Title: Athena, Chapter 7

Author: Kendall

Fandom: X-Files

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: S/M/K.

Archive: All requests are welcomed

Date: January 6, 2002

Category: AU

Spoilers: None specifically

Warnings: Contains scenes of m/m sex, discipline. If this offends you please *LEAVE NOW*

Disclaimer: Skinner, Mulder, Krycek, Scully and Doggett and the X-File all belong to Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and the

Series: Greek Gods

Summary: Someone is after the boys…and they aren't going to take it lying down.

Athena (Goddess of Wisdom)

Walter Skinner was used to getting up early. As a child he was up early to do chores around his parent's farm. As a young man in the army he was ordered to be an early riser. As he grew older and the pressures of life became stronger he took solace in his work and getting to work early and leaving late became habit. He was more often than not awake for at least an hour before his lovers and he usually spent the time Fox and Alex watching. The innocence etched on the two faces he loved so much as they slept belied the mischief that was so often present while the pair was awake. Walter always hated getting up and getting ready to face the day…a day spent away from his two best friends. It still amazed him that he could so easily consider the two men by those terms considering their past. But he wasn't about to look a gift horse…or rat or fox for that matter in the mouth.

Walter was busy shaving in front of the steamed mirror in the master bath when the door opened and a sleep walking Russian came padding in. Walter watched in the mirror as Alex, his eyes tightly closed against the glare from the bathroom lights, walked behind him and towards the toilet. Walter turned and watched in amusement as Alex tried to one handedly lift the lid but kept dropping it instead. With a huff Alex fumbled to get his penis out of the confines of the boxers he had worn to bed and tried to aim for the bowl.

"Here let me," Walter said as he saw Alex was actually aiming at the wall. Reaching over he grabbed Alex's penis and aimed. He smiled when he heard Alex sigh in pleasure and relief as his bladder finally emptied. Tucking his young lover back in Walter opened his arms and pulled the sleepy young man into his arms. "How you doing love?"

"'Leepy," Alex mumbled into the wide chest.

"No! Really? I would never have guessed," Walter chuckled, "That's what you get for going to the farm to pick up Murphy as soon as we got back from Wyoming."

"Missed him."

"I know you did. And by the fact that he slept on top of us last night I know he missed you too."

"Good doggie," Alex said smiling sweetly, his face still pressed against Walter's chest.

"As much as I love this, I need to get going," Walter said with regret, "I have an early morning meeting."

"'Kay," Alex said pushing himself away and heading out of the bathroom. "OW! Walter!" he yelped, "What the fuck."

Walter grinned like an idiot at the outraged look on Alex's face, the green eyes now wide open, "Couldn't resist. You have the most spankable bottom, even when you are wearing boxers."

As much as he wanted to Alex could not pout, not with Walter looking so lovingly at him, "Next time you get the urge to spank me just give me a little warning."

"What would be the fun in that," Walter said still grinning as he leaned over and kissed the tip of Alex's nose. "Go on, get back to bed. I'm sure Fox is missing his cuddly."

Alex smirked, "He sure likes latching on to me doesn’t he?"

"Like that's a bad thing."

"Don't get me wrong," Alex said quickly, "I'm not complaining. It just makes it hard to get up to the bathroom in the middle of the night."

"You don’t have to tell me," Walter said with a twinkle in his eye, "I happen to be someone's cuddly too."

Alex's cheeks pinked and he smiled sweetly, "What are you smiling at Walter?"

"You. I love the fact that you blush. I never imagined you would."

"I better leave before I start giggling like a school girl and completely destroy my tough guy persona," Alex said ducking his head and quickly left the bathroom to the sounds of Walter's laugh.

"Shit!" Walter cursed loudly as he tripped over the suitcase and almost fell forward.

"Walter? You okay?" Fox asked sleepily as he propped himself on his elbow to see what had caused his lover to yell.

"I would have been better if someone hadn't just dumped their suitcase when they got home last night."

"Ooops sorry," Fox said contritely and ducked back behind Alex who was on his side looking at Walter.

"Walter doesn't Fox also have a very spankable bottom?" Alex asked sweetly, smiling up at his older lover.

"ALEX!" Fox said in outrage and popped back up, "Don’t give him any ideas."

"Alex is right Fox," Walter said trying not to smile at the look of total disbelief in the former agent's face. "Come here." Amazingly Fox did as he was told without grumbling although if looks could kill Alex would be six feet under very soon. Walter sat on the recliner and tapped his lap, "We'll make it short and sweet, I have to get to work after all."

"And we certainly wouldn't want you to be late," Fox sassed back and yelped when Walter's hand connected with his backside.

"What's this spanking for?"

"'Cause Alex is a big mouth rat…OWWW!…Sorry! Because I left the suitcase on the floor and we talked about how important…ouch…it is to be neat when you live…with…damn Walter…ouch…owww…stop please…"

"Go on finish your recitation," Walter said landing another swat.

"It's important to be neat when you live with two anal retentive neat freaks…FUCK! Walter! Stop…stop…"

But Walter didn't stop, he continued to spank until every inch of Fox's behind was an even red color.

"That was for the anal-retentive crack," Walter said landing one more spank and stopping. Helping the groaning Fox sit up he settled him on his lap, mindful of his tender rear. "The reason, as you well know, that we try to keep the house, especially our bedroom, in some semblance of order is that…"

"If we were three slobs we couldn’t move around." Fox finished, sobbing hard. A couple of minutes later he was calm enough to add with a twinkle in his eye, "Couldn't I be the one slob and you two could be my slaves?"

"You are incorrigible you know that," Walter said and kissed him, "But now I think you need to get back to bed," he added and gestured to the bed with his chin.

Fox turned to the bed and frowned when he noticed Alex had turned away from them and burrowed under the sheets. "Alex?" Fox asked questioningly and then turned to look at Walter.

"I think the big-mouthed rat comment didn't go over very well," Walter whispered as they stood up.

"Alex?" Fox said as he climbed back on the bed and snuggled behind his lover, "Sweetie? Alex I didn’t mean that…I was just joking."

"I…I didn't know he was going to do that…I was just kidding," Alex said his voice low.

"I know you didn't. I deserved it…beside he really didn't spank me hard," Fox said but his words were not too convincing when he sobbed again involuntarily.

"I can always try again if you were dissatisfied," Walter said from behind them.

"No complaints really…none at all," Fox said giving him a cheeky if wet grin as he rubbed his red behind.

"Okay gentlemen, as much as I regret leaving this lovely little scene I fear I must. I will talk to you later." He bent over the bed and kissed Fox on the lips and Alex on the top of his head, giving the younger man's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

When Walter was gone, Fox once again tried to make amends, "Alex…please I'm sorry."

Alex turned to face him and smiled, "Okay…you are forgiven. Wanna play?"

"Sorry love…but I can't. I also have to be downtown for a meeting with Steadman. I'll try to wrap up as soon as I can and come home. Besides my butt is a little too sore right now."

Reluctantly Alex nodded and rolled out of bed to watch Fox head to the bathroom. He couldn't help but admire Walter's handiwork. Fox's very sexy backside was red from just below his lower back to right below the butt, where it met the top of the thigh.

"Once a spy always a spy eh Alex?"

"What?" Alex said startled by the sound of Fox's voice. "Oh this," he added backing away from the living room window. "New neighbors finally moved in."

"Really? The house had the 'SOLD' sign since June. I wonder why they took so long to move in." Fox said as he finished tying his tie.

Shrugging his shoulders Alex said, "Don’t know…maybe the house needed some renovations or something."

"Maybe."

"What's with you Fox? You seem preoccupied," Alex said walking up to his lover.

"Nothing. It's just this meeting with my publisher…he said he had a surprise for me but wouldn't tell me what it is."

"Once a paranoid always a paranoid eh Fox?" Alex said grinning.

"Funny boy," Fox said grinning back and pulling Alex into his arms. He kissed the willing lips that open without hesitation to receive his tongue. The kiss deepened and soon Alex was grabbing for Fox's shirt.

"So…sorry baby but…but…we can't," Fox said pushing the hand away. Regrettably they pushed away from each other and stood panting. "What are your plans for today," he said trying to change the subject.

"I'm going to the bank to make sure all the transfers are done," Alex said, "When I come home I'll probably just go on the net to check the car sites."

Now that he was starting his substitute teaching job, Alex had decided he wanted his own car. He was not about to give up the Harley Fox and Walter had given him for his birthday, but he didn't think showing up to work in a motorcycle was a good idea, specially when Winter came.

"Why don't you stop by the neighbors and introduce yourself…maybe bake some cookies," Fox said trying to keep his face serious although his lips were trying to smile.

Alex gaped at him open-mouthed and said, "What? Who the fuck do you think I am…freaking Martha Stewart? I don't bake cookies and I ain't no welcome wagon."

"Not with that language you are not," Fox said smiling, "I really have to go now. Call if you need anything."

"I will," Alex promised as he walked Fox to the front door. He stood on the porch as Fox backed out his car from the driveway. After giving his departing lover a quick wave goodbye Alex turned to enter the house. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a man standing on the lawn of the new neighbor's house. He turned slightly to get a better look and was surprised to see the man glare at him and then turn on his heel and walk into his house, slamming the door as he did so.

Alex frowned and then shrugged his shoulders and entered the house.

"Skinner," Walter Skinner said as he answered the phone.

"Hey DeeDee," a familiar voice said in the other end.

"What's up?" Walter replied with a big smile. No matter how busy or stressed he was, just hearing the voice of one of his lovers always brought a smile to his lips. "How did the meeting go?"

"That's why I'm calling," Fox said, his voice noticeably excited, "I've got some news I'd like to tell you about and I was wondering if we could have dinner tonight."

"Sure. I can wrap up here early," Walter assured him, "Did you call Alex yet?"

"Yeah but he wasn't home and his cell phone is not picking up. I also would like Dana to be there tonight… and John of course. I'll take care of the meal."

"You are going to cook?" Walter asked totally surprised.

Chuckling at the stunned tone of Walter's voice Fox said, "No. I'm going to have it catered. I already called to make sure it can be done so don't worry. Just make sure you are home by six-thirty."

"I will. Love you Fox."

"Love you Walter."

"Alex! What a pleasant surprise," Eve Kirkpatrick exclaimed as she saw Alex and Murphy approaching.

Alex's face split into a huge grin at the sight of their neighbor. Eve had several dogs and it was she that had found Murphy for Fox and Walter to give to Alex on his birthday. "Eve, how are you?"

"Fine, fine," she said patting a spot on the bench besides her. "Where were you last week. I didn't see you at the park."

"We went to Wyoming to…uhm…visit a friend," Alex said hesitantly, not sure he wanted to get into the details of talking about his newly found clone brother. "We left Murphy with Walter's folks at the farm."

"Well, if you need to leave him anytime and you don't have time to take him to the farm you can always leave him with me. He loves my boys and they get along great. Besides that's what neighbors are for."

"Speaking of neighbors…what do you know about the ones that just moved in across the street from us."

"Why Mr. Krycek," Eve said in mock surprise, "Are you implying I am a gossip?"

His eyes twinkling, "In my former trade, I tried to get the best information and that usually came from the bests sources. I haven't changed my standards."

Eve let out a laugh and said, "You are a sweet talking devil that is what you are. Very well Mr. Krycek, I'll tell you what I know. The owner is a widower by the name Clayton Faraday with three sons, two from a previous marriage and a little boy of six from the second. The two eldest are in their early twenties but still live with their father. I think they are attending school here. The father works for a pharmaceutical group called Neila, he is a Vice President of something or other. He is most definitely not the friendly sort. Teresa Monroe, from the welcome wagon committee went over and he nearly slammed the door on her face trying to get rid of her."

Alex stared at her open-mouthed, then he chuckled, "You didn't happen to get his blood type by any chance did you?"

Eve flashed him a smile, "So tell me what has been going on in your life sweetie."

"Nothing much…just getting ready to start the new job…I mean if they need substitute teachers of course. I might be all worried about nothing."

"Phyllis Nott is the principal at the Elementary School and she told me that all the teachers are all exited at the prospect of having you substitute or even do a Teacher's Assistant job."

"They are? Why?"

"For one thing most of the teachers are women and for another you are a celebrity."

Alex frowned, "I don’t want to get a job because of my looks or my history."

"Alexei, your looks and your history gets you your foot in the door, what you do once you are in it's up to you."

"You are right Eve…thanks," Alex said and then glanced at his watch, "Damn, look at the time, I got to go. I have to check if Fox has called."

"Don't you have your cell phone?"

"Uhm…kind of forgot to recharge it after I got back from the farm. It's charging now."

"I'll see you later then. Say hello to Fox and Walter for me."

"I will," Alex promised and then whistled for his dog, "Murphy let's go boy!" When the big puppy joined him he patted it's massive head, "That's a good boy Murph. Let's go home."

"Looking for this?"

Alex turned around at the sound of Fox's voice. He groaned inwardly at the sight of his cell phone dangling from his lover's long fingers. "Uhm…yeah."

"I tried calling you several times."

"Sorry…kinda of forgot to charge it last night," Alex said contritely, "What were you calling about?"

"Don't try to change the subject young man," Fox said sternly, "You know how Walter and I feel about being able to find each other."

"I said I was sorry Fox," Alex said frowning.

"Okay…okay," Fox said finally relenting, "I'm in too good a mood to let anything upset me."

"Why? What happened at your meeting?"

"Well if you had had your phone on I would have told you earlier. I called Walter and told him to be home by six thirty and Dana and John will be coming over for dinner at seven. I tell everyone my news then."

"Dinner? Are you cooking?"

Rolling his eyes Fox said, "Why do I always get the same response? Okay so cooking is not my strength but do you guys have to point it out every single time."

Alex walked up to his lover and hugged him, "Sorry Foxlet. You are great at so many things being a lousy cook is just the only thing we can pick on you about."

"You are a sneaky boy…but that is why I love ya," Fox said returning the kiss Alex was placing in his lips.

"What time did you say Walt would be home?"

"Six thirty…but the caterer will be here with the food by six…why?"

"'Cause it's only four and I'd thought…we could finish what we started this morning."

"How about we wait and do it with Walter after dinner, so we can celebrate," Fox said and kissed him again.

"Oh if we have too," Alex whined but smiled, "Of course we can wait. By the way I talked Eve at the park earlier. She filled me in on the new neighbors."

"Well why don't you tell me while we shower," Fox said and taking Alex by the hand. "But no hanky panky."

"Oh you are no fun," Alex pouted but followed.

"So Fox? What's the good news?" Walter asked when they were all seated at the table. Dana and John had arrived a few minutes earlier after having walked from their home a few blocks down.

"What makes you think it's good news?"

"Well for one you have the cat-that-ate-the-canary look," Walter said amused, "And for another, this meal must have set you back a pretty penny. It is amazing. Caviar, champagne, Oyster Rockefeller and if my nose is not wrong that is lamb chops in rosemary."

"And Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry sauce," Fox said, his grin widening as Alex ran his tongue lightly over his lips.

"Come on Mulder," Dana said smiling at her ex-partner, "Are you going to keep us in suspense until after the meal or tell us now and let us enjoy it."

"Okay…okay," Mulder said shifting excitedly in his seat, "When I started writing I never really expected it to go very far. I mean, all you guys told me I should put my experiences down on paper. Well it was hard and at times it was more of a pain that it was worth but now…now it thinks it was worth all the hard work. I had a meeting with my publisher today and he gave me two things," reaching into his pocket he pulled out an envelope, "This is an advance on the orders for the books. Here open it Walter."

Walter took the envelope and opened it. He pulled out a check and his eyes and mouth widened in surprise, "Fox! Fox oh my God! This…this…this is…"

"Yup, I get a small percentage on pre-sales and if the book does well then the percentage is increased."

"This is a small percentage?" Walter squeaked and then cleared his throat, "This is a check for eight hundred thousand dollars."

"What! Geez Fox," Alex exclaimed as he took the check from Walter and looked for himself, "That's great. Congratulations."

"Yes congratulations Mulder," Scully said and kissed his cheek and John offered his hand to shake.

"And that is just the beginning," Fox said, "Patrick said that it could go up into the multiple millions and if I sell movie rights that can be a lot more as well."

"Well I'm speechless," Walter said taking a deep breath, "I'm very happy and very proud…but you said you had two things."

"Yes," Fox said and reached under his chair and pulled out a box. He set it on the table and stood. Opening the box he took a moment to breathe deeply before taking something out of it. "This…this is the book. It is almost ready to go. It'll hit the stores on September first, but Patrick gave me four advance copies. I wanted to give you each one...and I wanted you to be the first. Before you open them though…I'd like to ask you not to open them until I say so."

The other four were silent during his speech and nodded in agreement. Fox took out three books and handed one to Alex, one to Walter and one to Scully. "John, I think one book per family is enough, but if you want your own copy…"

"That's quite alright Mulder," Doggett said smiling, "I much rather hear Scully read it to me."

"Okay," Fox said and took another breath. "Scully please open your book and read the first part of the dedication. I hope you like it."

Scully smiled at him and opened the book. Her eyes suddenly filled and she had to swallow past the lump in her throat to read the words, "To Dana Scully, who stood besides me and never failed to help me up when I fell…oh Mulder…"

"Walter?" Fox said ignoring her reaction for the time being afraid he would break down as well.

Walter opened his book and read, "To Walter Skinner, who stood behind me and never failed to help keep the monsters at bay. Fox…I don’t…I don’t know..."

Fox smiled at him but turned to Alex and said, "Now you Alex."

With a trembling hand, Alex flipped the lid of the book open and turned to the dedication page. Right below the dedication to Dana and to Walter he saw his name. He read the words to himself silently and then looked at Fox with shining eyes. Fox nodded once and Alex read out loud, "And to Alex Krycek, who stood in front of me and never failed to help me keep the hunger for the truth that was always out there."

"Fox this was very special…thank you," Walter said.

"Yes Mulder, this was incredible…thank you," Scully said gripping the book against her chest.

"Alex? You okay?" Fox asked when Alex didn't say anything. The younger man was still staring at the words and running his fingers over them as if he could feel them.

"What? Oh…sorry…yeah…yeah I'm fine," Alex said looking up his eyes shinning, "This…this was…I don't know what to say. Thank you."

Grinning, Fox said, "That's good enough for me, now lets eat." He clapped his hand and the waiter he had hired for the evening began to bring out the food.

The small group enjoyed a great meal and later toasted to the success of the book. As soon as Dana and John said their goodnights Fox turned to his lovers and said, "So…how do you think we should wrap up this lovely evening."

"I'm rather beat actually," Walter said letting out a huge yawn, "How about you Rat?"

"Me too," Alex said catching the twinkle in Skinner's eye.

But Fox was not to be outdone and said, "I'm still kind of wired from all the excitement so I'll take Murphy for a walk and then go for a run. I'll see you in the morning," and with that kissed both his startled lovers. Walter and Alex stared as Fox walked away whistling happily. They turned to each other and Walter opened his mouth to call Fox back when Mulder stuck his head around the corner and said "GOTCHA!" with a big shit-eating grin.

"Oh you are in so much trouble," Walter said as he ran after Mulder who sprinted up the stairs.

Alex couldn't help but laugh out loud and follow them.

"So good…so so good," Fox moaned as he slipped easily into Walter, who was on his back facing him.

Walter arched his back slightly and gritted his teeth at the invasion but when Fox paused to allow him to adjust to him, Skinner growled, "Don't stop…move…move Fox damn it."

"You better move Fox…he is using your middle name," Alex said giggling as he lubed his penis and then slipped one finger into Fox's ass.

"Geez…Alex…give me a little warning," Fox said clenching his teeth as well as his ass cheeks.

"Fox! You are going to break my finger," Alex said and pushed against Mulder's butt with his shoulder causing Fox to drive deeper into Walter.

"Oh yeah…that's the ticket," Walter said groaning as Fox found his rhythm.

"If you like that wait till I'm in," Alex said and raised to his knees, positioning himself behind Fox. "Okay Foxling? You ready?"

"Wait, let me pull…pull out a bit first so you can drive me in all the way," Fox said and did just that.

Alex drove his erection straight into the well-slicked anus and when his hipbone connect with Fox's meaty ass he did indeed thrust Fox further into Walter.

"Mother of God!" Walter screamed in ecstasy as Fox hit his prostate spot on. Stars burst behind his eyes and he was sure he stopped breathing.

That was the end of the talking for the next few minutes. The only sounds emanating from any of them was the groans and moans of absolute pleasure. When Fox came inside Walter, it triggered Skinner's own orgasm and he splattered cum against Fox's and his own chest.

Alex let go a moment later with a shout of satisfaction as he filled the tight passage his penis was encased within. "Oh…that…that was…never mind," and with that he leaned back and popped out of Fox, sprawling onto his back as he did so.

Fox grinned down at Walter who had a very sated look to his face and who within seconds would fall asleep. "Walter…Walter? He pulled out of the now snoring Walter and carefully rolled out of bed. He stood and surveyed the scene before him, "Wow, I'm good," Fox said snickering, "I knock out two lovers with one orgasm." He turned to the bathroom and returned with a damp cloth and carefully wiped Walter and then Alex until they were reasonably clean…at least they wouldn't be loosing any body hair this time.

Walter hadn't been too happy the last time they had fallen asleep without cleaning up first. When they had woken up hours later, several of Walter's pubes were stuck to Alex's ass. It had taken Fox several minutes to stop laughing at the sight of Alex's furry bottom.

His task done, he gently covered his sleeping lovers and climbed into bed and tried to get comfortable between Walter sprawled at the top of the bed and Alex who was sprawled the at the foot of it. When he finally fell asleep it was with a definite smile on his face.

"Murphy fetch boy," Alex said and threw the stick out into the park. The puppy ran after it with the same enthusiasm as if it were the first time. Alex dutifully took the stick back, slobber and all and prepared tossed it one more time. As the piece of wood left his hand he felt a searing pain to the side of his head as something small and hard connected with his temple.

Momentarily stunned by the impact he shook his head to clear it and brought his hand to the source of the pain, taking his hand away bloody. He turned and surveyed the park for signs of who had thrown the rock, which is what he assumed had hit him as he looked at the ground and saw a large rock lying at his feet.

"Alex!" Eve Kirkpatrick exclaimed as she rushed to him, followed by all her five dogs. "I saw what happened. Are you alright?"

"Yeah…yeah, I'm okay. You saw who threw the rock?"

"No…I just saw it hit you," Eve said worriedly as she took out a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to him. "I saw the rock fly out from behind those trees…but I couldn't see who it was."

"Well whoever it was is gone by now," Alex said pressing the handkerchief to the cut right below his eye.

"Let me walk you home Alex," Eve said.

"I'm fine Eve, really."

"No you aren't, you need to get that looked by a doctor."

"It's just a scratch Eve," Alex said beginning to get irritated but trying to be polite.

"Okay if you won't go to the doctor at least go to Dana's and have her check you out."

Knowing it was futile to argue with her he nodded reluctantly. "Okay you win. I'll go see Dana after I take Murph home."

"I'll take Murphy home with me as I drop you off at Dana's," Eve said, knowing quite well he wouldn't go unless she took him herself.

"You are worse than Fox and Walter," Alex said but was smiling when he said it.

"FU…dge," Alex cursed between gritted teeth

"Fudge? Your vocabulary has certainly improved since you've been living with Walter," Dana said undisturbed by Alex's whining.

"I remembered there were children in the house," Alex groused and bit his lip to stop from yelping as she finished wiping the cut clean. "It's just a scratch…no need for all this drama."

"Then why are you squealing like a three-year old?" Dana said, "This is going to sting a bit."

"Ah…ahaaaa," Alex cried and shifted in his seat. "Sculleeeeee."

Blowing gently on the cut to lessen the sting and quickly applying a butterfly Band-Aid, Scully said, "There …there, that's a good boy. All done."

"You gonna kiss my boo-boo," Alex said, his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

"I think I'll pass on that," Dana said as she put her supplies away, "I don't think you could handle it."

Alex's eyes grew wide in surprise but smiled when he saw the twinkle in her eye. "You might be right."

"Alex…let's get serious. What happened?"

"I told you. I was at the park with Murphy and someone threw a rock at me. I didn't see who did it. Probably a kid thinking it was funny."

"They came very close to blinding you. A hair-breath higher and left and you'd be in serious trouble. What are you going to tell Walter and Mulder?"

"Believe or not, I'm going to tell them the truth."

"Because you want to or because you know Eve or I will if you don't," Scully said grinning knowingly.

"Because when they see my eye they'll want to know what happened…and because if I don’t you or Eve will tell on me."

"Do you want to stay for lunch? The boys are sleeping but they should be up in a little while."

"I'd like that. Thanks," Alex said with sincerity. It still surprised him, even after having delivered Scully's twins, that the woman was civil to him, considering all that she had suffered at his hand.

"You guys didn't fuss this much when I spent two months in the hospital," Alex said rolling his eyes in frustration.

"Are you sure you are alright," Fox said totally ignoring his words, "Scully really didn't think you had to go to the hospital?"

Walter stood, arms folded over his ample chest, looking at his Rat intently, "Fox…you are going to give him a headache if he already doesn't have one. Calm down. I know Dana would have called us if there was something serious."

"Okay…okay," Fox said huffing. He was not totally reassured but didn't want to press the point.

Sensing that Fox was still upset Alex patted him on the knee and said, "If you promise not to keep asking if I'm alright every five minutes I wouldn't mind some cuddling."

A smile splitting his face Mulder said, "I can do that. Come here baby," and he opened his arms, into which Alex leaned in for a hug.

"I'll go make some hot chocolate," Walter suggested.

"It's the middle of August Snickerdoodle," Fox said as he and Alex arranged themselves on the couch so Alex was laying in Fox's arms as they stretched out.

"There is never a bad time for hot chocolate Fox," Alex chided, "Make mine with double Marshmallows."

"Like I didn't know," Walter said rolling his eyes and smiling.

Walter returned with the three steaming cups of their favorite comfort drink. He sat on the recliner that was right by the couch and he could, by leaning slightly, run his hand through Fox's hair and even Alex's if the Rat was leaning high enough on top of Fox. They drank in silence, resting after a long day.

"Walter?" Fox said quietly after a few minutes.

"Hmmm," Skinner replied, his eyes closed as he leaned his head back on the recliner.

"He's asleep."

"Okay," Walter said and setting his cup aside stood. "Probably the Tylenol Dana gave him. Push him up a little and I'll grab him."

"Wha…what? Oh…I fell asleep? Sorry." Alex mumbled as Walter pulled him to his feet.

"Nothing to be sorry about sweetheart," Walter said as he wrapped a strong arm around the Russian's waist and guided him up the stairs. Fox took the cups to the kitchen and rinsed them and bounded up the stairs to rejoin his lovers for a night of cuddling.

As Deputy Director of the F.B.I, Walter Skinner had a personal driver that picked him up every morning and brought him home every evening. Whenever John Doggett had an early meeting he would ride in with Skinner and if their schedules matched they would ride home together as well.

This particular morning John was picked up first by the driver, a young agent assigned temporary duty as a driver, so he was the first to notice something was wrong at the Skinner-Mulder-Krycek home.

"Call the office and have a team sent out here immediately. Tell them it's the Deputy Director's home."

"Yes sir."

John ran to the front door and rang the doorbell insistently and pounded his fist on the door.

The door swung open and a very confused and irate Walter Skinner barked, "Doggett what the hell do you think you are doing. It is only seven in the morning. Are you trying to wake up the whole neighborhood?"

"Sorry Sir but there is something you need to see."

"What is it?" Skinner said but followed John Doggett towards the driveway. He turned to see what Doggett was pointing out and sucked in his breath in shock.

Painted across the three doors of their garage in bright red paint were various offensive words. 'Traitor', 'Murderer', 'Faggots' among the worst.

John glanced at his boss and saw the clenched jaw and knew that Skinner was deeply upset…not that he couldn't blame him, "Sir…I've called for a team. They'll be here soon. Do you know who might have done this?"

Before Skinner could reply, Alex and Fox came out of the house. They were hastily dressed, having been awoken by the pounding on the door. "Walter? What's happening?" Fox asked with concern at the look on his lover's face.

"Fox, Alex go back inside please."

"No. Tell us what's going on…oh my God," Alex said as they reached Walter's side and saw for themselves what had happened. He stiffened immediately and a look they hadn't seen in his face for a long time appeared. His eyes swept over the words in a detached manner, a bland look taking over his features.

"Alex…" Fox said looking at him intently and then at Walter who had also noticed the change.

"We've called in a team," Walter said quickly, "We'll find out who did this. Go back inside…please. Fox call Kim and tell her what's happened and that I won't be in until later…see if she can reschedule…"

"Yes Walter…come on Alex," Fox said and took hold of the younger man's arm but Alex's wouldn't budge. "Alex come with me now."

Alex broke out of his state of shock and turned to face him, "Fox…they mean me…I got to do something."

"The something you will do is to go inside with Fox and wait," Walter said sternly, "We don't know who did this or why but we will find out. Now get inside."

Walter's tone brooked no argument and Alex ducked his head slightly and followed Fox back inside.

"Dana told me about Alex's injury yesterday," John said, "Do you think it has something to do with this."

"Possibly," Walter said nodding, "John could I leave this in your hands for right now? I need to make sure Alex is alright, I'm afraid he might do something rash."

"Sure Sir…and as soon as the team is done checking the door for prints do you want me to call someone about…uhm…painting this over."

"Thank you John," Walter said sincerely, he trusted John Doggett implicitly and he needed time to deal with Alex. Walking into the house he heard loud voices upstairs and knew the fight had already started.

"Because I said so," Fox was yelling at Alex, who had his bag on the bed and was stuffing clothes in it hastily.

"And who made you my keeper Mulder," the Russian was yelling back. "I've got to get out of here. Don't you understand…yesterday's attack was no accident. Someone wants me and I don't want you or Walter to get hurt because I'm here."

"That'll be quite enough Alexei," Walter said as he closed the door behind him, "Do we have to go over the rules again. No running away…period end of conversation."

"But Walter this is different…" Alex said turning tortured eyes towards his lover.

"How so?"

"Bef…before, I ran away because…because of how I was feeling," Alex said slowly, revealing more than he actually wanted to but seeing no other way. "It scared me to feel so much love knowing I didn't deserve it…but you showed me…you both showed me I did…now…now it's different."

"I still don't see why," Walter said and moved towards the bed, grabbing Alex's wrist on the way and pulled him down besides him. Fox stood, leaning against the dresser, letting Walter take over. "What is different now?"

"Now…now someone wants to get to me…and they might get you…I can't let that happen."

"We won't let that happen," Fox said moving to kneel in front of Alex, "Alex you have to promise us that you will not do anything crazy…including running away and trying to track whoever did this on your own. We trust you…if you give us your word that you will let the F.B.I handle this we'll believe you."

"Alex?" Walter prompted Krycek when he didn't answer.

"You told me not to lie…that's also in the rules," Alex said slowly, "I…I can't make that promise."

Walter and Fox looked at each other and then Walter said, "Fair enough. Then we'll leave you to pack. Come on Fox."

To Alex's surprise, Mulder didn't argue but stood and followed Walter out of the room, leaving him alone. He hadn't expected that at all…he had expected more yelling…more anger about his refusal…but not for them to just…leave. Confusion gave way to anger and he jumped to his feet storming across the room and swinging the door open, "What the hell do you mean…" he began but his words died in his mouth as he saw Fox in Walter's arms crying silently. Mulder's head was buried under Skinner's chin and the older man was rubbing his back in slow circles.

"You wanted something Alex?" Walter said looking at him with big sad brown eyes.

"I promise," was all he managed to say before his voice broke. Walter opened one arm and Alex stepped into the embrace, wrapping his own arms around both his lovers. "I'm sorry…I won't runaway…and I will do whatever you think is best."

"Glad to hear it…because we weren't actually going to let you go. If we had to lock you in your room and spank your ass every day until you got it through your head that's what we would do," Walter said, placing a kiss on top of the dark hair. "We are in this together…for the long haul…the pretty with the ugly."

Alex couldn't help but snort with amusement, "As long as I'm the pretty."

"Brat," Fox said as he stepped back from the three-way hug, "Alex…we can't do this alone, not if we have to worry about you going maverick on us."

"I promise Fox…as hard as that is going to be…I will do my best," Alex said seriously.

"Okay gentlemen," Walter said taking a deep breath, "Someone wants to play dirty and we are going to show them they picked the wrong people to mess with. Let's go see what John has found so far."

The three men trooped down the stairs, comfortable in the knowledge that whatever happened in the days ahead and whatever this whole mess turned out to be about, they would face it together.

"I'm just going to be out on the front lawn with Murphy," Alex was telling Walter when Fox walked into the kitchen two days after the vandalism to their home.

"Can't you play with him on the backyard?"

"I refuse to let whoever did this to make me a prisoner in my own home," Alex said gruffly, "It's bad enough that we have patrol cars patrolling."

"Just an added security measure by the community."

"At your insistence," Alex reminded him. "I will be right outside."

As Alex walked out Fox said, "You can't keep him…or me for that matter under lock and key in case something were to happen. We talked about this the last time I was taken remember."

"I remember," Walter said taking a sip of coffee, "I remember but I don’t have to like it."

Fox walked up to his lover and wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly, "Walter…it's Sunday morning…wouldn't you rather be doing something more interesting than standing here worrying."

Walter leaned down and kissed him fully and passionately. When he broke the kiss he said, "You are right. We need to clean out the gutters and we really should start putting all the books away in the library and…"

"You…you want to do chores," Fox said flabbergasted, "Here I'm offering you my body to do as you please with and you rather clean the gutters."

"Oh you were offering me your body," Walter said trying not to smile, "When you said doing something interesting I thought you meant…"

Finally realizing that Walter had been pulling his leg Fox smiled, "Just for that, I think you will have the pleasure of cleaning your precious gutters all by yourself…while I…I will be sunbathing." With that he turned around and sauntered out of the kitchen.

Walter waited a few moments expecting Fox to return and say 'Gotcha' like he usually did when playing a joke but instead heard sounds coming from their bedroom. 'Surely he wouldn't dare,' Walter thought to himself but a couple of minutes later Mulder was back, except this time he wasn't wearing the sweatpants he had been wearing earlier but a familiar pair of red Speedo and a towel around his neck.

"Walter? I thought you'd be busy like a bee with your gutters," Fox said his eyes wide with mock innocence. "Daylight is burning. See you outside."

"Mulderrrrrr," Walter growled with a mixture of frustration and desire. Fox Mulder in a little red Speedo could drive a man to distraction, "Okay…you win. I'm sorry. Now will you please change…"

"Change? Why on earth would I do that Walter? I am going to lay out and sunbathe. You can either join me or you can get started with your chores. When I finish sunbathing I will put the books away as I said I would."

Knowing he was beat Walter Skinner surrendered with grace, "Okay…okay I give. Give me a minute to change…but you can get that self-satisfied smirk off your face right now. I'm wearing my swim trunks, not that piece of cloth with a string you and Alex gave me."

"It's call a thong you little prude," Fox said grinning from ear to ear, "Get your cute little tush upstairs and change. I'll meet you on the deck." As Walter walked past him Fox said, "You never stood a chance."

Walter could only shake his head in defeat but smiled. He could think of worse things than spending a Sunday afternoon sunbathing with Fox Mulder.

"What's your doggie's name Mister?" a young voice said behind Alex, who had been busy playing tug-o-war with Murphy.

Turning around he saw a small boy of perhaps five or six years of age and with jet black hair and striking green eyes, much like his own. But the thing that Alex found strange was the Teddy Bear the boy was clutching to his side like his life depended on it. He didn't think boys that age would walk around holding Teddy Bears. Remembering the child had asked a question Alex said, "His name is Murphy and I'm Alex. What's your name?"

"Neiley. Does he bite? Did he bite your arm off? I can't have a dog…my Daddy don't like dogs. My Mommy liked dogs but she died."

Alex was surprised by the stream of words coming out of the child's mouth but having spent time with Walter's nieces and nephews he knew that a child's stream of consciousness is not always linear. "Neiley? That's an unusual name…and no Murphy doesn't bite. You can pet him if you'd like."

The little boy moved forward hesitantly, his small hand stretched out carefully. He patted Murphy's head once, quickly and withdrew with a giggle when the puppy licked his hand.

"NEIL!" A very angry voice boomed from across the street. The boy reacted by stiffening up, his eyes wide with fear. He swallowed hard and without another word ran towards the man who was striding across the street towards them. When the boy reached the man the latter grabbed him by the arm and delivered a stinging spank to his backside. The child cried out and rushed to the house in tears. The man continued towards Alex and stopped when he got to the sidewalk, "You stay away from my son. What gives you the right to talk to him and invite him into your…your den of iniquity."

"My what? I'm sorry but I have no idea what the hell you are talking about," Alex said sincerely confused. "He just wanted to pet my dog. My name is…"

"Oh I know very well who you are Krycek," the man said, pronouncing the name as if it were a dirty word. "Everyone knows who and what you are. I am warning you stay away from my boys if you don't want trouble."

"Are you threatening me Mr. Faraday?" Alex asked, his voice low and dangerous, his eyes darkening.

"Take it as what you wish," Faraday said his face reddening with suppressed anger, "I'm just letting you know I don't want you or your friends anywhere near my family."

"Then why the hell did you buy your house here then?" Alex said, his voice angry but controlled, "Didn't you ask the realtor anything about the neighbors. I'm sure they would have told you about us."

"Not that it is any of your business but my company purchased the house. I had no say in it. Had I had something to say about it I would have told them I did not want to live near a murderer and traitor."

Alex glared and said, "Interesting choice of words Mr. Faraday."

"If you think I had anything to do with the vandalism you experienced the other morning, I didn't but wish I had. You deserve it for living in sin as you do."

Alex's anger was rapidly rising and he feared he would strike the man any second. He was saved from having to make that choice when the patrol car rolled to a stop in front of the house and the guard inquired if there was anything wrong. "Nothing Jeff…everything is fine…my new neighbor was just saying good-bye. Weren't you Mr. Faraday?"

Clayton Faraday didn't say anything but turned to give Alex one last dirty look before storming back across the street towards his home. When he got there he slammed the front door.

The patrol car rolled away and Alex stayed on the front lawn a couple of more minutes to get his nerves under control before heading back into the house. He knew he needed to talk to Fox and Walter about what just had happened but he was too angry at the moment.

"Thanks Walter," Fox said as Skinner handed him a tall glass of ice-tea. Just as he was about to take the first sip a loud bang startled both of them. "SHIT!" Fox screamed as not only his ice-tea spilled all over his bare chest but Walter's drink came tumbling down all over his head. "What the hell!"

"I think Alex is back inside," Walter said as he helped his wet lover stand. Both men walked to the living room and witnessed a tornado in motion.

"Alex?" Fox asked cautiously as Alex pulled the door to the hall closet open and started pulling things off the shelf. "Alex? What the hell are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Walter's gun…you made me give mine up," Alex said angrily as he moved from the closet to the side table by the entryway.

"My gun? What the hell do you think you are going to do once you find it?" Walter asked his eyebrows raised.

"What the fuck do you think you do with a gun Walter?" Alex said nearly shouting, "You shoot someone with it. You shoot an idiot with it. An idiot…who…who…hits little kids…and who is a bigot…and…and…why the hell are you in your swim trunks. We don't even have a pool…we live in a den of iniquity. Dens don't have pools…we don't have a pool…" Alex was so angry he could hardly form a coherent sentence. Walter and Fox had never seen him loose his cool this way.

"Alexei! Calm down right now and tell us what happened," Walter said loudly, trying to be heard above the ranting. Alex ignored him and resumed his search by running to the kitchen and pulling each of the drawers open.

"What the hell got it to him," Fox said following Walter.

"Why are you all wet Fox," Alex asked without turning around when they entered the kitchen, "God help Clayton Faraday when I find the gun…no one hits little kids with Teddy Bears…I'll give you den of iniquity."

"There is only one thing I can think of," Walter said to Fox and was glad when the younger man nodded. He approached Alex and quickly wrapped his arms around him, pining both his real and prosthetic arms to his side.

"What the hell are you doing Walter," Alex screeched in surprise, "Let go of me."

"Not until you calm do…OWWW," Walter bellowed when Alex kicked him on the shin. He loosen his grip enough to turn Alex around in his arms and wrapping one arm around the Russian's middle bent him over. He delivered a dozen hard slaps before Alex knew what hit him. When he finished he put Alex back on his feet and asked, "Are you going to calm down now or do I have to make it two dozen?"

Alex glared at him and pushed away angrily trying to storm away. "Leave me the fuck alone Walter."

"Okay…I've had enough of this tantrum," Walter said and pulled out one of the stools and in one swift motion took a seat and pulled the struggling Krycek over his lap. Alex had been wearing sweat shorts with an elastic band so Walter had not trouble pulling them and the boxers beneath down. Leaning over he reached for a wooden spoon and applied it to the now bare bottom on his lap.

When the spoon made contact with the bare skin it sounded very much like a gunshot has just gone off and Alex's reaction was the same as if he had been the recipient of the bullet…which he actually was. "AAAAAAAH…Walter…stopppp…pleeeeeease…OWWWWWW…OWWWWW…stopppppppp," Alex howled with every smack of the spoon.

Fox in the meantime moved to the sink and soaked a towel in cold water. He knew Alex would not only be sore but he was crying hard enough that his nose had started running. Fox was ready to comfort his very upset lover.

Walter had smacked the now bright red behind at least three dozen times and when he felt Alex finally stop fighting and just lay limply over his lap he stopped. His heart broke at the miserable sobs from the younger man and he rubbed his big hand over the heaving back trying to calm him. After a few minutes Alex struggled to his feet, his face as red as his bottom, both from the exertion of the crying and from the embarrassment inherent to any spanking. "Alex…" Walter said softly reaching for his lover just to have him pull away.

"Alex!" Fox said sharply, noting the pained looked in Skinner's face, "What's the matter?"

Alex took a deep breath and in a low, husky voice said, "I…I didn't agree…he…he spanked me and I didn't agr…agree first…"

"Alex this wasn’t a punishment spanking," Fox said and handed him the wet cloth. He wasn’t sure Alex would appreciate having his face wiped. "You were out of control and you were abusive to us. Walter did what he had to do to stop your tantrum…he wasn't punishing you."

Alex shrugged his shoulders as if he really didn't care one way or another. He pulled his shorts back up and started to leave the kitchen. As he passed Fox, Mulder grabbed him by the wrist and deftly changed his route so he suddenly found himself facing the corner next to the refrigerator. "I'm not stan…OUCH, Fox stop that," he yelped when Fox landed a slap to the already tender behind. "I'm okay…I don’t wanna stand here, I'm fine…leave me alone…"

"And you will be even better after you stand there for half an hour," Fox said patting him on the shoulder.

When Alex started to turn and opened his mouth to complain, Walter added, "Half an hour can just as easily be an hour and a half."

"What am I supposed to do here for half an hour?" Alex said leaning his forehead against the wall in defeat.

"Breathe deeply, calm yourself…enough so that when you talk to us you make some sense. All that I got out of your rant was that we don't have a pool and you want to kill our neighbor." Fox said, "Think about why Walter spanked you and…oh and thanks to you slamming the front door I ended up taking a ice-tea bath so think how you gonna make that up to me."

"Fox go take a shower and bring me down some sweats," Walter said smiling at his lover. Fox's hair was standing up in spikes, sticky from the ice-tea. "I'll be in the living room, straightening out."

When Fox left, Walter turned Alex's face to him and kissed the wrinkle between the younger man's brows, "We love you very much Alex and we know something Faraday said upset you. Just stand here and calm down. We'll talk when you are ready."

Alex nodded slowly and gave Walter a watery smile before turning back to facing the wall.

At thirty minutes on the dot Fox came to release the now much calmer Krycek from his corner. Both of the younger men joined Walter in the living room, Fox sitting on one end of the couch and Alex on the other. "I took I shower Alex…I don't stink," Fox said.

"Uh?" Alex asked confused until he saw Fox pat the couch next to him, "Oh…sorry," he said and shuffled over to sit next to Mulder, who quickly pulled him into a one-armed hug.

"So you want to tell us what happened?" Walter asked.

Quickly Alex related the story of his nasty encounter with their new neighbor. As he spoke, Fox could feel the tension gathering in Alex's shoulders and he gently rubbed them to calm him. "I…I don’t know why I overacted the way I did. He just made me so angry…but I've been angry before…I don’t know why I lost it like I did."

"Well Alex you are very different now than you were before," Walter said softly, "Before you were alone and didn't care how you dealt with whomever got in your way. Now you stop and think and you control your actions. You did good Alex."

"I did?" Krycek asked surprised and when he saw both his lovers smiling at him he blushed, but sobered up quickly when he looked at Walter, "But…but I was a real jerk to you Walter. I'm sorry I said what I said… you were right to spank me."

"Glad to hear that, 'cause I will do it again if I think you need it," Skinner said with a smile.

Alex smiled and put his hand back to rub his still sore backside, "Okay…but don’t use the spoon next time. It's evil. But I just can't get rid of the feeling that I want to punch Faraday's lights out though…I don’t get punished for just thinking it do I?"

"Don’t even go there Alexei," Walter said with a low growl, "If I ever catch you with a gun held in anger I will beat your butt black and blue…you wont be able to sit down for a month."

Alex's eyes grew wide at the threat of punishment but he nodded, "Yes Walter…but we've got to do something about Faraday…we can't just let him push us around like this."

"But Alex we don't even know if it was Faraday," Fox reminded him, "He might be a bigot but we don't have anything to prove he did it."

Alex didn't think he really needed a reason to do Faraday bodily harm other than the fact that the man pissed him off royally but he knew Fox and Walter would not be pleased…and when they weren't pleased his bottom was sure not to be pleased either.

"How about if we do something else with our day off other than worry about Faraday," Walter suggested.

"What did you have in mind Snickerdoodle," Fox said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Earlier you mentioned something about offering me your body…that offer still stand?"

"And can I get in on the deal?" Alex said burrowing closer against Mulder's body.

"Nah…I still have to put the books away and didn't you say something about gutters Walter," Fox said standing up and walking past Walter and heading for the study.

He didn’t get too far as he was scooped up from behind and suddenly found himself draped over Walter's shoulder, "We'll see how you feel about putting the books away after I get done with you my brat."

Alex watched his two lovers head up their stairs and smiled. Clayton Faraday could wait until he figured how to get around Walter's no harm rule.

It was only seven by the time the threesome resurfaced from their love-making session and they were starving but without enough strength between them to want to cook a meal so they decided on take out.

"Hey guys I think I'm going to go for a run before the pizza gets here, you wanna come along?" Fox asked.

"You want to go running now?" Alex said from where he laid sprawled on the couch, still looking sex-happy and sated. "You are crazy Foxlet. I don't think I'm ever getting up again."

Walter stuck his head out of the kitchen and asked, "What! You can't get it up again? Woes me what are we going to do Fox? Do you think Viagra will help?"

"Very funny Skinner," Alex said and feebly threw a sofa cushion at him, "I can always get it up."

"Okay…okay," Walter said smiling, turning to Fox he added, "Go on your run babe and by the time you get back we'll have dinner all set."

Kissing the tall bald man he adored Fox Mulder smiled and said, "Okay Big Guy…take care of Little Guy, I think we wore him out."

"Well you were rather acrobatic in the bedroom today," Walter said fondly running his hand up and down Mulder's back and coming to rest on his buttock, "You'll have to show me that little move with the flip. I thought I lost consciousness there for a minute."

"I can't give away all my secrets…I rather keep surprising you," Fox said still smiling, "I better get going or the pizza will be here before I get back."

"Okay…but remember to only run at the track, it's well lit. Don't run at the park."

"I know Walter, you mother hen," Fox said and wiggled to one side to avoid the big hand that was aiming for his butt. He was already wearing his running shorts so he headed out the door.

Five minutes of jogging brought Mulder to the running track next to the Community Park. The jog had been enough of a warm up and he took off at a leisurely pace around the track. He had gone around the track twice, for a mile run, when he noticed two figures standing casually by the main gate. The two men, he assumed they were men due to the shape of their bodies, were wearing hooded jackets and baggy clothing. He didn't want to appear nervous but something in the pit of his stomach told him something was wrong. He finished the lap he was on and stopped several yards away from the two figures, who had yet to move and who were obviously watching him. Mulder did some cool down stretches and taking a deep breath headed for the gate.

"Hi," he said with a quick, non-committal smile, when one of the men stepped in his path, "Excuse me."

"No…I don’t think I will," the man said with a evil chuckle, "I really don’t think there is an excuse for you."

"I beg your pardon?" Fox said trying to stay calm.

"Beg…I bet you beg," the other man said stepping behind Mulder, "Do you beg you two faggot lovers to give it to you up the ass."

Mulder whirled on the man behind him and let his F.B.I training take over. He landed a punch to the face and then a swift kick to the shin, making the man double over. The second man reacted quickly and punched Mulder in the kidneys making the former agent's legs buckle. Man two jumped on him and began pummeling him while Man one kicked him in the stomach.

The only thing that saved Mulder from more permanent damage was the patrol car doing its rounds. The light of the headlights caused the two men to jump off Mulder and head off at a run.

"Sir…sir are you…oh Mr. Mulder," the patrolman exclaimed, "Mr. Mulder can you hear me? Sir are you alright?"

"Yeah…gods it hurts," Mulder moaned as the other man helped him to a sitting position, "Can…can you help me home."

"I think you should go to the hospital sir," the officer said as he brought Mulder to his feet and supported him around the waist. "You could be seriously hurt."

"Once my partners see me I'm sure I'll end up at the hospital so don't worry," Mulder assured him. "Just get me home."

"Damn he better get here soon, I'm starving," Alex groused as he placed the recently arrived pizza on the table.

"You know how he is when he is running," Walter said bringing in three beers, "He forgets the time."

The doorbell ringing stopped any further conversation and the two men looked at each other. "Maybe he forgot his keys," Alex said, a hint of hope in his voice. They weren't expecting anyone and with Mulder not back yet they were a little on edge.

"Shit, what happened," Walter exclaimed when he opened the door and saw Mulder hanging from the officer's arms.

"He was jumped at the track," the young officer said as he transferred Mulder to the strong waiting arms of the Deputy Director. "I couldn’t see who did it but I'll be going back to check for clues."

"Thanks Jeff but I'd like to get the team who checked the graffiti out. They might be able to tie both things together," turning to Alex who was hovering nearby, worriedly looking at Fox he said, "Alex call John and Dana. Tell them what happened and to meet us at the hospital. Tell John that officer Whitcomb will meet the team at the running track. Do you mind Jeff?"

The young officer stood straighter and said, "No sir. It would be my pleasure," and with that said left the house.

"How you doing love?" Walter asked Fox as he took him out to the garage and helped him onto the backseat of the Blazer. "Did you see who it was?"

"No…didn't recognize them…damn that hurts, they wore hooded jackets," Fox said groaning, "That's what tipped me off. Too damn hot for jackets…Walter…Walter…it hurts."

"ALEX! Get a move on," Walter yelled and a moment later a panic stricken looking Krycek rushed to his side.

"What? What happened?"

"He is in a lot of pain, we have to get him to the hospital right now," Walter said slipping behind the wheel.

"I told John what happened, he'll take care of the team," Alex said as he slipped in next to Fox and took him into his arms, "You'll be okay Fox…you have to be okay…hurry Walter."

"It's okay Alex…he'll be okay," Walter assured him as he pulled the car out of the garage and pushed the gas pedal to the floorboards, making the tires squeal.

"John come in," Walter Skinner motioned with his hand as his most trusted AD stuck his head in the door.

"What have you found?"

"The team has reported footprints and fingerprints around the gate area," John said taking a seat, "But it's not going to be easy to tell when they were made. How's Mulder?"

"Sore…but no permanent damage," Walter said, "I hated to come into work but Nurse Alex is in charge so I felt better about leaving him. What do you think is going on John?"

"Well Sir to be honest with you, you and Mulder and Krycek are celebrities. You are bound to attract crazies as much as you are fans. It just happens to be that these crazies are also homophobic bigots."

"That's comforting," Walter said sarcastically, "What's next?"

"We are canvassing the neighborhood. As it is a gated community, we feel it is an inside job…meaning one of the neighbors."

"The only new neighbor that I know who is not too happy with us living there is this guy Faraday."

"I know…Alex has already told me about him," John said, "You need to watch Krycek, he was nearly at boiling point when I talked to him last night. He might want to take the law into his own hands after this."

"I'll keep an eye on him," Walter said shaking his head, "I've already warned him but…Alex is…strong willed…to say the least."

"That is an understatement if I ever heard one," John said with a dry chuckle. Standing up he added, "I'll keep you updated on anything we find."

"Thanks John," Walter said with sincerity and when he was once again alone picked up the phone and dialed his home.

"What did Walter want?" Fox asked softly from the bed.

"Wanted to see how you were and that I hadn't killed Faraday," Alex said smiling as he sat on the bed, careful not to jostle his lover.

"Alex, don’t even think about it," Fox said warningly.

"Fox, he is behind this…I know it, Walter knows it and you know it."

"Yeah we are all geniuses, but we can't prove a thing. Stay away from him."

"Walter just said he didn't want to catch me doing anything wrong…I don’t plan on getting caught."

"Alexei Nikolai Krycek," Fox growled warningly, "I can't believe I'm actually saying this but…behave."

Alex let out a snort of laughter and said, "This from the poster boy for disobedience? Come on Fox all I want to do is pin this on that asshole."

"Even if he is not guilty?"

"No…of course not," Alex said surprised, "I know what it's like being accused of something you haven't done…I wouldn't do that."

"Okay…make sure, because after Walter gets done with your butt, I'll take a turn."

"You just want to have me naked over your lap," Alex said smiling and leaning in for a kiss.

"There are worse things I can think off," Fox said smiling through the kiss. "But I'm serious Alex…don’t do anything to get yourself in trouble. You have a full presidential pardon, no warrants against you, you are a hero to a lot of people, you helped save humanity. Don’t let your anger against Faraday bring it all down."

Alex looked at Fox intently and said, "I would never do anything to jeopardize what I have with you and Walter. I've waited for this my whole life…wanted it even when I didn’t know that I wanted it. Don’t worry I'll behave…but I won't sit idly by and let this man hurt us."

"And neither will I Alex," Fox said putting his hand on Alex's arm, "And neither will Walter…you know that. But we have to do this right."

"Love you Fox," Alex said and tucked the covers around his lover, "You get some sleep, I'll be downstairs."

"Uhm…why don’t you give Cooper a call," Fox said settling into the bed, "Check if the computer got there."

"Good idea," Alex said and turned off the light on the nightstand before leaving his now sleeping lover. Instead of heading for Fox's study where the computer was set up Alex went downstairs and picked up his cell phone from the charger. He did a quick search and dialed.

"Frohike," came the one word answer.

"Frohike it's Alex Krycek…I…I need your help with something."

"Krycek? What's up? Did something happen to Mulder? What's going on?" the short Lone Gunman said quickly.

"First turn off the tape and second stop asking so many questions so I can explain," Alex said rolling his eyes. He knew he had to be desperate to resort to getting help from Fox's wacko friends but he needed the specialized help they could provide. When he heard the click and confirmation that the tape was off he said, "Mulder is fine but I don't know for how long…can we meet? I'll explain everything then. Yeah that's good…no problem…I'll make something up. Thanks."

When he hung up he took a deep breath and couldn't help but put a hand back to his bottom and rub it gently, 'Sorry but a spanking is worth making sure my guys are okay."

"Dana? What are you doing here?" Walter asked when he came home later that evening. "Is there something wrong? Did something happen? Why didn't Alex call me?"

"Calm down Walter, nothing happened," Dana assured him as she put the baby in her arms down into his stroller. "Alex called and said he had to run an errand and asked if I wouldn’t mind Mulder sitting. Fox hasn’t seen the boys in a couple of weeks so I agreed."

"Did Alex tell you what this errand was?" Walter asked with unease.

"No he didn't. Is there something wrong?"

"I'm afraid he might want to do something on his own about this Faraday person."

"John mentioned that Alex believes Faraday is behind these attacks," Dana said, "But there is no concrete evidence."

Walter nodded as he took off his jacket and joined her on the couch, "That's right. But Alex's instincts have always been pretty good. I just don’t want him to do anything…uhm…"

"Kryceky?" Dana supplied when Walter could not come up with a good word to describe what Krycek did.

"Kryceky? That's as good a way of describing it as any," Walter said chuckling. "Okay I won't worry until I know there is something to worry about. But speaking of worrying? How is Fox?"

"Better. He's been sleeping and going to the bathroom regularly so I know the damage to his kidneys is improving."

"Good. How are the boys?" Walter asked looking into the double-stroller at the two tiny boys who were gurgling and trying to eat their equally tiny fists. "They grow bigger every time I see them," Walter said with wonder in his voice.

Scully could not help but chuckle as she said, "That is what babies do Walter…they grow. But yes they are very healthy eaters and they are thriving."

"Any idea on the wedding date yet?"

"We are looking at late December, probably the twenty-ninth if we can get everything in place. It's going to be small, just family and a few friends. We are still planning on doing the christening at same time so make sure you set the date apart."

"Count on it," Walter said still not taking his eyes off the babies. "Is it my imagination or did Will grow more hair?"

"Yes, poor kid, he is going to have red hair by the look of it," Dana said smiling at her son, "Jackie looks like he inherited Fox's hair."

"As long as he didn't inherit my nose," Fox said as he walked down the stairs and into the living room.

"I happen to love your nose," Walter said as he stood to hug him and give him a quick peck on the aforementioned nose. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," Fox said smiling, "I've slept a lot and the pain killers helped. Alex not back yet?"

"No. Do you know where he went?" Walter asked.

"No. He just said that Dana was going to be here in case I needed anything. Have you tried his cell?"

"He didn’t take it," Dana said pointing to it, "It's still in the charging cradle."

"Oh he is going to get it," Walter said through gritted teeth.

"Well as much as I would love to see Krycek get his, I need to get these young men home for their next feeding," Dana said. "I'll see you gentlemen."

"Let me walk you home Dana," Walter offered.

"It's only three blocks Walter," Dana said, "I'll be fine. I'll call when I get in."

"If you are sure," Walter said and walked her to the door, "Thanks for babysitting."

"Hey!" Fox said indignantly, "I'm no baby."

"You are my baby," Walter said and draped an arm around Mulder's shoulder, "'Night Dana."

Once Walter closed the door behind her, he turned to Fox and said, "He better have an explanation for this."

"Walter," Fox said trying to appease his angry lover, "Alex is not a child. We can't demand to know where he is every minute of the day. If he had a reason for going out we really shouldn't pressure him into telling us."

"I don’t like secrets between us Fox," Walter said and went back to the living room and sat in his armchair with a huff, "He promised."

"He promised not to run away and not to get caught going after Faraday," Fox said softly taking a seat on the couch.

Walter looked at him sharply and said, "I'm not letting him off on the technically that he is not getting caught. If he does something that can get him in trouble with the law, that will be the last of his worries."

"Okay…but until we know exactly what happened tonight, the most we can be angry with him about is not taking his cell phone. That is non-negotiable…we all agreed. We don't have to check in but we need to be reachable in case of an emergency. There is no emergency right now so we can't use it as an excuse to call him but since he doesn't have the phone on him, it is a moot point."

Before Walter could say another word the front door opened and Alex came in. He walked in casually, expecting his lovers to be still awake. What he wasn’t expecting were the angry glare from Walter and the disappointed look in Fox's face. "Hey…hey guys. Why the long faces?"

"Where have…" Walter said standing up.

"Walter! Sit down," Fox said softly but with enough force that Skinner did as he was told. "Hello Alex. Did your errand go well?"

"Uhm…yeah," Alex said feeling extremely hot all of a sudden, "I…I had to meet with the guy from the bank…just to make sure that all the funds I was having transferred from the Swiss accounts were set so I can buy the car on Friday."

"And it had to be tonight?" Walter said sounding as if he didn’t believe a word Alex had just said.

"You don’t believe me?" Alex said his eyes flaring for a moment before he remembered he was actually lying to his lovers. "I'm sorry I worried you. He…he said that if I didn’t sign the papers the transfer would not be done until next week."

"Okay Alex," Fox said smiling a sad little smile, "Did you eat yet?"

"Yeah…had a burrito on the way back. Sorry I didn't call…guess I forgot my cell phone," Alex said shifting slightly from foot to foot. "Guess I'm in trouble uh? I'm sorry…I'll take whatever punishment I've got coming…I'm really sorry I worried you." Alex hoped that by offering to be punished for one offence Walter would forget about being lied to.

"I…I have some work to do, you can handle any punishment you see fit Fox," Walter said and stood up. Taking a deep breath he walked out of the living room and headed for the down stairs study.

Alex watched him go and his shoulders slumped. He felt wretched about upsetting Walter but strangely enough he felt even worse about the older man's refusal to punish him. Alex had started to equate spankings with caring. He knew Walter and Fox only disciplined him because they loved him and wanted him to be a better person. Turning back to Fox he asked, "Are you gonna do it Fox?"

"As much as you deserve to have your backside tanned Mr. Krycek, I'm afraid it will have to be postponed. My back is killing me and I don't think I can raise my arm enough to make your punishment worth it."

"Why…why wouldn't Walter do it?" Alex said his voice cracking involuntarily.

"Because he is upset and he doesn’t want to chance hurting you if he hits you in anger," Fox said and gave Alex a gentle hug. "I’m going to sleep in the guest room tonight okay? All the moving around you guys do while you sleep was not very comfortable for me last night."

"You should have said something Fox," Alex said with concern, "I could sleep on the guest room. Walter doesn’t move around as much as I do."

"No…its fine," Fox said smiling, "We’ll talk in the morning. I’m sure by then Walter will be less upset and he can give you your spanking. By the way did you call Cooper?"

"Yeah…he said that that computer arrived last night and he and Chris are setting it up today. I’ll give him a call now and maybe we can talk and use the camera."

"Good idea," Fox said, "I think talking to your big brother is an excellent idea."

Alex furrowed his eyebrows and said, "Why do you guys keep insisting he is the big brother? I could be the big brother."

Fox laughed as he headed up the stairs and said, "You keep telling yourself that Alexei, I’m sure someday you’ll make us all believers. Good night babe."

"’Night Fox," Alex said quietly as he watched his lover go up the stairs. Alex stared at the closed door to Walter’s office and sighed. He knew what he had done was a breach in Skinner’s trust of him, but in this case he felt the ends justified the means. Wearily climbing up the stairs he headed for the office the three of them shared upstairs and where the computer had been set up.

Alex Krycek climbed the steps to the upstairs study slowly, his body weighed down by sadness and despair. He hated the feelings that enveloped him but couldn’t see a way to shake them. He had lied to Walter and Fox and he felt horrible about it. Knowing that he had done it for a good reason, at least to his way of thinking, was helping a little but not enough to make the hollow feeling on the pit of his stomach feel any better.

Passing by the guest bedroom where Fox lay sleeping he paused by the closed door and sighed. Walter was behind another closed door in the downstairs study and despite the fact that all three were at home he felt lonelier than he had in a long time.

Entering the study he turned on the computer and went through the log on procedure to get into video mail. The high speed connection the Gunmen had set up was incredibly fast and within a couple of minutes he was looking at the smiling, if slightly blurred, face of his twin brother Cooper. The fact that Cooper was thousand of miles away in his ranch in Wyoming just made Alex feel even more desolate.

"Hey little bother," Coop said as the camera was finally focused and the brothers could see each other clearly.

"Hey Coop. Did you just call me little bother?" Alex asked quirking his eyebrow.

"It’s something Chris use to call me when I was little and pestered him all the time. Everyone said I was like his little brother but he kept saying I was more like a little bother," Cooper said grinning. "What the hell happened to your eye by the way? And can you turn the lights on your side."

Alex turned the desk top lamp on and asked, "Talk about being a bother, I like the dark."

"Okay Dracula tell me what’s the matter."

"What do you mean?"

"Even with these computers between us I can tell you are upset about something. Did Walter or Fox do something?"

In Alex’s former profession information was power. Having information was ensuring you would live to see one more day…at least. Alex had never been one to give up information freely and he never considered himself to be a whiner but the caring tone of his twin brother unraveled him and he could not stop the stream of words that started from his mouth. In ten minutes, in which Cooper didn’t interrupt him once and Chris joined the conversation, Alex brought them up to speed on all that had been happening to him and Walter and Fox, including his meeting with the Lone Gunmen for the purpose of putting surveillance on Faraday. By the time he was done speaking he was exhausted by the emotional out pouring.

Cooper glanced at his own lover and quickly scribbled something on a pad of paper on the desk. Turning back to the image of Alex on the screen he was glad to see that the other man was not looking at him. Alex had wrapped his arms around his chest and was staring morosely at the keyboard. "Alex…I know that nothing I can say is going to make you feel better…but you know that both Fox and Walter adore you. Nothing that you do will ever change that."

"I know…I know but Walter was so mad he wouldn’t even punis…I mean he just went to his office."

"You were going to say punish you," Coop said with understanding, "Alex I know about your discipline relationship remember…you don’t have to be embarrassed. I’m sure if you talk to Walter in the morning everything will seem much better."

Alex looked at his brother and shrugged his shoulders "He hates it when I lie. He is gonna hate me."

"He will never hate you…he ain’t gonna be too happy with ya but he ain’t gonna hate ya," Coop said stressing his drawl in an attempt to make Alex smile. He wasn’t successful. Alex continued to look like his puppy had just been run over.

Trying to change the subject Alex said, "Enough about me…how are you guys doing? Where did Chris go?" he added, noticing for the first time that the older man was not there anymore.

"He went to help Rosie with something," Coop said quickly. "Everything here is great. Right after you left we had a talk with Rosie and she told us that she knew all along that Chris and I were meant for each other…she wasn’t shocked at all. None of the men know yet and we are trying to be discreet about it."

"Has he spanked you again?" Alex said with a hint of his usual mischief.

"Nooooh," Cooper said rolling his eyes, "Well…he did give me a couple of smacks ‘cause I tried to ride a new bull that we just got and he threatened to spank me in front of everyone if he caught me doing it again."

"Just don’t get caught," Alex said, meaning it as a joke but suddenly realizing it was the same thing he had said to Fox earlier in the day.

The brothers continued to talk for a few minutes, with Cooper trying, again unsuccessfully to lift Alex’s spirits.

Walter Skinner had read the same piece of paper in his hand at least three times and still had no idea what it said. He had lost all sense of concentration after Alex had come home and lied to them. Walter had no doubt that Alex was lying but he also could understand why the younger man was doing it. Walter was just too hurt to deal with his youngest lover at the moment.

He was startled from his thoughts by the phone ringing so he quickly picked it and barked into the speaker, "Skinner!"

"Whoa there pardner, you could scare the dead with that growl," Chris Newman said from the other end.

"Chris?" Walter asked surprised to hear the other man’s voice, "Sorry…didn’t mean to take your head off. How are you?"

"I’m fine…better than you and Alex obviously."

"What do you mean?"

"He is talking to Cooper over the Internet with that new fangled computer and camera Fox sent. The picture is pretty clear if you know what I mean."

"Uh? What are you talking about?" Walter asked, truly confused.

"I mean that it came loud and clear, and in color that your young man is very distressed. He told us what had happened so far and that he lied to you about going to the bank…seems he was meeting with the Gunmen, to arrange surveillance of this guy Faraday who he believes is behind all the problems you guys have been having."

"Well I told him he would be in a lot of trouble if he did anything illegal," Walter said quietly.

"Yeah…and you know that the reason he did it is that he loves you. Cut the kid a break will ya? He didn’t do anything that bad and his intentions were good. Besides I think what is eating at him is not the fact that he is going to be punished but the fact that you didn’t."

"Come again," Walter said, now truly bewildered.

"I think he feels that he did what he did expecting and accepting the punishment in his mind. He was willing to risk getting his ass tanned but you let him down. You ignored it…dumped it on Fox…who by the way was not physically able to do it. So now you have Alex wallowing in all this guilt and on top you throw in the fact that he thinks you hate him."

"He thinks what!" Walter said jumping to his feet. "I’m just upset Chris…I never said I hated him."

"Sometimes actions are louder than words," Chris said kindly, "I have to get back upstairs to Coop so I can say goodbye to Alex before they hang up. I’ll talk to you soon."

"Chris…thanks," Walter said with all sincerity.

"Anytime pal…anytime," the Wyoming cowboy said and hung up.

Walter quickly replaced the phone into its cradle and rushed out the study and climbed the stairs two at a time.

"I don’t know what kind of car I'm going to buy yet," Alex was saying as Walter stopped right outside the study door and listened. "I was going to ask Walter to go with me…you know so I can get something sensible."

"Didn't you tell me he bought himself a Mustang," Cooper said chuckling, "I don’t think Walter is going to be a lot of help."

"It doesn't really matter any more," Alex said sadly, "He is too mad…he probably doesn’t want anything to do with me right now."

Walter sighed and mentally kicked himself. He was letting Faraday get between him and his lovers and that was the last thing he wanted…to give the bastard the satisfaction. Opening the door all the way he stepped into the room, startling Alex.

"Walter! Gods you nearly gave me a heart attack," Alex said jumping in his seat.

"Sorry," Walter said unable to keep the smile off his face at the startled look on Alex's face. Leaning over the younger man to look at the computer screen he said, "Hey Cooper."

"Hey Walter," Cooper said smiling back, "I never knew Alex could squeal like a girl."

"Very funny," Alex said annoyed but not taking his eyes off Walter who was mere inches from his face.

"Cooper, I need to talk to Alex now," Walter said, "He'll call you back tomorrow okay?"

"Yes Walter," Coop said smiling at the older man, "Oh and Walter…go easy on him 'kay?"

"Don’t worry…Alex will always be safe with me," Walter said and cut the connection. He looked down at Alex who was still seated and saw mixture of hope and apprehension in the beautiful green eyes. "Alex

come here," Skinner said and led the younger man to the couch. When Alex sat next to him, he took his hand and looked into the confused eyes. "Alex…I'm sorry…"

Before he could continue Alex interrupted him, "Walter please, I'm sorry…don’t send me away…please…"

"Send you away? Why would I do that?"

"I lied…I lied to you and Fox…I wasn’t meeting with the guy from the bank. I asked the Gunmen to see what they could do to get dirt on Faraday and maybe do some surveillance. I just want him to leave us alone. Everything was going so well until he came along…now…now everything is ruined…"

"What do you mean everything is ruined Alex?" Walter asked putting his arm around Alex's shoulder and pulling him closer. "Nothing is ruined. Fox and I love you more each day. I'm not saying I wasn't upset about your lying…but I just needed some time to calm down. I'm sorry I didn’t tell you that and instead dumped on Fox to handle."

"He…he couldn't…he was too sore," Alex said his voice cracking with relief.

"And speaking of sore…" Walter said and raised an eyebrow questioningly. Even in the dim light Walter could see Alex blush a deep shade of red. "Come on baby, let's get this over with so we can go to bed. It's been a long day and I'm sure Fox is lonely…"

"He is sleeping in the guest room. Said we toss too much in bed and jostle him."

"That coming from the human octopus?" Walter said with a chuckle, "He spreads is arms and legs all over the place…"

"Walter? I'm ready…can we do it know," Alex said suddenly, the fear and guilt getting the better of him.

"Sure baby," Walter said understandingly, "I consider lying a personal offense so I’m going to keep this personal and use my hand okay?"

"’Kay."

"Sweats and boxers off please," Walter instructed and watched as Alex pulled the clothing down and off. "Over my lap," Walter said and helped Alex arrange himself as comfortably as possibly. "This one is going to be a long one Alexei…you have a couple of things to answer for."

"Yes Walter," Alex said meekly as he prepared himself to the first swat. He didn’t know why he bothered preparing for it because it caught him off guard every time. The sound of Walter’s palm connecting with Alex’s unprotected posterior rang through the room.

"What is this spanking for Alex?"

"I lied…uhm…ohhh," Alex said gritting his teeth and groaning quietly.

"What else? Don’t make me pull teeth on this…keep talking," Walter said and smacked him twice in quick succession.

"You told me to stop…ooooh…stop worrying about Fara…day…but I didn’t drop…drop…owww…it…"

Worried that Alex was not reacting to the spanking as expected Walter stopped and asked, "Why are you holding back your cries Alex…you usually cry a lot sooner than this…am I not spanking hard enough?"

"Oh no! You are spanking quite adequately…I just don’t want to wake Fox up."

"Don’t worry about me babe," the subject in question said as he entered the room, "Yell all you want…it’s healthier than keeping it bottled inside."

"By the time Walter gets done with me I should be the healthiest man alive then, OWWW! Walter!" Alex cried out indignantly as Skinner’s palm connected again.

"I thought you wanted to get this over with," Walter said innocently, "Fox take a seat."

Fox joined them on the couch and maneuvered Alex so Alex’s head was resting on a pillow on top of Fox’s legs.

The spanking went on for an eternity…or so Alex thought. His whole world was reduced to nothing but a sharp, persistent pain on his behind and it was all he could do to not choke on his cries. "I’m ssoooreee…I’m sorreeee…I’ll be good…I’ll be good…stoopppp."

Walter did eventually stop, his hand and his heart to sore to continue with the punishment. "All done Alex…all forgiven sweetie…there, there, cry it out…you are so good…I love you…I love you baby…"

"Come on Alex, it’s over baby," Fox said as he soothingly ran his hand gently on Alex’s head and shoulders.

Eventually the cries turned into watery sobs as Alex calmed down. Walter shifted him until Alex was seated on the older man’s lap, his bright red bottom clear of the strong thighs. Alex’s dark head snuggled into the spot that seemed to have been made under Walter’s chin just for that purpose. "Still love me?" he asked with a loud sniffle followed by a gigantic yawn.

"Oh I think it is beyond love now," Walter said smiling as he hugged him closer, "What do you think Fox?"

Smiling widely Mulder nodded enthusiastically, "I’d say we are into total adoration."

Alex smiled through the sobs that still shook him and once again yawned. Noticing this Walter said, "I think its bedtime buddy."

"No! It’s only eight thirty," Alex said suddenly coming awake, "I’m not sleepy." His statement would have been more credible had he not yawned for a third time in as many minutes.

"And you can’t keep your eyes open," Fox said as he stood and pulled the younger man to his feet. "Come on Little Rat…bedtime."

The three men made it to the bedroom and Alex fell face first onto the big bed with a contented groan.

As he was already half naked it didn’t take long for Fox and Walter to maneuver him into the right position on the bed. By the time they finished Alex lay on top of the covers, red backside on display and fast asleep.

Fox looked at Walter with a mischievous grin and said, "You know Snickerdoodle that bottom is a work of art."

"What?" Walter asked confused.

"I think you should sign it," Fox said and pulled out a marker from his robe’s pocket.

Walter’s grin went from ear to ear and his eyes twinkled, "You are evil you know that. How about I take one cheek and you take the other."

"That’s why I love you Big Guy…you know how to share," Fox said and looked down at the still unaware man snoring softly on the bed.

Alex opened one bleary eye and looked over Walter’s body to the alarm clock on the bedside table. The red numbers read ‘3:09 a.m.’ He plopped his head back down but the nagging feeling on his bladder didn’t allow him to fall back asleep. He was surprise to find Fox had fallen asleep on his other side but was glad for the extra body warmth. Since he was still over the bed covers he had no problem scrambling backwards off the bed without disturbing his sleeping lovers.

Padding carefully to the bathroom he made sure to close the door before flipping the on switch so as not to disturb the two others. Quickly taking care of nature’s call he couldn’t resist an inspection of his still tender hindquarters.

Later, when the three men discussed the sound that emanated from the bathroom that early August morning they would disagree on what it resembled. Alex would claim it was an outraged manly yell and Fox and Walter would insist it sounded more like the sound a teenage girl would make if she found a pimple on her forehead minutes before a date.

"Aaaaaaaarhg! FOX! WALTER! I’m gonna kill you!"

"I don’t think he likes our art work," Fox said as he looked at Walter who was smiling like the cat that ate the canary.

The bathroom door flung open and a fuming Alex Krycek stormed out, "Very funny. You guys are a laugh riot."

"What? You don’t like it?" Walter asked innocently, batting his lashes rapidly.

Turning around Alex pointed to one cheek, Fox’s work and said, "So you think writing, ‘Hot Crossed Buns’ and making little exes all over my butt is funny."

"Yes," Fox said simply because if he said anything else he would break out laughing.

Turning the other way and pointing to his other cheek he glared at Walter and said, "And I guess I have to thank you for the lovely ‘Red Moon over Virginia’ by W.S.S."

"An artist should always sign his work for posterity," Walter said biting his lip to keep from laughing.

At this Fox lost control and laughed out loud, "Don’t you mean posterior-ty?"

Alex tried to keep the glare and full blown pout going but the sight of his lovers laughing hysterically, rolling back and forth on the bed finally broke his resolve and he joined in the laughter that filled the room.

"What’s the matter with you?" Fox asked later that day when he came home to find a very quiet Alex Krycek sitting in the large living room couch. "Did something happen?" he added quickly thinking his lover was upset about something Faraday had done or said.

Alex shook his head and sighed deeply.

"You are scaring me here Alex," Fox said taking a seat next to him, "What’s going on?"

Standing up Alex said, "Come with me," and headed for the kitchen, not turning to see if Mulder had followed. He stopped next to the answering machine and pointed to it. "There’s a message. Play it."

Fearing the worst Fox tentatively pressed the ‘Play’ button. He was surprised to hear a woman’s voice.

"This is a message for Mr. Krycek…Mr. Alex Krycek. My name is Ann Potts and I am the Assistant Principal at the Henry David Thoreau Elementary School, which serves your community. We are having an Open House this Thursday that we would like to invite you to join. It is a chance for the parents and teachers to meet prior to the school year starting on Monday. We usually ask our substitute teachers and teacher’s assistants to join us…it makes it easier on the parents if they can put names to faces. We meet at six thirty and the parents arrive at seven…we usually finish by nine. Oh…and you are welcomed to bring a spouse…or significant other. Please let me know by tomorrow if you will be able to attend, as we would ask that you bring a dish for the potluck dinner we serve. Hope to see you there."

Fox looked at Alex with a confusion and asked, "Sooo…what? You don’t know what to bring for the potluck?"

Looking at Fox in disbelief Alex said, "Didn’t you hear what she said…parents are going to be there. They want to put a face with a name…my face…my name."

Still unsure what was causing this latest panic attack Fox said, "A very handsome face and a very lovely name. Alex what are you so worried about…didn’t you think you were going to meet the parents at some point during the school year?"

"No…not really," Alex confessed biting his lip, "I thought they’d just call me when someone called off…I’d watched the kids, follow the lesson plan and send them home with homework…you know make their lives as miserable as ours were when we were kids."

"I don’t think that is possible, especially considering both our lives but I know what you mean," Fox said chuckling, "So what are you going to do?"

"I thought you’d tell me," Alex said sheepishly, "I don’t know what to do."

"You are going," Fox, said with finality, "There is nothing for you to be ashamed of…nothing for you to hide from. Especially not a bunch of parents."

Alex breathed a sigh of relief, almost as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The message had been received at ten, he had listened to it at twelve thirty and several more times between that time and when Fox had listened to it a six fifteen. He had worried himself all day and now he felt silly. He had faced so many dangers in his relatively young life that the thought of being afraid of a bunch of suburbanite parents was actually laughable.

Chuckling he said, "I guess I was just being silly worrying about it. You are right. I’m going," with that he moved to leave the kitchen but stopped dead in his tracks when Fox asked, "So who you gonna take with you? Walter or me?"

"How long has he been doing that?" Walter asked as he watched Alex walk from one side of the family room to the other, seemingly talking to himself.

"Since I asked him who he was going to take to the school open house," Fox said taking a bite of the pizza Walter had brought home earlier. "He looked like a deer in the headlights, I thought he was going to hyperventilate."

"He looks like Cindy Brady trying to decide which parent to take to see her in the school play," Walter said taking a swig out of the beer bottle in his hand.

Fox turned to look at him with an incredulous look on his face, "You watched the Brady Bunch?"

Shrugging his big shoulders the Deputy Director said, "You aren’t the only with insomnia you know. There are really strange reruns at two a.m."

Seemingly satisfied with the explanation Fox turned back to look at Alex who was still muttering to himself, "So DeeDee, what are we gonna do with Little Rat? If we don’t stop him soon we are going to have to replace the carpet."

"I can only think of one thing to do to calm him down," Walter said and stood, closing the lid on the pizza box. "Why don’t you clean up here and I’ll take him upstairs."

Pouting Fox said, "Why do you get to take him upstairs?"

"Because I am the only one that can do this…" Walter said with a crooked smile and standing in the path of the still unaware Krycek, dropped his shoulder and scooped the younger man over his shoulder before Alex knew what had happened.

"HEY! Walter? What’s the big deal? Put me down…Walter…Walter?"

"Keep still Rat," Walter said slapping Alex’s bottom a couple of times, "We are going upstairs to bed."

Looking up from his nearly upside down position Alex said, "Fox? Fox…what is going on? I don’t feel sleepy…Fox…help me out here…"

Fox was laughing at the sight as Walter strode out of the room and headed up the stairs with a totally bewildered Alex hanging from his shoulder. "He didn’t say anything about sleeping Taz…just go with the flow…I’ll be up in a minute." He smiled when he saw understanding dawn on Alex’s confused face and the big smile that split his face. "I’ll make it thirty seconds."

"I don’t know who to take…I don’t want to hurt either of you…" Alex said as lay between his lovers, the three of them naked with just a sheet over their bodies.

"You wouldn’t hurt either of us if you chose the other Little Rat," Fox said, "It’s not as we are insecure about how you feel about each of us."

"Fox is right babe," Walter said nodding in agreement, "But seeing you are having so much trouble with this how about I give you an out…this Thursday I have a meeting with the Director. I don’t think I’ll be home until well after nine so Fox can go with you."

"You knew this all evening and you just let me worry about it," Alex said in stunned disbelief.

"Well I have to admit that you look mighty cute all flustered and bothered," Walter said grinning.

"That was truly evil Snicker-Dee," Fox said, "I think you should punish him Alex."

Looking at Walter, who was wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, Alex said, "Naaah…I think he’d enjoy it too much. I have a better idea. Since I’m taking you Fox…I think I’ll take him tonight."

"Like he wouldn’t enjoy that," Fox said pouting, "What about me?"

"Since I’m taking you, how about you take me? Will that make you happy Honey Bunny?"

"What would make me happy is that you came up with another nickname. Honey Bunny? Really Alex what were you thinking?"

Before Alex could reply, Walter said, "What I’m thinking is that if we don’t get this show on the road we are going to fall asleep and not get to do anything. How do you want me Alex?"

"Uhm…since I can’t seem to be able to make any decisions tonight how about I leave it up to you."

"I rather be comfortable so I want to be on my back," Walter said and shifted so he was now in the middle.

Alex knee-walked on the bed until he was kneeling between Walter’s thighs, "Baby…I know you don’t do this often so I’m gonna spend plenty of time stretching you okay?"

Walter nodded and tried to control his breathing so he would not let on he was a little panicked. Alex was right when he said Walter didn’t do this often. Both Alex and Fox were happy receiving or taking, but he preferred the former. He felt Alex’s long finger slip easily into him and he arched his back to give him better access. He groaned when Alex slipped a second finger and rotated them to gently stretch him.

As Alex worked on getting Walter ready, Fox positioned himself behind Alex and began his own preparations. Pushing on Alex’s back urging him slightly forward he then parted the younger man’s buttocks. Leaning in he ran his tongue teasingly against the dark rosebud of Alex’s anus. He smiled when he felt the young man wiggle and let out a little whimper of pleasure.

"Okay Walter-baby, I think you are ready," Alex announced as he lubed his erection, "I’ll go slow okay…you tell me to stop if anything hurts."

"’Kay," Walter said taking deep breaths and trying to relax. As he felt Alex begin to slip into him he opened his eyes and looked up to he focused but smiling face of his youngest lover and knew that everything would be right in the world as soon as Alex and he were joined in the most intimate of ways. He could take any pain that it brought as long as he could achieve that unity with the man he loved.

Alex began to rock his hips slowly, each thrust pushing him a tiny bit further into Walter. He was trying to control his passion enough so as not to hurt the older man. "Oh man…Walter…you are so tight…I love to be in you baby…you are so hot like this…I’m not hurting you am I…oh Gods…Walter…"

"Alex…you…aaaaah…no…you aren’t hurting me…this feels so good…good…Alex move…don’t stop…pleeeease don’t stop…please…fuck me…fuck me harder…"

"You heard the man Alex…let’s do it," Fox said and quickly positioned himself behind Alex, "Okay…I need you to stand still for just one sec…I can’t go in if you don’t stop…Alex stop wiggling you bottom at me… that’s better…" Fox said grabbing hold of Alex’s hips he slipped in with one swift thrust.

"Awwwwwwww," Alex moaned as Fox’s length expanded his rectum uncomfortably, "Geezus H. Christ Fox give a man some waaaawwww…oh yeah…oh yeah…"

Walter felt every one of Fox’s thrust as they pushed Alex deeper into him. He felt a hand grab his stiff erection and he groaned…a deep rumbling sound from his chest. He figured it was Alex’s hand doing the grabbing, knowing that Fox was holding the one-armed man up so that Alex could bring Walter to climax.

A few minutes later the finely orchestrated movements of the three men achieved the desired result and they came within seconds of each other. First Walter, then Alex and finally Fox.

After a quick clean up and a change of sheets, the trio was back under the covers and wrapped tightly into each other’s embrace.

"Walter…thanks," Alex mumbled sleepily against the big chest his head was pillowed against.

"For what babe?"

"For trusting me enough to let me make love to you," Alex said.

"I know you’d never hurt me," Walter said running his hand over Alex’s hair and then over Fox’s, "Either of you. I know I’m not the most willing bottom most of the time but I do enjoy feeling you inside of me…I really do."

"Well, when ever you feel ready just let us know," Fox said, "We’ll see it as a treat."

"Just being with you two on this bed is a treat," the older man said. "But now I suggest we get some sleep. We have to go car shopping tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be home by one so we can go pick up something up."

Fox couldn’t help his mischievous sense of humor from slipping through his tiredness and said, "Well Walter you have the flashy Mustang, I have the preppy SUV…I guess that means that Alex has to get the family station wagon…"

"What! No way in hell I’m driving around in a station wagon," Alex said his eyes snapping wide open.

"Alex is right Fox…he shouldn’t get a station wagon," Walter said, his voice full of amusement at the look on Krycek’s face.

"Told ya," Alex said smugly. His smirk quickly faded at Walter’s next words.

"I think he should get a mini-van…much more modern than the station wagon…after all Alex is a man of the new millennium."

"You know guys…when I fell in love with you I didn’t know I was falling in love with Abbott and Costello," Alex groused grumpily, "I think you guys get to laugh at my expense way too often. I’m still trying to scrub your little art work off my butt."

"Sorry sweetie," Walter said, not sounding sorry at all, "It’s just so much fun to pull your leg."

"If you want one of my appendages to pull on, you are welcome to my arm," Alex said still pouting, "At least that comes off."

Sensing that Alex was truly upset at their teasing Fox said, "Come on Alexei…we are just playing with you."

Alex glanced sideways at Fox and then at Walter and saw their puppy dog eyes begging forgiveness and he relented, "Okay you are both forgiven but no more joking about mini-vans or God forbid station wagons."

Both men promised by crossing their hearts and swearing to stick their eyes with needles if they broke the promise.

The were almost asleep when Fox’s quiet voice broke the silence by asking, "How about a Suburban?"

"FOX!" both Alex and Walter yelled as they pummeled him with their pillows.

"I can’t tie your tie if you keep moving," Fox said following Alex around the room. When Alex ignored him he grabbed him by the shoulders and spun him around to face him, "Alexei Nikolai stop! You need to calm down. We need to leave in twenty minutes and you are still half dressed."

"I can’t go," Alex said pleading with his eyes for Fox to understand.

"Honey…I know you are nervous," Fox said understandingly, "But I’ll be there and everything will be alright. Besides this panic attacks about meeting new people are getting old. You did the exact same thing before meeting Cooper and see how well that turned out."

"Coop is my brother…these people are strangers," Alex said trying to make Fox see his point, "Strangers that hold my future as a teacher in their hands. What if they hate me?"

"There is nothing we can do about that Alex," Fox said finally understanding what was behind Alex’s fear. He was afraid of rejection. "No matter what those people think of you the important thing is what you think of yourself. I know you are going to be a great teacher…even if you only want to do it part-time… you’ll give it all you’ve got. The Alex Krycek I know and love doesn’t do things half way."

"You know Fox, you would have made a great cheerleader," Alex said kissing the older man’s nose.

"Naaah, don’t have the legs for it," Fox said and slipped the tie over Alex’s head and pulled on the knot.

"There…now you look like a teacher…no wait…there is one more thing."

Alex watched as Fox reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his glasses. "What are those for?"

Placing them on Alex’s nose and fitting them around his ears Fox said, "That’s the final touch. Here look."

Fox turned him to face the mirror and Alex couldn’t help but smile at his image wearing the glasses he loved to see Fox wear. "On you they make you look intellectual…I look like a geek."

Wrapping his arms around Alex from behind and putting his chin on the younger man’s shoulder Fox said "I think they make you even more handsome if that is even possible."

Looking into the reflection in front of him Alex said, "Have I ever told you how much I love you Fox."

"About twenty times a day…but I never get tired of hearing it."

"I love you Fox."

"I love you Alex."

"Deep breaths okay Little Rat," Fox said patting Alex’s hand as it gripped the steering wheel. "Let’s go."

Alex took the suggested deep breath and turned off the engine of his brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee, black of course, that he had signed for just the day before. He stepped out of the car, straightened his jacket and joined Fox at the front of the car. They walked into the school together and looked down the long corridor trying to find where to head next when a voice behind them startled them.

"Can I help you gentlemen?"

Turning to face a medium height woman, of about forty, Fox said, "I’m Fox Mulder and this is Alex Krycek."

"Oh Mr. Krycek, I’m Ann Potts the Assistant Principal…we spoke on the phone yesterday. I’m so glad you were able to make it. Mr. Mulder it is also a pleasure to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is ours Mrs. Potts," Fox said taking her hand. When he noticed Alex had not moved he added, "Please forgive Alex…he doesn’t have the best memories of school…I think he spent a lot of time in the Principal’s office. I think you are scaring him a bit."

Alex blushed and sent Fox a look of mixed annoyance and gratitude. Fox’s comment had made the woman laugh and covered for his awkwardness, "Sorry Mrs. Potts didn’t mean to be rude. It was very nice for you to invite me."

"We are excited at the prospect of having you teach here," Mrs. Potts said, "You’ll have to forgive us…we are a little celebrity struck…it’s not everyday we have heroes like yourselves join us."

"Please don’t make a big deal about it," Alex said uncomfortable with her words, "I rather not stand out."

"We’ll do our best," Mrs. Potts promised, "If you would please follow me we’ll go to the gymnasium."

The men followed her and entered the gym where several people where already mingling. When they entered Fox felt Alex stiffen at the sight of every one turning to look at them. Leaning into him Fox whispered, "Breathe Alex…breathe."

The next few minutes were spent with introduction of the rest of the staff and their spouses who had also been invited. Soon a few of the parents began to arrive and the Principal, Mr. Tomas moved to the podium to welcome them.

"Alex would you join us in the gym floor," Mrs. Potts said coming up to them, "Mr. Mulder you can sit on the bleachers. Mr. Tomas will be making introductions before we break into the different classes. As a substitute teacher you are welcome to move around the school since you will not be assigned a specific class."

Alex hesitated following her but Fox put a reassuring hand on his arm and said, "I’ll be right in your line of sight Alex. If you get nervous just keep looking at me. I’m right here for you baby."

"’Kay," Alex said, his mouth suddenly dry. He took a seat by Mrs. Potts and looked at the bleachers where he quickly found Fox, who seemed to stand out even among the dozens of people sitting around him. His lover smiled at him and he knew everything would be all right.

For the next few minutes Mr. Tomas welcomed the parents, explained what would be happening the rest of the evening and began to introduce the staff. When he got to Alex there was a definite murmur of recognition rippling through the crowd but nothing hostile.

Mr. Tomas was about to continue with the introductions when the heavy double doors of the gym swung open and a man rushed in, still in the process of tying his tie. He came to a skidding halt when he saw that the event had started and began to apologize for his tardiness when his eyes fell on Alex.

Fox saw the look on his lover’s face and turned to see who it was that had just arrived. In a whisper, almost as if he were cursing one word slipped past his lips, "Faraday."

"Skinner," Deputy Director Walter Skinner said into his cellular. He had been concentrating on the papers spread on his lap when the phone rang. "What? Okay…okay calm down Fox…are you okay? What about Alex? I'll be home in fifteen minutes. Who's that…Dana? Let me speak to her…Fox…Fox I know…just let me speak to her."

"Walter?" Scully's voice came through the phone.

"Dana…are they alright?" Walter asked worriedly.

"Mulder is pissed off but he is alright…except for a split lip and a bruise to his eye. I'm more worried about Alex…"

"What is wrong with Alex?" Walter almost shouted into the phone.

"Walter calm down…getting upset is not going to solve anything," Scully said softly "I'm just worried because he hasn't said a word since they got home. Mulder call me and both John and I came right over. I've taken care of Mulder's injuries but Alex just went upstairs and lay down. I checked on him a few minutes ago but he is just laying there with his eyes shut, not moving."

"I'll be there in a few more minutes," Walter said, "Please stay with them…don’t let Fox do anything stupid. Thanks Dana," he added before shutting the phone off. "Gary, I need to get home immediately," he informed his assigned driver.

"Yes sir…traffic is still light, we should be there shortly," the young agent said and increased the speed of the automobile.

Walter sat back and tried to relax…knowing that it would proved futile. Fox had sounded so angry and the thought of Alex retreating behind a wall of silence was scaring him more than he would admit. He hadn't had a chance to get the whole story from Fox. All he knew is that they had had an altercation with Faraday at the school and that blows had been exchanged. From Scully's words though, it seemed Fox and not Alex had been the one involved in the fight.

Before he knew it Gary was telling him they had arrived home and pulling into his driveway. Walter threw the car door open and stepped out before the car had come to a full stop. Rushing to the house he opened the door and nearly ran to the family room.

"Walter!" Fox cried out as soon as he saw his lover and rushed to him.

"Fox are you alright?" the older man said as he took Mulder into an embrace and then pushing back slightly to look into his face. A nice shiner was forming below Mulder's right eye and his lower lip was split and slightly bleeding. "What happened? Where is Alex?"

"He is upstairs," Fox said quickly, "He is just laying there. I'm worried about him Walter…he didn't react the way I though he would. He is shutting down Walter. You have to do something."

"I will…but before I go see him why don’t you tell me what happened," Walter said guiding Fox to the couch. "Dana, John…I really appreciate you coming over to help."

"No need for thanks Walter," Scully said coming to her feet, "Let us know if you need anything. I've left some pill for Alex to take…you might want to give Fox a couple too. It'll help them sleep better."

"Thanks Scully," Fox said from his seat next to Skinner, "But this is all I need to sleep better," he said giving Walter a quick hug.

Walter grinned knowing that if Fox could joke at a time like this he would be okay. "Fox behave yourself."

"Well Mulder, I see you are in good hands so we will take our leave," John Doggett said smiling, "Sir let me know if you want to do anything about this Faraday fellow."

"I still don’t know what happened," Walter said, "I'll talk to you in the morning." Scully and Doggett left the two men and Walter turned to his now much calmer lover and asked, "Okay Fox…from the beginning. Tell me what happened."

"Shouldn't we check on Alex first?"

"In a minute. I want to know exactly what happened before I see him. I want to make sure I don’t say the wrong thing."

Nodding in understanding Fox began to tell him what had transpired a few hours ago. "Everything was going great until Faraday showed up. Alex was nervous but he was doing so well…you would have been proud of him. He was charming and mingled with ease. Then the Assistant Principal told him he had to take a seat with the other teachers to be introduced by the Principal and he freaked a little but I told him to that I would be in his line of sight and he calmed down."

"What about Faraday? When did he show up?"

"He was late. Rushed in just after Mr. Tomas, the Principal had introduced Alex. I knew by the look on Alex's face that something had happened…he saw Faraday before I did."

"What did Faraday do when he saw Alex?"

"I thought the man's head was going to explode. He turned a really ugly shade of red and his chest started heaving. Mr. Tomas asked him to take a seat so he could continue but that asshole Faraday cut him off and demanded to know why Alex was there. Mr. Tomas explained that Alex was a volunteer substitute teacher and that is when Faraday really lost it."

"What do you mean? Lost it how?"

"He said that they didn't know who they were dealing with. That Alex was a murderer, a traitor to his country and that he for one wouldn't let that scum…meaning Alex…anywhere near his child."

"Dear God…poor Alex."

"That's the funny thing. Alex didn't say a word…didn't even move. Actually I was surprised by Mr. Tomas reaction. He told Faraday that Alex had been cleared to teach and that the school board had done a very thorough background check and if they felt Alex was qualified to teach then he saw no problem with it. Tomas asked Faraday to sit down so they could continue. That is when Faraday yelled that his son would not be taught be a pervert. He turned and pointed to me and then back at Alex and called us both perverted faggots."

"What did the other parents say?"

"I kinda was tuning everyone out…I was just looking at Alex for his reaction. Walter he looked so sad…so utterly devastated. I was fed up with Faraday and all his loud-mouthed accusations and jumped to my feet and walked down the bleachers until I was nose to nose with him. I told him off…I really didn’t want to cause a scene but he had gone to far."

"Please tell me you didn’t punch him," Walter said with dread.

"No…but I was about to," Fox said. "All of a sudden Alex was standing between me and Faraday just as Faraday pulled back and threw a punch. Clipped Alex on the chin and snapped his head back."

"So how did you end up with the shiner and split lip?"

"Alex grabbed Faraday by the lapel and pushed him back," Fox explained, "A couple of the men there jumped in to help and held Faraday back. Alex turned to walk out and I followed when all of a sudden Faraday got loose and jumped me from behind. All hell broke loose then…women screaming, Tomas banging on the podium to get everyone's attention…not a pretty sight. Busted the lip when Faraday pushed me down. Alex turned back to help me and backhanded Faraday with his fake arm…there was this loud pop and blood all over…I think Alex broke the bastards nose. Faraday screamed and everything got really quiet all of a sudden. Alex just stood there, splattered with that asshole's blood and the idiot screaming bloody murder. I grabbed Alex from behind…my fault…should have known better than to grab him when he is on an adrenaline high…"

"He give you the black eye?"

"Yeah…with his elbow," Fox said sheepishly, "He turned and saw all those people staring at him. It was too much for him and he took off…I just ran after him and jumped in the car just as he was starting it."

"Why didn’t you call me from the car?"

"I was more worried about Alex," Fox explained, "He was driving…I tried to tell him to pull over and let me drive but he acted as he didn’t even hear me. Somehow we made it home in one piece and I called Dana to ask her to check on Alex then I called you."

"Okay…I think I have enough now to talk to Alex," Walter said standing.

"He didn’t do anything wrong Walter," Fox said suddenly worried that he hadn't express to his lover how restrained Alex had kept himself. Knowing the former assassin's capabilities for disposing of scum that got in his way, Fox was very impressed with how well Alex had handled the whole thing.

Sensing Fox's worry Walter said, "I just didn’t want to accidentally say something wrong. This wasn’t Alex's fault. I just hope we can make him see that."

"What do you mean?" the usually perceptive Fox asked confused.

"If he is shutting down it's because he feels that it was all his fault," Walter explained, "Let's go see our Rat."

"You let him get to you Pop…in front of a room full of people," Jeff Faraday said as he placed a wet towel on the his father's face.

"And you threw the first punch," Kevin Faraday the eldest of the two said, with a note of disgust in his voice, "That was not smart…not smart at all old man."

Clayton Faraday glared at his son and winced when the action caused his throbbing nose to ache, "How could you not have known that traitor was going to be at the school."

"And how was I supposed to know that you go all parental and decide to go to the brat's open house," Kevin said between gritted teeth.

"We have to keep up appearances," the elder Faraday said angrily, "Neil starts school next week then he will be out of our hair for at least part of the day."

"I don’t know why you just don’t get rid of the brat," Jeff said.

"I know you resent him but get over it already," Faraday said coming to his feet, "Neil isn't going anywhere." With that he stormed out of the room.

"That is what you think old man," Kevin Faraday said almost to himself.

"You have an idea Kev?"

"Yeah…a two for one deal."

"Pray tell," Jeff said with a big malicious grin.

Walter opened the door to their bedroom slowly and sighed in dismay at what he found inside. Alex was curled up on his side, still fully dressed, on the bed. His eyes were shut but he didn’t seem to be sleeping, just laying very still. "Alex," Walter said softly as he took a seat on the bed, "How you doing babe?"

Fox crawled onto the bed and laid behind the yet to speak Russian, "I told Walter what happened tonight Alex. I just wanted to tell you how proud of you I was…you handled it so well."

When Alex didn’t respond Walter decided he needed to pull him out of the depression that was settling over him. "Alex come on talk to us. Don’t do this…don’t shut down." Walter slipped his big hands under the unresponsive body on the bed and pulled Alex to a sitting position so Alex was now leaning against Walter's ample chest. Slowly rubbing his hand over the stiff back he smiled when he felt Alex slowly relax and slump against him. "That's it baby…relax Alexei…we've got you…"

A strangled sob suddenly escaped and a second later Alex clutched at Walter shirt and released the pain and frustration the evening had caused him. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" he repeated continuously as both Fox and Walter wrapped their arms around him.

"What are you sorry about darling?" Fox asked truly confused, "You didn’t do anything wrong. You could have killed that bastard but you didn’t."

Sniffling loudly Alex turned his face from Walter chest to look at Fox, "I still feel like I want to kill him though."

"I want to grow hair on my head and that doesn't mean it's ever going to happen," Walter said seriously and was please by the results of his comment when Alex chuckled. "What do you boys say we get some sleep?"

"Walter…what are we going to do about Faraday?" Fox asked as they finally settled on the bed after they cleaned up.

"Not much we can do right now Fox," Walter said apologetically, knowing that it was not what either of his lovers wanted to hear, "We could sue him for liable but he really didn’t say anything untrue…"

Fox was outraged and said so, "So you think us living together makes us perverted faggots?"

"Damn it Fox you know that is not what I'm saying," Walter said sighing deeply, "What I'm saying is that there are people out there that would agree with his description of our lifestyle."

"I'm sure that a lot of the parents at that school feel that way now…even if they didn’t before," Alex said softly from his spot between the two other men.

"No use worrying about that now Alex," Walter said, "We can't live our lives worrying about what others think. I know you will be disappointed if they don’t call you for a job when school starts but we knew that was a strong possibility."

"Yeah…I know…but it would be easier it idiots like Faraday didn’t make it any harder on me," Alex said sighing deeply as he burrowed closer to the larger man.

Just as the trio began drifting off to sleep Walter said, "Oh I almost forgot…I spoke to the folks today and they reminded me that we are expected at the farm for Labor Day weekend. We usually have the whole family get together for a big picnic."

"Cool…I hope your Mom makes some of that cheesecake she made the last time we were there," Fox said excited at the thought.

"You must be making up for all that lousy food you've eaten over the years Fox," Alex said laughing, "It’s a wonder you don’t weight three hundred pounds."

"Oh I have two lovers who keep me fit and trim with their lovemaking," Fox said and yawned, "Too bad I'm so beat tonight or I would try to get some exercise."

"We'll take a rain check," Walter said as he too yawned, "Damn I'm tired…'night boys."

"G'night Snickerdoodle," Fox said.

"Mmmnight Big Guy," Alex said and drifted off to what he hoped but doubted would be a restful sleep.

"Alex what are you doing here?" Eve Kirkpatrick asked as she approached the younger man.

Alex had been sitting under the large oak tree in the middle of the park, Murphy at his feet playing with a bone, "Eve…hi…where would I be? It's a nice day so I thought I get some fresh air with Murph."

Taking a seat next to him on the ground she said, "I just thought you'd be at school…"

"Haven't you heard? No one wants a one-armed, former assassin, triple-agent to teach their kiddies," Alex said somewhat bitterly.

"How about a young man whom without the Consortium would have allowed the Aliens to take over the earth."

"You are one of a select few who really believe all that," Alex said sighing, "Most of humanity is still blissfully unaware how close we really came."

"I think that Fox's book will make a lot more people aware of what they owe you boys," Eve said placing a comforting hand on Alex's arm. "I hear it's coming out in a few days."

"Yeah," Alex said, "He's all nervous about it too. He has to do talk shows starting next week."

"What is he so nervous about? That boy could sell an Arab the Brooklyn Bridge."

Alex chuckled at the thought and had to agree with Eve, Fox definitely had no problem talking about anything. He felt a sudden tug on his sleeve and looked down to see Murphy trying to get his attention.

"Okay, okay you rascal I'm coming…Eve excuse me but it seems my lord and master demands my complete attention."

Eve laughed as she watched the young man she had grown very fond of play with his very excited puppy.

Alex played the old time favorite 'toss the stick a hundred times and see who lasts the longest' game.

Alex had thrown the small stick high and far and Murphy was running like the proverbial mad dog trying to catch it in mid air when a loud pop followed by a yelp brought everything to a sudden stop.

Alex stood frozen for a moment as he saw the dog fall limp to the ground, he didn’t even notice when Eve screamed and ran past him towards the fallen puppy. Shaking himself aware he ran towards the older woman afraid that whoever had fired the shot would try to hit her.

"Eve stay down," Alex yelled as he rushed to her side, "Murphy?"

"He is alive Alex," Eve said as she saw the wide gash on the puppy's shoulder, "We have to get him out of here or he'll bleed to death."

"Eve stay as close to the ground as possible," Alex warned as he picked up the heavy animal and tried to make as small as target as possible, but luckily there were no further shots.

"We've got to get him to the vet," Eve said as she opened the door to Alex's car and helped the young man maneuver the wounded dog into the back seat. "I'll drive."

Forty-five minutes later Fox Mulder and Walter Skinner arrived at the veterinary hospital after having received the frantic call from Eve Kirkpatrick informing them of the incident.

"Alex!" the two men shouted in unison as they saw the lover in the waiting area.

"Are you alright," Walter asked as he noticed the blood covering the front of Alex's shirt, "Were you hit?"

"No…no I'm fine…but Murphy is…he is hurt," Alex said trying to keep his voice from cracking.

"What happened?" Fox asked.

"We were at the park playing and someone shot him…they just shot him," Alex said still in disbelief.

"John is already on his way there with the team," Walter told him, "We'll get whoever did this…"

"Just like we got who wrote the graffiti, and the ones that attacked me or threw the rock at Alex, come on Walter get real…" Fox said angrily.

"I really don’t think this is the time to be arguing do you?" Walter said just as angrily.

Any further discussion was cut off by the arrival of the vet. "Mr. Krycek?"

Alex took a deep breath and raised his hand as he said, "I'm Krycek…how's Murphy?"

It was touch and go there for a minute but the bullet went clean through the shoulder," the young vet explained, "We were able to close the wound nicely and replenish the blood he lost. He should be fine in a couple of weeks."

A collective sigh of relief was heard and Walter thanked the doctor who explained that Murphy had to stay in the hospital for at least a week.

"Eve thank you for all your help," Fox said as Walter went with Alex to see the puppy.

"Fox you have to do something," Eve said worriedly, "Whoever did this, shot in a park where there could have been little kids playing. It was lucky that it was so early and there were not many people back from work yet."

"I know Eve…I know…I'll do something," Fox said, his hazel eyes flashing defiantly at the thought of anyone harming someone he loved.

As Fox left to join his lovers Eve could not help but worry about the intensity behind Mulder's words, "I just hope you don’t do anything dangerous," she said out loud to herself.

"Fox you've got to snap out of this," Walter said rubbing his face in frustration.

"I'm leaving in a week and I can't feel comfortable going knowing that there is someone out there out to get one of us," Fox said heatedly.

"Don’t you trust me to handle it?" Walter asked.

"Frankly…you haven't done much to ease my mind," Fox said and immediately regretted his words at the look of pain in Walter's eyes.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Walter said, "I just can't go accusing someone of something without some concrete evidence other than all the trouble started when he showed up."

"What's going to convince you? When one of us is dead?" Fox screamed and stormed out of the room.

"You are acting like a drama queen Fox," Walter shouted right back, tired of the stress they had been under the last few days.

"Fuck you Walter," Fox yelled from the stairs.

"Not very likely if you don’t change your attitude," Walter countered before he too left the room in a huff.

Neither man took noticed of the third person in the room. Alex had been sitting on the couch as the fight had escalated. He had been quiet the whole time, unsure of what to say or do. He knew that everything that was happening was his fault. He also knew without a doubt that Faraday was involved somehow, but proving it was going to be nearly impossible. The guilt over the whole situation began to eat at him but he couldn't ask either of his lovers for advice on how to get over it. This time he would have to figure it out for himself.

Fox Mulder felt the bed dip as Walter climbed in. Their argument was eating at him and if he didn’t clear the air between them he was going to be miserable. Knowing that he was the one in the wrong made it a bit easier and he knew that whatever punishment he had coming he deserved. "Walter?" he said softly.

A very non-committal sound came from the older man who was now laying on his back, one arm draped over his eyes.

Fox tried again, "Walter? I'm…uhm…I'm sorry."

"You are?" Walter asked, a little surprised by the admission. He expected Fox to stay mad longer. "I guess I am sorry too…we both let Faraday get to us."

"We've been doing too much of that lately," Fox said scooting up to the other man until Walter pulled him close. "I'm really sorry for what I said Walter…I trust you with my life."

"Thank you Fox," Walter said placing a kiss on the top of Fox's head. "I promise I'll do everything in my power to get whoever is doing this, and that I will protect Alex."

"Just take care of each other while I'm on the road," Fox said, "Where is Alex by the way?"

"He wasn’t downstairs when I closed up," Walter said suddenly worried, "I thought he was up here with you."

"No…you don't think…" Fox said with dread, "He wouldn’t go to Faraday's would he?"

Flipping back the covers Walter got out of the bed and pulled Fox behind him, "Lets check the house first before we jump to any conclusions."

For the next few minutes they searched the whole house. Fox checked upstairs and Walter downstairs and out in the garden. They met in the kitchen and looked at each other with concern. Fox was the first to notice that the door to the basement was slightly ajar. "You don’t think he is down there do you? The lights are off…he hates the dark."

"We'll we aren't going to find out standing here," Walter said and opened the basement door and flipped the switch. They made their way slowly down the stairs.

"Fuck…Jezzus…" Fox cursed when he saw Alex. The young Russian was leaning against one corner of the half-finished basement. He was completely naked and his back was bleeding from several deep cuts.

"Alex…my God…Alex what'd you do?" Walter said rushing to his lover and turned him around. Alex's face was streaked with tears and he was breathing raggedly. "Alex answer me…what did you do?"

"Walter look," Fox said picking up something from the floor next to Alex, "He used his belt…buckle side."

"Why Alex…for fuck's sake why," Walter said scooping the semi-conscious man in his arm, not really expecting an answer. "Fox get some water and towels."

"Why would he do this? I'm the one that was a jerk tonight…why would he punish himself this way."

"I don’t think we'll get much out of him tonight," Walter said gently placing Alex on the bed on his stomach.

Alex whimpered and moaned as his lovers gently wiped the blood from his wounded back, "Sorreee…I'm sorreeee."

"It was my fault Alex," Fox said oblivious to the tears that had started to fall, "Why did you do this baby? Why did you hurt yourself like this?"

"Everything has been…'cause of me…someone haaaa…hates me and they are…hurting every…everyone I… love…my fault…"

"How is it your fault Alex?" Walter said and winced in sympathy as Alex hissed when he cleaned a particularly deep gash. "How can you possibly think any of this is your fault?"

"I am bad…always been bad…now…my sins come back…come back to hurt me…and those…I love…Fox…Fox… Murphy…maybe you…you next Walter…can't let that happen…"

"And if you hurt yourself you think that makes it better?" Fox asked as he took the used towel Walter handed him and gave the older man a tube of antiseptic cream.

"This is going to sting a bit Alex," Walter warned as he dabbed at the tiny punctures on the Russian's back.

"Owww…owww…fuck Walter…stop…" Alex said struggling to get away from the stinging sensation.

"Stay still…you deserve it for pulling such a stupid stunt," Walter said becoming angry now that he knew Alex was okay.

"Walter," Fox said warningly, "Now is not the time."

"Very well," Walter agreed, "But we'll have a long talk tomorrow about blame and how to handle guilt."

"That talk will also include my punishment right…" Fox asked half-dreading the answer.

"No I think you'll sleep better if we get over now," Walter said to Fox's great dismay, "Alex will you be alright…Alex?"

"He fell asleep," Fox said tucking the sheet around Alex's naked body.

"Come on then," Walter said taking Fox's hand and guiding him out towards the guest bedroom.

"What are you gonna do to me?"

"I’ll take into consideration that you were very upset when you said the things you did," Walter said trying to reassure his now nervous lover, "But your words were thoughtless and hurtful."

"I know…I'm sorry," Fox said as he found himself suddenly naked as Walter pulled down his boxers, "I wont do it again…promise."

"Don’t make promises you can't keep," Walter said amused as he lowered the young man over his lap, "I'm quite sure that there will be times where I will be in the position you are in currently. It's not easy keeping quite when you feel something very strongly."

"But you are a hel…heck of a lot better at it than I am," Fox said, the blood rushing to his head. "Oww… ouch…damn Walter…ouch…owwww," Fox cried as his lover's strong hand impacted with his backside.

Walter knew Fox had been upset when he had accused him of not caring for their safety and therefore kept the spanking short. "Almost done Fox…" he said as he helped the quietly sobbing man to his feet.

"Al…almost? What…what else you gonna do?" Fox said as he followed Walter towards the hallway bathroom, "Oh no…oh come on Walter…please…I’m going to have a har…hard time sleeping as…as it is… please…"

"Open up," Walter said steeling his heart at the pitiful sight of a pouting Fox Mulder. "It's the liquid soap so I won't make you hold it…you can rinse quickly."

Fox scrunched his eyes shut and opened his mouth, shivering as Walter placed his soap covered hand inside and ran it around until Fox's tongue and the roof of his mouth were well coated. He tried not to gag as Walter made him close his mouth for a full ten seconds.

"Okay Fox…rinse," Walter said and watched as Fox quickly spit and rinse.

"That was evil Walter…I think I like the bar soap better," Fox said sticking his tongue out in disgust, "It tastes like lemon…yeuch…"

"Let's get back to bed," Walter said, "We need to make sure Alex is alright."

"Are you going to punish him for what he did?"

"No…he's punished himself enough for doing absolutely nothing wrong."

"Everything will look better in the morning."

"Alex come on sweetie wake up," Walter said the next morning, trying to rouse his lover. The younger man had spent a restless night, tossing and turning, the pain on his back making it hard to get comfortable.

"No…leave me alone Walter…want to sleep," Alex mumbled grouchily.

"I know you do but we have to get going pretty soon," Walter said, "Remember I took the day off so we can get to the farm today…we are having an extra long weekend."

"We are all packed up," Fox said entering the room, "He not up yet?"

"No…and he is a little warm too," Walter said anxiously, "Get me the thermometer."

"Not warm…stop fussing Walter," Alex said and made to stand up.

"Here you go Walter," Fox said handing the older man the thermometer.

"What? Not the rectal?" Walter said smiling at Fox who smiled back sheepishly.

"Thought about it but he always fights it and we don't have much time."

"Leave me alone," Alex cried as he slapped Walter's hand away.

"Alexei Nikolai Krycek stop behaving like a baby or I will use the rectal thermometer on you," Walter said sternly. "Now open up." Walter placed the glass thermometer in the waiting mouth. Four minutes later he said, "One hundred and one point two…you my friend have a fever."

"I feel fine," Alex said sitting up just to fall back with a groan, "Or not."

"I better call Mom and tell her we wont be coming up tonight," Walter said resignedly.

"No Walter…you guys go…I can stay alone," Alex pleaded, knowing how much Walter had been looking forward to seeing his parents.

"No way Alex…I'm not leaving you alone…especially when you are sick," Walter said shaking his head. "I'm sure we can make it later this weekend…don’t worry, Mom will understand."

Alex watched Walter leave the room to make his call and sighed, "I'm just too much trouble," he mumbled sadly.

"You are worth every moment Little Rat," Fox said taking a seat next to him on the bed, "Making sure you are healthy is what counts."

Walter came back and said, "Talked to Dad and he said he understands and wants to make sure you are alright. He'll tell Mom that we will be there if we can."

"I'll call Scully and have see if she can prescribe something," Fox said.

"NO!" Alex said suddenly, "I…I don’t want her to know what I did…please…"

"Okay…okay…but if your fever gets worse we wont have a choice," Walter said pushing him back down on the bed. "Go to sleep and we will be downstairs if you need us."

"'Kay," Alex said and yawned deeply.

Fox and Walter left their lover to sleep and left to do chores around the house for lack of something better to do.

"Are you expecting anyone Fox?" Walter asked when the doorbell rang.

"Nope," Fox said looking up from his book.

Walter shrugged and went to open the door. To his utter amazement he found his mother and one of his brothers standing at the doorstep. "Mom…Jim…what are you…did something happen…is everyone alright?"

"Everyone is just fine Walter," Sarah Skinner said as she made her way past her startled son.

"Dad told Mom what happened with Alex and she was determined to come and make sure he was alright," James Skinner said as he followed his mother in.

"Mom…but you are going to have the whole family over for the holiday…you didn’t have to come all the way," Walter was trying to say as he rushed to join them in the living room.

"Nonsense Walter…I wouldn't be anywhere else," Sarah said waving her arm, "Hello Fox darling…how are you?"

"Fine Mrs…I mean Mom," Fox said as shocked as Walter by the sudden arrival of the older woman, "Hi Jim."

"Hi Fox," Jim said and shook the outstretched hand.

"Okay so where is that boy," Sarah said as she handed her jacket to her still in shock eldest son.

"Upstairs, last room on the right at the top of the stairs," Walter said, "I'll take…"

"No that’s alright, I'll find it," the older woman said and added as she headed up the stairs, "You catch up with your brother. I'll call you if I need anything."

"I can't believe you came all the way here…" Walter said.

"You know Mom…when one of her chicks is sick you can't keep her away," Jim said with a chuckle.

"I hope Alex can handle the mothering…" Walter began but was cut off by a loud screech from upstairs.

"Walter! Help!"

The trio rushed up the stairs and into the master bedroom. They stopped dead on their tracks at the door and had to bite their lips to stop themselves from laughing. Alex Krycek, bad boy of the Consortium, was hiding under the covers, which he had pulled to just below his nose as was staring with wide eyes at Sarah Skinner standing over him with a thermometer. "Walter your mom wants to take my temperature," Alex said in a panic, "Uhm…she wants to take it…down there."

"I just picked up the wrong thermometer Alex," Sarah said rolling her eyes, "Don’t worry…its not like I haven't seen plenty of naked bottoms in my life. Come on now don’t be shy, turn over and let me look at your back. Walter told his father what happened."

Alex eyed her warily but he was too tired to argue, "Just don’t think about sticking that thing anywhere but in my mouth."

"Boys why don’t you leave Alex and me alone for a while," Sarah said ushering the still chuckling trio out.

"Go easy on him Mom," Walter said kissing her, "He is not used to being mothered."

"Don’t worry dear, I'll take really good care of your young man," Sarah said and closed the door on him. Turning to Alex she said, "Okay now young fellow let's take a look at that back of yours and we need to have a discussion on guilt."

Alex swallowed hard and burrowed deeper under the covers.

"Damn it, what do they have at that house, a fucking revolving door," Kevin Faraday cursed as he closed the blinds.

"So what do we do now," his brother asked.

"We wait until we see them leave. We'll plant the evidence when no one's home. We just have to be a little patient. Alex Krycek isn't going anywhere."

"Well not yet anyway," Jeff said with a smile.

Sarah Skinner entered the living room of her eldest son's home and smiled when she saw Walter, Fox and Jim all talking and laughing. "What are you boys up to?"

"Nothing Mom," Jim said smiling up at her from his seat on Walter's recliner, "Just telling Fox about Walter when he was a kid."

"I hadn't realized Walter was always as serious as he is now," Fox said nudging his lover with his elbow.

"Oh Walter was born serious," Sarah said smiling, "I think he even glared at the doctor when he was born."

"Mom!" Walter sputtered and blushed.

Sarah laughed at his reaction and said, "You know boys…it's only six thirty, why don’t you all go out to dinner…I'll stay with Alex…he's sleeping soundly and his fever is down."

"No Mom…we can't ask you to do that," Walter said, "We'll order something in."

"Nonsense," Sarah said, "Go take your brother out in the town…its not everyday he makes it to D.C. I'm sure there is some nice restaurant in Georgetown he might enjoy."

Looking at Jim and seeing his smile, Walter knew that he would do whatever Sarah asked so he nodded, "Okay Mom, you are right. What about you? What are you going to do for dinner?"

"I'll make do, don’t worry," Sarah assured him, "I'll make some soup and sandwiches for myself and Alex."

"We better get going Walter," Fox said, "You know how bad traffic is on Friday nights."

A few minutes later the trio was gone and the elder Skinner went back upstairs to check on her patient.

Alex was sitting up, propped up with several pillows behind him. He smiled shyly when Sarah entered.

"Hi Alex," the older woman said giving him a motherly smile, "I thought you were asleep?"

"I was…just got up," Alex explained, "Where is everybody?"

"Send them out to get dinner," Sarah said, "There was no need for them to be cooped up in the house when I'm here to watch over you."

Alex blushed and ducked his head, "I…I appreciate you staying…but you really don’t have to. I'm fine…I don’t think I have a fever anymore."

Taking a seat next to him on the bed, Sarah put her hand to his forehead and said, "You are still a bit warm but I think it's not too bad. I'll make you some soup…"

"I'm not very hungry…" Alex began but was interrupted by the ringing phone. Alex reached over and picked it up, "Krycek," was the one word greeting. He smiled when he recognized the voice on the other end, "Hi Dana…no everything is alright…yeah…no I had a fever and Walter decided we would wait until tomorrow to leave for the farm. Actually his mom and brother are here…no Walter took Fox and Jim out to dinner…no I'm feeling better. Wait I think Walter's mom wants to talk to you…" Alex said handing the phone to the older woman.

"Dana…this is Sarah Skinner dear…just have heard so much about you from my boys that I wanted to introduce myself," Walter's mother said, "Oh really…no I really shouldn’t…Alex is not feeling well and…"

"What?" Alex asked looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"One moment Dana," Sarah said and put her hand over the mouthpiece, "She said she would love to meet me but she is feeding the twins and said that I should come over…but I don’t think its…"

"Oh please go," Alex said smiling, "It's only three blocks and I am feeling much better. You really should see the boys…they are very cute, even if I do say so myself…I might be a little biased."

"I should say so," Sarah said, "Godfathers are supposed to be biased. If you are sure…" she said and when he nodded she once again spoke into the phone, "Dana…it seems that Alex is insistent that I meet his godson…okay…no I should be able to find it fine. Very well I should be over in a few minutes…I want to take Alex's temperature before I go first…no he wont let me…okay I will see you shortly."

"What did you mean 'he wont let me'? Alex asked when she hung up the phone.

"She asked where I was going to take your temperature," Sarah said and chuckled when Alex groaned and blushed a deep red.

"Kev…the old woman just left," Jeff Faraday informed his older brother.

"Okay you know what to do," Kevin said.

The two young men moved quickly knowing they did not have much time to put their plan into action. They knew that what they had in mind would not get rid of Alex Krycek but would certainly make his life difficult for a few days. If only they could come up with something more permanent but they both knew that the traitor to the Consortium was too much of a celebrity and too highly guarded for them to do anything too drastic.

"You take the car and I'll take the backyard," Kevin said handing his brother a box.

"What about Dad?" Jeff asked.

"He's keeping Neil where I told him to," Kevin said with a smirk, "He'll do his part if he knows what's good for him. It's all his fault that we are stuck living here in hiding when we should have been living in the lap of luxury in the south of France."

"We better get moving," Jeff said, "We don’t know how much time we have.

"Oh God what time is it?" Fox groaned when he heard the front door bell.

"Seven thirty," Alex mumbled as he opened one bleary eye and looked at the clock, "Where's Walter?"

"Think he went downstairs," Fox said as he snuggled closer to his lover and put a hand on Alex's butt and squeezed playfully.

The door to the bedroom opened before they could do or say anything else and Walter walked in, a very serious look on his face, "Boys…we've got a problem. You need to get dressed and come downstairs as quickly as possible."

Both of the younger men knew that their lover was not kidding and by the look on his face they knew it was indeed important.

"What is going on Walter," Fox asked as he rolled out of bed.

"Police are downstairs," Walter said softly, his eyes never leaving Alex's face as the youngest of the trio also rose to his feet, "Seems that Neil Faraday is missing."

"What!" Alex said his eyes widening in surprise. After ten seconds of silence, understanding dawn and he said between clenched teeth, "And they think I had something to do with it. They want to add kidnapper to my long list of nefarious activities. Is that it Walter?"

"Alex," Walter said putting his hand on Alex's shoulder and feeling the tension, "They are talking to everyone in the neighborhood. Door to door search, you know the procedure. Come on lets go talk to them."

Minutes later the three men made their way downstairs where two police officers were waiting in the living room. Walter's mother had served them coffee and was now sitting on the couch next to her son James. She looked at Walter and when her eyes shifted to Alex they became filled with worry. She had come to quickly love the young man who made her eldest son so happy. She cared for Fox as well but Alex had touched the maternal feelings in her to their full capacity.

"Mr. Krycek, Mr. Mulder," one of the officers said and introduced himself and his partner as Powers and Miller. "Early this morning Mr. Clayton Faraday reported his five year old son Neil missing. He says the boy was asleep on his bed last night but nowhere to be found this morning. The backdoor to the garden was open and the alarm was disconnected. We are doing a door to door search and we would appreciate it if we could take a look around."

"Of course," Walter said quickly, "Where would you like to start?"

"We'll start outside first and then work our way in," Officer Miller said, "We appreciate your cooperation, we'll try to be as fast as possible."

When the two officers left Alex sat down on the couch next to Mrs. Skinner and Walter took the seat next to him. Walter wrapped his arm around the hunched shoulders and pulled Alex to him. "It's alright Alex. You have nothing to worry about."

"I didn’t do anything! Why should I be worried," Alex said surprising everyone by his outburst. "Do you think I had anything to do with it," he challenged as his eyes swept the room.

"Alex that is not what Walter meant and you know it," Sarah Skinner said, her voice gentle. "He knows how quick you are to take blame for things that are not remotely your fault."

Alex flushed under the quiet reprimand. Shrugging his shoulders slightly and looking sheepishly at Walter he said, "I'm sorry Walter…I didn’t mean to yell at you."

"I know Alex," Walter said in understanding.

"Alex," Fox said as he approached the younger man, "We know the type of man Faraday is. Even though you didn’t have anything to do with this, I'm sure he will find a way to but the blame on you."

"Fox is right," Walter agreed, "You can't let him get to you Alex. You can let that bastard get to you."

"Walter Sergei!" Sarah said reprovingly.

"What?" Walter asked confused by the scolding. He replayed his words and blushed when he realized he had called Faraday a bastard. His mother did not look kindly on swearing. "Sorry Ma'am."

"At least I'm not the only in trouble anymore," Alex said, his green eyes twinkling in amusement.

Anything further was interrupted by the return of police officers. "Who owns the black Jeep Cherokee?"

Officer Miller asked.

"I do," Alex said.

"We found this in the trunk," Officer Powers said and held a bag with what appeared to be a children's pajama top. "Mr. Krycek we'll need you to come downtown with us. We need to take your statement."

Alex simply nodded and started to move towards the officers, until Walter jumped up, "Mr. Krycek, Mr. Mulder and I will be coming to the precinct to give our statements as soon as we get changed."

"Sir we need…" Officer Powers started but the look on Walter's face didn’t allow for an argument, "Very well Deputy Director, I will let our Captain know to expect you."

"I will be asking the Bureau to look into the child's disappearance," Walter said as he walked the two officers to the door.

"Expected you would Sir," Officer Miller said.

Returning to the living room he noted the somber mood and tried to disperse it with a humor he didn't feel, "Well Alex at least is not the first time you've ever been interrogated."

Fox snapped his head to look at him, shocked by his words but when he saw the look in Skinner's eyes he understood. "Yeah Alex, and at least this time no one is going to sucker punch you."

Alex squinted his eyes and looked at them from beneath his long lashes, "Maybe you can talk them into letting you ask the questions Mulder."

Sarah Skinner looked at her son and his lovers with confusion, "Boys what are you talking about…this is serious. A little boy is missing."

"Yes Mom we know," Walter said nodding, "Just trying to make Alex see that what's he going into is nothing compared to what he has gone through before. We'll talk to the police and then we will find the boy and clear this whole mess up. Don’t worry."

"Very well," Sarah said slightly appeased, "I'll call your father and let him know what is happening."

"Jim you better head back home with Mom," Walter said, "We won't be able to make it for the picnic…"

"Of for goodness sake Walter, do you think we are worried about a picnic at a time like this," Sarah said huffily, "I'll call your father and he will be here as soon as he can."

"That's not necessary," Alex said a little surprised. He still was not used to the acceptance of the Skinner family and their unyielding support of him, "I'm sure everything will be alright."

But everything was not all right. Alex had not been the only one questioned. Fox also had to answer questions regarding the fight at the school. The trio spent five agonizing hours being grilled about their whereabouts the previous night and what their relationship with the missing boy and his father was.

Shaun Barton, Walter's long time friend and attorney, had met them at the precinct house and sat with each of them as they were interrogated individually. They were eventually released as they all had air tight alibis.

When they arrived home it was to find that indeed Walter Skinner Sr. had driven the three hours to be by their side. Walter Jr. was grateful for the extra support and couldn't help but smile at the look of utter bewilderment in Alex's eyes every time he saw the younger man looking at his parents. He could almost feel Alex's confusion at having someone other than his lovers care about him. Cooper was a different story as far as Alex was concerned, Cooper was family after all, but the elder Skinners were not.

"Are you boys hungry?" Sarah Skinner said brining her son out of his reverie.

"I could eat," Fox said nodding, "All we had was glazed donuts and stale coffee."

"I'll go make some sandwiches then. You boys catch up with your Dad," she said and left for the kitchen.

"We are sorry you had to come all this way Dad," Walter said apologetically, "I'm sure this will blow over soon. We all have alibis for every minute of the time that the boy was taken. All we have to do is try to figure out who is trying to frame Alex."

"From what Jim tells me you boys think is this neighbor…Faraday. But why would he put his own child in danger just to cause problems for Alex? What does he have against you Alex?"

"I don’t know sir," Alex said truthfully, "He came into the neighborhood with preconceived notions about me and about our lifestyle."

"Could he be somehow connected to your past Alex?" Jim Skinner asked.

Walter, Fox and Alex looked at each other in surprise, obviously that thought had never entered their minds. "I don't know Jim," Alex said, "I didn't know everyone in the Consortium…he could have been a minor player."

"I'll get John Doggett on a background check right away," Walter said, "They'll do a picture scan from the files we have on the Consortium, just in case Faraday went under a different name than he does now."

"Lunch is ready boys," Sarah called out from the kitchen and the five men stood to join her.

"We can't," Alex whispered urgently as Walter slipped his hands down the front of the Russian's pajamas bottoms.

"Why not?" Skinner said as he pulled back the slapped hand and tried again.

"'Cause your Mom, Dad and Jim are in the guestrooms," Alex said slapping the hand again.

"Alex…my folks must have sex…I didn’t hatch from an egg," Walter said nibbling on the younger man's ear.

"Walter quit it," Alex said gritting his teeth, "Fox help me out here."

"Why? I'm enjoying the show," Fox said, a big grin on his face, "Come on Alex…it's not like his folks don’t know we have sex."

"I know but…" Alex said and twisted his neck when Walter began licking it, "Waalter…pleeeease… please…"

"Please what baby?" Walter said continuing his exploration of Alex's neck and shoulders.

"Please stop playing and just fuck me," Alex said throwing his head back to give Walter better access.

Walter raised his head and smiled mischievously at the writhing body beneath his, "Naaah…I think you are right…you'd be too loud."

"Walter!" Alex nearly screeched in frustration but his words were drowned by a deep bone-melting kiss.

When he broke away from the kiss he stared at the goofy grin that was now plastered on the beautiful Russian's face, "Better?"

"Much," was all Alex could manage to say.

"How about if Fox kisses you while I take care of you," Walter suggested, "That way at least we can keep you quiet."

"Hey I'm not the only one that is a screamer here," Alex said with a pout. "Who's gonna keep you quiet Big Guy?"

"I'll do my best to keep my emotions under control," Walter assured him, "Come on, let's do this,"

"I'm ready," Fox said and leaned in before Alex could say anything further and captured the kiss swollen lips of his youngest lover.

Walter took the opportunity to wrap his hand around Alex's tumescent penis and began to gently but firmly pull upwards. Noting Alex's arched back he smiled. He was not really interested in giving his parents and brother something to listen to, but was hoping to distract Alex from the events of the last couple of days. He knew Alex would take everything in a let his mask fall in place, telling everyone he was fine but really dying inside.

While one hand worked on the erection, he dipped two fingers of the other hand in the jar of lube and slipped one finger into Alex's rectum.

Alex moaned into Fox's mouth from the sensory over load. Not only was Walter finger fucking him and bringing him off at the same time but also Fox had decided that his nipples should also be paid attention to.

It didn’t take long, Alex had been under a lot of pressure to begin with and with Walter's expert handling he soon released his load and fell like a boneless heap onto the bed, still lip-locked with Fox Mulder.

"You alive there Alex?" Walter asked amusedly after a few seconds of quiet.

"You…you are not…fair…" Alex panted, "You didn’t get…off..."

"How else was I going to keep quiet," Walter said in mock seriousness.

"You are both…both evil…evil men," Alex said looking at his smiling lovers.

"But you love us," Fox said finishing the thought.

"I do…I really really do," Alex said and closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "I love you more than life itself."

Fox and Walter looked at each other in surprise. Alex did not usually voice his emotions as clearly as he just had. He tended to be more reserved with his words of love and they understood why. He had been burned too many times and as the saying went 'once burned twice shy'.

"Sleep now baby," Walter said, "We'll be here and we'll watch over you." Alex simply nodded and curled against Fox, who wrapped his arms around him and pulled him closer. Looking over Alex's shoulder towards Walter Fox gave the older man a strained but grateful smile. "It'll be alright…I promise."

"Hey big brother," Jim Skinner greeted his older brother as Walter entered the kitchen. "Want some coffee?"

"Kill for some," Walter muttered, still half-asleep. He was a morning person, but only when the night preceding the morning was not one filled with tossing and turning and worrying.

"You might want to hold on to that killer instinct," Jim said handing him a cup.

"Uh?"

"Have you looked out the window lately," Jim said taking a sip of the hot beverage.

"What?" Walter asked confused but looked out the window nevertheless. "Shit!" he cursed when he saw what Jim was referring to. Several television news crews were parked outside their home, invading every open space, including the lawn. He counted at least four news trucks and about two dozen people. "Damn!"

"Where are you going?" Jim asked with surprise as Walter stormed out of the kitchen.

"I'm going to have a quiet conversation with my unwelcome guests," Walter said angrily.

"Well you might just want to cinch that robe of yours big brother," Jim said pointing to the front of Walter's robe, "You don’t want to give Good Morning America a glimpse of the family jewels."

"Uh?" Walter said glancing down in confusion.

"The Fruit is coming out of the Loom," Jim said grinning mischievously, "The barn door is open and the horse is trying to get out. I think you better get dressed."

"Oh very funny Jimmy," Walter said sticking his tongue out but tightly wrapping the robe around him before rushing up the stairs.

Walter Sr. and Sarah, who had been sitting in the living room, enjoying their own cups of coffee looked at each other and smiled, having heard the interchange between their sons. "I guess they never do grow up do they?" Walter Sr. said with a smile.

"No. And I hope they never do," his wife said mirroring the smile.

"I will call the police if you do not cease and desist," Walter warned the nearest cameraman to him. He tried to keep the request polite even though he was seething inside. He had gone up and changed and woken up Alex and Fox to tell them what had been going on. He made sure Fox kept Alex inside while he handled the invaders to their privacy. "How did you get in here anyway? This is a gated community."

"The boys father invited us here," the newswoman from Channel Four informed him, "He's gonna make a statement at nine. Says he knows who took his kid."

Before Walter could say anything else the door to Faraday's home opened and all the media people rushed towards the podium that had been set up for the conference. Walter turned on his heel and rushed back into the house. "Turn on Channel Four. Faraday is going to make a statement."

Fox turned on the television as directed and settled himself on the couch next to Alex.

Moments later the face of their nemesis came on the screen, with the caption of 'Clayton Faraday, father missing boy'. Faraday stood behind a sea of microphones and began to read from a written statement.

"Two nights ago my five year old son Neil was taken from our home in the middle of the night. The police have started a very thorough search and even the F.B.I is now involved. I would like to point out that to me it would seem to be a conflict of interest as I am sure I know how the perpetrator of this heinous crime is and as sure that he will not be brought to justice if the F.B.I is involved in the investigation."

A flurry of questions flew at him and Faraday pointed to one person off-screen. The voice asked, "Mr. Faraday could you explain what you mean. Why is there a conflict of interest."

"Because the person that I suspect of having taken my child is the lover of none other than the Deputy Director of the F.B.I Walter Skinner…" his next words were drowned by the questions and comments from his impromptu audience.

"Damn that bastard!" Walter said jumping to his feet. "I'm going to kill him."

"Walter sit down," his father said warningly, "Loosing your temper is not going to do any good."

Meanwhile the conference continued as Faraday said, "Alex Krycek is a known assassin and traitor. He has the skills and motive to have taken my son."

"What motive would that be sir?" a newsman asked.

"It is well known that I have strongly opposed his being allowed to teach in our schools. I spoke against his lifestyle and allowing a man of such low moral standards to get anywhere near children…let alone my child. This is his way of making me pay. He is protected now…no one will touch him. That is all I have to say." With that he turned and entered the house seemingly oblivious to the clamoring of questions behind him.

"They are coming this way," Fox said as he saw the crowd turn and head in the direction of their home. A second later they heard the pounding on the front door and the ringing of the doorbell. "What should we do?"

"I'll handle this," Walter said seething.

"No son, let me," Walter Sr. said surprising them all.

"No Dad…" Walter began to argue.

"Walter son…let me," Walter Sr. said gently, "You are needed elsewhere."

Walter followed his father's gaze and frowned when he saw Alex had retreated to the back of the room and sat hunched over in one of the straight-backed chair. "Oh God…thanks Dad. Fox…"

Fox looked up when he heard Walter voice and he too followed his gaze and groaned when he saw the nearly catatonic Alex. "Alex? Come on Alex…get mad…don’t let him get to you. You know he is just a bigot who doesn't know any better…"

"Alexei look at me," Sarah said, her tone gentle but strong enough to make Alex turn to look at her. "You don’t really think we believe anything that man has to say do you?"

Alex nodded slowly but didn’t say a word. Fox and Walter looked at each other in disbelief. The elder Skinner had hit the nail on the head with her comment. Alex thought that they would believe Faraday instead of him. Even after all this time he didn't fully trust them.

"Well young man you can stop thinking that right this minute. Even if we didn't know where you were when this all took place, we know you and that you wouldn't hurt a hair on that child's head. You are too good a man to do anything like that."

"You…you don’t know me so well," Alex said his voice hoarse from the tension he was under.

"We know you've had to make some hard choice in the past son," Walter Sr. said kindly, "But we also know our son would not take up with a man that was unredeemable. There is a lot of good in you boy…we all see it. Now you have to. I'm going out to talk to this mob."

Alex stood and took a deep breath. He turned to his lovers and said, "So what do we do about this jackass?"

"Language Alexei…language," Sarah said shaking his finger at him.

Alex blushed a rosy pink and ducked his head, "Sorry Ma'am. So what are we going to do about the offspring of a female canine?"

Everyone laughed at his attempt to keep his language clean while making his dislike for Faraday clear.

Later that night they were all sitting down to dinner when the doorbell rang. After Mr. Skinner Sr. had spoken briefly, very briefly, to the press earlier that day Walter Jr. had a security detail dispatched to the house to stand guard and to keep unwanted visitors at bay.

Doggett, Scully and Reyes had been at the house during the afternoon to discuss what was being done to find the missing boy. Their main suspect was Faraday himself and they John had sent a team to interview him and his two other sons, who had, up to that time not made an appearance in public.

"Who can that be now?" Walter said frustrated with the thought of someone having gotten past the guards.

"I'll get it," James volunteered, knowing that his brother would literally bite off the head of anyone at the door. A minute later he returned with a confused look on his face.

"Who is it Jim?" his father asked.

"It's Alex and another man," Jim said shaking his head in confusion.

"What?" they all said surprised by his words since Alex was sitting right next to Mrs. Skinner.

"Cooper!" Alex said astonished as his brother entered the room followed by Chris Newman, "Chris! What… what are you…how…when…"

"Who and why to you too little brother," Cooper Donovan said grinning widely, happy to have surprised his brother.

"Oh my goodness the resemblance is uncanny," Sarah said looking between the two men.

"Naaah…I'm the pretty one," Cooper said and put out hand to shake Sarah's and then Walter Sr.

"What are you guys doing here?" Walter said surprised and happy with the arrival of Alex's clone. If anyone could prevent Alex from doing something rash about Faraday it was Cooper.

"Well we saw on television that my little brother had gotten himself an enemy and thought we come and give him a hand. So Chris gassed up the jet and here we are. Hope that's okay?"

"Okay? It's more than okay," Fox said grinning. He, like Walter, knew how much it would mean to Alex to have Cooper close by.

"So Alex you just going to sit there staring or are you gonna say something," Cooper teased.

"Cooper," Chris said warningly as he slapped his lover on the back of the head, "Behave. Alex doesn’t need you picking on him at a time like this."

"It's okay Chris," Alex said standing and coming up to his brother, "If he didn't pick on me I would think he doesn't like me any more. How you doing Spud?" he added putting out his hand.

"Fine Brat," Cooper said and pulled him into a hug. He knew Alex was not comfortable with public shows of affection yet but he was going to damned if he didn’t try. "You okay?" he whispered softly in Alex's ear.

Pulling away from the embrace Alex smiled and nodded, "Better now."

"Have you boys have dinner yet?" Sarah said.

"No Ma'am," Chris said, "But don’t go to any trouble on our behalf."

Sarah was already up and on her way to the kitchen before he could finish his sentence. "No trouble at all."

"Mom raised five kids Chris," Walter said watching the surprised face of the other man. "She is always prepared. Jimmy can you bring two chairs from the study."

"Sure thing…Wally," Jim Skinner said smirking at his older brother. Why Walter insisted on calling him Jimmy he would never know.

"See Coop you aren't the only one with a pesky little brother," Walter said as Jim returned with the two chairs and Coop and Chris took their seats.

"Hey!" both Alex and Jim said simultaneously and then laughed.

They finished dinner and then moved to the living room for coffee. Jim excused himself to pack his bag since he was leaving that night and that left the guest room for Chris and Cooper who had driven straight from the airport and had no hotel reservations made.

"Any updates on finding the missing kid?" Chris asked.

"Nothing," Walter said, "I've assigned resources to the search but they have not turned anything up yet."

"How do we make this Faraday fellow stop harassing Alex?" Cooper asked.

"We find the boy and prove that Faraday tried to frame Alex," Fox said simply.

"You think he went as far as faking a kidnapping of his own child just to frame Alex?" Chris said surprised.

"The man is a ruthless bigot," Walter said, "I wouldn't put it past him."

"Boys you must be tired from your flight, I suggest we get some sleep and things should look better in the morning," Walter Sr. suggested.

"You are right Dad," Walter agreed. "Come on guys, I'll show you to your room and you can get settled. "

Jim came down and everyone said their good-byes. The elder Skinner's retired to their room and Alex, Fox and Walter talked a little while longer with the new arrivals. Walter was the last to leave the room and to Cooper's surprise he pull him into a hug. "Thank you for coming. It means a lot to Alex to have you here."

"Wouldn’t be anywhere else," the Wyoming cowboy said with a smug smile. "Someone has to keep you guys out of trouble."

Walter looked at him, then at Chris who was standing behind them and then back down to Cooper and said, "You know anyone?"

"Very funny," Cooper said with a chuckle.

"Good night," Walter said and left the men alone.

"I'm glad we came…they look like they can use all the support they can get," Chris said.

"Told ya it was a good idea," Cooper said and kissed him soundly.

Walter Skinner Sr. watched as his son refilled his glass of whisky and took a sip. The younger man was sitting outside on the patio, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Walking out he asked softly, "Son what's the matter?"

"Geez Dad you almost gave me a hard attack," Walter said jumping in surprise.

"Sorry," Walter Sr. said smiling unrepentantly, "What are you doing up? It's two in the morning."

"Couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?"

"Heard you come down and figured you might want to talk?"

"How do you do that? How do you know when one of us is up? I can understand at home…we had that creaky floor board…but here?"

"It's called Dadar…Dad's Radar," the older man said chuckling. "But don't evade the question."

"I feel so helpless," Walter said somberly, "I feel so guilty that I can't just simply go over to Faraday's house and kick his butt and tell him to stop messing with Alex. I feel guilty that I can't seem to be able to protect them…him and Fox both."

"Do you think if you weren't the Deputy Director you would be able to do as you want…kick his butt I mean. Are you the type of man that would resolve his problems in that way?"

The frustration of the past few days surfaced suddenly and Walter turned on his father angrily saying, "Damn it Dad…you don’t understand. I am fucking tired of being so damn responsible all the time. I want to get my hands around that bastard's neck and squeeze until there is no more breath left in his body. I want to make him suffer like he is making Alex suffer. He almost killed him and Fox. I want him dead…I want him fucking dead. What the fuck makes you think you have a clue as to what I'm going through…" By the end of his outburst Walter's eyes were brimming with angry tears and he took a long swallow from the glass of whisky in his hand.

Walter Sr. listened to his son's tirade without interrupting him. He sat next to Walter's and put a hand on the trembling shoulder. Instinctively Walter turned into the waiting arms and hugged the older man. Neither father nor son spoke and the silence was only punctuated by the sobs of the younger man.

Walter Sr. ran his hand comfortingly over the back of his son's head and down his back in slow circles.

"Better?" he asked when Walter sniffled and pulled back.

"Sor…sorry…Dad," Walter said his eyes still full, "Didn't mean…to yell…didn’t mean to take…take it out on you."

"That's what father's are for?" Walter Sr. said smiling.

"Thanks," Walter said meaning it. "I guess I…I better get to…to bed…now."

"I think that as long as we are both up we might as well take care of your punishment."

"Pu…punishment? Why…why?" Walter asked, his eyes widening and his voice taking a definite whinny tone.

For an answer the elder Skinner simply raised and eyebrow. Understanding dawned and Walter blushed a furious shade of red, "Oh," was all he managed.

"Oh," his father parroted with a chuckle, "So where would you like to do this son…I'm guessing you don't want an audience."

"No," Walter said already resigned to his fate, "We…we can go downstairs. But…Dad…I really don’t think… what I mean…I was just upset…I mean…you don’t really have to…"

"I think I do," the senior Skinner said following his son into the house and towards the basement. "I think you need to release some of the demons that are troubling you. And a good spanking always loosens the tongue a bit…"

"Span…spanking…you gonna spank me?" Walter said his eyes as wide as saucers.

"I think you need the closeness don’t you?" Walter Sr. said and took a seat on the Mulder's old couch that had been vanished to the basement along with several other odds and ends from both their former homes.

Patting his lap he said, "Okay, take off the robe and lay down."

Still in shock over what was about to happen Walter moved to his father side and took off his robe. He was wearing only a tee shirt and boxers. He fell to his knees on his father's right and leaned over. With the help of the older man he was soon positioned. He gasped audibly when he felt the boxers lift and pull away from his bottom, to settle half way down to his knees. No matter how many times in his life he was in this position he could not get used to the mixed feelings of dread, anticipation and hope…hope that this punishment would cleanse his sins and give rebirth to his broken soul.

"What is this spanking for Walter?"

"I cursed at you sir…and I lost my temper…"

"Anything else?" the older man asked as he brought his hand down on the exposed bottom.

"Owww! I…I…I don’t know…ouch…I don’t know…what…what else…owww…dadddd…"

"How about keeping your feelings bottled up so they exploded and got you in trouble…" the words delivered with matching spanks for each word.

"I…I…kept…my feelings…to myself and…didn’t talk to you…"

"You could have talk to me…or your mother, or Jim or even Fox and Alex…they would have understood…"

"Not Fox or Alex…" Walter cried as his father began the third round of spanks on his increasingly painful rear.

"Why not them?" Walter Sr. asked pausing momentarily.

"I'm…I'm supposed to prot…protect them…and I'm doing…a lousy job…they are gonna…gonna hate me…"

"Oh Walter…Walter how can someone so smart be so dumb…" the older man said chuckling.

Walter looked over his shoulder and between sobs said, "Uh?"

"Let's finish this and I'll explain. You don’t have to say anything else." With that the older man resumed the spanking and after a couple of minutes he felt satisfied that his son had not only learnt his lesson but also released some of his pent up frustration. "It's all over son…come on Walter…come on son…" he soothed until Walter pushed himself up and off his lap.

Gingerly sitting on his tender behind Walter wiped his runny nose with the back of his hand, making his father smile. Even at nearly fifty years old Walter was acting like any well spank child would. "What… what did you mean…I'm dumb…"

"I didn’t say you were dumb son…I said you could be…oh forget it," the elder Skinner said chuckling again. "What I wanted to say was that you have to be blind not to see how much Alex and Fox love and respect you. They will never, ever, hate you and I think you underestimate them. They want to protect you just as much as you want to protect them. Why don’t you sit down here for a little while and think about it. Get yourself together and then head to bed."

"I'll get my self together but…I think I'll wait standing up," Walter said and stood up, rubbing his bottom for effect.

"Okay son. I'll see you in the morning."

Walter watched his father leave and smiled despite the throbbing pain.

When Walter Sr. headed up the stairs he had to suppress a smile when he saw four heads peeking out of two doors. Fox's head was above Alex's peering from their bedroom and Chris was above Cooper from theirs. "Gentlemen…anything I can do for you this evening."

The scramble to get back into the bedrooms was accompanied by four "No sir."

When Walter Jr. finally made his way slowly back to his room, he tried not to groan when he slipped under the sheets. He hoped that his lovers were asleep, as he didn't want to explain what had transpired. His luck was not good.

"You alright Big Guy?" Alex asked softly as he moved to cuddle close to him.

"I'll be fine," Walter said, "Don’t you worry."

"I do…"

"We both do," Fox piped up from behind Alex. "Did your Dad help you?"

Walter couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, "You could say that Fox…you could say that."

"Do you want some aloe for your butt," Alex said seriously.

"No babe," Walter said pulling him closer and reaching to pull Fox closer as well. "I think I can manage just fine with what I have in my arms. We'll talk more tomorrow…okay…"

Two very sleepy okays floated in his direction.

"Morning sweetheart," Sarah Skinner greeted her eldest son when he walked into the kitchen.

Walter stopped short when he saw the other four men already seated at the breakfast table. He knew Alex and Fox knew of his late night punishment session but by the looks Chris and Cooper were giving him or rather not trying to give him he guessed they knew too. Taking a deep breath he said, "Morning Mom… guys."

"Good morning," Chris said and gave him a small smile.

"Would you like a pillow," Cooper said innocently as Walter's behind connected with the kitchen chair and he winced.

"Cooper!" Alex, Fox and Chris all said at the same time.

Cooper opened his eyes wide in surprise and said, "What? I was just offering…it's not like we don’t know…"

Walter groaned and shook his head, "It's alright guys…I really didn’t expect you guys not to have heard."

Walter Sr. entered the kitchen and smiled at the five men. Stepping up behind his son, he placed a quick kiss on top of the bald head and shook his shoulders gently, "How are you feeling son?"

Walter looked behind him and up and smiled back at his father, "I'm fine Sir…much better thanks to you."

"Good," the older man said, "My legs are killing me this morning…you aren't as little as you used to be."

"Walter you are embarrassing the boy," Sarah chided her husband as she put a plate of pancakes in front of him.

The boy in question blushed until even his ears were glowing red and the other four laughed. "Uhm…can we change the subject here? Please?" Walter begged.

"Of course," Fox said taking pity on his lover. He and Alex had spent part of the morning talking to Walter and getting him to admit all the reasons behind his outburst. After making sure the older man finally understood that not only did they love him and respected him but that they also trusted him with their lives they had enjoyed a brief but nevertheless powerful session of love making.

"So what we gonna do about Faraday," Cooper asked, brining up the subject that was on everyone's mind.

"I think we need to concentrate on finding the boy first," Walter said. "The Bureau is already on it."

"I still think Faraday has something to do with it," Fox said.

"You mean he would kidnap his own son just to frame Alex?" Chris asked.

"We think he is capable of anything," Alex said, "All the trouble started when he and his sons…"

"What about his sons?" Walter asked when Alex stopped talking.

"His sons…Eve said that Faraday has two older sons," Alex said, "What if they are the ones behind this."

"What make you say that?" Fox asked.

"Two men attacked you," Alex said simply. "We know it has to be an inside job. Too many things have gone wrong for it not to be. We pay a hell of a lot of money for security so I don’t think it's just anybody getting in over and over to attack us."

"We'll put a tail on the sons," Walter said when the doorbell rang and interrupted his next words.

"I'll get it," Fox said and rushed out to answer the door. A minute later he returned with the three Gunmen behind him. "We've got company."

"Mom, Dad, these are our friends, John Byers, Ringo Langly and Melvin Frohike," Walter said making the introductions, "Guys these are my folks and that's Cooper Donovan, Alex's brother and his partner Chris Newman."

The Gunmen nodded their heads and smiled as the introductions were made.

"What brings you here guys?" Fox asked as he took his seat.

"We just came back from Vegas," Langly explained, 'We were there for the Gadgets and Electronics Extravaganza Convention."

"Is that convention spelled with a K by any chance?" Fox asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously. When everyone looked at him in confusion he said, "G.E.E.K…geek."

"You are a laugh riot Mulder," Frohike said rolling his eyes as the others laughed. "And here we rushed back to help out."

"Help out how Fro?" Fox asked.

"We put the surveillance devices on the Faraday house and tracking devices on their vehicles," Langly explained. "We'd thought that if they are involved in anyway we could track them."

"And how exactly did you plant bugs in their house?" Walter asked narrowing his eyes.

"We can't really give away trade secrets Skinner…you should know that by now," Frohike said shrugging his shoulders.

"What does this all mean?" Cooper asked, "Can we listen in on their conversations? Find out where they are keeping the kid?"

"We could only put in one listening device," Byers explained, "So I don’t know how much listening we can do. But we put tracking devices in both cars…"

"And we even bugged the little kid," Langly said smiling.

"Bugged him…how?" Alex asked.

"We put a tracker on his teddy bear," Frohike said, "If he still has it with him we can find him. We just need to get close. The device only works within a fifteen mile radius."

"That's the best news I've heard in a long time," Fox said, "Guys can you get your equipment here so we can listen…"

"Already thought of that Mulder," Frohike said, "It's in the van. We'll bring it in and set it up."

"You men do that and I will make some sandwiches and coffee," Sarah said ushering them out of the kitchen.

When the Gunmen were gone, the other men moved to the living room to wait for them.

"What's the matter Alex?" Fox asked as he noticed his younger lover had grown quiet.

"Nothing," the Russian said with a shrug, "It's just that…well I don’t think I'll ever get used to be in trouble and having so many people…so many…"

"So many people come to your rescue," Walter said from behind them, "You've got a family now Alex. Not only mine but yours as well. Better get used to it."

"I don’t know if I can handle all that responsibility," Alex said sincerely, "I never had anyone but me to worry about."

"How does it feel," Walter asked, "Does it scare you?"

"Scares me to death," Alex admitted.

"Good," the older man said and smiled at the surprised look on the two younger faces, "It means that you'll think before doing something stupid. Knowing that you have a support system will also mean that you'll know who to ask when you have a question on what you should do."

"I think I can handle that," Alex said and smiled.

"I never doubted it," Walter said and put an arm on the shoulders of each of his lovers and guided them towards the living room.

"Is there anyone at the house?" Chris asked when the Gunmen had finished setting up their equipment.

"We saw Faraday drive out earlier as we arrived," Byers said. "The other car is still in the garage."

"Then we can assume the two sons are still in there," Cooper said.

"Remember what they say about assuming anything Coop," Alex said with a smirk.

"'Ah ain't no ass little brother," Cooper said, deepening his drawl and smiling back.

"Hush…I'm getting something," Langly said waving his hand to get them quiet.

A few seconds of static noise was heard before two voices came in loud and clear. "They leave the house yet?" the voice of one young male was heard.

"No…people just come in but no one leaves," another male voice replied.

"Just like a Roach Motel," the first voice said full of amusement, "Roaches check in but they don't check out."

"It's what they deserve Jeff," the other man said, "I just wish we could get him alone…teach him a lesson."

Everyone at the house looked at each other in disbelief as they heard the words of the two young men. They wanted to ask questions but didn't want to loose any part of the conversation.

"I thought he would go out and try to find the brat," Jeff Faraday was saying, "Instead he's just holed up in the house…"

"Like the stinking rat he is,"

"Good one bro," Jeff said with a chuckle, "So what do we do now Kevin?"

"The old man wont be back till late tonight," Kevin said, "We might as well keep going through the disks he brought back. One of them has to have some clue as to where the money is."

"Man I can't wait to find something decent," Jeff moaned, "I just want to get out this hick town."

"You and me both," his brother agreed, "And if we can get rid of the brat and put the blame on that bastard Krycek when we find the money we can bask in the sun in the south of France for the rest of our lives."

"What about the old man?"

"Been thinking," Kevin said, "Do you have the guts to go a little further?"

"What do you mean…have the guts," Jeff said angrily, "What do you have in mind?"

"If we do something more than just put the blame on Krycek, we could get rid of the old man too."

"You mean…oh man Kev, you really hate Dad don't ya?"

"Just slightly less than I hate that traitor," Kevin said seething with anger, "If Dad had had a backbone he would have gotten higher up in the Consortium and…"

The rest of his words were drowned out when pandemonium broke out at the Skinner-Mulder-Krycek household.

"I knew…I knew…the bastard is part of the Consortium," Fox shouted as he jumped to his feet.

"Now you have enough to bring them in don’t you Walter?" Cooper asked.

"Even if we do bring them in that doesn't guarantee that they'd tell us where they are keeping the kid and besides we can't use any of the information we've just heard. It's tainted because we don't have a judge certified warrant to have placed a listening device…"

"You are kidding," Fox exploded.

Walter rubbed the bridge of his nose, the beginning of a major headache eminent. Taking a deep sigh he said, "Fox you better than anyone here should know what will be admissible evidence and what won't…"

Fox was about to argue but Walter Sr. spoke first, "Fox…stop and think. Is what Walter saying true?"

Fox closed his mouth and after a split second of thinking, nodded his head, "I'm sorry Walter…you are right, So what we need is solid evidence."

"And how do we go about getting that?" Chris asked.

"We need to split into teams," Walter said, "One team will watch Faraday Sr. and one team each will take one of the sons."

"What if the sons don’t split up?" Sarah asked.

"Then we split them up?" Alex said quietly. When everyone turned to look at him he said, "They want to get to me. I say we give them me."

"What do you mean give them you?" Walter said looking at him intently, "We aren't going to do anything to endanger your life Alex."

"Those two aren't anything I can't handle Walter," Alex said, his eyes dark and serious.

"Stop it now," Walter Sr. said fearing things would get out of hand. "Let's hear Alex out and make sure that his plan is safe…okay?"

"Okay," Walter Jr. said slightly mollified. "What did you have in mind?"

"I get one of them to follow men to a safe location you can set up," Alex said, "Of course I'll be wired for sound…legally…and then I get him to confess that they are behind all this."

"Sounds too simple," Chris said. "What if you get the wrong brother to follow you. Kevin seems to be the Master Mind of this scheme."

"I…I could always be a decoy," Cooper said quietly, knowing that Chris would not be too happy with his suggestion.

"No! Absolutely not," Chris said loudly. "Alex is used to this but you are not…"

"I'm not a kid Chris," Cooper said sullenly, "I can do this…I want to help. I could also wear a wire and be followed. Nothing will go wrong…Alex?…Walter? What do you say?"

"It might work Chris…" Walter began.

"No…I don’t want him to try it," Alex said, "Coop I appreciate it but I don’t want to put you in any danger…"

"Are you going to be in danger?" Cooper said worriedly, "If you aren't going to be in danger why should I. This way whichever son we get at least one of us will have a confession."

"How about Faraday Sr. and the little boy," Sarah asked, her maternal instincts kicking in, "How are you going to find the little boy."

"We need to follow Clayton Faraday," Walter said, "I think his sons have talked him into hiding Neil and if we follow him he might lead us to where they are keeping him."

"The guys and I can follow Faraday," Fox said and the Lone Gunmen nodded in agreement, "If he heads anywhere near to the boy, the tracking device will let us know where Neil is."

"I'll get John to set you guys up with the proper equipment," Walter said, "I don’t think Faraday would miss the van following him around…especially since it's been parked outside our house. It'll take a few hours to secure the safe house locations."

Chris still did not look too happy with the sudden turn of events. He like Alex…a lot…he was happy that Cooper had found a brother but he wasn't too keen on the idea of his lover being put in any danger.

"I'll be fine Chris," Coop said taking his lover's hand in his. "I want to do this…I want to help Alex."

"I know you do Coop," Chris said pulling him closer with a one-armed hug, "I just can't help worrying about you."

"That's why I love you," Cooper said and taking a quick glance around and noting that no one was looking he reached up and kissed Chris quickly on the lips and smiled.

The rest of the group split up as Walter assigned duties to everyone.

"Mom…could we ask you to do us a favor," Alex said as he opened the door to the guestroom.

"Sure dear, come in," Sarah said smiling from the chair she had been sitting on, knitting. "What can I help you boys with?" she asked as not only Alex but Cooper entered the room.

"Well…we were thinking…" Alex began glancing sideways at his twin who nodded his head encouragingly.

"Okay everything is set," Walter announced to the group gathered in the living room. "Fox you and the Gunmen need to go to John and Dana's to get the car. We'll keep an eye here for Faraday and alert you when he leaves the house. He needs to drive by John's to get out the main gate so you won't miss him.

Chris you'll go with Cooper as his back up. They saw you come in together so no one will wonder why you are going out with him."

"Who goes with Alex?" Walter Sr. asked.

"I will," his son replied, "We just have to time it perfectly. We know that the two sons are out. We have agents tailing them right now. As soon as we know one of them is on the way the first team goes out. The agents trailing son number two will ensure that he doesn't make it home until son number one is off."

"Who follows who?" Chris asked.

"If the first one to come back is Kevin, who we know is the brains of the outfit, Alex and I will take him. If it is Jeff, the younger son, then you and Cooper will take him. We think he is the least dangerous."

"I hope you are right," Chris said, "I don't know if we are equipped to handle this."

"All you have to do is get Jeff to follow you to the safe house," Walter said understanding. "Then get Jeff to say anything incriminating. Anything at all and we'll get it on tape. The house is full of agents and you will not only be wearing wires but vest as well."

"Okay…okay…I know I'm sounding like a mother hen but…" Chris said shrugging.

"No you are not," Fox said smiling, "You are acting like a man in love who is concerned for his lover's safety."

"Speaking of which," Walter said, "Where are those two."

"Were you looking for me," Alex asked as he came into the room. He had changed into jeans and a simple white tee-shirt. He wore his black leather jacket as well.

"Where is Cooper?" Chris asked.

"He'll be right down," Alex said slowly as he moved to stand in front of the Wyoming cowboy. "So who is going to be my body guard?"

"Walter," Chris said looking at Alex with a slight frown. Alex was standing very close to him and it was making him a little nervous, "I'll go with Cooper."

Alex turned to face Walter and the rest of the room and said, "Wouldn't it be more fun to trade?"

"What! What are you talking about Alex?" Walter said shocked by his lover's words.

"I just thought it would be fun to you know…trade for a night," Alex said grinning, "It was just an idea Walter."

"That's enough teasing," Alex Krycek said as he too entered the room. He too was wearing jeans, a tee-shirt and a black leather jacket.

Everyone that had been sitting jumped to their feet and Chris that had been standing sat down when he knees buckled. Several 'What the hells?' and a couple of 'Holy Shits' escaped.

Cooper started giggling like a mad man, enjoying the look of disbelief in all the faces around him. He glanced at his twin and saw the small smile playing on Alex's lips. "So we had you fooled uh?"

"How…how the hell," Walter said in open-mouthed disbelief as he stared at the now identical men. Cooper's lighter and longer hair was cut identical to Alex's, and with the similar clothing there was no way to tell them apart. Cooper had even slowed his speech so his drawl would be less noticeable.

"I had something to do with it," Sarah Skinner said as she joined the group. She was smiling widely at the look of surprise in their faces, "It was like the Parent Trap movie."

"But Cooper's hair was much lighter than Alex's…how did you get it to match," Fox said as he moved to stand in front of the two men and looked at them one at a time.

"Only the top of Cooper's hair was lighter," Sarah explained, "As I cut it, it became the same sable shade as Alex's. I can't believe you didn't hear them up there. They were giggling like two five year olds who were about to play a prank on their parents."

Walter could not help but laugh at the sheepish look and the bright blush that came over the faces of the two young men. "Well I'll be dammed…I can't tell them apart."

"I wonder if they even kiss the same," Fox said with a mischievous look playing in his hazel eyes. "Well I am a former investigator so the only way to find out is if I…" and to Alex's surprise he grabbed him by the face and pulled him into a kiss. After a couple of seconds he released Alex and moved to pull Cooper into a kiss when Alex, Chris and Walter all simultaneously shouted, "STOP!" Fox looked at all of them with wide innocent eyes and said, "What? It's for science…you know research."

"I'll give you research," Alex said and punched him lightly on the arm, but he was smiling at his lover's antics. "We just thought that this way they wouldn’t know they were not really talking to me."

"It's a great idea," Walter agreed, "I just wish you'd let us in on the plan."

"What and miss the look on your faces when I suggested a little trade," Cooper said with a laugh that quickly turned into a giggle.

"Gods they even giggle alike," Fox said rolling his eyes.

"All right gentlemen," Walter said clapping his hands to get their attention, "The surveillance team will be here in ten minutes to wire us. Fox you and the Gunmen better head over to Scully's."

"Hey wait a minute," Langly said, "What about Alex's arm? Wont the Faraday's notice Cooper doesn’t have a fake arm."

"We aren't going to let them get that close," Alex said giving the longhaired blonde a mini-glare, "But Cooper is going to wear a brace on his elbow…it'll keep his arm stiff."

"Okay then," Walter said agreeing with the plan, "We better go upstairs and get down to our skivvies. Just put on a robe until the team gets here."

The group disbanded and Fox left with the Gunmen for Scully's .

"Team One come in," Walter said into his mouthpiece, "How do you read?"

"Loud and Clear Big Daddy," Fox's amused voice came back.

"Fox…behave," Walter growled into the microphone, "We have several people listening in remember,"

"That's a big Ten-Four Deputy Director Sir," Fox said still with a smile on his voice, "Team One is ready and set."

"Faraday Sr. just drove in," Walter said, "He's been tailed from work here…no stops along the way. The son's aren't back yet. We'll let you know if he takes off again."

They didn’t have long to wait as a scant fifteen minutes later Faraday reappeared. The garage door opened and Faraday was seen loading a couple of bags of groceries into the trunk of his car. He got in and pulled out. "Okay this is it Fox…he is pulling out, should be in front of you in a couple of minutes." Walter waited and less than four minutes later he received confirmation that Fox and the Gunmen were off trailing the elder Faraday. An agent was with them as a driver so that Fox would not be recognized. Byers sat on the front passenger seat and Mulder, Langly and Frohike were in the ample back seat with the equipment.

"Now all we have to do is wait for the other two," Chris said as he accepted a cup of coffee from Sarah Skinner who had been keeping them fed with sandwiches and beverages for the last couple of hours as they waited.

"Sir we have another arrival," an agent's voice came over the ear-piece that Walter wore.

"Okay we've got another one coming in," Walter said relaying the information. He waited a couple of seconds for the report and said, "It's Jeff. You guys ready?" he added looking at Chris and Cooper who nodded.

"Just remember what we rehearsed," Walter said trying to reassure them. "You know how to get to the safe house. We don’t know if he will follow you in but if you have to stay outside to talk to him, you'll still be in constant contact with the team so just don’t antagonize him into doing something rash. We just want it on tape that he is part of the plan to set Alex up."

"We got it Walter," Chris said seriously, "We know what to do."

"Okay his pulling up," Walter Sr. called out from his vantage point by the front window.

"Okay lets do it like we rehearsed," Walter said and headed out. Opening the front door just as Jeff Faraday was stepping out of his car, Walter said loud enough to be heard. "I know you hate being cooped up Alex but I don’t think you should be going out."

"But Walter, Chris is going to be with me," Cooper said impersonating his twin, "We are just going over to my old apartment to get the last of the disks. We'll be back in a couple of hours."

"I'll keep an eye on him Walter," Chris said, "We'll call if we run into any trouble."

"Okay, just be careful," Walter said still loud enough for his voice to carry across the street. He lowered his voice and said, "He's getting back in the car. I think he is going to take the bait."

Chris moved to the driver's side and opened the door. Cooper did the same on the opposite side, so that Jeff Faraday could get a clear look at him. Chris started the car and pull out. A half a minute later Faraday Jr. did the same.

"Okay that's two down and one to go," Walter murmured under his breath as he saw them drive away.

Twenty minutes later Walter and Alex performed the same act, but with Walter Sr. being the one asking them to be careful. They took off knowing that Kevin Faraday was right behind them.

"Not too discreet is he?" Alex said as he looked in the side-view mirror.

"Well not everyone can be a master spy Alexei," Walter said with a smile. He was nervous but didn’t want Alex to know.

"I just hope his dumb enough to talk so we can get the evidence we need."

"Me too."

They drove the rest of the way to the safe house in silence, continuously looking in the rear-view mirror to make sure Faraday was still following.

"Anything yet Frohike," Mulder asked his friend as they continued to follow the senior Faraday.

"Signal is getting stronger," the shorter man said as he followed the progress of the signal on his laptop computer. "We are within the fifteen mile radius…probably closer to ten. The signal is getting stronger.

"Now remember what Walter said…don’t do anything stupid. Just stick to the plan," Chris warned Cooper as they arrived at the designated meeting point."

Cooper rolled his eyes and said, "Yes Dad…jeez, you'd think I'd never done this before."

Chris growled his answer, "YOU haven't. Stop thinking that what Alex can do, you can too. If you get into any sort of trouble I'll spank your butt raw…do you hear me."

Cooper frowned and stuck out his lower lip in a pout, "Yeah I hear you…and so did every other person that is listening in."

Chris flashed him a smile and said, "Not until you turn on the microphone…Master Spy," and with that flipped a little switch on his belt buckle and turned on the listening device.

Cooper frowned even deeper and reddened at having been caught unprepared and said as he also turned on his mike, "Okay you win. I'll be careful."

"We read you loud and clear Team Two," a voice they didn't recognize said, "This is Agent Stevenson. I'm manning the communications station. There are three other agents watching your back."

"Nice to hear," Chris said, "Okay partner, you ready."

Cooper nodded and stepped out of the car.

"I'll wait for him down here Walter," Alex said as they entered the safe house.

"No Alex…I don’t want to split up," Walter said shaking his head.

"And he won't talk while you are here," Alex reasoned, "Besides it's not like I can't handle myself. I know it's been a while but…I still got some moves."

Walter clicked off his mike and leaning over towards Alex turned his off as well before growling, "I know you've got some moves Alexei…but you better kept them to the bedroom if you know what's good for you."

Swallowing hard Alex glanced at Walter, "And if I don’t do what you say? What you gonna do to me?"

"I'm gonna put you over my lap and spank you so hard you'll be eating standing for a month," Walter said with a big smile on his face as Alex squirmed a little, "You understand?"

"Yes Walter," Alex said nodding quickly. For some strange reason Walter low voiced threat has just gone straight to his groin and it was making thinking rather a difficult task. He shook his head to clear it when he heard a rustling sound from outside.

Flicking the two mikes on Walter said, "Okay…everyone on your toes…he is coming in. You watch out and remember what I said," he added warningly to his lover. When he saw Alex nod in understanding the Deputy Director made his way to the second floor of the safe house.

Alex tensed slightly as he heard the doorknob turning and moved to the kitchen. If Faraday wanted him he wasn't about to make it easy for him.

"Stay here guys…we don’t want to spook him before he leads me directly to the boy," Fox said as he stepped out of the car.

"Mulder you need back up," Byers argued, "I don’t want to face Walter or Alex if something happens."

"Hey neither do I," Mulder said smiling at them cockily, "Agent Moyers will be coming with me as back up. You stay put and listen in case we get in trouble."

The trio nodded but didn't look too happy with the order, especially as they watched their friend disappear into the darkened warehouse followed by only one agent. They had followed Clayton Faraday to a desolate warehouse district on the outskirts of the District of Columbia.

"You think he'll be okay," Langly said looking at this two companions.

"Well if he is not then we better book three one way tickets out of town," Frohike said dryly, "I don’t want to be anywhere near Mt. St. Skinner when he blows his top."

"Or Hurricane Krycek for that matter," Byers said in agreement.

"Shush, I think he just found Faraday," Langly said as Mulder's voice came over their headsets.

"Isn't this sweet," Jeff Faraday said snidely as he held a gun pointed at Chris and Cooper. "Move it…get inside."

"What do you think you are doing?" Cooper said in his best Alex growl. "Who the hell are you?"

"Your worst nightmare pretty boy," Jeff said waving the gun towards the front of the house.

Acting if as things were suddenly making sense Cooper said, "It was you? Wasn’t it?"

Taken aback by the question Jeff narrowed his eyes and said, "What do you mean it was me?"

"You are the one behind all the things that has been happening to me and my friends."

Jeff sneered and said, "Friends? I have friends you have fagot lovers. And yeah…I've been having a little fun…"

"A little fun," Chris said in disbelief, "You almost killed someone."

"Almost…but not quiet," Jeff said his smile widening as he again waved the gun, "But that might change tonight."

"Okay…what do you want from me," Cooper said slightly moving away from Chris.

"First I want the disks that you are still hiding here," Jeff said matter-of-factly, "We want the money that should have rightfully been ours. If you hadn't turned traitor my father would have been paid what he was owed by the Consortium. Then I'm going to kill you and blame on dear ol' Dad…since this is his gun… and his prints are the last on it."

Feeling that they had enough incriminating evidence against at least the man in front of him Cooper said, "You know…for an evil Master Mind you are pretty stupid."

Before Jeff could say anything Chris added, "No Alex…he is not the Mater Mind…Kevin is…Jeff is just the puppet on a string…"

"How…how do you know…" Jeff said stammering, "What…do you mean…"

"Do you think we would be stupid enough to come here without backup," Cooper said a second before all hell broke loose. Two of the agents that had been hiding in the shadows came out with their guns drawn, yelling for Jeff to freeze.

Jeff panicked and instead of dropping the gun he squeezed the trigger while he was still aiming at Chris and Cooper.

"CHRIS!" Cooper screamed as he saw the flash of the gun and leapt forward knocking the older man out of the way and taking the bullet in the chest.

"COOP!" Chris screamed as he scrambled to his fallen lover's side. He knew Cooper had been wearing his bullet proof vest, but the sight of the younger man unconscious on the ground had shaken him badly, "Coop…damn it Spud…don’t do this…come on boy open your God damned eyes…please…PARAMEDIC!"

A standby paramedic rushed to his aid and began to check Cooper. Chris glanced over his shoulder at the now fully restrained Faraday and his rage propelled him to his feet and rushed at the younger man. He would have gotten his hands around his neck if it hadn't been for the restraining arm of the third agent on the scene.

"Sir…SIR! Calm down," the agents yelled as he tried to keep him back, "Sir…your friend…he's fine look…"

Chris wiped his head around at those words and saw that Cooper was sitting up with the help of the paramedic. "Cooper? Coop are you alright?" he asked as he kneeled next to his lover.

"Heck Chris…I've had bigger bruises getting thrown off a bronco," Cooper said rubbing at his chest where a large bruise was already forming.

"How is he?" Chris asked the paramedic.

"He is fine," the young man assured him, "He'll be sore for a couple of days but his ribs aren't broken. Just take it easy for a few days."

Helping Cooper stand up Chris once again turned towards Faraday just in time to see him being handcuffed an placed in a police cruiser. "Well that's one down…hopefully Alex is having luck with his Faraday."

"If you call getting shot lucky," Cooper said with a smirk.

"Speaking of which," Chris said, his tone suddenly becoming very serious, "Didn’t I tell you what would happen if you did something stupid."

Cooper looked up to him with big puppy dog eyes and swallowed hard, "Bu…but Chris…I didn’t really…really have time to think…I just kinda reacted…"

Chris couldn’t help but chuckle as he said, "We'll talk about it at home."

"Yes Sir," Cooper said as he let Chris lead him towards their car.

"MOVE IN! MOVE!" Walter voice shouted over the intercom when he heard the shot from downstairs. He rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen in time to see Alex slump down against the refrigerator. "ALEX! My God Alex…"

Alex put up his hand and said, "I'm…I'm okay Walter…got me in the vest…I'm okay…just out of breath… did…did we get everything on tape?"

"We got him. Every word," Walter said relieved to see his lover alive. Turning to look at the other side of the kitchen where Kevin Faraday lay writhing in pain from a knife wound to the chest and surrounded by two agents. "Get that piece of shit out of here." When Faraday was removed, he turned back to Alex, "How the hell did you do that?"

"I'm a man of many talents Big Guy," Alex said with a weak grin, "That's why I came into the kitchen… knives…"

Helping Alex stand Walter said, "You scared the shit out of me the way you were taunting him."

"Am I in trouble?" Alex asked glancing at Walter from behind lowered lashes.

Walter couldn't help but chuckle as he said, "We'll talk about it at home."

"Yes Sir," Alex said as he let Walter lead him towards the car.

"Where is he Faraday? Where is the boy?" Mulder asked as he stood in front of the angry man.

"I don’t know what you are talking about? Your bastard of lover took by son."

"We put a tracking device on him," Mulder said and smiled when he saw the man waver, "We figured you were abusing him and we wanted to keep him safe from you. It just worked out better when you faked his kidnapping."

"It wasn't my idea," Faraday said giving up.

"Oh we know," Mulder said and pulled out a tape recorder, "We have your sons on tape talking about it and planning on killing Alex Krycek and blaming it on you."

"What! You are lying…you…you are lying," Clayton Faraday said, his face growing red with rage.

Pressing the 'Play' button Mulder let the man hear the plans his sons had for Alex, him and Neil.

"NO!…NO!…" Faraday shouted and suddenly grabbed his chest.

Mulder's eyes widened and he yelled, "Call 911…guys call 911!" He rushed to Faraday's side and put two fingers against his neck to see if he could find a pulse. When he couldn't he began CPR. "Damn it don’t you die on me bastard…don’t you die without…telling me where the boy is…come on Faraday…come on…" Looking up at the agent that had followed him in he yelled, "Take over here…I need to start looking for the boy."

When the agent did as requested, Mulder said over his mike, "Guys I need two of you in here to help me look. One of you stay behind for the ambulance."

A couple of minutes later Frohike and Langly rushed in and began their search. The equipment they had assured they boy was indeed within reach but couldn't pinpoint the exact location in the large warehouse.

At least it was a one story, high-ceiling unit, but it had several storage units running along each of the long sides of it's rectangular shape.

"Neil!" Mulder shouted and hear his friends do the same as they tested each door.

"Mr. Mulder," the agent treating Faraday yelled, "He regained consciousness…he said fifteen-oh…and then he…he's dead sir."

Mulder ground his teeth and yelled out to Frohike and Langly, "Come on guys." They trio checked all the doors starting with fifteen-oh-one when they search paid off at fifteen-oh-six. They burst the door open to find the small boy huddled in the corner of a filthy room, clutching his teddy bear to him. Mulder looked at the child with pity and concern and then as gently as he could said, "Hey Neil…I'm a friend of Alex…you remember Alex don’t you…he has the big puppy…you liked the puppy…"

"Murphy?" the boy said with a small whisper.

"Yeah…that's right," Mulder said putting his hand out, "Alex really wants to see you. Do you want to come with me?"

"My Daddy said I was a bad boy…that I had to stay here and be quiet," Neil said his voice trembling with tears.

"Your Daddy was wrong Neil," Mulder said trying to keep the anger out of his voice, "Your Daddy sent me to find you. Come with me and we'll go see Alex…"

Neil lifted his head and looked at Mulder, "And Murphy? Can I see Murphy?"

Grinning Fox nodded, "Yeah of course you can. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you." His grin expanded when the child rushed into his waiting arms. "That's a good boy. Neil you are such a brave boy." Fox stood and keeping the boys pressed against his shoulder he rushed out of the filthy room followed by the two Gunmen. He was glad to see that Faraday had been removed from the scene, as he didn’t want the little boy to be further traumatized. He just wished he knew what had happened with Alex and Cooper.

"I can't believe it's finally over," Mulder said as he leaned back on the couch and took a sip of his beer.

The five men were gathered around the room after having spent the last couple of hours celebrating their individual success. Jeff Faraday had confessed and was being held in custody. Kevin Faraday was in custody as well but in the hospital having his knife wound tended to. Neil Faraday had been checked over by the hospital and would be released into the care of a foster parent. Walter had used his power to speed things along and had convinced Child Protection Services to place Neil with a registered foster parent…who just happened to be Eve Kirkpatrick.

"I am beat," Chris said yawning and looking down at Cooper who was snuggled against his side he said, "And I think my little Spud is about done in too."

"You guys did a great job," Alex said smiling at his sleeping brother.

"Would have been better if this fool hadn't scared ten years off my life," Chris said with a chuckle as he stroked Cooper's now shorter hair. "It's going to take me some time to get use to the short hair…but I think it looks good on him."

"I think he looks very handsome," Walter said with a chuckle of his own as he pulled Alex into a hug. "So Chris are you really going to beat his butt raw for scaring you?"

Chris smiled and said, "Maybe not raw…just well done. Man when I saw him lying there I thought he was dead…and all I wanted to do was bringing back so I could kill him."

"I know the feeling," Walter said and looked at his two lovers who smiled at him with a 'who me?' innocent look.

"At least my butt is safe," Mulder said with a grin as he saw Alex smirk at him, "Hey if you both spank Coop and Alex…they'll be identical in every way."

"Spank…who's gonna get spanked," Cooper said sleepily as he lifted his head from Chris' shoulder.

"Go back to sleep," Chris said gently pushing the head back down. "We'll talk about it in the morning."

"I think that is a great idea. I think we all better call it a night," Walter agreed. "Come on guys let's get a move on."

They all stood and watched as Chris easily picked up Cooper and cradled him in his strong arms.

Alex looked at Fox with a little smirk and then turned to Walter and opening his arms said, "I wanna get carried too…"

"I'll carry you," Walter said with a laugh and surprised Alex by flipping him over his shoulder much to the younger man's surprise.

"No fair," Alex pouted as he hung upside down.

"You said carry me…you didn't say how," Walter said and headed up the stairs followed by Mulder, Chris and the still oblivious Cooper.

"Aren't you gonna be late for work?" Alex asked sleepily as he cuddled closer to Walter. It was six forty and Walter was usually up and in the shower by six fifteen.

"No. I called Kim and let the Director know," Walter said stretching luxuriously and ran his hand up and down his chest. "Fox still sleeping?"

"Who can sleep with you two babbling," a grouchy Mulder mumbled from the other side of Alex.

"Do you mind if Alex and I play?" Walter asked, "It would be a terrible waste of these two morning erections we are sporting if we don’t do something with them."

Mulder who had been on his stomach lifted his head and smiled at the sight of the tent in the front of Walter's boxers, Throwing an arm over Alex's side he reached for the younger man's erection and said, "Oooooh…I wanna play with this little toy."

"Hey! Who you calling little," Alex said in mock annoyance.

"Shut up and kiss me," Fox said and plundered the pouty lips while still playing with the rock-hard penis in his hand making Alex moan.

"Hey! What about me? I was the one that wanted to play," Walter said with a whine, "Fox? Fox? Oh hell," he finally said giving up trying to get Mulder's attention. Walter moved to straddle Alex's legs and picking up Fox by the hips rolled him until he was on top of Alex.

"What? Uh?" Fox said looking over his shoulder in confusion.

"You play with him and I'll play with your ass," Walter said, "Kneel up."

"'Kay," Fox said without much of an argument. He moved to his knees and felt Alex's hand wrap around his penis almost at the same time he felt Walter's fingers spread him from behind.

Walter took his time preparing Fox's tight anus and smiled when the younger man pushed against his had impatiently. He guided the head of his penis against the rosebud opening and pushed forward slowly until he felt the head pass the tight ring of muscle and heard Fox moan.

"Oh…Fox…udvignmeinsan…" Alex mumbled against the lips that still held his captive.

Fox pulled back and looked at the sex-stupid look on Alex's face and said, "What?"

"I said…you are driving me insane," Alex gasped, "Finish me off already…I'm gonna burst…"

"Only if you return the favor," Fox said smiling as he felt Alex's grip tighten and loosen as it slid up and down his erection. "Shit Walter…what are you waiting for an invitation? Fuck me already man."

"Your demand is my wish," Walter said and began pumping his hips in earnest.

Fox and Alex matched his rhythm and minutes later three individual shouts of release floated through the room.

When they fell apart from each other, sated and panting, Fox said, "I'm sure glad your Mom and Dad when to Mass early this morning."

"Yeah me too," Walter said chuckling, "I wonder how Chris and Cooper are doing? I don’t think they are brave enough to do it even if they think my folks are out."

He was quickly proven wrong when twin shouts of ecstasy came from the guestroom next door.

"Guess you were wrong," Alex said laughing, "Do you think Chris will carry out his threat of spanking Cooper?"

"No I don’t think so," Walter said. "I think Chris is just happy nothing happened to him. His a softy anyway."

The next sounds coming from the guestroom proved once again that Walter was oh-for-two.

"Owwww….owwww…ouch…stoooop…pleease Chrissy please stop," Cooper wailed as Chris' hand impacted on his naked behind. "I said…I was…soreee,"

"And I said that I know you are sorry but that I am a man of my word," Chris said punctuating each word with a well-placed spank to the already red buttocks.

"They…they…they are gonna…knoooooow," Cooper sobbed pitifully.

"They knew last night that I was gonna do this," Chris said. He knew he was about to stop and that he was actually pulling the strength of the spanks. He was actually spanking more out of concern that out of any real anger but he also knew Cooper could not tell the difference.

"I'll never do…do…do anything stupid again…I'll…leave that up to Aaaalex…" Cooper promised and continuing crying without noticing that the spanking was over.

"All done baby…all done…come on sweets sit up," Chris said pulling on his shoulders until he was seated on his lap.

"I…I don’t think…I'll…ever…eve…ever be able to…sit down…" Cooper gasped between sobs as he leaned into Chris' wide shoulder.

"I didn't spank that hard Spud," Chris said rubbing his back. "Come on…lets get dressed and go down…"

"Don't wanna…they'll know," Cooper said pouting.

"Walter said that he was going to punish Alex for taunting Faraday and getting shot at too," Chris said, "I don’t think Alex is going to make fun of you anyway."

"Walter wont spank Alex…he's a softy…not like you meanie."

"So I'm a meanie uh?" Chris said and began tickling the younger man who broke out in uncontrollable giggles. "Come on lets take a bath."

"Buy why?" Fox whined after Walter asked him to go downstairs and start breakfast.

"Because I have to talk with Alex and I think he will appreciate some privacy," Walter said sighing.

Fox was about to argue when he caught the embarrassed look on Alex's face and then it dawned on him, "Ohhh…you are gonna 'talk' with Alex…got it," Fox said nodding knowingly. "Alright I'm outta here."

"Walter I don’t think I deserve a spanking," Alex said as Fox closed the door behind him, "I did what needed to get done."

"You let your anger get the best of you with Faraday," Walter said, "You already had more than enough to convict Faraday but you kept pushing. You wanted him for attempted murder when he shot you. You were foolish to push."

Knowing he had no argument to the contrary, Alex let out a resigned huff and roll off the bed. He was already naked so he waited for Walter to take a seat on the bed and pull him across his lap. "Okay… we'll keep this short. Why are you getting spanked Alex?"

"Because I put myself in unnecessary danger by pushing Faraday into shooting me."

"Good enough," Walter said and began the punishment. He planned on giving his lover only a couple dozen swats so he planned on making them count. He landed each spank right on the sit spot, knowing that Alex would be feeling the punishment for a while.

Alex was never as vocal as Fox when he came to punishment so he had just gotten to the groaning part when he was surprised by Walter saying it was all over. "What? You are done?"

"Told you it would be short," Walter reminded him, "This was just a warning. You ever do anything that stupid again and you will wish they invented butt replacement surgery."

Once back on his feet Alex smiled at his lover and said, "Butt replacement surgery? Who'd donate that?"

"Oh I don’t know…maybe they use silicon implants like they do in woman's breasts," Walter said as he slipped into his robe and lead his equally clad lover downstairs.

The pair met Chris and Cooper at the landing and the elder men looked at each other and smiled as the twin men looked at each other and blushed. The foursome entered the kitchen to find Mulder busily making breakfast.

"Hey guys about time you got here," Fox said smiling, "I got everything ready. I have biscuits with red raspberry jam, red grapefruit juice, red delicious apple pancakes, red tomato juice…"

"Red tomato juice Fox?" Walter asked quirking his eyebrow in question. "I see a pattern here."

"That's why they put the I in F.B.I," Fox said cheekily. "Come on sit down."

When the four other men pulled the chairs away from the table they had to laugh at the big pillows Fox had put in Alex's and Cooper's chairs.

Alex looked at his smiling lover and said, "With friends like you Foxlet…who needs the Faradays, you are merciless."

"But you love him anyway," the other three men said in unison.