Title: Mnemosyne, Chapter 10, Part 4 of 5

Author: Kendall

Website: www.geocities.com/kendallxf/index.html

Fandom: X-Files

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: S/M/K.

Archive: All requests are welcomed

Date: September 1^st, 2002

Category: AU

Spoilers: None specifically

Warnings: Contains scenes of m/m sex and 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 Fox Network.

Series: Greek Gods

Summary: Walter is afraid to face memories from his past.

Mnemosyne (Goddess of Memories)

"Walter! Walter wake up…Walter wake up…it’s a nightmare…it’s only a nightmare," Fox shouted as he tried to snap his lover out of the grip of the terror he was held in. "Walter please…you are safe…"

"What can I do Fox?" Alex asked afraid to touch the older man but at the same dying put his arm around him and offer him comfort.

"Talk to him Alex…just talk to him," Fox said, his eyes never leaving Walter’s face. Skinner was sweating profusely and although his eyes were wide open and searching they were unfocused. It was obvious he was not in the present but was reliving a horrendous event from his past. If Fox had to guess he would have said it was from Vietnam but he had heard Walter’s nightmares from his experiences there before and this sounded different.

"Walter…Walter…please wake up…it’s me Alex…please Walter you are scaring me…"

Fox was leaning in as close as possible without actually touching Skinner, afraid of his reaction. He was proven right a moment later when Walter shifted on the bed and Fox tumbled forward, bumping into him.

"DON’T TOUCH ME! YOU FUCKING BASTARD…I’M GONNA KILL YOU!" Walter roared and threw a wild punch that connected with the underside of Mulder’s chin and snapped the younger man’s head back propelling him off the bed.

"Fox! Are you alright?" Alex asked frantically as he scrambled out of the bed and ran to his downed lover’s side.

Fox waved him off and sat up, rubbing his jaw gingerly, "I’m okay Alex…I’m okay."

Walter finally focused on what was going on around him and when he eyes fell on the two men on the floor his eyes widened with realization of what had happened. All he managed to say before he rushed out of the bed and into the bathroom was, "Oh Gods!"

Alex helped Fox to his feet and both young men hurried to the bathroom just in time to hear Walter retching. Skinner was bent over the toilet, his naked body covered in perspiration and his shoulders shaking with the exertion of empting his stomach.

"Alex get me a wet cloth please," Fox asked as he knelt by his distressed older lover and gently placed one on his bare back and with the other he supported his head. "Thank Alex," Mulder said as he accepted the towel. "Can you get a glass of water?"

"Sure," Alex said, "Is…is he okay?"

"He will be," Fox said smiling reassuringly up at the Russian.

"Fox…Fox…I’m sorry," Walter managed to gasp in between bouts of nausea.

"Hush sweetheart…it’s alright," Fox soothed as he gently rubbed Walter’s back. "Here sit up a bit."

Walter pushed away from the toilet and sat down on the cool tile, his head resting on his folded arms.

"That was a doozy of a nightmare baby," Fox said now rubbing the bald scalp, "Want to talk about it?"

Walter shook his head slightly and then raised it. His eyes were red rimmed and his throat was raw from the vomiting so all he managed was a whispered, "Not…not now."

"Okay," Fox said in understanding, "Take this," he said and placed a glass of water against Skinner’s lips.

"Sip slowly…that’s good. Here take these," he added handing him two small tablets.

After a few moments Fox and Alex helped Walter to his feet and guided him back to the bed. Alex rushed back to the bathroom and returned with a bowl of water and a clean towel. Between him and Fox they lovingly but efficiently cleaned Walter’s body and only stopped when the older man began to shiver involuntarily. They covered him with the blankets and cuddled on either side of him.

"Feeling better love?" Fox asked as he hugged Walter to him. He was surprised by the stiffening of the muscles beneath his hand but he continued in the same low, loving tones, "It’ll be fine Walter…we’ll talk in the morning…everything will look better in the morning. Sleep now…we won’t let anything happen to you."

"No we won’t," Alex said and kissed Skinner softly on the forehead. If he was taken aback by the tears running down the older man’s face he didn’t show it. He fervently hoped Fox was right and that everything would be better in the morning.

Walter Skinner groaned as he turned over onto his back. He blinked several times to clear the sleep from his eyes and took a deep breath. Turning to look at the alarm clock on the bedside table he sat up and cursed, "Shit!"

Downstairs Fox and Alex sat at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee. They smiled at each other when they heard the sound of Walter’s feet pounding the floor above. "I guess he’s up."

"Are you going to talk to him about it Fox?"

"No."

"Oh."

"We are going to talk to him about it," Fox said and smiled reassuringly at Alex. He knew that the younger man was concerned for their lover and was not sure how to handle it.

"Fox…I don’t know…" Alex began but was cut off by a frazzled Walter running in and staring wildly at them.

"Why the hell did you let me oversleep," Walter said his voice angry, "Its eight thirty."

Fox looked at him and calmly answered, "You didn’t sleep very well last night and we thought you need to rest. Besides today is Saturday. I checked with Kim and you didn’t have anything pending that couldn’t wait till Monday. I told her that if you weren’t feeling better by then I’d call her and let her know you’d be taking a couple of days off."

"You what?" Walter asked in disbelief, "What gives you the right to make that decision for me."

"The right of a lover who is concerned for the man he loves," Fox said quietly, "You didn’t sleep last night. You were made physically ill by a nightmare. You have been listless and unfocused for the last couple of days and at times you have been downright rude to Alex and me. So excuse me for caring about you enough to make sure you got some much needed rest."

Walter flushed with shame at Fox’s words and bit his lip. He looked at his lover sheepishly and then said, "I’m sorry Fox. I shouldn’t have gotten upset."

"It’s alright Walter," Fox said and smiled at the older man, "I know something has been bothering you and we need to talk…"

"I’m fine," Walter said quickly and looked down at his feet clearly avoiding Mulder’s intent gaze.

"Walter you are not fine," Alex said, "You’ve never had a nightmare that bad before and…"

"I said I was fine dammit," Walter yelled and immediately regretted it when he saw the hurt look on Alex’s face, "I...I’m sorry…I’m…"

"Tired," Fox said and put his hand on Walter’s bicep. When the older man turned to look at him Mulder said, "Go upstairs, take a shower, get into a clean pair of pj’s and go take a nap in the guest bedroom while Alex and I clean up our bedroom. We’ll wake you in a couple of hours and we can have brunch together."

"I don’t want to take a nap…I’m not tired," Walter began to argue but was stopped by Fox’s hand covering his mouth.

"You will do as I say and when you are up and rested we will have a long talk about what’s bothering you."

"Do what Fox says Walter," Alex said firmly, "We are worried about you and if you don’t plan on taking care of yourself then we’ll just have to do it for you."

"Guys…I’m fine really," Walter said as he moved his head back and away from Fox’s hand, "I don’t really need to take a nap. I’m not five you know."

"Walter I’m not asking you," Fox said his tone more adamant, "I’m telling you that today you are going to get some rest, that we are going to talk and that if you refuse to do either you are not going to leave me and Alex any choice but to take matter into our own hands…if you get my drift."

Walter’s eyes widened in surprised and the poorly concealed threat of punishment and he looked at Alex and saw the same resolve in the green eyes, "Okay…you win. But I don’t like you threatening me Fox."

"Point taken," Fox said and smiled, "Now go upstairs and do as I ask."

Giving his lovers one last angry look Walter left the kitchen and headed up the stairs.

"Are you sure we did the right thing Fox?" Alex asked a moment later.

"We did," Fox assured him, "You did good Alex. I know you don’t like to get tough with him…"

"It’s not that Fox…it’s just that I see both of you as being always in control of situations that I can’t begin to handle and well to be honest I kind of like you taking charge. It makes me know I’m not on my own…that there is always someone who I can talk to if I am unsure of something."

"We’ll always be around to help you Alexei as we know you will be there to help us," Mulder said and pulled Krycek into a hug, "I love you."

"I love you too Foxlet," Alex said and kissed him deeply.

Fox responded immediately to the kiss by grinding his groin against Alex’s and running his hands up and down the Russian’s lean back and then letting them rest on the round, firm buttocks.

"God you taste good," Alex managed to say around the kiss and smiled when Fox squeezed his butt, "Wanna play?"

"More than anything…uhm…more than anything in the world but…I think we need to take care of Walter today."

"You are right," Alex said with regret as their bodies separated, "But once we get him straighten out then can we play?"

Mulder’s grin widened and as he said, "Anxious Little Duck?"

Alex groaned and shook his head, "Are you ever gonna drop that? I am okay with the variations of my rodent nickname but a duck? Come on Fox…please?"

"I like it…I think it fits you," Fox said still smiling.

His smiled dropped at Alex’s next words, "Fine if you insist then I’m ganna start calling Cub…or maybe Cubby…uhm…I kinda like that…Cubby and in Fox Cubby. How you like them apples…Cubby?"

Fox stuck out his lower lip in an adorable pout and said, "Fine, be a brat."

Alex smiled and leaned forward to capture the succulent lower lip gently between his perfect white teeth. Giving it a little nip he said, "I’m sorry Foxlet…don’t be mad…uh…forgive me…uh? I’ll be good."

Fox couldn’t resist and chuckled, "You are good…you are good at making me forget when you are bad. But don’t forget I have an eidetic memory and at the worst possible moment…for you at least…I’m going to remember you are a bad little boy and then your butt better watch out."

"Promises, promises," Alex said and his green eyes sparkled with mischief. After a moment however he grew serious again and Fox could tell he was thinking about Walter.

"Alexei he’ll be alright. Don’t worry so much."

"Can’t help it Fox…I don’t like to see him hurting."

"Neither do I baby. We’ll get to the bottom of this."

"Or we’ll get to his bottom," Alex said before he realized what he was saying.

Fox let out a sharp laugh and said, "You made a funny. Let’s go check on our boy."

Walter Skinner was not a happy boy. He was not happy in so many levels he didn’t know where to begin. He knew that Fox and Alex were just concerned for his well being but what gave them the right to treat him like they had. He was a grown man after all not a freaking five year old. ‘Take a shower, get in your pj’s take a nap’ his inner voice singsonged in a mockery of Fox’s command. Well he had taken a shower, he had needed one anyway and he had changed into clean sweats…which he did sometimes wear to bed so they could be considered pajamas but damn it to hell he was not going to take nap.

Beside he wasn’t sure he wanted to chance falling asleep and getting those nightmares again. He wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to be able to keep the truth hidden from his lovers but figured if he kept telling them the nightmares had to do with his Vietnam experience he would be safe…after all it was not a complete lie.

But Gods he was so tired. He hasn’t slept well in three nights and it was starting to wear on his nerves and mood. He had even snapped at poor Kim yesterday simply because she had reminded him that he had a meeting with Doggett and Reyes. He couldn’t concentrate, his stomach was tied up in knots and if he didn’t get some sleep soon he was going to collapse.

Maybe Fox and Alex were right. A nap was not a bad idea and it wasn’t as he didn’t deserver a day off. He had plenty saved up…heck he could take six months off and still have plenty left over. Walter closed his eyes and settled into the pillow…

"I’m alive…I’m alive don’t put me in here…I’m alive…I’m hit…"

"You are okay…Walter you are okay. Calm down it was only a dream…again."

"Fox?"

"Yeah…you okay now…you with us?"

"Uhm…yeah…sorry…I guess I had another nightmare," Walter said trying to get his breathing under control.

"Walter we need to talk about these nightmares of yours…"

"They are just memories Fox…memories from Vietnam…I’ve had then before…"

"You’ve had nightmares about ‘Nam before Walter but not in months. Why now?" Alex asked as he handed him a glass of water.

"I don’t know! It’s not a big deal," Walter snapped at him.

"Alright that’s enough," Fox said trying to keep his anger in check, "Walter whatever these memories are that are plaguing you we need to get to the bottom of them so you can get some sleep…"

"It’s nothing…it’s just Vietnam," Walter shouted and sprang off the bed, pushing past a surprised Krycek and heading towards the door.

"Don’t lie…not to us," Fox said as he grabbed Walter’s wrist and stopped him from leaving the room.

"Don’t touch me," Walter hissed as he had been burned by Mulder’s touch, "Leave me the fuck alone! This is none of your business."

"None of my business! You are my business…our business," Fox said in surprise, "You need help Walter. Something is eating at you and you need to talk to someone…"

"I don’t need to talk to anyone. I just need you two to leave me alone so I can work this out," Walter yelled and rushed out of the room.

"Fox what the hell is going on?"

"I don’t know Alex but I aim to find out, come one."

The pair made their way downstairs and after looking around for a moment figured out that Walter had gone down to the basement. They had set up a full workout room and could hear Walter making use of the hanging bag.

"Walter?"

"Leave me alone Fox," Walter said as he continued to pound into the heavy leather body bag. "I don’t want to talk about it."

"That’s not good enough Walter," Fox said, "Something is bothering you and I don’t think it has to do with Vietnam…at least not entirely."

Walter turned around and glared at his lovers, "I told you it doesn’t have anything to do with you. It’s none of your business. I can take care of it."

"You have been doing a stellar job of taking care of it," Fox said trying to keep his temper in check, "Fine. We’ll give you one more day. If you don’t get a full night sleep tonight…nightmare free then the three of us are going to have a very serious discussion about truth and asking for help. Come on Alex, lets leave the Walter to his exercise."

Alex began to follow Fox up the stairs but then turned to face Walter on more time, "Walter we love you. Don’t forget that."

Skinner gave him a small, tired smile and said, "I know Alexei…I know. I’ll be fine."

"You don’t have to do this alone. We are here for you."

"I know."

When he was once again alone Walter turned angrily back to the body bag and punched it so hard that it almost came off it’s hook. He continued to pound on it mercilessly until tears of rage and pain cascaded down his cheeks. After a few minutes of unrelenting punishment he stopped and dropped to his knees in exhaustion. His body shook with barely suppressed sobs. ‘Oh God…why now…why now when everything was going so well. Why did you have to bring back those memories…I have worked so hard to forget.’

"This should help Mulder," Dana Scully said as she handed her former partner a small bottle of pills. Have him take two right before going to bed. If they don’t work then you can give him the shot but only as a last resort."

"Thanks Scully, we really appreciate this," Mulder said giving her a small smile, "He is about dead on his feet. If he doesn’t get a good night sleep tonight we are going to have to take him to a doctor and you know how he feels about that."

"I know," she said with a chuckle, "Remember I am used to treating you three. You are the worst patients there are…well besides John."

"He’s bad?"

"The worst. He becomes a total baby when he is not feeling well. What do you think is going on with Walter?"

"I have a hunch but I’m hoping I’m wrong about it."

"You are very seldom wrong Mulder."

"I know."

Claiming that he would sleep better in the guest room Walter accepted the pills that Fox gave him, bid goodnight to his concerned lovers and closed the door behind him. He had no plans on taking the sleeping pills…he didn’t want to sleep, not if it meant brining back those awful nightmares.

His exhaustion finally got the better of him and he stretched out on the bed, hoping jus to close his eyes and rest but soon he was asleep.

"It hurts please it hurts stop…stop…stop…"

"Fuck not again," Fox cursed as he rushed into the guest room with Alex close behind. Turning on the light he was shocked to see Walter sitting with his back against the wall, arms tightly wrapped around his knees, rocking back and forth. His eyes were opened but unfocused. "Walter…Walter wake up."

"Leave me the fuck alone you bastard," Walter screamed and swung one fist out, catching Alex on the mouth as the younger man was leaning in to help Fox.

"OWW! Shith," Alex yelled as he brought his hand to his bloody mouth. "Walter!"

"He’s in too deep Alex. Words are not going to snap him out of it. Help me out here," Fox said and with Alex’s help manhandled Walter away from the wall and across Mulder’s lap. "I hate to do this but he left me know choice."

Alex who was still in pain from the punch to the mouth said, "Go ahead Fox…he athked for it. Shith thith hurth."

"Let me go…Knife…Knife…don’t die…please don’t die…"

"I’m sorry Walter but I need you to wake up now," Fox said and yanked Walter’s sweatpants down and began to spank the bare bottom. He put enough force behind the spanks to cause Walter pain…pain he hoped would snap his lover out of his nightmare.

"Owwww…owww…stop…stop it hurts…owww…Knife where are you…he’s hurting me. I’m hit…it hurts I’m hit… no…no…I’m not dead…don’t put me in the bag…I’m alive…I’m alive…Knife where are you buddy…Knife don’t die…Klaus should die…he…owwww…don’t…don’t…it hurts…"

Walter’s pleas and sobs were tearing at Fox’s heart but he maintained his resolve not to stop the spanking until Walter came out of the nightmare. "Let it out Walter, come on baby, let it all out."

Walter’s buttocks and thighs were beginning to redden under Fox’s spanks but still he would not come out of his nightmare. "It’s not working Fox. You need thomething harder," Alex said trying very hard not to lisp although his front tooth was loose. "Here uthe thith," he said handing him Walter’s discarded slipper.

"I wish I didn’t have to use anything Alex," Fox said but took the slipper. Looking down at the struggling and crying man on his lap he added, "Sorry Walter but it’s for your own good." With that he resumed the punishment of Skinner’s backside.

"AWWWW! OWWWW! OWWWWWWW! Stop…please stop…it hurts…" Walter screamed as he scissored his legs and tried to get away from the rain of spanks and the throbbing pain in his rear end. "I’m sorry… pleaseee…I’ll do what…whatever…whatever you say…please Sarge…please stop…I…I wont tell nobody… please…owwww…it hurts…"

"Walter it’s me Fox…Fox and Alex…Walter wake up," Fox pleaded. He hated causing either of his lovers pain, even if it was for their own good. "Come on Walter…I need you to wake up…please baby wake up."

"Walter wake up…I need you…Knife…Knife needs you," Alex said as he kneeled next to the bed.

"Kni…Knife…Knife…needs me?" Walter asked, his voice small and unsure. He blinked his eyes twice and turned to face Alex who smiled at him reassuringly.

"That a boy Walter," Alex said gently, "Come on sweetheart, look at me…it’s Alex my love…come on Walter."

"Alex?"

"You did it Alex," Fox said and tossed the slipper aside. Gently rubbing Walter’s back he said, "Walter can you hear me…its Fox."

Walter looked over his shoulder and continued to blink owlishly, trying to get his bearings, "Fo…Fox?"

"Welcome back Big Guy," Mulder said with a sad smile, "Come on…sit up so we can talk."

"I…I…I can’t sit…it hurts…you spanked…me…why…" Walter asked between sobs, "Why’d you spank…spank me Fox."

"It was the only way to get you to wake up baby," Fox said tenderly hugging him as Walter settled gingerly on the bed.

Alex took the seat on the other side of the older man and put his arm around Walter’s waist. "You were having a terrible nightmare Walter. You wouldn’t wake up. You were thcaring me."

"Wha…what’s wrong with your…your mouth Alex," Walter asked, still sniffling.

"Uhm…nothing Walter…ith alright."

"Did…did I do that to you?" Walter asked and looked at Fox for confirmation. When Mulder nodded he said, "Oh God…I’m so sorry…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to hit you…"

"I know you didn’t baby," Alex said kissing him on the cheek, "It’ll be fine. We are worried about you."

"Let’s go downstairs to talk. You need to get whatever is bothering you off your chest and…"

"No! I don’t want to talk about…about it," Walter said shaking his head.

"I’ve had enough of this Walter," Fox said angrily, "You will tell us what is wrong if I have to spank it out of you."

"I told you not to threaten me Fox," Walter said and stood up. He walked away from the bed, his back to his worried lovers. "I need to work this out by myself."

"NO! I will not let you work this out by yourself. Not when it is destroying us, not when you become violent and not when you are so afraid to fall asleep that you would rather sleep in a different room than be in bed with us."

"Fox…I…I’m…I’m sorry…this is not…about you guys…"

"Walter who is Frederick Klaus?"

"WHAT! Where…where did you hear that name? How do you know about him?"

"I called Kim and asked her if anything unusual had happened a couple of days ago that would have caused your sudden mood change. She mentioned a man that came to see you without an appointment. She said right after you saw him your mood worsened."

"She talks a lot…not a good sign for an assistant," Walter said bitterly.

"Don’t you dare do anything to her Walter," Alex said warningly, "She is worried about you. You need to tell us the truth. What are your dreams about Walter?"

"I told you that I don’t want to talk about it."

"Have it your way Walter," Fox said standing up. "You are grounded. That means you are confined to this room. You are not to leave this room for any reason. You are not to turn on the television or the stereo. You will spend your time thinking about what makes a family, about how not telling the truth can destroy a family. We will bring you lunch and then one of us will stay with you after you eat, while you stand in the corner for an hour thinking. Then you will get a spanking…"

"You can’t keep me in my room like an errant child," Walter splutter as he heard his punishment, "I’m not a child."

"No you are not and that is what makes it worse," Fox said, "You should know that lying is not acceptable in any relationship but specially ours because we’ve been involved with so many people who have lied to us…to all of us, that we should not lie to each other. I hope your punishment makes you see how much you have hurt us by your lies Walter. You know how much Alex and I hate punishing you but you are leaving us no choice. Let’s go Alex."

"Start thinking Walter," Alex said as he followed Fox out, "We’ll be back in a couple of hours with your lunch. If you have an answer for us we’ll be stand by you, no matter what it is you are not telling us."

Walter’s heart sank to his feet as the door closed behind his lovers. He felt so utterly alone and wanted so much to be held in their arms and comforted by their words but he just couldn’t bring himself to reveal his horrible secret.

"Hello Fox, how are my boys doing?"

"Oh…hi Mom," Fox said surprised by hearing Mrs. Skinner’s voice on the other end of the line. "What’s up?"

"Can’t a mother call to say hi to her boys?"

"Of course Mom," Fox said relaxing, "How’s everything?"

"Just wonderful. Having Gabriel here is such a treat. It’s like having Alex here with us. We miss you boys."

"We miss you too Mom," Fox said sincerely, "I’m sure I can talk Walter and Alex into taking a couple of days off and heading to the farm."

"That will be great," the older woman said, "What are you boys doing for Halloween?"

"Halloween? That’s what…in three days right? We’ve been invited to a party at a neighbor’s…a costume party, come as your favorite super hero."

"Oh those are so much fun. What are you boys going as?"

"Well…uhm…I’m not sure if we will be going now, something has come up."

"What did he do?"

"What do you mean?"

"What did Walter do Fox?"

"How…how do you…I mean why do you think he did something?"

"If Alex had done something you would have told me by now, you love it when he gets in trouble…"

"I do not," Fox said in shock that she knew him so well.

"And since you didn’t call out for Walter as soon as you knew I was on the phone then I guessed it was him. So what did my boy do?"

"He’s been having some nightmares…bad ones Mom and he is refusing to tell us what they are about. It’s been going on for three days and he hasn’t slept at all."

"Is it about Vietnam? The dreams I mean," Walter’s mother asked with concern.

"Partly, but I think there is something else he’s not telling us."

"So what are you doing about it? Do you want me or his Dad to talk to him?"

"Let Alex and I handle it first Mom but if what we are doing doesn’t work we’ll call in reinforcements."

"Tell Walter I hope he feels better soon and that we love him. I hope he can sit comfortably after he comes clean with what’s bothering him."

"MOM!" Fox exclaimed surprised at how easily she discussed Walter’s punishment.

"Mom what Fox? If he has done something that means that you have to tan his backside, I’m sure you and Alex felt he deserved it."

"I’ll tell him and Alex that you called. We’ll talk to you soon Mom."

"Take care of my boy Fox."

"We will Mom."

"I don’t deserve this."

"Face the wall and be quiet Walter. You are supposed to be thinking," Alex said as he continued to read his book.

"I’ve been standing here for over an hour…"

"It’s been forty minutes and I said face the wall or I’ll make it an hour and a half," Alex said still not looking at his lover. He knew if he did he would loose all his resolve to keep up with the punishment.

Twenty minutes later he cleared his throat and said, "Ready to tell me what’s wrong?"

Walter turned around and faced him, "I have nothing to say Alex. I didn’t do anything wrong and I don’t deserve to be punished like this."

"We are not punishing you for not talking to us. We are punishing you for lying to us. We know something is wrong and you keep insisting there is nothing wrong. You are lying and for that you are getting punished."

"Fine let’s get over with. Where do you want me?"

"Over my lap will do," Alex said sadly. He had hoped that Walter would have come to his senses and that he would be ready to tell them what was bothering him. He waited until the larger man settled himself over his lap and then Alex pushed his sweats down. Walter’s bottom was still pink from Fox’s previous spanking and Alex hesitated momentarily before beginning.

Walter closed his eyes and groaned with each landing slap to his already tender behind. He bit his lip to avoid crying out but it was becoming increasingly difficult. The pain was barely bearable and tears were already threatening to fall.

"Walter…please…tell me what’s wrong…please…I hate to see you hurting and to hurt you like this…please."

"Can’t…I can’t…you…you would hate me."

"Gods Walter, we would never hate you," Alex said stopping in mid-spank. "We’ve all done things to be ashamed of and we have all forgiven each other. What can be so bad that you can’t tell us?"

"You…you wouldn’t understand," Walter said his voice trembling.

"I’m sorry Walter…I’m sorry you feel that way," Alex said and resumed his punishment. Ten minutes later Walter had still not said a word about what was bothering him and Alex had tears streaming down his face. When he helped the older man stand Alex quickly kissed him and all but ran out of the room, leaving a stunned Skinner behind.

"Your Mom called earlier."

"She did? Why didn’t you tell me?" Walter asked surprised, "What did you tell her?"

"I told her the truth," Fox said and almost smiled at the look of total horror on Walter’s face at the idea his mother knew he was being punished. "I just told her you have been having nightmares and were refusing to tell us about them. She figured out the rest on her own."

"You shouldn’t have worried her Fox," Walter said wearily. He was tired from the lack of sleep, he was sore from the two spankings and he was worried about the upcoming one that Fox would be delivering soon. He didn’t know how much longer his desire to keep them in the dark would hold.

"This could all be resolved if you just would confide in us what is bothering you Walter," Fox said as he settled himself on the bed. Alex had been a wreck when he had came down earlier after Walter’s lunchtime spanking and Fox himself was not looking forward to delivering another punishment now.

Walter wrapped his arms around his middle and took a deep breath, "I can’t Fox…why can’t you just leave it at that?"

"Because you are in pain and I hate to see that."

"This from the man that is about to blister my already sore backside," Walter said with a sad chuckle.

"Do you think I am enjoying this? Don’t you think I much rather be making love to you than causing you pain. I love you Walter and I thought you loved me."

"You…you think I don’t love you Fox? How can you think that?"

"You are letting this thing…whatever it is, consume you. You are hurting yourself and you are hurting us."

"I…I wish I could make you understand Fox why I can’t tell you."

Sighing deeply Fox said, "Let’s get this over with Walter. I have to go take care of Alex. He is really torn up about this."

"Please Fox…I…I don’t think I can’t take another…"

"You can end this Walter…only you," Fox said, "Get over my lap please…I want to get this over with now."

Walter did not argue as he draped himself over Fox’s lap. He was positioned so his most of his body was on the bed so he grabbed a nearby pillow and burrowed his face in it. He flinched when Fox bared his bottom and bit back a scream of anguish as the slipper landed. Fox had told him that he was going to use the slipper instead of his hand and Walter thought he was prepared for the pain but he was wrong. His butt was still so sore and raw from the two previous spankings; the first feel of the slipper was sheer agony.

It was over a lot faster than Walter expected and he was surprised when Fox told him to stand. He was even more surprised when, without a word, Mulder ran out of the room.

Alex and Fox laid curled on the couch trying to give comfort to each other. Alex had been surprised to see Fox rush down the stairs and followed him into the living room. Neither man spoke, both knowing what exactly was going through the others mind. They were worried sick about their lover and neither could see a way of helping him and neither felt like punishing further.

"Fox? Alex?"

"Walter? What are you doing down here?" Fox said untangling himself from Alex’s embrace, "What’s wrong?"

"I…I…I…" Walter tried to say but he could not stop the sobs that erupted from his chest.

"Come here baby," Fox said opening his arms wide and moving to the side so to make a space between himself and Alex for Walter.

Walter didn’t need any further encouragement and rushed into the waiting embrace of his lovers. "I’m… I’m…sorreee…"

"Oh Walter it’s all right, it’ll be all right," Alex soothed as he rubbed his hand over Walter’s back.

"What is it baby…tell us what is bothering you," Fox said gently as he hugged the older man, "Nothing that you say will make you love you less. We just want you to feel better again."

"’Kay…okay," Walter said as he took a deep breath and settled further into the couch, basking in the warmth of two bodies on either side of him. "A…a couple of days ago a man came to see me. His name is Frederick Klaus…junior. His father was my…my unit Sergeant in ‘Nam."

"What did…did Klaus do to you Walter?" Fox asked carefully, "Klaus Senior."

Walter looked at Fox through tear filled eyes and said, "You…you know what he did don’t you Fox…you know."

"I guessed…I was hoping I was wrong but I knew I wasn’t," Fox said desolately, "But Walter how could you think that we wouldn’t understand…that we wouldn’t support you."

"It…it wasn’t what he did to…to me Fox…it’s what I did to him…that…that you will not for…forgive."

"You have forgiven me for so many things Walter," Alex said, "Nothing and I mean absolutely nothing you could have done to that bastard would make me love your or respect you less. You are my hero Walter."

"Oh God…he raped me…that bastard raped me," Walter wailed as thirty years of repressed pain and memories surged through him.

Both Fox and Alex were crying as they held their lover tightly between them. It was several minutes before the threesome regained their composure. Fox was the first to speak, "Walter what did you mean we wouldn’t understand what you did to him?"

"I…I can’t Fox," Walter said in between sobs.

"You have to Walter or it will continue to eat at you and make you sick," Fox explained, "Please."

Taking a shuddering breath Walter said, "Okay. The day…the day it happened we had been out on patrol. Just the two…two of us, he made the duty roster so he arranged it that way. When we were…far…far enough from camp he attacked me and he…he did it…"

"Say it Walter. You didn’t do anything wrong and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Say what he did to you out loud. It will help you heal," Fox said and gave him a quick hug.

"He attacked me and he raped me," Walter said, his voice stronger, "As we were making our way to camp we heard the gun fire. We rushed in...and saw my…my unit being ambushed…most were already dead. I searched for…for my friend and Klaus grabbed me and made me hide. We took out a couple of the Vietnamese and then there was silence. I came out of hiding and searched for my friend…"

"Knife?" Fox asked.

"Yeah…Knife," Walter said with a small smile, "His…his name was Ken Nifenberger but everyone called him Knife…K for Ken and Nife short for his last name. Klaus had a wicked sense of humor. He…he called me Red because he thought I was…a communist."

"Sergei right?" Alex asked, smiling.

"Yeah," Walter said returning the smile, "I found Knife and then Charley came back and started shooting again and Klaus was trying to pull me away from Knife’s body and I pushed him into the clearing and he… he…they…they shot him. I can still…still see him as they bullets riddled his body. He looked like a marionette dancing some kind of crazy dance. That’s the last thing I remember…now that I remember."

"You were also hit during the ambush. You told me they had you in the body bag…they thought you were dead but you came back just as they were about to zip it up," Fox said.

"Uhm…yes," Walter said and yawned, "I…I guess I had buried those memories so far down that it took seeing Klaus’ son to bring them back. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you."

"You could have saved your butt three very hard spankings," Fox said teasingly, "And you could have slept for the last three nights."

"I…I don’t know if I would be able to sleep tonight even now that I told you," Walter said.

"Let’s go upstairs and get into bed and see what we can do about getting you to sleep," Fox said and stood and pulled Walter to his feet.

"I think I like they whatever you have in mind," Walter said catching the gleam in Fox’s eyes.

"I don’t think I like what you have in mind Fox," Walter said from his spot in the big bed as he watched Fox prepare the hypodermic.

"Scully said that this would help you sleep if the pills didn’t," Fox said as he rummaged in the bathroom for cotton balls and alcohol.

"And since you dumped the pills we would never know if they work or not," Alex said smiling at Walter from his spot next to the older man on the bed.

"There are other pills…there’s a whole bottle full," Walter said growing more and more apprehensive. He had thought that Fox’s idea was to make love to him until he was so exhausted he would have no choice but to fall asleep. Now that he knew Fox was going to give him a shot he was not as excited to be in bed with his lovers. "I don’t want a shot."

"It’ll be over before you know it baby," Alex said soothingly, "You’ll get a good night’s sleep and tomorrow we’ll play all day."

"Tomorrow is Monday. I have to work," Walter said, "Can’t we play tonight?"

"As much as we wish we could, we think you would enjoy making love if you were better rested," Fox said smiling at how hard Walter was trying to talk himself out of getting a shot. "Alex called Kim and told her you would not be in tomorrow and don’t glare at me mister, you know you need the time off."

"We think that we should plan on a vacation pretty soon," Alex said, "Since our Cancun vacation never happened since we had to find Gabriel."

"That sounds good," Walter said excitedly. The idea of a vacation with his boys was very exiting indeed.

"Okay sweetie this is ready," Fox said as he approached the bed, "Roll over onto your tummy."

"No Fox really…this isn’t necessary, I’m tired enough to fall asleep on my own," Walter pleaded, "Besides my butt hurts too much already."

"Now don’t tell me that Walter Sergei Skinner is afraid of a tiny pin prick," Alex said teasingly, "Come on Walter I’ll help you," he added as he grabbed onto Walter’s arm and rolled him towards him.

"Thanks for the help Alex," Fox said and sat on the bed. He expertly pulled down Walter’s sweat pants, rubbed a little alcohol on the right, still pink, butt cheek and then plunged the hypodermic needle deep into the fleshy part of Walter’s buttock.

"Ow, ow, ow…take it out," Walter cried and buried his face into the pillow.

"All done, see that wasn’t so bad," Fox said and he rubbed the area to lessen the pain. "Scully said it should work pretty fast. You’ll get a good night’s sleep and you will feel better in the morning. Walter?"

"He’s asleep Fox," Alex said with a wide grin as he heard the soft snores emanating from the man in the middle.

Mulder kissed the back of Walter’s head and then kissed Alex deeply, "We’ll have fun tomorrow."

"Yeah," Alex said and settled down under the covers, "’Night Fox."

"Sweet dreams."