Betrayal of Trust by Mulderslady Part of the Tough Love Universe DISCLAIMER: They don't belong to me, wish they did. Only Skyler Wilson, Van, Meg and do. RATING: R to NC-17 CLASSIFICATION: A, Slash, Mulder/other KEYWORDS: Slash, Mulder/other, Skyler and slight Mulder angst SPOILERS: none URL: www.geocities.com/Area51/Capsule/extreme1.html FEEDBACK: Please! at damacia@home.com ARCHIVE: Oh yeah, anywhere!! SUMMARY: Skyler's self destructive personality comes back to haunt him, making Mulder reevaluate their relationship. Part of the Tough Love Universe. This story picks up three months after the last one. *******************%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% No matter how I think we grow, you always seem to let me know It ain't workin', it ain't workin' And when I try to walk away, you'd hurt yourself to make me stay This is crazy, This is crazy Ex-Factor by Lauren Hill *******************%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Skyler slammed into Mulder 3 more times coming hard, and collapsing against him breathless. "God, I love you Mulder." Skyler said, pulling out of him. "Um was that it?" Mulder asked softly. "Huh?" Skyler asked looking at Mulder confused. "Was that it?" "Yeah, what it wasn't good for you?" Skyler teased. "No, it wasn't." Mulder said flatly. "What do you mean no?!" "I mean, I'm still hanging here." Mulder said pointing towards his still engorged cock. Skyler's eyes widened. "I thought you . . .I mean I . . .I thought . . ." "Nope." "Well here, let me . . . " "No that's ok Sky, really. I mean I really shouldn't be . . . It's not really important. I'll live." "It's just I really thought . . ." "You just came too soon that's all. You couldn't hold back." Mulder said getting up and heading to the bathroom, quickly turning on the shower. "What do you mean I couldn't hold back?" Skyler said putting on his boxers and following. Mulder stepped into the cold shower, gasping at the coldness. "Your not used to being on top, I understand. I went through that when I first started." "First started? I'm not some teenager laying a virgin. I know what I'm doing. I didn't come too soon, you just ask for too much. You rushed the foreplay, then blame me when you don't come!" Mulder stepped out of the shower and gave him an amused smile "Sky," he said touching his face gently, "I'm not saying you're a bad lover. It's just this time wasn't your best. I think this calls for going back to bed and working on it till we get it right." Mulder said kissing Skyler on the lips hungrily. Skyler pushed him away and stormed out of the bathroom. "Not my best?! You think you're the master lover?!" "Skyler, you're taking this a little too personally." "No I'm not, you said I was a bad lover." "NO I didn't, I said it wasn't your best. Everyone has a bad night, and it was good Skyler, I just want to go back to bed with you and have you make it your best." Mulder said letting his fingertips tease Skyler's chest. Skyler sighed, and gave him a lopsided grin as Mulder lead him back to the bed. 6 weeks alter "What's your problem?" Scully said as Mulder came storming into the office. "Skyler. He's getting obnoxious." "Oh ok what he do now? Your fish? The couch? OH I know, he got a hold of your video collection." Scully said with a smile "Not yet, but he should, maybe he could learn some pointers." Scully quirked her eyebrow. "Something tells me it's not the fish." Mulder let out a half chuckle. "He's um . . . he wants to be on top . . .the aggressor during sex." "And?" "Well he's . . . " "Too good making you feel insecure?" "No opposite. Excuse my bluntness a minute, but Sky can give you a blow job to make you sell your soul to the devil a couple of times." Scully turned crimson, and snort laughed. When she recovered Mulder continued "But he's a horrible lover. His . . . he's totally . . he has no concept of foreplay, he doesn't know how to touch me, and he doesn't want to listen to me when I tell him what I want. He doesn't take suggestions well. I just grin and bear it then convince him somehow to give me a blow job so I can get some sort of relief." Scully threw him a sympathetic smile. "I had a boyfriend like that once. He thought squeezing my breast twice and patting my butt was foreplay." "Ugh, what you do?" "Dumped his ass." Mulder smiled "Not an option." Scully smiled, it was so strange to hear Mulder say that. "Then you're going to have to tell him, no matter how unpleasant." "I'm dreading it, you should have seen him when I told him the first time. I've never had to fake an orgasm before, but I've gotten so convincing I even scare myself." Scully snort laughed "Talk to Meg about it maybe she can give you some pointers." Mulder nodded and opened a file. 2 weeks later Meg's office "Ok Skyler, Mulder asked me to mediate a session, he wants to tell you something important." Skyler's nodded and smiled at Mulder, caressing his thigh gently. "What's up?" "Skyler, Sky . . ." Mulder started leaning forward, taking his hand in his. "What?" "I love you so much and I don't want this to hurt you but . . ." Skyler reached out and smoothed Mulder's hair out of his face. Meg smiled, he really has come a long way. A couple of months ago, he wouldn't have ever dreamed of touching Mulder like this in front of anybody. Now he hasn't given it a second thought. He even says he initiates intimate contact with him now. I'm so proud of his progress. I hope this doesn't set him back. It's not really bad, but Mulder said he hadn't taken it well the first time he broached the subject. "Sky, I love you, but I've . . . I've had to . . . Your horrible in bed." Mulder finally spit out. "What?!!" Skyler said pulling away from him. Oh boy he's not taking it well, Meg thought. "What do you mean? You seem to like it?" "I'm fak . . . I've gotten to be a very good actor." Skyler let out a disgusted grunt and stood up quickly. "I'm sorry, I know your feelings are hurt however, I had to let you know. But I was thinking . . ." "Fine, we'll do it your way just like everything else!" "Huh?" Mulder and Meg said, confused by the sudden outburst "You always have to be in control, don't you? You are such an ego maniac! I don't know how Scully's put up with you for so long. Damn it, I don't know why I've put up with you! I could have my pick of men, or women if I want. All I have to do is walk out this door and ask! If you don't appreciate my 'technique', I'm sure there is someone who does!" Skyler said grabbing his jacket and getting ready to leave. "Skyler wait! Mulder leave." Meg said trying to regain control of the situation. Mulder got up and left quickly. "Skyler you're treading dangerous ground." "What do you mean?" "You didn't hear him out." "I don't care!" "You're not listening and you're starting to shut out the people who love you most. You're starting the pattern again." "What pattern?" Skyler asked sharply "The same self destructive pattern you've been repeating all your life. He just wants you to listen, that's all. He's not insulting you, he just wants to help, be supportive, and your taking offense when you really shouldn't." Skyler nodded "I'll think about it later Meg." 1 a.m. Bar "Scotch." Skyler said as the bartender refilled his drink. "What happened? Woman problems?" "No man problems. He said I was lousy in bed. He's such a control freak." "I know what you mean. My name's Van by the way." "Skyler." "So ok, your boyfriend he insists on being on top, doing things his pace, bet you can't even decorate the apartment the way you want." "Yeah, he wants to live like a college frat boy. Your good, you a psychology major?" "No I just know people. Tell me something. You've had a lot of bad relationships. You've always been the submissive one, the weaker of the couple. This guy your with now, he loves you, but he doesn't understand what you need." "And what do I need?" "Control. You need to control your own life. You've had people making decisions for you all your life, you want to feel in control, powerful." Skyler nodded in agreement as Van continued. "Your insecure about yourself and your sexuality. You need a man you can dominate and take over. A man who is willing to show you what you need and how to get it." Van said leaning into Skyler, touching his cheek gently. Skyler shivered under his touch. "Yes." "You know what else I know?" "What?" "The man who can do it for you." "Who?" Van kissed him gently on the lips and pulled away, winking at him. Skyler no, don't do it! What about Mulder? You're committed to him, he didn't . . . Shut up! This is about me, not Mulder. Why's everything about him? What about what I need? Skyler's conscience argued with itself. "So what do you say Skyler? My place?" Skyler looked into Van's piercing blue eyes and nodded yes. "Good huh?" Skyler said as he thrust into the other man wildly. "OH yeah, oh Skyler yes!" Van said writhing in pleasure. "I knew it." He said as he tenderly caressed his back with his fingertips. He imagined Mulder under him, his smooth warm skin, silky hair running through his fingers then reality came back as he looked down at Van's tattooed back and spiky hair. Skyler came quickly and got off him. "Oh man, oh god that was good! Your boy friend is a loser!" Van said breathless. "No he's not! He's the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I can't believe I did this!" Skyler said dressing quickly. "So this isn't . . ." Van started, a disappointed tone in his voice. "No! You see this, it's a commitment ring! I promised . . . Dang it I'm the one who . . . the commitment ring was my idea and I'm the one who cheats! I gotta go Van, I'm sorry I gotta go." Skyler said running out of the room. Skyler took a shower, trying desperately to wash the smell of sex off of him. He climbed into bed next to Mulder and looked at his sleeping profile. He's beautiful, he's yours, what is your problem Skyler? Why do you always have to ruin a good thing? Maybe it really is a pattern I've developed, Skyler thought as he rolled into Mulder, snuggling into his side. Mulder sighed and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him against him. His nose buried itself in Skyler's hair as his hands traveled his body. "I missed you, where were you?" he asked shifting slightly, his hard erection brushing Skyler's thigh. Skyler smiled. Fitting, I just screwed the life out of some guy I pick up at a bar and now Mulder's horny! "I want to show you something." "What?" "I want to show you how you like me to make love to you Sky. Then you can show me how you like to make love to me. How you like that idea?" Skyler smiled and looked up into his warm hazel eyes. "I love you." Skyler said softly as Mulder's fingers played in his hair. Skyler closed his eyes and enjoyed being touched by Mulder. He loved how his fingertips caressed him, said I love you with one brush against his skin. "You like to be touched and caressed, you love being kissed hard and watching me as I make love to you." Mulder said between kisses. He built their passion to a fever pitch quickly. Mulder entered him gently, placing kisses on his neck and shoulders as he started to thrust in slowly. "You like it when I'm gentle, it hurts you if I'm too rough and I would never want to hurt you Sky. I love you so much. I need you so much, your everything to me Sky." Skyler burst into tears and Mulder stopped "Did I hurt you, was it something I said? I'm sorry I didn't . . ." "No, it wasn't you, I'm still worked up from earlier. I'm sorry, I love you." Skyler said, kissing Mulder reassuringly on his lips and placing light kisses on his chest and neck. Next day 7:30 p.m. Bar Skyler sat at the table and waited for Mulder to come back with the drinks. Of all the places why this one, why during Van's shift?! Van eyed Skyler and smiled, giving Mulder the eye and making the connection. OH no don't, Skyler thought as he saw Van lean into Mulder "Hey is that your boyfriend?" Mulder looked at Van confused, then followed where he was pointing. He smiled proudly and nodded yes. "Why?" "He wasn't last night." Mulder's smile fell "Excuse me?" "Didn't you wonder where he was all last night? He was busy screwing me into the mattress. I don't know what your problem is but he's a great lover." Van said handing Mulder the drinks. Mulder paid for them quickly. "Thanks." "Your more than welcome." Mulder came back to the table and sat down solemnly. OH god he knows, he's going to go off, Mulder please understand, Skyler thought as Mulder stared at him a moment. "Did you really sleep with the bartender, Van? Did you sleep with him last night?" Mulder asked quietly, Skyler started to explain when Mulder repeated sternly "Tell me the truth, did you make love to him and come home and make love to me?" "Yes." Mulder sighed and downed his drink quickly. He looked at Skyler with disappointment and left the bar. Skyler followed him Quickly, finding him waiting in the car. Skyler got in the car and Mulder drove off. Mulder didn't look or talk to Skyler until they got into the apartment. "Tell me why." "I was upset what you said hurt me, I . . ." Skyler started. "Bull shit!" Mulder said punching the wall hard, "Tell me why!" "It was a mistake, I'm sorry." "Sorry? Sorry? Don't give me that crap you did this deliberately why?!" "Mulder please I'm sorry I . . ." Mulder growled in frustration and rushed him, knocking him to the floor. He pulled back his hand to slap him and Skyler curled into a ball. Oh god, oh god, he's going to hit me, I really screwed up this time, he thought as Mulder backhanded him hard across the face. "How could you Sky! How could you?! Why do you always do this to me?!" Mulder screamed, punching Skyler in the face and storming over to the couch. Mulder roared with anger and smashed his hand into the wall, leaving a sizable dent in it and sitting heavily in the couch. Skyler rose from the floor in shock. He hit me, he really hit me, he thought as he tasted the metallic taste of blood in his mouth. Mulder's head snapped up at almost the same instant. I hit him, oh my god I hit Sky. "Skyler, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you like that Sky. Sky?" Skyler threw him a defiant look, grabbed his coat and ran out the door. "Sky! Come back, I'm sorry please." Mulder said running after him. Skyler hit the lobby button and prayed the door would close before Mulder got there. "Sky! Sky!" Mulder said running into the closed elevator doors. Mulder ran down the stairs quickly, catching a glimpse of a fleeing Skyler as he went outside. "Skyler!" Mulder screamed, they made eye contact and Skyler quickly hailed a cab, come on come on, he thought as Mulder appeared outside and a cab pulled up. "20th and Main please." The cabby pulled off as Mulder ran to the cab stand. "Sky, I'm sorry." He whispered as he watched Skyler's cab fade into the distance. "I don't believe he hit me. I'll never hurt you Sky. Liar." Skyler murmured to himself as he downed his drink. "I told you he's a no good prick. Come home with me Skyler, you know I'll treat you right." "No that's what got me into this mess in the first place. Why'd he have to say that to me? Why? Why'd he have to hit me like that? Why Van, Why?" Skyler said breaking down into tears. "Come on, I'm off now, we can go to my place and talk. Talk quickly turned to kisses as Van took advantage of the vulnerable Skyler. Skyler felt himself eased on the bed and sighed. He needed this, he needed to feel loved, he needed to lose control. Control that what he had wanted so desperately when he had first slept with Van. He was in control, but having that control, he understood his errors. Mulder was only trying to help, be supportive and I wouldn't listen, proud pompous ass that I am. Now that's why I'm face down with this tattooed moron on top of me, pumping into me way too hard, not enough lube. I want to go home, this should be Mulder pumping into me, caressing my back. Mulder, whose eyes I peer into as he takes me places I never thought possible. But I'm messed that up, I've ruined that forever with my stupidity The hatred and disgust I saw in his eyes. He'll never forgive me, no matter what I've done he's never lost it like that. He'd go run it off, punch some walls, he'd never hit me, never ever hit me. He's never been in such a rage like that before. I cheated on him, I cheated on him after I promised I'd be with him and only him forever. I would have hit me too. He looked so guilty though when he realized he'd hit me. Mistake #2 I didn't listen to his apology. I just left and ran right back into the arms of tattoo boy. God I wish he'd hurry up this hurts, dang it hurts. "Man you feel perfect Skyler, you are one hot piece of ass." Van said as he slammed into him harder. Skyler let out a whimper of pain. "You liked that huh? Knew you liked it rough." Van said as he grabbed Skyler's hair roughly as he rode him hard. Skyler came quietly in his hand and waited for Van to finish. "Man, "Van sighed heavily as he pulled out of him and collapsed at his side. Skyler cuddled into Van a little, but Van pulled away. "What?" "Nothing." Skyler sighed. "Don't tell me you want more already?" "No, I was hoping we could talk some more." "Why?" Why? Why?! Jeez, who have I hooked up with. "Look Skyler, you're a great screw, but you have way too many personal problems for me to even attempt a relationship with you. I'll sleep with you whenever, but no way." Skyler double blinked, he used me? He just used me for sex? "You used me?" "Well yeah man, that ass of yours was just begging to be screwed. I would have told you anything in the world to get you in bed with me." Skyler closed his eyes. I'm not hearing this, I'm not hearing this. Skyler rolled out of bed and pulled up his boxers. Van touched his back lightly. "Look I'm sorry I hurt you, but I never said . . ." "Fine. I assumed too much." Skyler said jerking from him, putting on his jeans quickly "Have you ever considered therapy Sky I mean . . ." "Yes I have and don't call me Sky." Skyler said slipping on his shirt and grabbing his jacket. Only Mulder's allowed to call me Sky, he thought sadly. "So I'll see you later?" "You won't see me ever again." "Look I'm sorry I don't take rebounds. What you think he'll take you back now? That what you think?" Skyler just glared at Van as he walked into the daylight. 10:30 am Scully looked at her watch again, where is he? Something's up, he's not answering his cell. Mulder stormed quickly into the office, his hand in a bulky cast up to his elbow. "Oh my god Mulder! What happened?" Scully gasped, coming over to him quickly. "Skyler is what happened!" "Huh?" "I wish I had never met him. I am so through with him Scully!" Mulder said sitting heavily in his chair, "First he doesn't want to sleep with me, and when he finally does he freaks out, and sleeps with my ex-wife." Scully sat on the edge of her desk and listened, sensing she was about to get an earful. "Then he got his act together, we have a great anniversary get away. He gets kidnapped and beaten up by some homophobic ninny who reads his equally homophobic column, and I get fussed out for not coming to save his sorry ass sooner." "Whoa wait a minute, you never told me that one. He got pissed cause you didn't . . ." "Sooner, yep tell me about it. Pompous ass selfish . . . then when I try to suggest . . . tell him how I want to be made love to, he goes and picks up some guy who looks like a Hell's Angel reject and fucks him, then comes home and fucks me and acts like nothings wrong! Then he tries to turn it around on me, saying it was my fault he was out laying anything that moves." "So how did you break your hand?" "I hit him hard, then punched the wall equally as hard." "I'd hate to see his face if you hit him that hard." Scully said with a smiled "So would I. Scully promise me, if I whine for him today, slap me." "What do you mean your . . . What about your . . . you promised to . . ." "And he broke that promise, and he'll keep breaking that promise and I'm not going to be around when he does it again." "Now Mulder, aren't you being a little . . ." "No, I've put up with all his crap, two years worth of it. Every time something rocks his boat or makes him face his sexuality, he bolts and does something like this. I'm so tired of it. I'm tired of him crawling back to me with some excuse, and I'm tired of not being strong enough to tell him to go." "That's my Mulder! Well, we have a light day today. Three cases to look at then, I'll take you to dinner, you need it." "Thanks Scully." Mulder said with a smile. "Then I got kick boxing lessons, You can come with me if you want. You could have the instructor draw Skyler's face on my punching bag." Mulder laughed "Make sure you wear your gloves though, he's got a hard head." Mulder said, patting his cast. Megs Office 5 p.m. "What Sarah, I'm reviewing charts." Meg said, slightly irritated at the interruption. "It's Skyler, he doesn't look good." Sarah whispered into the phone. "Ok I'll be right out." Meg came out of her office and went to Skyler, who was staring blankly ahead of him, trembling slightly. "Skyler? Come on tell me what happened." She said helping him up and into her office, "I maybe a while Sarah, hold my calls." Meg closed the door and got comfortable in the chair "Skyler what happened? What happened to your eye?" "I'm so stupid Meg. I do this all the time, but this time he's not going to let me come back, I know it. You should have seen the hatred in his eyes, his voice." "Why what happened?" "I mean I can understand him being upset. I promised that I was his, it was my idea the commitment rings were my idea and I went out and slept with another guy. Not once, but twice!" Well at least it wasn't a woman, at least he's beginning to admit to himself that he's gay, Meg thought as she said "So you self destructed again?" "Yeah I felt so guilty afterwards, but it was too late." "Yes it was. Your eye? What happened?" "He . . . Mulder . . . when he found out, he hit me." "What?!" "I know, I was so shocked, he hit me hard then started punching the wall." "Oh Skyler, you . . ." "Really screwed up? Tell me something I don't know Meg! He was so shocked that he hit me himself, he was in such a rage. I've screwed up the best relationship I ever had cause of pride." "And selfishness, insecurity. Skyler you've improved, but your still not willing to admit your gay." "Why should I? What you want me to come out publicly, like in my column?" "No you have to admit it to yourself. You need to realize how much Mulder really means to you, and you need to suck up your pride and ask for his forgiveness. I don't know if he'll forgive you though Skyler. You remember the last time you cheated on him?" "Yeah he threw me out." "Exactly, the only reason he took you back was cause you tried to kill yourself." "Hey that's still an option." "Skyler." Meg said with a warning tone, "Look there's nothing I can do or say Skyler. Fox Mulder is the most complicated man I know. He's fiercely loyal, loving, passionate and has been hurt and betrayed by those he's loved all his life. The only person who hasn't hurt him is his partner and best friend Scully. She understands what he needs is someone to back him up and to be there for him. You aren't there for him. Your aren't right for him Skyler." Meg said, hoping a little tough love therapy would knock some sense into Skyler's self pity. "What?!" Skyler said shocked. "Tell me it's not true, that he does need you. Why does he need you?" "Cause I love him, he loves me." "So? Scully loves him, he loves Scully. Another reason." Skyler thought hard, there has to be a reason. "What reason have you given him that he should take you back? You cheat on him, blame him for everything that goes wrong in your life, you lie to him . . . " "Lie to him? I've never . . ." "Yes you have. You wear a commitment ring. Your idea mind you, you told him with that ring that you would love and cherish him forever. I bet you don't know how comforting that was to him Skyler. To receive something like that, from you, the man he loves more than anything in this world, the man he'd do anything for. But what do you do? Whenever things get tough, you run." "I'm not hearing this! Your supposed to be helping me, not telling me off!" "I am helping you, cause you have blinded yourself to the fact that you've hurt him, you've broken his heart not once, but twice. He doesn't have to put up with this and he won't. If you want him, you are going to have some serious work to do. You have to decide if he's what you want." "He's what I want." "Then go get him." Later Mulder's apartment "All the time why does he . . .god I miss him." Mulder said as he opened the door to his apartment. Scully slapped him hard. "Ow! What was that for?" "You told me to do it if you started to pine for Skyler." Mulder smiled at her and hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad I have you Scully." "You want me to stay with you or will you be ok by yourself?" "Can you stay till I go to sleep?" "Sure." 2 a.m. Skyler put his key in the door and opened it. Mulder was stretched out across the couch, his head resting in Scully's lap as he slept peacefully. Scully opened her eyes and looked at Skyler, frowning when she saw him. "What are you doing here?" "I live here." "Not for long. How dare you show your face here after what you did to him." Scully spat at him, framing her arms around Mulder protectively. "Done to him? Look at my face!" Skyler said pointed to his blackened eye and swollen lip. "You got what you deserved, it would have been worse if I'd been here. Your ass would have been in traction for weeks!" "Oh big, bad, little Scully." "Well some one has to stand by Mulder, you don't" Skyler winced at the jab. Mulder stirred on her lap "Who are you fussing out Scully?" He said, turning on his back and opening his sleepy hazel eyes to stare into her pissed off blue ones. "Your worthless boyfriend." She said, letting her hand run over his chest, rubbing it in light circles as he stretched. "Boyfriend?" Mulder looked to his right to see Skyler hovering over him. "What the fuck do you want?" Mulder said angrily. Skyler sighed, here goes nothing. "I want to start over. I want to come home. I want . . ." Mulder raised his hand, stopping him, nodding no. "No Skyler, no not again. I've had it up to here with your indecisive, self-destructive personality. I can't take it anymore, and I wont." "I could change Mulder, please I . . ." "That's what you said the last time. You promised it wouldn't happen again, but it did. Looks like it happened more than once too. You slept with him again, didn't you?" "Mulder I . . ." "What? Is this the way you like things now huh? Sleep with him then come home sleep with me? It doesn't work that way Skyler! You chose now. Me, him or . . ." "I chose you, please don't . . ." "No." "I'm sorry oh please, I'm so sorry Mulder please." Skyler begged, getting on his knees next to Mulder, moving to hug him. Mulder bolted up, moving away from him. "I want you out now. You've had your chance, I've given you more than I should. Now leave and I don't ever what to see you again. WE ARE OVER!" Mulder said rising and brushing past Skyler as he walked into his bedroom and slammed the door. Scully glared at Skyler, who was still on his knees stunned. "Mulder? Mulder?" He said softly as he got up quickly going to the bedroom door. He twisted the knob, it wouldn't open. "Mulder please let me in, let's talk about this, please I love you." He was greeted by a deathly silence. "I need you Mulder, I need you so much. I'm sorry I betrayed your trust, please I'm sorry. I mean it! It will never happen again. I'm sorry I broke our commitment. I love you and I will always love you." Mulder opened the bedroom door and looked at Skyler blankly. "I love you." Skyler said softly, staring into his unwavering hazel eyes. He took Skyler's hand in his, and place something in it. Skyler look down at the white gold diamond and onyx band and closed his eyes. "Oh god no." "You can get your stuff in the morning." Mulder said, slamming the bedroom door in his face. He placed his hands on the closed door intent on banging on it till he opened it again, but stopped, looking back into the reproaching eyes of Scully. "I love him so much." "Well you figured that out a little too late, didn't you?"