner got him under the sheets and enclosed him in his arms. Then Skinner watched the late night news as he absent-mindedly stroked Mulder's short hair. The night news was about to end when Mulder had a nightmare again. He moaned and thrashed on the bed until Skinner held him tightly. Mulder quieted down in a minute. Skinner noticed that he even cried in his sleep. He really had to discuss these nightmares with the agent. Skinner had Kimberly, his assistant, scour the city for any sleep study centers and he planned to get Mulder to check into one at his next vacation. He had done some reading on sleep disturbances and he still wasn't sure what Mulder's diagnosis was. Mulder said that he had been having nightmares for as long as he could remember and even attributed his addiction to sunflower seeds to his nightmares. He said that he used to wake up feeling so abandoned but when he heard his father cracking the seeds in his study, he would feel better. It angered Skinner when he learned that his parents had never done anything about these nightmares when he was growing up. If it was already distressing to watch and hear an adult with such vivid night terrors, how could one even tolerate a child's night terrors? Mulder just shrugged his shoulders and said that the family just thought it was just another aspect of his weirdness. Skinner learned after long association to just let Mulder sleep through the nightmares because if he awakened him, Mulder had more vivid memories of the dreams than if woke up in the morning with the impression of having slept through the night. The bad dreams and nightmares had abated somewhat during the early months of their relationship, but since the Arctic adventure, Mulder's sleep had consistently been troubled by the Samantha dreams. END OF CHAPTER NINE OUT OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 10/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 Skinner/Mulder DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TEN PHYSICAL'S INTERFERENCE The biannual physical examination of all Bureau personnel finally came to the letter M's and Mulder was summoned to the Bureau clinic as part of the routine. The usual forms were filled out and Mulder hesitated when he saw that one of the questions was about whether he had ever engaged in intercourse with a member of the same sex. Mulder stared at the question for a full five minutes, not realizing that he was starting to sweat. Skinner and he never talked about how much they were going to reveal in the official Bureau physical examinations. After another minute of intensely thinking about it, Mulder finally checked the no response to that question. Of course, he'd forgotten how thorough those examinations were. Mulder noticed with agitation that the bored Bureau physician was telling him to turn on his side and was applying lubricant to his index finger. It was the rectal exam that caused the physician to snap to alertness. "Agent Mulder, you've never had surgery in the area before?" Dr. Reyes asked. Mulder shook his head and tensed when the doctor was parting his buttocks. The doctor considered his records and the current form that Mulder had filled out. Once he was asked to dress, Mulder was told to wait in the doctor's office. "Agent Mulder, have you engaged in anal receptive intercourse?" Dr. Reyes prodded. "I must remind you that the information is quite important healthwise and that all your official medical records are confidential, privy only to medical personnel and not to the rest of the Bureau." Mulder found that he couldn't meet the doctor's eye when he gave a reluctant nod. He was alarmed when the physician wrote down his response in the chart and then asked when he last engaged in that particular activity. Mulder paused and didn't know how to answer it. Instead, the doctor made it easy for him. "You are currently in a relationship wherein you are anally receptive?" Dr. Reyes asked. Mulder swallowed and nodded. It was the first time he'd ever had to talk to someone in the Bureau about it. "Is this relationship monogamous or..." "He's clean," Mulder blurted out. "Monogamous, and we're both HIV negative, Hepatitis B negative. We see a doctor specializing in gay health..." "Are you practicing safe sex, Agent Mulder?" Dr. Reyes wanted to make sure. "Are you aware of safe sex practices or do you think we need to review it together?" "I told you, we see a doctor," Mulder said through clenched teeth. "I told you we're strictly monogamous and we've never been with anyone else for two years." Dr. Reyes scrutinized him for a moment and was finally convinced that he was telling the truth. The agitation of the agent was quite obvious and Dr. Reyes didn't want to upset him further. "All right," Dr. Reyes said. "You must be aware, however, that I will have to note your sexual preference in the chart but that it would be classified information and that your privacy will be paramount." It was even worse when the doctor gave him these huge pamphlets on safe sex practices and gay hotlines. He couldn't walk down the Bureau hallways with such incriminating papers. The moment Mulder walked out of the clinic, he ducked into a restroom and dumped the pamphlets into a trash bin. He was so rattled about the fact that the Bureau now had papers with actual notations on his sexual preference that he made an unscheduled stop at Skinner's office. "Can I see the AD?" he tried to keep the desperate tone from his voice as he stood in front of Kimberly's desk. "As soon as possible, please?" "But he's in a meeting right now, Agent Mulder," Kimberly said, frowning at the schedule of appointments of her boss. "He's all booked for the morning. Can I ask what about?" "It's...it's personal, but it's important," Mulder hedged. "I'll bring a note into the meeting," Kimberly said kindly as she swiftly wrote that Agent Mulder was waiting outside. She seriously doubted that Skinner would see him. The AD hated to be interrupted in a meeting, especially one that had budget planning in the agenda. But this time, she was surprised when the AD came out after a few minutes. The look of relief on the agent's face was apparent and the two of them talked out in the hallway. Kimberly couldn't make out what was being said but from the look on his face, he was in trouble again. She shook her head; it was just like him to be in trouble. Out in the hallway, speaking in very low tones, Skinner listened to Mulder's predicament. "Walter, I had to tell him the truth," Mulder whispered urgently. "He'd already examined me and I couldn't lie...but now it's in my records." "We can'd do anything since those are official records, Fox," Skinner said. "But I know for a fact that those records really are confidential." Skinner wanted to take Mulder in his arms just to make him feel better but he couldn't do that in the Hoover. He didn't even give it a second thought when he'd lied on his own medical examination a few months ago. Of course, there wasn't anything for the physicians to find that would make them suspicious, unlike Mulder. Just as always, the uncertainties of remaining in the closet just added grief to their already complicated lives. END OF CHAPTER TEN OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 11/16 By Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: NC-17 slash Skinner/Mulder SRA DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER ELEVEN GREENS IN THE SAFEWAY, TEARS ON MY HALLMARK AND MORE BODY LESSONS It was another weekend at the cabin. Mulder didn't remember the nightmare, having the impression that he had a good night's sleep. He vaguely remembered Skinner waking up much earlier and telling him he was going to church since it was a Sunday. Mulder stretched and yawned. Skinner always went to church on Sundays, something that Mulder found incomprehensible. He once joked and told the older man that all religions he knew of condemned what they had between them. Skinner just shrugged but still went on his merry way every Sunday. He still had not given up convincing Mulder to go with him. Mulder mused that a big part of the reason that Skinner attracted him was the strong moral fiber that ran through the older man. His decisiveness on things and his real belief in duty, God, honor and country were what molded most of his actions. Skinner still regretted the failure of his marriage with Sharon, saying that he should have worked better at the relationship, although Mulder knew that they had gone to a lot of marriage counselors in a real attempt to patch things up. They even lasted more than fifteen years together but to no avail. He still called Sharon about twice a year on holidays to make sure that she was all right; of course, he informed Mulder of his intentions of keeping in touch with his ex-wife as an old friend. As Mulder got up and took his morning shower, he thought about that New York weekend. When Skinner broached the idea, Mulder had been wary, remembering the stares of the hospital staff in the small county hospital when both of them first emerged in public as a couple. But the prospect of a real vacation somewhere else with someone he loved was too intriguing for Mulder and he swallowed his apprehension and agreed to go there. All his previous vacations since he started working at the FBI were spent in his dark apartment, occasionally with some girl. He never liked going to new places and playing tourist alone. But this Thanksgiving was an eye-opener for him because it was really the first time that he and Skinner ever really did other things together aside from playing house at the cabin. They shared a lot of interests. And they did things that Mulder knew Skinner wouldn't have done at all, like watch the Macy's parade. He did it because Mulder wanted to watch. When Mulder finally got out of the shower, he saw that Skinner came back from church and was looking at the envelope that Mulder inadvertently left on the desk. Mulder snatched the envelope from Skinner and got dressed hurriedly. "You're sending a letter to your father?" Skinner asked in a neutral tone. "It's his birthday in two days," Mulder said tightly. "It's just a birthday card. I always send them cards when it's their birthday or Christmas." Even when he never got one from them, Skinner mused. It really was pathetic. After breakfast, they both got into the Range Rover with Mulder driving and headed to the Safeway. It was one of the few things they did together when they were in the cabin. From long practice, each of them got a cart and each started from opposite sides of the supermarket. It was faster this way although sometimes one of them would look for the other to consult about some of the things that were needed. Actually it would have taken a perceptive person to spot them as lovers because they were rarely together in the supermarket. Nor did they look alike at all. Skinner was still dressed in his Sunday going-to-church clothes of blazer and trousers while Mulder was in his usual grunge weekend outfit. It still pained Skinner that Mulder dressed sloppily on weekends, usually in a flannel shirt untucked and open with a ratty T-shirt underneath and jeans with holes at the knees. Skinner has had enough of their arguments about the way Mulder dressed. Although Skinner knew the clothes were clean, because he himself did the laundry, sometimes he just got the urge to either trash them or burn them. Probably burn it because he knew that Mulder was pyrophobic so there would be less of a chance for him to rescue his burning clothes. Nevertheless, Mulder wore regular clothes more often now and when he did, he looked really handsome, younger than when he was in his FBI monkey suits. It wasn't far-fetched to say that Mulder in a nice sweater and twills looked like a college student. Skinner told him so but Mulder still persisted in those ratty outfits. Mulder, in turn, teased him to loosen up since he dressed so uptight The AD was in the vegetable section when he looked up from the asparagus and saw Mulder talking to some man. Skinner could see that Mulder was upset and moving stiffly. Mulder shifted away from the man and angrily pushed his cart away. The man however, a man in his fifties, an executive type with graying hair, lots of hair Skinner thought, persisted in following the agent. Skinner surreptitiously followed them and after two aisles with Mulder still unsuccessful in shaking off the man, he finally approached the them. "Mulder, do we still have eggs?" Skinner called innocently. The grey haired man was startled and backed off when he saw that they were together. He probably backed off too when he saw Skinner's large muscular frame. Skinner nonchalantly continued with filling up his cart. They met at the check out and Skinner saw that Mulder had the characteristic set in his jaw that told Skinner that the younger man was angry. He kept silent during the check out. Once they were in the car, Skinner driving this time, Mulder finally talked. "You didn't have to 'rescue' me, Walter," Mulder said through clenched teeth. Skinner noted with irony that Mulder was starting to talk like him. "I could handle myself. I've done it lots of times." "I know, honey, you're a big boy," Skinner said, patting his knee. "It's just that I don't want anyone to get hold of my Mulder. I would've slugged him if he so much as placed a finger on you." The remark startled Mulder. He never thought of how things looked like from Skinner's point of view. It was most likely that it was the first time Skinner witnessed someone coming on to Mulder. "You were jealous?" Mulder had to confirm it. "Of course," Skinner said, after finally admitting it to himself. "That guy wasn't bad-looking in a buttoned down sort of way, and he had hair." "But I'd never leave you," Mulder said in genuine puzzlement, as they got into their driveway. He never thought that Skinner felt insecure about the way he looked. Skinner smiled at him and softly kissed Mulder before he stepped out of the Range Rover. In an effort to prolong the weekend, both of them rarely left for DC until early Monday mornings now. As long as they left before seven o'clock, they could be in the Hoover by nine. So that Sunday night, Skinner made love to Mulder, going at him so hard that the bed almost got off its moorings. As soon as both of them came, Mulder had to rush to the bathroom to pass his stool so stimulated were his bowels by Skinner's deep thrusts. It already happened once that he smeared the sheets when it became too much and Mulder didn't want to have a repeat of that embarrassing episode, although Skinner had cleaned him up and the bed afterwards saying that he was the one responsible for that happening. Skinner smiled as he heard the toilet flush. Mulder always thought of himself as the adventurous one but Skinner knew better. He was proud of the fact that almost all of the activities Mulder most enjoyed in bed was something that Skinner introduced to him. It raised Skinner's testosterone levels whenever he thought about that. In spite of his previously extensive pornography collection which he has since thrown out, Mulder was relatively inexperienced at sex. Skinner was surprised when he found out that at the most Mulder had three previous sexual partners, two of whom were conservative girl next door types. Mulder could still be embarrassed in bed, like that time he begged off Skinner's kissing his anal region. Skinner had to stop doing that to him because Mulder was upset with the idea that Skinner's mouth was constantly down there. Skinner warmly embraced him once he returned. Skinner saw that Mulder was red faced because he was still embarrassed when he had to rush to the bathroom after making love. It only happened rarely but Mulder still saw it as a failing when it happened, saying each time that he should clean up inside more frequently when they were together. Skinner's reassurances fell on deaf ears each time but Mulder was less upset about it now than he used to be. Skinner drew him close and Mulder slept, with Skinner still staying up to watch late night TV and sniffing Mulder's bare skin and hair like always, before falling asleep himself. END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 12/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 Skinner/Mulder SRA DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWELVE SCULLY IN THE DARK WITH HER DERMATOLOGIST Scully was still curious as to the identity of Mulder's girlfriend. Most, if not all weekends were now closed. Whereas before, Scully would get all sorts of calls from him at the most unholy hours especially on weekends, Mulder seemed fully occupied now. At least, he didn't have that hang dog expression on his face once weekends and holidays neared. Mulder has had a steady relationship now for two years running, as far as Scully could surmise but she didn't know if being the lover of a married older woman was such a good thing for her partner. Surely he must have realized by now that such a relationship was just going to hurt him very badly in the end, Scully mused. Having the relationship had an overall good effect on her partner, Scully had to admit. Mulder was more considerate of her now, a lot less selfish, informing her of cases prior to another airplane ride to some godforsaken hole in the wall town; whereas before, he just told her to get ready with her things because he was coming to pick her up and then not even tell her about the case until they were already there. He didn't ditch her anymore and never forgot her birthday nor Christmas presents. She also noticed that he got into less fights with Bureau personnel and had a better control of his temper. Maybe the relationship matured him in some ways. He whined much less and his paperwork was much improved. He also didn't shove his work onto her desk anymore; before, he tried to get out of as much paperwork as possible. His humor was kinder also and less sarcastic. And he ceased with those sexual innuendos that used to drive her up the wall. Mulder's grooming was likewise much improved, with less episodes of crumpled suits, unshaven face and funny haircuts. He also didn't get into trouble with Skinner as often like he used to. On her last visit to his apartment, Scully saw that Mulder's fox and soldier collection was even more extensive. The whole shelf beside his aquarium was filled with it, pushing the books into a corner of the room. There were foxes too all over the coffee table now and the Pooh bear still had pride of place on his couch. Scully was dating someone now for the past six months, a dermatologist with a nice steady practice in downtown DC. Mulder was less critical of him also. When she used to date, he was like some adolescent with a big chip on his shoulder, warning Scully that the guy was not good enough for her. Scully only dated Mulder once, when he asked her out formally a few months into their partnership. Both of them knew that it wouldn't work. They knew each other so well that there was no spark. However, rumors still persisted that they were sleeping together, especially with the women in the office. She heard them talking once in the restroom when she was in a stall. They were wondering why nothing came out of Mulder's date with a certain Amy from accounting. Someone then remarked that he probably had eyes only for Scully. If they only knew, Scully thought as she rolled her eyes. He wasn't just having an affair with a married woman, he was even dating on the side. Mulder finally entered the office at nine o'clock. He always came to the office just in the nick of time on Mondays so Scully suspected that his girlfriend probably had a weekend place in the country. Scully just wondered what her husband did, such that Mulder could see his girlfriend almost every weekend. And as usual, Mulder looked particularly happy and relaxed on Monday mornings. He put up his suit jacket on the rack and greeted Scully breezily. She showed him some files that came from VCS as referrals as possible X-files and Scully recommended some of the more likely cases. He valued her opinions more and trusted her judgement. They discussed various theories for some of the more unusual cases and Scully was glad that Mulder followed her recommendation. She started the paperwork on the travel vouchers and made arrangements with accounting. They were all set to go to Florida in two hours. END OF CHAPTER TWELVE OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 13/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 Skinner/Mulder SRA DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER THIRTEEN WALTER'S TURN The Florida case was a killer. It just required a lot of footwork and the heat didn't help any. Mulder was glum because they weren't able to squeeze time out to go to Disneyworld, something Mulder was hoping to do. Like always, their clothes were wrong for the heat and he and Scully had to go around in sticky smelly wool clothes because their emergency clothes in the trunks of their respective cars were for the early spring weather. Also, Mulder had been bothered because he was inordinately attracted to Scully throughout the whole trip. She wore the thin blouses without the jackets she normally wore with her suits and he kept staring at her breasts surreptitiously. He didn't know if she saw him doing that. So that just compounded his discomfort in the Florida case. It was just sometimes, he still stared at women, especially when he was caught unawares. However, the woman he was staring at most frequently just happened to be his partner. He felt guilty about that because it was like he was being unfaithful to Skinner, who was and still is the most important person in his life. But they were able to close the case and that was what counted. As usual, the trip back home was in the middle of the night which was another factor for their weary state by the time they got off the plane. Scully brought him home. Once he entered his apartment, he checked his answering machine. He just wondered why Skinner did not leave any messages as he normally did. It was already eleven o'clock but Mulder had to call since he missed him. The telephone was answered after about seven rings and Mulder was surprised when he heard Skinner's voice which was hoarse. It turned out that Skinner had been ill since Tuesday with a cough, high fever and a sore throat. He told Mulder that he was okay now but that he probably won't go to work tomorrow either. When Mulder hung up, he was uneasy. He knew that Skinner didn't want them to see each other in DC to prevent any slip ups that might occur. But all he could remember was Skinner being there for him in the cabin after he himself was so ill. Impulsively Mulder got up from the couch and grabbed his jacket and went out the door. Skinner answered the door after a few minutes. This was only the second time Mulder stepped in here and he noted that the housekeeper kept the place spic and span. Skinner looked annoyed but too tired to argue. He didn't look too well. He just checked if any one saw Mulder but no one was on the street and the neighbors were asleep. "I know I'm not supposed to be here," Mulder said to appease the older man, "but I just had to see if you're okay. I promise to leave before Mrs. Jackson gets here tomorrow." He followed Skinner up to the second floor, marveling at the huge house with all the fine and expensive things. It was the first time he ever got to the second floor and he was fascinated by seeing another facet of Skinner's life. Skinner's room had a four poster bed with antique dark cherry furniture. There was even a fireplace. Mulder saw pictures of Skinner and his parents on the mantelpiece. Skinner resembled his dad closely and he was amazed at how good looking Skinner was in his youth when he still had a whole set of hair. There were even a family picture of a baby Skinner with his parents. It was fairly obvious that Skinner was well loved growing up in this house. Skinner even had his wedding picture there, looking young, earnest and handsome. "Look at the right, Fox," Skinner murmured as he got back into bed and shivered. Mulder's eyes fell onto the right side of the mantelpiece and he gasped when he saw that Skinner had his picture in a small frame. He grinned and his heart warmed. It was one Skinner snapped at last summer's FBI picnic. Scully was beside him when it was taken but Skinner had blown up the picture and cut out Scully. "But I don't have your picture anywhere in my apartment," Mulder said guiltily. "I know, honey," Skinner muttered drowsily. "Scully might see it." Mulder clumsily fussed over Skinner, checking his temperature and making sure he was comfortable. Skinner didn't want him on the same bed, saying that he didn't want Mulder to catch his virus. But it sure felt better with Mulder being in the house with him even if it did break one of their major rules. He'd been miserable for the past two days with the cough and fever. Mrs. Jackson was nice enough but it just wasn't the same. Mulder gave him a Tylenol and left him alone as he fell back onto the couch and made a nest for himself with pillows and extra blankets. As promised, Mulder woke up the next morning at five thirty and left the house after kissing the sleeping Skinner good bye. The familiar tendrils of depression were starting in his brain again. He wondered how long they could keep up with the subterfuge just so they could keep their pretense of being part of normal society. He knew that Skinner was just infected with an ordinary flu virus but he would have felt better if he could see Skinner through this everyday, just to make sure he was okay. Now he knew how Skinner must have felt when he was holed up in the cabin with the nurses the whole time he was recovering from the alien virus. As it was, they probably couldn't even go to the cabin for the weekend since Skinner wasn't well yet. It was exhausting having to maintain certain precautions to prevent discovery all the time. Scully was persistent in pursuing her line of questioning regarding his "mystery woman" and Mulder had to bite his tongue in concocting too elaborate a story or else she would get more suspicious than she already was. It was just a good thing that Scully still did not know Skinner's whereabouts very well or else a light bulb would go off in her head once she realized that Skinner and Mulder were both in New York at the same time and that each of them disappeared consistently during weekends. Skinner was his lover but sometimes Mulder wished he could talk about him with Scully who was his best friend. She was a good friend but Mulder was still uncertain if she would still be his friend if she found out he was gay and that his lover was the boss. It was just Mulder's lucky break that she was preoccupied recently with her boyfriend. She said that the dermatologist proposed marriage twice already and she was still thinking about it. Mulder wondered what she was waiting for but he never pried into her love life the way she wanted to pry in his. He envied her being able to receive calls from her boyfriend wherever part of the country they were. He often heard her side of the conversation when the door to their adjoining motel rooms were ajar. Mulder just wished that he could get calls from his "boyfriend" too. They didn't meet at the cabin for that weekend and Skinner forbade further visits from Mulder because more people were around his neighborhood on weekends even at night. Someone might see him go to the house and not leave until morning. Besides, Skinner was still not feeling well. So they spent the rest of the weekend on the phone, having short but frequent conversations. END OF CHAPTER THIRTEEN OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 14/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 Skinner/Mulder SRA DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER FOURTEEN DADDY'S PRICE They were only able to get to the cabin the weekend after. Mulder already saw Skinner's Range Rover in the drive as he got out of his Camry. The moment he stepped into the kitchen, Skinner was all over him deeply kissing him with his hands sneaking up under his shirt and caressing the bare skin underneath. Mulder tried to respond but Skinner literally drew his breath away so heated were his kisses. Skinner led him to the living room. Mulder dazedly remembered to check the curtains which Skinner already drew shut. Skinner already had Mulder's clothes strewn all over the floor from the kitchen to the living room couch. Mulder tried to slow him down but Skinner was acting with great urgency after two week's deprivation of access to Mulder's body and not being able to do anything about it even if they saw each other everyday at the office. So when Skinner hurriedly entered his body without properly preparing his anus, Mulder had to yelp in pain. "It hurts, Walter!" Mulder trembled as he gasped from underneath Skinner's large frame. Skinner realized what was happening and withdrew at once from Mulder. This was the only time he hurt Mulder in that way except for the first time they had intercourse. "I'm sorry, honey," Skinner murmured raining kisses on Mulder's back. He was contrite when he saw that there was a tear of pain from one eye and that Mulder's erection suddenly went limp. Skinner took a deep breath and forced himself to slow down. Mulder had to be won back with kisses and massage and when Skinner saw that Mulder was back to being aroused, Skinner lubricated him much more generously and tried again. This time Mulder was more relaxed and was able to take him to the hilt. Skinner's rhythmic grunts filled the living room punctuated by Mulder's gasps. They were on the floor with Mulder kneeling and Skinner behind him. Mulder writhed in pleasure as Skinner took his erect penis in hand and masturbated him. Sometimes Skinner stopped his in and out hip motion and just caressed his lover's member. Then Skinner resumed his maddening rhythm and both of them came simultaneously. "I'm sorry, Fox," Skinner gasped as he pulled out and checked Mulder's perianal area at once. He sighed with relief when he saw that there was no blood. Mulder's orifice was still open and dripping with Skinner's semen in the usual post coital state so Skinner got some paper towels from the kitchen and cleaned up his lover and checked him over again. "Are you okay now?" "Yes," Mulder was always sleepy after sex and was starting to drift off on the couch. "It's just it burned really bad for a while there." Skinner cleaned himself then got dressed and got back on the couch and took Mulder in his arms as the agent slept. He guiltily showered kisses on Mulder's face as he stroked Mulder's torso. He draped the afghan on the younger man who was still naked. Their Baltimore doctor emphasized to him the importance of preparing Mulder for penetration each time they had sex. It was Skinner's responsibility to prevent injuries in the area or else they would be in for uncomfortable trips to a colorectal surgeon. With Mulder always the recipient in their sexual encounters, he was more prone to have problems in the future if Skinner wasn't careful. His eagerness for Mulder should never be an excuse for hurting the younger man. Skinner got up after a while and continued preparing dinner. When everything was ready, he shook Mulder awake. The younger man stretched like a cat and looked around for the clothes all over the house. He finally found his shorts and shirt, put it on and gingerly sat on his chair at the kitchen table. He relaxed when sitting didn't hurt and Skinner sighed with relief. Mulder was in a good mood and was chattier than usual about his week. Skinner knew that part of his good mood was due to a raise Mulder earned for getting a high efficiency rating. It had been months since Skinner last received a new incident report about the agent from some Bureau employee. Mulder was already learning to play well with others. With the dinner things cleared, Skinner got his briefcase from upstairs and brought out some papers for Mulder to sign again. Skinner always told him to read whatever he was signing but Mulder had complete trust in Skinner. Sometimes, Skinner made an effort to explain to Mulder what stocks he had and where specifically his money was going but Mulder's eyes would just glaze over in boredom and his attention would conveniently be diverted somewhere else. But today, Mulder seemed more interested than usual. "Do you think I have enough money to move to a better apartment?" Mulder asked. Skinner had been hounding him about that especially the past week. He knew that there was another break-in at a neighbor on the third floor just a week ago. "Actually, you can already buy a house if you want," Skinner said with a twinkle in his eyes. "How much money do I have now?" Mulder wondered flabbergasted. "I've fattened up your portfolio so in terms of non- liquid assets, you have close to ninety thousand dollars now," Skinner laughed at Mulder's open mouthed gape. "I must emphasize that I didn't add anything to your nest egg. It's all your money. But remember, it's not liquid." He knew that Mulder was sensitive about Skinner giving him money even as gifts. He said he didn't want to feel like he was Walter's kept man, that their relationship was mutually agreed on. Mulder pondered on his sudden wealth. He never thought it would be so big. He asked Skinner on more specifics and Skinner showed him just where his stocks and bonds and treasury bills were. Mulder kissed him when Skinner repeated to him that he loved him and that he didn't want to needlessly worry about Mulder's future. Then he repeated his plea for Mulder to move to a nicer neighborhood and Mulder said that he will look start looking next week. As Mulder drifted off to sleep that night, snug in Skinner's embrace as the older man watched the late news, Mulder thought of how lucky he was that they found each other. Mulder burrowed more deeply into Skinner's embrace in his sleep and Skinner gently shifted his arm to get more comfortable. Mulder had almost gained back most of the weight he lost and no more sharp bones jutted out from odd angles from his hips, elbows and knees. He was back to swimming laps in the Bureau pool and his muscle mass was back. He was still a good cuddler and managed to make his body small enough for Skinner to completely enfold him in his arms. When Skinner asked him earlier how well he was sleeping in his apartment when he was alone, Skinner found out that Mulder still had horrific nightmares. Skinner admonished him to call him when that happened but sometimes, Mulder didn't want to disturb him and resorted to Scully. That had made Skinner angry and he was seriously considering checking him into the sleep study center but because Mulder recently had a hospital experience which he hated, Skinner was just waiting for the right opportunity. Mulder woke up the next day with Skinner stroking him. By his gentle hands, Mulder knew that Skinner just wanted to hold him. He was usually more insistent when he wanted sex. Mulder luxuriated in the older man's arms. Skinner was smelling him again. He used to be embarrassed when Skinner did this but he was now used to it. Skinner said that he was crazy about the way Mulder smelled and would spend long minutes with his nose buried in his hair and neck, his chest and even his armpits. Mulder kissed the bald head of his lover. It was a lazy Saturday morning and they had all the time in the world. Both of them heard the doorbell ring and both of them suddenly stiffened on the bed. Skinner told Mulder to stay and that he would see who was downstairs. Skinner put a dressing gown and slowly descended the stairs after seeing the strange car in the driveway from the vantage point of the bedroom window. He felt Mulder get up anyway and stay at the top of the stairs ready for anything. Skinner breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was Sharon, his ex-wife at the front door. Of course Sharon was not above gossiping with Bureau personnel and Skinner still had to be careful. Thankfully, Sharon just wanted to say hello. She was friendlier now than when they were married. She just had a small present for him since she was passing by the area and knew that her ex-husband's birthday was in three weeks. She kissed him goodbye and hopped back into her car. Skinner watched her leave and relaxed. Mulder went down to him and asked him what that was all about. Mulder said it was his turn to be jealous because he said that ex-spouses were more attractive once the divorce was final. Skinner gave him a playful punch and went back up to take his shower. Mulder was in his room when Skinner got out of the bathroom. He appropriated one of the bedrooms as his study, moving the computer into it and filling it with his paranormal books and research. It was okay with Skinner because he knew that Mulder needed his space. The whole house was his and it was the least he could do for the younger man. He rarely entered it unless he was specifically invited although he checked it occasionally to make sure that the room wasn't becoming a fire hazard. It also kept the rest of the house cleaner since Mulder was less inclined to leave his mess all over the place. Skinner informed Mulder that he was going fishing and left him. Mulder still resisted going with him on these excursions and didn't even want to step into the boathouse. It was already a lovely spring day and it always put Skinner in a good mood because he remembered the old times when he was a little boy and his father brought him to this same lake. That was when the cabin was still a cabin. It still was one big regret for Skinner that he never had children and the way things were going, it seemed like he was never going to have any. He wanted to revise his will to leave everything to Mulder once he was dead but he still hadn't built the courage to talk to his lawyer about their nonconventional relationship. Although his hypertension was well controlled he knew that he was far from young and with their jobs putting them in occasional dangerous situations he had to revise it soon. Predictably, he knew that Mulder had no will of his own and it was something he had to discuss with the younger man. It wouldn't surprise Skinner if Mulder decided to leave everything to his parents and he wouldn't resent him for that. Mulder still had a huge hang-up regarding his parents and he still hadn't overcome it. It was just important that those affairs like wills were arranged especially in an agent's life. Skinner caught two fish and headed back to the boathouse. He just got off the boat and whirled when he saw a strange man hidden in the shadows. The man was in his sixties and spoke in a familiar voice. Skinner became chilled when he realized that it was Mulder's father. "You keep your filthy hands off my son, AD Skinner," Bill Mulder spat out. "I've known about this hideaway for close to a year now and I just thought it was a passing fancy. I know you're buggering him and I can send those nasty pictures to the Director and both of you will be finished at the Bureau. I don't want Fox to lose his job but I don't care about yours. Stay away from my boy. His mother doesn't know but if she finds out it will kill her. If you still have him here next week, sexual harassment charges will be filed, you pervert. "You won't stand a chance in any court with those charges, Mr. Skinner. I know about those two high school boys and I know you have a history of seducing younger men. I know when this whole thing with Fox got started and it's all well documented. Each time you sodomize my boy, I know. So stay away from Fox." END OF CHAPTER FOURTEEN OF SIXTEEN BACCARAT FIGURINES 15/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: Slash NC-17 Skinner/Mulder SRA DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER FIFTEEN STAYING AWAY Skinner was caught off guard and was speechless. It felt like someone kicked his gut. Mulder's father abruptly left the boathouse and disappeared before Skinner could run after him. It was the worse thing that could have happened. Both of them wouldn't want the Bureau to find out. They had taken pains for years to make this a secret but now Skinner would have to keep secrets from Mulder as well. If Mulder ever found out that his father knew, it would be too much for him. He walked around the grounds some more to think about the situation. He went over all the possible scenarios in his mind. He could afford to leave the Bureau but Mulder would be implicated if charges did indeed get filed against him. Of course, Mulder won't be fired from the Bureau but the succeeding repercussions would ultimately cause him to resign. He knew that Mulder would have a hard time finding a similar job that was so important for him in finding his sister. Furthermore, the publicity of the charges would break Mulder's faint hope of ever reconciling with his mother at least. At the same time, if Skinner ceased their relationship abruptly, Mulder might be driven to god knows what. Skinner spent hours out in the woods such that Mulder became worried and looked for him. He checked the boathouse reluctantly and his worry increased when he saw that the things were in disarray and that the fish were still there. Skinner usually cleaned the fish by the lake. He called out for Skinner and was surprised when Skinner emerged from the north end of the woods, his eyes red rimmed. He shied away from Mulder when the younger man put his arms on him. "Are you okay?" Mulder asked, hurt by Skinner's rebuff. "Let's go back inside," Skinner muttered. It was already afternoon. Mulder warily inquired if he was hungry but Skinner shook his head. Skinner was rarely in a bad mood and when he was, Mulder knew enough to keep away from him. It was one thing for Skinner to be in a bad mood in the office, but here in the cabin with Mulder, Skinner was consistently even tempered. Now, Mulder didn't know if he did something wrong. When Skinner closed the bedroom door in front of his face, Mulder went cold. That never happened before. Mulder tried to remember if he did something wrong and in his usual way, he knew he was at fault again. He tried to make up by cleaning the house and even had his study neat as a pin and the porch without a trace of a sunflower seed. But two hours later, Skinner still had not emerged from the bedroom and did not answer Mulder's timid knocks. When Skinner finally opened the door, Mulder tentatively entered. Skinner was watching television and the flickering light from the set illuminated his grim face. Mulder looked so wary and frightened that Skinner had no choice but to open his arms. Mulder gingerly crawled on the bed but he felt better when Skinner hugged him hard enough to cause him to pull away because it hurt. "Uhm, Walter, d-did I do something?" Mulder asked in a small voice. "No, honey," Walter's voice cracked. "It's just me, okay? I just needed time to think things over." "What things?" Mulder was curious. Walter shook his head and refused to elaborate. That night, Mulder tried to interest Skinner in sex but he could not. The older man kept thinking that they were being watched or bugged. He was able to wriggle out of it by lying to Mulder that he didn't want to get Mulder too sore after last night's episode. Mulder just attributed it to Skinner's bad mood but he was hurt again when Skinner refused to embrace him and literally ordered him to wear pajamas into bed. Skinner only wanted him in pajamas when it was winter and the mercury dipped. It was spring already. Mulder just couldn't understand it. He didn't know that Skinner was painfully contemplating that the last sex Mulder might remember between them was last night's briefly painful episode when Skinner had thoughtlessly penetrated him too roughly. That Sunday, Skinner went to church as usual and thought things over again. Once he got back to the cabin, Mulder was still asleep. He shook the agent awake and told him he had to go back to DC on urgent business. He had to lie and said that Agent Hawkes had called and requested his assistance on a case. He warmly kissed Mulder a good bye and told him to close up the house for the weekend. Mulder was climbing up the wall by the time the week rolled. His calls were not being returned by Skinner and he was out most of the time so even when he went to Skinner's house, he wasn't there. Mulder made some discreet inquiries and found out that Hawkes was called by Skinner last Sunday and not the other way around. Skinner still saw him in the office but always with Scully and never alone. He wouldn't look him in the eye either. Then Kimberly gave out a memo that Skinner was going on a month's leave of absence and that AD Ashcraft was going to take up the slack. A short typewritten note from Skinner appeared in Mulder's mail and it just said that Skinner needed some time to rest and he didn't want Mulder to follow. Mulder waited out the month as patiently as he could. Things were bad at work with Ashcraft at it again and in addition, Scully snapping unnecessarily at him. She was still hovering over uncertainty over her own love affair with the dermatologist. She rightly suspected that all was not well with Mulder's love life but all her energies were being focused on her own problems. She was engaged now and was sporting a ring but the ring was starting to chafe. Scully was shaken out of her self absorption one night however when she entered the basement office like always and caught Mulder quietly crying at the inner room of the office. "Mulder?" Scully asked, herself frightened. It was the first time she ever saw Mulder really crying, not just teary eyed from stress or pain. Mulder didn't hear her and his crying was now sobbing. "Oh, Mulder, what's wrong? Is there anything I can do to help?" Mulder saw his partner and abruptly stopped and wiped his and nose with his handkerchief. It was already nine o'clock and he gave the lame excuse that he was just tired and Ashcraft hauled him over the coals again. Each sentence was true but Scully could see that he was lying. She patted his back sympathetically and Mulder started crying again. Scully waited for him to tell her what was wrong but Mulder wasn't biting. She provided as much comfort as she dared and nonchalantly straightened things out in the office. Mulder still wasn't saying anything. After twenty minutes when he was calmed down enough, she asked tentatively if it was his girlfriend. He just nodded and said that it was over. "I'm sorry, Mulder," Scully said quietly. "Is there anything I can do?" Just as she feared from the beginning of this affair: Mulder was going to end up badly hurt. Mulder shook his head in response to her question. She impulsively invited him out to dinner but he refused saying he had to get home and that he was really tired. "I'll drive you home, okay?" Scully said generously. "I'll pick you up tomorrow, too." After a few minutes, he agreed. Once back in his apartment, Mulder checked his answering machine but still no word from Skinner. He wanted to smash all the soldiers and foxes but he was able to swallow down the impulse. He just put the Pooh bear in the closet, making sure it was at the back. Then he got a box and carefully packed his collection. END OF CHAPTER FIFTEEN OF SIXTEEN BACARRAT FIGURINES 16/16 by Sean Spencer seans13@hotmail.com WARNING: NC-17 Slash Skinner/Mulder SRA DISCLAIMER IN CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER SIXTEEN DADDY'S PRIZE Skinner came back exactly in one month and Scully wondered why he didn't seem rested at all from his vacation. He lost weight and only his glasses covered up the dark circles under his eyes. Whenever Mulder and Scully were called to the AD's office, the tension was horrific and more than once, Scully thought the AD was being unfair by yelling at her partner unnecessarily. In fact, the whole department that Skinner handled was on their toes because his fuse was unusually short. In turn, everyone, even Kimberly his assistant, had short fuses as well. So a week later, after Skinner came back to the Bureau, Mulder was unpleasantly surprised when he saw that Skinner was waiting for him outside his building. It took all of Mulder's self-control not to punch him out. It was only because of some lingering sense of hope that he allowed Skinner into his apartment. It was infinitely harder on Skinner because he knew exactly what was going on. He roughly told Mulder that he had one month to think about it and he simply realized that he could not live with their way of life anymore, the double life that was eating away at him. Mulder dumbly stared at Skinner, speechless in the face of another rejection. He numbly noted that Skinner had his briefcase with him and was giving Mulder his financial papers and some diskettes about his money matters. Then he told Mulder to please go to the cabin this weekend and get all his things and to leave his key under the kitchen door mat. The younger man was too stunned to say anything and Skinner left the apartment. Before getting into his car, Skinner checked around the building and saw another man lingering by the building. "I did as you asked," Skinner said seething at the older man. " Now please make a call or go up to him. I don't know what he's capable of doing right now." He turned and left. Once he got to the car, he saw Bill Mulder make a call from the phone booth across the street. Skinner didn't know if he was doing the right thing. After much thought, he acquiesced to Bill Mulder's demand with a demand of his own. He told Mr. Mulder that he would only stop the relationship if Bill Mulder would regularly call his son at the minimum of once a week and to see him once a month. Skinner told him that he would monitor all of Mulder's calls and that two can play the game. If Bill Mulder missed so much as a weekly call, Skinner threatened that he was perfectly capable of getting Mulder back. He also specifically said that Bill Mulder's calls were to be restricted to general topics with no blame on anything to be heaped on the son. It was the most Skinner could get out of the situation: that Mulder would at least benefit from his father's company, even if it was forced. Skinner then bowed his head and wept. ABSOLUTE END OF BACCARAT FIGURINES! Created in the Wisconsin Winter of 1997 in between studying for exams and rushing back and forth to the hospital. Feedback appreciated. Would you like a sequel? Please respond! If you beg hard enough, I can cough up another twenty chapters in a jiffy.