TITLE: Embarrass du Choix
NAME: frogdoggie
E-MAIL: frogdoggie@hotmail.com
CATEGORY: SRA
RATING: NC-17. M/SK. This story contains SLASH. VERY 
GRAPHIC CONSENSUAL SEX BETWEEN MEN. So, if you 
don't like that type of thing - STOP NOW! I'm serious here 
because there are a lot of sex scenes and they're a little more 
raw. Forewarned is forearmed. Proceed with caution.
SUMMARY: Mulder and Skinner, with the help of Scully, try to 
deal with "The Jana Cassidy Factor". Will Walter end up as her 
date at the Director's Halloween party? Read on and find out. 
The action in "Embarrass du Choix" takes place immediately 
after the events in "Discordia Concors" This story is the third 
installment in a series. Obviously you may want to read my 
previous stories, "Baton Rouge" and "Discordia Concors" to 
understand this narrative.
Both stories can be found on my web site at: 
http://www.squidge.org/3wstop
FEEDBACK - YES PLEASE, AND THANK YOU SIR, CAN I 
HAVE ANOTHER? Comments, suggestions and healthy 
debate are always welcome. Flames? I use them to roast 
weenies, hamburgers and Italian sausages on the grill.
TIMESPAN/SPOILER WARNING.: After the film for sure. 
Events occur immediately after the previous story of course. 
Once again, I do deal with events from the film and last season 
but bearing in mind the nature of the relationships in this story I 
had to mess with the mytharc again. No kidding!
KEYWORDS: story angst slash Skinner Mulder Scully NC-17
DISCLAIMER: Fox Mulder, Walter Skinner, Dana Scully, 
Margaret Scully, Jana Cassidy, Jeffrey Spender and The LGM 
and all other X-Files characters belong to Chris Carter, Ten-
Thirteen Productions and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting. No 
copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made 
from their use.
Author's Note: This story explores one version of relationships 
between the X-Files characters. frogdoggie's version I guess. It 
also involves some things I'd like to see happen in terms of 
Skinner's character - like he gets off the damn fence and falls 
on the right side. At any rate, thanks for accepting my version 
of the X-Files universe here. It's fantasy, I know, but what the 
heck. Go with the flow and enjoy!
There are several people I would like to thank for their 
inspiration, support, positive feedback and critical eyes too. In 
alphabetical order: Crash, Janis, Ladonna, MacSpooky, MIK, 
Rita, Sean, Sergeeva, Suse, Ten, YankeeRose and Xanthe. 
And last but not least, my wife June. Angel, your love keeps me 
going. Your lobbying for Walter S. Skinner keeps these stories 
coming. Indeed, if it wasn't for all these people I wouldn't be 
doing this at all. I salute you!
Embarrass du Choix 
by frogdoggie 10/98
Embarrass du Choix: Translated from the French: An 
embarrassing variety of choices.
Mother Nature, I'll tell you - what a bitch. Just when I want to 
snuggle up in bed on a lazy Sunday morning, she sends down a 
titanic thunderstorm at 4 AM. Lightning, thunder, the works. But 
worst of all...running water. The sound of running water goes 
right to my distended bladder, and it's up and at 'em Mulder 
whether I want to hit the can or not.
Walter, my big bed buddy, is still sleeping the sleep of the 
emotionally and physically exhausted, his arm draped over my 
waist. The storm isn't even registering on his unconscious ears. 
God, he doesn't even stir when I gently lift his heavy arm off 
me, and quietly slide away from him and out of the King sized 
bed.
No wonder. Last nights little escapade with me and Scully at the 
Safehouse completely drained him. No kidding. Yeah, dancing 
in a gay club with your lover and his other, female lover until all 
hours of the night uh - well it was a bit of an adjustment for 
Walter. No shit. What a scene it was too. A real mind fuck. So 
hot, such a turn on we...hey, let's just say it was...a release in 
more ways than one. But, God, it made me bone tired as well. I 
can more than understand why Big Daddy is lying here 
senseless. And the roller coaster didn't stop outside the club 
either.
Once we dropped Scully at her place and wound our way 
home, the ride along with the drive was still in progress. Our 
slow dance in the living room to the strains of Stabbing 
Westward's "You Complete Me" pushed us both further towards 
an emotional precipice. Jesus, we paused right up there at the 
top of that coaster track. Hanging there in mid-air at the apex - 
waiting, waiting...Whoo baby. I sang my true love to him, and I 
meant it from the bottom of my heart.
The moment sent us plunging right over and down...down into a 
sobbing puddle. We were both in tears. We ended up just 
clinging to each other in Walter's huge bed for the rest of the 
ride. No sex. Just cuddling. It felt so good to hold and comfort 
each other. Good and true and right. We didn't talk much about 
anything at that point. We just murmured corny terms of 
endearment. I mean shit we'd both probably not even admit we 
said in the morning even though we meant every syllable. I 
think Walter was beyond coherent thought in short order. I just 
stroked him until he dropped off into dreamland at the end.
Now, as I climb from the bed I glance back to see if he's still 
asleep. He mumbles and shifts onto his back. I try to be extra 
quiet. I don't want to disturb him now. I want to let him 
recuperate in restorative slumber as long as he can.
So, I creep out and down the short hall to the bathroom, enter, 
shut the door and turn on the light. I blink a bit. The light is a 
shock even after the flashes of lightning I saw through the 
condo bedroom windows. I smile a little when my eyes adjust 
and I notice the copies of Time, Newsweek and US News and 
World Report on the back of the can. Ok, I might as well kill two 
birds with one stone while I'm in here. I reach for the copy of 
Time and settle down to read the cover article.
Later after also reading the movie reviews I conclude the 
bathroom business, wash up and head stealthily back to the 
bedroom. The lightning and thunder have slacked off but it's still 
raining. The rain is, however, more gentle against the windows. 
It's very soothing. I lift the bedding and lay back down next to 
my undercover man, snuggling up close to his side. Soon the 
soft rain and his snoring lull me back into blissful sleep.
The next thing I'm aware of is Walter S. Skinner carefully 
moving off the bed so as not to wake me up. Bless his nice, 
tight ass. I'm a light sleeper so his waking me can't be helped. 
He moves quietly and carefully through the bedroom, exits and 
I hear him shutting the bathroom door.
I turn on my side and burrow down comfortably under the 
conservative navy blue and forest green patterned comforter 
and wait for him to return. He's gone a while but eventually I 
hear his soft tread back into the bedroom and feel the bed sag 
as he climbs back in next to me. He slides over close and 
snakes his arm over my waist and down protectively over my 
stomach. I feel his gentle kiss on the back of my neck.
"You awake babe?" he whispers.
"Yeah," I reply sleepily.
"Thought so. *Time* was turned to the movie review section," 
he chuckles against my back.
"Have you seen *Blade* yet?" I ask.
"That vampire flick? Uh, No."
I chuckle.
"Wanna see it tonight?"
"No..."
"Ah, come on. It'll be fun."
"I'll give it some consideration. Wesley Snipes is all right." 
"Yeah, can't go wrong with old Wesley."
"We'll see. You wanna watch the game later, Mulder?"
"The Skins?"
"Your choice actually. I have the NFL package on the satellite." 
"DirecTV?"
"Yeah."
"Well hell...let's watch the Packers against Detroit for starters. 
That should be a good game."
"Great game. They hate each other."
"Old rivals."
"No love lost there."
"Walter?"
"Yeah, babe."
"What time is it?"
"A little after 6. You want to get up?"
"Shit no."
He rumbles a short laugh and pulls me a little closer.
"Good," he replies. I can feel the easy, calm beating of his heart 
against my back. His peaceful, gentle breathing plays over my 
neck. The warmth of his nude body is marvelous. He's a real 
blast furnace just like I thought he'd be and it's an extra nice 
comfort on a chilly, rainy October morning.
It's so beautiful to be held this way in his protective and strong 
embrace. Scully told me once that when I hold her this way I 
feel like a shield at her back. A shield against all danger, strife 
and the woes of our weird world. With Walter at my back I know 
exactly what Scully meant. It's a tremendously loving, sheltering 
touch. I sigh in contentment.
He's quiet for awhile and I think he's fallen back to sleep. But 
finally he does speak again in a very quiet voice.
"Mulder?"
"Yeah Walter?"
"I...I...need to tell you something."
I come instantly alert because there's strain in the tone of his 
voice. /What the hell is up now?/ I do my best to still my 
apprehension so I can listen very carefully.
"This is hard for me to say. I guess you more than understand 
I'm not the most demonstrative man." His voice is tinged with 
wry bitterness.
"Walter..."
"Please hear me out."
"All right."
"I had...well I still had doubts about whether...Oh hell, I wasn't 
sure you really loved me Mulder. I mean Christ - after some of 
the things I've done over the years I didn't know how you could 
trust me at all much less love me. Fuck. Scully thought I was 
dirty at one point. I couldn't fathom how you would have 
possibly thought differently."
"Walter, I never really doubted you."
"I knew that logically Mulder. But in my heart...it was a hard 
thing for me to believe, ok?
"Well, I do trust you Walter."
"I just want you to know I...I never betrayed either you or Dana 
Scully. I would never betray you. I've been forced, at times 
to...well to do things that quite frankly were morally and ethically 
repulsive to me..."
"Walter, we've...we've all done things that were repugnant at 
times, I know..." I begin.
"I hate myself for it..." he hisses with such bitter self 
condemnation that I'm forced into silence.
I nod slightly and stroke the arm he has stretched over my side. 
He sighs heavily and plunges onward. His voice is barely above 
a whisper but filled with the strength of his convictions 
nonetheless. 
"But that's gonna change. I...I can't live with the self-hate, and 
the hidden agendas, and the fucking lies anymore. 
Especially...well not after last night."
I rub my face against his hand and nod again letting him know I 
agree and that I'm still listening. I won't give in to my penchant 
for interruption. God, how could I now? He nods a little and 
continues.
"In the past, I know I was only told certain things to force, to 
coerce me to stay on a path established by others for their 
purposes. Their Godforsaken purposes as it turned out. I was 
even mislead to make me toe the line...to make me cooperate 
with that cigarette smoking bastard. Lord have mercy that's no 
excuse though. I still can't believe how naive I was, how 
stupid...I should have known. Should have known better. But in 
time I did realize what was happening thank God. I know them 
for what they are now, Mulder. Those days are long over. I 
won't be their puppet. I mean it. Never again. They can rot in 
hell."
"Walter, I know. I mean that was obvious when you made a 
deal with that devil for Scully's life. I...I understand and I love 
you all the more for doing it. Scully respects you Walter. She 
knows you didn't betray either of us now. I know you never 
betrayed us. I mean that too. I know things will be different from 
now on. Scully knows that as well."
"Well I had to get it off my chest, Mulder."
"I appreciate you confiding in me, Walter. I...it's good to know 
you feel you can confide in me."
"It's a relief to be able to talk about it, Mulder," and there is relief 
in his voice now. I smile.
I feel him shift against me a bit and I realize however that he 
hasn't finished telling me what he wants to say.
"I'm listening," I prompt quietly.
"Mulder, whatever I have to do for the fucking Bureau - 
whatever happens from now on - if it impacts on you and 
Scully...I'll be there for you both."
"We're in this together," I nod in affirmation.
"Damn straight," he squeezes my waist letting out a shaky 
breath. 
"I love you Walter," I reply, passion making my voice choke.
"Ditto," he whispers against my hair. He can barely speak at this 
point. I hear him struggling to even utter that one word. He 
shakes his head slightly and I know he thinks it sounded 
moronic. But hell it meant more to me than a thousand 
declarations of his undying love. It was so...well it was just 
so...Walter Skinner.
He rests his head against my neck and I can feel his jaw 
muscles bunching up as he contends further with his strong 
emotions. I'm extremely touched because I know what it cost 
for him to tell me his most private hopes and fears.
I nod again and kiss his hand. I don't know what to say. This is 
the most Walter has ever said to me about his life on the job. It's 
the most he's revealed about what he's had to endure in that 
dark, convoluted world of the Consortium, the Cancer Man and 
Bureau politics. It's been a hard road for him. I've known that all 
along. For a man like, Walter, a man of integrity and honor, it 
must have been horrible to live in that world. It's been bad 
enough for me and Scully. It must have been much more 
terrible for him. I feel privileged to hear even this small reveling 
of his innermost emotions. I know it's the beginning of a true 
understanding between us. God knows I have so much to tell 
him. So much he doesn't know about me as well.
His love and support comforts me. I'll need it. There's a 
shitstorm coming as I said once before. Walter and Scully and I 
are going to be right in the middle of it too. I don't know how it's 
all going to come down but I do know this one thing. I have two 
of the best fighting with me now. It will be a help in the battle to 
come. I feel his strong presence at my back and yes, he is a 
shield. My love for him swells in my chest. I have no words. But 
I do have something I can give him. Myself. I turn in his arms 
and pin his eyes.
"You're like a knight Walter living under a code of chivalry that I 
can never hope to attain. I love that about you. I feel so...so 
protected and supported in your company. I..."
"Mulder?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
Yes sir, that's my manly man!
"Gee sir. I love it when you order me that way..."
He chuckles against my lips, "Years of practice, agent..." and 
we're kissing, lost in each others mouths. We suck face, our 
tongues entwining for several minutes until he breaks the kiss 
and murmurs into my ear.
"You taste good, lover."
I run my morning beard stubble against his, and work my mouth 
down his neck.
"You smell good," I whisper as I lick and suck where the pulse is 
starting to quicken in his throat. His scent is masculine, that 
spicey man smell he exudes with his arousal. I smile as he 
grunts his amusement and moves his hand down my back to 
stroke my ass.
This is only our fourth time together as lovers - well the third 
time in bed. Maybe I can't count the whirl pool tub thing since it 
was a little one sided - my side. We're still learning what the 
other likes. Walter is learning fast though and I'm still amazed at 
how this man, so imposing and commanding - hell scary as all 
get out on the J.O.B. - can be so loving and giving in bed. I 
mean he's so soft, sweet and sensuous sometimes it takes my 
breath away.
Oh, I don't mean to imply he's a teddy bear the whole time. He 
has his grizzly bear aggressive moments. And whoa baby, I like 
those too. He's starting to ask for what he wants, albeit still with 
a little embarrassment. He's capable of being more direct now 
though. But, it's sweet - that hesitant verbal fumbling. I'm not 
sure I ever want him to get over it even though I know he will 
some day.
But even with his new found ability in expressing his needs, he 
does tend to go all monsyllabic rather fast. Grunts, moans and 
one or two word exclamations are the sum total of his 
vocabulary beyond a certain point - but who gives a fuck. The 
caveman act makes me so hot I want to detonate anyway. 
Besides, all I really need to hear is Yes or No, Stop, Softer, 
Harder, Slower or Faster. Oh and he can point to the body parts 
and we'll be all set - you know what I mean?
And baby, he can point. Very well. You know, he really loves 
sex. It's rather amazing. But not it's not hard to figure out what's 
going on I suppose. After all the years he held himself in check, 
in denial, his shear joy at having someone just pay attention to 
his pleasure is easy to comprehend. Easy, and man it makes 
being with him a total turn on for me. God, just thinking about 
that fact is starting to really pump me up. Man I gotta do him 
this morning. I want to give him everything I can. I want to make 
him scream in ecstasy.
"Say, Walter..." I ask breaking off from kissing his neck.
"Yeah, lover?"
"I'm in sort of a giving mood this morning."
"Do tell."
"Yeah. You in a receptive mood?"
"Come on up here and find out," he growls and I lever up and lie 
over him, skin to skin, full body press. God he's warm. I throw 
the comforter and top sheet back with one hand. It's just too hot 
with all the bedding covering us. I'm sucking and laving his 
nipples like crazy in seconds. He's twisting and making gutteral 
noises in his throat. His hands roam up and down my spine.
"You feel so...I don't know. Your skin is wonderful. Rough but 
soft in all the right places too," he breathes in, savoring the 
planes of my ass as he runs his strong hands over me. "Smooth 
tush," he chuckles.
"Damn, Walter I love your hands. So strong...I...Oh God...." I'm 
rendered temporarily speechless as he cups my balls from 
behind and kneads them tenderly between his large fingers.
"Hmm I'll have to remember this technique," he chuckles in a 
low voice, "could come in handy in the office when I want you 
to shut up."
"I thought you liked the fact I'm a mouthy bastard," I giggle, 
swooping down to bite at his left nipple. He releases my nuts 
with a surprised grunt. He grins.
"Yeah. I guess I'd better not complain about your oral fixation, 
buddy. No argu...oh shit." So now who's speechless, I think as I 
run my mouth over both his nipples again, and then up his neck.
He spreads his legs and my hips drop down. We're cock to 
cock now, and man that is a marvelous sensation. Jesus, that 
hot hunk of meat between his legs, throbbing and growing by 
the minute is exquisite. It forces me to grind my hips over him 
every time I feel it touching me. I do that now, but slowly, so I 
can prolong the moment. And God, it gets me cranked up.
"Christ I love it when you move like that Mulder. God damn 
snakes hips."
"Snake hips?" I raise an eyebrow and grind into him some 
more. 
"Boa fucking constric...ahhhhh."
He's trying to catch his breath and I smile into his eyes. Oh 
yeah, this is really fun. I get up on my knees, straddling his 
thighs, so his cock and nuts can get some freedom. He's hard 
as a rock now, and whoa Momma - it's a sight I crave to see in 
all it's glory. Oh brother, do I.
"So, Walter. I see you still remember how to salute."
He snorts, "We call that standing at attention, soldier."
"Oh that thing has my attention big man."
"Yeah? Well suck on it then."
That's my Main Man. See. I told you he could ask for what he 
wants. Both of us are laughing and of course I'm happy to 
oblige. Walter's rumbling laughter descends into a low groan as I 
run my tongue over his balls and then up the underside of his 
cock with one eager lap. I tease my tongue around the tip and 
then suck on his glans.
"Jesus...s'good," he hisses. After a few circles of my tongue 
and lips I swallow him. He arches right off the bed with a growl 
of pleasure.
Oh yeah, he really likes my mouth. He did say I was too 
mouthy by far on the J.O.B. Oh, excuse me - he used to say it. 
I really *haven't* heard him say much about that lately. Gee, I 
wonder why? 
Well...I've got him bucking his hips, with his eyes shut, and 
mouth open, as his breath comes in gasps now. It's a sublime 
vision. It's exciting me so much I'm becoming a little worried 
that I'm going to blow up here. I mean my dick is so erect it 
feels like a fucking metal rod. I'm going to have to decide where 
we go from here, and fast too. Oh I think I know where Walter 
wants to go. The AD wants to go for a ride. And I don't mean in 
his '61 Chevy. He's more in the mood for the Mulder mobile.
"Hold up," he gasps, "I'm close."
I release his cock and pull away. A couple of drops of pre-cum 
ooze out. He's breathing deeper to regain control. I sit up 
grinning wide. He's grinning now too. It's a real cat that ate the 
canary grin. Oh yeah, he knows what's coming next. And I 
know my man all right.
"Saving this for a rainy day?" I ask, smirking.
His eyes open slowly. Walter glances over at the window and 
notes the sheets of water that pummel it in renewed strength. 
He looks back at me, eyebrow raised in wry speculation. Then 
he moves his hand down and trails his fingers into my pubic 
hair. He finds my cock, teasing the tip of my erection. I'm 
dripping for him now too.
"Is it rainy enough for you?" he replies with a wolfish grin.
"You know it..." I smile wider and run my hand between his butt 
cheeks.
He grins back, "No question."
"So, you up for a ride?"
"If you're drivin', I'm flyin'."
"Oh you're gonna fly - right into orbit. And I'm definitely drivin' 
Walter. All the way to Uranus."
He barks a quick laugh at the double entendre, "Fine by me 
baby." 
He flexes his legs on the bed to get comfortable. I move over to 
the night stand drawer and retrieve the lube we stashed there on 
Friday night. I'm glad I remembered to bring some condoms as 
well. They're in there too. I'm going to need one to delay things 
or we'll barely get off the launch pad. Walter notices I'm going to 
use a rubber and he raises both eyebrows this time.
"Consider it a compliment dude. You've got me too torqued up. 
If I don't use the johnny hat this'll be very short ride," I grin 
sheepishly.
"Remind me to tell you about the benefits of *Kegel excercises* 
sometime, sweet heart," he chuckles.
"Later, Mr. Universe. Now, dealer's choice here, or do you have 
a preference?"
Walter looks away from my eyes. There's that sweet hesitancy 
again. The first time we made love this way, in Baton Rouge, I 
did him from behind. He topped me face to face the last time. 
I'm going to let him do whatever's comfortable for him now. I 
know he's still nervous about how he looks when he's lost in 
passion. When he loses himself in orgasm.
I place the rubber and Astroglide on the bed next to his calf and 
stroke the top of his thigh.
"Whatever you want Walter. Your preference is more than fine 
with me. You know I...you can trust me lover. I won't ever 
think...I mean you're beautiful anyway we do this, man. I don't 
want you to think otherwise."
"I want to touch you," he whispers looking back up into my 
eyes, "I like to...to see your face."
"I like to see you too," I smile, "And I really like it when you 
touch me."
"I really do love you..." he replies letting his voice stop. He 
touches my hand briefly. I can see him get stuck at the name. I 
know he wants to call me Fox. I guess I don't mind, not really. I 
mean hell, I let Scully call me Fox now. I make a mental note to 
say something to Walter later. I know the moment will present 
itself. 
"I know it, Walter."
He raises his knees up and I fumble a little with the condom. My 
eyes are misty after that last exchange. I'm biting my lower lip 
in concentration and in trying to hold back the tears.
"Need help?" he asks quietly.
"No, got it." I look up and smile warmly. The rubber is 
comfortably seated. I pick up the lube and position myself 
between his legs.
"Toss me a pillow," I suggest and he does. He scoots his 
muscular ass up in the air and I shove the pillow under him.
"Comfortable?"
"Great."
So I warm the lube up in my hands and slick up my fingers. 
He's still tight. We haven't been doing this on a regular basis so 
his body hasn't had a chance to become used to stretching for 
me. I'll love that tightness for as long as it lasts and if he's doing 
the Kegels (hell yeah, I know what they do. How do you think I 
can keep it up for as long as I can at my age anyway), he'll stay 
tight and we'll both love it. But I don't want to hurt him so I 
concentrate on working in my fingers until I'm up to three. He's 
doing the *take a deep breath bit* without my prompting. Like I 
said - he's a quick study.
"God, baby! This is fucking fine," he murmurs shutting his eyes 
as I work my fingers in and out in a slow dance. I run my 
fingertips over his prostate and he groans deeply. I watch his 
throat convulse. He brings his knees tight up to his chest and 
pushes back on my hand, craving the contact again. I give it to 
him and he cries out. His whine goes right to my cock and I'm 
twitching like hell. Jesus this is the best.
We play for a few more minutes until I can tell he's trying 
desparately to hold back his own orgasm. His swollen nuts are 
tight up against his body so I know he's close.
"You ready, lover?" I whisper and he nods and looks at me 
under hooded eyes.
"Yeah," he grates as his breath comes in shallow pants.
I shift forward into position and grasping his hips, press into him 
slowly until I feel the more relaxed ring of muscle inside. It gives 
quickly and I push home until I'm enclosed by his warm body. 
He grunts once and then sighs as I settle against him. His legs 
go around my waist. He touches me then, stroking my arms 
with his large, callused hands. Walter's hands stay rough despite 
the desk job. All that work on the Chevy and his use of free 
weights have many hidden benefits. I love that chaffing on my 
skin. It sets all my nerves buzzing. We lie very still for a moment 
each seeking to gain more control so we'll last a little and also 
just to feel this comforting connection. It's really wonderful, this 
loving embrace. A real affirmation of our love for each other. 
Walter reaches forward and strokes my shoulders and arms 
again. He traces every spot he can reach. His touch is so soft 
and tender. Like I said - he has his surprising gentle moments. 
I'm so glad Walter wanted me on top this morning. It's 
marvelous to get this sensual attention. I feel priviledged again 
to be this mans' lover. I feel alive. Worthy. Human.
"Fffox..." he stutters letting one hand touch my arm. The other 
drops down next to him, and his hand flexes on the mattress.
"Yeah, big guy?"
"Can you...go deeper. I mean..."
"Sure, lift up your legs," I nod and pat my shoulder.
I help him to lift his legs over both my shoulders. I can feel 
myself sink a little further into him and it feels sublime. I'm 
completely inside him now right up to my balls. God I can hardly 
stand it. It's so fucking good.
"Uhhhh," he groans, "Fox....God!"
What man doesn't want his name, even the *F* version, placed 
before God's, hey? Walter, Walter if you only knew what that 
does to me. Well hell...I can show you, big bed buddy. I draw 
back and then thrust forward slowly. Lord God, he's so nice and 
tttight.....
"Oh man you are so virgin. Jesus, I love your hot, tight ass," I 
moan over him. I pull back again and my next thrust forward 
knocks his cock against his stomach. He grates out a loud grunt 
of pleasure. 
"Fox! Oh fuck, you prick. Go on. Do me. Jesus, I can't stand it." 
He shuts his eyes, grimacing in pleasure.
Well there's that name again. Ok. So maybe this is the magic 
moment? Oh what the hell. Sure. You bettcha.
"I'm your Fox all right baby. God damn you're mutherfucking 
beautiful," I'm gasping so hard for control now I can hardly 
believe it. I'm pulling into another backthrust and Walter opens 
his eyes. They lock with mine.
"Uhh, luh..luh...lover," he moans and thrusts his hips up to meet 
me.
"Oh yeah," I groan, driving forward.
"God!" he blurts out and then he dissolves into more prehistoric 
grunts.
So here's Mr. Monosyllabic and like I said - I could care less. 
I'm really pushing in deep this time but as slowly and sensuously 
as I can. The long, slow thrusts plus the rubber are gonna help 
me last just a bit longer and he's loving it anyway. The 
expression on his face is unbelievable. His eyes are starting to 
roll back in his head for crying out loud. Son of a bitch. With 
each thrust of my hips I'm tilting forward, rubbing against his 
dick. I've decided as soon as I know I'm close I'm gonna crank 
that stick shift hard. But we're not quite there yet. Nope.
"Uhh...harder..." Walter moans, grabbing my arms where 
they're holding his hips steady."
Then again...
I pick up the pace and that's about it cowboy. I'm heading for 
home on the range. My hips go on autopilot and so does my 
hand as I reach forward and start to stroke Walter's cock.
"Christ!" he cries out. His arms have dropped down and his 
hands are flexing and unflexing. One hand finally fists up, 
gripping the edge of the sheet that's still lying next to us. We're 
both bathed in sweat as we slap together. It only takes a couple 
of firm, fast pumps and he shoots all over my hand and his 
stomach. I press against his prostate desperately trying to take 
him higher. His voice has dropped another octave if that's 
possible and he's throwing his hips up against me like a fucking 
jackhammer. He's lifting me off the bed he's bucking so hard.
God he's clamping down on my cock like a bear trap. He's 
gone man. Fuckin' bull. Stud. Oh bbbrother baby. I love it. I 
have to dig in with my knees, bringing him back down with a 
smack. I drive into him really hard at that point, Jesus I can't 
help it. He keens loudly when I hit his prostate again. Lord 
God...that's it for me. I erupt with a strangled yell. We're both 
shouting incoherently. Walter roars in ecstasy. If I wanted to 
hear him scream he's more than fulfilled that wish. And I'm sure 
I'm deafening him with my high decibel wail. 
We finally collapse awkwardly sideways. Walter's legs are stuck 
on my shoulders. I pull out, holding the condom. I help him to 
shift his legs back down. He's breathing like a locomotive and 
flops onto his back immediately with his knees up so he can 
catch his breath. He's trembling all over.
"God damn..." he gulps.
"You ok?"
"As soon as I can breath, yeah," he smiles, gulping some more. 
I'm shaking like hell too but I manage to laugh and pull the 
condom off carefully, tying the top. No blood on the rubber so 
that's a good thing. I drop it over the edge of the bed. We'll be 
getting up to shower now anyway so I'll toss it then. We do need 
to have a little talk about our health here soon though I think. 
Now that we're both practicing anal receptive sex there are 
things to consider. I give it some serious thought as I take a look 
at Walter's target area. His brow furrows while I'm examining 
him but I can tell by his acquiessance that he understands what 
I'm doing and why. Everything seems fine. No injury. Maybe 
we'll broach the subject later on today. We'll see. I pat his thigh 
and he drops his knees down and flexes his legs again. I stretch 
over for some Kleenex from the box on the nightstand and wipe 
us both off as best I can. I toss the tissues aside in an absent 
minded way. Shower for sure later.
"Any cramping? Soreness?" I lean back over him and rub his 
leg muscles a little.
"No. Feels fine. I won't need my friggin' aerobics work out today 
either that's for sure."
I laugh again and lie down next to him, leaning on one elbow. I 
rub his stomach languidly. He's still kind of sticky and I chuckle 
a little. So does he. I wipe my hand on the sheets. We lie there 
together quietly for a few moments. Presently both of us are 
breathing regularly again. I place my head on his chest so he 
can stroke me again.
Walter reaches up and ruffles my hair, "Thanks lover," he 
breathes out with a satiated sigh. He's so cute post coital I could 
just... 
"That was some damn ride."
But he's still Walter. Fuckin' A as he would say. You know this 
dichotomy in him fascinates the hell out of me. I mean have 
mercy. I'm a psychologist for crying out loud. I mean how can 
he not interest me with his - how can I put it? With his 
willingness to fuck and be fucked with equal pleasure in bed but 
not in the office. Yeah, that's close. Shit - he's such a damn top 
at the Bureau. I should be able to understand, to analyze his 
behavior right? Hey, nobody's perfect when it comes to self 
examination or examination of the ones they love. There's 
always a degree of what - denial? Obtuseness? Shit.
So, Walter's a fabulous mystery to me. And *I Love a Mystery* 
as that old radio show title went. Well you know what I mean. 
Monster boy for the FBI that I am. Well here's one monster I 
want to fathom. I gotta ask. Maybe I'm going to skewer myself 
on my own curiosity here. But hell, I've never been afraid to go 
where angels fear to tread I guess. So...
I snuggle up close and whisper huskily into his firm pecs, "I'll be 
your chauffer any time, lover."
He rumbles his laughter against my hair, kissing my head.
"Walter?"
"Hmm."
"I want to ask you something and please don't take offense, all 
right?"
"What is it?" he asks a bit on guard.
I lever up and sit cross-legged next to him. He studies my face 
seriously.
"I just...well..." Suddenly I feel awkward. He's staring with that 
opaque AD stare he does so well. The one that can means 
either *yes I sympathize* or *no I'm gonna bite your ass*? It 
unnerves me slightly. 
"Fox?" he prompts.
"Walter, I'm just amazed you let me fuck you up the ass," I blurt 
out. Oh shit I can not believe I just said it that way. What a total 
moron.
But Walter guffaws loudly and cuffs me on the knee.
"What's the matter Monster Boy, fucking the boss starting to 
scare you shitless?"
"Oh come on *sir* you know what I mean."
He raises himself up on one elbow and rolls on his side to look 
at me quizzically.
"Mulder...I have an idea. But maybe you'd better elaborate."
I sigh slightly and press on.
"Walter I just never thought that you'd well, enjoy being this 
submissive. You're so...shit - you're a fucking A plus Dom on 
the job. I expected...oh hell I don't know what I'm saying. 
Cancel this conversation all ready before I put my fucking foot 
all the way down my throat."
"Well you did say you were oral." Walter chuckles.
I scowl.
"Hey, look, " he begins gently reaching to stroke my leg, "I'm 
gonna tell you something in all seriousness."
"Ok. Serious I can definitely buy from you."
He pulls his hand back and sits up to face me, "Fuck that Fox. 
I'm not selling you anything here, understand. I...all my life I've 
been forced to master myself - to be in control, and project that 
master's persona. The A Plus Dom as you put it. It started with 
my father, Mulder. You know you're not the only one who's old 
man was a son of a bitch. Oh shit, I'm...sorry. That was 
uncalled for," he shakes his head.
I shrug, "No problem, go on" I look down at my hands for 
moment as memories of my father flood my mind.
"What my father started, the Marines continued and the Bureau 
tried to finish, Mulder. The process almost ruined me. It made 
me deny my true self - my sexuality, the very core of my being. 
I don't want to be that way anymore. I can't now that I've...well 
now that we're together."
I nod and look up into his eyes. He continues.
"I think the first thing that attracted me to you was the idea that 
if we could ever get together I'd have a way out. See...you 
exemplified a part of me *I* needed to find too. The part to 
make me whole and complete again. My soul I think."
"Oh Walter...."
"And don't give me any crap about your not being worthy. I'll 
spank you," he mock growls, "you're overdo anyway."
I smile and raise a hand acknowledging the warning.
"Anyway the point I'm fumbling to make here is - I won't ever 
hesitate to...to lose myself with you, in you, any longer. To let 
you get close. To give myself to you and relinquish control. I 
find it...God...this is hard...I'm sorry..."
I move close and pull him gently into my arms, "You're doing 
fine big man," I whisper into his neck.
"I trust you. I find it unbelievably fantastic to share myself with 
you Mulder. It's a shared submission, that much is obvious. And 
I'm honored you return that submission in kind. I want us to be 
equal this way. God knows this is probably the only place we 
can be equal - in private, in bed. And God, I've never felt such 
erotic pleasure in my entire fucking life. I know...I know the love 
makes it even more incredible."
I'm starting to tear up. Shit I can't believe my luck here. You 
know once in while - well twice if you count a certain red head - 
it's good to know I've done something correctly in my wasted 
life. Both of us just hold each other for a few more moments 
and then Walter pushes me back so he can gaze at me. The 
love in his deep brown eyes is so sweet. So...oh God. He takes 
my face in one hand and we're kissing again until I think I'll die 
from the heat and lack of air.
Finally we break and both of us are blinking back tears and 
shaking. Our emotions are intense. I can tell Walter is almost 
overcome. He's trying to keep from crying now. I think he's sick 
of leaking tears in my presence. Well, it's a very new 
experience for him after all. I strive to think of something to get 
back to normal. To put him at ease. I touch his semen sticky 
stomach again and I suddenly have the suggestion as I also 
spot the wad of Kleenex I tossed towards the bottom of the bed. 
I swallow hard and speak.
"Shower?"
"Good idea." he nods gratefully, swallowing as well.
We're up and at 'em in no time. It's 9:45. I'm going to skip my 
morning run. I mean after the sexual and emotional work out I 
don't really need it. Sundays are optional for me anyway. 
Sometimes I go, sometimes I don't. We decide to shower 
together to save time and to maintain the post coital 
togetherness a little longer. Walter seems to want to keep 
touching me. He lathers me up in the shower. Washes my 
back. I reciprocate. Neither one of us are getting hard again. I 
think we're so content it doesn't matter.
Walter decides to shave. He gets very precise with the gel and 
razor, carefully clearing away all the whiskers so as not to nick 
himself. He trims his sideburns with equal care. I watch as he 
studies his chin looking for a spot he thinks he's missed. He's 
paying really close attention to his appearance and it's starting 
to grate. Like he's even checking for stray nose hairs now for 
Christ sake. I can't help it. My radar goes on. I'm becoming 
almost inexplicably annoyed coupled with an unberable 
renewed curiosity. 
"What's up with the shave, Walter?" I've all ready toweled off 
eschewing the need to scrape my face. I mean come on - this 
is Sunday.
"I'm going to church. I can just make the 11 AM service if I 
hustle."
I do a double take. /Church!?/
"You go to church?"
"Well yeah. I try to go every Sunday. Some people do Mulder."
Well Holy Communion Batman this is a new one for me. Is 
there no end to this man's mystery? Talk about peeling the skin 
on a fucking onion. Carumba. To say I look a little dumbstruck 
at this revelation would be an understatement. I put the guest 
towel back on it's bar near the shower and stand there naked 
with my hands on my hips.
"Hey, Walter, what's wrong with this picture?" I ask wryly.
He glances at me with a frown and flicks shaving cream into 
the sink with an exasperated shake of his wrist.
"Even queer, hard-nosed ADs go to church Mulder. Just 
because you don't believe..." he lets his voice tinged with 
bitterness trail off realizing that we're on shaky ground here and 
why. He doesn't want to start an argument this morning. That 
much is obvious as he reins in his temper.
I don't believe in God. It's a bone of contention between me and 
Scully as well. She's always arguing that I believe in so many 
extreme possiblities she can't understand why I wouldn't believe 
in God first and foremost. I...the disbelief is so ingrained and if 
you say Samantha you'll have an idea why. Shit - my father 
and mother are reason enough not to have a shred of belief. A 
God of any kind wouldn't...shouldn't...or would, should, 
could...well I can't go there. Not now. Not this morning. I drop 
my hands from my waist and run one of them over my mouth.
Walter looks in the mirror at my reflection. He sees the 
emotions warring on my face. His eyes grow very soft.
"It's all right, buddy. I know," he assures me quietly, "I...look it's 
a Unitarian church. They're very non-judgmental. Uh, there are 
lots of gays in the congregation. If...if you'd like to go..."
"Walter, I...I can't this morning, ok. Maybe...maybe some other 
time."
He nods, smiling at me gently, "Sure, no problem," he breathes 
out and continues shaving. I sigh and nod as well. I stare into 
space for a few seconds.
"You want some coffee?" I ask when I find my voice again.
"Great. Thanks," he rumbles. I exit the bathroom, go back into 
his bedroom, get dressed and head down into the kitchen to 
stoke up Mr. Coffee.
Once I'm in the kitchen I try to shake off the ennui I felt earlier. I 
guess Walter and I are going to run into those kind of basic 
differences as we get to know each other. God knows Scully 
and I did. It took us five years and so many near death 
experiences I lost count to finally come to terms with each 
other. I guess under the circumstances my undercover man 
and I are doing remarkably well. I'm still terribly touched by his 
earlier admissions. Maybe a bit overwhelmed and that's the 
underlying problem here. Just say the words *unlucky in love* 
and you'll get a hint of where I'm coming from ladies and gents. 
Right from the womb as a matter of fact. Oh fuck it. I won't go 
there. Not this morning.
And yeah - I'm gratified and relieved that he's allowing me 
my...quirks. It can't be easy. Hey, I'm not totally clueless. I'm 
aware I've got a load of *idiotsyncrasies*. And hell, if I forget 
them Scully reminds me. Of course Walter's been privy to the 
X-Files as well as all my other foibles. I know he finds it hard to 
believe in a lot of what Scully and I have been investigating over 
the years. But at least he's tried to understand. Maybe he'll even 
do more than that now. But whatver the case I know he loves 
and respects me. I can only give him love and respect in return. 
I won't belittle his faith. Just like I don't belittle Scully's faith any 
more.
So what the heck. I do my best to shrug off the angst and find 
something quick and nutritious for Walter's pre-church nosh. 
The coffee is perking in no time and I'm slathering lite diet 
cream cheese on some bagels. I also found a couple of melons 
in his fridge - already cut up. Convenient. I'm just putting the 
pieces on a plate when I hear him coming down the hallway.
He's at my side, directly, looking fresh and stunningly 
handsome in a gray twead jacket, matching slacks and light 
weight darker gray sweater. Man is he ever breathtaking. He 
saunters over and slaps my levi encased ass playfully.
"You didn't have to bother, Mulder. I could have just grabbed 
some coffee."
"Well I didn't want you to go out on a cold, rainy morning with an 
empty stomach."
"Thanks honey," he smiles, teasing, and goes to get a mug out 
of the cabinet for his coffee.
"You're welcome Ward," I chuckle.
"You're having coffee right?" he asks getting down a second 
cup. He fills both cups efficiently anticipating my answer.
"It's a necessity this morning," I affirm, "Do you want to eat this 
in the dining room?" I raise an eyebrow and incline my head 
towards the plates with the bagels and melon.
"Sure, that would be great," he replies taking a bottle of vitamins 
off the counter. He opens the top and pops three of the pills into 
his mouth. Coffee washes them down. He follows me into the 
dining room area.
We're munching away on the egg bagels and melon. Walter is 
wolfing his down so he can make that 11 AM service. I figure 
halfway through the sermon he's gonna need his Pepcid AC big 
time. Maybe I should mention it?
"I better take some antacids," he muses, burping.
Good, I'm off the hook. Smart man.
I finish my coffee while Walter scoots back up to the can for his 
Pepcid. I can see him exit the can and go back in the bedroom. 
Ok, so he's going for his accessories. You know - car keys, 
wallet, cell phone, badge and ID. Glock. I shake my head in 
amusement. God and guns. Yeah. Right. I still find it hard to 
believe he's going to church. I set my face in a neutral 
expression as he comes back down into the dining room area.
"Well, I'm off. Uh...so, are you going to stay?" he asks 
tentatively. Oh Lord. He's still worried I'm going to book out of 
this situation? For heavens sake.
"Walter I wouldn't dream of leaving. After all, how can I turn 
down the NFL package and our hot date with Wesley Snipes for 
tonight."
He mock scowls, "How can I hope to compete. But the juries 
still out on the flick."
"No contest," I wave airly and then give him a big goofy grin, 
"You'd win hands down, Mr. Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love. I'm 
staying. Wild horses couldn't drag me away - even without the 
movie."  
He laughs and nods, "You're nuts." 
"Yeah, and you love them too." 
"Damn! I'm never gonna get out of here. Look...uh, I need to 
stop by the store for a few groceries on the way home but I'll 
make it fast. Anything you want for the game?" 
"Beer?" 
"Strohs ok?" 
"That'll do." 
"Anything else." 
"Surprise me." 
He barks a quick laugh as he heads to the coat closet, "You're 
living dangerously there, agent." 
"Story of my life." 
"No shit. Ok. Later." He says as he pulls on his trench coat. He 
checks to make sure he has his car keys. 
"Walter?" 
"Yes?" 
"Drive carefully. The streets may be slick." 
"I will. I'm taking the Crown Vic anyway. That thing weighs as 
much as a tank." 
"All right. Hope you make it back before half time." 
"I'll do my best," he nods, and moves to open the door. He 
frowns suddenly and turns towards me, his hand on the door 
handle.  
"Oh, Mulder?" 
"What?" 
"If someone comes to the door. Don't answer it. We...well we 
need to be kind of cautious - you know - about us. I guess we 
need to talk about that idea pretty soon," he sighs. 
"Yeah, we have a few things in that area we need to discuss. 
But don't worry about it - you'd better go. You don't want to miss 
the uh, sermon." 
He nods again. Pulls the door open, exits, and shuts it behind 
him. As I get up to clear the table I hear him lock the door 
behind him. I stretch my shoulders as I head to the kitchen. 
When I put my hand down and it brushes my pocket a quick 
thought crosses my mind. Cell phone. Oh. Hey, I should call the 
third member of our tremendous trio. Better find out how La 
Scully and La Scully's Mama fared after last night. Yeah, what 
the heck happened with Maggie and Byers? I head off in search 
of my cell, a bemused grin on my lips. 
xXx 
"Dana Scully." 
"Hi, beautiful." 
"Ah ha! If it isn't Robin, the Boy Wonder. And how are Dick and 
Bruce this morning?" 
"My dick is fine. Mr. Wayne's boffing Alfred in the pantry."  
"Oh damn, Mulder..." 
Scully starts to laugh like hell. 
"And how is La Diva Scully this AM?" 
"Hungover you ungrateful mongrel. I haven't had a hangover in 
ages, Fox. I barely made it to early mass this morning." 
"Sorry dear heart. But it was fun wasn't it?" 
"I haven't had that much fun in ages either Studly Do Right." 
It's my turn to laugh now. She sounds fine. In rare form as a 
matter of fact. Her mother must be fine too I infer. 
"Seriously, Dana. Thanks for everything last night. I don't know 
what we would have done without you. I love you Dana 
Katherine Scully." 
Her voice gets quiet and the love comes across the air waves 
so strong my heart almost bursts. 
"I love you too Fox William Mulder. Now equally as seriously - 
how is Walter this morning?" 
"He went to church." 
"Come again?" 
I bark a loud laugh. I can practically see her blush as she picks 
up on my meaning. 
"You know what I mean. Repetez-vous Agent Mulder!" 
"He went to C-H-U-R-C..." 
"All right I heard you. Really?" 
"Yes evidently he tries to go every Sunday. It's a Unitarian 
Church. Very liberal those Unitarians. Which is funny in itself 
considering it's Walter." 
"Well shut my mouth." 
"No shit." 
"You going to go with him sometime, Mulder?" she asks 
carefully. 
I sigh. 
"Scully..." 
"All right, fine. But listen - give it some thought. It's not like 
they're Catholics." she adds acerbically. 
"I'm sorry..." 
"Oh don't be...let's, let's just drop this line of discussion..." 
I nod into the receiver, "Good idea. So, did your mother survive 
*Byers Boredom*?" I inquire switching conversational gears as 
suggested. 
"Boredom? Au contraire..." 
"Oh oh." 
"Oh don't worry, Johnny was a gentleman. My mother had a 
marvelous time. They went dancing afterwards of all things. 
She's going to see him again today for lunch." 
"Yikes." 
"Oh she could do worse I guess. I mean he's harmless I 
suppose." 
"As long as we don't see her name on the masthead of the Long 
Gunmen we're..." 
"Lord Mulder, perish the thought." 
I chuckle. We're quiet for a few moments. The Scully sixth 
sense comes into play suddenly. Maybe it's that or she senses 
some infintesimal change in my breathing. Whatever. 
"Mulder, is something wrong?" 
"Not really. It's just...well things were a little intense here. I 
mean..." 
"Did you have another fight?" 
"God, no. Things are wonderful. We...oh hell forget it. We just 
have a lot to discuss I guess. Issues. How the hell we'll keep this 
whole thing under wraps for one thing." 
"Well there is that," she admits, "If I can help..." 
"I need to talk to Walter about some cold, hard facts this 
afternoon Dana. We...maybe all three of us need to talk about 
some of this stuff." 
I can hear her breathing gently over the phone while she weighs 
my words. 
"Maybe you're right. I...I know this is going to be complicated. I 
guess we need to...well we need to all be on the same 
wavelength." 
"Ok. But I need to sound Walter out first. He's pretty raw right 
now I think. This is all so different for him..." 
"It different for all of us, Mulder." 
I can hear the worry in her voice. It troubles me but I know 
where she's coming from for sure. She's as conservative 
emotionally as Walter Skinner in many ways. Career orientated. 
All this has to be very worrisome, even frightening for her. I'm 
scared too when it comes right down to it. The meaning of 
where we're headed is just starting to sink in I think. Walter, 
Scully and me. The mind boggles. We really do need to talk big 
time. And it's not going to be easy. 
"I know Dana. Believe me, I know." 
She sighs again but her next words signify acceptence and 
once again I know I've picked the right woman as well as the 
right man and I thank God, just in case he is there and is 
listening, for both. 
"All right, Fox - listen. We're still getting together tomorrow night 
at my place right?" 
"Oh yeah, SOP." 
"So, you talk to Walter this afternoon or tonight and then we'll 
discuss things tomorrow. But I really think the three of us should 
get together on this soon." 
"I agree. I'll broach that with Walter somehow." 
"Good. And we need to discuss Fresno of course." 
"Right. We'll cover anything else about the case we should go 
over. Details we can't cover at work." I smirk into the phone.  
"Right, before we fly out to Fresno," she chuckles. 
"Oh yeah, before we fly..." I whisper. 
She gives me another throaty chuckle. I feel my cock start to 
stiffen. Oh baby mine - just you wait till Monday night. I'll be 
starting up a very special air charter service just for you, mama. 
We'll renew our membership in the mile high club. Oh yes 
indeedy. I stamp down my arousal now, however. I don't want 
to have to take matters into my own hands here. 
"And Mulder..." 
"Yeah, Scully?" 
"Tell Walter he cuts a mean rug." 
I laugh hard and long at that one and make smooch noises at 
her over the phone. 
"Hang up you lunatic. I have to get some laundry done here."  
"Tomorrow is another day, Ms. Scarlett." 
"Frankly Rhett, I don't give a damn." 
"Hey, that's my line!" 
"This is the 90s, Rhett." 
Click. She leaves me practically snorting my coffee as I hang 
up the cell phone. 
xXx 
Years ago when I was with Reggie Purdue, (and if there is a 
God I hope he's holding Reggie in the palm of his hand right 
now), I had to face up to the fact that if we wanted to stay FBI 
agents we'd have to be circumspect in our relationship. It wasn't 
hard really. We were partners and field agents. Three quarters 
of the time we were expected to be practically living out of each 
other's pockets. The fact that we were fucking each other like 
rabbits in every cheap motel we stayed in on the road was easy 
to cover up when it came right down to it. I mean come on - we 
were Federal Agents and going undercover....well it had more 
than one meaning here you know?  
Reggie had been out to himself for a while. I wasn't his first 
either but we lasted a while. It was great while it lasted too. He 
did introduce me to enough of the gay lifestyle that I knew what 
was up. Like the importance of practicing safe sex and keeping 
all your parts healthy. I still go to the very discreet doctor Reggie 
recommended to me. He knows how to check a prostate as 
well as the next guy and he knows not to check the box on the 
annual physical report that says *anal receptive partner*. You 
know the box I mean right? Well it's one of several under the 
words *sexual preference*. Yeah, you get the idea. And besides 
Gay Health Ed 101, of course, Reggie showed me the bars as 
well. Like club 219. I still keep my ear to the ground out in the 
queer nation too. I have my reasons. More about that in a 
second. 
But Walter and I are a different matter all together. Good night 
Irene, no kidding. I mean he is my superior after all so that's just 
one complicated difference. I mean as the fucking AD he draws 
a lot of attention from every conceivable direction. In the J. 
Edgar Hoover we have to really lay low. Keep a low profile. It 
ain't easy. On some days when I pass him in the halls I go weak 
in the knees for crying out loud. I sweat if I smell that Old Spice 
aftershave he uses. But we do manage overall to keep our 
dicks reined in. And we'd really better keep it zipped now. 
Shit...with Jana Cassidy looking over *her Walter's* shoulder we 
really have to mind our Ps and Qs. 
Lord have mercy! Jana! God damn there's something else we'd 
better discuss. Can this get any more complicated? What else 
can be up for discussion here this afternoon? Let's examine our 
list so far. 1. How to stay in the closet. 2. Health issues for men 
loving men. 3. The harpy that's after Walter's balls. Gee, we 
should be able to cover all that during the Fox half-time break 
don't you think? Crap. I laugh ruefully. 
Well I guess when Wally gets back the Beave *is* going to have 
to rock his world a little. No way around it. Well Scully will be 
proud of me for sure. But first, The Pack versus Detroit. I just 
love watching sweaty men beat the shit out of each other. 
Sometimes I like to beat the shit out of sweaty men...Ouch. 
Remember when I said I had my reasons regarding the queer 
nation earlier? Sorry. I'd better not start thinking Czech or I'll get 
a headache. I shake my head, grab the second cup of coffee I 
poured before and settle down with the TV remote to catch the 
kick-off. 
About half way through the second quarter I hear Walter's key 
in the lock. I get up and head for the door as he fumbles it open. 
Yup, thought so. His arms are full with a gallon of skim milk and 
a brown paper *Giant* shopping bag. The beer and a second 
plain brown bag are sitting at his feet. 
"Do the Giant often, Walter?" 
"Shouldn't I be asking that question," he grunts shoving the 
gallon of milk and Giant bag at me. I catch them both with 
alacrity. 
I laugh as I briefly fumble with the bag. 
"Giant's on the way," he adds sticking a hand out for a second 
in case I drop the load. When I have it properly secure he pulls 
his hand back. 
"How was church?" I ask with as much sincerity as I can 
muster. I'm trying. Really. 
He glances up from starting to bend towards the bag and beer 
at his feet. He delivers a little snort. But something in my face 
makes him check himself and he smiles just a bit. 
"Quite good actually. Thanks for asking." 
I nod. 
He bends down and picks up the beer and the other unmarked 
bag. He steps in and hips the door shut. When he's fully back in 
the apartment I smell something delicious. 
"What is that?" I ask sniffing and craning my neck towards the 
unassuming paper bag he's holding. 
"Dim Sum" 
"You're shitting me?" I smile looking up into his terse little smirk, 
"I love Dim Sum." 
"You said surprise you." 
"Well shut my mouth." 
"That'd be a fucking first. Come on let's get this stuff into the 
kitchen. What's the score? 
"7-0, Green Bay." 
"That'll change." 
"No fucking way, Favre's hot." 
"Favre's a fucking, alligator wrestling redneck." 
I laugh like hell and we do some more verbal sparring as we 
head into the kitchen. Once we're in there I notice Walter's a 
little damp. 
"You want to change big guy? You're kind of wet." 
"Oh yeah, sure. It was still misting out a little. I'll be right back." 
he hustles out and I hear the front coat closet door open and 
close. His footsteps recede and I figure he's going to change 
into something more comfortable. Yum. 
I put the groceries away and lay out our feast on some plates. 
By the time I'm on my second trip back to the living room group 
with the rest of the food and a couple of beers, Walter is coming 
back down from the bedroom. He's in acid washed jeans and a 
burgandy short sleeve crewneck t-shirt. Ooh and he's barefoot 
too. Like I said - Yum. While I'm ogling him, the long 
commercial break is over and the second quarter's about to 
continue. 
We end up sitting on either end of the couch. We want to be 
close but try to stretch out, face each other, eat and watch the 
game all at the same time. It elicits a laugh from us both. 
Walter's 6 foot 2 and like 200 pounds. So although I'm pretty 
much the same height I'm no where near the muscle mass. 
He's got most of the seat. But it allows us to entwine our legs 
very nicely. Each of us balances a plate of Dim Sum on our 
laps. Beers are on the coffee table. We're yelling at the TV 
screen, exorting our respective teams in manly sportsmanship. 
It's almost bliss. 
Brett Favre, QB for the Green Bay Packers, proceeds to show 
us just why he was named MVP for two consecutive years. 
By the middle of the fourth quarter the score is 21 to 0, 
Packers, we've finished a couple of beers each and most of the 
Dim Sum. I'd be really content, in total bliss, if I didn't have that 
damn 3 Point list in my head. As another commercial break 
intrudes, Walter starts to get up. 
"Be right back," he advises. I watch him prowl out of the living 
room area and down the hallway towards the can. My bladders 
tweaking me too. I wait until he comes back though. 
"You want another beer?" he asks. 
"Yeah, but I'd better go make room for it too." 
He nods and saunters off towards the kitchen while I exit stage 
right. While I'm in the can watering the mule I decide I can't 
forstall discussing that three point list any longer. Get a grip I 
chide myself. It won't be that bad. Oh yeah right. I can hardly 
wait to discuss old Jana. Ugh. 
I finish with the piss. Wash up, square my shoulders and hit the 
hallway again.Walter is back on the couch and two fresh beers 
are on the coffee table. 
"Want to sit here?" he asks patting the spot next to him.  
"Sure." I smile and take the indicated seat after I pick up my 
beer. I take a quick swig and put it back down. I lean into his 
chest. He snakes his arm up onto the back of the couch and 
then drapes it over my shoulder, pulling me close. He starts to 
stroke my arm. 
"Looks like the Packer's are gonna win," he muses taking a pull 
from his Strohs. 
"Looks like it," I agree. 
"I guess you were right about Favre," he adds speculatively, 
putting the beer back on the coffee table. 
"Yep. He was hot. Detroit has no chance." 
"No chance." 
"No chance in hell." 
"The rest of the game is a foregone conclusion I guess."  
I'm staring at the TV still and so is he and I'm thinking - what the 
hell? 
"Right - Detroit is doomed, so?" I start to turn towards him. 
"So you wanna fuck?" Walter turns and licks my cheek. 
"Jesus H. Christ, Walter..." I burble laughter. 
"You need his permission?" he barks a laugh. 
"Oh listen to you - Walter *I go to church on Sunday* Skinner." 
He's laughing that deep bass laugh of his, and running his hand 
over my crotch. I'm almost helpless with desire. But damn it we 
really do have business before pleasure here. I have to talk to 
him NOW or I know I'll chicken out for sure! 
"Walter I...come on. Hold it, ok?" 
"I am trying to hold it," he chuckles working at my zipper.  
"No, really, stop, I...we need to talk about some stuff here..." 
He ceases touching me immediately and looks into my face.  
"What's wrong?" 
"Walter, you know that remark you made about not answering 
the door?" 
"Someone came to the door?" he asks, concern in his voice.  
"No, no way. But I think we need to talk about that. We need to 
discuss keeping things...well, discreet for lack of a better term." 
His face goes serious in seconds flat. He sits up and Walter 
Skinner, Assistant Director, in all his glory is sitting next to me 
on the couch. 
"Discreet is a very good word, Mulder. You're absolutely right. 
Like I said - we do have some issues to consider here. If you'd 
like to discuss them now I can't really object." Oh brother, he's 
in full AD mode! But hang on just a second - his eyes aren't 
quite there yet. I don't want to see him shut down completely. It 
won't help matters. I try to utter some words to break the cycle. 
But my bon mots don't come out quite the way I'd want. 
"Despite being hot to trot?" Oh hell that was an idotic remark. 
But, I couldn't resist the jab I guess. In truth, sometime needling 
Walter is too hard to resist. 
"Business before pleasure, Mulder. After all, it's been the catch 
phrase for most of my life," he sighs turning away to pick up the 
TV remote. He turns off the TV and swivels to stare at me 
again.  
Oh great now I feel like a total shit heel. I bristle a little, though. 
It's not fair for him to make me feel guilty. Fuck no. But of 
course in the back of my mind I can't help but remember how 
many times I've pulled this tactic too - on him as well as Scully. 
So, I guess he's entitled. I rein in my ire. 
"I'm sorry, Walter. But you did mention it first." 
"I know. Yeah. That remark was out of line too. Let's...let's start 
over here..." 
"All right," I grin at him in reassurance, "So you've given this 
some thought I take it?" 
"Right. Do you want to hear my views?" 
"Most definitely." He's asking if I *want* to hear? Whoa that's a 
switch. I get all warm and fuzzy despite the unpleasant 
conversation topic. 
He nods and purses his lip for a moment. Then he speaks.  
"First of all - I don't think we have to worry too much here. In the 
apartment I mean. This one's on the end of the hall." His ears 
turn an little red on the tips. I smirk, "Uh, in other words - the 
bedroom's on the outer wall of this building." he adds. 
"Lucky that," I chuckle. 
"Very lucky," he gives a terse little grin and goes on, "At any 
rate, I've got only one neighbor next door - Mrs. Blake and she's 
75 or so, half deaf and keeps to herself." 
"What about across the hall?" 
"George Muller. He's travels a lot. Some kind of sales job takes 
him away quite a bit. Then he's a dog show judge of all things. 
He's gone weekends a lot too." 
"So essentially you're bordered by no one. Man that's better 
than my place. I guess meeting here is going to be SOP." 
"Right. Exactly. I think this is the more secure location. Shit that 
sounds so Bureau - but you know what I mean." 
"Safe house?" 
"There you go." 
I nod. He keeps gamely on even though I can tell he's feeling 
very low about the whole scenario. 
"So as long as we just act casually and mind our own business I 
don't think we're going to run into trouble. We can come and go 
independently - whatever. If anyone asks about you I'll just 
say...well I'll think of something to say." 
"Country cousin visiting?" 
"Alligator wrestling redneck," he nods trying to lighten the mood. 
I can tell he's miserable though. So am I for that matter. 
Undercover in life and the job? This is not the ideal. No fucking 
way.  
"Makes sense I guess. But in any event I'll stick with the *no 
one's home* policy when I'm here and you're out." 
"I hate this though," Walter interjects quietly. He reaches 
forward and takes up his beer again studying it. He takes a pull, 
"I wish..." 
"I know. But I don't think we have any other option. Not right 
now." 
"You're right, of course. And if we think it's bad here - fuck." he 
adds setting the beer down with a clink. 
"It'll be worse at the Hoover?" 
"No shit." 
"Jana." 
"Hopalong Cassidy," he grates. 
I do laugh then with a little more humor, "We have to come up 
with an idea there don't we?" 
"God damn it Mulder. If you have any suggestions please put 
them on the table." 
I run a hand through my hair as I realize I'm fresh out of 
suggestions - except for one. 
"Walter I'm kind of at a loss. But listen...uh, I talked to Scully 
earlier this morning." 
"How's she doing?" he asks with genuine interest. 
"She said to tell you you cut a mean rug." 
He barks another quick laugh. 
"Well she's no slacker in that department either." 
"So you did have fun?" I ask quietly. 
He runs his hand affectionately over my forearm and pulls it 
back to take his beer up again. After a swig he smiles, "Fun 
doesn't even approach it, my man. It was...well shit the whole 
evening was some rush. I...well I had more fun then I've had in 
ages, guy. And Scully...shit..." he lets his voice trail off and just 
shrugs in amused silence, putting the beer back down. 
I smile gently at him and press home my thoughts, "Well Scully 
and I are going to Fresno on Tuesday." 
"Yeah, I signed the 302, remember? So..." 
"So, we'll be getting together tomorrow night at her place to..." 
"Oh, well that's fine. You'll be leaving for the airport from there 
then?" 
He's a little embarrassed, but I can see his more ready 
acceptance of Scully and my relationship on his face and in his 
body. Tension bleeds out of me. It's a major relief and should 
make this a lot more easy. 
"Right. And Walter, we...we're going to talk about all this, Jana 
included. Scully can help I'm sure. She's got this way about 
sorting things out - a different perspective..." 
"Oh, I know what you mean there, Mulder," he nods, grinning a 
little, "You should be really thankful she does too, agent."  
I grin back. Yeah. How many times has La Scully bailed out my 
butt in his office? Both of us know she's got it going there for 
sure. 
"Well, what I'm trying to say is, she may have some ideas 
and...we really need to bring her into the loop anyway." 
Walter's brow creases. I watch the wheels turn. It's not hard to 
sense he realizes all our lives are going to change irrevocably 
from this point on. He's weighing all the options in a matter of 
seconds. He has that ability - to see the total picture. It's part of 
his managerial skill and it's spilled over into everything he does 
really. I'm crossing my fingers mentally that his big picture will 
be in synch with mine on this one. 
"You know that's not a bad idea, Mulder. And God knows we 
need all the help we can get on this fucking operation."
I let out a sigh of relief and impulsively dart forward and kiss his 
cheek. His eyes crinkle in pleasure. 
"Hey, what's that for?" 
"For being you. For being with me. For being with Scully."  
"Yeah, well..." he looks down and away. 
"Walter, I know this whole thing has got to be difficult for you. 
Hell it's not any more easy for me or Scully either. I know you 
wish you and I could be more open about our relationship. So 
do I. I wish we could all be more open." 
"You and Scully...you could always come out," he shrugs 
looking at his hands as if he wants to study every tiny plane 
anew, "maybe it would be better if you did under the 
circumstances." 
"We've thought about it, believe me. But, now, I don't want to do 
that unless, well unless I can be as open about us." 
"No way. You know that Mulder. I can't...this sucks. I'm not 
ready to quit and I know I'd be doing it if anyone even got a 
whiff I was queer and we were lovers. Too many people can 
use it against us. Shit - what the hell do you think would happen 
to you and the X-Files? Can you understand that, Fox?" he 
looks up finally and pins my eyes. 
I know where Walter is coming from yessir. He's afraid for me. 
Hell, I'm afraid for him too. When he says anyone could use our 
love against us he more than knows the score there. I mean 
look what they've done to all three of us so far. What a fucking 
track record. Piss up a rope. And with Scully they knew my 
achilles heel. No shit. A scary thought. Maybe we haven't 
covered our tracks as well as I thought. I don't even want to go 
there. Scully and I have to make sure we watch our backs. All 
three of us will have to do it. No question. 
Also, deep down Walter's still Mr. Law and Order. He does think 
he's making a difference in the sheme of things. I suppose he's 
right. Hell. He has his standards. Like I said - he is rather like a 
Knight. Code of honor. Chivalry. Even though he bridles at it I 
know he wears that mantle with some pride. I can't take that 
away from him either. It's not fair. It's what makes him Walter 
Skinner. I love him for it. 
"Walter, I understand. I guess that's the underlying reason why 
Scully and I haven't revealed our involvement either. I guess all 
we can do is work with this the best we can. And watch each 
other's backs." 
He lets out a sigh of relief, "Right. Thanks babe. And listen, if 
you want to sit down with Scully and hash this all out..." 
"You'd be willing to do that?" I ask trying to hide my 
increduality. 
He twitches a small self depreciating grin, "Maybe after I knock 
back a couple of bourbons." 
I laugh, "And she hits the tequila." 
He laughs as well and I move closer to him. 
"I'd be willing," he affirms kissing my forehead. 
"I think we can all talk about Ms. Jana Cassidy for starters as 
soon as we get back from Fresno." 
"I hope there's time," he nods. 
"Yeah, me too. I think Fresno's a hoax though. But we have to 
check it out."
"It might have something to do with that ongoing drug case. The 
one the Fresno office and the DEA are working together on."  
"I think so. I hope so now." 
"UFOs and drug labs? Sounds like that fucking movie I rented 
once *I Come in Peace*," Walter shakes his head. 
"You rented that stinker?" 
"Sue me. I had a weak moment." 
I chuckle a little. 
"Well, in any event, the jury's still out on the X-Files angle - so 
cross your fingers." 
He winds his arm back around my shoulders and I can see him 
cross his fingers there. I chuckle and lean my head against his 
neck. Well, we've come as close to dealing with 2 out of the 
three points then I would have thought possible. I feel so 
content. We still need to talk about health issues but what the 
hell. Later gator. I can feel his warm, hard body against me and 
his earlier question goes zinging right to my groin. 
"So where were we before I so rudely interrupted?" 
"Watching the Packer's win," he teases in a low rumble. 
"Get fucked." 
"Come again?" he laughs running his other hand down and 
under my t-shirt. 
"That's the idea, big boy." 
He's rubbing a finger tip over my right nipple and I'm wiggling all 
over. 
"Big man to you...monster boy." 
"Maybe we'd better adjourn to the bedroom." I chuckle as he 
pulls the t-shirt up to my neck and starts kissing my chest. 
"Yeah, Mrs. Blake isn't that deaf," he breathes over my nipples. 
In short order we're naked in bed, lying on the top sheet since 
the fitted sheet is still a wreck. Walter wrinkled his nose. Ok, I 
forgot to change them while he was out. So sue me. He forgot 
quickly though when I pulled him down on top of me.So much 
for the Oscar and Felix routine. 
He's moving all over me now. Devouring me, making the most 
phenomonal noises. I can barely stand it. His hands and mouth 
are everywhere, my lips, my neck, chest, nipples, stomach, 
belly button, my thighs, balls, my cock. I'm so hard it almost 
hurts. His tongue runs along the slit at the end of my penis and 
then around the crown until I'm practically crying with esctasy. 
He moves up my body again with his mouth, kissing sparks of 
electricity along my skin until he reaches my ear. He nibbles my 
ear and then speaks into it. 
"You want me?" 
"Yeah, I want you. Every inch of you." 
"Oh I think I can arrange that lover," he growls possessively. A 
shiver runs up my spine. I have to admit I like it when he's 
aggressive. Ok, I like to submit. It's fun to be topped too after 
all. Jesus I can't get enough of Walter's cock. Having him in me 
is beyond good. There's hardly any word in the dictionary to 
describe it. I wish I could convey to him how wonderful a lover 
he really is. I know he doesn't think much of his abilities yet. But 
God he is marvelous, and gaining in skill with practice. I try to 
discover a suitable way to let him know how much I enjoy him 
as he goes for the Astroglide on the night stand. While he's 
squeezing some into his hand I get a flash of inspiration. 
I shift over onto my stomach and stick my ass up invitingly. 
Walter guffaws. 
"Nice view, sweet cheeks." 
"Oh they're sweet all right. Get in here and find out how sweet, 
big man." 
He grunts and finishes warming up the lube. Then he moves 
forward and gets into position in back of me. I grab a pillow and 
settle comfortably on it. I going to let my forearms stay on the 
bed and leave my hips raised. I really want to feel all of him. 
And I want him to see himself as he takes me too. I can sense 
him focusing in concentration as he preps me. His fingers work 
in. 
"God lover, you are so good," I breathe as he stretches me. I'm 
more than ready. "Come on, it's fine, do it. Put it in. I want you," 
I whisper. 
"You sure?" 
"Yeah. Walter I wanna tell you - you're the best. I mean it. So 
big. I love your big cock." 
"Man," he laughs, "you are such a slut." I hear him using more 
lube to slick his cock up for me. The sound almost sends me 
into orbit. 
"Like it?" I wiggle my ass a little. You know, if I could see his 
face I'd bet he's blushing. 
"Baby, you know it," he replies breathlessly. He takes my hips 
and I can feel the thick head of his cock against me. 
"Lover, go slow. Watch how you go in. Can you see that? My 
ass taking your dick?" I pant. I can feel him pushing. I want this 
to be a real turn on for him. To see his flesh disappearing into 
me. I want him to know how much I love and trust him and want 
him here - in me, yeah, possessing me. It's all part of my thrill. I 
want it to be his too. 
"God, yeah," he moans as he thrusts slowly forward, 
"Bbbbeauty," he stutters. 
"I can feel every centimeter of that huge, hard cock when you 
do me slow. It feels fucking great. You fill me ssoooo deep. So 
hot. You feel like steel. Steel right out of the forge." 
"Hammer into anvil," he grates out. 
"Yeah. And I love it when you pound that hammer too, baby. 
God I'm heading to heaven when you're drivin'. My whole body 
glows like molten metal." 
"Precious metal, like gold," he gasps getting into the imagery. 
"I melt for you Walter when you pump into me. And then, damn 
- when you come it feels like warm honey. I love feeling that 
inside too. Jesus, Walter you are one hell of a stud." I finish, 
groaning hard as I shut my eyes. 
He rumbles a brief laugh and kisses my back as he eases 
against me. He's in up to his big, tight balls. 
"And you're one beautiful asshole, Fox." 
"I'll take that as a compliment." 
"Take this as one too," he growls as he draws out and then 
thrusts slowly forward. 
"Oh God, no kidding," I moan. 
"I'm gonna do you nice and slow, baby. Is that the way you 
want it?" 
"Oh yeah. Deep. Slow and deep. Can you do it?" 
"No sweat. Feel it? In and out...real easy...just like that. I can 
see it baby. God damn. I can see it all." 
"Fuck yes. Feel that?" I whimper. I'm pushing against him as he 
drives in. It's the best. I know he can feel the muscles rippling 
around him. 
"Uhhh, God," he grunts, "Keep it up." 
"Gahhhhod..." I moan. I start humping in time with his long slow 
thrusts. 
"You wanna come?" he gasps trying to reach forward to crank 
me. 
"Oh jesus, yeah...s'good. So good. Fuck me." I hardly know 
where I am. He's got a hold of my hard on with one strong 
hand. I thrust into his fist. 
"Oh baby," he cries out as I writhe under him. He steadies my 
hips a little with his other hand, but lightly so I can keep moving. 
He's breathing and grunting, straining to keep the slow pace. It's 
phenomonal. 
I can't even think. I can't even think. Oh Jesus it's too much. 
Walter's control is unbelievable. How he can keep from really 
ramming it home I'll never know. He's drawing out and pushing 
in so slowly and senuously my breath is taken away. We rock 
together like that for ages it seems. Yeah- rock of ages. Oh hell. 
His cock's like rock. Rock and roll. Oh damn. I'm gone. That's 
it. 
Finally it's too much for him too. 
"Fuck. I'm dying. I gotta..." 
"Do it lover. Hard. Oh Lord," I moan and he takes the cue in 
spades, grinding against me after the next back thrust like 
there's no tomorrow. He's pummeling me, pumping like hell. All 
I can do is whimper with the exquisite pressure up my ass and 
the friction of his hand on my engorged cock. 
It doesn't take long after that for both of us to climax. He hits 
my prostate and I come first. Walter erupts soon afterwards, 
letting out a breathless inarticulate yowl. I'm moaning his name 
over and over until finally I lapse into gasping. We collapse, 
laughing, in a tangle of arms and legs, cum, sweat and 
Astroglide. Walter pulls out carefully and pulls me over to face 
him. 
"You look well fucked," he laughs deeply, still huffing from his 
labors. 
"You know it," I grin, "You really are incredible, you smug 
bastard." 
"I'm toasted you crazy fucker," he grins, "I haven't had this 
much in a while. Fuck - I haven't had any unless you count 
jerking off. I gotta build up my stamina." 
/Needs to build up his stamina? What the fuck?/ 
"If your worried - take your vitamins Tarzan. You're gonna be 
getting a hell of a lot more." 
"Tarzan?" 
"Would you prefer Jane?" 
"Can that idea," he rumbles his laughter. 
"Cheetah?" 
"Muther! Let's try King *fucking* Kong, baby!" 
We're both laughing helplessly for a few moments. When the 
mirth finally subsides Walter is the first to speak. 
"Hey, I gotta get a wash cloth or something..." he glances 
down. 
"Uh, maybe we'd better shower again," I reply sheepishly.  
"Sounds like a plan," he nods. 
xXx 
Later, showered, and dressed in sweats Walter is snoozing on 
the couch. I've pulled on a clean pair of my own sweat pants 
and another t-shirt from my over night duffel. As I redress I 
muse that we probably won't be keeping our date with Wesley 
Snipes tonight. Oh well, I can probably catch *Blade* with the 
LGM sometime before it leaves the theater. It'll be right up their 
alley. No sweat. Lucky we got back to my apartment last night 
as well, I consider. Walter fed my fish and I'd collected the mail. 
I'm definitely staying her until tomorrow. My cars fine on the 
street. Walter mentioned he checked on it earlier. I have a suit 
and a couple of fresh shirts locked up in the trunk too. Dry 
cleaning I luckily procastinated on taking out of there. Yup. I'll 
settle in for the night. Righty right. 
I feel suddenly domestic and go up and change the sheets on 
Walter's bed. It's the least I can do. Well fucked didn't even 
come close. God! My Martha Stewart mood continues so I 
head towards the kitchen to make some coffee. I'd warm up the 
rest of the Dim Sum but we left it lying out in our hurry to ball 
each other. Wouldn't want passion to result in food poisoning 
now would we? When I retrieve the Dim Sum and half full beer 
bottles from the coffee table, Walter doesn't even hear me, 
bless his studly heart. I quietly pick up the plates and make my 
way to the kitchen. I dump the leftovers and put the plates in the 
dishwasher. 
Coffee done, I take the mugs back into the living room area. He 
had the TV on the Skins game with the sound on low before he 
fell asleep. I take the remote and turn it off. I sit down on the 
edge of the coffee table and study him for a moment. He looks 
so handsome. Younger. At peace. But even in slumber his face 
is finally chiseled with the strength of his character. 
He's magnificent in repose. I watch his chest gently rise and fall 
for a couple more seconds and then touch his foot. He jerks 
awake, startled. 
"Shit, I'm sorry!" I bark and pull back as his leg spasms out at 
me. 
"Oh, s'ok. What's up?" 
"Want some coffee?" I indicate the mugs I've placed on the 
coffee table. 
He sits up and nods, "Hey, thanks." 
"I tossed the Dim Sum." 
"Read my mind," he smiles. "I've got some ham and swiss 
cheese. Rye bread. You want a sandwich?" 
"All right. Sounds good." 
As Walter gets up and heads for the kitchen a cell phone rings. 
Both our phones are lying on the coffee table. He turns back.  
"Mine or yours?" 
I glance over at the phones. 
"Mine." I frown. The caller ID says it's Scully. "It's Scully." 
"Scully?" 
"Yeah," I reply, reaching quickly for the phone. I know Scully 
wouldn't have called here unless it was something really 
important. She's a hell of a lot more considerate than me that 
way most of the time. She would have considered a phone call 
an interruption unless it was critical. 
I toggle the send button, "Mulder." 
"Do you have the TV on?" she asks without preamble. 
"No." 
"Put on CNN, Mulder," she advises. 
"Put the TV on CNN," I toss at Walter and continue talking to 
Scully. 
"What's going on?" I ask her. 
"More like what's going down," she replies. 
"Fresno?" 
"Bingo." 
Walter has the TV on by this time and we watch in stunned 
silence as the commentator describes a surprise raid on a 
massive crystal Meth operation in the hills near Fresno, 
California. Labs, underground bunkers, guns, the works. The 
raid was conducted by Fresno PD, the DEA and the local FBI 
field office. The report goes on to say that the small army of 
perps use of refitted helicopters to smuggle out their product 
had given rise to numerous reports of UFO activity in the area. 
The local branch of MUFON had been instrumental in helping to 
crack the case. 
"So much for going to sunny California," I breathe into the 
phone. 
"So much for coming in peace," Walter hisses. I bark a laugh. 
"What's so funny?" Scully asks. 
"Oh, sorry. Walter just made a joke." 
"Well I just wanted you to see the report," she sighs. I can tell 
she's a little let down. She was looking forward to our Monday 
night before the plane flight. Well, hell, I'm not going to break 
our date just because the case is a bust. 
I glance at Walter and raise an eyebrow. He gets the hint that I 
want a minute alone on the phone. 
"I'll go make those sandwiches," he offers. I nod and he leaves 
for the kitchen. 
"He's making sandwiches for you now? My my," Scully needles 
suggestively. She knows the quickest way to my heart is 
sometimes through the bottomless pit I call a stomach. 
"Yeah. We're noshing. Listen, Dana, about our date Monday 
night..." 
"Yes." 
"I'll bring the wine." 
"We're still on?" I can hear the pleasure in her voice. Bless her 
red head. We'll have to have a long talk about how much she 
means to me and why she doesn't have to worry about Walter 
as competition or any equally foolish ideas that may be rattling 
around in her sometimes overly analytical mind. 
"Mais oui. You know I don't ditch my best girl anymore."  
She trills her laughter, "Well I have held you to that one, haven't 
I?" 
"Yes and I've been a good boy." 
"Yes you have, Fox. Now be extra good and bring a nice red 
wine. I've got some homemade lasagna in the freezer." 
"Sounds scrumptious." 
"So, I'll see you tomorrow at the Hoover." 
"Love you." 
"Love you too, Mulder." 
Click. 
xXx 
"Walter?" 
"Hmm?" 
"Give me some of the covers, man." 
"Oh, sorry Mulder. I'm not used to having someone in here I 
guess. Here..." 
"Thanks." 
"Snuggle up if you're cold." 
"Ok." 
"Better?" 
"Much." 
"Put your arms around me, lover." 
"Like this?" 
"Yeah, that's great, Fox." 
"Walter?" 
"What?" 
"I'm glad you told me you were sore. You know we have to be 
honest about that kind of stuff now." 
"Yeah. I know. No problem. You were sore too after all."  
"You didn't mind that we didn't..." 
"Hmm? Hell no. I was more than happy to suck cock. No 
worries." 
"You're talented there, Main Man." 
"Well I had a good teacher." 
"True." 
"Mouthy bastard." 
"Flattery will get you nowhere." 
"I'll remember that the next time you tell me you like my great 
big cock." 
"Oops." 
"Yeah, watch it buster." 
"I can't miss it, even in the dark." 
"Hey, bud, leggo. I gotta get some shut eye here. I'm an old 
man remember?" 
"You're only 46." 
"And I wanna make 47." 
"All right, all right. But listen, Walter..." 
"Yuh..."
"You'll see my doctor from now on?" 
"Yeah, babe. Makes logical sense. I'm not tied to my current 
doctor. He's kind of a jerkwad actually. I've been looking to 
change for a while anyway." 
"Good." 
"Hey, look man, it's midnight. I gotta crash here or my sore ass 
will be draggin' tomorrow." 
"I hear ya, Walter. Good night." 
"Good night Fox, sweet dreams." 
"I think they will be, Walter. I really do." 
xXx 
I made it into work on time Monday morning. Walter and I both 
did actually. No sweat, and no one was the wiser. I even took 
my morning run with Walter. We left his apartment separately 
and met up casually on the corner. Just too guys, running 
buddies out in the clear, cold October air. I'd already thrown my 
junk in the trunk of my car. I decided to go home to get 
showered, changed and shaved after all. It just seemed more 
safe. Walter said his across the hall neighbor might show up. 
So we did the run bit and I split. It was ok. We'd had more than 
a perfect weekend. He had mentioned he wanted Scully and I 
to submit a report of our original theories and information on the 
Fresno UFO sightings. He knew the SAC out in Fresno and was 
going to have the report faxed to him as additional back ground 
on the case. The report would be fairly easy for us to do. I drove 
in putting all that together in my mind. I was still grinning over 
the weekend. I was practically floating as a matter of fact. 
When I got to the Hoover parking garage exit door I heard a 
familiar voice that served to widen my already large smile even 
further. 
"Agent Mulder!" 
"Ah! Agent Scully, good morning." 
Scully crosses the remaining space between us with efficient 
clicks of her delightfully high heeled feet. She draws up beside 
me, briefcase swinging as I reach for the door handle. She pops 
me lightly in the thigh with the briefcase. 
"Quit your grinnin' and drop your linen," she hisses. 
I crack up as I pull open the metal door. 
"All in good time, Agent Scully, all in good time." 
"I suppose we do have work to do today," she laughs in return 
as we enter the Hoovers lobby. 
"Yes. Skinner wants us to write up our notes on the Fresno 
case. He's going to fax them to the local office out there just for 
shits and giggles, I guess." 
Funny. It's Skinner now that I'm in the Hoover. Well, I can 
hardly call him Walter in front of anyone else. Better to start 
being formal even with Scully. She perceptively picks up on the 
idea and doesn't chide me for it. 
"Well, that shouldn't be too hard." 
"Nah. We're scheduled to meet with him at 2. It should be easy 
to have the report done by then." 
"All right. What's on the docket after that?" 
I turn and we stop a moment. I look in her eyes. 
"I'm hoping we don't have anything on the docket for the rest of 
the week. I think...I mean we need to talk through..." I let my 
voice trail off and look around the lobby. Everyone is going their 
own way, minding their own business. 
Scully sighs, "Right. Issues." 
"No shit." 
"All right. I'm game I guess. Are we going to do this at 2, when 
we meet with the AD?" 
"Fuck, I hope not." 
"Well when? Please don't say tonight..." 
"Oh hell no. You and I will talk tonight. Walter...well maybe we 
can arrange something for tomorrow night so we can all get 
together then. Let's just see how this plays out at 2." 
"Well I have a few ideas..." 
"Really. God, I hope so. This one has got my guts in garters." 
"Yeah, well...maybe you're too close to the situation to 
think...clearly," she smiles sardonically. 
"Are you implying sex makes me stupid..." 
She raises an eyebrow and walks on. 
"Oh thanks!" I gripe under my breath. 
"God, I feel like Dear fucking Abby sometimes," Scully 
chuckles wryly, as we head for the guard's station. 
"Hey, don't you mean Doctor Ruth?" I smirk, giving her leg my 
own gentle brief case tap. 
"Hey, Stretch! Is that a cut about my height?" 
xXx 
"He'll see you now," Kimberly Cook advises us as she replaces 
her phone receiver back on the cradle. She's smiling. There's a 
delicate bunch of flowers on her desk with a little tag that says 
*Happy Secretary's Day*. 
Scully stops for a second to admire the bouquet, "These are 
lovely, Kim." 
"Yeah, they smell good," I add taking a whiff. My goodness 
Walter must have been in a rare mood this morning. I bet Kim 
would drop her eye teeth if she knew why. Oh baby. 
"Don't they?" she whispers almost covertly, "You know this is 
the first time he's remembered Secretary's day first thing in the 
morning. Usually he panics because he's forgotten it and then 
comes in with something later. It's funny. I don't know what got 
into him." 
I practically bray a really loud laugh and Scully kicks my ankle 
out of Kim's line of sight. I jump slightly and Scully gives me the 
look. Kim gazes at us in mystification. 
"Well, you'd better get on in there. We don't want to wreck this 
unprecedented good mood now do we?" she finally says, 
inclining her head towards Walter's office door. I clutch the file 
folder with our report in it tightly in my hand, swallow hard and 
usher Scully forward. 
"Sit down," Walter indicates the two familiar chairs that lie in 
wait in front of his desk. 
We do as ordered of course. Business as usual. As it should be. 
"So, what do you have for me on Fresno." 
I hand him his copy of the report out of the file folder. Scully 
takes hers from me as well and we settle back to do battle.  
But the battle proves to be barely a skirmish. Scully and I go 
through the formalities, alternating viewpoints on the case. It's 
all easy as pie. Walter, listens, nods, takes notes. Objects where 
it's expected. Agrees where it makes sense to agree. Ends up 
endorsing the report. Gives his congratulations. Stamp of 
approval. Painless. Whew! I don't mind routine. Especially when 
it helps me to procrastinate. Especially when I'm about to piss 
my pants I'm so nervous. 
"I'll be faxing this to Jim Dawkins out in Fresno. I'd like you both 
to be available for any follow up questions he may have later." 
"Fine, sir. No problem," I nod. OK, here's my opening. 
"As a matter of fact, Agent Scully and I will be researching a 
new case all this week. We don't have plans to go into the 
field."  
"Ah, I see," he looks at me with a raised eyebrow. 
"We'll be putting in a little overtime on the research this 
evening." 
Scully is looking down at her hands and she shoots me an 
embarrassed look. Oh for crying out loud. So she's upset 
because Walter knows we're going to be boppin' tonight? I give 
up. I can't deal with that right now. I'm trying to be circumspect 
here but obviously she doesn't even want me to do that. And I 
know this sounds idiotic - but I've forgotten if they did the bug 
suck on the Hoover this past weekend. I mean...shit. My brain 
was definitely South. What can I say? 
Walter spreads his hands, "I can authorize some overtime, 
Agent Mulder." 
"Oh fuck this," I blurt out and Walter frowns . Scully frowns as 
well. 
"We should meet in the SIOC. We know that room is bug 
proof," she scowls. 
"No shit," Walter nods, "but we should be ok here. They did the 
*bug hunt* over the weekend." 
Both of us stare at each other for another awkward second or 
two and then Walter makes the observation that's on all our 
minds.  
"So, I take it you two are going to brainstorm in ah, private this 
evening." 
Oh fuck, now his ears are turning red.. He's embarrassed that 
I'm getting it on with the other half here. I have to admit it's 
kinda cute but all this is starting to annoy the hell out of me. 
"Yes, we need to brainstorm. Because if we don't we're all going 
to be in deep shit." 
Walter scowls even deeper and Scully sighs. 
"Yes, I guess you guys could use a feminine perspective on this 
operation," Scully volunteers tensely. Walter swivels his head, 
takes in her tight demeanour and tries to unclench his jaw. He 
almost manages to look more relaxed. He lowers his voice to a 
more tranquil level. 
"I hope to hell you have some ideas, Scully because I'm fresh 
out on this Halloween thing. I'm going to have to escort AD 
Cassidy to the ball. And I guess Mulder told you she has further, 
more...elaborate plans for the evening." 
Scully raises an eyebrow and gives a wry twitch of her lips, "So 
I gather. Can't you beg off? I mean plead illness. The flu is 
going around." 
"I'm never ill, Agent Scully. Shot in the gut, but never felled by 
the flu," Walter grumbles. 
Scully shrugs. "Well if she's determined to keep you in her 
clutches after this Halloween shingding we'll have to come up 
with some kind of..." 
"Oh take my word for it Scully - Jana was in here this morning 
already, salivating." Walter interrupts. He looks like he could 
swig an entire bottle of Maalox. 
"Jesus," I breathe. 
"Well she said it was to talk about that mess Spender got 
himself into down in Virginia but she was panting, let me tell 
you. She let drop that's she reserved a suite at the hotel for the 
evening so she won't have to drive home drunk." 
"Can't she take a cab?" Scully inquires in exasperation."  
"Oh Yeah. Right," I hiss. 
Scully rolls her eyes, "Well I'd have to admit that does look 
pretty grim." 
"Exactly," Walter nods. He looks stricken. Scully takes in his 
face with a hint of sympathy at last. She squares her shoulders. 
"Ok, look. Don't worry, Walter. I have some ideas. Uh...and I 
don't see why we shouldn't have a plan of attack by 
say...tomorrow evening." 
"Oh, well...very good," Walter replies. He looks relieved. 
Thankful. Scully ventures a tentative smile. 
"Yeah, so how about dinner - some neutral place so we can talk 
strategy?" Scully suggests magnaimously. 
Oh La Scully. Points for you woman! She amazes me I'll tell 
you! 
"I don't believe this crap," Walter shakes his head in 
bemusement. 
"Crap or not man, your ass is grass if we don't come up with a 
plan." I insist heatedly. /Jesus, Walter do not look a gift horse in 
the mouth./ 
Walter raises a hand, "All right. Yeah, I know." 
"So..." 
"So, let me know time and place and I'll be there. But hell, make 
it someplace discreet and quiet. Not that fucking...disco from 
the other night." 
"How about a more sedate steakhouse? Some place with a 
good prime rib?" I suggest. 
"Ok. That should work." Walter divines my meaning when I put 
my verbal emphasis on the words steak and prime rib. Club 219 
has the best prime rib in town and of course it's been a topic of 
conversation with us. 
"8 PM at the club then?" 
"Good. I'll show up." 
"All right. Is that ok with you Scully?" 
"Works for me." she frowns a bit. I know she's not familiar with 
Club 219 and has no idea what the hell we're talking about. But 
she caught the suggestiveness in my voice and the fact that I 
glanced around the room. Shit, I'm still not convinced the bug 
sweep is effective. Why give up the names of all the good gay 
clubs, hey? Fuck. I'll give her the particulars later. She seems to 
understand because she nods her head a little at the end. 
"All right. Great." 
We stare at each other, blinking, for several more seconds and 
then Walter seems to come back to the land of the living. 
"Anything else?" 
"No sir," Scully offers, glancing at me. 
"No sir, that about covers it." 
"You're dismissed then." 
xXx 
"I like this wine, Mulder." 
"So I done good?" 
"Very good." 
"Well the lasagna was A-1 too." 
"It's a sin to like your own cooking, but yeah, I have to agree 
with you there." 
I chuckle a little as she sips the wine. We're sitting naked on her 
bed, enjoying our second glass each after our little after dinner 
entertainment. Some people smoke. Well, I quit years ago. So, 
we sip wine after a wild fuck. It suits. 
Scully is nestled against my chest, in the crook of my arm, and 
I'm propped up on several cushy pillows against her headboard. 
She's still flushed and fetchingly lovely. Her skin is glowing with 
a rosy pinkness over the tops of her tits and her nipples are still 
temptingly swollen. I can see her upper lip is still graced with a 
tiny bit of sweat. I rub my leg against hers and she lets out a 
little sigh. 
It dosn't sound like a sigh of complete contentment so I raise an 
eyebrow. 
"You want to talk?" 
"About Jana Cassidy?" 
"No, Dana. About us, if that's what's on your mind." 
She shifts out of my arms and moves to look at me. Her wine 
glass goes on the night stand. I sit up cross legged and we face 
each other. 
"Mulder, I have to tell you I'm kind of uncomfortable about this 
thing." 
"About us or about Walter and me?" 
"About all of it." 
I sigh and put my wine glass next to hers on the night stand. 
"Scully...you know I love you." 
"I don't doubt that at all, Mulder. I love you too." 
"And you told me you didn't mind if I...well you didn't object to 
Walter on Saturday night. You said I could have done worse."  
"I know it's just that..." 
"You're not jealous are you?" I ask gently, touching her knee. 
"Maybe a little. I mean. Oh shit. That's part of it I suppose. I 
can't lie and say I'm comfortable with sharing you. Even with 
someone as marvlously perfect as Walter Skinner." 
Her voice is heavy with sarcasm and I wrinkle my brow. 
"I'm sorry. That...that's probably not fair...." 
"No, go ahead. Tell me. I want to hear your concerns, Scully." 
"Listen to them and I'll be happy." 
"I thought we were past that..." 
She shrugs. Ok fair enough. I am still guilty as charged there on 
ocassion. 
"All right. Point taken. I really am listening." 
She nods and looks me straight in the eye. 
"All right look. I guess I am having more trouble with this 
arrangement than I thought I would. I...I can't compartimentalize 
my relationships as well as you do, Mulder." 
"Compartimentalize?" 
"Well that's as close as I can come to a definition. I mean you're 
the psychologist. You tell me what you're doing." 
"Staying sane." 
"Oh fuck, Fox." 
"I mean it Dana. I...I need you both. You can tell that can't 
you?" 
She sighs deeply and looks down at her hands. 
"Yeah, I can see it. It scares the shit out of me too." 
"What are you trying to say, Scully?" 
"It scares me because I'm not sure I can get used to this whole 
idea. And if I can't what the hell are you going to do then, 
Mulder?" 
I look down at my hands. There's a terrible sinking feeling in my 
guts. I press my hands together because they've started to 
tremble. 
"I know this is hard to understand..." I venture.
"But I can comprehend where you're standing logically, Mulder. 
Hell. I have to admit you're the other face to my coin too. I 
mean after five years of yin and yang that's a little hard not to 
understand. But emotionally...Fuck I don't know. I'm doing the 
best I can here. Can you just cut me some slack? I guess I 
need some time. I'm trying. I really am. Be patient. Ok?" 
I smile wanly and nod. It's all I can ask. I can only hope she'll 
find her way around the situation. That she'll be able to wrap her 
mind around the issue and accept matters. If she doesn't - she's 
right. I don't know what the hell I'll do either. 
"But damn it, Mulder. Walter Skinner. I mean..." 
"So you are still bothered it's Walter?" 
"Bothered? I don't think that does what I'm feeling justice at all. 
Doesn't even come close." 
"He likes you, Scully. I think he's getting used to the idea that..." 
"Mulder I don't dislike *him*. I even feel honest to God 
sympathy for him in this situation. I mean I've been there. 
Unwanted sexual attention is sexual harassment Mulder. No 
matter what gender is on the receiving end." 
"Well I know he appreciates your efforts." 
"I'm sure he does, Mulder. But I'm just not his bosome buddy. 
I'm not even sure I want to be. I respect him but I've never felt 
close to him. I mean, come on. You know what I'm saying. For 
years I've thought of Walter as the boss." 
"I know you distrusted him..." 
"Well I did. But that's water under the bridge. I know he's on the 
level now. I've appreciated his kindnesses to us and me in 
particular. I mean I can't overlook what he did for me during my 
cancer. Good Lord." 
"I know." 
"But, Mulder you're right when you've said in the past that he 
scares me a little. I mean the persona I've been relating to for 5 
years precludes thinking of him as anything other than my 
superior. You can't just expect me to throw over 5 years of 
protocal and formality just because *your* boffing the boss can 
you?" 
"You mean you never thought of him that way?" 
"What? As a potential lover? Get real." 
"Well...no. But weren't you ever attracted to him?" 
"Oh of course I looked at his ass now and again He's an 
intelligent, handsome and yes, I'm beginning to realize, 
compassionate man, Mulder. But when you come right down to 
it - uh...he's not really my type. And hell, I guess I'm not his 
either," she shakes her head in wonder. She looks up and pins 
my eyes.  
I reach forward, grasp her chin and stroke it gently. 
She smiles at me and my heart quickens because I see hope in 
her look. I can see the love under the confusion and worry. I 
grab hold of that spark and let it warm my frozen soul. 
"Scully, I love you. I love Walter too. But if this is going to hurt 
you, to...to make you so uncomfortable that you don't want to 
be involved with me any longer...I'll try to cope. I don't want to 
ever hurt you again. I mean it. Never." 
"Oh, Mulder," she sighs and moves close, hugging me. I wrap 
my arms around her. 
"I'm sorry," I murmer into her hair. 
"It's all right. I...just give me some time. Let's...let's get through 
this Halloween Ball fiasco in the making and see what 
transpires. I guess we can talk to Walter tomorrow night. Oh 
who knows. Maybe if I see him in a more informal setting again 
it will help me to get used to the dynamics." 
"I really appreciate your willingness to help, Scully." 
"Well I volunteered. And I do have an embryonic plan of sorts, 
G-man," she giggles letting go of me and straightening up. "You 
want to hear it?" 
"I am most definitely all ears, G-woman." 
xXx 
The door to Club 219 looms ahead of me. I pull the collar of my 
leather jacket up around my ears. It's a chilly night, somewhat 
colder than I thought it would be. I've come here in my own car 
and had to park it down the block despite the fact it's a Tuesday 
night. Well, the club is popular. A classy place with a sedate gay 
clientele. 
I had to drive my own wheels because Scully told me she might 
be late. She's coming in her own transportation. Walter is 
coming by cab. The Chevy's out. It's way too ostentatious. The 
Crown Vic? Well he's got the fucking Interceptor package. 
What do you think that tank looks like? Yeah, right. It screams 
Fed. So this is a real undercover rendevous. If we weren't so 
desperate I'd be dying of laughter. Instead I'm practically dying 
inside. 
Scully took Tuesday off from work. Part of the op. Part of what 
we are now terming *The J-File*. Things to do, people to see. 
She did phone to say her part of the operation was proceeding 
smoothly. God, I'm glad about that fact. I had my doubts there I 
can tell you! Oh yes. 
I myself made a strategic call on the LGM this afternoon. I'll be 
seeing them all tomorrow night. Fucking bribery. Man, four 
tickets to *Blade* out of my pocket just for starters. There will 
be more...*little* favors later. Well, hell, it's more than worth it. 
Once again, part of the big plan. Now all that remains is to clue 
Walter in - and hope we don't get any fireworks. My stomach is 
full of butterflies as I open the club door and walk in. 
One of the bartenders acting as Maitre D ushers me to a 
pleasant booth in a quiet corner. I tell him I'm meeting two 
friends and he sets three table settings for us. I tell him I'll wait 
for them to arrive before I order. He nods and leaves me to my 
fate. 
I watch the door. Scully shows up first. I see her scan the room 
carefully. I catch her eye and she strides confidently back to 
where I'm sitting. Several heads turn to mark her progress. Ok, 
she's the only woman in here. Everyone loses interest fairly 
quickly once the novelty wears off, however. By the time she 
reaches the booth no one is giving her a second thought. 
I stand up and help her out of her trench coat. It joins my leather 
coat on the hook next to the booth. She chaffs her arms a little. 
"God, it's nippy out," she breathes on her hands. Her face is a 
little red. But man she looks so alive! So pretty. Her eyes catch 
the light in the bar and sparkle. I smile gently at her and she 
smiles back. 
"Yeah. I was a little surprised by it," I nod indicating the booth 
bench seats. She slides in on one side of the table and I sit on 
the opposite side so we can talk face to face. 
"Do you want to order? How about some coffee?" I suggest.  
"Do they have hot chocolate here?" she grins glancing towards 
the bar, "I could use some." 
"I think they do, hang on." I motion for the waiter. He arrives 
swiftly. 
"Do you have hot chocolate?" 
"As a matter of fact, we do. And hot cider if you'd like to take a 
chance on it." he offers taking out his pad and pencil. 
"Oh, well I'd like the cider I guess. Scully?" 
"Hot chocolate for me." 
"Would you like to order food as well or wait for your friend?" he 
asks looking at the third place setting." 
"We'll wait." 
"All right, one hot chocolate and one hot cider coming right up." 
he nods very business like and walks off towards the kitchen 
door. 
Once the waiter is gone Scully cuts to the chase. 
"Well, success. Mulder. My mother is in the loop." 
"God, Dana. I still can't believe you even..." 
"Look, Fox. I think it was about time I talked to her about us 
anyway. So, she's thrilled there let me tell you. Oh for heaven's 
sake. She pretty much suspected everything anyway. She's 
just been holding her own counsel out of respect for us. But 
she's been fantasizing you as a son in law for a while." 
"Yikes, well...." 
Scully sighs, "Yeah, I know. I'm not really interested in going 
there either. But I think I've convinced her you're slow in asking. 
Or at least that you're not ready to settle down any time soon." 
"Oh right. Thanks." I reply sarcastically. 
"Listen, don't act like an asshole now. This isn't easy. My 
mother's not totally happy about that situation so she'll nag. I'll 
have to handle it." 
"I know but..." 
"Mulder! What was I going to tell her? That we wouldn't be 
setting up house unless it would be a *bi-level*? Come on." 
"Ok. You're right. And speaking of bi-levels. How the hell did 
you handle *Wally World*?" 
She looks down at the table. Oh oh. 
"Mulder, that part was a little tricky." 
Just as she says that the waiter arrives with our drinks. Both of 
us shut up instantly as he desposits them in front of us. 
"Thanks," I incline my head towards him. 
"You're welcome. Just holler when you want to order." 
"Will do," Scully replies. 
I glance towards the front door and at my watch. 8:30. Where 
the hell is Walter? 
"I had to tell my mother he's gay," Scully whispers as I'm still 
looking for my undercover man. My head snaps back towards 
her.  
"What?" 
"I said I had to tell my mother he's gay. I didn't know what else 
to do." 
"Oh for Christ's sake, Scully." 
"She'll be discrete about it. She likes Walter. Always has. He 
was very kind to her during Melissa and during my cancer after 
all. He even went to dinner with her that one time. Lent a 
shoulder to cry on. She knows he's a good man. She's not 
going to narc on him for God's sake. She could care less 
anyway." 
I shrug, "All right, I guess I can understand that. But still...the 
less people who know about his being gay the better." 
"Well what the fuck did you tell Byers?" 
"All right," I sigh, "I told Byers too. I told all the guys in fact. Oh 
fuck. They would have found out eventually. And anyway - 
they've known I swing both ways for years." 
"Fine. I guess they're paranoid enough not to spill their guts." 
"No problem there. But I will have to tell them your mother isn't 
in the know. I'll handle that tonight when I get home." 
"Ok." 
"Now, what about the rest? Your mother agreed to all of it?"  
"Right. She'll accompany you to the Renaissance Hotel 
Saturday as your date. She more than understands about Jana 
Cassidy believe me. She's seen her type before - as a Navy 
wife she's seen it all actually. She's more than willing to help 
Walter get out of this situation with his...secret intact." 
I notice a commotion at the front of the bar. It draws my 
attention away from Scully. 
"Oh, hang on. Here's our man now," I nod towards the entrance. 
Walter has just entered. He's still dressed in his Fibbie day wear, 
including trench coat, but man he looks strikingly handsome. 
Several men at the bar have turned and one guy around his age 
gets up to greet him. The guy is shaking his hand and slapping 
Walter on the back. Walter's smiling and talking. I notice the guy 
has looked in our direction, caught my face, and he's slapping 
Walter's back harder. I'm a little red now. I guess I'd better get 
used to that type of thing if Walter and I ever get out in the 
community. It's nice though to see he has some buddies 
amongst his contemporaries. It's nice they're happy for him as 
well. He breaks away finally and comes back towards us. 
"Cold night," he says when he draws up next to us. He removes 
his coat placing it on the hook. He stands staring down at us for 
a second. I can tell he's unsure where he should sit. I know 
where he wants to sit though. Before I can break the ice, Scully 
takes the lead. 
"Have a seat sir," she gestures to the bench spot next to me. 
That's my Scully, bless her red head. Walter nods, smiling 
slightly, and slides in next to me. His thigh touches mine. 
Suddenly the night is a lot less cold. 
"You want some coffee to get rid of the chill?" I venture, 
glancing at him. 
"Sounds great. And some food. I'm starving. You guys must be 
too. Sorry I'm late. I got waylaid by Burton. No big deal. Routine 
departmental bull shit. He wanted you for a VCS consult, 
Mulder." 
"Oh lovely," I can't keep the chaffing out of my voice, damn it, 
"When?" 
"I'm not loaning you out on this one. It's ludicrous. He can use 
his own man. I told him Agent Gallago is a fine profiler and he 
should have more confidence in his abilities." 
"Are you sure, Walter?" I ask raising an eyebrow. I don't want 
our relationship to color the way Walter would normally run his 
department after all. The day to day Bureau business should be 
business as usual or we're all sunk. 
"I'm sure. It's a run of the mill case. Gallago's new that's all. 
Burton's just not sure about him yet. Don't sweat it." 
He gestures for the waiter and the guy is back double quick with 
his pad and pencil again. He orders coffee and we order 
burgers and fries all around, even Scully, to keep it simple. The 
waiter exits and we all stare at each other. 
"So?" he asks raising an eyebrow and extending his hands palm 
up on the table top. And then as a quick after thought he adds, 
"And look, Scully, I really appreciate your help with this 
situation. I hope you realize I really mean it." 
"No problem, sir." 
"Walter." 
"All right, Walter. Uh. Mulder and I were just discussing 
my...plan." 
"Well, I'm more than ready to listen," he nods settling back. The 
waiter brings a pot of coffee and 3 fresh mugs. We all switch 
over to caffeine. 
Scully begins to illuminate for Walter. I sit back as well waiting 
to contribute my part of the equation. 
"First of all, you're going to have to escort AD Cassidy to the 
hotel. That much is obvious. Mulder and I are going as well. But 
not together." 
Walter's eyebrows arch up. But he's listening without 
interruption. Just like in the office. Ok. So far so good. 
"Mulder will be escorting my mother. And I'm going with..." she 
glances at me quickly. 
"John Byers," I assure her. 
"Byers? As in strip Byers naked, Byers!?" 
"Right," I nod. 
"And your mother?" he asks Scully in wonder. 
"Yup." 
"Oh brother. Well, continue. I can hardly wait to hear the rest of 
this operation," he sighs half in wry amusement and half in 
genuine interest. 
Scully smiles wryly as well, and plunges on. 
"I've told my mother that Jana is harrassing you sexually. I 
explained that she backed you into a corner in getting you to 
invite her to the ball. In addition she knows you haven't been 
able to bow out of squiring Jana gracefully. You know, Bureau 
politics and such." 
"Uh, Scully, you're mother isn't going to ah...mistake this for 
some kind of real date? I mean she's a wonderful woman. I 
don't want to compromise her - or hurt her feelings in any way," 
he fumbles awkwardly. 
"Oh, well there's no danger of that Walter. I...uh...I told her you 
were gay." 
Walter's thoat convulses, "You what?" 
"I explained you were gay." 
"Shit on a shingle. Scully. Your mother?" 
"No. It's ok, Walter. Really. She's fine with it. She can be very 
discrete and she really could care less. She considers you a 
friend Walter. She respects you and appreciates your past 
kindnesses. Your sexuality means squat, truthfully. Besides I 
told her Mulder and I were having a relationship so she's much 
more caught up with that issue anyway." 
"Oh Christ," Walter runs his hand over his face just as the waiter 
brings our burgers and fries. We wait again as he places the 
food in front of us and leaves the table, "You didn't tell her I was 
having a...relationship with him too did you?" 
"No, I did omit that little item," Scully assures him archly. 
"Thank you, that's a relief," Walter rumbles sincerely. 
"Don't mention it." 
Oh lady. She looks so cute when she's smug. I get even 
warmer. 
"You still hungry big man?" I ask quietly. His face is a little 
green. 
"Yeah, Yeah. And I'm still listening. Go on," he insists, picking up 
a couple of fries and chomping them down. 
Scully and I do the same, chewing eagerly. Both of us were 
really starving. Scully proceeds with the narrative. She's taken a 
big bite of her burger so she can't talk as well. She mumbles 
around the food. 
"Mulder I guess I need to know whether the LGM are going to 
come through on their part of the bargain here," she says. Ok 
so it's my turn to contribute. 
"Yeah. Byers is going to escort Scully. In addition we have a 
safe house of sorts set up. Someplace for us to rendevous 
once...well, once the action plays out." 
"Yet another damn safe house?" Walter grates. 
Scully swallows and raises an eyebrow. 
"Long story," I volunteer taking a bite of my own burger. Scully 
shrugs. Walter take a large bite of his burger. I chew quickly 
and swallow so I can continue. 
"Frohike is going to reserve the Penthouse suite. Total privacy. 
He'll give Byers the keys. Byers will pass one key to you, one to 
me and one to Scully. The suite is reserved under the alias 
"Benjamin Dover." 
"Oh fuck that little troll," Walter barks a grim laugh. He almost 
chokes on his burger. He manages to get it down however 
without spitting it on the table top. 
"I know. But I had to let him have his little joke. Besides, "Mr. 
Ben Dover will be easy to remember." 
"Whatever. So what's going down here agents? I'm sorry to be 
ungrateful but this is starting to sound like a fucking Marx 
Brothers movie." 
Scully puts her burger down on her plate and looks carefully at 
Walter. 
"Byers has also reserved a room in his own name. It's meant to 
look like we'll be spending the night together at the hotel."  
"But what about..." 
"I'm getting to it here, Walter, hang on." 
Walter is silent and Scully gets to the heart of the matter.  
"Mulder told me that the night Jana button holed you into this 
mess you told her you needed to get home because someone 
was waiting for you, right?" 
"Right," he replies glancing at me with a small smile. Oh man! I 
almost drop my burger in my lap. 
"Well, during the evening my mother is going to make sure Jana 
finds out it was her waiting for you at home." 
"No way." 
"Oh yeah. She's really into this Walter. I mean this part was her 
idea. And once she gets an idea in her head it's hard to dissuade 
her too. So..." 
"You mean she's going to stake her claim or something?" 
Walter hisses. 
"You bettcha. Big time." 
"Oh for the love of God," Walter puts his burger down too and 
takes a healthy swig of coffee, "I could use a bourbon," he adds 
looking around for the waiter. 
"Uh, uh, Waldo. We need you sober here. Listen up, ok?" I nag. 
Yeah right, just what we'd need - Walter wasted, grabbing his 
balls and burping. I don't think so. 
He gives me a hard look but nods at last, "All right. Go ahead, 
enlighten me. I'm just dying to know the rest. And by the way 
Mulder. What's it gonna look like if your date throws you over 
for me?" he adds, wincing. 
"Like I care at this point, Walter. I can't let it worry me." 
He purses his lips and refocuses on Scully as she continues.  
"Oh she'll let you down easy, I'm sure Mulder," Scully chuckles 
sightly. 
"My ego thanks her," I grumble a little but then give her a quick 
grin to let her know it's really ok. Scully smiles in 
acknowledgement. 
"Never fear, gentleman. Margaret Scully is going to be very 
lady like about it of course. I mean this is my mother after all. 
But Jana will have no doubt that you're mom's man. You'll end 
up taking her home as a matter of fact - early. The two of you 
can leave and then sneak back in and take the private elevator 
up to the Penthouse. Mulder will pretend to leave too since he's 
lost his uh - *date*. I'll just disappear with Byers to his room. 
We'll all rendevous in the Penthouse at say - midnight. Byers 
will escort my mother home and we can all leave separately to 
make our various escapes." 
"I hope Byers can manage to get her past the party," Walter 
interjects, "It's curtains if someone spots her wandering around 
the hotel with him. Christ - we have to think of her reputation too 
for crying out loud." 
"Well if he can't make a clean getaway they can always hold up 
in Byer's hotel room," I suggest. 
Scully gives me the look. 
"Hey, it's just an idea. I'm sure he'll be the perfect gentleman." 
"Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Scully sighs. 
"You mean your mother would seriously do this for me?" Walter 
asks quietly. He's very touched now, impressed that both Scully 
and her mother would be willing to go to this much trouble for 
him.  
I am terribly grateful and impressed as well. I will really owe 
Maggie Scully. I'll have to think of some way to thank her 
without spilling the beans about Walter and me. Gee, maybe I 
can tell her I proposed to Scully. Yikes. Well, I have to give 
thanking Maggie some thought. 
"She's having fun Walter when it comes right down to it. She 
has an adventuresome streak and this is kind of like a game for 
her. Also she thinks you've been done a great injustice. She'd 
like to see that woman hoisted on her own petard. She's looking 
forward to taking Jana down a notch. And like I said - she 
considers you a friend."  
"She's a gem, Scully I can't thank her or you enough," he 
replies looking down to study his hands, "I'll tell her that when I 
see her," he adds with sincerity. 
"I know she'll like and appreciate it, Walter. And as for thanking 
me..." she lets her eyes play over to mine. Without hestitation I 
extend my hand towards her across the table. She grips it with 
hers and squeezes. She turns and looks into Walter's face, 
"there's no need. I'm doing this because I love Fox. And also 
because...well I respect you too Walter. And when it comes 
right down to it, I feel I owe you..." her voice trails off again and 
she looks down at our entwined hands, not knowing what else to 
say. I'm dumbstruck as well. Entranced. 
Walter very slowly extends his hand and places it over ours 
where they lay flat on the table. Scully looks up and pins his 
eyes. I stare into hers as she looks at Walters face. Her eyes 
flash with her emotion. I feel tears gathering in the back of my 
throat. I can't look at Walter and I can hardly look at Scully. If I 
do I know the waterworks will begin. 
"Scully, you owe me nothing," Walter replies in a low voice, "But 
I'm thankful for your respect and grateful for your help. I love 
Fox too. But more than loving him. I consider him a valued 
friend as well. I'd like...I'd like to be your friend too, 
if you'll let me," he finishes simply. 
Scully nods and her lips twitch into a small smile, "I'll give it a 
shot, Walter. I can try." 
He nods and his thanks are written all over his face, "Great," he 
breathes out. 
Scully nods and decides to lighten the gravity of the scene. She 
grins a little and replies, "Besides. Where else can I find 
someone who knows how to boogie on the dance floor like you 
do?" 
Walter chuckles and shakes his head in self-depreciation. He 
takes his hand away from ours. 
I swallow back my tears and squeeze Scully's hand again. I 
catch Walter's eye at last and he smiles a little and looks down 
at his plate, embarrassed at the intensity of the emotions on 
display. My heart fills with love for them both. But, the moment 
is over. We all pull ourselves together and tuck into our food 
before it gets as stone cold as the October night. 
xXx 
The Renaissance Hotel sits right up the street from the Hoover 
building. It's perfectly suited for a display such as Director Freeh 
hosts every year at Halloween. He hosts and the tax payers 
foot the bill. Well, maybe he pays for the band. I give a shit. But 
the hotel is nice. Big with spacious ballrooms. Suites as well as 
more run of the mill rooms to crash in if you think you'll be too 
drunk to drive. A Penthouse. Lucky break that. 
The party is some soiree. I find it stultifyingly boring. Well some 
of the employees like it. Scully does. Yeah - not this year 
though, I bet. But in the past she's enjoyed herself for the most 
part. Many of the Fibbie party animals look forward to this bash 
as a chance to hob knob, brown nose, suck butt, eat free food 
and drink free booze. So, that's their version of fun. Spare me. 
At any rate, it's Saturday at 10 PM and I'm driving my Ford 
Taurus into the valet parking stand, Margaret Scully's riding 
shotgun and both of us are ready to do battle. All systems are 
go. All players in place. Yes sirree. 
Maggie looks simply smashing in a red dress which is tailored to 
her lovely figure. You know she's really kept herself in shape. 
She's attractive and has a great personality. She's fetching for a 
woman her age. I can imagine Byers finds her stunning as well 
so I can see the attraction. And Byers, despite his geek 
persona, has always been sort of....well older minded for lack of 
a better term. Yeah, middle-aged minded paranoiac. In any 
case - more conservative. So Maggie's calm, intelligent 
maturity coupled with a streak of sparkling good natured Irish 
wit and mischieviousness would appeal to any guy I think. I just 
hope Byers is treating her well. I'll have to give him a little 
friendly advice on the matter later. Just to check, you know. 
When I cut the engine, the valet in the red monkey suit comes 
over to open the passenger side door for Margaret. I hasten to 
open my door and join her on the other side of the car. When I 
reach her side I feel drab in my tux. She's absolutely radiant 
and there's a wicked gleam in her eye. 
"Thank you young man," she says as the valet lends her a hand 
getting out of the car. She pulls her wrap up around her 
shoulders. 
"My pleasure, ma'am," the kid smiles. He's all fresh and red-
faced in the night air. Lord, he looks like some high school kid 
working overtime tonight. I take Mrs. Scully's arm from him and 
hand him the keys. 
"Try not to scratch the paint," I hiss. I hate valet parking. The 
last time I used it I got the car back with only a fourth of a tank 
left and a dent in the fucking fender. 
"Yes sir," he practically genuflects in my direction. 
"Oh, now, Fox, I'm sure..." Maggie begins, focusing on the kid's 
name tag, "Roger, will be very careful with your car." She 
inclines her head towards my pocket and I get the message. I 
reach in and grab my money clip. There's a five on the top. Ok 
that will do - for starters I guess. 
"I'm sure he will be," I reply handing the kid the five, "That's for 
starters. If I get it back with a full tank and unmarked there'll be 
another to match it." 
"Thank you, sir. Your car's in good hands," Roger assures me. 
Margaret and I step back up on to the curb and the kid goes 
around to the driver's side and gets in. He turns over the ignition 
and drives off very carefully. Maggie squeezes my arm and 
laughs. 
"The last of the big spenders! I would have given him at least a 
10." 
I chuckle at her teasing. 
"Well, I didn't want him to get a big head. Besides, he can learn 
the value of a buck this way." 
"You are such a cheap skate," she chortles. 
"Did anyone ever tell you how much you sound like your 
daughter?" I laugh as we head towards the hotel entrance. 
"And who do you think told me you were a cheap skate?" she 
elbows me as we go inside. 
We can tell the main ball room is packed with party goers even 
from outside the entrance. Carumba. I stop at the coat check 
and take Margaret's wrap to check it in. I came sans coat. 
Probably a dumb move, considering the cold night. But I didn't 
want to be bothered with getting my coat later. Margaret intends 
to parade Skinner past the coat check staffer so it looks like 
they really left. God this woman's mind. Wheels within wheels. 
Now I know where Scully gets her analytical streak, I'll tell you. 
Margaret could be moonlighting for the Bureau. Or writing spy 
novels. 
I turn to her after checking her wrap. 
"Ok. You ready?" 
"As I'll ever be, I suppose. Let's go to the bar first, though Fox. I 
could use a little fortification I think." 
"You're not getting cold feet are you?" I ask concerned, "You 
know we can stop this right now if you have doubts. AD Skinner 
can figure out another way to..." 
"No, I'm not getting cold feet at all. I'm just cold. That blasted 
wrap didn't do much on a night like this one." 
"Oh," I chuckle, "Well I agree with you there. I could use some 
Irish coffee myself." 
"Now, you're talking, young man. Lead on," she giggles. I take 
her arm and we proceed into the ballroom. 
The bar is having a slack moment thank God. We belly up and I 
ask if the bartender can make Irish coffee. Her reponse is in the 
affirmative so we settle back against the bar to wait for the hot 
toddies. I scan the crowd. 
Walter is here of course. Oh God he looks so good in his 
tailored tux. My, my my. I squeeze my legs together. The last 
thing I need is for Maggie to see me with a boner. But then what 
the heck. She'd think it was for Dana anyway. But there's really 
no danger of a hard on despite Mr. GQ over there. Why not? 
Well does the words *lamprey* ring a bell? 
Yeah, Jana Cassidy is hanging off his arm like a fucking sucker 
fish. Or maybe a leech. God damn. But I have to admit she's a 
show stopper tonight in some kind of blue gown thing by Donna 
Karan. She's kept herself in shape too. Yeah. The better to play 
at being a black widow. She makes me shiver just looking at 
her over there pawing at Walter's forearm. Walter looks like he's 
sucking on fresh lemons. Or chewing ground glass. They're 
talking to one of the other AD's - Kersh. My man looks like he's 
in desparate need of rescue all right. Well honey you only have 
to wait a couple more hours and it will be all over. I hope to hell 
it will be anyway. I'm sweating bullets here. 
"Is that her?" Maggie whispers into my ear. 
"As big as life and twice and un-nice yes," I hiss back.  
"Hmph," she snorts, "No problem." 
I grate a laugh, "Lady, pardon me for saying so, but you have 
balls." 
"of steel," she adds taking her Irish coffee as the bartender taps 
her arm. 
"Sir, here's yours as well," she advises me and I take it still 
laughing at Maggie's remark. Navy wife indeed. Marines would 
have been appropriate too. 
Jana has met her match I do believe. You know, this evening 
may be kind of fun. 
Just as I'm musing on that point I see Scully entering the ball 
room on John Byer's arm. Holy Smoke! Does she look 
phenomonal. Basic black but who cares. It's spaghetti strapped, 
form fitting with some kind of wonder bra insert or something 
and oh baby. Jesus. Poor Byer's eyes are bugging out. Several 
men at the door turn to look. Yeah brothers. Down on your 
fucking knees. Long live the Queen. La Diva Scully is about to 
make her entrance. Bridgette fucking Bardot eat your heart 
out. 
She sashays in and Byers, in his passable rented tux, does his 
best to hang on for dear life. Scully catches sight of us at the 
bar and makes a beeline our way. When she reaches my side, 
Byers takes a deep breath as he notices Maggie. 
"Margaret, you look...wonderful," he breathes out. 
Oh Lord. He's got a crush on her. His watery blue eyes have 
gone all soft and his pupils are dilating. I try really hard not to 
laugh. Ok. Point for him. The guy has more taste and guts then 
I thought. More power to him I guess. But I can see Scully is 
none to pleased with the idea. But she quickly swallows her ire 
in the pleasure of seeing her mother looking like a million 
bucks. 
"You do look killer mom," she smiles wide. 
"Well, thank you, dear. And I must say your entrance caused 
quite a stir." 
She laughs, "Maybe we should mount a two prong assault on 
the target." 
"Ladies, you're scaring me," Byers pipes up only half in jest. 
"Yeah, give Byers a break you two." 
"Thanks Mulder," he grins sheepishly, "Oh here, before I forget," 
he adds reaching into his pants pocket. He hands me and then 
Scully magnetic key cards, "These are for the Penthouse." 
"Give me AD Skinner's. I'll see he gets it," I advise. When the 
fireworks start between Maggie and Jana I'm sure I'll be there. I 
can slip Walter the key at that point. Byers hands me Walter's 
key card and then he turns to Scully. 
"Uh, can I get you a drink, Agent Scully?" 
"Oh, why thank you," she raises an eyebrow. 
Byers isn't such a total clueless dork it seems. Well he does 
work in the real world after all. Of the three LGM he still sort of 
operates in reality. I suppose he functions better than his 
compadres in the pencil protector brigade. 
"Tequila would be fine." 
Byers turns to the bartender, "Jose Cuervo, neat," he says 
glancing at Scully. 
"Will that be good?" 
Scully stares at him a little amazed, "Yes, perfect." 
"I'll have a coke," he tells the bartender and then turns around to 
address the rest of us. 
"I thought I'd better stick to pop. You know...well, I have to drive 
Margaret home later." 
Byers has absolutely no capacity for booze. Two drinks and 
he's under the table. He doesn't drink unless he has a place he 
can get prone in - someplace soft to catch him when he falls on 
his face usually. So, he's playing cautious tonight. Another point 
for him. 
Just as his and Scully's drinks arrive the band starts to crank 
up. Some kind of bluesy number. Made for dancing. Oh good. 
Here's a likely opportunity to get near our target. Byers drinks 
his coke down quickly and turns to Dana as she knocks back 
her shot. 
"Would you care to dance?" he asks her. 
"You can dance?" she lets slip. 
He lets the faux pas pass and smiles good naturadly, "I don't 
think she'll be disappointed, will she Margaret?" 
"Not at all," Margaret Scully smiles at him. O-K. So she likes 
him too. Well he does seem kind of ingenuous. Fine. I give up. 
Sometimes this man, woman thing leaves me with a headache. 
"All right, John-boy, let's trip the light fantastic," Scully replies, 
grabbing his hand. Byers takes her hand and pulls her along 
then, gamely, right out onto the dance floor. Sure enough, he 
takes her in his arms and swings into the lead. Not bad at all. 
"So, Maggie, shall we prepare for the first skirmish?" I ask 
Dana's mother, setting my Irish coffee on the bar. I extend a 
hand towards her. She sets her coffee down as well. 
"Good idea, Fox. Let's head towards no man's land," she replies 
grasping my hand in hers. We take the dance floor and work 
our way around to dance next to Byers and Scully. I crane to 
look over where Walter is still standing on the sidelines. He's not 
asking Jana to dance. Shit. Well no wonder. What would I 
expect? But fuck we have to get him out on the dance floor with 
her or this isn't going to work. I swear to God sometimes he's so 
slow on the uptake. I edge over to Byers. 
"Dance Scully over there, Byers." 
"Why me?" he asks, "Can't you go?" 
"Not yet. We need to get him out on the dance floor so Maggie 
can spot him. Not on the sidelines. We need the element of 
surprise here. Get with it." 
"Oh hell." 
"Look. Just waltz your ass over there. Scully will take care of 
the rest." 
"Fine. I'm going," he grouches and whisks Scully off through the 
crowd. 
Presently I can see Scully and Byers leave the dance floor next 
to Walter and approach him and his *date*. They're all 
conversing. Scully is introducing Byers. Walter is excusing 
himself? What the hell? 
"Maggie, can you excuse me a minute. I'm going to go see 
what the devil is going on." 
"All right, I'll go over and get some food." 
"Ok, I'll be back as quick as I can. Lay low." 
"Right." 
We separate. I start to play *Where's Waldo*. I spot Walter 
making a beeline for the men's room. Ok. Good. Time to have 
a talk with my big boy toy. 
I enter the men's room and take a quick look around. Several 
agents I recognize are in here. Walter is standing in front of one 
of the urinals pissing a bucket. Christ, I hope to hell he hasn't 
been guzzling the bourbon. He's still peeing when the guy next 
to him leaves. I sidle up and unzip. He glances over when he 
hears water hitting porcelin again. 
"I hope that's coffee," I hiss as he sighs and looks back down. 
"Don't nag me asshole. I don't need it," he grates back, "And 
yeah it is. I know better than to get lit. Not with the Spider 
Woman crawling up my ass." 
"Ok. I'm sorry." I glance back. The can is temporarily empty. 
"Look. I'll make this fast. Get her out on the dance floor. 
Maggie's ready to go into action. Got it?" 
"All right. Are we still trying to get to the Penthouse by 
midnight?" 
"Or thereabouts. Do the best you can. We'll wait. Scully and 
Byers will get up there first as early as possible." 
"Fine. I'm outta here then. See you on the dance floor."  
He shakes off, zips up and hurries over to wash his hands.  
"Walter, hang on," I call out as he starts to leave. 
"What?" 
I shake off and zip up. I take the key card out of my pocket. 
"Here's the key to the Penthouse elevator." 
"Oh, thanks," he nods. He reaches for the key. Our hands brush 
and he takes mine briefly and squeezes it. The key passes 
between us. 
"Later," he whispers gruffly, and my guts turn to hot mush. Oh 
Daddy! 
He turns quickly and pushes through the door. Gone. I rest my 
head on the cool wall of the can for a moment to reqain my 
composure and then I step to the sink to wash my hands. 
Out in the ballroom I make a hasty search of the buffet table. I 
finally glom on to Scully's mother. She was doing a good job at 
staying out of sight. There was a stack of chairs against the wall 
and she was standing behind them, peering out. When she 
spotted me she waved and I worked my way over to her. 
"Did you get something to eat?" 
"Oh yes. The buffet's marvelous. You should try some of the 
smoked salmon." 
"Thanks. Maybe later. I talked to Walter. He should be getting 
Jana out on the dance floor. So..." 
"Oh. All right. By all means. Let's storm the trenches," she 
laughs, "Full steam ahead." 
"That's the ticket," I laugh taking her hand. Boy it's lucky she's 
got that bravado going. Like daughter, like mother. I'm starting 
to shake slightly. But I'm striving to hold it together. I can't afford 
to lose it on this caper. 
One look tells us Walter is as good as his word. The band is 
playing some boring slow dance number and he's got Jana *my 
claws are in your back* Cassidy out on the dance floor. Scully 
and Byers are hovering nearby. Scully is clinging to Byers trying 
to make things look convincing. Byers just looks uncomfortable. 
I maneuver Maggie through the dancing bodies trying to look 
casual. I'm no where near as good a slow dancer as either 
Walter or Byers for that matter. I should just give up and let 
Maggie lead. Christ we'd look more smooth if I did. 
Presently we're close enough that Maggie can see Walter 
convincingly. I move my backside up against Walter's ass and 
give him a slight shove. I glance back at him, a look of 
mortification on my face. 
"Oh, I am sorry sir. How clumsy of me." 
"It's quite all right Agent..." 
"Walter!" Maggie exclaims right on cue. 
"Margaret!" Walter acts equally surprised. Oh, not bad big boy. 
Not Oscar material, but not bad at all. 
Jana swings around to see who Walter's talking to and her 
beady little eyes narrow when she spots potential competition 
storming her line of defenses. 
"Have we had the pleasure?" she asks Maggie. 
"I hardly think so," Maggie says with rancor. 
"Oh, I'm sorry, Um, Jana, this is Margaret..." For a moment I 
hold my breath. Walter never forgets a detail. I hope to hell that 
fact holds true now. We agreed on an alias for Maggie. Jana 
doesn't know she's Scully's mother and we don't want her to 
know it now. Maybe she wouldn't anyway with the stylish dress, 
upswept hair and new make-up courtesy of an Adrien Arpel 
make-over. But we aren't taking any chances. 
..."Boyce," he finishes and I let a sigh of relief out. That's my 
man. 
"Uh, Margaret and I are...old friends." 
"Oh Walter," Maggie sighs sadly without even a touch of 
theatricality. 
"I'm sorry, is there something I'm...missing here..." Jana asks 
putting herself slightly between Walter and Maggie. Oh oh. 
Daggers are flying. Someones about to get skewered. 
"Uh, Maybe we should get some food, a drink?" I venture.  
"Hey, that's a good idea," Walter looks from one woman to the 
other. I can see panic rising in his eyes. 
"Yes. I think I can use a drink," Jana hisses, taking hold of 
Walter's arm possesively. I take Maggies arm and we head for 
the bar. Scully and Byers are still dancing but they wind there 
way towards our direction. Scully is keeping an eagle eye out 
for her mother. I glance at my watch. It's 11 PM. I point at it and 
gesture towards Scully. She nods and mouths *soon*. She'll be 
going upstairs with Byers. After that it's up to Maggie, Walter 
and me. 
I can hear Jana murmuring to Walter. I catch the words, *Well, 
maybe you'd better explain then.* 
Maggie hears her and draws up to them as we reach the bar.  
"I think I should explain, my good woman," she begins. 
Jana takes her eyes away from Walter's stunned face, turns 
her back on him and zeros in on Margaret Scully. Maggie is 
standing in front of me. AD Cassidy is a little taller than Scully's 
mother but at that moment, with her Irish up, Maggie Scully 
reaches Amazonian proportions. She's standing, tall and proud. 
She's magnificent. But Jana is steeling herself for the offense. 
Walter looks over Jana's head and mouths the words, "Oh 
fuck." I shrug and just stand back to watch the sparks fly. 
"Fox was kind enough to escort me here this evening because 
he knows I was anxious to see Walter." 
"Well it's nice you went to such trouble to see an old friend. It 
was very kind of Agent Mulder to bring you," she pins me with 
an annoyed gaze for a moment but I'm soon forgotten as she 
focuses again on Maggie's next words. 
"Well we're a little more than just old friend, isn't that right 
Walter?" 
Walter is gob stopped for a second but he snaps to it quick 
enough. 
"Oh, look Hon. I was so sorry for the things I said..." 
"Honey? What is going on here Walter?" 
"Look, Jana, I have to apologize. Remember the night I asked 
you to this party I told you someone was waiting for me at 
home?"  
"Well yes, I assumed you had...I don't know...a date." For the 
first time it's starting to dawn on *Bitch* Cassidy that maybe 
she's made a strategic error here. I can see realization creeping 
into her face. And to her credit, she's embarrassed. Well good. 
She should be, the overweening harpy. 
"No, not a date. Margaret was waiting for me, Jana." Walter 
steps past Jana at that point and takes Margaret's hand. Oh 
great touch Walter! Wonderful. I can see he's getting into this 
now. So is Maggie. She's almost finding it difficult not to laugh. 
She looks down and bats her eyes adoringly up at Walter. A bit 
much but it doesn't matter now, because Jana is looking at 
Walter as well.  
"Margaret and I...are lovers," Walter says gallantly taking 
Maggie around the waist and holding her close, "We had a 
quarrel and I..well I was a terrible cad I'm afraid. Can you 
forgive me...sweetheart." 
I'm just about losing it myself now. Jesus. This is too much. 
Jana looks like her dentures are going to drop out - if she had 
them. She's really flustered. I decide I'd better say something. 
But before I can, Cassidy speaks. 
"I am sorry, Margaret. Please accept my apologies as well. 
Believe me if I'd known that Walter had a...a long term 
relationship I would never have presumed...well I wouldn't have 
accepted his invitation to attend the ball. Will you forgive me as 
well?" 
Jana's look at Walter is dripping acid. Oh brother. From this 
point on his life on the job will probably be a living hell if Jana 
has anything to say about it. Damn. Well, it's a tradeoff. He 
knows it too. It's either Maalox moments at the Bureau or the 
prospect of playing stud for the Dragon Lady. I think he'll buy 
the stock in Maalox. 
"Thank you," Margaret smiles wanly at Jana, "You're very kind. 
And I forgive you too, Walter. I know it was only a stupid 
misunderstanding." 
"I know that too...dear," he swallows. He can hardly keep from 
rolling his eyes. I finally break in. 
"Uh, well, no harm done. These things happen. No need to be 
embarrassed about it..." Oh lovely. That was asinine. Luckily no 
one is paying any attention to me. 
"Walter, can you take me home?" Maggie asks plaintively. 
Walter isn't paying attention to anyone except Maggie in that 
moment. He's kind of staring at her in wonder for a second then 
he snaps out of it. 
"Oh, of course. Do you have a wrap?" 
"Yes, it's at the coat check." 
Walter takes her arm gently in his and almost as an after 
thought turns to Jana. 
"I really am sorry," he says politely, "But to be fair, you really 
didn't give me much of a chance to explain about...Margaret, 
that night. Uh, but I am sorry for any embarrassement this may 
have caused you. Now, I'd better get Margaret home. Would 
you excuse me. Oh, and thank you, Agent Mulder for being 
such a considerate escort."  
Good show, Walter. That's my Main Man! 
"My pleasure, sir. Good night." 
"Good night," he tosses back over his shoulder as he takes 
Maggie out through the crowd. When they get to the entrance I 
see Maggie tap him on the shoulder and he leans down a little to 
see what she has to say. She reaches up and touches his 
cheek and it looks like he starts to kiss her. My jaw drops open. 
If mine's open, old Jana's is hitting the fucking floor. Good show 
Maggie. I wouldn't have thought of that one. I wonder what the 
hell Walter's thinking. At least he was just in the can. Otherwise I 
bet he'd piss his pants. They break the kiss and exit, arm in 
arm. 
Jana jolts me back to reality. 
"Isn't she a little old for him?" she asks with that perpetually 
constipated look on her face. 
/And you aren't, you pinched up hag?/ 
"Margaret's a very loving woman," I answer with a shrug, "I 
gather they've been an item for a while." 
"Oh, well I wonder why he never said anything before?" 
"It's been my experience that AD Skinner is a rather...private 
individual, ma'am." 
"I suppose you're right," she looks at me speculatively. Oh yeah 
right. Like I'm going to go there. No way in hell. I mean she just 
got done reaming my butt over Dallas. What can she be 
thinking? Well maybe abuse appeals? Ugh. I don't even want to 
think about the implications there. 
"Ma'am, if you'll excuse me. I think I'm going to call it a night. 
Scully and I have an early day tomorrow. Overtime on a case." 
Never hurts to look like the eager beaver. Sorry, I know. 
"That's laudable," she gives me a terse little smile, "fine, carry 
on, Agent Mulder," and she heads in the direction of the bar. I 
turn on my heel and beat a hasty retreat towards the Penthouse 
elevator outside the ball room side entrance. I can only hope 
Walter and Maggie will be heading up there too. They were 
supposed to wait outside for a bit and then sneak back in 
through a separate entrance. As I near the private elevator I 
don't see them so I assume they're either up there or haven't 
come back inside yet. 
Just as I'm about to enter the elevator I hear a snide voice very 
close to my elbow. 
"How can you afford the Penthouse on your salary, Mulder?"  
God in Heaven. Jeffrey Spender! Oh deliver me now from 
inglorious assholes. The elevator door slides shut and I stick the 
key in again and push the button. It's not coming right away. 
Shit. 
"Who said it was on my salary?" I shoot back from the hip. But 
when I look at him I know my flippancy was a mistake. He's 
drunk. He also has a very mean and hungry look on his face. 
Oh fuck. Now what? 
"Who's salary is it on, Mulder? Cassidy's? It would figure you'd 
fuck your way to the top." 
"Go to hell Jeff. I don't have time for this." 
"Mulder. I want a word with you. You owe me, you prick. For 
my mother if nothing else," he hisses. 
Oh wonderful. Well yeah I'm sorry about his mother. She wasn't 
a bad woman. I know now she was anything but delusional too. 
Hell, I feel guilty over her disppearance. But I hate Spender. I 
mean I know he's tied up somehow with that black lunged son 
of a bitch. I'm still determined to get him to admit the 
connection. To confess he knows something about the office 
fire and maybe even Scully and my near death experience in 
Antarctica. Well, shit, maybe I should talk to him. Maybe now is 
the time to do a little digging. I glance past him and see the 
glowing exit sign over the stairwell. 
"Ok. Let's talk Spender. Out here," I gesture towards the 
stairwell. He follows me, stumbling a little. I push the door open 
and we walk out onto the deserted landing. I turn and lean 
against the wall opposite the door and he faces me. 
"Ok. Talk." 
"What were you, and Skinner and Cassidy talking about?" he 
begins. 
/What? This isn't exactly what I was expecting./ 
"What do you mean?" 
"Oh come on, you know. Weren't you talking about Virginia?"  
"Virginia? Oh, you mean that shit pile you got yourself into down 
there, Jeff?" 
"None of that was my fault, Mulder. But I'm getting blamed 
for..." 
"Look, Jeff I don't care. No, we weren't talking about you."  
"I don't believe you," he replies taking a step closer. 
"Look, it's none of my business, Spender. I really could care 
less. If you're in some kind of deep trouble over that mess down 
South why don't you get your fucking father to bail you out."  
"Shut the hell up about my father Mulder. He's long gone. Just 
like my mother now, you asshole." 
"Look, if you don't want to talk about your mother or something 
constructive - like who the hell you're really working for you 
jerkwad, I'm outta here." 
I lever off the wall and start to push past him. Lightning fast he 
grabs my arm and throws me backwards. Stupid. Stupid. He's 
not really that drunk. I didn't think he'd dare do it. Not with a 
ballroom full of armed feds outside. Not with me armed. Not 
with him armed. Fuck. 
I yank my arm away but still spin and hit the wall. 
"Don't touch me again you fucker, or I swear to God, I'll shoot 
you in the head." 
"Fuck you, Mulder," he hisses and rushes me. Before I can get 
my gun out he's pummeling the hell out of me. Son of a bitch - 
this pencil necked geek is strong. I cover up as best I can but he 
gets in a good upper cut to my jaw and mouth. Crap! I'm gonna 
have some bruise. I manage to push him back , but the idiot 
keeps coming.  
I head butt him and he pitches backwards onto his ass. 
"If you come at me again you dick, I will shoot you and suffer 
the fucking consequences!" He's almost untouched and I'm 
bleeding from the mouth. Great. The blood spattered the front 
of my tux and white shirt. Dry cleaning for sure. Piss on it. 
Spender's dazed and stares at me. But he's still really angry. 
Suddenly a voice from below us makes him snap his head 
down at the stairwell. 
"What's going on here, dudes?" 
/Frohike? Holy shit. *The Terror of Tiny Town* to the rescue./ 
"Is there a problem here, sir? Should I get hotel security?"  
"Do we need to call, security?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at 
Spender. 
"This isn't over, Mulder," he snarls pulling himself up and 
brushing off his tux. He runs a hand through his wiry hair, turns 
around and yanks the door open, making his exit. 
"Hey, G-man, you're bleeding." 
"No shit, Sherlock. What are you doing here?" 
"Back-up for Byers," he grins, holding up a minaiture walkie 
talkie. 
"You want me to call Langly out front and tell him to keep an 
eye on that dick," he asks gesturing at the door Spender just 
walked through. 
"Langly's here too?" 
"Yeah." 
"No, don't bother about Spender. I...I'll deal with him later." 
"Suit yourself, man. Oh, and in case you're interested - your 
second squeeze made it upstairs just fine." 
I wince at his choice of words. "Mrs. Scully too?" 
"Yeah, the gangs all here - well, except for you. When you went 
missing Scully had Byers radio us to hunt you down. I took a 
chance and checked the stairwell." 
"Lucky you did." 
"No shit." 
"Thanks, Frohike." 
"Hey, no problemo, Mr. FBI. What are friends for? Now come 
on. I'll help you upstairs. You look a little woozy." 
I am weaving a bit. Spender packs quite a whallop. 
"Yeah. Ok. Thanks again." Frohike draws close and pulls one of 
my arms around his shoulders. We head out through the exit 
and back to the Penthouse elevator as quickly as we can. 
xXx 
"Mulder!" Scully gasps as she opens the door at Frohike's 
elaborate signal knock. 
"Oh my God, Fox!" Maggie Scully echoes coming forward from 
the couch where she was sitting talking to Byers. Walter is there 
in an instant taking me from Frohike's staggering grip and 
leading me over to a chair near the couch. 
"What happened?" he asks, tersly, all business. I sit down 
heavily and Scully is there hovering, examining my mouth and 
looking into my eyes. 
"I'm fine, really. It's not as bad as it looks. Would you believe 
Cassidy decked me?" 
"Really?" Byers bleats. 
"Get real, man. Some asshole named Spender got the drop on 
him in the stairwell," Frohike replies. 
"Spender?" Walter and Scully bark at the same time. 
"Yes." 
"Can you give me a report?" Walter asks bending close to stare 
at Scully's ministrations. He winces. 
"I can, but can you just give me a minute, sir. I'm a bit dizzy." 
"All right." Walter nods, stepping back and leaving Scully to her 
task. 
"Is he all right?" Maggie asks standing next to my chair.  
"I think so. Did you head butt him, Mulder?" she asks clucking 
over the small bruise in the middle of my forehead." 
"Right back on his ass," Frohike laughs getting a soda from the 
cart in the middle of the room. It's the first time I've noticed the 
cart. It has some champagne and small, ornate sandwiches and 
other finger food on it too. Even the smoked salmon. I raise an 
eyebrow at Frohike. 
He shrugs, "I wasn't sure if you guys had time to eat. So, I did 
the room service thing." 
"Thanks, guy," I smile, "Ouch," I whine as Scully pokes at my 
head. She stands back up. 
"Well you could have a mild concussion. I don't think so, but I 
can't be positive. I think you should stay here tonight. I'll stay 
here to keep an eye on you," she adds, brooking no argument.  
Quite frankly I'm too drained to disagree. The Penthouse is 
equipped with toliteries, robes, the works. It's some set-up. If we 
have to stay here we could do worse. It won't be the first time 
I've put on the same clothes the next day. Scully either. 
Although seeing her in that dress in the morning - oh man. 
"Fine. I'm too beat to disagree," I chuckle at the reference and 
Frohike joins me. "I'd like to get some rest. Has anyone got 
some aspirin?" 
"I have some Tylenol," Byers volunteers, reaching into his 
pocket. "I brought it along just in case I got a headache." 
That's Byers the Boy Scout. Always prepared. He's a walking 
pharmacy most of the time anyway. He's got a ton of sinus 
meds. I always know where I can get some Benedryl when he's 
around.  
The bearded Lone Gunmen walks over and hands me the small 
tin of pills. 
"Thanks," I nod at him. 
"I'll get some water," Walter offers and he heads for the 
bathroom. When he returns, he hands it to me. I shake out a 
couple of tablets and swallow them with the water as a chaser. I 
place the glass carefully down on the small end table that sits 
between the chair and couch. Walter stands tensely with his 
hands on his hips. Maggie Scully looks at all of us and suddenly 
speaks. 
"Well John, why don't you, and Mr. Frohike and I make our 
escape." 
"Oh, mom. You don't have to leave," Scully hastens to stop 
her. 
"No, it's ok, honey. Really. I am tired. I'd like John to take me 
home if he can manage it." 
"Oh no problem, Mrs. Scully. We'll get you out of here," Frohike 
assures with authority. 
"Is Langly all set?" Byers asks. 
"Yeah. We can signal him when we're actually ready to leave." 
"What's up you guys?" I ask really curious, and a little worried. 
"You're not doing anything that will put my mother in danger are 
you?" Scully adds. 
"Oh no, don't worry. Langly's just bringing his car around back. 
We're going to smuggle your Mom down the stairwell and out 
through the kitchen." 
"All right, but you'd better be sure about there not being any 
danger," Scully threatens. 
"Don't worry, Agent Scully. Just sit tight. Your Mom's in good 
hands," Byers interjects. 
Scully gives Byers a strange look. 
"Everything will be fine, Dana. Don't worry. Walter, are you 
coming too?" Maggie asks. 
"Uh, directly. I'd still like to find out what happened between two 
of my agents, if possible," he grunts, hands still on his hips, 
"you'd better go on without me." 
"Oh. I understand. All right. Well, it was a pleasure - and fun too, 
Walter," She laughs gently. 
"Thanks again Maggie. If there's ever anything..." 
"I'd like that recipe you mentioned for Chicken Marsala. It 
sounds delicious." 
"You've got it. It's the least I can do. Take care." 
Maggie smiles and goes to Dana. They hug each other. 
"Thanks so much Mom. I'll call you tomorrow. But if you have 
any trouble before then - you call right away!" 
"All right, sweetheart. Now get some rest." 
"I will." 
She turns to me, still hugging Dana. 
"Fox Mulder, you take care of yourself now. I don't want to hear 
you ended up in the hospital again." 
"Yes, ma'am. I'm duly chastised. I'll get my rest too." 
"See that you do, young man," she mock scowls at me. 
Maggie gives Dana one last squeeze and then lets her go. She 
walks away and turns towards the door with Byers and Frohike 
on either side. As they open the suite door and exit I can just 
hear Frohike saying.... 
"Have you ever done any editing, Mrs. Scully?" 
The door shuts and Scully sags down on the couch. Walter just 
stands and stares after them. I put my head in my hands. I start 
to laugh. I can't help myself. Then Scully is laughing and so is 
Walter at last. A great big bass belly laugh. 
"Oh shit," Walter gurgles trying to regain control. "I can not 
believe we pulled off this operation. Scully, I salute you!"  
"Well thank you, sir. And from what my mother said we should 
take our hats off to you too. You gave quite the performance." 
"Hey, what about me?" I ask trying to pout but not quite 
succeeding. Oh hell. I'm too relieved to give it a good shot.  
"Oh, poor baby," Scully coos coming over to sit on the arm of 
the chair. 
"Yeah. What the fuck did happen with Spender?" Walter asks, 
really curious. 
"He was drunk and thought our little caper tonight was some 
kind of attempt to get to Cassidy about that fiasco in Virginia."  
"He thinks we're back stabbing him?" 
"Essentially. He was pretty irrational. I think if we play this close 
to the vest we can maybe let it just blow over. I hope he's going 
to forget about it. I mean there was a witness, and he doesn't 
know Frohike." 
"Well he's in luck anyway. Jana told me she's not doing to 
pursue the Virginia business. The locals were at fault as it turns 
out. Nothing will go on Spender's record. But I'll have a little tete 
a tete with Agent Spender in any event." 
"Oh, well in that case he certainly won't have anything to say. 
But go easy, Walter, ok? He really hates my guts. I think I'm 
going to try to avoid him for a while." 
"Yeah, I'll let him down easy. Maybe I'll even apologize. I feel 
generous," he barks a gruff laugh. "You're giving him a wide 
berth might be a good idea though," Walter advises, "Now you'd 
better get some rest," he nods towards the bedroom. 
"What? Don't you all want to eat some of this food," I get up and 
navigate to the cart, "I'm hungry." 
"Well..." Scully begins. 
Walter chuckles, "Yeah, my stomach's rumbling. It's here. Let's 
eat. You two want some champagne?" 
"Mulder shouldn't have any," Scully advises. 
"Oh come on Doc, just a taste. To toast our successful 
mission," I wheedle. 
Walter is opening the champagne. The cork pops without even 
spilling very much. He raises the bottle in expectation of her 
answer. 
"Oh, all right. Just half a glass. I guess it won't hurt."  
"Now you're talking," Walter laughs. He gathers up three 
glasses from the side of the cart. 
Later... 
"You should go to bed Mulder. Really." 
"Ok. Ok. But just one more bite of this salmon." 
"God, Mulder, you are such a hog." 
"Hey, this stuff is fabulous. I notice you didn't leave it alone very 
much." 
"Do you two argue like this all the time?" Walter asks with 
interest and good humor from his seat in the chair next to the 
couch. Scully and I are seated together. She's not too close, 
bless her, out of respect for Walter's feelings for me. But she 
also wants to be closer to the food cart. 
"Even in bed," I laugh, teasing her. 
Mulder!" she scolds, kicking at me. 
"Ouch. Watch it woman. I'm the walking wounded all ready." 
I'm holding a towel to my face. It's wrapped around the plastic 
dry cleaning bag from the suite's closet. The bag is filled with 
some ice from the champagne bucket. The ice and the Tylenol 
have almost made me feel normal again. Well you know what I 
mean. My almost untouched champagne glass is on the end 
table. I did only want a taste for the toast as it turned out. The 
ice came in a lot more handy anyway. 
"Hey, guy. We don't kiss and tell. It's rude," Walter admonishes 
me. 
"Thank you sir. You are a gentleman," Scully raises her glass 
towards Walter and he nods. 
"And she's right, Mulder you should get to bed and..." he 
glances at his watch, "Shit, it's 2 AM. I should get going." 
"Oh, stay. Walter. You can't drive home after the champagne. 
And, it's so late." I whine a little. 
"Don't whine, baby. It's doesn't become you," he growls. Scully 
laughs. 
"Why don't you stay, Walter. It's ok. I'm...I'm going to go to bed 
too... alone," she arches an eyebrow. 
"What?" I ask slightly nonplussed. 
"You need your rest, Fox. You can take the one bedroom and 
I'll take..." 
"I'll sleep on the couch," Walter volunteers magnanimously.  
"Oh great. Well I can see this party is going nowhere. You're 
both conspiring against me." 
"Someone has to look after your welfare, Mulder," Walter 
frowns. 
"Right," Scully adds, her hands on her hips. 
"Fine. I'm outnumbered. And yeah, I know you're both right. Ok. 
I'm off to bed." 
"And no TV, Mulder. I mean it." 
"I'll try." 
"Good night then," Scully says as I get up and make my way to 
the farther bedroom. I take my cold compress along for 
comfort. She gets up as well and heads in the opposite 
direction. 
"Good night Dana. Night Walter." 
"Night...Fox," Walter replies, loosening his bowtie. 
"Would you like a blanket, Walter?" Scully asks. 
"Sure, thank you," he replies. As Scully goes to get him a 
blanket from her bedroom I smile, enter my bedroom for the 
night and shut the door behind me. 
xXx 
I've been staring at the ceiling for almost an hour. I can't sleep. 
If I turn on the TV I know Scully will be in here like a shot to nag 
about it. She has radar that way. But I can't sleep without it 
being on when I'm alone. I'm afraid I'll wake Walter too. I heard 
them talking for a bit a lot earlier. Then I heard the toilet flushing 
a couple of times. Lucky I used it earlier when I got the towel for 
my compress. We would have been flipping a coin. Have to 
remember that idea in the morning. It's been quiet out there for 
a while though. Damn it. 
I'm about to risk turning the TV on with the sound on low, when I 
see the bedroom door open carefully. The shape in the dim light 
from the other room is way too large for Scully. 
"You asleep, babe?" 
"No, come on in." 
"You ok? You want some more ice? Tylenol?" Walter asks, 
coming in and shutting the door. He makes his way to the bed, 
in the dark, and sits down on the edge. He reaches over to the 
night stand and turns on the small lamp there, clicking it one 
notch. I blink in the subdued light. He's dressed only in his boxer 
briefs. 
"I'm doing ok, actually Big Guy. I just can't sleep. Too quiet I 
guess." 
"Oh. I can stay if you'd like," he suggests shyly. 
"Yeah, I'd like that, lover." 
"Ok, Hon. Shift over," he murmurs. I hear him deposit his 
glasses on the night stand. I move aside and he comes in under 
the covers. I turn my back to him so we can spoon together and 
I can feel his warmth behind me. Walter turns off the night stand 
light and then cuddles a little closer. 
"Can I hold you?" he whispers against my hair. 
"Sure," I murmer. He puts an arm over me. It feels so good.  
He gently raises his hand and strokes my jaw, running one 
finger near my mouth 
"You're so bruised..." he mumbles. He's almost embarrassed to 
express his tenderness and compassion for me. 
"Kiss it and make it better, Big Man," I sigh. He kisses the back 
of my neck. 
"Close enough?" 
"Oh yeah." 
"You sure you wouldn't like some more ice?" 
"Nah. Really. It's not going to be as bad as I thought. I've had 
worse, believe me." 
He grunts his assent then speaks again.
"Mulder. I really appreciate everything you and Scully did for 
me tonight. I told her that again before she went to bed. I...I told 
her to thank her mother again too." 
"I'm sure she will, Walter. I think Maggie had a good time didn't 
she? And man, Jana didn't have a fucking chance." 
"No shit," he rumbles warmly, "Maggie was fantastic. She told 
me she had a blast. But I'm afraid Jana's gonna make my life 
miserable for the forseeable future." 
"Yeah, well think of the alternative." 
"Fuck, I did. I'll put up with the aggravation. Believe me."  
"Smart move," I chuckle as well. 
Both of us are quiet for a while. I think maybe he's fallen asleep. 
I snuggle my naked butt back a bit closer and feel the bulge in 
his shorts. Oh my. Well one part of my undercover man is 
definitely awake. 
"Sorry, babe," He grunts trying to shift away a bit, "I've been 
holding back all night. Maybe I should have stayed on the 
couch." 
"No...it's ok. I...I need you Walter, this feels good," I whisper 
reaching behind to touch his erection. 
"You sure? I mean if you don't feel up to it. Shit, and Scully's..." 
"I want to make love, Big Man. I'm fine, really. And we can be 
quiet about it. She's got her door closed right?" 
"Yeah. She was pretty beat. And a little drunk too." 
"She's petite. The champagne..." 
"Yeah, I imagine she's dead to the world." 
"So, you've had the hots for me all night?" I purr, turning over 
under his arm to face him. He kisses me very, very gently on 
the lips. It's just a whisper really. He rests his hand on the 
unbruised side of my face and rubs his thumb along my jaw 
line. 
"Yeah, after I saw you in the can I couldn't stop thinking about 
you." 
"I have to admit I was rather distracted myself, Mr. Skinner." 
"I wanted you in me so bad..." he whispers, "Christ. I can't 
believe how hot you make me, lover." 
"God, man. You make me hot too. You still want me?" 
"Oh yeah, baby. Inside. Deep." 
"We need lube." 
"I'll check the can. Sometimes there's hand lotion." 
"Yeah, Check it," I whisper. 
"OK, hang on." 
Walter scoots out quietly. The bulge swings in his skivvies. He's 
back relatively quickly with something in his big hand. 
"Jackpot," he whispers. 
"What is it?" 
"Vaseline. But I think maybe it's Scully's. It was next to some 
make-up and a travel toothbrush in the can." 
"Yeah, maybe. She does carry one of those in her purse 
sometimes." 
"Should we use it?" 
"Do you want to get it on?" 
"Well, yeah." 
"Then we use it." 
"You still got that towel?" he whispers. 
"It's on the floor somewhere." 
He finds the towel and holds it up. 
"Excellent. So get naked stud muffin, and get over here," I 
chuckle. He strips his briefs off and tosses them on the end of 
the bed. He suanters over letting me get a full view of his semi-
erect cock. He drops the towel and the lube on the night stand 
directly next to us and stands at the edge of the bed. His cock 
juts in my face. 
I roll over in front of him and start to take his cock in my mouth. 
He gently pushes my head back. 
"No way, man. I'm not gonna let you blow me. Not with that 
fucking bruised mouth. Jesus, that's gotta hurt no matter what 
you say." 
"I could manage..." I grin, kissing the tip of his growing erection. 
"No, listen. I wanna come with you in me anyway, ok?" 
"Ok, big man. I'd like that too," I smile up at him, "You ready for 
me then?" 
"Yeah, lay back down," he growls. 
"What?" 
"Lay flat," he pats the bed. I lie back down. Walter pulls the 
covers back. My cock flies up and says hello. He climbs in and 
straddles my thighs, leaning forward to return the kiss on the tip 
of my erection. 
"You know, you're cock's long and elegant. Just like your 
hands, Mulder. I think that's why I like it in deep. It feels...well it 
feels really good." 
"I like it deep too Walter. It's a rush." 
Walter goes for the lube and uncaps it. It's a little thicker, being 
Vaseline. He spreads it over his fingers. 
"Watch," he says. 
I do, fascinated and unbelievably turned on as he squats on my 
thighs and starts to pleasure himself. His large fingers play in 
and out of his ass. He teases his cock and balls for me. He's 
getting himself up. Letting me see how he gets himself hard. 
Walter's control and endurance really are out of this world. 
"So, you like my big cock now, baby?" he growls again. 
"Oh man, that's too much. Do it. I love it." 
"Oh yeah, Oh yeah," he moans slightly as he finger fucks 
himself. I take the tube of lube that he's dropped next to my hip 
and slick up my own cock. I'm biting my lip to hold back. I'm 
almost too far gone. I know what Walter's going to do and the 
very idea is almost making me shoot my wad all over the 
fucking room. I grab the towel off the night stand and clean off 
my hands. I toss it next to me. Walter manages to wipe his own 
hand too. 
"I'm slick for you Big Guy. But take it slow," I whisper as he 
shifts forward and begins to lower himself on my cock, "Oh 
Jesus," I moan low as he continues to come on down. I can see 
my swollen flesh disappearing into his body. He arches his head 
back slightly with the sensation of it. "Go slow, lover, careful," I 
admonish him. I grip one of his hands in one of mine and guide 
his hips with my other hand as he takes the last bit of me and 
settles on my balls. He's breathing hard. 
"You ok, Main Man?" 
"Hell yeah. Too good," he husks, "You gotta try this baby. I can 
feel every inch. Christ I wanna ride." 
"Go for it, lover. Ride my cock. I wanna see you. It's some fine 
view, Walter." 
"Uhhhh," he moans and then he levers up and slides back down 
again. 
"Oh God," I grate out. It feels fantastic. I'm very carefully 
thrusting up to meet him. I'm sliding really deep and his inner 
muscles are rippling and pushing me back out as he pushes 
back down. I have his hand to steady him as he works himself 
up and down on my body. I brush his prostate and he whines 
when I hit that bulls eye. His eyes are closed and he's totally lost 
in the experience. In the eroticism of the moment. Oh Lord, he's 
so magnificent. I've never seen him so handsome. 
"You're beautiful..." I whisper, stroking his hip, "Go nice and 
slow now, easy. That's good. Just like that," I urge him on. I'm 
meeting his careful rhythm. I don't want him to hurt himself after 
all. 
"You love me so good," he gasps. 
His cock's pointing right at my nose. Man that muther is huge. I 
mean I'm going fucking cross eyed looking at it and it's not that 
close. But what a show. I reach forward and play with it and his 
balls. He grunts with pleasure as I start to rotate my finger over 
his glans and the crown. 
"Do it," he grunts and I start to fist him slowly in time with the 
ride. 
"O baby, you're so hard for me," I croon. "So big. This is so 
good. Come on lover. Let go. Come for me. I wanna get you 
off." I push up, angling for his prostate one more time, and oh 
mama what a pay off. 
"UhhhhGod," he groans, his eyes still closed. He strains back, 
the air driven from his chest. His neck muscles tighten, his 
mouth stays open in a silent scream as his climax rocks through 
his entire body. I watch sweat spring out all over his head, neck 
and chest. It runs in rivulets down his torso. He's trembling from 
the force of the orgasmic wave shaking him. Cum spurts out in 
ribbons all over my stomach and chest. I keep pumping him 
until he's running on empty. I run one hand up and down his 
arm. I end up holding both his arms as he sits, stiff in the thoes 
of his passion. 
"Oh Fuck! I love you, baby. I love you so much," I whisper 
looking up into his face transformed in ecstasy. It's beyond 
description. All the God's of Greek and Celtic myth rolled into 
one. Worthy of worship. Worthy of sacrifice. 
As I gaze at him I notice I can see his face really well. Very well 
in the...dim light? What? I'm so close to coming myself that I 
can barely make the connection. Dark. It was more dark. Light? 
Where the hell is the light coming from....Oh shit. I can just 
glance past Walter's body to see the bedroom door standing 
open. This time the backlit shadow standing there is a lot 
smaller. Oh Lord God! Scully's standing in the doorway. 
I don't know how long she's been there but I imagine long 
enough from the fact that her chest is rising and falling very 
rapidly. One hand clutches the damn hotel supplied robe around 
her. She looks so child-like because it's way too large. Her other 
hand is in front of her mouth. I can almost see the stunned look 
on her face. The shock mixed with... distaste? Disgust? Oh 
Dear Jesus. This is not....Please don't let Walter see...But he 
doesn't. He's gone. His eyes are shut and I know he's in the O-
zone. The big O..... 
"OHGOD!" I cry out as my own orgasm makes me shatter. 
Every bone in my body seems to melt. It's a conflagration along 
all my nerve fibers. The waves of molten pleasure crash 
through me again and again. I'm fuck blind for several moments 
with the screaming intensity of it. When I come back to my 
senses, Walter is lying on top of me, gasping for air. I roll him 
over sideways and carefully pull out. Both of us are shaking and 
moaning in the aftermath. How could I have ever imagined we'd 
be quiet through this fantastic a fuck? Jesus H. Christ. I roll over 
in desperate haste. The bedroom door is closed again. 
xXx 
"What's wrong?" Walter is asking, panting and dazed, as I spring 
up and grab the towel off the bed. My legs are wobbling but I'm 
starting to run on a renewed rush of adrenaline. I'm wiping at 
myself quickly getting rid of as much of the evidence of our 
lovemaking as I can. I grab for my shorts. 
"Scully saw us," I bark without preamble. No time to cushion the 
shock now. He's the AD. Let him go into AD mode. 
"Scully?" 
"Yeah, you know. Cute red head. Stands about yay tall?" I ask 
holding up my hand as I throw the towel on the floor. 
"Saw us?" 
"Wake up, Walter. She was standing in the doorway." 
"Fuck." 
"Yeah. She saw the whole performance." 
"Well...she's an adult...and, uh, I thought she seemed 
more...accepting." 
"Walter, you didn't see her face." 
It's starting to dawn on him that I'm really in a panic. He frowns 
in worry himself then and rolls over to turn on the night stand 
light. 
"Hang on, I'll come with you," he volunteers, sitting up.  
"No way. Stay here until I assess the damage," I practically 
beg. 
"Why? Maybe I can help." 
"Oh get real, Walter. You know she sees you as the boss. And 
after she....well you're gonna scare the hell out of her. You don't 
even have your clothes in here." 
"Crap, yeah. All right. But call me if I can help." 
"You can help by cleaning up and putting your shorts back on." 
"Cut me some slack. I'll do it. Go on." 
"Hey. I'm...I'm sorry. Fuck. Look, are you all right? Jesus, 
you...I..I mean you're not...?" I gesture towards his ass, pulling 
on my pants. 
"I'm fine. Go," he grunts. His breathing is getting back to normal. 
I have to just hope he's being truthful and I didn't hurt him. 
I throw my shirt on as well and button a couple of buttons, 
"Damn it. I should have my head examined. I should have 
realized she'd check on me." 
"Hey, it took two to tango, Mulder. I should be kicking myself in 
the ass too then I guess." 
"Yeah, well...I'm the one who was grinding *my* ass against 
your hard on. Look forget it. It's done. I just have to make sure 
she's ok." 
"All right. I'll...I'll wait here," he nods, picking the towel up and 
wiping between his legs. I finish buttoning my shirt. I move to 
the bedroom door, open it, and shut it again behind me. 
xXx 
"Scully!" I blurt out. She's just about to go out the suite door. 
She's dressed again and carrying her purse of course. 
"Mulder, please. Not now." 
"Come on. Wait. Can't we talk about this? Where are you 
going?" 
She stops and her shoulders sag. She won't turn around. I walk 
carefully over and stand in back of her. I want to take her 
shoulders and turn her around but I'm afraid to touch her. 
"I have a key to Byer's room. He didn't check out. He said he'd 
do it tomorrow morning. He'll come back I guess," she replies in 
a shaky voice. 
"You don't have to go. Don't..." 
"Oh yes I do. Besides the two of you looked like you wanted to 
be alone," she hisses. 
"Please, Scully. Let's just talk..." 
"No!" she replies vehemently. Finally she turns around. I can 
see the look of pain on her face. She's embarrassed and really, 
really mad, "You must realize I can't possibly talk right now. 
God," she looks down. "Just let me leave." 
I'm sorry she's embarrassed. I guess I'd be embarrassed too if I 
walked in on us. I mean Scully hasn't lead a really 
adventuresome life. I mean sexually adventuresome. No where 
near as sexually varied as mine for sure. I know she's not a 
prude. I mean she's a doctor for God's sake. But seeing what 
she just saw - well that was a private act anyway. Hell, Walter 
would have been freaked if he'd walked in on Scully and me 
too. But the disgusted anger...that bothers me. Annoyance 
creeps into my chest. My next words show it and they show a 
lack of consideration. But once again I can't help myself. 
Christ. 
"Scully it's not like you didn't know we were lovers. You're 
certainly not...well you're an adult. You must know what two 
men do together." 
"Mulder! I'm not totally uneducated on...gay issues. I just...well 
God! I didn't expect to further my education tonight. Give me a 
fucking break," she walks past me and into the other bedroom. I 
follow. She shuts the door behind us. 
"So you do want to talk about it?" I raise an eyebrow. 
"Well, since you seem determined to embarrass me further I 
thought we'd better get out of Skinner's earshot at least." 
"I don't want to embarrass you." 
"Well you are. Look, Mulder...I...maybe I can't handle this 
situation. I know I said I was willing to try but..." 
"Just because you walked in on us you're going to...didn't you 
ever walk in on your mom and dad?" 
"What the hell does that have to do with the price of tea in 
China? They weren't my lover doing the wild thing with my 
boss, for God's sake, Mulder. I mean for crying out loud." 
"Was the problem that I was topping Walter? I mean that I 
was..." 
"I can't listen to this. I can't believe it. I'm out of here." 
"Scully!" 
She whirls on me, "Mulder it doesn't have anything to do with 
who was on top or who was on the bottom. It has to do with the 
fact that you didn't have the damn restraint to think of my 
feelings. I heard you and I thought you were ill, Mulder. I came 
in to check on you. Damn it. If the two of you had been able to 
keep your fucking hands off each other we wouldn't be having 
this conversation. 
"Didn't you notice Walter wasn't on the couch?" 
"I didn't even stop to check. I just panicked. And anyway, so 
what. He could have been in the bathroom." 
"Well...I'm sorry our making love...our wanting to be together 
and share with each other, disturbed you so much, Scully," I 
reply. I'm trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice but failing 
miserably I realize. Crap. 
"Maybe that's part of the problem too, Mulder. Yeah...I have 
trouble realizing I have to share you with...Walter. Yes, all right, I 
really am jealous. Shoot me. But Jesus, Mulder. I saw how 
much you love him. I mean it was pretty damn hard to miss. 
And he loves you too. I couldn't miss that idea either. No way in 
hell. I guess I'm just not ready to deal with...with the two of you 
and the depth of...well the depth of your feelings for each other. 
I...it was a shock to see...to see...Oh fuck it. Please just let me 
go."  
"Dana..." I whisper. 
"What the hell happened to *I never want to hurt you again, 
Scully?*" she adds miserably. 
I walk to her and finally take her arms. She holds herself stiff 
and pushes away. She won't let me pull her close. 
"I can't," she whispers. I let her arms go. 
"Please. Scully. Try to understand. I...I'm sorry if we hurt your 
feelings. If it seemed inconsiderate. Yeah, I guess it was. But it 
just...well it happened. I...I needed someone. I know if you had 
come in there first we...well, can you deny that we might have 
ended up making love?" 
"I'm not really sure, Mulder." 
"All right, whatever. But look. I...I do love Walter. I love both of 
you equally. I need you both because I'm not whole. Not 
complete without both of you. I know you've heard me say this 
before. But please believe me - it's true. I know this is difficult 
for you to fathom. It wasn't easy for me to realize, God knows. 
But I do know I've never been more content or felt more alive 
since I've been with you both. And I just don't mean the sex. I 
mean the companionship, all of it. The support. Hell, even the 
debates and arguments. I don't have a problem keeping 
everything...in compartments like you said. I've always been 
able to do it. I guess psychologically I had to in order to keep 
some semblence of order and stability in my life. I don't know. 
But it works for me. I function. It's what's keeping me going. 
What's keeping me...sane." 
"Mulder, please don't lay that sanity thing on me. I don't want 
that guilt trip right now. Whatever you're doing it does seem to 
work - after a fashion. But, I think you're a lot stronger than you 
give yourself credit for too, Fox. You never give yourself 
enough credit for any of your strengths, Mulder. You should try 
doing it. Or you should get some more help to do it. Qualified 
help. I mean another psychologist." 
"What are you trying to say?" 
"I'm trying to say I think you're strong enough to let me go, 
Mulder. You may have to be at any rate, or get help to do it. 
Because I'm not sure I can keep up my end of the bargain here. 
I...I need to take some time apart right now to find out. I need 
some space. Can...can you let me do that? Can you understand 
my position?"  
I hang my head. This is what I was afraid would happen. I don't 
know what to say. I have visions of transfer and abandonment 
running through my mind. It's my worst nightmare. I may be 
losing her. It's too much for my mind to comprehend.
"Scully. I love you..." it's all I can manage to say. 
"Mulder. I love you too. I just don't know if I can stay with you 
under these circumstances. I need to...I need to work through 
this on my own. I'll...I'll call you. I promise. Tell Skinner. Tell the 
AD I'll be taking a couple of days off. I have time coming." 
I just stand there mutely as she turns to the bedroom door. She 
opens it, walks through and heads out across the suite. I hear 
the suite door shut as she leaves. 
When I exit the bedroom Walter is standing in the middle of the 
main room. He's put on his briefs and glasses again. 
"She left?" he asks in a low voice. 
I just raise my hands in defeat. I can't even talk. The hot tears 
are all ready forming in my eyes and soon theyre spilling down 
my cheeks. My shoulders start to hitch up. And then the sobs 
start. 
"Oh man," Walter whispers quietly. He strides across the short 
space, reaching my side in seconds. He enfolds me gently in 
his strong arms. 
"It'll be ok, lover. We'll...everything will be ok," he whispers, 
"hang in there. I love you, Fox. I'm here." 
I bury my head in his shoulder and weep. 
xXx
Author's Second Note: Well obviously there will be yet another 
installment. How the heck do I get myself into these things? At 
any rate - no promises as to when but I'll be healing the conflict 
here in a big way some time soon. So, stay tuned. Thanks for 
reading and sticking with me! 
-THE END OF THE STORY FOR NOW-