"That's it, baby," Alex gasped as Fox's mouth caressed every inch of him. "God, you're so hot...oh...oh, shit. Fox, wait...stop, baby." He pulled Fox's head away and sat trembling while the older man pulled himself up and snuggled against his heaving chest.

"Alex," Fox cooed against his lover's throat. "Why'd you want me to stop?"

"Too close, baby," Alex gasped. "I was too damn close."

Fox kissed his way up to the younger man's ear and moaned into it, "Don't you want to come in my mouth, Alex?"

Alex's eyes rolled up into his head and his lids dropped over them as his lover continued to provoke him.

"I want to suck every last drop from you. Please let me..."

"Jesus Christ." Alex shifted, holding Fox's head still, and took his mouth in a fierce kiss. After long seconds, he released the older man, leaving him writhing and whimpering. "I'll be back," he whispered against Fox's mouth, then moved to push the older man away. He rose to his feet, then zipped his pants and leaned over the body sprawled on the sofa. "You behave yourself while I'm gone."

Fox reached up, curling his fingers in Alex's jacket. "Where are you going?"

The younger man smoothed the frown from his lover's brow. "Don't worry, I won't leave you for long, but I gotta hit the men's room, then I gotta go get something."

"Something?"

"Yeah." Alex kissed the pouting lips then pryed Fox's fingers loose from his jacket. "Be back in a few." He straightened up and groaned, meeting his lover's heavy-lidded stare.

So damn beautiful.

He forced himself to turn and walk away, giving warning glares to those who were hovering nearby. The predators backed away, correctly reading the glitter in his eyes, and he headed into the bathroom.

********************

Skinner watched, confused and angry that Krycek would actually leave Mulder in that condition and *alone* there with all those vultures orbiting the sofa. Though it had now been a few minutes since Krycek had gone, and not a one of them attempted to approach the man draped over the sofa.

His eyes fell back to Mulder, and he took a deep, steadying breath.

Absolutely gorgeous in repose, the long, lean body lay in a boneless heap across the length of the sofa. Head thrown back over the arm, hair carelessly tousled, and one hand resting on his forehead while the other dangled over the edge of the seat.

God, what a picture. Every pore in the man's body screamed 'fuck me', and so many people would have loved to oblige. He could see it in their expressions...in the way they stared and in every flick of their tongues over too-dry lips.

He was one of them.

He looked around realizing for the first time that his unwanted companion had gone.

//Guess he got tired of talking to himself.//

As he was turning his attention back to the man on the sofa, a familiar voice sounded just behind his right ear.

"You following us or what?"

He spun in his seat and came face to face with Alex Krycek.

"What are doing here, Walt?"

"I didn't follow you," the older man snapped, averting his gaze.

"But you were watching us."

"Half the club was watching you. What the hell are you doing to him, Krycek?"

"Nothing he doesn't want me to do." The younger man moved, coming to stand beside the one who had remained seated. "I didn't know you came to places like this."

Skinner avoided the observation and glanced down at the blanket that the other man carried.

Alex followed the brown gaze and smiled down at Skinner. "They have a rule here. No fucking on uncovered furniture." He smiled as the older man's face went from crimson to near-purple. "Hey, breathe, Wally. Don't have a stroke, now."

"You're...you're *not*."

"I'm not?"

"You wouldn't do that to him."

"Why do you keep saying that? I repeat. I am not doing *anything* to Fox that he isn't begging for me to do to him."

"You're telling me he *wanted* to give you a blow job there in front of all those people?"

"Yeah, that's what I'm saying. What d'you think? You think I held a gun on him? You think I hypnotized him? News flash, Wally, I'm not a magician and, contrary to popular belief, I am *not* the devil. I'm a man just like you are..." He looked the other man up and down. "Well...not *just* like you...and I can't make Fox do anything that he really doesn't want to do. Now. If you'll excuse me..."

"Krycek."

Alex stopped and looked back at the older man.

"Krycek...don't."

Alex gave him a sly grin. "It's just like t.v., Wally. If you don't like what's on, shut it off." That said, he turned on his heel and headed back to his lover.

Skinner sat, clenching his hands and wishing he'd never come to this place.

//He's right, though. You don't want to see it? Get up and walk the hell out.//

Yet, he stayed and watched as the dark-haired man leaned over his lover and dragged his tongue across the slightly parted lips...

********************

Fox moaned at the feel of his lover's tongue on his mouth, and he stretched up for a kiss. Alex obliged him, then coaxed him to stand. As the younger man spread the folded blanket over the sofa, Fox stood behind him, rubbing and caressing his back and ass.

"Now, are you going to tell me what that's for?"

Alex finished tucking the blanket into the cushions and turned around, pulling Fox into his arms. He laid a long, hungry kiss on him then sat down, pulling the older man across his lap.

Fox forgot his question as Alex brought their mouths together once again.

Tenderly, Alex's mouth slid over the other man's while one hand traveled slowly over his thigh, up his hip and side, then back down, leaving a trail of tingling flesh in its wake.

"I love you so much, baby."

The words flowed like warm honey from his lips, sweetly caressing Fox and sending delicious tingles up his spine.

Fox shuddered delicately at Alex's declaration and sighed softly into his mouth. He curled his arm around his lover's neck, and his lips parted, pressing a bit closer and silently asking for more.

Green eyes flicked up momentarily, meeting with those on the other side of the room, then Alex took his lover's mouth in a deep, bone-melting kiss. While one hand cradled Fox, the other pulled his shirt free of his jeans, and, pulling the older man's arm away from his neck, he pushed the shirt from his shoulders.

Fox arched his back and moaned softly as Alex's hand skimmed over his chest, stroking the hot skin. His tongue tangled with his lover's, caressing and teasing, and turning the heat up on his already over-heated senses. As they kissed, Alex's fingers closed over one nipple, and he withdrew from the younger man's mouth, gasping loudly as his head fell back over the arm that held him.

"That feel good, sweetheart?" Alex rumbled against his throat as he pulled gently on the hard nub.

Fox whimpered and nodded, his eyes half opening.

Alex leaned down and grazed his lover's lips with his own. "I love to make you feel good. There's nothing more beautiful in the world than my Fox when he's turned on." Alex glanced around, quickly surveying their immediate situation. "You know, there are about twenty people watching us." He paused, waiting for Fox's reaction. When the older man sighed and writhed against him, a satisfied smirk curved his mouth. "That makes you hot, doesn't it baby? Tell me."

Fox's chest heaved slowly with the effort it took him to form the word. "Yes," he hissed, rubbing his head against Alex's arm.

"I know it does," Alex purred. "It's in your eyes. They tell me so much." His hand left Fox's chest and slid down over the quivering muscles of his abdomen, then came to rest over the rock-hard bulge in his jeans. A choked moan escaped Fox's throat, and Alex squeezed gently. "I have a surprise for you, Fox."

Golden-brown eyelashes fluttered in the effort of remain open, and Fox turned his head, blinking up at his lover.

Alex stared down into passion-darkened eyes and, as he lovingly stroked Fox's restrained cock, he opened his mouth to speak.

"We have a special guest."

Fox sent him a confused look.

"Skinner is here."

"S-Skinner?"

"And he's watching us."

Fox exhaled and forgot to inhale.

"I saw him as I was coming back in from the car. He didn't follow us, he just happened in here. But he sat there and watched you suck my cock. He'd like to kill me...he *wants* to leave, but he can't. He won't. He's too turned on." His hand began moving in circles over the denim-covered mound. "Just like everybody else who's watching us." He smiled. "We're very pretty together, you know..." Gently, he undid the top button on Fox's jeans. "...you can't blame him for wanting to watch. And you know, maybe this is just what he needs."

Refusing to look around, Fox kept his eyes focused on Alex's. "What he needs?"

The younger man grasped the zipper and slowly worked it downward. "Yeah. He needs to know. I don't think he really knows."

Fox's eyes closed and re-opened as Alex's hand slipped inside the fold of his underwear. "Knows what?"

Alex's fingers curled around the older man's cock and squeezed gently. "That you're mine."

Exquisitely swollen lips parted on a long gasp. "He knows."

"He doesn't want to believe it. He keeps hoping that I'll turn out to be who he thinks I am. He keeps hoping I'll leave you." Alex's hand moved up and down the rigid shaft. "Never. He needs to know that he'll *never* have you." He moved his hand away from his lover's aching cock and started to push his pants down. "Are you mine, Fox?"

Fox stared, mesmerized by the turbulent ocean of green above him. He gave a faint hint of a nod, and before he knew it, he was lifting his hips so that his lover could push his jeans down to his knees.

"Show me, baby...show him."

Alex manuevered himself from under Fox's weight and finished removing the clothing from his lower body. Making quick work of his own, he pulled Fox's legs apart and kneeled between them. As he reached into the inside pocket of the jacket he still wore, he produced a small tube of lubricant then leaned over his overcome lover. "Are you ready, baby?" he asked, squeezing some gel out onto his fingers.

"Yes," Fox rasped, squirming beneath him. "Please, Alex."

Alex kissed his mouth softly then slowly worked his way down, licking and teasing the perspiration-slick skin. He paused at Fox's navel, tickling the indentation then followed the fine line of hair that flowed into the darker thatch that surrounded his cock.

********************

The man who sat sweating not more than twenty feet away, swallowed a frustrated groan as the one laid out on the sofa threw his head back and cried out his lover's name. Even through the blaring music he could hear the sound clearly.

Understandable, he thought, since the bastard kneeling between Mulder's legs had just sucked his cock into his mouth and slid two fingers into his ass.

His own cock threatened to rip a hole through his pants as he watched the man he would never have pant and writhe under his lover's attention.

//What the fuck are you doing? Why are you torturing yourself this way?//

//He won't do it. He won't let that son of a bitch fuck him here in front of all these degenerates. He'll stop it. I want to see him stop it.//

//When you say 'degenerates', are you including yourself? Go home, Walt. You're playing right along with Krycek's warped little game. Don't let him....what...what the fuck is he doing?//

********************

Fox bucked into Alex's mouth, sobbing for release, but the younger man picked his head up, letting his tongue drag along the swollen shaft. He briefly teased the head, licking away the bitter drop of fluid at the tip, then pulled his lover up. He skimmed Fox's jaw with his knuckles, then kissed the tip of his nose.

"Fox...look at me, baby."

The older man's lashes lifted part of the way and he focused a glassy stare on the man before him.

"Do something for me."

Fox swallowed against the dryness in his throat then responded. "What?" he whispered on a ragged breath.

"Ride me."

Fox's mouth fell open and he released a hard breath.

"Please, love." Alex brushed his lips against the other man's. "I love the way you move when you're on top of me."

Without a word, Fox pulled himself to the edge of the sofa with shaking arms and waited until Alex had dropped to his back. He then climbed on top of the prone man and sat up.

Alex reached up, stroking the older man's chest and arms. "You're in control, lover. I'm all yours."

Fox bit down on the corner of his lower lip as Alex plucked lightly at his nipples. He raised his hands up to his lover's, stroking over the backs of them, then down his arms and up again. He hesitated then bent over, bringing their lips together for a long, soft kiss. When he pulled away, he sat up, lifting himself just far enough to guide the other man's cock to his slick opening.

"Oh, God, yesssss." Alex's head rolled back and forth as he felt himself slide into his lover's tight warmth. His hands fell to Fox's legs and slid over his thighs, clenching in the muscles there. His jaw tightened as Fox began to move, and he hissed through gritted teeth, "Show him..."

Fox arched his neck, and he groaned into the pulsing air as he rocked against the man beneath him. "Jesus..." He lifted his head and looked down into black eyes. "I can't...Alex, I can't..." His gaze turned up to a trio of men lounging on a larger sofa about ten feet away, stroking and petting each other while they watched. His eyes dropped back to his lover's. "...can't hold on..."

"Yes, you can, baby," Alex insisted as his hands wandered over Fox's thighs then up to his chest. "Just a little longer. Please? You feel so good."

Fox emitted a soft sob but held himself in check as he continued to glide up and down on his lover's glistening cock.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Alex panted. "Thank you." His fingertips stroked over Fox's throat, then his face. "I love you...my God, I love you..."

Magic words.

Fox grasped the younger man's hands, lacing their fingers together, then held them down beside his head. He leaned in, engaging Alex in a hard, breath-stealing kiss, and when he finally broke away, his mouth moved to the base of the other man's neck, sucking abruptly at the sensitive curve just before the start of his shoulder.

Alex gritted his teeth, enduring the sweet, hot pain as he bucked upward, pushing himself deeper into his lover. Unable to help himself, he cried out as Fox's teeth sank into his flesh, leaving deep grooves when the older man finally pulled away.

And now it was he who couldn't wait.

He wrapped his hand around his lover's cock and began to milk it as their movements turned frantic. His head rolled to the side, and, though initially unfocused, his eyes adjusted to his surroundings, and he fixed a heavy-lidded, glazed stare on the man across the room. His eyes closed as Fox thrashed against him, and his hand automatically increased its speed, insuring that they reached satisfaction together.

"Come on, Alex," Fox gasped as he squeezed his lover's cock on every upstroke. "I'm right there...come with me..."

Alex jerked against Fox as he felt the tremendous release of pressure, and he threw his head back, emitting a long, sobbing growl. His hand stopped moving at the very peak of his climax, but soon resumed its jerky movements, and seconds later, it was covered in warm, slick fluid as Fox shuddered and screamed above him.

********************

Skinner took no notice of the numbness in his hands as they clenched together. He'd sat right here through the whole thing and still couldn't believe what he'd seen.

Fox Mulder fucking Alex *Krycek* in the middle of a gay club and loving every sticky, sweaty minute of it.

He could say he was disgusted, but it wouldn't be entirely true. The disgust part only came in so far as Krycek was concerned. But Mulder...Fox....he was gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful.

Jesus, his cock throbbed.

How could Mulder waste himself on such a dirty, low, rotten motherfucker when he could know what a real relationship felt like...*and* keep his job...

His regard fell back to the two who were now collapsed on the sofa. Mulder lay on top of Krycek, head tucked under his chin, softly nuzzling his chest, and Krycek...

The green eyes drifted open and again focused on his. A weary but cocky smile was sent his way, and then he turned his attention back to his lover, tightening his arms around the exhausted body and kissing the top of his head.

Skinner closed his eyes, trying to will the shaking of his hands to stop.

//What am I going to do...what the *hell* am I going to do?//

********************

Fox opened his eyes and lifted his head, looking down into the sated face of his lover. Seeing the self-satisfied, amber gleam, Alex smiled up at him, stroking his stubbled chin.

"You're a really bad influence on me."

Fox fell back to his chest, laughing. "Oh, yeah. I don't know what the hell you're doing with a guy like me." He went quiet for a few brief seconds, then pressed into his lover, burying his face in the curve of his shoulder. "Uh...Alex? Maybe we should put our pants on now?"

"What'sa matter, babe? Feeling a draft?"

"No, but...both of your hands are on my back, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, somebody's hand was just on my ass."

"*What*?" Alex shifted quickly, practically pushing Fox off of him, and the two men sat up.

Eyes that until this moment were on them, slid away as a piercing green gaze roamed the immediate area.

"You don't think that anyone's gonna step forward and admit to it, do you?" Fox asked while handing Alex his pants and pulling his own on.

Alex sent another glare around the room, then got dressed. Putting his ire aside, he pulled the older man into his arms. "I think Skinner is gone. I don't see him around."

Fox's head lowered at the mention of the other man. "I wonder what he was doing here."

"I don't know." Alex mumbled against his lover's forehead then drew back a bit. "Do I detect a little regret in your voice?"

"I just...I don't want to hurt him, Alex."

"If he's hurting, babe, it's his own fault. He could easily have picked himself up and got the hell out of here as soon as he saw us. Instead, he sat and watched."

"I know, but..."

"But, what?"

"He's still a friend."

"A friend who wants to nail you...even now."

"After tonight? I don't think so."

Alex cupped his lover's chin and lifted until he could see his eyes. "He may have been convinced that he can't have you, but it won't stop him from wanting you. Nothing ever stopped *me* from wanting you."

Fox gave him a soft smile. "Assuming you're right, I wonder what watching us would accomplish...besides aggravating himself, I mean."

"Wally's that gotta-see-it-for-himself type of guy." A devish grin lit his face. "He saw. Now he's gone home to jerk off under the covers...in the dark..."

"Alex..."

"What? He didn't *have* to. I bet he could've found at least one guy around here who wanted to see what kind of heat he was packin'..."

Fox rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"So, if he'd rather go home and whack off while he fantasizes about fucking *my* man, that's his business. I see no reason why you should feel bad about it...I'm thirsty. Want a drink?"

Fox gave his head a quick shake. "I thought you were going to warn me before you did that."

Alex laughed and gave him a fast kiss. "Sorry 'bout that." He summoned a passing waiter and ordered a couple of beers, then relaxed back against the sofa. "God, you did me in. My legs feel like spaghetti."

Fox leaned in, kissing then nipping at his mouth. "You're getting old, Krycek."

"Yeah, well, if I'm old, what does that make you?"

"Me?" The older man grinned. "I'm in my prime."

"Oh. Right." Alex nodded. "Of course, you are."

Fox delivered a stinging slap to his lover's thigh and rose to his feet. "I'm going to the men's room. Try not to miss me too much."

Alex winked at him then tilted his head back against the cushion and closed his eyes. Only a few minutes after his lover had departed, his eyes reopened and he looked up at the man who stood over him. He quickly sized up the newcomer and cocked his head to one side.

"Can I help you?"

"God, I hope so." The standing man's eyes roved appreciatively over the sprawled figure. "I've been looking for a man like you."

Alex gave him a cocky grin. "Who hasn't?"

The other man smiled back. "I knew it."

"Knew what?"

"Knew you were just loaded with attitude. A true Dom."

"Really."

"I was watching you with that sweet thing you're with. Isn't hard to see who's top dog."

Alex listened, amused.

"Anyway, I had a propostion for you."

"Is that right?"

"Yeah." The man glanced to his right. "See the guy at the fourth table from that post?"

Alex leaned back to look. "....Yeah."

"That's my Rodney. If you couldn't tell, he's a sub...big time. And I would *love* to watch you do him. And maybe later, the three of us could..."

"Could *what*?"

Alex's eyes shifted, and he grinned up at Fox who had come to stand directly behind the other man.

Before the man could answer, Fox spoke again, an irritated, possessive glitter in his eyes. "He's not doing anything with you, Rodney, or anyone else." He brushed past the man, taking a seat beside Alex, petting the sable head as the younger man nestled against him. Alex turned his face up, and Fox immediately claimed his mouth. When he broke the kiss, he bit into Alex's lower lip until his victim moaned, then released him and looked back up at the confused man. "You still here?"

Alex waved goodbye to the speechless, retreating man then turned his attention to Fox.

"You weren't very nice to that guy. In fact, you were actually kinda mean." He rubbed his head against his lover's shoulder. "Damn, I'm turned on."

Fox broke into laughter. "You're a twisted bastard."

"Yeah..." Alex took the beers and paid the waiter who had just arrived. "...don't you just love me?"

They drank their beer, danced a little more, then headed for home. Once there, they ripped at each other's clothing, tumbled into the shower and emerged twenty minutes later, exhausted but clean. They fell naked into bed, Alex sprawled across his lover's chest, and they almost immediately drifted into a deep sleep.

********************

"You gonna get that?" Alex murmured to his groaning lover as the ring of the phone pierced the air.

"You're closer."

Alex groped around and finally found the offending object.

"H'llo?"

Silence, then, "Krycek."

Alex's mouth turned into a sleepy smile. "Hey, Walt. What happened to you last night? Fox and I were gonna invite you over for a drink afterward. You looked like you could have used one..."

"Oh, God," Fox groaned. "Give me the damn phone."

Alex moved out of his reach, now fully awake and in perfect, pain-in-the-ass form.

"Hey, Walt, you there?"

There was a heavy silence, then Skinner responded in a low, deliberate voice. "You and I need to talk, Krycek."

"Isn't that what we're doing?"

"Face to face."

"Man to man?"

"Well, you're half right. Meet me at six at my apartment."

"You got it, stud..."

"*Alex*."

He gave Fox a slightly annoyed look and sighed into the phone. "I'm going to give Fox the phone before he pops a vein. Really nice talking to you. Have a good day..."

Fox snatched the phone from Alex's loosened grip and held it up to his ear. "Hello." He heard the long intake of breath, then the soft baritone.

"Mulder...uh...listen, I'm sorry if I woke you up."

"S'okay."

"I'm...I'm sorry about yesterday, too. I should have left as soon as I saw you."

"Don't worry about it...is that why you called?"

"No. No, I...I just called to tell you that your job is still there if you want it." Silence greeted his announcement. "Mulder?"

"Yeah. I'm here. I uh...I guess I really didn't expect to hear that, especially..."

"Especially after last night? Yeah. Me either, but your personal life has nothing to do with your professional life, and if you're very sure that Krycek isn't a risk, then that's good enough for me."

Fox glanced over at his lover who had stretched out alongside him, snuggling into the pillows. He caressed Alex's stubbled cheek and smiled down into the curious face.

"Will you come back to work?"

"...No stipulations?"

"No."

"All right. I'll come back."

Alex's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Good. See you on Monday, then."

"Right....Walter?"

There was a brief hesitation, then the other man answered.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"...Goodbye, Mulder."

Fox waited for the click then placed the phone down on the mattress.

"So, he wants you to come back."

"Yeah."

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

"He's a fair, reasonable man, Alex. He knows he needs me on the X-files."

"He knows he needs you in his bed."

"*And* he knows it's never going to happen. It'll be business as usual."

"Yeah, okay."

"It *will* be."

Alex patted his lover's hand. "Yeah, babe. And then you'll wake up."

"Do you have to be so damned cynical?"

Alex propped himself up on one elbow, resting his head in his hand. "Have I, or have I not, been right so far about both Scully *and* Skinner?"

Fox heaved a heavy sigh. "Yeah, but..."

One dark eyebrow arched.

Fox suddenly rolled over onto the younger man, flattening and pinning him to the mattress. "Don't be so damned smug. Everything's gonna be okay. We'll work it out," he murmured just before his mouth came down on Alex's, obliterating any more thoughts of Skinner and work.

Over an hour later, they collapsed together, struggling for breath.

"God, you're gonna be the death of me," Fox complained good-naturedly, scattering a number of kisses in his lover's hair.

"You started it," Alex rumbled contentedly. "Besides, I thought you were in your prime?"

"That was last night. This morning, I'm feeling just a little old."

The two fell into a long silence, happy to lie coiled together, then Fox shifted, reaching for the phone.

"Who're you calling?"

"Scully."

Alex groaned and rolled onto his back, throwing one arm over his eyes. "So much for basking in the afterglow."

Fox cut him an impatient look as he punched in Scully's number. "You know, you're really gonna have to...Scully. It's me. Yeah...umm, I just wanted to call you to let you know that I'll be back at work on Monday." His voice took on an edge of irritation. "No, Scully, he's right here."

"Morning, Red," Alex called in his sweetest voice, prompting Fox to cover his mouth with his free hand. He chuckled into his lover's palm, then dragged his tongue across it.

Fox stifled a giggle and yanked his hand away, curling it into a fist and waving it at the younger man. Alex responded to the threat by dropping his head into Fox's lap and nuzzling his flaccid cock.

"Bastard. What? No, Scully, I'm not...yeah. He called me a little while ago. He promised no conditions. Huh? Hoarse? N-no, I'm not coming down with a cold. No. J-just a little tired still. Yeah...I will."  His hand lowered to Alex's head, running his fingers through the uncombed hair as the younger man began to lick gently at his awakening cock. "I'll get some, Scully. Yeah, I promise. Gotta get out to the store anyway. Okay...right...see you then."

Fox hung up and dropped the phone down by his leg as he pressed his head back into the pillows and moaned.

Alex continued to tease his lover until he was fully erect, then sucked the entire length of the hardened shaft into his mouth. He brought Fox along quickly, unwilling to let his lover go until he felt the bitter proof of his relief pour down his throat. When Fox lay weakly against the pillows, a lazy smile playing at his lips, Alex slid up, kissing him softly. "I'm hungry," he whispered against his lover's mouth.

"Mmm hmm..."

"Come on. Up." He moved away and pulled Fox to his feet, then led him into the bathroom. "Hey...what was Scully telling you to get?"

"Vitamin C. She thinks I may be coming down with something because my voice sounded hoarse."

"Why didn't you just tell her?"

"Oh, yeah," Fox dead-panned as Alex turned on the shower. "That would've been good. 'No, Scully, I'm not catching cold or anything, it's just that Alex has got his head buried in my crotch here, and...'"

When the water was warm, Alex hauled him into the tub. "She's gotta get used to it sometime."

"I know." Fox turned his face up to the spray, saturating his hair, then let Alex do the same. "But I'd rather not push her into it. Let her do it in her own time."

Alex broke into laughter as he turned Fox around and began to wash his back. "Okay, sure. We'll let her do it in her own time. By then we'll either be dead or too old to care."

 
********************

Skinner shivered in the frigid evening air as he looked down from his balcony to the street below.

Not many cars out tonight, and even fewer pedestrians.

Too cold to be out. People were home with their families having dinner. With friends having a drink or two to fortify themselves against the winter chill...with lovers, bundled away under a layer of blankets...

Before self-pity could drown him in its miserable depths, he noticed a small black car moving up the street. It slowed as it approached his building then swung into the parking garage. The hair on the back of his neck prickled at his skin, and he knew that it had to be Krycek.

He moved into the warmth of his apartment, shutting the door quickly behind him, then paced slowly, waiting for the other man to make his appearance.

The duration of his wait was very brief, though to him, it seemed an eternity.

He took a deep breath and moved to the door when the knock sounded. Swinging the door open, he glared at the young man who stood leaning against the outside frame, arms crossed over his chest.

"Damn, Walt, why the look? Am I late or something?"

Skinner answered his question with a question. "Mulder know you're here?"

"Do you think I'd be here if he knew? I just told him I needed to go out for a while and that I'd be back soon...you gonna let me in, or are we gonna talk right here?"

Skinner scanned the length of the younger man's lean, relaxed body, taking in the worn boots, faded jeans that hugged him in all the right places, and leather jacket that put the finishing touches on his 'who gives a shit' demeanor. He stepped aside, grunting in disgust as Krycek prowled into the room.

"So," the younger man began, brushing past him, "you didn't tell me on the phone this morning. Did you enjoy yourself last night? You must have. You stayed long enough." He stopped in the middle of the living room and grinned at Skinner. "What d'you think? Pretty amazing, huh?"

Skinner's lip merely twitched.

"Told you he was gorgeous when he came." Alex closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His eyes opened slowly and he gave the older man a sly grin. "And he's all mine." The tip of his tongue slid across the edge of his teeth and the grin faded. "So what do you want?"

The air whistled as Skinner's fist connected with Alex's jaw, spinning the younger man a hundred and eighty degrees.

The younger man froze in his twisted position, taking a moment to allow his vision to clear and the ringing in his head to stop. Finally, he opened his eyes wide, then his mouth, moving his jaw back and forth.

//Shit.//

He shook his head and turned back to face the man who stood before him, hands clenched, and hatred glittering in his eyes. His hand slid over his jaw, and a slow smile curved his lips.

"Nice right hook you got there. Feel better?"

Skinner answered, jaw not budging an inch. "A little."

"Well, that's good, but now *I* feel like shit."

Skinner saw the blow coming but couldn't move fast enough to avoid it. His head snapped back and he stumbled into the side of a chair, falling over the arm and landing sprawled on the seat. Before he could jump to his feet, he found himself inches from the gleaming black barrel of a gun.

Alex stood stone-still, pointing the Varjag at the other man's forehead. "Sorry, Wally," he purred. "I know you would have loved to get another shot in, and while I'm a sucker for a good fight, Fox kinda likes my pretty face the way it is. Now, are you gonna play nice, or do I have to stand here like this until my arm falls off?"

Skinner pulled himself into a more dignified position and glared at the younger man. "I called you here to talk."

"Not much talking so far."

"Put the gun away and sit down."

Alex secured the weapon and tucked it back into the waistband of his jeans. "I prefer to stand. Now why the hell have you got me here?"

"I want the truth from you...if you're capable."

"Truth about what?"

"What do you want with him?"

Alex stalked away, moving a few steps toward the sliding doors, then spun back to face Skinner. "Oh, for the love of...what is it with you and Scully?"

"We care about Mulder."

"Do you? Do you *really*."

"*Yes*."

"Then leave him alone. Stop trying to *protect* him."

"Somebody's got to."

"What, I haven't been doing a good enough job?"

"It's you he needs protection from."

Alex shook his head, laughing softly. "Walter, Walter, Walter. You're *so* wrong. He couldn't be more safe. I wouldn't hurt a hair on his pretty head. And I'd kill any motherfucker who even dared to look at him sideways." He moved forward and sat on the arm of the chair opposite the other man. "He'd do the same for me. Want to know why? He loves me. Oh, but you heard that the other day..."

"And I believed him," Skinner interrupted. "That's what scares the hell out of me. When you finally decide that you're tired of him and take off, it's going to devastate him."

"I'm not going anywhere, Walt." Alex paused for a moment, making sure that he had the other man's attention, then continued. "Hear what I'm telling you. Let the words saturate your brain. It should be easy. You got no hair up there to stop them. You listening? Okay. I. Love. Fox. Did you get that or do I need to wheel in a chalkboard?"

"Your assurances carry no weight with me, Krycek. I know who and what you are. You're incapable of love just like you're incapable of telling the truth."

"Fox would beg to differ. He's sure I love him."

"He's confused."

"Oh, really?"

"I don't know what you've done to him, but..."

Alex covered his face and rubbed his eyes with his fingertips. "God, you sound like Scully. Don't you two ever give it a rest?"

"Hard to do when someone we both care for is flirting with the devil."

"Thanks for the compliment, Wally, but we've gone *way* past flirting...and by the way. I know why you offered him his job back."

"Do you really?"

"It's got nothing to do with trusting his judgement. If you did, you wouldn't have me here. You know that if he isn't at the Bureau, you can't be near him. You can't be there to comfort him when I fuck up."

"And you *will* fuck up, Krycek. It's inevitable. And yeah, he *will* need someone to comfort him."

"Why don't you just say what you mean, Walt?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Comfort him, fuck him...same thing, isn't it?"

"I'm not even going to respond to that."

"You don't have to," Alex said softly. "Give it up, Skinner. It's not going to happen. I'm not leaving him. I love him."

Skinner stared at the younger man, shaking his head. "You don't love him, you self-centered bastard. If you did, you never would have done what you did to him last night."

"What I did to him," Alex repeated. "You really think he's some mindless twit, don't you? Believe me Wally, he was into it in a very big way."

"*I* would never put someone I loved on display for a bunch of drunk, horny men like you did."

"I didn't *put* him on display," Alex sneered. "He knew exactly what he was doing, and he loved it. He *wanted* it. And I'll *never* refuse him anything he wants."

"Come on, Krycek, you mean anything *you* want."

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I didn't want it too. And I'm not going to tell you that I didn't initiate it. But I took my cues from Fox. He was in the driver's seat."

"How the hell can you say that? Are you forgetting that I was there?"

A wry grin twitched at the corners of Alex's mouth. "No, I'm not forgetting how you stayed and watched every second of it. Fox actually felt bad afterward, you know. Said he didn't want to hurt you. Isn't he sweet? It's one of the things I love about him. His sense of adventure is another. And then there's his..."

"You call last night an adventure? I call it degradation."

"You're just pissed because it wasn't you under him." Alex cocked his head to one side. "What, nothing to say?"

The older man fixed a hateful stare on him.

"Tell me, Wally. Tell me it's not true. Can't, can you?"

"Not in a club full of people. I have more respect for him than that."

A mocking laugh reached Skinner's ears. "You mean you've got more fear than that. You're afraid of him. You want him, but you wouldn't know what to do with him if you had him. You could never satisfy his appetites, and you know it..."

"You have no idea what I could do for him."

"No, you're right. I can't imagine what you could do for him. I know what you can't, though." Alex studied the other man's expression. "You try to keep a tight leash on him at work. You try to control him...to hold him back, but he keeps getting away from you. You want to make him into who you want him to be. So does Scully. But you can't. You never will. The sooner you get that, the better off you'll be."

"I don't know why I should explain this to you, but there's a certain amount of discipline involved in our job, Krycek. I *have* to reel him in sometimes."

"*Sometimes*. If it's a matter of safety, yeah, but that isn't your only reason. And it's certainly not the only time you interfere. You've got a bigger agenda than that. You've been trying to restrain him for years now. "You figure if you can make him conform at work, then he'd be more easily trained to accept the confines of a personal relationship with you. Doesn't work, does it? Yet, you continue to try. That's why you'd never have him. Even if I was nowhere in the picture and you managed to snag him, you wouldn't keep him. You couldn't. He'd start to suffocate and he'd be gone."

"You're crazy. I indulge him plenty."

"Short lived though it may be. As soon as he wanders beyond the edges of your shadow, you're ready to bust out the collar and leash."

"Sounds more like *your* M.O., Krycek, not mine."

"Well," the younger man grinned, "it's true that the thought of Fox in a studded collar does get me pretty hot." He gave a deliberate little shudder. " Anyway...tell me something. Let's say for just a minute that he was with you. And one night he mentioned to you that he'd really love to suck you off under your desk during work hours. What would you do? Tell the truth."

"What do you *think* I'd do?" the older man snapped. "You know the trouble we'd both be in if..."

"Stop." Alex held a hand in the air. "Stop, stop before I fall asleep. You know what *I'd* do? I'd make it happen. Any way I could."

"I would expect no less from you, Krycek, perverse as you are. All you can see is your own sick need. To hell with what's best for him."

"Wally, your ideas and my ideas of what's best for Fox are miles apart. And it might surprise you to know that my ideas and needs fall pretty much in line with his. We're very much in tune to each other. And as that *is* true, I know when my interference is warranted and when it isn't. He's a grown man, Wally, not a child. If I treated him the way you and Scully do, our relationship would be over in a month."

Skinner snorted. "So, what was all that ranting and raving you were doing when we were at his apartment? Was that all a big act for our benefit?"

"*No*, Walter, that was real. I never said that Fox never did some unreasonable, crazy shit. If his life is in danger, I won't hesitate to step in. I understood his thinking in this particular situation, but I didn't agree with it. Though if our positions were reversed and I had no other choice, I would have done the same thing. Love'll make you do some pretty insane stuff. I never understood that until now."

"Oooh, I'm melting. Who knew you were such a romantic, Krycek."

Alex gave him a blank look. "Fox knows. You know, you won't believe this, just like you haven't believed anything else I've said to you, but I was scared to death when I realized where he was. They could have killed him before I reached him..."

"Yeah, and then who would you have to toy with?"

Alex stared at the older man, shaking his head in disbelief. "You'll never get it. You're too comfortable with your hate and your jealousy to ever get it." He moved slowly in the direction of the door. When he reached it, he turned and faced the other man who had remained seated. "You just see that Fox is settled and happy back at his job." He gave Skinner a hard stare. "I'll take care of the rest."

Skinner could do nothing but sit and stare as the younger man slipped out of his apartment.

********************

The flickering of the television filled the otherwise dark room with a bluish-white light, dancing over the prone body of the man who lay patiently waiting for his lover's return.

Alex hadn't said where he was going, and unsure of whether he should push the issue, Fox had remained silent. Besides, Alex'd probably tell him about it when he got back.

He glanced absently down at his watch, then turned his attention to the news.

Close to two hours after he had left, Alex returned, carrying an armful of roses. He walked in and sat at the edge of the sofa, wearing a lopsided grin. He set the roses down on the coffee table and turned to face Fox.

"Hi honey, I'm home."

Fox shook his head, chuckling softly. "You're a sick puppy." His grin faded as the pale light revealed a dark patch along the left side of the younger man's jaw. "Alex...what happened to you?"

Alex brought his hand up to his face. "Oh. Uh...I...whacked myself in the face with my car door?"

"Alex, come on. Where were you?"

Might as well tell him the truth. When he got to work tomorrow and took a look at Skinner, he was going to know for sure.

"Skinner and I had a nice little chat."

Fox bounded off the sofa to turn the light on and returned. He touched his lover's face gently, but anger brewed in his eyes. "Skinner did this?"

"Don't get too bent out of shape, Fox, he's wearing a matching bruise."

A half dozen questions raced through Fox's mind. He hastily picked one, and the inquest began.

"Where'd you see him?"

"His place."

"That's where you had to go?"

"Yeah. When he called this morning, he asked to talk. Well, I don't know if *asked* is the right word for it."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have let me go?"

"*No*."

"That's why I didn't tell you. Wally and I needed to get things squared away."

Fox blew out a heavy sigh. "By beating on each other."

"We didn't *beat* on each other. We each threw only one punch."

"Who started it?"

"Well...I guess that depends on what you mean by *started it*. If you want to know who threw the first punch, he did. But I guess I provoked him."

"You *guess*."

Alex shrugged. "Yeah. I mean, if he had you and I wanted you, and he was taunting me about it, I supposed I'd slug him too."

"God, Alex..." Fox gave him a chastising look, then further investigated his jaw. "Looks a little swollen. I don't know what good ice is going to do now, but it can't hurt. Stay put." He vacated his seat and walked into the kitchen, returning minutes later with a plastic bag full of ice, wrapped in a towel. He held the ice pack to Alex's face, and the younger man looked up at him through a sweep of dark lashes.

"You mad?"

"I'm not happy. And don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like *that*."

"Why not?"

"Because I can't concentrate, that's why not."

"Oh." Alex leaned forward and rested his head on Fox's shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"Not looking at you."

"God, you're impossible."

"More trouble than I'm worth?"

Fox set the ice pack down and tilted Alex's head up. He studied the younger man for a moment then smiled, shaking his head. He moved in, taking Alex's mouth in a lingering, tender kiss, then wrapped him in his arms.

"You're a shitload of trouble, Krycek, but well worth every bit of it. But uh...babe?"

Alex nuzzled his lover's shoulder. "Hmm?"

Fox gently pushed the younger man away and again lifted the ice to his cheek. "Could you please, pleeease not provoke Skinner anymore? I'm not saying he was right to punch you. In fact, I'm pretty pissed about it, but baby, I don't want to go through the rest of our lives...or at least the rest of my career refereeing the two of you."

"Yeah, I can try, but we're never going to be friends, Fox. Not even close."

"I know that. And I know that this is an uncomfortable situation at best. But I've got to work with Skinner...*and* Scully, and at some point we're all going to wind up in each other's company. It'd really makes things a little easier for everybody if the threat of bloodshed wasn't looming over us."

Alex shrugged. "I'll do my part, I promise."

"Thank you." Fox bestowed a quick kiss on the younger man's lips, then drew back, fixing a narrow stare on him. "Now. What the hell did you two talk about?"

"It was the same old 'you're using him, no I'm not' shit. We'll be old and gray, celebrating thirty years together, and he still won't believe that I'm in this because I love you."

Fox smirked, pulled the ice pack away from Alex's face to investigate the swelling, then replaced it. "I don't think it'll take *that* long."

Alex brought his hand up, covering the one that held the ice to his jaw. His thumb rasped across his lover's knuckles. "He said that if I loved you, I wouldn't have degraded you."

"When'd you do that?"

"At the club. He thinks you did what you did only because I wanted you to."

Fox smiled and gave a small shake of his head.

"Fox?"

"What?"

"You didn't, did you?"

"Didn't what?"

"Just go along with it because it's what I wanted."

"Alex..." Fox set the ice pack down on the coffee table and moved closer to the other man, stopping when their legs were touching. "I love you with my whole heart and soul, but if I really don't want to do something, I promise you, you will *not* be able to talk me into it. And as I know that you can be just as stubborn as I can, I think I can pretty much guarantee you big fights in our future." His statement was received with a smile. "Feel better?"

Alex pushed him back against the cushions and nestled into the warmth of his chest. "Yeah."

"Of course, Skinner has no idea that what he said got you wondering, does he?"

"Hell no. Never show the enemy weakness."

"The *enemy*?"

"He ain't no ally. So...you like your flowers?" Alex pulled a single bloom from the bouquet that lay on the table.

"Yes, darling," Fox responded in a light, feminine tone. "You're so thoughtful."

"Uh huh."

The rose skipped along Fox's jaw, tickling and teasing.

"I..." he laughed softly, rubbing his hand along the path that the flower had taken. "I'd better put those in water, don't you think?"

"Actually," Alex purred, leaning in until their lips were just barely touching, "I've got a better use for them."

"I should've known."

Alex gathered up the roses and took Fox's hand, pulling him up and into the bedroom. Tossing the flowers down onto the bed, he began to unbutton Fox's shirt. "You ever fantasize about making love on a bed of roses, baby?" he asked, brushing his lips over the newly exposed skin.

Fox stifled a moan. "No, Alex, I really can't say that I have. I think I'd be afraid of the stems jabbing me in bad places."

Alex pulled away and gave him an exasperated look. "Not the stems, wiseass. Just the petals."

"Oh." Fox grinned and shrugged. "No. What's it like?"

"Don't know." Alex undid the last two buttons and ran his hands slowly over his lover's chest. "Never did it before. Never *wanted* to do it before." His hands moved around to Fox's back, and he pulled the older man against him. "But I can see you..." His hands wandered up and down the smooth skin. "...so beautiful, showered in rose petals..."

"Where did *this* come from?"

Alex laughed softly. "It's freezing out. On the way back here I started thinking about spring and seeing the cherry trees in bloom. You ever take a walk through them on a windy day? It's like a pink snowstorm. So anyway, I got to thinking of us lying under them, and all these petals raining down on us as we made love."

Fox grinned. "So, of course you turned into the first florist you saw and picked up an armload of pink roses..."

Alex pulled his lover's shirt off. "Too long to wait for cherry blossoms." He tossed the shirt onto the chair near the foot of the bed then turned his attention back to Fox. His palms glided over the older man's chest, circling the puckering nipples, then moving up and over his shoulders. "Your skin is so warm."

"Yeah," Fox murmured, focusing his gaze on Alex's mouth, "well, you kinda got my blood pumping."

"Let's see what else I can get pumping." Alex's lips parted, sliding across his lover's mouth before closing over it.

Fox's fingers clenched in Alex's shirt, pulling it free of his jeans as they kissed, then he went to work on the buttons. Once his lover's shirt joined his on the chair, he reached down to undo the faded jeans. As he pulled away from Alex's mouth intent on pulling his pants down, the younger man pulled him back, initiating a second, desperate kiss. When Alex finally released him, he smiled at the younger man, confused and out of breath.

"What was that about?"

"Sorry," Alex panted. "I had to have more."

"And you couldn't wait two mintues."

"No, I couldn't."

Quickly, they finished undressing each other, then Alex lifted a rose from the pile, tearing the head away from the calyx and sprinkling the petals over the mattress. This he did again and again until the whole bed was littered with rose petals. He looked from Fox to the bed, motioning silently for the other man to lie down.

Fox sat on the bed, smiling at the way the soft petals felt against his skin, then he swung himself around so that he was lying on his back. Alex stood over him, admiring the view.

"Very nice. How does it feel?"

"Odd," Fox answered honestly. But nice. Soft."

Alex inhaled and pulled another rose apart, and then another. He released a few petals at a time, watching them flutter and settle gently over and around his lover's body. Fox squirmed with pleasure, as he was gradually covered in a blanket of pink, then giggled softly as a petal fell across his lips. He blew it off then looked up at Alex, eyes shining.

"You gonna bury me or what?"

Alex nodded. "Till just your cock and your nose are sticking up."

Fox lifted his head, and a handfull of petals fell from his hair. "Is that a crack regarding the size of my nose?"

"Nooo." Alex picked up the last rose and settled himself on top of the older man. "I love your nose. It's perfect just like the rest of you." He dragged the rose down the bridge of Fox's nose. "Beautiful." The rose moved over Fox's lips, down his chin and throat, and ended where their bodies touched. "This feels good," he sighed, wriggling against the body beneath him and enjoying the silken sensastion of the rose petals sliding between them.

"Yeah, it does," Fox answered, stroking his back.

"When spring comes, I want to go out one night and make love to you under the cherry trees."

Fox laughed but said nothing.

"I'm serious, you know."

"Alex, we can't."

"Forget can't. There's no such word as can't. Unless I'm telling you I can't hold it anymore..."

Hazel eyes rolled in mock exasperation.

"Would you like to do it?"

Fox's eyes closed and his mouth curved into a soft smile. "It sounds nice."

Alex lifted his weight from Fox's and settled himself on the mattress, pressing into his lover's side. The rose danced over the older's man's chest, skimming each nipple and teasing them into tight brown peaks. "Oh, yeah, baby. I'd love to lay you down in a patch of new grass and listen to all those pretty sounds you make, echoing in the spring breeze..."

Fox arched and gasped softly as Alex's words and the feather-light touch of the rose against his skin sent tingles through the far reaches of his body.

Alex smiled as he watched his lover writhe in pleasure. He drew the rose slowly down Fox's chest and abdomen, letting it barely brush the scattering of light hair that led down to the heavier thatch of dark curls. He watched the rigid cock twitch in response, but he did not let the rose touch it. Instead, he drew the pink blossom down one thigh, scattering individual petals as it moved. When he reached Fox's shin, he worked his way back up, taking care to avoid his lover's cock, and let the rose slide down the other leg.

"Alex?"

"Yeah?"

"Please touch me."

"I *am* touching you."

//Oh, no. Oh, please, please, please. Not now...//

"Yes, you are, and it feels so good. B-but I really need for you to touch my cock."

"Why?" Alex brushed the rose against the sole of Fox's foot and watched it jump.

"Cause I *need* you to."

"Fox?" Alex grinned. "Are your teeth clenched?"

No answer.

"You do that when you're annoyed about something. Are you annoyed with me, Fox?"

"No, I am *not* annoyed. But I will be in about thirty seconds if you don't do what I'm asking."

A soft, satisfied chuckle accompanied the brush of the rose over the length of Fox's flushed erection. Alex watched pleased as the older man's muscles bunched and his cock leapt, seeking more contact than that of a mere whisper of a touch. He flicked the rose back and forth across the tip of his lover's cock until the edges of the petals glistened with the moisture they'd gathered.

Fox's hips bucked and a series of short, harsh sounds rolled from his throat.

"Hey, I've got a question," Alex asked curiously, lightly flogging the older man's cock and balls with the head of the rose."Do you think that I could make you come like this?"

"If I said no, would you just take my word for it and put me out of my misery?"

Alex smiled sweetly down at him. "Nah. What fun would that be?"

"Tons of fun, I promise you."

Alex shook his head vigorously, grinning from ear to ear. "No, I think I'll have to run a little experiment here..."

"No," Fox pleaded. "No, you..." His words faded into a moan as Alex's hand moved continuously, letting the rose glide up and down his cock.

"You like that, Fox?"

The other man sighed audibly and nodded.

"Like it enough to come?"

"I can't...I...it's just a tease..."

Alex lowered his head, brushing his mouth over his lover's. "Aww. Okay, I'll tell you what? I'll give you a little more help." He moved away, pulling open the nightstand drawer and removing the tube of Astroglide.

Fox's breath came out in a rush of relief and his body began to shake slightly. "God, thank you...thank you."

Alex smirked down at him and, laying the rose down by the other man's hip, he stroked some of the cool gel onto his own throbbing erection. He moaned softly at the sensation, then removed his hand. "Sit up, babe."

Fox obeyed and waited for his next instruction. He watched as Alex lay back against the pillows and drew the rose down his thigh. The younger man smiled up at him and stroked his own cock. "Let's go."

Quickly, Fox straddled his lover's hips, impaling himself on his cock. Just as he was about to push downward, Alex's hands at his waist, stopped him.

"Whoa, baby. Easy."

Fox shook his head in defiance. "I need you." His eyes closed, and a hard breath escaped his lips as Alex pushed up gently and stroked the rose along the side of his cock.

"I know." Alex crooned. "But can we do this nice and easy? For a little while at least?"

Fox stared down at the younger man, impatience glittering in his eyes. "All right," he gave in. "Just for a little while."

He relaxed the best he could and let Alex guide him slowly with one hand while he teased his cock with the other. His head rolled back as he moved, feeling the hard warmth fill him, and the light pressure of the rose stroking over his cock. The sensations made him shiver, and his cock throbbed, begging for relief. He endured the agonizingly slow pace for a few minutes more, then opened his eyes to find his lover staring up at him.

Alex gave Fox a trembling smile. "You're beautiful to watch."

Fox bit down on his lower lip and said nothing as he fought to maintain his composure.

"Now, I want to watch you come." His hips rocked faster, and the rose again slapped lightly against his cock.

A soft whimper formed in Fox's throat as he moved against his lover with more force. "Alex," he panted, unable to stand it a moment longer. "Please..."

"It's up to you, baby," Alex encouraged, stroking and occasionally flogging the older man's cock with the wilting bloom. "Any time you're ready." He tilted his pelvis and drew his knees up, supporting the older man as he began to thrash.

Fox screamed as Alex's cock now hit his prostate on nearly every stroke.

"You got it, baby," Alex gasped, never letting up on the subtle stimulation of his lover's tormented cock. "Come on...take me with you..."

Sweat trickled down Fox's face and neck as he slammed back against Alex's hips again and again. Loud, guttural sounds filled the air as he came, shooting a stream of thick fluid up and over Alex's hand and belly.

Alex immediately followed him, sobbing Fox's name as violent spasms shook his body. He emptied himself into his lover then sagged against the pillows, soon finding himself with an armful of exhausted, sweat-slick Fox.

They lay quietly, each man attempting to catch his breath, then Fox opened his eyes and looked down at Alex.

"We look like we should be a float in Pasadena."

Alex broke into laughter, plucking a rose petal from Fox's chest. "Okay, so I didn't think about how they were gonna stick to us."

"No kidding."

"They'll come right off of us, and all we gotta do is fold the sheet up and shake it out the window. It was fun, wasn't it?"

"Yeah." Fox picked up the single remaining rose and grinned down at Alex. "I should press this one in a book with a little note. 'February twenty-sixth. Nineteen ninety-nine. Here lies the only rose in the world to ever get a man off.'"

"How do you know it's the only one?"

"Aww, Alex, there can't possibly be somebody out there kinkier than you."

Alex stretched up for a light kiss. "That's sweet. Come on, let's get these petals off before they dry and we have to use window scrapers or something."

Over an hour and a half later, everything was cleaned up, and the two were between fresh sheets, sleeping a deep, dreamless sleep.

********************

"Nice to see you at your desk."

Fox smiled up at his partner. "Thanks."

"I'm glad Skinner realized how important it is to have you here....muffin?"

Fox glanced at the offered bag in Scully's left hand. "No thanks. Alex made me a big breakfast this morning."

Blue eyes cut down to the floor. "Oh. Well..."

"If you've got two cups of coffee in there, though, I'll take one. I need all the caffeine I can get."

"Rough night?"

Fox smiled softly. "No."

When it was clear that he would say no more, Scully turned away and set the bag down on her desk. She hung her coat up and removed two cups from the paper sack, handing one to her partner.

"Thanks." He took a sip and cleared his throat. "So...I see a bunch of stuff piled up here on my desk. Guess I'd better start slogging through it."

Before Scully could answer, a soft knock sounded at the partially open door.

"Good morning, sir," Scully addressed the A.D. as he came to stand just inside the doorway.

"Morning." Skinner glanced from Scully to Fox. Their eyes held for a moment, and he looked away. "Good to have you back, Agent Mulder."

"Thank you," Fox said softly, but his voice as well as his stare was hard as nails.

"Sir? What happened to you?" Scully asked, now noticing the bruise on the left side of the A.D.'s face.

Skinner gave a nonchalant shake of his head. "Nothing. Just a stupid little accident."

"*Little* accident? Looks like you were hit with a brick."

Skinner's eyes flicked quickly from Fox to his partner. Scully did not miss the look.

"N-no, I'm fine. It's not that big a deal. Uh...anyway, I just wanted to come down and welcome Agent Mulder back and let you both know that there's a department meeting at eleven in conference room three."

The two agents nodded and Skinner took a step backward. "I'll see you both there."

Without another word, he left the office as soon as he'd closed the door behind him, Scully turned on her partner.

"What the hell was that?"

"What was what?"

"You know what happened to him, don't you?"

No reply.

"Mulder...tell me you didn't slug him."

"Of *course* not."

"Well then, *what*..." Her mouth dropped open and she stared blankly at him. "No...oh, no." Her voice lowered to a harsh whisper. "*Krycek* did that?"

Still nothing.

"*Mulder*..."

"You don't know what happened, Scully."

"I don't *care* what happened. Your boyfriend hit your boss!"

"Because my boss hit him first!"

Scully stared in silence.

"That's right, Scully. Skinner insisted that they talk, Alex met him *without* my knowledge at his apartment, and Skinner let him have it."

"Krycek must have done something to provoke him."

"You're just going to find any way you can to pin this on Alex, aren't you?"

"I'm sorry, Mulder, but I just really have a hard time imagining that Skinner hit him without the slightest bit of provocation."

"I'm not saying that they didn't have words beforehand, but it was Skinner who threw the first punch. Now, you didn't really expect Alex to stand there and take it, did you?"

"N-no, but...God, Mulder, couldn't he have just left?"

"*Alex*?"

She sighed heavily. "Okay, I suppose that was a stupid question. So, if you weren't there, who broke up the fight?"

"There *was* no fight. They each only threw one punch, then they talked."

"Talked," Scully repeated. "Why can't I see that?"

"I didn't say that it was a friendly chat, Scully. I said they talked."

"So, is anything settled?"

"Probably about as settled as things are with *you* two."

"So. Not really."

"Not really. You three have *got* to come to some sort of understanding though, Scully."

Mulder, I've told you that I'll try and deal with this thing for your sake. I don't know what more you could want from me. I'll never trust Krycek."

"Why, Scully? Who had more reason to distrust him than me? And now I trust him with my life."

"And I still think you need a psychiatrist."

"Why, because I'm in love?"

"Mulder, you know perfectly well that I would never..." she paused and took a breath. "..would never begrudge you any happiness. But this has nothing to do with you being in love, and everything to do with who it is you're in love *with*."

"God. I'm so tired of going through this with you. Just...promise me you'll be civil. That's all I ask of either of you."

"Don't worry about me. I promise I'll never take a swing at your boyfriend's pretty face."

"You say it with such disdain."

"What?"

"Boyfriend." He studied her for a long moment then said softly, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry about what?"

"I'm...I...I'm sorry if I...if this has hurt you in any way."

Scully's eyes slipped away from his. "I'm fine, Mulder. As...as long as he doesn't hurt *you*."

"He won't. Not intentionally."

"That's not good enough."

"I appreciate your sentiments, Scully, but they're not exactly reasonable. Two people can be deeply in love and still hurt each other. It happens. They don't mean to, but it *does* happen sometimes. I've hurt *him*..."

"It's inconceivable to think that Alex Krycek could ever be emotionally hurt."

"Why not, Scully? If you love, you're subject to hurt. And he loves me."

Scully shrugged. "I guess that's where it begins, Mulder. I'm still having a hard time with that."

"Contrary to what you think, Scully, he *is* a human being, and he's got feelings...and they run very deep."

Scully's lack of a response came as no big surprise to him. He knew she still didn't believe it, and he also knew that she wearied rather quickly of these 'Alex' duscussions, especially when she made absolutely no headway.

"Well, I'd better get moving on these files."

Scully looked to the stack of folders on her partner's desk and nodded. "Okay," she answered solemnly. "I've got some work of my own to do." She drifted over to her desk and sat down, eyeing the man who had immersed himself in the files before him.

//God help you if you're wrong about him, Mulder. In fact, he may have to help us all.//

********************

"Come in."

The door to Skinner's office swung silently open and Fox Mulder stalked in, composed, resolute, and sexy as all get out. Gold-flecked eyes focused on his target as long, purposeful strides carried him to the front of the AD's desk. Skinner took a deep, steadying breath and motioned to the other man's usual seat. Fox ignored the offer and stared down at him.

"I was not a very happy camper last night. In fact, I'm still not."

Skinner looked down at the pen he twirled between his fingers. "I didn't think you would be."

"Then, why?" There was the slightest edge of irritation in his tone. "Why did you ask him to your place? Why'd you hit him?"

"In case you hadn't noticed, it didn't exactly go unanswered."

Fox's gaze flicked to the bruising on the other man's face then returned to his eyes. "You had to have expected that you'd get as good as you gave."

"I didn't expect anything. I didn't think. I was too angry. By the time I was able to give it a second thought, I was sprawled across a chair, seeing stars."

"What were you so angry about?"

Skinner drew himself up straighter in his chair. "Your...lover...is an infuritaing, arrogant man. He enjoys pushing people's buttons. He can't go around instigating trouble with impunity..."

Fox didn't ask what it was that Alex had said to piss Skinner off; he was pretty sure he could accurately guess.

"...He would have received a lot worse," Skinner continued honestly, "if I hadn't found myself with a gun pointed in my face."

"Gun?"

"Oh, you don't know about that? After he hit me and I fell back into the chair, I started to get up, but he pulled a gun on me."

"And *that's* what stopped you from killing each other?"

"Yeah. He said you wouldn't appreciate it if he went home with his face all messed up." Skinner stopped talking and watched as the other man turned and prowled the width of the room. He chewed on a tiny corner of his mouth as his eyes followed each sweep of those long, Armani-encased legs and imagined them naked and wrapped tightly around his hips, muscles flexing as they pulled him in, wanting him deeper and deeper...

"....should have pulled his gun on you..." Skinner blinked, pulling himself out of his impossible fantasy and turned his attention up to the man who had stopped pacing and was now speaking to him. "...he shouldn't have. But you shouldn't have asked him to your apartment. What did you hope to accomplish knowing full well that you would never believe anything he said to you?"

"I don't...I don't know. I guess I just hoped I'd be able to read him...to make some sort of definite determination. I hoped I'd be able to learn what his intentions really are."

Fox folded his arms across his chest. "And?"

The other man shook his head. "All I can see is trouble."

"Because it's all you want to see. It's all you and Scully will ever want to see."

Skinner averted his eyes.

"Do me favor," Fox said softly, drawing the older man's attention back. "Just leave it alone. I'm living my life the way I want to, and I'm happier than I've ever been. I'll be fine...as long as I have him, I'll be just fine. I'd like for you to be able to accept that, but if you really can't, I'll understand and just ask that we not discuss my personal life at all." He watched the older man for some sign of a response. When there was none, he spoke again. "I'm very sorry if I'd given you any...if you'd thought for even a second, we could've..."

Skinner held up a hand. "You didn't. It's my fault. All mine. I'll keep a personal distance. But..."

Fox waited.

"Still, please know that if you should ever need me or..."

"Thank you."

Skinner stared for a few seconds longer than he needed to then looked down at his desk. "Go on home, Agent Mulder. I'm sure it's where you'd like to be right now."

Fox nodded and backed up a few steps before turning and vacating the room.

The slow, painful thud of his heart ticked off the seconds as Skinner stared down at the folder in his clenched hands. The impulse to fling it across the room was almost too much to resist, but ultimately, good-sense and discipline took over. He drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, still looking down at the folder. He opened it up and regarded the jumble of words before him.

//Fuck it.//

He pushed himself away from his desk, snatched his jacket off of the hook and headed for home.

********************

Home.

Fox opened the door and walked in, sniffing appreciatively at the smells coming from the kitchen. He smiled uncontrollably as the reality of just how much his life had changed hit him.

He took his coat off and walked into the kitchen, practically hitting Alex with the door as the other man was exiting.

"Sorry," Fox laughed softly and wrapped his arms around the younger man. "Hi honey, I'm home."

"No kidding." Alex returned the embrace then laid a tender kiss on his lover's lips. "You hungry?"

"Yeah. Smells great."

"It'll be ready in about fifteen minutes, so why don't you go change?"

"Okay." He stole another quick kiss and turned to the door. Just as he reached it, he stopped and smirked at the other man. "Why do I feel the urge to put on a cardigan sweater and call you June?"

"If you want to look like a geek, go right ahead," Alex shrugged. "But I'll tell you what. Don't expect to see me in a blonde wig and pearls any time soon."

Fox laughed all the way to the bedroom.

He pushed the door open, and the laughter turned into a choking cough.

"Ohhhhh my...God...."

********************

Alex carried two heaping plates out into the dining room and set them down. As he was turning back into the kitchen, Fox's voice rumbled from the direction of the bedroom.

"Al-ex!"

He threw his head back and laughed softly.

Fox came back into the room with a look on his face that sent Alex in a fit of giggles.

"What did you do?"

"What's it look like I did?"

"I *know* what it looks like, I want to know why!"

"That isn't what you asked. You asked *what* did I do."

"Alex, quit talking in circles. You *know* what I mean!"

Alex gave him an irresistible pout. "You don't like it?"

"I..." Fox sputtered, not knowing exactly what to say. "What possessed you to..."

"Remember when you said you'd like to watch me while I was fucking you?"

Fox blinked then stared. "Yeah, but...Alex, you don't have to take things so literally..."

Alex's shoulders slumped. "You *don't* like it."

"I...I didn't say that..."

"You didn't say you *did*."

"I'm just a little shocked, you know? I mean...I...oh, God..."

"I'll take it down if you want."

"No! N-no, I didn't say I wanted you to do that."

Alex stared down at the floor, giving Fox his best sulk. "I just wanted to surprise you. I thought you'd like it. Guess I should have asked first."

Alex could play him like a fiddle.

Thing was, he knew it...and he loved it.

Fox slipped his arms around the younger man's waist and pulled him close.

"I *am* surprised, baby. I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that I didn't like it."

Alex brightened. "So you *do* like it?"

"Yeah." Fox kissed the tip of his nose. "Uh...but, umm...it's not gonna fall on us or anything, is it?"

"Of course not. There's a special adhesive just for that."

Fox nodded. "Okay." He glanced over to the table. "Why don't we eat before dinner gets cold?" He let his hand slide up and down Alex's back. "Then we can go and uh...have a better look at your handiwork."

Alex growled softly, nipping at Fox's lower lip. "You got it." He took the older man by the hand and led him to the table.

While they ate, they made conversation about Fox's day and his confrontations with Scully and Skinner. When the meal had ended, he helped Alex clean up and they adjorned to the bedroom.

Fox craned his neck, looking up at the eight by eight squares that took up an area of roughly four feet by six feet.

"You work fast."

Alex approached him from behind and nibbled at the back of his neck. "Only when I need to."

The older man's head fell forward and he moaned almost inaudibly as Alex continued to tease the sensitive patch of skin. Almost any place Alex touched him seemed to result in arousal, but this was definitely one of Fox's more erogenous zones. He shuddered as the younger man nipped and pulled at the fine hairs that ran along the length of his neck.

"Mmmm."

Alex licked a trail from the base of Fox's neck up into his hair. "Yes?"

"You know what that does to me."

"Oh, yeah, I know." Alex wrapped his arms around the older man and ran his hands up and down his chest. "I can feel it."

Fox shivered again as his lover's voice rumbled against his skin. He closed a hand over Alex's, and, raising it up to his lips, planted a soft kiss in the palm. He then pushed it downward, letting both hands slide along the length his body, and stopping when he felt the warmth cover his restrained cock. "Can you feel that?"

Alex bit gently into Fox's neck, growling as he did. At the same time, he squeezed the solid bulge under his hand. "For me?"

"All for you, sweetheart."

Alex undid his lover's pants and slid his hand inside, burrowing past the silk underwear. Both men groaned simultaneously when his fingers came in direct contact with the rock-solid length of muscle. He tenderly caressed the shaft while beginning to unbutton Fox's shirt with his free hand.

Fox's head rolled and fell back against Alex's shoulder as the younger man pushed the edges of his shirt aside and brushed his fingers over his hardened, cotton-covered nipples. He grunted softly, feeling the shirt being jerked down his arms and back, and then he was pushed away and spun around so that they were now face to face. Alex finished removing his shirt, dropping it into a pool of blue at their feet, then pulled the white undershirt up over his head and let it fall to the floor as well. The remaining articles of clothing immediately followed, and when Fox was completely stripped, Alex guided him down to the mattress. One lingering kiss, and the younger man backed away.

Fox stretched then relaxed against the pillows as he watched his lover slowly strip off his own clothing, mesmerized by the smooth flow of muscle beneath the satiny skin. When Alex had bent to pull his pants off, Fox's eyes flicked up to the mirror, and the thrill of seeing himself naked and aroused, sprawled over the bed awaiting his lover, sizzled through his body, deeply flushing his skin and sending tiny pinpricks of pleasurable pain to its surface.

When Alex had finished removing his clothing, he slid up beside Fox, letting a hand drift over his chest and abdomen. Propping his head in his other hand, he let his eyes wander upward. He watched silently for a while as he stroked and petted his aroused lover, then he smiled down into Fox's face.

"It's almost like being outside of yourself, isn't it?"

Fox nodded mutely.

"I like being able to see all of you at once." Alex's eyes again rose to the mirrors, and his fingers brushed over one nipple, then gently pinched the brown peak. He smiled as Fox responded. "I like seeing the way your whole body reacts when I touch you..."

Their eyes met and held in the mirror, and a slow smile tilted the corners of Alex's mouth. His hand slipped downward, lightly caressing the older man's cock. "Look, Fox," he whispered, his fingers closing around the shaft. When Fox's gaze followed his direction, he spoke again. "You're so beautiful..." His thumb passed over the tip of his lover's cock, glazing the head with a thin layer of the viscous fluid that had gathered there. He looked up to find Fox panting softly as he watched through a fall of golden-brown lashes. "Tell me what you want, baby."

Exquisitely full lips parted, and Alex almost had to strain to hear the soft rasp of his lover's voice.

"I want to watch you suck me."

A purely demonic grin lit Alex's face, and he lowered himself, slowly kissing and licking in a straight line down to his lover's cock.

Fox's mouth fell open and a hard gasp tumbled out as he watched Alex's head move over his crotch.

"God..."

His hands clenched in the pillow under his head as he fought to keep himself from thrusting up into the moist heat of Alex's mouth. He watched the younger man's hands gently stroke his thighs and hips as the sable head moved in a lazy, aimless fashion, sucking and pulling his cock in a variety of directions, and issued a long moan.

Alex smiled as his lover voiced his desire. He turned onto his side, pulling Fox with him, and he drew back, momentarily letting go of the other man's cock.

"Now you can watch yourself fuck my mouth," he murmured up at the one who was now petting his hair. He curved his fingers into Fox's ass and pulled him forward. "Come on, baby. Give it to me." Still looking up into Fox's golden-green gaze, he opened his mouth and his tongue lashed at the tip of the blunt head.

Fox's lips curled into a sensual snarl, and his fingers tangled in Alex's hair as he thrust forward. His eyes turned up into the mirror, and he watched his cock disappear inch by inch into the hungry mouth. The ability to think or speak left him, and instinct took over as he held Alex's head motionless and began to thrust in and out of his mouth.

Alex clung to Fox's ass, his whimpers of pleasure muffled, as again and again his lover drove inside, sliding over his tongue and hitting the back of his throat. His eyes drifted shut and he gave himself up to the passion of Fox's possession, relaxing his throat and allowing the other man to thrust as deeply as he could.

Fox gritted his teeth, fighting to keep from answering his body's plea for release. He slowed his thrusts, hoping it would be enough to stave off the storm that he knew would soon roll in, but it wasn't.

"Alex...Jeez....babe...baby..." His fingers tightened in the younger man's hair and pulled him away. Glazed, green eyes stared dazedly up at him, and he stroked the stubbled cheek with a trembling hand. "Fuck me," he whispered, half-demanding, half-pleading.

Alex blinked, partially clearing the fog from his head, and slid up, rolling Fox onto his back. He lay over the older man, kissing him deeply, letting him taste himself. As their tongues danced together, he reached out to the nightstand, groping for the drawer. Unable to reach it, he finally had to pull away from his lover's mouth. Fox's frustrated groan brought him back instantly.

"I need to get the lube, baby," he explained against Fox's lips before planting another soft kiss on them. "Just wait two seconds..."

Fox writhed impatiently as Alex lifted himself away and quickly plucked the lube from the drawer. He was back in an instant, and Fox pulled him down, his mouth searching for the warmth it needed.

Alex gave in to him again, nipping and sucking at his lips, feeding his ravenous desire before again withdrawing.

"No," Fox gasped, lifting his head from the pillow and trying to pull Alex back down to him.

"Easy," he crooned softly, as he squeezed some lube into his hand and began to gently apply it to his throbbing erection. His upper lip twitched as he endured his own touch, then he squeezed a bit more out onto two fingers and pulled Fox's legs up and back. He gave his lover a soft smile and motioned upward with his eyes, indicating that Fox should watch the mirror.

Gilded eyes rose to their reflection, and Fox watched as Alex's fingers stroked down the underside of his cock, over his balls and between the muscular cheeks of his ass. His hands curled into the sheets as slowly, Alex inched both fingers into him at once. He struggled to keep his eyes open, feeling the tingle of pleasure as Alex pushed into him up to the second knuckles then twisted his fingers back and forth, working them in as far a they would go.

"Watch, Fox," Alex whispered. "Watch your expression..."

He stroked over Fox's prostate and the older man arched, crying out his name.

"You see? I love that look..." He stimulated the same spot and smiled as he received a slightly more frantic reaction. "It's mine, isn't it?" His eyes flicked up and met Fox's in the mirrors. "Just mine?"

Fox nodded, panting. "Just...just yours."

A deep growl rumbled in Alex's chest, and he gently pulled his fingers out, promptly replacing them with the tip of his cock. He pushed forward steadily, not stopping until the head was fully embedded in Fox's heat.

"Don't...don't stop, Alex. I want it," Fox whined, "please.."

"Shhh. Wait, baby," Alex pleaded breathlessly. "Let me...just...wait..."

Fox's head rolled impatiently from side to side but he kept the rest of his body as still as he could, understanding how close Alex was to the edge. He focused on the mirrors above him, scanning the body that lay over his.

Beautfully symmetrical, smooth, and graceful, and powerfully built, even at rest he wore an aura of strength and agility unmatched by anyone Fox knew.

He raised a hand to Alex's hair, combing his fingers through the glossy, sable strands, then let his hand slide downward over the broad back, memorizing its hardness and texture. He watched intently, loving the way the sinews tightened and relaxed under his touch. He smiled as Alex twitched when his fingers wandered over the downy hairs at the small of his back, then, finally, he moved lower, watching the magnificent, taut ass clench in anticipation. Using both hands now, Fox covered the rounded muscles, kneading gently, and listening to his lover's low moans of pleasure. He trembled at the thought of seeing this perfect body in motion as Alex fucked him into next week...

Feeling Fox's body quaking beneath him, Alex pulled himself together and lifted his head. He gazed down into lust-filled eyes, stroking his lover's jaw, then he lowered his head, engaging Fox in a slow, breath-stealing kiss as he began to move.

Fox broke the kiss, gasping into the air as the younger man buried his cock inside him. His fingers tightened in Alex's ass, pulling him in as he arched up, wanting to feel him deeper than he ever had.

"Baby...please...fuck me. F...fuck me." Fox wrapped his legs tightly around Alex's waist and began to buck beneath him. "Do it. *Do* it..."

Grimacing, Alex rose up on his forearms, hands tucked under Fox's shoulders, his fingers biting into his lover's flesh. He began to rock, steadily but slowly driving into the other man's slick heat. His mouth fell open and a long hiss escaped his throat as the sensations began to overwhelm him, and he increased the speed of his thrusts.

Fox watched, mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the two of them tangled together...every muscle in Alex's body working in concert as he took them closer and closer to the eye of the storm. "I love you," he whispered to the reflection, watching his own hands work feverishly over the straining muscles. "God, I love you..."

Alex shuddered, hearing the passionately uttered words. He could hear them every day, ten times a day, and they would always have the same effect on him.

He slipped a hand between them, wrapping his fingers around his lover's cock and began to stroke it.

"My baby," he choked, "my beautiful...show me." He thrust harder. "Show me how much..."

Fox stiffened then began to jerk uncontrollably as he emitted a sobbing scream and coated Alex's hand and his own belly with a seemingly endless stream of warm fluid. At almost exactly that same moment, his insides were flooded with slick heat as Alex's screams of pleasure joined his own.

Alex collapsed on top of his lover, dropping his head to his shoulder. He moaned softly as he slipped out of Fox when the older man's legs slid down to the bed, but was too weak to do much else.

Fox uttered a groan of complaint as well, and wrapped his arms around Alex's back. He opened his eyes and smiled up at the image that met his eyes...

His beautiful Alex, exhausted and covered in perspiration, sprawled comfortably over his own body...lips turned into a weary, luscious pout...eyelashes dark as soot, dusting the curve of his cheek...

He watched his hand slide up and down over the slick back then weave through Alex's hair. He dropped a tender kiss on the crown of his lover's head then closed his eyes. Long minutes later, Alex began to stir. Fox kissed him again then gently squeezed his shoulder.

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"My present." Fox could feel Alex smiling against his shoulder.

"My pleasure." He lifted his head. "Literally."

Fox grinned, stroking the hair back from his forehead. "You're gorgeous to watch...just like I knew you would be."

Alex returned the grin. "Later, I get to watch *you*."

"Uh...later?"

Alex shrugged and looked at the clock. "It's still early."

Fox turned his head to see what Alex considered *early*.

"It's after nine. God, how did it get to be that time?"

"That *time*? What are you, seventy?"

Fox smirked and gave Alex's ass a playful swat. "The way you work me? I'll be there in a couple of years, max." He stared off into space. "Then you'll move on to your next victim, suck him dry, and find someone else..."

Alex shook his head as his lover rambled. "Never. Like it or not, you're stuck with me." He lowered his head to Fox's, nuzzling his cheek. "I love you. Always...even if you do get all old and wrinkled, and I'm still young and handsome..."

Fox grasped his wrists, flipping him over so that he was now pinned to the mattress. "Is that right?"

Alex laughed uncontrollably, unable to gather the strength to break free. "Yeah. I'll just tell people you're my father..."

"You're going to suffer for that," Fox promised then bit into his lover's shoulder.

"Oww! Shit!"

"That hurt?"

"Yeah!"

"Figured I might as well get a few good ones in," Fox taunted, "you know, while I've still got my own teeth."

Alex laughed and winced at the dull throb that began in his shoulder. "Okay, okay." He looked up into sparkling eyes and the humor faded a bit. He removed a hand from Fox's loosened grip and reached up, tracing the swell of his lover's bottom lip. "Seriously...I do love you..."

Fox grasped the hand and placed a soft kiss in the palm.

"No matter what anyone says to you."

"I know that, Alex."

"Don't ever forget it."

"Never."

Alex smiled up at the other man then looked past him to his reflection. "Mmmmm, nice."

Fox cocked his head curiously. "What?"

"You...from behind. Very pretty." His tongue slithered out, licking his bottom lip. "You know," he purred, slipping a hand down to Fox's ass and caressing it gently, "it really isn't that late..."

END  ??

Nah. You know how fond I am of dragging things out.

Anyway...I said at the end of this chapter, I'd defend myself concerning the way I treated poor Walt.

I like the surly one, I really do. The man is tres cool. But for the purposes of this story, I had to be kinda mean to him. Well....Alex did. And as cool as I think Skinner is, and even though he came too close for the comfort of some of my buddies, he will never, ever, in any of my stories be knockin' boots with either of my boys. In Aries' universe, Fox and Alex belong to each other exclusively.

Okay, I've yacked long enough. On to part four...

(part 4 coming soon!)

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