Title: Mnemosyne, Chapter 10, Part 5 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 14^th, 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: Fox and Walter set out to create a new memory for Alex.

Note: A million thanks to Ursula for the super beta job.

Mnemosyne (Goddess of Memories)

"He still sleeping?"

"Like a baby. God knows he needed it."

"Do you think he’ll be alright now Fox?"

"It’s a beginning, Alex," Fox said and took the cup of coffee his younger lover was handing him. "He’ll probably need a lot of reassurance for a while and lots of cuddling…"

"I can do cuddling," Alex said, with a big grin.

"Of that, there is no doubt. You, my dear Alexei, are a master cuddler," Fox said matching the grin with his own. "So what do you want to do today?"

"I don’t know. I think we should leave it up to Walter…"

"Leave what up to Walter?" the man in question asked as he padded into the kitchen and walked to the kitchen counter to get himself a much needed cup of coffee. He wasn’t wearing his glasses and his eyes were still heavy-lidded, the small fringe of hair at the back of his head mussed from sleep. He wore only the tee-shirt he had worn to bed, having discarded the sweatpants, his still pink bottom on display.

He was oblivious to the effect his semi-nakedness was having on the two younger men until he turned around and saw them looking at him like two cats eyeing a canary. "What?" he asked blushing under the scrutiny.

Fox and Alex both smiled widely at him, totally enraptured with the sight before them.

"Nothing, we were just wondering how we got so lucky," Fox said simply.

Embarrassed by the words Walter cleared his throat and changed the subject, "So what were you guys talking about when I came in. What’s up to me?"

"We were wondering what to do with our day today and we decided to leave it up to you," Alex said.

"Well, since I really hadn’t planned on having a day off today…"

"Three," Fox said interrupting him.

"Three what?" Walter asked confused.

"You have three days off," Mulder furnished and before Walter could complain he rushed to explain, "I called the Director today to let him know you were sick and not going in and he said to tell you to take three days off and to make sure you took care of yourself."

"The Director said that?" Walter asked in surprise.

"Yes. I think he finally got the idea that he was overworking you and you needed the time off," Fox said. "So Big Guy what’s your pleasure?"

"Wow…three days off?" Walter said, his eyes sparkling. "What could we possibly do for three whole days? Uhm…gosh what a dilemma…so much to do."

Alex looked at Fox and in a stage whisper asked, "Did Walter just say gosh?"

"I believe he said gosh," Fox said trying to keep the smile off his face. He enjoyed when Walter became playful. He had been afraid that the older man would wallow in depression after the emotional upheaval from the previous day but Skinner seemed to have bounced back.

"How about we paint the family room?" Walter asked innocently.

Alex opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Fox jabbed his elbow into his ribs. He looked at Mulder in confusion and asked, "What the hell did you do that for, Fox? Did you hear what he wants to do with his time off? He wants to paint…"

"Let him," Fox said shrugging his shoulders as if he didn’t care what Walter did with his time. Standing up he added, "I, for one plan to spend at least the rest of today in bed with you, teasing you madly until you scream with frustration. Then I am going make love to you until your bones melt and after we get some rest I am going to let you return the favor."

Alex caught on after a second and without taking his eyes of Mulder said, "It would be my pleasure to melt your bones, Mr. Mulder but only if you promise that we can then take a long hot bath."

"Can I wash your back," Fox asked seductively and moved closer to Alex. He tried very hard not to smile at the whimper that came from Walter. "I’ll wash it slowly, up and down and I’ll pay very close attention to your backside because I know how much you like it," he added running his hand down Alex’s back and letting it come to rest on the plumb bottom he pulled the younger man towards him.

"And will you let me wash your chest?" Alex said his voice low and silky as he ran his hand down Fox’s chest letting it come to rest on top of Mulder’s groin. "I’ll even pay very close attention to your family jewels because I know how much you like that."

In response, Fox opened his mouth to allow Alex’s tongue to slip in. They kissed deeply and hungrily, letting their hands roam freely over each other’s body. After a full minute, Fox broke the kiss and his voice husky with lust said, "Last one upstairs is a rotten egg."

He was off and running a split second before Alex could react but as soon as the Russian realized what had happened he too took off as well.

"Hey!" was all Walter managed to say before he found himself alone in the kitchen. The short but very powerful scene he had just witnessed had left him extremely aroused and those two little teases had left him primed and frustrated. "Damn those two…" he growled as he ran, albeit with some difficulty, up the stairs.

He rushed to the bedroom and threw the door open. He stopped short when he saw the bed was empty, He walked in slowly and briefly wondered were the troublesome twosome had gotten to when he couldn’t hear any noise from the bathroom. It was a very brief thought however since five seconds after stepping into the room he was tackled from behind and thrown forward onto the bed.

"So you wanna paint do you," Fox said, as he mercilessly began to tickle Walter.

"Fox…Fox stop…stop I’m gonna…hahaha…haha…Fox stop I’m gonna come…" Walter gasped as he wiggled on the bed trying to get away from the long tickling fingers.

"Oh no you don’t," Alex said and pushed Fox to the side so he could roll Walter onto his back. He almost licked his lips at the sight of Walter’s weeping erection. "We can’t let this beauty go to waste on the sheets," he said before lowering his head and swallowing the erection whole.

"FUCK!" Walter screamed as he arched his back. The sensation of Alex’s warm breath on his sensitive penis was too much and he came with a roar. Once he was spent, he relaxed and panted to catch his breath. "Fu…fuck Alex…you…you could have killed me…warn…warn a guy next time."

"It wouldn’t have been as much fun," Alex said, as he wiped an errant drop of cum from his lip.

"Or as hot," Fox said, leaning in and kissing Walter ardently.

When Fox released his lips, Walter grinned like an idiot as he looked up into the equally goofy-looking faces of his lovers, "You guys weren’t very nice ambushing me like that you know?"

"Talk about not being nice, Mister I want to paint the family room," Fox said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, Walter, that wasn’t very nice," Alex said with an adorable pout that quickly melted into a smile as he remembered Fox’s promise. "I recall someone saying they were going to melt my bones."

"I do recall that conversation," Fox said nodding, "But I have a better idea if you don’t mind."

"What?"

"I think you and I should melt Walter’s bones first."

Walter whimpered from the back of his throat at the words and the predatory look the hazel and green pair of eyes were giving him and in a rather high-pitched squeaky voice begged, "Be gentle."

"It’s a good thing I don’t have to work for the next couple of days. I think I’d get pretty weird looks from people if I went to the office today."

Fox glanced sideways at him and asked, "Why…we didn’t leave any marks that can be seen on you."

"Other than the fact that if I tried to walk right now I would look like a duck," Walter explained with a laugh.

"Oh don’t get him started, Walter," Alex groaned from the other side of the bed, "He already calls me that."

"Yeah, what’s that all about," Walter asked as he settled in more comfortably on the bed. He was lying between Fox and Alex and had never felt happier. He had worried for a moment that having either of his boys take him would bring back memories from his rape but nothing even close to that had happened…not even a flash of a memory. Fox had been concerned but Walter had insisted that he wanted to bottom. Fox had gone first and his gentleness had brought tears to the older man’s eyes. Then when it had been Alex’s turn to enter him, the young Russian had made sure it was all about Walter, aiming each and every thrust at Walter’s prostate and eliciting moans of blissful pleasure. His only regret was not telling his lovers earlier what had been bothering him. It would have same him a lot of grief and an aching bum. He was sore and figured he would be for a while yet.

"He was walking some of the kids home from school the other day and they were following him like little ducks," Fox explained. "He was so adorable."

"I’m not adorable," Alex growled at him.

Walter laughed at the look of disgust on Alex’s face and said, "Sorry to tell you, partner, but you are adorable. I would even go as far as calling you cute."

"Arrrgh…" Alex groaned and buried his head under a pillow.

"Either of you gentlemen hungry?" Walter asked when his stomach gurgled.

"I could eat," Fox said, "It’s nearly two," he added glancing at the clock.

"Let’s order something we can eat in bed," Walter suggested.

"Oooooh, someone really doesn’t want to get out of bed," Fox said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Someone is getting too old to go three straight hours of mind-blowing sex with two randy teenage wannabes," Walter said, stretching his arms over his head.

"Did he just insult us?" Alex asked, pulling the pillow off his face, "Did you just call me a teenage wannabe?"

"Yeah…what you gonna do about it," Walter asked teasingly.

Alex growled, "If I wasn’t so damned exhausted I would do something about it. Fox, you do something won't you?"

Walter glanced down and smiled, "I think your hero was more exhausted than you were. He’s sleeping."

"Always thought he was smart," Alex said after a jaw breaking yawn. "Oh…you are hungry, I forgot…I’ll… yawn…I’ll go…uhm…" he didn’t finish his sentence as he slowly drifted off.

Walter looked down at his slumbering lovers and smiled. Putting his hands behind his head, he puffed out his chest as he said to himself, "You’ve still got it, Walt old boy. You still got it."

"I’ll get it," Alex shouted as he bounded down the stairs to answer the door bell. Taking a quick look through the peep hole, he smiled as he opened the door, "Eve, how are you?"

"Hello, Alex," Eve Fitzpatrick, their neighbor and close friend, said with an equally pleased smile.

"Come in," Alex said stepping aside. "All ready for tomorrow's festivities?" he asked as he followed her into the living room. He was referring to the Haunted House that Eve was setting up at her place for the kids of the neighborhood kids, to be followed by an adult party.

"Well, that is what I’m here to talk to you about. I have a little problem."

"What problem?"

"My sister called from Philadelphia. She fell and broke her ankle. Her husband is out of town and can’t get back for two days and she asked if I could go help her. I’m in a real bind here, Alex. Neil has been looking forward to this party for a very long time," Eve said, referring to her six year old foster son whom she had taken in when his father and brothers had either died or been taken into custody after a failed attempt against Alex’s life.

"What can I do to help?" Alex asked, not able to picture how he could be of any use to her.

"Do you think you, Fox, and Walter could run the Haunted House? It would only be from six to eight and then the adult party after that. Everyone is coming and I would hate to cancel at the last minute, not so much for the adults but for the kids."

"I…I don’t know. I really don’t know much about Halloween or Haunted Houses."

"But I do," Walter said as he entered the room just having overheard the request, "Hi, Eve."

"Hello, Walter," she said smiling as he kissed her cheek. "Where is Fox?"

"He’ll be down in a minute. He's just finishing up some notes on his new novel."

"Eve’s sister broke her ankle and Eve needs us to run the house for the kids. Walter," Alex explained. "What do you know about running a Haunted House?"

"I have four younger siblings and we come from a very close community. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. My folks always had a Haunted House; when I was older, I helped with it. It’s a blast."

"It is all set up all. You would have to do is take the kids through it, making sure no one trips or hurts themselves. There is refreshments and candy of course."

"Sounds like fun doesn’t it, Alex," Walter said and frowned slightly at Alex’s concerned look. He made a mental note to ask his lover what was worrying him after Eve left. "I’m sure Fox would love to do it."

"So what are you guys wearing?"

"What do you mean?" Walter asked confused by the question.

"Well, are the costumes you were planning on wearing to the adult party scary enough you can wear them to the kids party? The kid's theme is come as your favorite superhero, but that was mostly for the kids in Neiley’s class. The neighborhood kids will come in whatever costume they want."

"Costumes. We were supposed to get costumes? I think we missed that on the invitation," Walter said. "Don’t worry, Eve. We’ll come up with something."

"You don’t know how much this means to me and to Neiley. He was heartbroken at the thought of having the party cancelled. He was looking forward to it and to being dressed up. He has a big surprise for you, Alex."

"For me? What is it?"

"You’ll have to wait and see. Well I better get going. Ann Potts is taking Neil for tonight and she will take him to school with her in the morning. She’ll keep him with her until it’s time for the trick-or-treating, then Dana and John said they would take him home for the night." Standing up she said, "Thank you so much, guys. This really is great of you to do in such short notice. I’m sorry to rush but I have to catch the plane to Philadelphia in two hours. Here is the spare key to the house. You’ll find everything you need already set up. You might want to get there a little early just to get the feel of the place."

Once they were alone, Walter grabbed Alex and pulled him into a bear hug, "So Little Rat, what’s the nose scrunching for?"

"What?"

"When you are worried about something or thinking hard, the bridge of your nose gets all scrunched up."

"It does?" Alex said and then crossed his eyes trying to look at the bridge of his nose which made Walter laugh.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about," Fox said, as he joined them. "Why is Alex crossed eyed?"

"Long story," Walter said. "Hey, Eve was here and asked us to run the Haunted House for her. Seems she has a family emergency and didn’t want to disappoint the kids."

"Cool. I love Haunted Houses. What are we gonna wear? Maybe I could be a skeleton or maybe a mummy. I could lay down in a coffin. I have some experience with that. Do you think Eve has a coffin? Hey maybe we can teach Murphy to howl. That’d be scary. Do you think we should take our candy over to Eve’s so we don’t run out? What do you think the kids are going to be wearing this year?"

Alex and Walter looked at each other in amusement at the torrent of words and ideas Fox had just unleashed. Alex knew of only one way of shutting his lover up... well, there where actually two ways but kissing him would be quicker than trying to stuff his dick down Mulder’s throat.

"What was that for?" Fox asked, when Alex broke the kiss.

"We have a lot to do before tomorrow and I didn’t think you were going to stop talking long enough to get everything done," Alex said grinning.

"Alexei is right, Fox," Walter agreed, "We need to get costumes and I, for one, want to check out the house to get the lay out."

"I’m ready when you are," Fox said, "I know this place in Georgetown were we might find some costumes."

"Do I want to know how you know of this place?" Walter asked raising an eyebrow.

"Nah, you don’t," Fox said grinning widely.

"No."

"But…"

"No tights."

"But…"

"It’ll be your butt if you don’t stop showing me those silly costumes, Fox," Walter growled to the younger man.

"What’s wrong with tights, Walter?" Fox argued, "You have great legs and an awesome ass."

"Fox," Walter hissed, "We are in a public place."

"That happens to be empty at this time," Fox said looking around, "Everyone already has their costumes. We don’t have much to pick from."

"What about this?" Alex asked holding up frilly shirt and tight riding pants. "I think it’s supposed to be Zorro? I need something with long sleeves."

"How about a theme for the three of us?" Fox suggested. "We could go as Batman and Robin."

"What does that make me? Batgirl?" Alex asked with a smirk.

"I thought of you as Robin and I could be Alfred the Butler," Fox said rolling his eyes.

"I like the idea of a theme, Fox but I think we want to go as something scary," Walter reminded him.

"This is too hard. We should just pick anything and get going," Alex said with a sigh.

"Blasphemy!" Fox said in shock, "Picking out the perfect costume is critical to the success of the Halloween experience."

"Yesterday we weren’t even thinking of going to the party," Alex reminded him, "Now it’s a big deal."

"Alex, what’s wrong?" Walter asked, "You don’t seem to be into the spirit of the day. Halloween is fun."

Alex shrugged and said, "I never had a Halloween before. I mean I know what it is but I never did any of the regular Halloween stuff."

"Then we are going to have to change that wont we Fox," Walter said as he wrapped his arm around the Russian’s shoulder and hugged him.

"Most definitely," Fox said with a grin, "This is gonna be a Halloween you aren’t ever going to forget."

"Can’t wait," Alex said but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"I am not going trick-or-treating and that’s final," Alex said crossing his arms and sticking out his lower lip.

"Alex, we want you to experience everything about Halloween," Fox said, "And besides someone has to take Neiley out. Walter and I are going to the house to get everything ready."

"Why can’t you take Neil?"

"Because I’ve done my share of trick-or-treating and Walter and I want you to experience the Haunted House with the rest of the kids."

"You calling me a kid, Foxlet?" Alex said with a growl.

"Fox, stop teasing him," Walter said and landed a solid slap to the naked backside in front of him, "You need to get dressed."

"He doesn’t want to go, Walter," Fox said, with a definite whine to his voice.

"I heard and he is going," Walter said, giving Alex a steady glare, "He won't disappoint Neil. Will you, Alex?"

"No," Alex grumbled. "But Walter, why do I have to go dressed up. Can’t I just change when I return from walking Neiley?"

"You could but it wouldn’t be as much fun," Walter said, "Come on, Alexei, get in the spirit. Have I ever steered you wrong? And I mean, after we got together, of course."

"No, you haven’t," Alex admitted, "Okay I’ll take your word for it. You're sure no one is going to laugh at me?"

"No one would dare," Fox said grinning, "You are one cool looking Luke Skywalker."

"And Walter is one cool looking Darth Vader," Alex said.

"I just hope I can breathe with that helmet on," Walter said.

"I hope so ‘cause once the party is over I want to get fucked by Darth Vader and you better be able to breathe," Fox said with a leer.

"Fox I have to very shortly get into some very tight pants," Walter growled, "I don’t need to have a hard on all night thinking about what you just said. But I have to admit that making love to Han Solo is not a bad thing to think about."

The doorbell ringing stopped any further conversation. Walter pushed the naked Fox up the stairs and gave Alex one more reassuring smile before opening the door.

"HELLO, MISTER WALTER!" fifteen little voices yelled as soon as he opened the door startling him for a moment.

"What do we have here?" he asked smiling at the little gathering.

"They insisted on going trick-or-treating with Neil and Alex. I got their parents okay since they are all going you know where after they are done," Ann Potts said smiling.

"Where is Alex?" Neil Faraday asked.

"Right here," Alex said stepping from behind Walter, "Hey, Neiley, kids."

"HI MISTER ALEX," the children chorused loudly as if they were not standing inches from the pair.

"You look cool, Alex," Neiley said, "You look just like Luke Skywalker."

"He is cuter," Danni, the Dana Scully look-a-like, now dressed as a miniature Rogue from the X-men said.

Spiderman Jett lifted the bottom of his mask so he could add, "Danni is in love with Mister Alex."

"Am not," Danni said indignantly and punched him in the arm.

"Hey, hey, none of that," Alex said, "If you guys can’t behave, I can’t take you to get candy."

"I can guess at most of your costumes kids but Neil I’m having a hard time figuring out who you are supposed to be," Walter said looking at the six year old. The boy was dressed in black jeans, a white tee-shirt, a very small leather jacket and matching boots.

"I know who he is," Fox said, as he joined his lovers, "Hi kids."

"HI MISTER FOX!"

"So Fox, who is Neiley supposed to be?" Alex asked.

"Shall I tell him Neil or do you want to?" Fox said with a twinkle in his eye.

The shy boy shook his head and said, "You."

"Well Alex the theme is superheroes. Neil got dressed up as his own personal hero. You."

"What?" Alex said in total surprised. It had never entered his mind that the young boy would do such a thing. He had been instrumental in saving the child’s life when Neil’s own family had kidnapped him to make it look like Alex had but the young Russian never suspected the little boy held him in such high esteem that he would consider him a hero.

"I see it now," Walter said grinning widely, "Good choice, Neiley. Good choice." He looked at Alex and saw that the younger man was taken totally by surprise and was struggling to find the words to express himself. "Alex, I think that you and your gang of superheroes need to get going or all the candy is going to disappear."

Alex snapped out of his thoughts and said, "Oh sure. Okay, guys, let’s go get some candy and play some tricks."

"YEAH!" the children shouted in glee and rushed to the sidewalk.

"Shit, Walter I don’t know any tricks," Alex said in sudden realization.

"Don’t worry Alex," Ann Potts said, coming to his rescue. "We had a party at school today and gave the kids a list of safe, non-destructive tricks they can play. Mostly jokes and riddles. I just hope they remember them. We tried to keep them simple."

"Okay," Alex said still unconvinced this was such a great idea, but too much of a man to admit he was scared. "Wish me luck."

"You’ll do fine, Alex," Walter assured him as his lover went to join his troupe of mini-superheroes.

"He looks like he is going to an execution," Ann said with a laugh.

"Yeah…his own," Fox said as he and Walter joined in the laughter.

"This house it too dark, Mister Alex," Belinda said fearfully as she looked up at the gloomy house in front of them.

"It’s my house," Neil said, "But my Mommy is not here. She had to go to see Phil somebody."

"She went to Philadelphia," Alex corrected, "Okay guys, I know this house looks kinda scary but I think we can get lots of candy and maybe play some more tricks. What do you say?"

Less than enthusiastic ‘Yeahs’ greeted the idea but the group made their way up slowly up the path. Even Alex jumped when the front door opened with a loud creak and a dog howled. Ushering the kids into the house, Alex looked around, trying to spot either of his lovers, but the house was very dark, lit only by purple, red and blue lights.

He had just crossed the threshold when the door closed mysteriously behind making some of the kids squeal.

"It’s alright, kids," Alex said swallowing hard and trying to keep his cool exterior. ‘How bad could this be?’ he thought to himself, ‘They wouldn’t do anything to scare the little kids too badly. I hope.’

"Welcome to my home," a deep resonant voice said from behind them and the whole group spun on their heels to face the stranger.

There bigger than life, sitting in an ornate chair was Walter. Or at least Alex thought it was Walter. The man who was sitting on the chair was wearing a cloak that covered him from head to toe. The only body part visible were his hands, one of which held a large staff.

"This…this…is my…my house," Neil stuttered from behind Alex’s leg.

"Not tonight," the cloaked man said, "Tonight this is my house and all my friends are here to make sure you have fun."

"Fu…fun?" Danni asked timidly, "It’s too scary."

"But scary is fun," the stranger said, "If you don’t believe me just go up the stairs. Just follow my friend."

"Friend?" Jett asked and then squealed when a hand landed on his shoulder. "HELP!"

Alex turned to do battle with whatever heinous creature had scared his young charge and almost fell backwards at the sight of what appeared to be a very large monkey. A large blue monkey to be exact.

"This is my friend, Beast," the man said trying to hold back a chuckle at not only the children’s but Alex’s reaction to the appearance of the blue furred thing. "He will take you on a tour of my house."

Beast put out his hand to the closest child to him and said, "Follow me."

The kids looked up to Alex who smiled at them and said, "It’s alright, kids. I’m sure Mister…Beast will take care of us."

"Just the kids, young man," the stranger on the chair said ominously. "For you we have something else."

Trying to keep his voice calm, Alex said, "I much rather go with them…you know to make sure they are alright."

Waving his hand dismissively the man said, "I rule this house, young man, and you would be smart not to forget it if you know what is good for you. Besides the kids are already gone."

"What?" Alex said turning around and noticing for the first time that the children where indeed gone. How they had managed to get fifteen children out of the room without him hearing them, he would never know. He turned back to ask Walter what the hell he had done when to his immense surprise he found that the chair was empty. "Waa…Walter?"

"The Master is waiting for you downstairs," a voice at his right elbow said, making him jump again.

"Who? What?" Alex said as he looked at a blond headed kid of about fifteen who appeared to have a large bloody gash running from one side of his neck to the other. He thought he recognized him but was too shocked with the situation to do much about it. "Where…where did you say?"

"Just follow the blood trail," the boy said pointing to the floor when Alex saw a glowing red line on the floor that actually did look like blood.

When he looked up to question the boy, he found himself alone again. ‘Damn they are good,’ he thought to himself and decided to simply play alone. If Walter and Fox wanted him to enjoy Halloween he would oblige them, but there was no way in hell that he was going to let them scare him... after all he had seen worse things that either of his lovers could throw at him in a children’s Haunted House.

Following the blood trail, Alex entered what he thought was the kitchen. When he reached the basement door he opened it carefully as was dismayed to find only a blue light bulb lighting the way. He took a hesitant step and screeched in astonishment when his foot gave way and he began to slide down the stairs.

Almost immediately, upon landing on his butt at the bottom of the slide, he jumped to his feet and looked around, trying to get his bearings. He knew he was in the basement but he would not have recognized it as such. The room was draped with heavy curtains forming a sort of tunnel. Alex began to move through the tunnel and felt relatively safe for the first four minutes when all of a sudden the room was filled with very loud screams and flashing lights.

"SHIT!" Alex cursed when he jumped involuntarily. He tried to cover his ears to no avail as the noise was deafening, but almost as soon as it started, the noise stopped. Alex tried to get his breathing under control and said, "Very funny, guys. You can come out now." When nothing but silence greeted his words he took a deep breath and resumed his journey. He could feel cold air wafting from somewhere and could have sworn someone kept running their fingers at the back of his neck.

He had not taken more than a dozen steps when he felt strong hand grab his arms and pull him backwards.

"Hey! What the hell," Alex yelled as he struggled against his captors. When he was released he was in what he assumed was another part of the tunnel-maze. This room was full empty save for a table nicely set up in the middle of the room. In the center of the table was a large platter covered with a silver dome. Alex approached the table very slowly and put his hand on the dome and pulled it back twice before taking a deep breath and saying out loud, "I wonder want will jump out at me and scare me?" He expected some flying animal such as a bat to fly out from under the dome so when he lifted the lid and found the wide open eyes of Fox Mulder staring at him from his apparently severed head.

"AAAAH!" Alex screamed as he tossed the silver lid right at Fox’s head before running out of the room as fast has his legs could take him.

"Owww," Fox yelled when the lid hit him on the head.

"Fox, are you alright?" Walter asked coming out of the shadows from where he had been watching the whole thing. He helped Mulder to come out from under the table and checked him for any injury.

"Yeah. I’ve got a hard head," Fox said with a smile, "Man, did he freak out."

"We may have overdone this a bit, Fox," Walter said worriedly.

"It’s a Haunted House, Walter," Fox said, "We are supposed to scare him."

"Remember he’s never experienced anything like this before," Walter reminded him, "We better go find him."

The pair made their way down the darkened passages and where almost back to the bottom of the stairs when Alex jumped out of them out of the darkness. Both Walter and Fox screamed in surprise and then scowled as they heard Alex laughing hysterically.

"Very funny, brat," Walter growled but could not help but join in the laughter when his heart regained its normal pace.

"You scared the shit out of me," Fox said, "That wasn’t funny, Alex."

"Oh and having me find your severed head was?" Alex said brining his laughter under control, "You guys should see your face. Funniest thing I’ve ever seen. You are right, I’m never gonna forget this night. The look on your faces will be imprinted in my memory forever."

"And my hand will be imprinted in your bottom forever if you scare me like that again," Mulder said still angry at having the tables turned on him.

"Who was just telling me this is a Haunted House and we should be scared," Walter asked.

"Oh well it different when it’s me," Fox said but then smiled. Turning to Alex he said, "At least you are enjoying yourself."

"Sure am," Alex said with a wide grin, "And speaking of enjoying, I wonder how the kids like the house?"

"Lets go check," Walter suggested, "It’s almost time for their parents to come collect them and we still have to check on the other volunteers that have been helping give the kids tours."

"Uhm…guys? How the hell are we supposed to get up the slide?" Alex asked looking at where the stairs were supposed to be.

"Shit!" Fox and Walter said in unison.

"Good night, bye, drive carefully, bye," Walter, Fox and Alex were saying as their adult guests began filling out of the house.

The Haunted House had been a huge success and the party after had gone on well into the early morning hours. The trio had enjoyed spending time with their friends and had made sure to take several pictures of the party to show Eve what she had missed.

Alex was sure it would be a long time before he would forget the sight of Dana Katherine Scully dressed exactly like Lucy while the always serious John Doggett made a believable Ricky Ricardo, even if his Cuban accent left a lot to be desired.

Monica Reyes came decked out as Xena Warrior Princess with Kim as Gabrielle and the Gunmen often referred to as the Three Stooges came dressed as just that. Everyone thought Walter made an imposing Vader and when he and Alex held a mock lightsaber fight everyone applauded. Of course everyone was a little tipsy to begin with.

"So gentlemen, I say this Halloween is one to be remembered," Walter said putting his arms around both of his boys. What do you say we go home? We can come back tomorrow to clean this place up."

"So Little Rat, did you have a good Halloween?" Fox asked as the trio made their way home on foot.

"It was great," Alex said enthusiastically. "I really appreciate all you guys did to make it happen for me."

"Our pleasure," Walter said, happy to see his lover so exited. "What was your favorite part?"

"The candy I bet," Fox said, "We know how much he likes chocolate."

"The candy is nice but I like the tricking part of trick-or-treating best," Alex confided.

"What do you mean?" Fox asked, "What kind of tricks did you guys play?"

"The kids did a bunch of knock-knock jokes," Alex said grinning, "Want to hear one?"

"Sure," Fox said before Walter could stop him.

"Knock-knock."

"Who’s there?" Fox asked dutifully.

"Alex."

"Alex who?"

"Alex the questions around here!" Alex delivered the line with all the glee of a six year old. "Did you like it? I have another one."

Before either man could say anything he launched into another joke.

"Knock-knock."

"Who’s there?"

"Walter."

"Walter who?" this time Walter asked the questions.

"Walter-wall carpeting!"

Walter groaned and shook his head, "Man, Alex those are bad."

"Wait I have one about Fox," Alex said ignoring the comment as they entered their house and headed up the stairs.

"Go ahead," Fox said sighing. Although he loved seeing Alex so exited the younger man’s jokes were truly awful.

"Knock-knock."

"Who’s there?"

"Fox?

"Fox who?"

"Fox the hundredth time my name is Alex!"

"Are they all that corny?" Fox asked as they took off their costumes and climbed into bed.

"Hey I least tell them all out at once," Alex said snuggling between his lovers, "Try hearing them delivered by a six year old that forgets the punch line half the time."

"Thank God for little miracles," Walter said as he yawned. "Good night boys. Sorry I don’t have the strength to do much more than cuddle tonight but I am exhausted."

"That’s alright, Walter," Fox said yawning as well. "’Night."

"Knock-knock."

"Oh come on, Alexei, go to sleep," Walter groaned.

"Just one more…I promise," Alex begged.

"Okay," Fox conceded defeat, "Who’s there?"

"Summer."

"Summer who?"

"Summer are good and some are bad," Alex delivered the line amidst an attack of the giggles.

Walter looked over the giggling body at Fox and they shared a silent understanding. As one they pounced on their lover and began to mercilessly tickle him.