Title: Hygieia, Chapter 13, Part 1 of ?

Author: Kendall

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

Fandom: X-Files

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: S/M/K.

Archive: All requests are welcomed

Date: September 5, 2003

Category: AU

Spoilers: None specifically

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

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

Series: Greek Gods

Summary: In sickness, and in health, takes on a new meaning with the boys.

NOTE 1: You will notice that I have gone from referring to Gabriel’s lover as Sully (from his last name Sullivan), to his first name Sawyer. It was getting too confusing between Sully, and Scully.

NOTE 2: Thank you Ursula for the Beta job, flawless as always.

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Hygieia (Goddess of Health)

"It’s good to be home," Alex Krycek exclaimed, as he opened the front door to their home.

"As much as I enjoyed these last few days with your brother, I agree, it’s great to be home," Walter Skinner said, as he followed him in.

The third member of their household, Fox Mulder, followed quietly behind, and set his bag down with a heavy thud.

"You all right, Foxlet?" Alex asked, worry lacing his words, "You haven’t said much since we took off."

"I’m fine," Fox said, his voice hoarse, He tried to clear it before saying, "Just jetlag, I guess. You guys mind if I crash, I’m beat."

"Sure thing, baby," Walter said, and kissed him on the forehead, "You feel a bit warm, maybe you are coming down with something."

"I’ll be okay," Fox said, with a weak smile. He actually felt like shit, but did not want to worry his lovers. They tended to become mother hens, and smother him with care; not that he minded most of the time, but at the moment all he wanted to do was sleep.

"Okay," Walter said, conceding, "Maybe if you take a cool shower, it’ll do you good."

"Thanks," Fox said, giving them a grateful smile, "I’ll unpack later."

"Don’t worry about it," Alex said, "I’m feeling fine, and I don’t want to unpack either."

When they were alone, Walter said, "He was warm, but not overly so."

Alex wrapped his arm around Walter’s waist, and pulled him into a hug, "It’s looking at you that does it Walter, you make anyone hot, and bothered."

Walter chuckled as he returned the hug, "You are insatiable, my little rat, but it is not going to get you out of unpacking."

Alex stuck out his lower lip in a pout, and said, "You wound me, sir; you think I am trying to seduce you, just to get out of packing?"

"Yes."

"Damn," Alex said, grinning widely, "You know me too well."

"And don’t you forget it," Walter said, kissing him on the tip of the nose, "But since Fox isn’t feeling well, I think we can leave the unpacking till later. I need to make some calls to the office."

"I still can’t believe you are retiring," Alex said, as he followed Walter to his office, "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"You and Fox have asked me that a million times since I told you," Walter said, taking a seat behind his desk, "If I didn’t know better, I would think you don’t want me to retire, so that I wouldn’t be around the house all day."

"That’s not it, and you know it," Alex said, leaning his hip on the desk, "We just want you to be happy. You worked really hard for the Deputy Directorship, and now you just want to give it up, just like that."

"Not just like that, Alex," Walter said, "I have been working for twenty four years, most of those year without a vacation. It cost me a marriage, and several times it almost cost me my life. I don’t want to sacrifice anything else to my career especially not you and Fox! You needed me to be there for you when you met Lucca, and I couldn’t because of the job. That's what made my decision. Besides, when I explained it to the Director he was very understanding. He wants me to stay on as a consultant, and to teach at the academy. It will give me all the freedom I need to spend time with you guys, and not get bored."

"I’m glad you are retiring then," Alex said, leaning over the desk, and planting a kiss on Walter’s bald scalp. "It’ll be nice to come home to a good home-cooked meal, after a long day at the office."

Walter’s grin split his face, as he said, "You are a brat, you know that? I’m not going to become June Cleaver."

"Why not? I could be Ward, and the Beav is probably asleep upstairs," Alex said, and walked to the door, "I’ll leave you to your calls. I’m going to call the hotel to make sure Gabriel, and Sawyer arrived okay."

"They should have stayed with us," Walter said, "We really should think about buying a bigger house. When we turned the second bedroom into an office, we didn’t know about your brothers."

"We’ll talk with Fox about it later," Alex said, liking the idea, "But I kind of like this house, it’s my…"

When he stopped speaking, Walter looked at him for a moment, and then said, "This is your first home isn’t it? That’s what you were going to say?"

"Yes."

"Just remember that anywhere the three of us are, is home," Walter said, and returned the smile his lover gave him.

"Everyone settled in okay?" Walter asked, as he stepped out of his office a couple of hours later.

"Yep," Alex said, "They are going to relax at the hotel tonight, and join us for dinner tomorrow night. Oh, and Scully called."

"I forgot they would be back from their honeymoon already," Walter said, "What did she have to say?"

"Nothing much. They had a great time, and that she thinks the boys aged two years, not two weeks since they’ve been gone," Alex said with a grin. "They’ll stop by tomorrow. I didn’t tell her about the retirement, I figured you would want to do that yourself."

"Thanks, I would," Walter said, "What do you want to do for dinner?"

"Not really in the mood to cook. You?" Alex said, and when Walter shook his head, added, "Pizza?"

"Nah. After the pizza place Lucca took us to in Rome, I don’t think I could look at pizza here the same way," Walter said. "I still can’t believe he took us in his private jet."

"Pretty cool," Alex agreed, "Although he didn’t look particularly pleased, when we choose pizza for dinner. I think he is more the caviar and champagne type."

"He was a good sport," Walter said, "So Chinese?"

"I’ll go ask Fox, what he feels like having," Alex said, as he headed upstairs.

"If he is asleep, don’t wake him," Walter said.

Five minutes later Alex returned, and said, "He says he is not hungry, just wants to sleep."

"Did you check his temperature?" Walter said, worried.

"Didn’t think about it," Alex admitted, "Besides, he didn’t look like he wanted anyone touching. He is all wrapped up in the comforter like a cocoon."

"I’ll check on him after dinner," Walter said, "Maybe all he needs is sleep."

"Okay," Alex said, "But what do we do while we wait for the food?"

Walter looked at him, and couldn’t help but grin at the obvious insinuation, "How about we get to that unpacking now?" The look of disbelief on Alex’s face, made Walter chuckle out loud.

"Oh, you," Alex said, punching him on the shoulder, "You had me going there for a minute."

Walter pulled Alex to him, and held him in his strong arms, "So, how about I call the order in, and tell them to take their time."

"And what will I be doing in the meantime?" Alex said, looking up into the chocolate orbs, he loved so much.

"I thought maybe you could start a fire, and set the pillows by the fireplace," Walter said, rocking gently against the body in his arms, smiling at the feeling of the obvious erection Alex was sporting.

"I’m on it," Alex said, and kissed Walter deeply, before breaking the hug.

"And soon, I hope to be in you," Walter said, wobbling his eyebrows, and grinned as Alex visibly gulped and ran his tongue over his suddenly dry lips.

"Al…ex" Walter’s words died on his lips as he entered the living room, and saw his lover sleeping peacefully by the fireside. Alex had managed to arrange the pillows by the fireplace, and had even lit the fire, which was burning steadily, bathing the whole room in a warm glow. Walter had to remember to breathe, as he took in the beautiful sight before him. Alex, always the eager little beaver…err rat, had taken off all his clothes, and even removed the prosthetic arm, and was lying on his front over several large, colorful throw pillows. His skin glowed, with the light from the fire, and the highlights in his hair shimmered playfully.

Deciding that such a vision should not be disturbed, Walter returned to the kitchen, and put the food away. Stopping by his office, he picked up some papers he wanted to read before the next day, and settled himself in his stuffed chair, to watch Alex sleep.

Three hours later, his eyes too tired to continued focusing on the reports in front of him, Walter decided to call it a night. Kneeling next to the still sleeping Alex, Walter said in a low whisper, "Alexei, time to wake up, dear."

Alex scrunched up his nose, as he burrowed his brow. Shaking his head, and burying his face unto the pillow, he said, "Five more minutes."

Walter smiled, and tried again, "Lexi, you better get up, or you’ll be late for school."

Again, Alex’s brows came together in confusion as he tried to process the information. Finally giving up, he opened his eyes, and frowned at Walter, "What…uhm…what’s going on?"

"Time to get up, baby," Walter said, helping Alex sit up, "We need to get to bed."

"Bed? What about dinner?" Alex said, yawning widely. "What time is it?"

"Almost ten," Walter said, as both of them came to their feet.

"Ten! I fell asleep," Alex exclaimed, not believing that he had actually fallen asleep. "I can’t believe it…you mean…we didn’t…you know."

Walter, could not help but chuckle at the look of incredulity on his lover’s face, and said, "No we didn’t, and it’s all right. You were tired; it was a long trip. Besides, I think we better go see how Fox is doing."

As they climbed the stairs together, Alex kept shaking his head as he said, "I can’t believe I fell asleep."

"Before you start worrying your pretty little head about loosing your edge, you only fell asleep because you felt safe," Walter said, hugging him tightly to him.

"You think I have a pretty little head," Alex said, grinning slyly, while batting his long lashes suggestively.

"Yes, both of them," Walter said, playfully grabbing at Alex’s crotch. Reaching the door to their room, he became serious, and said, "Keep quiet, he is probably still sleeping."

The two men entered the bedroom, to find that Fox was indeed still asleep, only the top of his head visible over the large comforter.

"I’m going to jump in the shower," Walter whispered to Alex, "Want to join me?"

"Sure," Alex said, nodding eagerly, "Let me just check on Foxlet, okay?"

Walter nodded, as he headed towards the bathroom. Less than thirty seconds later, he was rushing out to the sound of Alex’s yelling his name. "What the hell?"

"He is burning up," Alex said, as he sat next to an unconscious Fox, "He won't wake up either."

"Calm down, Alex," Walter said, moving to Fox’s side of the bed, and taking a seat. He put his hand on Fox’s forehead, and frowned at the intense heat radiating from the younger man’s body, "There is a digital thermometer in the bathroom, can you go get it?" As Alex ran to get the requested object, Walter tried to wake up his sick lover, "Fox, Fox honey, I need you to wake up."

"Yes, baby," Walter said soothingly, "Fox, you are burning up, I’m going to take your temp okay?"

"I know Fox, but I have to do it," Walter said, as he tried to gently place the thermometer in Fox’s ear. "Fox stop struggling; it’ll hurt more."

Alex watched as tears streamed down Fox’s cheeks, "It’ll be okay, Fox, Walter knows what to do." Looking at Walter he added, "You do know what to do, don’t you?"

"Depending on how high his temp is, we might need to get him to a hospital," Walter said.

"Well see, Fox," Walter said, not wanting to lie to his lover. Taking the thermometer out of Fox’s ear, he read the results, "One-oh-three point three. That’s very high Fox, I think we need to take you to the hospital."

"Walter, can’t we just call Scully," Alex suggested, seeing how upset Fox was getting, "Maybe she can give him something."

"Okay, okay," Walter said, not being able to hold out under twin puppy-dog stares. "Alex, call Dana, and let her know what’s going on. I’ll go downstairs, and get him some juice."

"First of all you’ll need to get his temperature down," Scully said, as she sat with Walter and Alex in the kitchen. "I’ve called the pharmacy to send over some medicine that will help with the sore throat, and the congestion, and also something to settle his stomach."

"Sorry about him throwing up all over you," Alex said, sheepishly, "I didn’t know he would do that."

"I have nine-month’s old twins, I’m used to them throwing up on me," Scully said, with a smile.

"Shouldn’t we take him to the hospital?" Walter said, bringing the conversation back to Fox.

"He is very insistent he does not want to go to the hospital, and I hesitate to push him into it," Scully said, "His state of mind is going to be very important in his recovery. Knowing how he feels about hospitals, I don’t want him to be unnecessarily upset. I think the best thing for right now is to give him the medication, keep his temperature down with cool baths, and your own special brand of care."

"Our own special brand of care?" Alex asked, confused.

"Tender loving care," Scully said, with a smile, as she patted Walter’s knee. "I’ll get going now, but call me when the medicine gets here, and if you have any questions."

"Thanks Dana," Walter said, as he took her hand, and walked her to the door, "We really appreciate it, especially since you just got back yourself."

"No problem," Scully said, grinning, "That is what neighbors are for. Good night."

When she was out the door, Walter turned to Alex, and said, "So Nurse Krycek, you ready to give our boy some TLC?"

"Why do I get to be the nurse," Alex said, with an exaggerated pout, "Why can’t I be the doctor?"

"Can you picture me in a nurse's uniform?" Walter said with a chuckle, as they started up the stairs.

"Actually, I have," Alex said, with a giggle as he took off running up the stairs, trying to avoid the swat Walter was aiming for his butt.

"Hey little brother, you look dead on your feet," Gabriel said, as he joined his twin in the kitchen.

"Fox had a really rough night," Alex said, yawning. "Walter had to go to work, so I stayed up most of the night with him."

"Well, I’m here now, and I’ve taken care of a lot of sick people in my time, so I’ll be glad to help."

Shaking his head, Alex said, "Thanks…but, it’s my responsibility. He takes care of me, and I take care of him."

"And you do a marvelous job," Gabriel said, and helped Alex to his feet without much resistance from the other man, "How about you just take a little nap, and I’ll keep an eye on Fox."

"Maybe a little nap," Alex said, as Gabriel guided towards the couch. Taking a seat, he looked up at his brother, and said, "Thanks Gabriel. I’m glad you are going to live in D.C."

"Well, it depends if Sawyer gets the job at the hospital," Gabriel said, draping a large afghan cover over Alex, as the other man settled on the couch.

"I’m sure he will," Alex said, yawning again, "You can get a house in the neighborhood."

"And we can bake cookies together, and I’ll coach the little league team," Gabriel said, with a chuckle. "Go to sleep, Alexei. "

"Okay," Alex said, and before his next breath, he was asleep.

Gabriel looked down at his sleeping brother, and smiled. He was keeping his fingers crossed that his lover would indeed be able to transfer to George Washington Hospital, and that they would be living near his brother. He would of course had been happy living anywhere Sawyer Sullivan was, but the added bonus of living in the same side of the continent as one of his brothers, was great.

He went upstairs to check on Fox, and was happy to see him sleeping. Maybe the afternoon would go smoothly after all.

"Walter, can you talk some sense into your lover, please," Gabriel said, as he handed Sawyer a plate of potatoes.

"What did he do?" Walter said, accepting the salad, Alex was handing him.

"I’ve been good as gold," Alex said, trying, but not succeeding at looking angelic. "I don’t know what he is talking about."

"What did he do?" Walter asked again, this time smiling as he tapped Alex on the nose.

"The school called, and asked if he could substitute for a couple of days, and he said he couldn’t," Gabriel explained, "I told him I’d be happy to take care of Fox, but he said no."

"Why not Alex," Walter said, looking at his lover, "Fox’s temp is down, and both Sawyer and Dana checked him over. He’ll be sick for a few more days, but unless he doesn’t overexert himself, there is no danger of it developing into pneumonia."

"I know, but I don’t want him to think we are abandoning him," Alex said.

"We’ll talk to him, I’m sure he’ll understand…what the hell was that?" Walter said, surprised by a loud, clanging noise from upstairs.

Gabriel looked at him sheepishly, and said, "I gave Fox a bell, so he wouldn’t have to strain his voice. It was the only one I could find."

"Sounds like one of those cowbells," Sawyer said, with a grin, as the clanging continued.

"It is," Walter said, "My mother gave it to Alex. The last time he was at the farm, and tried to sneak out to the barn, to meet Fox and I, he accidentally stepped on the cat, and woke up the whole house. She said, using the bell to announce where he was going would be less noisy."

Alex had turned a very nice shade of red, as Walter finished the amusing anecdote, and cleared his throat, and said, "I think, I’ll go see what Fox wants."

"I’ll go with you," Walter said, with a grin as he put his arm across Alex’s shoulders. "Let’s go cow-boy."

"Don’t. Call. Me. Cowboy," Alex said, gritting his teeth, and poking Walter on the side.

"Oh I think you’d look real good in chaps," Walter said, as they walked out of the kitchen. When he thought they were out of earshot of the other couple, he leaned down, and whispered, "And nothing else."

Unfortunately, for both of them, they were not as far away as they had thought, when the heard Sawyer call out, "Ride them cowboy," followed by Gabriel’s, "Yeeeehaa!"

"Of course we love you Fox," Walter said soothingly, as he pulled the covers down. "But you are well enough for Alex and I to leave you a few hours a day with Gabriel. He is going to take real good care of you."

"It’s just for a couple of days Fox," Alex said, "They really need me to sub for the kindergarten class. The kids know me, and…"

"You want us to bring you a pheasant?" Walter said, trying not to laugh at Fox’s expression. "I thought you were more of a chicken man, but…"

"Maybe he meant a peasant," Alex said, his lips twitching, "You know, from the fields."

"We’ll bring you presents, if you promise to be good for Gabriel," Walter said, leaning down to kiss Fox’s forehead.

"Good one, Fox," Alex said, giggling at the look of total disgust on Walter’s face.

"I thought you had promised Walter, you would behave," Gabriel said, staring down at the glaring Fox on the bed. "You are not being particularly well behaved at the moment."

Gabriel had been taking care of Fox for the last two days, and his patience was wearing thin. Although Mulder’s fever had remained below the one-hundred mark, he was still experiencing severe bouts of coughing, his nose still ran continuously, and his stomach had not settled enough for him to keep much food down. All these things combined to make for a very cranky former F.B.I agent.

To make matters worse, he had almost completely lost his voice, and was now communicating via sign language, facial expressions, and when both of those were unsuccessful, he used the dry erase board that Alex had used before.

"Don’t glare at me Fox, you know you have to take the medication to loosen all that phlegm in your lungs. Both Dana and Sawyer said it would help get you better faster."

Fox shook his head, and pulled the comforter over his head, in a very clear indication that as far as he was concerned the conversation was officially over.

"Fox, I know you think of me as a very kind, even-tempered man, who gets his patience from the good Lord, and for the most part you would be rights," Gabriel said, his voice low, and non-threatening. "But let me assure you that I can get my way when necessary, and you really don’t want to make me mad. Now I want you to come out from under there, and take your medicine."

The only body part that emerged from under the large comforter was Fox’s right had, middle finger extended in an undeniably rude gesture.

If Fox had been able to see Gabriel’s expression at the moment he would have thought twice about his actions. Unfortunately for him, he was still covered by the comforter, so he completely missed the blazing green eyes, and the set of the jaw that made Gabriel looked eerily like his twin, Alex.

"If that is the way you want it, so be it," Gabriel said, as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. He set the bottle of medication, and the spoon down, and pulled the covers down, away from Fox’s face. "This is your final warning, Fox. You need to take the medication so your lungs will get clear."

Fox’s eyes followed Gabriel’s movements as he opened the bottle of pink liquid, and poured some on the spoon. Just as Gabriel was about to put it up to Fox’s lips, Fox clamped his lips shut, turned his head, at the same time bringing up his left arm, to keep the spoon from reaching its destination.

His sudden movement caught Gabriel off guard, and the spoon flew out of his hand, spilling its contents all over the front of Gabriel’s shirt.

"Okay, I’ve had it," Gabriel said, his voice a near shout, "I’ve had the patience of Job, but there is a limit to everything." Standing up, he pulled the covers completely off Fox, and threw them towards the foot of the bed. In one swift motion, he grabbed hold of Fox’s right wrist and pulled, easily flipping the surprised man onto his stomach. It took Fox a second to realize what had happened, but he started struggling as soon as he felt Gabriel’s hand impact on his pajama-covered backside.

It wasn’t very hard for Gabriel to hold Fox down, and administer the punishment, since Fox was still very weak, but he wasn’t taking any chances. He let go of Fox’s wrist, and placed his free hand on the middle of the sick man’s back, as he continued to land spank after spank. He was not putting too much strength behind the slaps, not wanting to cause Fox pain, but enough to let him know he meant business. He felt sorry for the now crying man, but knew he had to stand his ground, or let Fox run the show.

Fox was lost in a world of pain at the moment. He certainly had not expected Gabriel to spank him, that was for sure, and the fact that he could not scream out in outrage, just added to his frustration. His throat was killing him, and the pain on his backside felt twice as worse as any of Walter’s spankings had ever produced.

After what seemed to Fox fifty spanks, but actually were less than two dozen, Gabriel stopped. He knew he had gotten his point across, when Fox’s crying changed from one of outrage to one of defeat. He watched as Fox’s shoulders shook with his sobbing, and his hands grabbed at the sheet beneath him.

"I’m sorry I had to do that, Fox," Gabriel said, taking his seat again, and stroking Fox’s back. "You are just tired, that is why you are so cranky. Once you take the medicine, you will feel better, I promise. Here, let’s try again."

Fox turned his head, and watched as Gabriel filled another spoonful of medicine. Pushing up onto his forearms, so his head was off the pillow, Fox opened his mouth, and meekly accepted the medication.

"Thank you, Fox," Gabriel said, meaning it. He wasn’t sure how Walter, and specially Alex, would react to the news he had spanked their lover, but at the moment, his biggest concern was Fox’s health. He would take the consequences of his actions, whatever they may be.

"What are you doing?" Sawyer Sullivan asked, as he entered the den to find his lover packing their things.

Both men had been sharing the sofa bed in the den, since Alex was sleeping in the guestroom. Walter had thought it would be better if only one of them stayed in the master bedroom with Fox, and they had flipped a coin. Walter had won, or lost depending on whom you asked.

"What does it look like I’m doing?" Gabriel said, as he stuffed, none too gently, a pair of trainers into a bag.

"Well, I can see what you are doing? But why?"

"Because, as soon as Walter and Alex come down they’ll be asking us to leave, and I just thought we would want to take our stuff with us," Gabriel said.

Sawyer walked up to his lover, and putting his hands on Gabriel’s shoulders guided him towards the couch, and pushed him down until he was seated. "And why do you think they’ll do that?"

"I spanked Fox, for God’s sake," Gabriel said, shaking his head, as if he couldn’t believe Sawyer didn’t see the problem. "Don’t you think they’ll take some exception to that?"

"I don’t see why? From what you told us, he deserved it," Sawyer said, rubbing his hand in gentle circles on Gabriel’s back.

Walter had picked up Sawyer at the hospital, and then stopped to pick up Alex at school, were he had stayed late to help with some decorations for an upcoming party. When the three men had come into the house, Gabriel quickly explained what had happened, what he had done about it, and after offering his apologies to his brother and Walter, had rushed into the downstairs bathroom.

Walter and Alex had left Sawyer to deal with Gabriel, as they went to check on Fox.

It had taken Sawyer almost ten minutes to get Gabriel to come out of the bathroom. Once he had managed to convince him that staying there would not help matters, he had gone to the kitchen to get them both a glass of wine, and that is where he had been coming from when he found Gabriel packing.

"But I had no right," Gabriel said.

"I’m sure that Walter and Alex will understand," Sawyer said, kissing the side of Gabriel’s face. "Walter told Fox to behave, and he didn’t."

"Yes, but they did not give me the right to punish him," Gabriel said, with despair. He was afraid that his actions would damage his relationship with his brother.

Walter’s voice calling their name interrupted whatever words of comfort Sawyer was about to give his lover.

"Okay, here it comes," Gabriel said, standing up, and sighing.

Sawyer put his arm around Gabriel’s shoulders, and said, "You look like you are going to your execution."

"I feel like it," Gabriel said, giving him a strained smile.

When they reached the master bedroom, they found Walter standing by the foot of the bed, his arms crossed over his chest, and Alex seated on the bed, next to an also seated Fox. Mulder’s eyes were still red-rimmed, but it looked recent, so Gabriel thought he must have been crying when he told his lovers how he had been attacked.

"Gabriel, Fox has something to tell you, but since he can’t talk, he wrote it down," Walter said, his face serious as he looked at his lover.

Fox, who was staring intently at his lap, raised his eyes, and looked at Gabriel. He took the dry-erase board from Alex, who gave him a sympathetic smile, and held it out towards Gabriel.

Gabriel stepped to the bed, and took it. He read it quickly; after all there was not much space to write.

He couldn’t help but chuckle as he read, ‘Sorry I was such an ass, you were right to beat mine."

"I’m sorry he gave you such a hard time," Walter said.

"And I’m sorry I took the liberty to punish him," Gabriel said.

"You shouldn’t apologize," Alex said, "You are family, you just did what you had to do."

"Remember that if you ever get sick, and you give me any trouble," Gabriel said, smiling widely.

"Oh, I don’t have anything to worry about. I never get sick," Alex said with confidence. "Unless I get injected with some evil Consortium experiment, or I am invaded by the Oiliens, I’m the picture of health."

Fox snorted, and rolled his eyes, as he pointed as his own chest.

"I think he is saying he too has been injected with stuff by the Consortium, and invaded by the Oiliens, and look at him now," Walter said with a smile.

"How in the world could you tell all that by him just pointing at his chest?" Sawyer said in awe.

"When you and Gabriel spend over ten years working, and living together, you’ll start reading each other’s minds too," Walter said. "Now, how about if Alex and I bring a tray up, and have dinner with Fox, and you and Sawyer go out to dinner. On Fox."

"Sounds like a plan, thanks," Gabriel said, smiling. "He is due for another dose in about twenty minutes. Do you want me to stay…"

"No, I think we can handle it," Walter said, and looked sternly at Fox. "Right Fox?"

In response, Fox coughed, and tried to look pitiful, as he leaned into Alex, who wrapped his arm around him.

Walter rolled his eyes, but laughed. "Have a great dinner you two. We’ll see you in the morning."

"That was great," Sawyer said, three hours later, as they returned from their dinner. "Remind me to thank Walter for the recommendation."

"I will," Gabriel said, quietly. "I guess they are probably asleep."

"That’d be my guess. It is nearly one, and Walter has work today. Does Alex have to go school as well?"

"Yes, until Friday I think," Gabriel said, as they headed towards the den, and he started to take off his clothes. "Nice of them to set the bed up for us," he added as he noted that the sofa bed was already made up. "Oh wow."

"What?" Sawyer said, as he came up behind his lover, and wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s waist. "Oh. Now don’t you feel silly about being worried they’d be mad at you."

"Yeah," Gabriel said softly, as he ran his finger over the bottle of Moet champagne that was chilling on a silver bucket by the bed. "What are you doing?" he asked when he felt Sawyer lick the back of his neck, before nipping at the wet flesh.

"What do you think I’m doing?" Sawyer whispered, as he bit the earlobe closest to him.

"We can’t," Gabriel said, "I mean, what if they hear us?"

"I don’t think Walter would have left us champagne, if he didn’t expect us to use it."

"Use it? What do you mean?" Gabriel asked as he turned around in his lover’s arms, to face him.

"Get naked, and I’ll show you," Sawyer said, and began to undress.

"Sawyer, you sure about this," Gabriel said, his eyes looking up towards the second floor.

"You do want to make love to me, don’t you?" Sawyer said, as he finished taking off his clothes.

"Of course, but…"

"No but, well except maybe you in mine…what? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Did…did you just say, you wanted me in you?"

"Yeah, what did you think I meant when I said I wanted you to make love to me?"

"I…I just…we…we just have never," Gabriel said, stammering over the words.

"Look Gabriel," Sawyer said, pushing him to sit on the bed, "I know you still have a hard time believing this, but I love you. I love you a lot. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. In that lifetime of togetherness, I want to be equal partners. I don’t want to top you all the time, I want to have you make love to me too."

"Okay."

"Okay? Just like that, okay," Sawyer said, smiling.

"Yeah, why fight destiny," Gabriel said, and leaned into Sawyer, toppling him backwards onto the bed. "So you ready?"

Sawyer chuckled, and said, "For you, always. How do you want me?"

"Uhm…I…I guess," Gabriel stammered, his earlier resolve about fighting destiny vanishing, "I guess on your back?"

"That a question?" Sawyer said, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I want you on your back, so I can look at your face," Gabriel said, with more confidence.

They arranged themselves on the bed, and as Gabriel settled between Sawyer’s upraised knees, he took a deep breath.

"What?" Sawyer asked.

"Nothing. Everything. You are so incredibly beautiful," Gabriel said, in a whisper.

"You aren’t to bad to look yourself," Sawyer said, smiling, "But I suggest you quit stalling, and get a move on, or I will explode, and we will not have a reason to use the champagne."

"How about I take care of that little problem first," Gabriel said, eyeing the erection that was poking in the stomach.

"Little? Who you calling…JEESUSS! Oh Gods, Gabey," Sawyer shouted in surprise, as Gabriel deep-throated him. All manner of thought vanished at the sensations Gabriel’s wicked tongue was creating, as it ran up and down, ever so slowly, over the sensitive skin of his cock. Biting his lower lip to keep from screaming, and waking the rest of the household, he reached for Gabriel’s head, and ran his fingers through the dark, silky hair. When his finally exploded, his cum spurting into Gabriel’s mouth, and he regained the power of speech, he asked, "Whe…where did you learn to…to do that?"

Licking the last of the cum from his lips, Gabriel said, "I read a lot."

Cocking an eyebrow in surprise, Sawyer said with mock seriousness, "That better be where you learned it."

Grinning widely, Gabriel said, "Want me to show you what else I learned?"

"Oh-oh, I think I’ve created a monster," Sawyer said, and nearly squealed when the wicked tongue went back to work, this time on the opening to his body, with an occasional swipe at his balls. He idly wondered where his chaste, sweet lover, had learned the art of rimming, but the as the tip of Gabriel’s tongue breached his hole for the second time, he decided he didn’t give a damn.

After a couple of minutes, Gabriel replaced his tongue with a finger, and then two. Slowly he worked the fingers to stretch the tight hole. He tried a third finger, and when he was satisfied that the muscles were relaxed enough, he reached over to the side table, and opened a small drawer. Taking out a tube of lube, he quickly coated his tumescent penis, and positioned himself at Sawyer’s opening. "You ready?"

The reply to his question came in the form of Sawyer’s long legs wrapping around his waist, and pulling him forward.

"I’ll take that as a yes," Gabriel said, and leaned in for a quick kiss, before slowly thrusting his hips forwards, until he was fully encased in Sawyer’s body. Gabriel watched as his lover’s eyes turned nearly black with lust, and his breath came in short gasps, as Sawyer tried to adjust to the intruder within.

"Mov…move…fuck me, fuck me hard," Sawyer said, after a few seconds, bucking his hips to emphasize his request.

Gabriel pulled out more than half way, and pushed in again. He repeated the motion a couple of more times, getting the rhythm just right, as he and Sawyer began to move as one. The lovemaking was unhurried, with gentle strokes, and soft murmured words to accompany the thrusts.

"Oh Gods, Gabey…" Sawyer gasped, as Gabriel again hit his prostate.

"I…I can’t hold…" Gabriel said, as his arms trembled from the exertion of keeping his body above Sawyer’s.

"Then don’t. Let…let go baby…let go," Sawyer said, as he tightened his inner muscle with enough force to drive his lover over the edge.

When Gabriel came, it was with a shout of his lover’s name.

Afterwards, as they lay together, in a tangle of arms and legs, a perfect vision of mutually satisfied lovers, Sawyer said, "I’d like to take a look at that book of yours."

Gabriel chuckled as he replied, "I think I rather give you visual demonstrations of the various chapters."

"And is this book long?"

"Never ending," Gabriel whispered as he captured his lover’s lips in a searing kiss.

"Good morning, Walter," Gabriel said, as Skinner entered the kitchen, "I thought you’d already left."

"I don’t have any meetings until eleven, so I decided to go in late, and pamper Fox a little," Walter said, as he took a seat at the table. "How was your evening?"

"The restaurant was great," Sawyers said, "As was the champagne."

"And from what I heard, the sex was not too bad either," Walter said, his face bland, but his eyes were dancing with mischief. "Are you all right?" he asked innocently, as he patted Gabriel on the back, as the younger man choked on the orange juice he had been drinking.

"That was mean, Walter," Sawyer said, as he laughed, ignoring the glare he was receiving from his lover.

"I know, but I couldn’t help it," Walter said, with a grin. "Alex was pouting that you guys were having all the fun, and we weren’t because Fox was sick."

"By the way, where is my baby brother?" Gabriel asked.

Before Walter was able to answer, the man in question came in, and took a seat at the table.

"Alex, you okay?" Gabriel asked, taking in his brother’s appearance.

Alex was still in his pajamas, his hair uncombed, his eyes puffy, and runny, and he had apparently broken out in a rash.

"Yeah, why?" Alex said, as he absently scratched at his neck.

"Well, because you seem to have broken out with acne, or something," Gabriel said, reaching to touch Alex’s cheek.

"Babe, you really do look awful," Walter said, putting his hand on Alex’s forehead, and feeling the warmth there. "And you seem to have a temperature."

"Well, he can’t be sick," Sawyer said, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling, "He said, he never gets sick. He is the picture of health."

"Well, this picture is a little fuzzy, if you ask me," Gabriel said. "What do you think it is? Doesn’t look like what Fox has."

"Will you guys stop talking like I’m not here," Alex said, getting grumpier, and his scratching getting more frantic.

Walter put his hand on Alex’s to stop him, and turned to Sawyer, and asked, "Do you know what he has?"

"Yep," Sawyer said, with a grin, "He’s got the chicken pox."