Treatment part 2

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He drove back to his home, considering how he was going to break the news to his housekeeper. She was a proper Irish girl, Louise, trying to save enough money for college here in the states. Walter didn't need a daily housekeeper, but it was better to just pay her to help him than for her to work more jobs than necessary to save her money. He knew she spent time sitting in his house studying and it never bothered him.

At the house, Louise was just finishing up his laundry. She nodded politely to him.

"Louise? You don't have to be quiet around me. If you want to say something, say something."

"Can't. If I do, I'll never get to stay here. Believe me, I have some bloody choice words for your bastard president. Makin' ye step down for things ye didn' have anything to do with."

"I know. This country is very strange that way. Don't let it concern you."

"Yessir. I'll be takin' the dry cleaning now. Is there anything else I can get for ye?"

"Yes, well, no, but I will be having a house guest. When you come by tomorrow, change the sheets in the guest bedroom, freshen the blankets, vacuum, dust and clean the downstairs bathroom. He'll be here a while. He may have dietary preferences, so I'll be leaving a list for marketing. Is that OK with you?"

"Yessir. Tomorrow, then."

She left the house and Walter noticed the quiet. It was only late afternoon. Kids should have been home from school, outside playing on the sidewalks, in yards. Maybe this was the norm. A product of the Nintendo generation. Kids would rather stay inside and play video games than be outside running around, playing war or cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers. He decided he'd cook some dinner, as opposed to ordering in. He'd taken a cooking class back when he was freshly divorced and still an assistant director, and he still had the time to go to classes. Back when Sharon was still alive. Having the necessary ingredients for a dinner were quiet another thing.

Sorely disappointed with his in-house food stores, Walter went back to his car and drove straight to the Megamart about half a mile from his home. He hadn't done a proper grocery shopping trip since...well, since he was married. He and Sharon would do that together on Saturdays as their bonding time. As the marriage went on, Sharon would make smaller trips throughout the week, only asking him to bring home the large things, and he usually forgot those. Maybe if they still shopped together...

Walter didn't let the maudlin memories start to creep in, trying to assign blame. Just like the review committee asked him to take the heat for the Consortium debacle, he would take the blame in his marriage, the breakup and the murder. As Walter combed the aisles for his groceries, he noticed the looks he was getting from some of the other shoppers. Some looks of pity, but there were other glares of outright contempt. Walter did his best to let things roll off his shoulders, but after loading the car with his purchases, he was shaking. He didn't know if it was anger, fear or sadness, or a combination of all three. He was even aware of the glares he got for his choice in vehicles. He owned the Jaguar for four years and didn't drive it. And he'd have to sell it. It was such a waste.

That night, Walter watched the news, which was still running stories about the cases broken by Alex's plethora of information. There was a brief clip about Walter resigning, and Mulder's new statement that his boss was taking the blame for things "that happened before he was born! It's a travesty, a crime and a serious miscarriage of justice if the American people need to feel better at the expense of the good name of a hero."

Walter smiled. He was thankful his old bureau cell phone had been returned. He assumed it would be going off like crazy after that statement. His home phone had been an unlisted number, and it was silent. Too silent. Did none of his friends want to speak to him? And...did he have any friends? No, he didn't. All he'd had was coworkers, then subordinates. Mulder had been the closest thing he had to a friend. Mulder was too busy being the media darling. Walter didn't have a hobby. He didn't even own a pet. He lived a pretty pathetic life.

Arriving at the hospital around 1PM, Walter had made sure he brought clothing he thought would fit Alex. He didn't want to take the chance that he didn't have any friends either, no one to bring him anything. After spending the morning in the local mall, something he did not relish, he thought he'd done a fair job of choosing black Levi's 501s, soft cotton shirts and under things, and a brand new pair of black Doc Martin boots, the kind he'd always wanted for himself.

Alex was sitting up in his bed, ignoring the tray of lunch in front of him. The nurse was standing over him, lecturing him that they couldn't release him until he ate another solid meal.

"This isn't a meal, this is a pile of..."

"Alex, you should know better than to speak that way to a lady. Now, say you're sorry and eat your lunch."

Alex looked up at Walter and if looks could kill, Walter would have been struck down by lightning. Grudgingly, though, Alex mumbled an apology and picked up his fork. He poked at the steamed chicken breast and boiled rice. "Walt, this is disgusting." The nurse shook her head and left the room, nodding at Walter.

"What's in the bag?" Alex asked, mouth full.

"Your clothes. I'm going to assume the things you arrived in aren't fit to wear, so I bought you some new things. I remembered your shoe size, but I had to guess on the clothes. You look like you've lost weight."

"With this kind of food, do you blame me?" Alex spat, putting his plastic fork down, and declaring the meal concluded.

"No, I don't. Why don't you get some clothes on and I'll wait outside. We'll get you signed out and on your way back to my place. And since you know my house, you know how nice the guest room is."

Assisting him from the bed, Walter pulled the curtain closed around Alex's bed. He began pulling clothing out, cutting off tags, removing sizing stickers so that he did not watch at Alex shimmied his boxer briefs up his hips and adjusted his package into place. "I'll wait outside while you finish here."

Walter left the room quickly, knowing he'd want the same privacy offered, but Alex wouldn't really have cared. He wasn't one to be modest. When he stepped from the curtained area, boots in his hands, he eyed Walter warily as he sat in the chair to tie his boots. "These fit pretty good, Walt. Thanks."

That was a huge disclosure on Alex's part. Especially saying thank you. Walter didn't take it for granted, nor did he condescend to Alex. He just nodded in thanks of the compliment. After Alex had tied his boots, he sat back a moment, eyes closed.

"Are you all right, Alex?" Walter asked, concerned, but not hovering.

"Yes, fine. Came up too fast, little dizzy."

Immediately, Walter was by his side, arm about the small of his back. Alex's face turned to his, and Walter remembered why he was so lost so long ago, in those eyes, those beautiful green eyes, those long and luscious lashes. It was plain and simple. Alex was just as alluring and enticing as he was when Walter first fell head over heels for him.

"I said I'm fine!" Alex protested and pulled away from Walter. He ran a hand through his hair and pulled it back, frowning. "Fuck, I need a shower. I smell like a homeless person."

"That's fine. There's plenty of bathing facilities at my house. Let's go, Alex. I promise to take good care of you."

Alex nodded and they made their way to the nurses' station, where several of the young trainees, and even interns, gave Alex knowing looks. Walter smiled, knowing the women standing there, all vying for Alex's attention, were shit out of luck. Alex was gay, always was, always would be. Walter had been one of the fortunate few to have gotten a taste.

Alex was thankful they didn't make him ride in a wheelchair to the car that Walter had pulled up to the exit. The smile of appreciation was well noted as Alex got into the Jaguar. "Nice wheels. Was this one of your parting gifts?"

"No, this was in place of a midlife crisis and a mistress." Walter smiled as Alex sat back and appreciated the smooth acceleration.

"I thought I was your..."

"Shut up! If you don't want to have to deal with it, then stop bringing it up."

Walter was instantly sorry he'd snapped at Alex, hoping it didn't spark one of his fabulous brooding sessions. Being Russian, Alex could brood with the best of them. It almost ruined one of their stolen vacations. Walter was able to bring Alex around with the smell of steak and onions. Alex's weakness was good food. Thinking back, Walter wondered if he'd learned to cook for himself after the divorce, or to possibly lure Alex back into his bed.

"I didn't say I didn't want to deal with it. I just said that your cock would tear up my ass..."

"Yes, I remember. You needn't worry. Any newly found virtue is safe from me. Rest assured."

Walter wasn't sure, but he thought that the sideways look he got from Alex was something less than snide. Something more like longing. He couldn't let that seep into his brain. That had to roll off his back. If he let the old feelings slide back into his head, they'd take over his life. And letting Alex back into his life was tantamount to suicide, political, social and physical.

When Walter pulled up to the house, he immediately went over to Alex's side to help him out. Alex batted his hand away and said, "I'm not a baby! You can just go in. I'll be fine."

Walter stepped back and let Alex get himself out of the car seat and slam the door closed. It hurt a little to hear the rattle of the window, knowing that window was forever loose, but it was better for Alex to feel the strength of his actions. Walter followed behind Alex, making sure each step was sure. The progress was slow, but with the abscess at the center of the small of Alex's back, it probably still throbbed in pain.

"Alex, do you have any prescriptions you need filled?" Walter asked. "I can take them for you."

"No, I'm fine."

Shaking his head, Walter followed Alex up the porch steps and into the house. It seemed Alex did know where he was going because he headed straight back to the bedroom on the first floor. The clothes Walter bought him were already there. Alex made himself comfortable in the easy chair, looking around the room with detached interest.

"Do you like it?" Walter asked.

"It's nice. Yeah, thanks."

Alex leaned his head back in the chair and closed his eyes. Walter took that as a "you're dismissed". He went to the kitchen and looked at the clock. It was two-fifteen. Too late for lunch, too early to start dinner. So, he went to his office and looked around. The room seemed alien to him. He'd designed it ages ago, but it didn't seem like something he could enjoy. The room was alien to him. Why did he ever decide a home office was a good idea? It was useless to him. When he was in the bureau, and running it, he could only work from home. Since he'd been dismissed, it wasn't useful.

"Try a laptop on the back porch," Alex said from the doorway.

Walter whirled around and looked at Alex, standing and holding the door frame with a white-knuckled hand. "Well, maybe you should give this place a try. You can't stay locked up in that bedroom the whole time you're here."

"And where will you go?" Alex asked.

"The back porch. Like you said."

Alex smiled and turned to leave. Walter followed him to the kitchen, where he inspected the refrigerator, pulling out a bottle of beer. Walter took his own and they made their way out to the back porch, to sit and look at the small hedged-in area. Walter sat beside him for a few moments before turning to Alex and nudging the man with his shoulder. "You're right, you smell like a homeless person. You need a shower. You should get upstairs into a hot bath and rest for a while."

"Not if I can help it," came a firm feminine voice from the doorway. Scully walked out the back door, messenger bag hanging from her shoulder. She'd upgraded her medical carry-case from the small first aid kit she started with to something almost as comprehensive as a traveling surgical suite.

"Mornin' Red," Alex said, which garnered the response he'd wanted, a wince from Scully. "What brings you out here, way out of the spotlight?"

"Well, Walter mentioned you needed a personal physician to continue your after care. I came to help."

Alex gave her the one-eyebrow salute she was always giving everyone else. Walter enjoyed the exchange, knowing Scully could handle herself, and Alex was still too tired to start a real fight.

"I would like you to hold off on any immersion of the injury site until I give the OK. I would also like to examine you, please. Would you come inside with me?"

"Why can't I just drop my pants here? Nothing Walt hasn't seen before...up close and personal like."

Scully pretended Alex hadn't spoken and extended her hand toward the back door. Reluctantly, Alex struggled to his feet and walked into the house. Walter decided it was smarter to stay outside and let them come out and get him later. He hadn't brought the laptop with him, so he just sat there, drinking his beer, enjoying the afternoon air.

The ruckus started low with "Keep your hands off that," and Alex sounded like he meant it.

"I need to manipulate the site slightly to see which stage of healing you've reached."

"Red, you put your hand on that and I'll pull it clear off your arm. You can make book on that."

"Honestly, Krycek, how can you expect to get better if you don’t trust your doctor."

"You aren't a doctor. You're the mother of my former partner's son. Big fucking difference."

"Just lie on your stomach and relax."

"Fuck that. You practice on dead bodies, Red, I'm not stupid."

Walter stood and made his way inside to the back bedroom. Alex was standing on the opposite side of the bed from Scully, pants loosened but pulled back up his hips. "Walt, tell her not to put her dead-body-touching hands on me!"

"Alex, you know she's a good doctor. She treated the gunshot wound she gave Mulder that was meant for you. Now, drop trou and let her check to see that your wound is healing." Alex stood his ground a moment. "Don't make me come over there."

"Promise?" Alex said, deep and playful, the naughty gleam creeping back into his eyes.

Walter stood his ground. Alex shoved his pants down his hips, dragging the boxer briefs with them, showing a tantalizingly small amount of pubic hair. He lay across the bed and pulled them further down his back until just a hint of crack showed, and Walter fought internally to keep himself calm. He could feel his blood rushing around his body, and when he looked over at Scully, he saw that she knew and was doing her best to ignore it.

What exactly did Scully think of gay men? Walter couldn't call himself gay, having slept with women all his life except for when he'd fallen in love with Alex. Alex was the one person in his life who could turn everything on its head. Then, once Walter was used to the upside-down world, Alex would right everything and ruin Walter's hard-won equilibrium.

When she'd examined Alex sufficiently, Scully pulled off her rubber gloves and gathered her waste in the center of a large sterile paper sheet she'd laid on the bed to hold her materials and garbage. Walter knew the drill and had a plastic garbage bag ready for everything. She would dispose of it properly as medical waste. Alex stood and zipped up his pants, mindful of the fresh bandage on his back. Scully had been surprisingly gentle with him.

"Just make sure you don't immerse it for a few more days. Sir...um...Walter, just change the bandage in the mornings and before bed. It should be fine in a day or two. A waterproof bandage is good for showers. I put one on there, and you should get more. Do you have any medication allergies?"

Alex shook his head.

Scully handed a prescription to Walter and said, "Those are just for Tylenol with codeine, in case you have any pain, Krycek. Let Walter take care of you for the next few days. You'll be thankful you did."

Ignoring Scully, Alex walked out of the room and went back out to the porch. I was early November, and the sun was beginning to make its way to the west quickly. Walter brought Alex's leather jacket out to him, having saved it from the hospital lock up, where it would have been stolen.

"Scully said I should take care of you."

"Did she say we could fuck?" Alex asked, not looking up at Walter.

"I didn't think to ask. I think you'll need a few days rest, whether you want to make love or not. After you're rested, you decide what you want to do."

Walter went back into his house, and locked himself in the den for the rest of the day, only coming out to order Chinese delivery for dinner. Alex came in when he smelled the crispy duck and spicy Hunan chicken.

"You know I love Chinese food," was all Alex said before taking a plate to serve himself and chopsticks. Walter watched as Alex manipulated the utensils with the expertise of a native.

"How long did you live in Hong Kong, Alex?" he asked.

"Oh, about four months too long. I developed a really bad case of dysentery while I was there. Christ, I looked like I was strung out. All I wanted was to glue my ass to a toilet."

"I had that in 'Nam, it's no joke."

They ate for a while in comfortable silence, until Walter looked at the clock. "The game starts in an hour. Dallas at the Jets. What say we clean up and watch?"

Walter knew damned well Alex loved football as much as he did. It was one of the few things they had in common to talk about without talking about the opposing work they did. They sat on opposite ends of the couch watching the game. Alex was very quiet through the game, and when the fourth quarter began, Walter looked over and saw Alex sacked out asleep. He settled when Walter pulled his mother's old afghan over him, pressing a gentle kiss to Alex's forehead.

When he got up in the morning, Walter found Alex curled up on the couch, under the afghan and head on a throw pillow. Immediately, Walter felt guilty. Had Alex slept there because he couldn't get up on his own from pain? Was he cold that night? Was he uncomfortable? While that couch was really good for sitting, it didn't seem that great for sleeping.

Walter made his way to the kitchen and started coffee for them both. If he knew one thing about Alex, he'd be wanting a cup of hot black coffee as soon as he got up. With two sugars of course. Walter needed cream with his coffee and sugar. Walter thought about all the bad coffee he'd drank when he was in Vietnam, all the sleepless nights, worrying whether his number was up, and then being denied coffee while he recovered in the hospital in Saigon. What did he know; he was an eighteen-year-old kid, almost nineteen, and still a child in many ways.

Moments after the dark brown liquid began dripping into the coffee pot, Alex drifted into the kitchen, clothes askew, hair disheveled. To Walter, he looked absolutely adorable. Walter placed the mug before him and wasn't surprised when he didn't get a thank you. Alex would need a few more sips before he was human.

"Do you want breakfast?" Walter asked.

A nod was his only answer.

"I'm making oatmeal. And I have pecans for you. You want syrup?" Walter asked.

There was a grunt. Walter went to the cabinet and began the pot of water. Walter never made instant oatmeal. He always cooked it fresh. When his back was turned, Walter could feel the eyes on his back. Alex was awake and staring at him. He peeked over his shoulder, looking back at Alex. The smile was there, that grin that promised dirty things. Walter had seen it before. It was a smirk that said Alex was glad he'd chosen to stay in Walter's home.

Walter made no mistake on that. He knew that whether or not he "ordered" Alex to stay with him, Alex was gracing him with being there. And Walter would enjoy every moment.

As he served the hot bowl to Alex, with the cream, organic maple syrup, ground cinnamon and pecans, Alex grabbed his hand and pulled Walter down, capturing his face. The kiss was brief, but meaningful. A promise.

"You smell like a homeless person," Walter said, pressing another kiss to Alex's temple.

"Then, you'll just have to give me a sponge bath, won't you?" Alex said, pulling Walter's hand again.

"I'll change your bandage, and you can take a shower. How's that for a compromise?"

"It's a compromise if you if you shower with me. Come on, you can't reach the small of your back, anyway."

They ate for a few more minutes before loading the dishwasher and making their way to Alex's unused room. He lay face-down on the bed, unbuttoning his pants and undulating his body to lower the waistband. All of Walter's blood rushed to his loins. He took the supplies that Scully left and began changing the bandage, wiping at the wound with an antiseptic cloth. Alex didn't move a muscle, which didn't surprise Walter. He'd had his arm cut off in a forest without so much as a shot of vodka to kill the pain. Then he sweated through a painful infection until he was airlifted by the Resistance to a medical facility on a ship that re-grew his arm, but he wore a plastic over-sheath, feigning amputation, but not convincingly so for Walter. He reminded Alex that he'd spent weeks in a military hospital, and visiting them for years afterward. He'd seen real amputees and real prosthetics.

Alex stood and reached for the hem of his shirt, dragging it up over his head, watching Walter the whole time. The fly of his pants were still open, showing the faintest hint of pubic hair. With one motion, both pants and briefs were dragged down his legs to puddle on the floor. Walter watched in rapt fascination as Alex walked by him and up the stairs. Walter watched the jiggle of Alex's ass a moment. He was a little older, a little softer, and there was more jiggle than clench of muscle than when they'd first met, but there was no denying Alex had the finest ass Walter had ever seen.

Alex stopped on the bottom step of the staircase. "Are you coming? Or am I washing my own hair?"

He continued on his way, and Walter followed happily, watching Alex go into his en suite bathroom to start the shower. Walter quickly undressed and met Alex in under the hot spray, Walter's erection meeting the crack of Alex's ass. Alex loosened his stance to let the hard member slide between his legs, poking the back of his ball sack.

"Oh, yeah, that's what I want," Alex said, reaching down to tease the head with his finger tips.

Wrapped in Walter's arms, Alex leaned his head back and sought Walter's mouth. It was a savage kiss, both men trying to swallow each other whole. But Alex pulled away, stepping back and turning toward Walter. He reached for the soap as he walked forward, stroking the bar across Walter's broad chest. Walter reached down and stroked Alex's hips and ass, whatever he could reach. It became a seduction, gentle shampoo for Alex's hair, broad strokes across Walter's back with sudsy hands, trying not to kiss as faces were washed.

They stepped out, and Walter made sure to check Alex's bandage that it wasn't coming off. He pulled Alex against his chest, pressing his hard on against Alex's crack again. "Do I need to worry about your past partners?" Walter asked.

"I don't know if we need to worry, but a condom for now is a good idea," Alex said back. "I had one in my wallet."

"I bought some when I knew I was bringing you home."

"So sure you'd nail me?" Alex said, turning and thrusting his hips at Walter's.

"I'm sure you would seduce me," he retorted. He reached down and snatched Alex about the thighs, lifting him into the air and carried him to the bed. Alex laughed as Walter dropped him on the mattress and stood over him, muscles still flexing. He crawled on his lover, covering Alex completely, kissing him deeply and finding that connection, that spark of electricity that connected them in their middles. It was the attraction of two hearts, drawn together, beating in time to the rhythm of freedom, happiness and love.

To again have Alex in his arms, kissing his chest and belly, to nibble at his hip bones and follow the crease of his leg to his inner thigh, nuzzling Alex's groin. Kisses and tiny licks made their way to the head of Alex's cock , sending a shudder through his body. He sat up quickly, grabbing at Walter's shoulder.

"Not yet. Not now. Now...come here," he whispered gruffly and pulled at Walter's arm. The big man crawled back up and lay beside Alex. One hand came up and stroked down Alex's cheek, across his neck and down his chest.

"Alex, you are still as beautiful as when I first met you," Walter whispered, before pressing his mouth to Alex's throat.

"I'm old, and tired. When you first met me, a simple incision would never have caused an abscess. I'm old, Walter."

Walter sat up and took Alex's face into both hands. "You're not old. You're beautiful. And you always will be. At least, to me. Does anyone else matter?"

And there was the question Walter didn't know if he wanted to hear the answer. In his heart, he hoped the answer was no. But in his head, he truly believed that Alex was only there for a short time, to recover, get his strength back, and then be on his way. That was Alex's way of life. Get in, cause his damage, get out without causing more damage to himself. It was a dangerous way to live, both for Alex and anyone stupid enough to love him.

"No one else has mattered for a very long time," came the quiet answer. A perfect, gentle kiss was pressed on Walter's mouth. He pulled Alex hard against his chest, rolling Alex on top of him. Walter reveled in running his big hands over Alex's body, noting the differences, happy to have a brand new lover to learn all over again.

Walter threaded his hands through Alex's hair, brushing it off his forehead. Alex bent forward, kissing Walter deeply, grinding his hips into Walter's. Their cocks bumped and fought, playing, dancing together. Walter's hands slid over Alex's shoulders, the corded muscles evident under his baby-soft skin. He stroked over Alex's chest, toying with already-hard nipples. Undulating above him, Alex massaged Walter's shoulders, pressing kisses to his face and neck.

"Oh, God, Walt, I want you so much," Alex moaned. Walter reached to the bedside table, groping for a condom. Alex reached past him for the bottle of lube. He poured some on his fingers and reached behind him to loosen and stretch his ass for Walter.

"Been a while for you, Alex?" Walter asked, remembering the times when a lubricated condom was all that was needed.

"Not as long as you think, but long enough," Alex said, a hint of regret in his voice.

Walter held Alex's face in his hands, scanning Alex's eyes. They kissed again sealing out the doubt, as Alex took the condom and rolled it on Walter's cock. Alex braced himself across Walter's chest while he lowered himself onto the hard cock being steadied for him.

As Alex slid down, all Walter could think about was how good Alex felt around him. How tight Alex's body was squeezing him. They moved together to a rhythm only in their heads.

Alex connected himself to Walter by the mouth, grinding his hips. Walter's hands slid around and grabbed Alex's ass to squeeze the soft cheeks, tightly, the heat almost burning his fingers. Walter grabbed so hard he wanted to leave fingerprints on Alex's flesh, wanted to leave bruises, on his ass and his soul. They moved together, panting and sweating. Walter spiraled higher, digging his heels into Alex the bed to pound harder into Alex's body. The feelings coiled harder in their bellies until Walter couldn't hold back any longer and spilled into Alex's body.

Walter felt himself slipping from Alex's ass, and saw Alex's cock was still hard; he hadn't come. He pulled Alex's body down beside him and reached for his hard on, sucking and nibbling at Alex's neck. Pre-come dribbled from the head and Walter smeared it over the crown, slicking for better friction, but it only took a few strokes and Alex was coming on Walter's hand, a few squirts making it into the hair on Walter's belly. He quickly pulled Alex into his arms.

"Oh, God, Walt...even a hand job from you..." Walter hushed him with another smoldering kiss, letting his hands roam over Alex's slender hips and tight ass. He patted Alex, moving to get up and go to his bathroom, where he removed his condom and cleaned himself up. Ever the thoughtful lover, he brought a warm, wet cloth to Alex to wipe himself up and got back on the bed with him. Alex rolled onto his side and pressed against Walter's warm flank.

"It’s nice to have you back in my life, Alex," Walter said, quietly.

"I like being back, actually. I just don't know what's going to happen..."

"Don't worry about that. We have other things to consider. There are plenty of things to move forward with. You still need to rest, and heal and get your strength back. You're still too thin. I need to feed you well."

"There's plenty of time for that, Walter. I can eat everything you make me."

Walter reached down and held Alex's face towards him, looking seriously into his eyes. "Are you really going to stay? You're not kidding me? You're going to be here in the morning?"

Alex pressed a last kiss to Walter's neck and said, "I'll be here as long as you want me to."

Walter rolled Alex onto his back and pressed Alex's body down. His arms crushed Alex in a strong embrace, just holding him, not moving. Walter rubbed his face into Alex's neck, pressing little kisses there. Alex began to struggle a little, then pulled away. "Walt, my back," he croaked.

Walter sat up sharply, looking down. "Oh, God, Alex, I'm so sorry! Are you OK? Let me see if you're bleeding, turn over."

Big hands pulled Alex over and he looked down at the bandage. "Everything looks fine. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Well, it didn't really hurt. I just wanted to roll over." Alex threw a cheeky smile at Walter over his shoulder. Angered, Walter raised his hand and brought it down on Alex's right buttock. This was a shock to Alex, causing a yelp, which Walter found absolutely adorable.

"Walter! What the hell are you doing? That..." Alex thought a moment, and shook his tush, tempting Walter. "That felt kinda nice. Do it again." To punctuate his request, Alex shook his ass harder.

Doing as told, Walter spanked Alex hard again, causing the sexiest ripples in his skin. Butt cheeks clenched, Alex undulated his hips, and groaned into the pillow.

"I like that. Oh, we're going to have to schedule a nice, thorough spanking when I'm not feeling a shooting pain up my back."

A firm kiss was left on one bright red ass cheek and Walter lay back down beside Alex. Alex turned to him and sighed. Walter reached out to stroke his head. "Alex, I think you should go see your sister."

"Forget it. Mike will have me shot. If he was any other man, I'd shoot back. And the last thing I want to do is kill my sister's husband."

"He doesn't sound like the nicest guy in the world. But he's your nephew's father."

"He's not going to think any differently of me since the bounty hunters began harassing them. I felt bad for Mulder, actually. He was never as much of a prick as these guys could be. I hadn't met Mike before that. I was long gone by the time Marina met him and started dating him. She's several years younger than me."

"She looks exactly like you, Alex. She's a really lovely woman, and I get the feeling that she wants to see you."

Alex nodded. "We can worry about this later. Right now, I think I want to be lazy today."

"I think I like that idea."

And lazy they were. They spent the entire day undressed, lolling in bed, watching the flat screen television Walter had mounted in his room. He'd intended to have it there in case he was ever ill and needed to work from his bed. Walter ordered in pizza for lunch, but dinner was a barbecue in the back, steaks and corn. Alex loved cooking beside Walter in the kitchen, going outside into the November evening to retrieve the rest of dinner. They didn't really talk while they ate. What was there to talk about, really? Just as Walter was going to the sink to rinse the dishes, the sound of glass breaking outside caught his attention. Alex stood with him and they went out front to see what the problem was. The glass beside the front door had been broken by a large piece of white gravel from garden bed.

He went outside to see who was there, but no one was on the street, darkness having fallen to hide anyone lurking.

"What is it?" Alex asked.

"Just some broken glass. I'll get a bit of wood from the garage and cover this. Can you remove the rest of the glass from the frame? Get some gloves from the closet."

Alex nodded and did as asked. When Walter came back, Alex was sweeping up the slivers of glass with a dust broom. Walter quickly fastened the board in place, and didn't like the idea of replacing the glass in his door.

"Walt, you ever known your neighbors to be hostile?" It was an innocuous question, but a valid one.

"No, not really. Usually, they're polite, keep to themselves. It's a nice area."

"It’s Annapolis, of course it's nice. But it's also patriotic. And you were colored a traitor. You think maybe...they're letting you know they’re not pleased? Or you think I'm being paranoid?"

Considering his options, Walter shook his head. "Maybe you're right on target. We'll just keep our eyes open."

After cleaning the front hall, Alex made his way to the office and grabbed the phone. Walter followed and waited outside, out of view, and listened. The buttons of the phone were jabbed in anger. A pause alerted Walter that Alex was waiting while the phone rang.

"Marina? Alexei. I...how's Mikhail? Is he? Tell him not to sit around too much. Let him go outside, Mari. Let him get air. Play catch with him. Oh? He's not afraid of catching leukemia?"

There was a profound silence.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Mari. Please, stop...Mari...Mari! Look, I called just to say...I'm thankful to have helped. I'm glad that Mikhail is doing well."

More silence.

"Yes, I'd love to. Walter and I could come over any time. Will Mike...I don't want him pissed off if we're there, OK? It's no good for Mikhail if we fight. And...I'm too goddam tired to fight."

There was an agreement and Alex hung up the phone. He walked out and found Walter leaning on the wall outside the office. "You listened?"

"I'm too old to run away. I think it's good that you're going there. Well, we're going there. Will Michael Sr. be there?"

"No, not yet. He's not only got problems with me as a traitor, which I'm not, but he hates fags. And I've never hidden the fact that I prefer men. Mikhail asked me once about it. Why I liked men, and I tried to explain it from the genetic standpoint. He asked if he could develop the same thing. And I said, most likely, not. I told him it's something that you know from being a little kid."

"You know that's not true. There are plenty of men, like me, who don't embrace their desires until later in life."

"Walt, he's like nine. He doesn't need to know that. If his dad is giving him hatred lessons, I'd rather the kid hate me than question himself and hate himself. And I don't want him to take his questions to Mike, that'll be a pip. He'd terrorize his son. Mikhail doesn't need that. He can figure out his own life when he needs to."

Walter nodded sagely. He took Alex's hand and led him to the back porch where they sat for the rest of the day, letting the sun cruise across the sky, talking about nothing in particular. Until Alex brought up what happened between them.

"Walter, I want you to know, that every time we tangled, a little part of me died."

Walter started at Alex a long time after that statement. Alex looked away, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. There was truth there. There was honest, raw emotion behind Alex's words and Walter couldn't let it pass.

"There were times I wanted to hate you. Times that I wanted to really pull the trigger, just open a barn door in the back of your head. I'm shocked Mulder accepted the shooting as it was. I mean, you know my gun."

"Your fucking hand canon."

"Yeah, well, that should have opened up the back of your head. It should have caved in your forehead. I hated it."

"You think I wanted to kill him? Christ, he's so goddam gullible. How the hell did he become the fucking chosen one?"

Shaking his head, Walter put his arm around Alex's shoulders and pulled him close. They kissed deeply, and sat there, watching the sun set in the sky, signaling the coming winter.

*-*-*-*
THANKSGIVING DAY
GLEN BURNIE

With his foot holding the storm door open, Alex waited for Walter to get the rest of the desserts out of the car. Alex's hands were full with the two pies that Walter had baked. He enjoyed learning how, watching the blond guy on TV make the crusts. Alex went the easier way and bought pastries from an Italian bakery in Brooklyn Park. Just as Alex was about to ring the doorbell with his elbow, the door swung wide open and Michael Lovell Sr. stood in the space.

Alex looked at him, eye to eye. This had gone very badly the last time they met. Alex dropped his eyes, knowing he needed to defer to Mike in his own house. Mike just cleared his throat and said, "You better get in here, the heat's getting out."

Alex nodded and walked in, going straight through to the kitchen. Marina took his packages, then stopped to hug him tight. Walter walked in next with pies in both hands. Marina took them, then hugged Walter as well. The time they had visited, when Mike was out at work, she fell in love with both of them.

It was something all three were concerned about; how Mike would react to Alex being in the house with his lover, even though that lover was a man her husband had supported as a member of the FBI. He had also thought that Walter was unjustly blamed for the Consortium dealings. It would be an interesting day.

"How is Mikhail?" Alex asked his sister.

"Um...Mikey is OK. He's upstairs sleeping. He's been taking it easy the last few days, so he would be OK to come and have dinner with us."

"Good. Mikey..." Alex winked at his sister, "should rest anyway."

"You know little boys," she said, ruffling his hair.

The moment was interrupted by a loud voice coming closer to the kitchen. Alex and Marina both prepared for a fight between Mike and Walter, but the words that preceded Mike into the room surprised them both.

"Aw, you know what, Walt? Those fucking assholes don't know what the goddam hell is good for them. Americans are just fucking stupid. Need to condemn an innocent man to feel better. Fuck them! You should sue for your job back, or for some cash! Something! I mean, I know you just wanna retire quite-like with Alex, but hey, is that enough for you?"

Walter handed off the pies to Marina, hugging her when she put them down, and turned back to Mike. "Mike, do you honestly believe that life with Alex will ever be dull?"

There was laughter from the adults until a sleepy boy walked in the room, holding a ragged bear in one hand and rubbing his eye with the other. "Mama! You said you'd get me when Alex got here!"

The plaintive whine was pretty piercing. Alex reached down and hoisted the boy into his arms. They shared a tender hug, one that brought moisture to both Walter's and Marina's eyes. "How are you, Mikhail?" Alex asked.

The color rose in Mike's face, but Walter put a hand on his arm. "Alex tells me you're a craftsman? Show me your workshop. I've been making furniture for years."

Mike led Walter out of the house, into the backyard to a shed where the tools were kept. Mike's stride indicated that his anger was still running high. Walter reached out and took hold of Mike's shoulder, pulling gently. "Mike, please, relax."

"I hate that Russian shit. The kid's name is Mike, like mine. Not Mikhail. Like some Commie..."

"Mike, you know as well as I do that the Krycek's came here to escape the Iron Curtain. They wanted their children to be free Americans. Just because Alex holds tight to his Russian heritage isn't cause to get angry. My mother insisted we speak Russian in the house. My father had a devil of a time learning it, but he did."

"You're..."

"Walter Sergei Skinner. My birth name is Vladimir, but the birth certificate was changed to Walter. It's who I am, who Alex is and who your wife is. Now, you can share that, or terrorize your family. You can love them for who they are, or make your wife feel ashamed of who she is."

Mike continued on to the shed, looking back saying, "You coming?"

Walter nodded and followed. In the shed, Mike closed the door and turned on the light. "So...you could teach me some words or something?"

Smiling, Walter said, "Yes, I can teach you some words."

They walked back to the house, to rejoin the family for dinner. Later that day, Marina would ask her husband why he didn't get annoyed with all the Russian that Alex was teaching their son, his answer was, "If it's good for Walter, it's good for me.

*-*-*-*
EPILOGUE

Alex finished writing on the last box, handing it to Walter to put in the front room. Marina walked in and said, "You can stay with us until you're sure your things have arrived in Vancouver. Then you can go out to meet it all."

"No, Marina, we have to go. There's a hotel not too far from the house. I want to go clean it, get food in the fridge, stock the rolls with toilet paper..."

The laughter from his sister brought a frown to Alex's face. "What's so funny?"

"You! Once upon a time, you lived on the run, ducking bullets and aliens, and now you want to stock toilet paper in the bathroom! The last six months have been good to you, I see!"

"Yeah, they have," Alex said, and looked fondly upon Walter's back, as he stacked a kitchen box in the front hall to be taken by the movers the next day. Mike walked out next with another box, followed by Michael with his own smaller box. The young boy had regained most of his health in the last six months, and was in his heaven that his Uncle Alexei was acting as his home-school facilitator. It seemed that when his teacher wasn't his mother, Michael wanted to learn everything he could get his hands on , and some that he wasn't supposed to.

It was a difficult decision to move, but Walter knew that the rocks being thrown through their window, the vandalism to their cars, scratching nasty words on them, and the destruction of their flower bed would continue to escalate. And they did not want to bring violence to their neighborhood.

With help from Mulder, one of the newest world wide ambassadors of peace, he was given asylum by Canada, and he and Alex were secretly relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia. They went on holiday to find a house, and when they decided on one that was far enough from the city, yet not completely in the middle of nowhere, they purchased their land and house and began the move. Marina and Mike were supportive, but Michael was heart broken.

In a surprise move, Mike let Michael stay with Walter and Alex for a week while they were putting their affairs in order, knowing they would protect him with their lives. Alex was impressed with the strides in attitude change that Mike made. He finally understood that Alex was not a criminal and only acted in the best interest of the world without getting himself killed in the process. It took a lot of convincing from Walter, but Mike finally apologized to Alex for all the past aggression. Alex was quick to forgive the man.

Michael walked over to where Alex sat on the floor and nudged his way into Alex's lap. "Uncle, why can't I go? I know I have to stay here for school but...I'm gonna miss you."

"I will miss you, as well. This is the safest thing. And you will come visit us in the summer. The summers are cooler in Vancouver and the lower BC area. Much cooler than Maryland. You'll like it there."

"We can call, and email."

"And instant message and text message. We're going to talk more than we do with us living here."

Michael hugged Alex tightly. The family bade the men goodbye and left them to the last night in their home.

"I'm gonna miss this house," Walter said.

"Why is that?" Alex asked.

"This is where I got you back. But, a new start somewhere else, that's going to be something to share, something that we can have that's as far removed from the past as possible. No more Consortium, no more FBI, no more mistrust and hate. Just you and me."

A knock on the door brought both men up straight, each reaching for their service weapons. Alex's status as an FBI agent had been reestablished under the command of Deputy Director John Doggett, for services above and beyond the call of duty to protect and serve the American people. They flanked the door, Walter peeking out the side window to see who was there. It was John, Mulder, Dana and Monica, there with wine and food for their last night in Maryland. Walter opened the door and holstered his weapon.

"Hey! I thought we were beyond this point in our relationship," Mulder said, eyeing the holster on Walter's hip.

"Hey, can't be too careful." The four entered and Walter led them to the kitchen, where the table and chairs still sat. The movers would handle that in the morning. They spread out the meal on paper plates and plastic cups, lasagna, baked ziti and garlic bread. The red wine flowed easily as well, except for Doggett, who was driving.

By the end of the night, Mulder and Alex were hugging each other, laughing about the Duane Barry case, as well as the case of the sleepless Army soldiers. Mulder couldn't help but rib Alex for his wardrobe.

"Awww, Mulder, and here I thought you'd prefer me naked!" Alex said, laughing.

Mulder stopped laughing. "I never saw you naked." Everyone stopped laughing at that point.

"You almost did, after walking around in that little red Speedo. I nearly assaulted you in the locker room!"

Walter began laughing first, which opened the laughter to the rest of the group. It took a serious turn, then, after Dana had her fourth glass of wine.

"Alex...why me? And my sister?" Quiet settled on the group.

"Red, if I could have stopped Cardinal before he shot your sister, I would have. I'd have taken him out and left the gun there, tell her to say she found the body. He was too quick for me. He knew I wasn't going to kill you."

She nodded. It was the best she would get and she knew it. She didn't expect Alex to get up, cross the room and plant a kiss on her cheek. "I'm sorry, Red. She was a cutie. Runs in the family."

This brought a smile to her face. When finally the four agents left, Walter and Alex helping them into the car, Doggett not anticipating getting them out, Walter sat on the front steps and looked at the neighborhood in the night. The crisp February sky was clear. Orion was making his way across, anticipating the scorpion that would chase him from the summer night skies.

"I'm going to miss things around here."

"So will I, Walter. Even though I haven't been here for very long. It's home to me. It's more of a home than I've known since I was a kid. It's the only place I've found to be comforting."

Walter put his arm around Alex's shoulders and kissed his cheek. "Any place we settle together will be home."

Alex put his head on Walter's shoulder and nuzzled. "Hey Walt?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have a dog?"

Walter laughed. "You can have anything you want."

"Thanks."

The End
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