CATEGORY: SRA

RATING: NC-17, and I mean it. This story contains VERY GRAPHIC consensual sex between two people that you may never expect to see together. Forewarned is forearmed. If you don't like really graphic stuff, STOP HERE!

SUMMARY: Once I wrote the story "Louisiana Blues" featuring Fox Mulder and a certain bespectacled A.D. I thought I really should give Scully equal time. I mean all's fair in love and war, right? So, this story features Walter Skinner and Dana Scully and some very revealing sparks fly. Actually it's sort of poignant and sweet - until the end. So, be warned that once again, this story is for mature audiences only. Comments, suggestions and healthy debate are always welcome. Flames? Hey, I can always use a good "weenie" roast.

TIMESPAN/SPOILER WARNING. The current season? Who knows - maybe this could be in the next movie. Fine, Whatever. HA!

KEYWORDS: vignette romance angst Skinner Scully NC-17

DISCLAIMER: Walter Skinner, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made from their use.

Innigkeit
by frogdoggie

"Innigkeit." Translated from the German as "poignant intimacy of feeling - used especially in music.

"If I had been able to put in a goblet the purity of your eyes, the softness of your breasts, and drink them, and die...with my soul all scented with you."
-Jean Lahor (La Livre du Neant)

Walter Skinner swam back up through the thick haze of unconsciousness. A groan came from low in his throat. Skinner was lying on a hard surface. A floor. He could feel the wooden floor boards under his cheek. He sat up and grabbed to adjust his glasses. They had been knocked askew on his nose. There was a dull throb in the back of his skull. It was receding fast and he ran a hand over his head and down the back of his neck to hasten it's exit.

He glanced down. He was wearing only his white briefs. "Oh shit," he thought grimly. He didn't even consider the loss of his clothing. He rued the loss of his weapon and his ID a hell of a lot more.

"Where the devil am I?" he thought, "and what the fuck happened?"

Skinner glanced around the room. The room was small, featureless. The walls were plaster, dirty-white. There was a bright overhead light on. A King-sized mattress lay on the floor up against one wall. There were two doors in the wall to his right. His eyes tracked around. There was another person lying on the floor on the far side of the mattress. Skinner's gaze froze. His lips tightened into a thin line. The other person was Agent Dana Scully. She was curled up on the floor in a fetal position and clad only in her bra and panties.

"Oh shit," Walter Skinner said aloud this time, for the second time since he'd awakened. He knew he should go to her. He tried to rise. His head swam and a blinding pain pierced his temples. He flopped back down onto the floor. He wasn't going to able to get up right away. Scully would have to fend for herself. He looked her body over carefully. She didn't seen to be hurt. She was breathing regularly. He ran his hand over his face and rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses. She'd just have to wait he thought in frustration. He turned his thoughts towards clearing his head and then to wracking his in mind to remember what had happened earlier. Vague memories began to surface.

He had been on a stake-out. He'd been directing dozens of agents. It was a manhunt. Agents Mulder and Scully had been in on the chase because they had been temporarily attached to the Violent Crimes Division. All of them were on the hunt for this particular serial killer. Mulder had done the profile and Scully the autopsies on the last two victims. They had been close to apprehending the murderer that night. Skinner wondered if he had gotten away.

"Fuck!" he cursed, "If that sick sack of shit had escaped because of this - because of what?" he thought looking around. He still didn't know what he was doing in the room. His recall was very dim and his thoughts jumbled in confusion. He struggled to remember more and it slowly began to come back to him.

He could see the alley he had been standing in. Agent Scully had come running up to his side. "Where's Mulder?" Skinner asked.

"We were separated, sir. He's gone on ahead. He's with Agent's Gomez and Bennett. They have Henry Lee Schneider cornered in that abandoned warehouse up ahead." Scully replied.

"All right, let's go," Skinner barked in command, and that was the last thing he could remember. He rubbed the back of his neck again.

There was a small moan from the other side of the mattress. Dana Scully was obviously coming round. Skinner gingerly rose. His head seemed pain free and more clear. He walked over to Scully's huddled figure. He stood close and started to bend to check on the petite red head. Scully's body jerked suddenly and one of her hands flashed out and grabbed his ankle hard. She pulled violently forward and upended Skinner. He fell back hard on his ass. His fall was broken slightly by the mattress on the floor.

"Jesus, Scully! STOP!" he yelled quickly as Dana Scully came up fighting.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed and then she back peddled quickly until she was sitting with her back against the opposite wall. She was breathing hard.

"Christ, Scully. At least I know you were paying attention at Quantico," Skinner rumbled as he pushed himself back up into a sitting position. It had been a good move he thought. Her hand to hand combat instructor would have been proud. He stared at Scully. His breath came in gasps. He'd been a bit winded from the fall.

Scully stared at him for a fraction of a second longer and then she said, "Sir, what the...where are we?" She looked around. She looked down. Her eyes went slightly wide. She obviously noticed her state of undress and crossed her arms over her chest in embarrassment. She breathed deeply several times in an effort to relax. "What the hell is going on?" she finally asked quietly.

Skinner averted his eyes. He made an effort to stare at a point off to the left and away from Scully's direction. That became strained after a very short time so he settled for staring at his hands. He crossed them over his lap. He noticed his watch was gone as well. "Great," he thought.

"I don't know," Skinner answered angrily, "What's the last thing you remember?"

"Uhhh.." Scully stammered. She let her breath out once more and brought herself completely under control, "I remember talking to you in the alley. I told you Mulder and I got separated. We were heading over to an abandoned warehouse because they had Henry Lee Schneider cornered inside."

"And after that?" Skinner prompted.

"Nothing."

"Crap, I don't remember anything else either," Skinner grumbled. He looked around, "Could this be that warehouse?" he speculated.

Scully sighed, "I doubt it, sir, Mulder told me the warehouse was really an abandoned mannequin factory. It was full of huge rooms with lots of naked plaster people in them he said. Somehow this doesn't strike me as..."

"...a good fit for his description?" Skinner suggested.

"Right," Scully answered.

Scully was fingering a spot on the side of her neck. Her eyebrows raised. She stood up stiffly and walked over to where Skinner was still sitting on the edge of the mattress. She knelt down beside him. Skinner tensed slightly as she bent close to look at the back of his neck. "May I?" she asked stretching out her hand towards his skin.

Skinner looked into her face. The professional Agent Dana Scully was there again. The startled, embarrassed woman of only moments ago was totally absent. Skinner sighed in relief and nodded his head slightly.

"All right," he hissed as Scully's small, warm fingers probed the back of his neck. He winced as she hit a tender spot.

"Does that hurt?"

"Yes."

"We both appear to have been drugged, sir. I'd say a tranquilizer dart delivery would be a good guess."

Skinner opened his mouth to speak but before he could reply a metallic hissing reverberated around the room and a voice interrupted him.

"Who the hell are you, and why are you holding us here?" he grated looking around for some clue as to the voice's origin. There was no apparent source to be seen.

"What drug did you use on us?" Scully asked into the air. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips.

The mechanical hissing voice went dead and Walter Skinner began to pace about like a caged animal. "Thanks a lot, you prick," he mumbled under his breath.

Scully stood up and moved to the two doors set in the wall. One door had a smaller door set in it. It looked like a hatch and opened outwards. Skinner walked over as she was running her hand around the hatch's perimeter.

"They can pass things in..." Skinner commented in a low voice, "like in a prison or psychiatric hospital."

"So it would seem," Scully replied.

Skinner reached past her and pushed on the small door. It was locked. He glanced over at Scully. She shrugged.

She tried the knob on the door. It was locked too. "Ok." she said. "This one must not be the bathroom." She released the knob and walked the short distance to the other door. Skinner stepped back and watched her again. She twisted the knob on the second door. It gave and Scully opened the door. It was a very small bathroom. Big enough for a toilet and tiny sink and that was all.

"Excuse me, sir," she said glancing back at Skinner.

"Oh, sure, go ahead," Skinner replied distractedly. He moved away from the doors and continued to look around the room. He walked over to the wall farthest across from the doors and began to knock on it. Scully shrugged and walked into the bathroom. She shut the door behind her.

Thankfully, Scully didn't really have to use the facilities. That was going to be difficult enough later with somebody watching. She just had to get away from Skinner for a few moments to further compose herself. "God, what was happening?" she thought. "Was this some new horror The Cigarette Smoking Man had cooked up for her? Or was it a new abduction scenario? And Skinner? Why Skinner? Why had she and Skinner been taken together?

Good Lord it was bad enough to contemplate being abducted again. Another abduction was one of her worst nightmares. But this situation was quite possibly near the top of her nightmare hit parade. To be stuck somewhere alone with Walter Skinner! She would be forced to talk to him and him alone. She would be forced to deal with him as a person instead of a cipher in an office setting. She would be forced to be really non-professional. The whole idea made her ill. On top of her abduction fears it made her doubly sick.

"I mean, Lord! I really didn't need to know the answer to boxers or briefs," Scully thought dismally.

Skinner made her so nervous. The prospect of having to stare at him in his underwear under these circumstances, and carry on some type of intelligent conversation so they could formulate a plan of escape made her stomach churn. She moved to the sink, ran some water and threw it into her face. It didn't help much but at least she felt a little more cool. Well, I can't hide in here for much longer she sighed. And I'd better get a grip and face this little problem of mine because our lives may depend on it she thought. These thoughts were irrational, immature, stupid, and unprofessional. But damn it, a part of her couldn't help having them. She cursed herself and pushed the childish ideas as far back and deep down into her mind as she could.

Setting her shoulders and putting on her 'Doctor Dana I Am Ms. FBI Personified Scully face' she flushed the toilet to cover her tracks. She opened the bathroom door and walked out.

Skinner was seated on the King sized mattress across from the door. He rested his bulk against the wall. His head was tilted back and his eyes were closed. When he heard Scully close the door he tilted his head back down and opened his eyes.

He got up silently, strode past her without a word, and entering the bathroom shut the door behind him. Scully watched his back, arched an eyebrow and went over to take her own seat on the mattress.

Skinner stood in front of the toilet and flipped up the lid and seat. He reached in through his fly and flipped out his penis. "Well, if you're watching asshole, I hope you like it," he thought with venom. He took aim and sighed as his bladder emptied noisily into the toilet bowl. As he pissed he stared ahead at the blank wall behind the toilet. "God damn it," he thought. "What in the hell were they going to do now?" Wait, he guessed. Wait and plan some way out of this mess. Or wait until the unseen captor told them what would happen next.

Walter Skinner was not the kind of man who appreciated feeling out of control. The aura of helplessness in this situation made him seethe, made his skin crawl. It threatened to push him over into unreasoning irrationality. His tendency toward a hair trigger temper was something he had to guard against lest it overwhelm him and endanger them both. "Why were he and Scully taken together?" he asked himself. "Was this some new plan instituted by The Cancer Man? What diabolical situation was brewing here?" There were too many questions and not enough answers. This frustrated him to no end. But there wasn't much he could do except watch, and wait and be vigilant. He finished taking his piss. He shook off and readjusted himself. He was careful the make sure he was entirely encased in his briefs.

Christ the thought of Dana Scully seeing him like this set his teeth on edge. "Get a grip, Walter," he chided himself. She's a professional. This isn't going to phase her. After all, he knew she'd seen her partner in a hell of a lot worse condition than this and certainly in a greater state of undress. As evidenced by the number of Mulder's insurance forms that Skinner signed, Dana Scully had probably been overdosed on an incapacitated and undressed Fox Mulder.

"May I?" he asked, indicating a nearby spot on the mattress.

"What now, sir?" Scully asked.

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Skinner rumbled. He felt his jaw muscles tighten again. He felt like his molars were going to grind themselves down to tiny stumps.

Scully nodded her head and smiled weakly. Skinner glanced at her and caught her expression.

"Agent Scully, uh, this isn't standard Op here. I think we're going to have to drop some of the formality. We can't stick to the chain of command. If you have an idea or plan, just spit it out. Don't think I'll mind. I don't need to feel like I'm the boss in a situation like this one," he whispered. "And why in the hell am I whispering?" he thought. Their minder or minders probably had the place bugged up it's ass. Walter winced at the hidden implication in THOSE words. Piss up a rope.

"I wish I had an idea or plan, sir. But quite frankly, I don't have a clue what to do. I guess we'll just have to wait for an opportunity for escape to present itself and then take advantage of it. We can hypothesize all day about who's holding us but I don't think it will do any good until our captors actually confront us." She pitched her voice low even though she didn't think it would make much difference. Their captor or captors probably had the entire room filled with bugs.

"Well, I think we can assume that's going to be a while. And ascertaining anything about them will be difficult. Obviously our captor or captors can see our every move and probably hear everything we say as well. Fuck," Skinner fumed, "If this is Henry Lee Schneider holding us here, I'll have his guts for garters," he raged loudly, "Christ," he thought, "That's helpful. Let's just antagonize the homicidal maniac, Walter. Nice move." He thumped his head into the wall. Scully glanced over at him. Skinner's jaw muscled jumped with tension.

"It's not your fault, sir," Scully stated quietly. Skinner's head swiveled round. Light reflected off his lenses.

"I was responsible for your safety, Agent Scully. I should have been watching your back," he replied in a whisper, "You're being here IS my fault."

There was a mechanical hiss and the metallic voice's laugh echoed off the walls.

"Who's fault it is doesn't really matter, Mr. Skinner. You can blame me, if it will help."

"Why don't you fucking show yourself then, so I know who I'm blaming," Skinner retorted. He didn't rise this time. He just looked up at a point where he imagined the voice might be coming from. He tried to look nonchalant. Under these conditions it was down right pointless to try - but he did.

"Well, that would be rather ill advised wouldn't it?" the voice chuckled. "But I will tell you one thing - this isn't Henry Lee what's his name? Schneider. I'll tell you that much, big boy."

Skinner glared at the ceiling. Scully did the same.

The voice shook with laughter, "Oh, and by the way, you were quite right. I can see both of you very clearly, even in the bathroom. I can also hear your every word. So, escape is going to be very difficult. But of course it really won't be necessary if you do as you're told."

"What do you mean?" Scully asked.

Skinner glanced at her, "Yes, what do you want from us you asshole?"

"Now, now, Walter, I'm getting to that point."

Skinner gritted his teeth. Obviously their keeper had their IDs. He really hated the way his first name rolled off the man's lips and through the mechanical hiss of the hidden microphone. He undoubtedly had all their clothing and their weapons as well Skinner thought. That last idea really did piss him off.

Not giving up your weapon was a matter of pride not to mention a life and death issue. And Holy Mother of God! The formal reprimand in your file and the mounds of paperwork that would come with the loss of your piece as well was really a royal pain in the keister. Skinner bumped his head against the wall again. "Can we cut the crap and just get to the point," he spat.

"Jesus, baldy, I don't think you're going to be in such a hurry when you hear what I have to tell you," the voice replied sarcastically.

Skinner flushed crimson and started to rise up on his haunches. Scully caught the motion and moved to stop him.

"Sir, he's just trying to goad you," she advised. Skinner glanced in her direction again, nodded and sat back down.

"Listen to her, Walter. A type A personality like yours is prime heart attack material. Calm down and lend an ear."

Skinner clenched his lips tight and struggled to calm his breathing. When he was under control he spoke again.

"All right, I'm listening."

"Good," the voice said. "Okie Dokie. Here's the story. My...employer has paid me a great deal of money to bring you here and keep you on ice. You will be released unharmed eventually. But before I can release you I have to ask you to do something for my employer." The voice stopped it's recitation. Skinner looked up. Scully looked up as well.

"Well, aren't you curious as to what he wants?" the voice asked.

Skinner sighed. He hated to play games with maniacs. "All right, what does he want?" he asked humoring the voice.

"Yes, what does he expect us to do?" Scully obligingly chimed in.

"He wants you to fuck each other," the voice flatly replied.

"What?" Skinner asked as if he hadn't heard what was said.

"Oh come on, I know you heard me. My employer wants you to fuck her. He's paid a lot of money to get this on tape. He has his reasons which you don't need to know. But he really wants you to bang her, Walter. So I would suggest you give it some serious thought."

"NO FUCKING WAY!" Skinner yelled into the room. He didn't dare look at Dana Scully. He could sense her movement at the other end of the mattress. She was moving further away from him. He didn't blame her.

"No fucking? Ah, wrong attitude my man. Well, if you won't screw her I've got my orders."

There was a sudden sound outside the door in front of them. The door with the hatch. The hatch swung open. Skinner and Scully kissed the floor as a gunshot rang out. The round hit the ceiling above them with a loud crack. The hatch slammed shut.

Scully sat up but remained mute. "So it seems it might be captors after all. She thought about the possible distance between the location of the microphone and the hand that held the gun.

Skinner realized quickly how futile rushing the door had been. He stepped back, breathing hard. "All right, fine," he hissed. So there were at least two perps he concluded. Unless it's one guy and he's an Olympic gold medalist in the 200 meter run - or Reed Richards from the Fantastic Four. Skinner stalked back over to stand at the edge of the mattress.

"I see you got my point, Walter," the voice echoed in Skinner's ears. "And furthermore - before I shoot you both I've been instructed to come in there with quite a bit of extra help at my disposal and hurt her, Walter. I'm going to hurt Agent Scully and enjoy doing it. And then I'll shoot you both. So, you see, you don't have any choice, Mr. Skinner. I suggest you seriously think about the alternative to a few minutes of pleasure and get down to business."

"You dick," Skinner growled. Scully still remained mute. She had gotten up however and was walking a circuit of the room. Skinner wouldn't follow her movements. He kept his eyes on his hands.

"Be that as it may. You can take my word for it. My employer is serious. I'm serious. I have both your weapons as well as weapons of my own. I will use them. But, look, I'm not a total inconsiderate lout. I know this isn't a situation that's conducive to...romance. So, I'll tell you what. I'm going to give you an hour and a half to talk it over. You can get better acquainted with each other. An hour and a half. I'll check back for your decision then."

"An hour and a half? How in the hell are we going to know when the times up? You took our watches!" Scully yelled in frustration from near the door with the hatch. Skinner jumped slightly. Her voice was full of anger and fear and Skinner's anger bubbled up into his chest.

"HOW DARE YOU..." he railed.

"Nice catch, Dana," the voice laughed, "An hour and a half," it added and then the mechanical hissing went dead again.

Scully walked back over to the mattress. She extended the watch. Skinner walked forward. He took the watch from Scully and put it onto his wrist. The second hand swept it's face as he looked at it. And hour and a half? Jesus. He looked down into Dana Scully's face.

"Christ, Scully," he sighed. Scully looked down at her feet and walked away from him. She walked back over to the doors, opened the bathroom door and walked in. Skinner watched as she shut it tight. He closed his eyes and walked up over the mattress. He sat down and rocked his head back against the wall again. What he wouldn't give for a shot of bourbon. Damn. Presently he heard the toilet flush. The sink ran and then ceased running.

Scully opened the bathroom door soon afterwards. She crossed back over to the mattress and sat down with her back to the wall again as well.

"We'd better talk about the ultimatum, sir. We don't have much time," she stated matter-of-factly.

Skinner swiveled just his head around to stare at her. "Damn it," he hissed. He went back to facing foreword. He bumped his head hard against the wall again.

"Would you stop that please," Scully snapped, "it's driving me nuts."

Skinner shifted to face her. She pinned his eyes. The air cracked under the strain of her gaze. Skinner's brow furrowed. One second, two seconds. He spoke at last, "Um, I'm sorry. This whole thing is driving ME nuts."

Scully turned to face him as well. They sat Indian style and stared at each other. Skinner shook his head. Scully looked away at last.

"God, this is ridiculous isn't it?" Scully ventured looking around the room again.

"Ridiculous?" Skinner replied, annoyed. He was also looking around the room.

"Well, ridiculous isn't quite the right word I guess. Maybe unbelievable would be a better choice?"

"HA," Skinner barked a short derisive laugh. "I could agree with you there." He was still avoiding her eyes. He could feel Scully looking at him again, however, so he finally glanced into her face.

"Scully, I can't even think of doing what he asked us to do. I hope you realize that," he whispered. Skinner knew his face was reddening. "God damn it," he thought. He hated the way his scalp got red when he was embarrassed too. This was agony and he was in hell. In a minute his face would look like it had been burned in hell's flames. Shit.

Scully raised an eyebrow, "Well, sir, then we're going to die here," she replied equally as quietly, "and I don't want to die," she added. Her voice shook just a bit.

Skinner's heart wrenched in his chest at the sound of fear in her voice. Scully was almost always stony in her professionalism. Stoic. The slip in her control disturbed Skinner more than any thought of touching her sexually ever could. His embarrassed flush was quickly joined by a flush of anger.

"Scully..."

"Sir, I...this isn't easy for me either. But, I think, I think we have to seriously consider doing what he wants. I..." Scully swallowed hard. "Mother Mary, help me now," she prayed inwardly. This scene was something she'd never seen in her worst Skinner nightmare. No way in hell. She knew her face was turning beat red. She looked down at her hands to mask the fact from Skinner.

"Scully...Jesus, that's...it would be...that's rape."

The word brought Scully's head up with a snap. She met Skinner's eyes. She couldn't look away.

Skinner could barely say the last word. Something worked across his face. His guts wrenched. It was painful. He rubbed a large hand over his stomach. He studied Scully's face. His vision curved and warped. He saw the face of a young Vietnamese woman. He saw the back of one of his platoon buddies over the woman. The man was over her and between her struggling legs. He heard her pained, frightened screams as the soldier pistoned into her. He felt himself raise his rifle butt and crack his soon to be ex-buddy in the back of the head as he cried out his orgasm. Skinner shook his head. Scully's face was Scully again. "I...Damn it to HELL," was all he could spit out.

Scully was afraid. Afraid for herself but she was afraid for Skinner as well. Something had passed across his face. It looked incredibly painful when it did. If they were going to confront this nightmare head on and get out of it alive she had to make him realize...she had to drive any thoughts of rape out of his mind and do it very quickly. Her hands shook but she managed to make her voice steady. She hoped her words were the right approach. She was really treading into unknown territory now. Lord, talk about extreme possibilities she thought grimly.

"It wouldn't be rape. Uh, force wouldn't enter into it, sir. I...I wouldn't let it be rape," Scully whispered, "You have to realize we may not have a choice. You can't think of...you can't think of it in those terms."

"Shit. So, it makes it all right because you have no choice BUT to consent? I don't buy that Scully," Skinner shook his head.

Scully's mouth opened but no sound came out. Skinner plunged on, "And besides - what guarantee do we have that we can believe anything that freak said. What if we got through with, if we..what if they just come in here and aced us afterwards anyway? I don't think we can count..."

"Well, if that happens I guess we'd die happy," Scully snapped in exasperation.

"Oh Fine! I think I'd rather die in my God damned bed." Skinner snapped back, "In my sleep," he added.

"Sir, please, just give it some thought for a couple of minutes here. I don't think you want to die either over something that, well a basic biological function that..."

"Basic biological function?" Skinner looked at her in amazement. Blood had rushed into his face, "That sounds like some fucking line from Star Trek, Scully. Dr. Spock speak for Christ's sake."

"It's Mr., sir. MR. Spock," Scully corrected.

"Shit, whatever!" Skinner barked. There was a note of panic in his voice. Scully's face went pale.

Walter Skinner felt dizzy. His vision blurred slightly. He barely felt his body as he turned away from Scully. He suddenly grew very still. He crossed his arms over his chest. He put his head down and bent over his stomach. He began to rock slowly back and forth from the waist.

Scully stared in shock. Skinner rocked. Luckily, he didn't make a sound but the slow, rhythmic movement was bad enough. Scully watched his muscles move around his spine as he continued to rock and she thought he didn't even realize he was doing it. He was sealing himself off from her completely. The rocking was terribly disturbing. This wasn't good.

"Sir, I'm a doctor...I...well, I can rationalize things that way I guess. If we detach the act from..." She could see he wasn't really listening. Scully sighed and made an aimless gesture with her hand. She knew he couldn't see it but the movement helped her to cope. Oh God. What do I do now?" she thought in growing alarm.

Skinner took in a sudden sharp breath. His rocking slowed. His rocking stopped. Skinner uncrossed his arms. His back straightened. Scully watched his spine become ramrod straight. Skinner's head came up and he ran his hand over the back of his neck. He finally spoke, "Do you think I can just function under these conditions?" There was incredible strain in his voice.

Despite the sound of strain Scully breathed out heavily with relief. He sounded more like the old Skinner. He seemed to be back from whatever strange land he had been temporarily visiting. She could see his jaws working again however. She didn't understand how anyone could keep their muscles so tight for so long.

Skinner continued, "I mean, contrary to popular belief, not every man is ready to jump to attention at a moments notice," Embarrassment dripped from his every word, "Even if he was a Marine."

Scully raised an eyebrow. She realized with dismay that she wanted to smile. "Oh God, please don't let me do it," she thought. She desperately suppressed the tiny dangerous, nervous grin that threatened to play across her lips. She studied Walter Skinner's back. She knew they would very likely have to go through with the act requested by the voice. The whole idea was rapidly descending into a dream. Yes, it was a nightmare. She shook herself. But, she couldn't think of it under those terms either. She had to just blank out her mind and think of it as...as what? She respected Skinner. But he made her feel like a child sometimes. She saw him in paternal terms. "Oh wonderful, that's going to help here. Keep thinking of him as your Father. RIGHT, Dana," she mused with chagrin. She had to get past that picture VERY fast.

She watched as Skinner shifted again and turned around to face her. She stared into his glasses. He had rather attractive brown eyes she thought. They seemed softer somehow at that moment, soft and...

"Scully?" Skinner prompted.

"OH.. I'm sorry, sir, what were you saying."

"I was saying I'm not sure I can...for God's sake. I mean...this isn't very...I'm dying here." he groaned out the last part in a hoarse whisper. He looked away from her again.

"Oh." Scully replied. "Uh, well, why don't you just try to relax. We have almost an hour and a half. Give it some...try to think about...Oh God. She really didn't know what to say. She knew it was close to impossible. How could he be expected to...Walter Skinner was so uptight his underwear practically squeaked for God's sake. The prospect of him getting it up in a situation like this was..." Scully let her musings trail off. They weren't doing any good. She was beginning to think that they were both dead.

"Oh shit," she snapped. "I know what you mean, this is just awful," she said. She hated the sound of her voice at that moment. It was petulant. Almost a whine. She tried to soften her words, "I'm so sorry, sir, I..."

The sound of her words had their effect on Skinner, however. He looked at her again. He signed deeply. "Hell, she's really coming apart," he thought as he looked into her eyes. And she's not the only one he mused with bitterness. Scully looked like a doe caught in his headlights. This wasn't good. He had to get a grip. He couldn't let the feelings of helplessness and impotence, and anger overwhelm him like they had almost done a moment ago. Like they had sometimes since Nam. "Fuck it Walter, you're attitude isn't helping Dana Scully. In fact if you're worried about her safety you're killing her with your stupidity all ready." He winced. As much as he felt totally incapable of it, he was going to have to help her, help them both cope and relax. He'd have to try to make some kind of connection with this woman, or die. They would both die. He decided on life instead.

"Scully, it's all right," he said quietly. He got up and walked over to where she was seated on the mattress. He sat down next to her. He still didn't want to touch her but he made himself sit as close to her as he could. He stared down at the floor, "I know. I don't want this either. God, Scully this is the last thing I'd want. It's horrible."

She glanced at him. An eyebrow arched slightly almost of it's own volition.

Skinner caught the look. He blanched as white as the plaster walls. "God Damn it," he thought. "I...I don't think...I didn't mean to say that she's unappealing or...Oh shit!" he swore inwardly.

"I know what you mean sir, I couldn't agree more." Scully let him off the hook. Her accusing look had been out of line anyway. But somewhere deep in her subconscious she took guilty pleasure in seeing Skinner squirm for a moment.

Skinner plunged on with a sigh of relief. "But, God help us, you may be right, Scully. We may have to go through with what that jerk wants. I...I'm not sure we do have any other choice." He glanced up at her face to gauge her reaction.

She looked over into his specs. She shrugged her shoulders and tried a weak smile, "Yes, I'm glad you've reached that conclusion too, sir. I'm open to suggestions."

Skinner straightened up again. He pushed his glasses back up onto his nose. It was a familiar gesture to Scully, but not on Skinner. She smiled a bit further over the thought. But then she let her face become more neutral as she waited for Skinner to volunteer - something, anything, a suggestion, an idea, a way out?

"Well, Uh, Why don't we talk...let's just talk for now. We can discuss things. Whatever you want to talk about, Scully. Maybe if we get a little more comfortable by just talking about inconsequential things it'll make this...Christ maybe we can cope better," Skinner offered. He felt like a complete and utter moron as he looked over into Dana Scully's sympathetically pensive face.

Scully groaned inwardly as she looked up into Skinner's eyes. His face was a sight to behold. His previous anger was gone, but a look of humiliation and confusion had taken it's place. His face was so tight you could have bounced a quarter off his nose and fractured your own skull with the ricochet. Scully felt empathy for him. Pity almost but that wasn't a good emotion to feel for Walter Skinner. When he picked up on that feeling he'd be angry all over again. No, she felt like she had to...like she'd better finally talk to him. Lord, she'd better say something. He was going to crack under the pressure if she didn't. That was an event she never, ever wanted to see - especially after the 'Mr. Rocking Horse Winner' episode he had pulled on her earlier. She set her shoulders again and said, "All right, sir, what would you like to talk about?"

She watched his shoulders relax all at once. His face softened a bit and he rolled his head slightly. There was a sharp crack as his neck popped. Scully jumped and then she smiled slightly. Skinner gave her a weak smile.

"Better?" she asked as pleasantly as she could.

He massaged his neck, "Yeah, actually, that felt great," he wriggled his jaw and rubbed it as well. Then he obviously had more to say, "Well, first of all, you can drop the sir for now, just call me Walter."

Scully resisted the eyebrow arch this time. She did smile however, "Well I can try that I guess. And I suppose you'd better call me Dana, then."

"Uh..." Skinner tried to smile, "You don't let Mulder call you Dana do you?

"No, I don't, sir."

"Walter."

"Right. Mulder calls me Scully, Walter."

"Then I'll call you Scully too," Skinner replied with finality.

"O...K." Scully thought bemused. Laughter bubbled up into her chest. There was touch of hysteria close behind that bubble. The fact that two of the most important men in her life refused to call her by her first name threatened to send Dana Scully into paroxysms of uncharacteristic giggling. She struggled to hold the giggles in. But, Skinner's comment did cause Scully to give him her first genuine smile. The smile that she reserved for only one of the most important men in her life.

"She looks nice when she smiles," Skinner thought. He finally gave her his real grin. The one none of his agents ever saw on pain of death.

Scully watched Skinner show some teeth. He should smile more often she thought, "So, what would you like to talk about?" she prompted.

"Well, normally I'd discuss the Redskins but I don't suppose that's a hot topic with you?" Skinner chuckled.

"Well, actually I enjoy discussing football. But, I'm sort of OD'd on it right now. I get enough football to last me when I'm with Mulder," Scully grinned.

Well, maybe she had found the solution to the whole matter at hand. If she could think of Mulder while....

Skinner stared at Scully. Football. Jesus. Sharon had loved to talk football. Football had been one of the things they really had in common. Lord, he missed his wife. Even after all this time the divorce hurt. He always knew the failure of their marriage had been his fault. He'd been too involved in the job. Too selfish, too brusque, too tired and too limp half the time to be a decent husband. Sharon had deserved a hell of a lot more. Especially the sex. The sex part had been problematical. In those days he drank hard and worked harder. Too bad his cock didn't stay as hard. He cringed. No wonder Sharon had given him his walking papers. But he missed her touch. They'd been good together once. They had been young and in love once.

"So, Mulder talks football a lot?" Skinner asked.

Skinner caught her little smile. He saw the soft look on her face. Christ, she looks...she looks damned beautiful he thought suddenly. He blinked. "Whoa, where the hell did that thought come from?" he wondered. Yeah, well, she did look nice - in a delicate, fresh sort of way. For God's sake he wasn't blind after all. He was a man. He couldn't help but think she looked good - that was all. A little voice piped up in the back of his brain. "Liar, liar pants on fire," it teased. He slugged the source hard in the nose and it fell as if poleaxed.

He looked at Scully. He was still reeling a bit from kicking himself in the little voice. He spoke and it was a mistake. "I play a bit of basketball myself," he replied. His voice sounded strange. It cracked. "Jesus wept," he quaked silently.

"Shit, why did I say that, and in that tone?" he mused with derision. "I sound like I'm boasting," he thought. "Like I'm involved in some kind of...testosterone pissing contest. Like I have to...Why do I feel like I need to compete with Mulder?" he thought suddenly. His mouth pulled down in a scowl. This was getting bizarre, talk about your damned X-file," he thought as Scully pinned his eyes. Skinner saw something pass over her face. He recognized the expression. He knew the emotion. "Crap," he thought. Skinner's thoughts regarding Fox Mulder coalesced further as he regarded Scully's face.

Well, he shouldn't be surprised. She'd been partnered with Mulder for a long time. He wondered idly just how far things had gone. Under the circumstances it WAS a pointless idle thought and even though he was their superior probably none of his business anyway. There had been a lot of baggage between the three of them. A lot of water under the bridge in five years. Nothing had given him a clue that Mulder and Scully were in a relationship. They were still professional. Well, Scully was professional. Mulder was Mulder. But, their close rates were still consistently high. Who was he to begrudge them a little mutual pleasure, a little happiness? It was a hell of a lot better then his miserable, slave to the bureaucracy, beat it to get off when you're horny situation. He ran his hand over his mouth.

"But Holy Ghost, if she's involved with Mulder and sitting here under the gun to...Oh Man, this IS terrible. Not only would he be compromising Scully he'd be cuckolding a man that he actually had a lot of respect for. A guy that he respected a hell of a lot. Crap. Mulder wasn't just any employee. Not your average agent, either. He was a valued colleague...fuck, he liked the guy. He even considered him a friend in the odd moment. Odd moment? Shit that was a fucking understated malapropism here wasn't it? Mulder WAS his friend even if neither of them would ever admit it. Fucking? OH MOTHER! Am I about to...will I be having another man's woman here? Jesus. He was doing it to both of them - screwing them both," Walter Skinner could barely entertain the implications.

He started to shake a bit and he decided to change the subject away from Fox Mulder in one mother of a hurry.

Scully gaped at him for a moment and then she started to giggle. "Oh NO! Here it comes," she thought. I can't hold it back any longer. Laughter bubbled up out of her chest. Dana Scully started to laugh herself silly for the first time in a long time. She almost welcomed the hysteria of it. It brought a measure of relief.

Tears were soon streaming down both their faces.

The storm was over quickly for Skinner however. He gasped and struggled for control. He felt a lot better, more relaxed for sure. But, he needed to gain his composure. He stopped laughing and removed his specs. He wanted to wipe them. He realized the only place to do it was his briefs. He almost burst out laughing again. Instead he gently wiped the lenses on the very top edge of his white BVDs. He shook his head in humorous self-depreciation. He put his glasses back on.

Scully had gotten herself back under control as well. She wiped the tears from her face and pushed her hair back behind her ears. She figured she had to say something. She gave it a try.

Scully sputtered, as she gained control of her voice, "Oh God, I'm sorry, sssi...WWWalter. Damn. It's just that well..."

"Yeah, I know, this is too much. Scully, I'm no good at small talk. I expect it's something that may have even contributed to my divorce. I know it drove my ex-wife nuts. So, trust me. I know just how you feel," Skinner chuckled wryly.

The words "trust me" dropped between them like a bombshell. Skinner practically felt the air ice over into frost. All semblance of conviviality froze like an icicle. Skinner looked over at Dana Scully. Her blue eyes fit perfectly into the new Arctic color scheme. They were ice chip hard.

"Trust you?" Scully asked coldly before she could stop herself.

Skinner's eyes narrowed behind his lenses. "So, she still harbors distrust in me?" he thought. Well, he could understand it he guessed. But it bothered him. Caused his neck hairs to rise in anger. He thought they were past the doubt thing. The betrayal idea. He hated to admit it but it hurt to think Scully still doubted his loyalty to her and her partner. He felt his jaw clench again. He fought to remain calm. He breathed steadily to relax again.

"Trust?" Scully thought. Trust Walter Skinner? That was an interesting subject she considered. She had a lot of questions she wanted to ask him about trust. But Dana Scully wasn't sure that was a good idea under the circumstances. They didn't know who their captors really were and the walls did have eyes and ears. She looked into Skinner's eyes. She caught the answering look. Somehow Skinner knew what she was thinking. It was in his eyes.

"Trust me, Scully," Skinner whispered. "You can trust me, really. Please. Believe me," he added looking down at his large, blunt hands. It had been very hard for him to say those words. He said it as if he were talking almost to himself. The overhead light flashed off his lenses as he continued to study his hands.

Scully saw and heard his sincerity. She heard the hurt and pain in his voice. Her heart filled with emotion. "Oh no," she thought. She realized with sudden dismay and maybe for the first time that Skinner was innocent of any wrong doing. He was on her side and Mulder's too. It was written in every line of his body. She knew it would be in his eyes if she could see them. She could tell by the way he held his face immobile and let only his body show his true thoughts. She knew he wouldn't be able to hide what his eyes would say. He was beyond hiding things now. She knew it because he wouldn't look up at her. Despite wanting her desperately to believe him he still didn't want her to see his eyes. She knew he didn't want her to see what else might be in them. Scully sighed.

She moved and touched his hands. He flinched and tried to pull away but she increased the pressure. He sat still. She moved her head slightly to indicate the room's non-security. Skinner nodded imperceptibly.

"There's time yet," he whispered. He laid his hand over her smaller hand. He kneaded her fingers lightly. Scully sat very still.

The mechanical voice, serpent-like, hissed into the room. It insinuated itself between them.

"Well, that's a lot better guys. Feel free to get closer."

"Hey, asshole, times not up yet," Skinner glared dropping Scully's hand like it was hot. Scully winced.

"I know that, big guy. But I just wanted to make sure things were moving along. And hey, listen Walter. When you two really get down to business, I have a word of advice. Look like you're enjoying it. Either look like it or put on a hell of a performance - Academy Award caliber would be advisable. Because if you don't - it's going to go very bad for you both."

"Thanks for the advice," Skinner retorted. He shifted uncomfortably. He frowned and looked at Scully. His lips were tight again. He called up towards the ceiling "Hey, Mr. Well-intentioned?"

"Yes, MISTER Skinner," the voice smirked.

Skinner took a deep breath, "If you expect us to go through with this - if you expect us to have sex - How about some protection?"

"Protection?" the voice asked quizzically.

"Yeah, you know...condoms!" Skinner's voice caught on the last word.

"Rubbers?"

Scully's mouth dropped open slightly. Her eyes flicked from Skinner to a spot over her head.

"Yeah, you know, prophylactics. P-R-O-P-H-" Skinner started to spell it out, sarcasm dripping in his voice with each letter.

"Walter...uh, sir?" Scully cautioned. She thought his attitude might be a mistake. It soon seemed it was.

"Oh. Well, Walter I hate to say this, but my employer stipulated no rubbers. He wants you to have - how can I put this? Uh - No obstacles between you and Ms. Scully's pleasure. Yes, no way to have you NOT face up to the fact that it's your cock inside her, understand? All that latex might give you an out. A way of not facing the facts. So, I guess you can't count on condoms, buddy. Sorry." The voice giggled and then there was dead silence again.

"GOD DAMN IT!" Skinner slammed his fist down hard on the floor. He was instantly sorry. It hurt like a son of a bitch.

"Walter!" Scully upbraided him. She grabbed his hand and tenderly began to examine it. Skinner tried to pull away.

"Stop it!" Scully scolded. "You could have broken a bone. That was really foolish," she added with genuine concern.

"All right, I'm sorry," Skinner breathed out shakily. "I just can't believe he wouldn't, that I'll have to...Crap!" he shook his head.

Scully looked into his glasses, "Walter, it's all right. Listen. I know neither of us have to worry about STDs. I..."

"Well of course we're CLEAN, Scully, that's not what I'm thinking about..." Skinner let his voice trail off.

Scully opened her mouth in shock. He doesn't know she thought. No one had told him. She couldn't believe Mulder at least hadn't said something. She continued to probe Skinner's hand. "You're worried about pregnancy?" she asked quietly.

"Well of course. For Christ sake, Scully, I...I don't want to knock you up. Shit. Sorry. That didn't come out quite right."

Scully pursed her lips and released his hand, "No harm done, Walter, but I wouldn't recommend doing that again," she placed his hand back in his lap. Her hand accidentally brushed his thigh. She looked into his eyes again. Skinner's face was set in stone. His jaw muscles worked themselves tight once more. She reached up impulsively and touched his jaw. He flinched again.

"And as for the risk of your getting me pregnant? You can't. I'm sterile," she stated without preamble. The direct approach had always worked with Skinner before. She saw no reason to change that pattern now.

"Scully?" he asked confused.

"I'm barren. The cancer treatment made me sterile," she repeated. It was the most logical sounding explanation. She didn't think Skinner wanted to hear about alien abductions or stolen ova right now.

"OH God, I... I didn't...I..." Skinner blustered. He touched the hand she had placed against his jaw. His muscles relaxed a bit. She withdrew her hand.

Skinner sighed, "So, we're going to have to go through with this then, aren't we?" he asked.

"I guess so. How much time do we have left?"

"About 10 minutes."

Scully touched his hands again, "Walter, really, it's all right. I...I can deal with this, uh, I can get through it. It's not going to be easy but, I do trust you. I respect, you sir, more then you know really. I think..well, I know you won't hurt me," she said, tenderness in her voice.

"I appreciate that Scully. And I would never hurt you. I just hope, well I hope...., oh shit." his voice caught in his throat.

"I hope we'll enjoy it Scully or at least that we're good at faking it because if we're not, we're both dead." Skinner answered miserably.

Scully sighed, "I was never very good at amateur theatrics, Walter. So I suppose we'll have to hope for the best."

Skinner wouldn't, couldn't look at her. He had seen her eyes. Those blue eyes were intense. Electric. Bottomless. He felt like they were absorbing his soul. Sucking it from his body and carrying it into their blue depths. He was losing himself in Scully's eyes and he wasn't sure he liked the sensation. He needed to maintain control.

This was quite possibly the worst thing he could imagine happening in his entire life. He'd thought dealing with the murdered call girl had been hard. That was a walk in the park compared to what was going to happen in this room. Even his divorce paled in comparison. The only thing he could think might be remotely worse was almost dying in combat in Vietnam. And he'd been out of his body for part of that so maybe it hadn't been really as bad either.

He had tremendous respect for Dana Scully. Hell, he'd made a deal with a human devil to save her life during her bout with cancer. She was a professional, smart, crack agent. He was her boss. This went totally beyond the boundaries of propriety, respectability and...GOD HELP ME! Skinner shook his head over and over because he simply could not think any longer. He had a sinking feeling that this was becoming almost like a flashback to his tour in Nam. Some kind of awful Post Traumatic Stress Fugue. He had nightmares. This was starting to resemble one of them all too much.

Nausea gripped his guts. Not only did he not want to fuck her - God, he didn't even want to say that word. But, it was the only one that came close to what he'd be doing. Somehow the words 'making love' sounded like a joke under the circumstances. And besides not wanting to take Scully this way - he wasn't sure he could do it. He wasn't sure at all, he thought. He was suddenly filled with total self loathing.

"Yeah, well, my best may not be good enough," he snarled. God he couldn't believe he just said that. He couldn't believe he'd said it to Scully. He ran his hand over the back of his neck again and massaged it hard.

Dana Scully could read every emotion that played across Skinner's face. Now he really was an open book. It had come to his showing his raw emotions and it frightened her. She thought instantly that he must be under tremendous stress to have his feelings laid bare in that way. What this was doing to him was terrible.

Walter Skinner was a very formal man. He was concerned with rules, correct behavior, the status quo, respect and the chain of command. This situation must be pure mind numbing torture for him. Scully felt horrible to think of what he must be going through. She felt sympathy and tenderness. She didn't want him to feel awkward or ashamed or unable to function. If he did they were dead. She decided instantly on what she should do. What would help and make things a little more easy. "Mother Mary, help me to be strong, and oh Sainted Lady, help me to be right," she prayed soundlessly.

Skinner's head swiveled round. He looked into her flashing blue eyes. He swallowed hard. He knew what she was trying to do and he appreciated it. Scully certainly was perceptive, and she was a hell of an attractive woman he thought. Not exactly his type. He preferred tall, leggy blondes. But, Scully was nothing to sneeze at. If Mulder was bedding her it was easy to see why he did from a purely physical standpoint. The fact that she was a brilliant woman was more than icing on the cake.

Skinner sighed. But fucking her was the last thing he wanted to do. No way in hell did he want to screw her. It was disgusting to humiliate her that way. How could he even imagine she would enjoy it? And besides that, his performance anxiety was very real. He thought again of the fact that he hadn't been with a woman in so long he wasn't sure he could get it up and keep it up at all. Not to mention the fact that he had no idea what Dana Scully liked in bed. And if he did he'd probably be as inept as hell in trying to satisfy her anyway. He hung his head. His misery was complete.

He felt like he was 16 and a pimply faced virgin in the back seat of his Father's old Dodge with Cindy MacNamara and a raging hard on with no hope of relief because he was quaking in his sneakers. Jesus! What he wouldn't give for a 16 year old kid's hard-on. OH GOD! Nope, he hadn't been exaggerating when he said he wasn't sure his best would be good enough. No Ma'am, Ms. Scully.

But Walter Skinner quickly realized that these thoughts were dangerous. Their lives probably depended on him thinking just the opposite. Their very survival depended on him being able to get it up, get it in, and make it look like it was the best lay both of them had ever had in their lives. The thought of Scully being hurt or killed because of his performance anxiety or squeamishness made him decide, at last, on what he needed to do. He opened his mouth to tell Scully he was willing to give it the old college try when the mechanical voice made it's unwelcome audio appearance.

"Times up, ladies and gentlemen. I need your decision and I need it now."

Skinner looked at Scully. She nodded her head slightly and once again moved to touch him. Her hand rested on his shoulder. He nodded in confirmation. Skinner stood up and moved off the mattress. He stood with both his hands on his hips. He put his head up and spoke into the ceiling.

"All right. We're going to give your boss his show. We'll make the performance as good as we can. But look I have two requests."

"Requests?"

"Yeah, can you allow us a couple of favors here? Out of consideration for her if nothing else?" Skinner asked gesturing towards the seated Scully. Scully got up and stood with her hands on her hips again as well. She squared her shoulders and glared again at the ceiling.

"Name them and I'll let you know if I can grant them," the voice replied.

"Don't interrupt us. I mean it. Don't turn that microphone on until it's over. If you break in on us I...just stay silent, all right?" Skinner asked. Scully's heart wrenched at the barely concealed pleading tone in Walter Skinner's voice.

"And the second request?" the voice prompted. Skinner swallowed hard, "If Agent Scully looks like she isn't enjoying this, don't blame her. Blame me. Don't hurt her. If you have to discipline someone, make it me. She's not going to be responsible for whether this is pleasurable. I'm asking you to consider how humiliating this is going to be for her. I'm asking you to show some compassion you son of a bitch," he spat out. His neck muscles convulsed in anger but he held his body straight and his head high.

Scully lowered her head to stare at her feet. Her stomach rolled over on itself and tears sprung into her eyes. Skinner was trying desperately to protect her even at the expense of his own life. She was terribly touched and she knew suddenly that over the next minutes she would try to make Walter Skinner realize that he was a good and decent man, and not inept as a lover in any way, shape or form.

"Granted," the voice hissed hollowly. Skinner's shoulders slumped in relief. Scully stepped to his side and took his hand in hers.

"All right, then. The tape's running and the audio's on. Make sure you don't get too adventuresome - try to stay close to the mattress. Take your time folks and remember - try to make it good. Just wave a hand or something when you're done. I'll be seeing you," the voice pealed away in laughter and then it was gone.

Skinner turned and looked down at Scully's fingers entwined with his. God her hands are so small he thought. He really did hope he wasn't going to hurt her. He was going to try to be gentle.

"Uh, how do you want to do this, Scully?" he asked. "Christ, that sounds crass. I...Jesus I don't even know where to start. Oh, crap, that sounded brilliant too didn't it?" He smiled weakly. He released her hand because his had begun to shake.

"Well, I guess you can start by kissing me," she smiled up at him. "You're going to have to bend down a little though. Every date I've ever had did."

Skinner ogled her in disbelief. Jesus God he hadn't expected her to be that direct. He swallowed hard once again and then he took yet another deep breath. His chest shuddered when he released it.

"Well, this isn't exactly a date, Scully, but I get your drift," he replied in a low voice. They continued to stand and stare at each other.

Finally Skinner took both her hands awkwardly into his. His hands stopped shaking with the gentle contact. Scully's hands were very warm and her arms were relaxed. There was no resistance. She gazed up at him with kindness on her face. She closed her eyes. Well, at least she wasn't looking at him anymore he thought.

Skinner bowed to the inevitable. He pulled her closer. He did bend down just enough to reach her face. He pressed his lips to hers.

Scully felt his lips. They were dry but not unpleasant. The kiss was tentative, hesitant, but warm and sweet. Scully moved closer to the bulk of his body. She moved her lips over his. He smelled good. She sniffed slightly. He pulled back.

"Old Spice," he said with a tense smile.

"Oh. I thought it might be. It smells good."

"Thanks."

Scully released his hands and stepped into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his trim waist. She rested her head on his broad, muscular chest. Skinner didn't exactly know what to do with his hands. He ended up resting them carefully on her back.

"Just hold me for a minute, Walter," she whispered, "Just rub my back a little and hold me."

"Uh, Ok." Skinner rubbed her back. He stroked her lazily. This is sort of nice he thought. She was warm and she smelled good too. Not overly perfumed. Clean. Dana Scully's scent was one of her soap and shampoo and her natural feminine smell. Skinner suddenly found it rather delightful. He pressed his lips to her hair and drank in her scent. What next? he thought.

He tried to think of Sharon but somehow it didn't seem appropriate. After all, he could look Sharon right in the face. The memory did bring a smile. He remembered Sharon's lovely green eyes. He tilted his chin down and looked at the top of Scully's head. He shrugged. He felt Scully's cheek rubbing lightly against his chest hair. It wasn't a bad sensation. Suddenly Scully looked up into his glasses again. He looked into her blue eyes. Well, I guess that answers the question "What next?" he thought.

Skinner bent down and kissed her again. This time the kiss was just a little less tentative. He pressed into her and he felt her lips open slightly. His tongue sought the opening and snaked into her mouth. Scully sighed and took his tongue in. They began to explore each other's taste.

Skinner moved his mouth over Scully's. His mind spun. This could be good he thought. It might be good. But he just wasn't sure. He pulled back and held Scully out to look at her. She certainly looked flushed. She smiled slightly into his glasses.

"I think you're doing rather well so far, Walter," she commented breathlessly.

"Hmmmph," he replied in a distracted way. "Sure." he thought dismally. There was probably no hope. He studied her face again. Maybe...he thought.

Scully drew close and smoothed his chest hair down. She placed her head against his chest. She could hear his heart beating hard beneath his breastbone. His face had still been filled with self doubt and embarrassment. To say he wasn't quite into the moment yet was a vast understatement. Somehow she had to get this man involved here or else. She didn't even want to think about the "or else part". Well, she'd had enough. She was going to take matters into her own hands now. Skinner was going to have to go along for the ride.

"I mean it, Walter. You're doing yourself an injustice if you think I didn't just enjoy that kiss," she said in a whisper. She glanced back up at him.

"Well, thanks - I guess," he gave her a bemused grin then.

Skinner cleared his throat. Scully looked up at him again. His face was serious. So what's new and what now? Scully thought, pursing her lips.

Skinner took her chin in one large hand and stroked it. "Look, uh, Scully. If when this gets down to the - well when we're further along here - if you want to pretend - I mean if you want to fantasize about someone else - someone special - I won't mind. If it'll help, go ahead and do it - it won't offend me."

Scully struggled to keep her mouth from dropping open. She looked deep into Skinner's sad brown eyes. "OH SHIT!" He meant Mulder. So, Skinner was that intuitive? Well of course she had known he was a talented investigator. Evidently he was a perceptive human being as well. He had read her heart. It upset her to think that Skinner read her so well. She wasn't sure how to handle it. She considered what Skinner must be going through if he thought she and Mulder were lovers.

It did make her feel more compassion for the man in front of her. Compassion was going to help her over the long haul here. She really hoped it would. But, she really hoped her compassion wasn't misplaced. She decided that in the long run honesty might be the best policy in this situation. If he had guessed her true feelings he wouldn't appreciate her lying to his face. She stroked Skinner's hard pectoral muscles as she spoke her mind.

Ok, that's it she thought. I'm either going to feel the proverbial door hitting may ass on the way out now or...But God what an utterly asinine assumption! Christ. What in the world could he possibly do to her now? What could he say even if she was involved with Mulder? She was about to be a hell of a lot more involved with Walter Skinner in the next few minutes. God what did she have to worry about here?

But of course she had a lot to worry about. She had to worry whether there was even a remote chance that Skinner thought, despite the suggestion, that he was treading on Mulder's territory. She knew very little about Walter Skinner. But some men went berserk over jealousy and she couldn't take a chance that Skinner would go ballistic now. So, she decided she had to hedge her bets and err on the side of generalities and stereotypes. OH DEAR GOD, this IS awkward she thought. She almost burst out laughing again to think what Mulder would say. Instead she decided to tell Skinner most of the truth. Mulder wanted the whole truth. She hoped Walter Skinner wouldn't mind a half truth.

"But, Walter...he...we don't have THAT kind of relationship. she smiled shyly. "At least not yet," she sighed to herself. And that was the half truth. A little touch of dishonesty. She refused to tell Skinner that last little secret. It would defeat the purpose anyway and in this room where no privacy was going to be available for the ultimate private act, Dana Scully was determined to keep one tiny intimate dream enclosed in her heart. She buried the cherished feeling deep down and prepared for what was going to happen next. She felt the color rise into her cheeks as she steeled her will. She was about to make a total fool out of herself but a live fool was better than a dead duck any day. She looked up at Skinner and...

"Oh brother I can't believe I'm batting my eyes here," she groaned inwardly.

And then she really winced because she was going to try for the big pay-off now and it had better work, "And Walter, I...I know how to separate fantasy from reality. And this is reality tonight," she added. The scientist in her reared it's head however and before she could stop herself she glanced at his watch for confirmation. "Oh no, that's not really fair," she chided herself guiltily. Skinner was trying. He just wasn't...Mulder. She let the thought spin away.

Once again Skinner knew what Scully was trying to do. He was half angry and half amused to think she thought him so naive or unobservant. "I mean we both work for the same employer here don't we?" he half chuckled to himself. Well shit, he wasn't naive but he certainly was a stone cold son of a bitch in her eyes right now wasn't he? Good Christ. He couldn't let this woman make a fool out of herself over his formality and prigishness. Prig. That had been a Sharon word, an ex-wife word. It fit. He noticed Scully looking at his watch. He looked at his watch again as well. It was just before midnight. Rather appropriate he thought. The witching hour. Well, they'd better get busy and make some magic or both their asses were grass he thought. Good night.

He let Scully's words begin to bring a tight, warm feeling into his chest. He tried to let his heart feel something for her. It was difficult but he thought he could feel a fluttering of emotion for Scully there. God, he really was touched he realized. He thought of Mulder again. He was a lucky man even though he apparently didn't really know it yet.

Skinner studied Scully's face. He saw the willingness and acceptance there and he knew despite the fact that this was a nightmarish situation, Dana Scully was going to give as much of the old college try as he was going to give in order to save their lives. And maybe in order to make him feel like a man too he thought with renewed respect. Well he'd damn well make sure she got some pleasure here tonight. He'd treat her like a queen if he could. She deserved nothing less. It was the least he could do for the gutsy woman standing in his arms. She was one hell of a woman, yessir, he thought. He smiled into her eyes.

Skinner bent forward and whispered into her ear, "This may be reality, Dana Scully, but I want it to be a good reality tonight. So, for God's sake, tell me if I hurt you. Don't lie to me or keep quiet. I need to make sure I don't cause you any pain, understand? If I even get an inkling I'm hurting you I won't be able to perform, understand?"

"Yes," she answered in quiet sincerity. Skinner's breath came in small puffs against her ear. It tickled. It felt...it felt nice she thought.

"And Scully, if...uh, if you can give me a hint as to what you like..."

"I liked the way you kissed me a minute ago," she breathed against his cheek, "Kiss me again," she sighed. Skinner turned his head into her face. She closed her eyes as his mouth moved over hers for a third time.

Scully reached up and grabbed the back of his head, urging him to deepen the kiss. "God, he, he's a good kisser," she thought. She let the feeling of his mouth and tongue wash over her. She wanted to become aroused. She concentrated on his hands as they moved up her arms. Thoughts of Mulder came into her mind but she crushed them down. It really wasn't safe to think of him. She concentrated on Walter Skinner and suddenly he did fill her world. She opened her eyes slightly in surprise. She moaned into his mouth as his hands found her back again.

Skinner felt her moaning breath. He ran his hands up and down her back and then over her firm ass. He felt her ass move forward. She pressed the front of her body against his crotch. The movement was gentle at first but when he rubbed down between the cheeks of her butt and then between her legs, Scully ground into him harder and groaned.

"You do that to great effect, Scully. I get a kick out of it every time you do that to Mul..." at the half utterance of his name Scully placed a finger over Skinner's lips to silence him. She shook her head. He knew. She didn't want to hear Mulder's name, not now and especially not from his lips. He nodded in acknowledgment and respect and she shut her eyes. He took the hand that had touched his lips and kissed the palm. He took Scully into his arms again and this time their kiss was deep and hot and searching. Both of them moaned as their tongues danced together.

Skinner's hands roamed over Scully's back. She could feel the heavy warmth of his large hands. Large but gentle. His touch was light. Erotic. She knew he was trying very had to be tender. It inflamed her passion. The whole idea was unbelievable. She was becoming wet.

Skinner stopped suddenly as his hands reached the front of Scully's body. They hovered over her breasts. He looked into her face again. He pinned her eyes. She was very flushed. The red in her face flowed down into her neck and over the top of her tits. Walter Skinner was transfixed. She was covered in previously invisible tiny freckles.

Scully watched his hesitation. She reached behind her back and undid her bra. She pulled the straps down and the garment fell between them onto the floor. She saw Skinner's Adams apple convulse.

"Walter, it's all right," she whispered, "I...go ahead, I want you to..." She stopped as his hands took both her breasts at once. God, his hands were so large. They covered her, warm and hard and rough. She shifted under his hands as he rubbed her tits, "just the nipples," she whispered again, touching his hands. She stroked her own nipple lightly to show him what she wanted him to do.

Skinner growled slightly in his throat in understanding. He gently rotated a finger around her nipple teasing it into a hard erect little nub. He did the same with it's neighbor. Scully arched her head back and nodded in pleasure. "Oh, God, that... that's good," she sighed.

"Yes, it feels wonderful," Scully replied gasping. And she realized suddenly that it did feel fantastic. She was giddy. Never in a million years did she ever think she could feel this way with - God - Assistant Director Walter Skinner. She smiled and laughed into his brown eyes. Her eyes flashed wide.

"Is this better?" he asked huskily. He bent forward and touched her right nipple with his lips. Scully gasped. He sucked half her breast into his mouth.

"OHGOD!" Scully cried out. She gripped the sides of his head as he sucked on first one breast and then the other. He began to concentrate on each sensitive nipple next. Scully stroked his head savoring the feel of his skin. She had never been with a bald man before. She wondered distantly if his head would feel like his ass. She wanted to find out.

She was rapidly losing part of her ability to form coherent thoughts. She didn't mind however. Somehow that idea made her realize this whole experience was going to be a hell of a lot more easy then she ever could have imagined it would be. LORD HAVE MERCY.

Skinner left her breasts and stood back up. Scully stroked his wide chest. She teased his nipples and ran her hands through the mat of his chest hair. She marveled at his size and physical condition. He was in great shape. Hard, large muscles rippled under her fingers.

Scully allowed her hands to wander back to his wide shoulders and test the muscles there. Hard. She trailed her hands down his biceps. Hard. His forearms. Hard. His hands. Hard. But oh God so soft too. Soft on her skin. He was just hard all over. Steel covered in flesh. Like a bronze statue. She could hardly believe what touching him was doing to her body. What it did to her soul.

Her hands continued to explore Skinner. She passed her fingertips over old scars. She dipped into the newer one he'd gotten from an assassination attempt. She drew her hands further down and trailed them over his washboard stomach. She ran her hands around his waist and down and under his briefs. Walter Skinner's ass felt just like his head. And the words tight ass took on a whole new meaning for Dana Scully as she stroked his butt.

Skinner was panting now. His breathing was ragged. He continued to stroke Scully's body in time with her exploration of his shoulders, chest, stomach and ass. He'd decided he really liked the feel of her skin. It was like silk. She smelled like fine wine. She sounded like an angel and looked like one too.

He was rapidly realizing he was losing what was left of his rational mind. Skinner's focus narrowed to Dana Scully and his hands roaming over her body. The little voice was back in his mind and this time he let it speak loud and clear. He could do this. This might all just work out after all. This would save them. They would live and...Jesus he was getting hard too he thought. He glanced down at the front of his briefs. The cotton formed a very promising tent there. A pup tent but he was well on his way to a multiple man structure by the second.

He saw Scully look down as well and he met her eyes on the return trip. He bent forward and whispered into her ear. "Do you want to go lie down? Whatever you want, Scully."

Scully reached forward and touched the band of his BVDs. He took in a sharp breath. Her hand traced over his stomach and then down past the band and into his pubic hair. Scully took in her own sharp breath then. She had found his legacy from the war. The BIG Legacy. She looked up into his glasses. His face was unreadable as she traced the hard white twisted scar that ran across his groin. The unasked question was on her lips and in her eyes.

It was obvious Scully didn't know something about Walter Skinner as well, "Go ahead, look," he hissed, "Vietnam," he added huskily.

"What?" she asked stopping her tender tracing.

"Vietnam. Didn't Mu...didn't anyone tell you I was wounded In Country. In the war?" Skinner asked.

"No," Scully replied. Pity filled her voice. Skinner tensed under her fingers.

For a split second Skinner's mind let his respect for Fox Mulder go up a notch. He had kept his confidence over his war experiences. But then he grew angry at the sound of pity in Scully's voice.

"Look at it," he commanded gesturing at the scar. He reached forward and pulled his briefs down with a harsh yank. They fell to his feet and he kicked them off and to the side. His erection sprung free and jutted out between them.

Scully looked down. She saw the scar but she could have cared less. Her eyes grew wide as she got a good look at his cock. "God, he's huge," she thought nervously. She bit her lower lip. Maybe this wasn't going to go quite as well as she originally thought. Skinner noticed Scully's nervousness. He clenched his teeth. He pitched his voice with as much tenderness as he could and tried to squelch down his anger.

"Scully, it's just a scar for Christ's sake, I.."

"What scar?" Scully asked letting her breath out in a rush.

Skinner looked at her in confusion and then it dawned on him what she was trying to say.

"Oh."

"Yeah," she whispered shyly.

"Walter, I..." He stepped forward and gathered Scully close. He stroked her hair. She was trembling slightly under his hands. Skinner's erection throbbed against her stomach.

Oh shit. This had never even entered his mind. His thoughts of Sharon may have gotten in the way here. Besides being able to look Sharon directly in the eyes he had never had to worry about any size difference with her. They had been pretty much complimentary as far as proportions. But hell, Dana Scully was a very petite woman. His earlier thoughts of hurting her came immediately into the forefront of his mind. He became flustered and he hated the feeling. Shit. He made an attempt to salvage the situation. He spoke calmly and as lightly as possible.

"I think we'd better go sit down and talk about this, Walter," Scully said. She took his hand and led him onto the mattress.

They sat and faced each other. She scooted up close to him and placed her lips against his ear.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Walter," she whispered. "That's pretty much the most impressive..."

"Scully, shut up, all right," he almost laughed. He couldn't quite keep it out of his voice. "You're scared to death. Don't try to cover it with some kind of sexual bravado. That's supposed to be my, the guy's area of expertise anyway. Or so rumor has it."

"So, I'm busted, Walter?" Scully did laugh a bit. It was nervous laughter. The laughter tickled his earlobe.

"Yeah, I'm afraid so," Skinner allowed a tiny smile to play across his lips, "So, let's talk about it."

Scully traced her tongue around his ear. He jumped.

"I said talk," he squeaked a high pitched complaint. Jesus! I sound like Mickey motherfucking Mouse! Cripes.

She reached up and took the bows of his glasses in both her hands. He reached up and grabbed her wrists. He frowned.

"Do you normally do this with your glasses on?" Scully asked quizzically.

"I...I can't see a fffucking thing without them." Skinner stuttered, "and under the circumstances my not being able to see may be a bad thing."

Scully realized he felt vulnerable, blind without his specs. She bent forward and whispered into his ear, "Walter, you don't have to see. Just feel me. You can touch me. I'd like it and I think it would help if you touched me all over right now. Let me take these off. They're going to get in the way."

Skinner nodded briefly, "OK, I...I guess that's a good idea."

Scully pulled off the glasses and placed them carefully over near the wall. "They're just against the wall, Walter," she assured him.

"Thanks, Scully," he replied. He stared myopically at her for a moment. He struggled to focus his eyes.

"Walter...I want you to...I need..." Skinner focused on her face. His vision cleared and he saw her at last. He took one clear look and that was it. Oh thank you Jesus he thought. Skinner got up on his knees and drew Scully up onto hers. He pulled her close again and then he began to find out everything he could about Dana Scully's body using his hands, and his mouth and every inch of his entire skin.

As Skinner roamed over Scully's shoulders and back and arms and stomach he became suddenly glad that he was in the country of the blind. He reveled in what being unable to see clearly allowed him to discover about her alabaster-pale perfection. Oh Jesus he thought she's so soft but there was iron there as well. Skin covering taut, well developed yet feminine muscles. Curve upon luscious curve. The swell of her breasts, and ass and hips. He touched her face again and discovered the outline of all that she was feeling. Her passionate abandonment under his caresses. Oh Christ those lips. The bee stung lips. Her lips half parted, her warm breath coming in quick breathy gasps. Her eyebrows again. The delicate eyelids closed. The eyelashes just fluttering. He touched her flesh and the heat climbed and climbed and...as he explored her he thought of a poem he had read once, a half remembered couplet that flew through his mind...

"I worship what is vague, delicate sounds and colours,
Whatever trembles, ripples, shivers and shimmers,
Hair and eyes, water, leaves and silk,
And the spirituality of slender shapes."

The slender shape of Dana Scully filled his senses and he knew nothing more.

Scully began to writhe under his touch. Soon they were both moaning and saying words to each other that neither would ever have thought they were capable of uttering in each other's presence.

Skinner moved to pull at Scully's panties. He worked them down her hips. Scully wriggled until they were off. Skinner picked them up and threw them to the side of the mattress. Her wriggling movement caused him to groan as if he were in agony. Maybe I am in agony, he thought. And maybe this will damn us as well. But if it did he was ready to burn. He was burning all ready. He wanted them both to spontaneously combust.

He trailed his mouth down Scully's neck and onto her chest, over her breasts and down her stomach. Each kiss was hot, like liquid fire, but tender, gentle, teasing.

"Is this good?" he asked. His breath was coming fast and so was hers.

"Oh God, it...yes, Oh Jesus." Scully cried. She gripped his head again as he bent lower. He found her pubic hair and dove past it to find the folds of her cunt. He glanced up at her face over her pubic bone.

"Do you want me to go down on you?" he could barely speak. Scully looked into his brown eyes. They were ablaze with a hot sexual fever.

"OHYES," she sighed and he took her into his mouth. OHGOD!" she cried out again as his lips and tongue found her clit. He sucked and teased her clit until she was beyond thought. Incoherent sounds escaped her lips and her hips began to rotate and buck involuntarily. Her inner moisture flowed over Skinner's lips.

He pulled back and replaced his mouth with his hand. He straightened up and held her close with one muscular arm around her waist. His large hand moved up and covered the small of her back to support her. His other hand worked over her cunt. His huge hand completely covered her. He squeezed every inch of her soft flesh. The feeling was indescribable. Scully threw her head back. "Oh Jesus, Walter, this....so good," she sobbed.

He inserted a large finger into her body. She sobbed loudly and moved her head back and forth. She arched into his hand and he thrust a second finger in and pumped them both. He felt her expand under his fingers to accommodate his size. He held back his own pleasure. He needed to concentrate. He wanted to work her up almost to orgasm. He needed Scully to really stretch for him. He needed her really wet. She was so small, so vulnerable despite her taut muscularity. Like a china statue he thought distantly. She was going to have trouble taking his cock. The more aroused Scully was when he tried to enter her the less likely he would hurt her. At this point he desperately wanted NOT to hurt her. He wanted to give her pleasure. He wanted to pleasure them both.

He brought his mouth close to her ear and slacked off on the movement of his hand. She whined as he slowed down, "No, please, I'm so close, can you...harder..." she touched his arm and trailed her hand down to his. He removed his hand from between her legs and trapped her roaming hand in his. He whispered into the pale shell of her ear, "Scully, I...I want to...do you want me inside you?" he gasped. His hard on was almost painful. He was going to have to enter her soon or he was going to explode anyway.

"Oh God, Yes I do, but..." she gasped.

"Well, I want that too. Christ. I didn't think...I mean....Christ on a crutch, Scully!" Skinner closed his eyes and swallowed. He was overwhelmed at the feelings washing over him. He wanted her and he could barely admit it but his need was straining between his legs and painfully obvious. But hell he didn't want to rush and he didn't want to, God forbid, injure her. He kissed her forehead softly.

"Oh Lord..." Scully whispered in awe. She couldn't believe what was happening either. Her whole body was white hot with sexual ecstasy from the caresses of a man who she almost thought of as a second Father. The uptight, by the book, I eat nails and bad boy's like Fox Mulder for breakfast, flinty eyed A.D. Walter Skinner. She shuddered and said, "I know, I know, I can't, it's...Oh hell, I want to feel you in me, just...Oh please." She was really having trouble putting together two coherent words. "And I could care less," she laughed inwardly. "Good Lord All Mighty," she thought, "I want him now."

Skinner touched her cheek. His words came in a nervous rush, "I know, it's all right. I needed to almost bring you off, Scully. I mean you have to be almost ready to come. I need you really wet. It'll help. Was that good enough? You said you were close. Do you want me to...I mean do you need more?"

He pulled back and looked into her face with concern. He shut his eyes slightly as his cock twitched. He hissed. "Oh Jesus that feels good," he chuckled. He hadn't been this hot or hard or ready with a woman for a long, long time. He could hardly believe it was Dana Scully that had gotten him here. He wanted to go all the way and he wanted her to be with him every step of the trip.

Scully looked down between his legs. She unconsciously licked her lips. Skinner grunted slightly as his cock throbbed again. She had some mouth. She seemed to reach some kind of decision. "We'd better lie down Walter," she said. Skinner made a noise of agreement and took her into his arms. They lay down face to face. He stroked her hip and thigh and ran his hand down between her legs again. He teased her clit.

"I'm...yes, that's good, good, Oh oh..." Scully shut her eyes and clung to his chest as she savored the sensations flooding from her clit into her stomach, up her spine and into every endorphin producing cell in her brain.

"Don't come, please tell me if you're going to come so I can stop," Skinner whispered. "I want to feel you come around my cock," he added huskily. His eyes went wide. The words had come out of his mouth almost of their own volition. He dimly wondered what the hell was happening to him. But he didn't give a damn. He hand moved between Scully's legs. She bucked into him.

"OHGOD, STOP! She cried. He removed his hand instantly and gathered her close. Her breath came in ragged gasps.

Skinner's erection pushed against her leg and he groaned. "MUTHEROFGOD" he gasped. "Scully, I...I can't hold back much longer. What...how?" He choked out the last word as she fell over onto her back.

He rolled next to her and looked down into her face. "Are you sure you wouldn't want it on top?" he whispered into her pink ear.

"Jesus, NO! Walter," she giggled slightly. "I'm afraid you're going to have to be Mr. Missionary or this will never work."

"Just call me Dr. Livingstone," he smiled.

"I presume," she finished for him.

"You'd better not "presume" anything, Agent Scully, that's an order," he whispered and then he levered up and rolled over her carefully so as not to crush her. He supported his weight on his arms and settled between her all ready opened legs and raised knees.

He felt her hand move down her body and touch his shaft. He grunted as she moved to his balls and stroked them. He hissed as she held them and hefted them in her tiny palm.

"You're in dangerous territory there, Scully," he advised. He could feel his balls tensing. Scully released them and took his cock back into her hand. She trailed her hand up and down him seductively. Walter Skinner shut his eyes.

"Scully, I...please..." he pleaded. He had to get in soon or it would be all over. "Is...is it ok, are you ready?" he asked.

She nodded once and started to close her eyes.

"Leave them open," Skinner said. He was terrified he'd hurt her and he'd know instantly if he did by looking in her eyes.

"Walter I...I can't do that. I have to shut my eyes." Scully whispered, "I trust you, really. I know you won't hurt me. I need to concentrate."

"All right, let me take your hand. If you have any pain squeeze my hand. OK? That's the signal. I'll stop if I feel you squeeze my hand."

"Oh, come on Scully, do you seriously think that will be reliable?" Skinner arched an eyebrow.

Scully laughed and she stretched her arm out and found Skinner's large hand. She entwined his fingers with hers. She shut her eyes and Skinner moved closer. Her hand guided his cock between her legs.

Skinner was so hot he knew he wanted to rush it. He desperately wanted to plunge in hard, fast and deep. He fought the urge with every bit of iron control he had left. He eased himself against Scully's flesh and then he pushed the head of his cock into her slowly. He moved his hips forward and gradually he began to sink into her.

He felt her tense slightly and then she gave out a low gasp. He waited for her to squeeze his hand. The pressure didn't come.

"Are you all right?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," she sighed. She opened her eyes and looked into his. She moved the hand that had been between them and brought it up to stroke his jaw.

Skinner continued to push into her and finally he was completely inside up to the hilt. He settled against Scully and let go of her hand. He took as much weight onto his forearms as he could. He buried his face in her hair.

"Jesus, you smell good," he told her.

"You feel good," she answered. He felt her muscles spasm against his cock.

"Oh Christ," he moaned, "I...Scully, I...I'm so sorry," he sobbed suddenly. I...I wish this..Oh God, I can't wait any longer..." he hissed through gritted teeth.

"It's all right, it's all right," Scully crooned into his ear. She rubbed his back and his ass. She held him and shifted her ass a little higher to prepare for his thrusts.

Skinner felt her shift up and that was all he could take. He pulled back and thrust into her. He tried to go slow but he was so afraid he wasn't quite succeeding. Scully moaned slightly.

"Oh, Dana, please don't let me hurt you, please..." his voice faded with his thrusts. Scully's voice rose with each slap of his hips. But there was nothing Skinner could do but pump. He was lost in Dana Scully. His mind fogged over in a mist of white hot blinding lust. It had been so long, so long and this was so Goddamned good. He forgot about the room, he forgot about their captors, he forgot about the Bureau and then at the last he forgot about Walter Skinner. All he knew was his cock, and Scully's smell and her skin, and his need to drive into her tight, hot cunt.

Scully clamped her eyes shut. At first there was pain. He was so large that she felt like he was going to fuck her in two. But Skinner's movements were long, and languid at first and as gentle as he could make them. Soon her inner lubrication made things much more easy and she was finally able to accommodate him. Pain began to turn to pleasure as the speed of his thrusts increased. She felt her hips begin to buck into him. She thrust up and caught his rhythm. He pistoned into her. Soon they were moving in perfect unison and it was unbearably erotic. She didn't think it was possible to feel such ecstasy. She could feel every inch of his large, thick cock filling her and it was impossibly enjoyable.

"OH Dear God," she moaned. Skinner sobbed again.

"Walter, OHGOD, this is so FUCKING GOOD," she cried. She shoved her hand down between them and found her clit. She rubbed it hard and fast.

Skinner growled low in his throat, "Bitch, OH God You BITCH." He started to groan with each hard thrust.

Scully rotated her hips in counterpoint to his groaning. His groans lowered a notch and his breath came in harsh gasps.

"Harder," Scully moaned. She was close. She felt her body tense in anticipation of her orgasm. Her eyes flew open. Skinner looked into her eyes and he reached down and caught her hand. He replaced it with his own, "Let me do the work..." he hissed.

Scully felt his whole hand grip her cunt. He did something to her clit that she had never in all her life felt before and she shrieked as she crashed over the edge of a terrific ripping orgasm. Her entire body convulsed and she arched up into Skinner's balls. She grabbed for him blindly, "OHGOD, OHGOD," she screamed.

"JESUS!" Skinner yelled as her body squeezed his cock like a vice. "Don't stop, don't stop," he moaned as she writhed under him. "OHFUCK!" he screamed and he pounded into her once and then twice and a third time and OHCHRIST! He howled and then he came and his semen shot into her as his balls contracted with a tremendously shattering orgasm. He felt like he was going to black out. He heard someone screaming Scully's name over and over. He realized dimly it was his voice and he screamed some more. Scully cried out. She was wailing a name. It wasn't his. He didn't care. Her voice changed, got louder. She pounded on his back. She was urging him on.

"YOUBASTARD," she shrieked as her body milked him.

Skinner pumped at the height of his pleasure. His ears rang and then he felt his hard on wilt as he gave Scully all he had to give. He thrust twice more very weakly and then he collapsed sideways. As a glimmer of coherent thought returned he was careful not to land on top of her. She rolled close to him. He dwarfed her shaking body. He held her close as she shook through the rest of her orgasm. He was still inside her and he could feel the waves of her pleasure breaking over his flaccid penis. It was very erotic and he grunted again as the last spasms played out. He gently rubbed her back. "God, Scully...I...Dear God." His breathing was labored but slowing as his large hand stroked her.

"Scully, are you all right?" he asked quietly. He started to pull her away from him. He did carefully pull out and positioned his penis next to her leg.

"Just hold me, please. Don't look at me, not yet," she whispered.

"Hey...Scully," Skinner whispered gently. "Sssh, it's...it's OK." He heard her sniffle. So, she WAS crying he thought. His heart sank through the floor boards. He didn't know what to do. He glanced around and barely saw his glasses resting against the wall. A tiny smile creased his face. He stroked Scully's hair.

"Scully, I can't see you anyway. You're talking to an old four eyed fart here, remember?"

He began to smile more broadly when suddenly an electronic sound filled the room. The snaky voice was back, back with a vengeance, and it had sound effects. There was the sound of clapping. 

"Bravo!" the voice crowed. The clapping grew loud. Scully flinched against him. Skinner drew her closer. The clapping stopped. 

"Bravo, you bitch!" the voice cackled. 

Anger flooded Skinner's entire body. He lifted his head to shout out his hatred at their captors when suddenly there was a terrific screeching feedback over the microphone. Skinner's teeth ground together. He covered Scully's ear and pressed her head protectively into his chest. 

The voice squawked, "Fucking hell, not...let go...Jesus..." and then there was more feedback. The mike went dead for a minute and then a breathless, hissing voice popped through the room. 

"Uh, hang on you two. Chill. I'll be back with you directly." The static filled voice suddenly shut completely off. 

"What the fuck?" Skinner barked. 

Outside behind the unused and abandoned Fairfax County Home for Wayward Boys, a black GMC stretch van rocked in it's parking place. 

"Bravo!" the blonde women laughed. She clapped her hands. When she got done clapping she shut the microphone off and looked down at the man between her thighs. She slapped her erstwhile lover's shoulder hard. The man lifted up from between her legs and looked into her cold eyes. 

"For God's sake, Alex, use the other hand, PLEASE!" Marita Covarrubias sneered. Alex Krycek snatched his hand from between her legs. 

"Sorry, baby, old habits die hard," he snapped. 

Alex Krycek snaked his good hand down between Marita's legs and found the wetness there. He rammed his fingers in hard and pumped like hell. Marita convulsed and cried out. She flailed an arm out to the side. She knocked the microphone and the switch marked 'on' toggled open. Alex, unaware, yelled out, "Bravo, you bitch." 

He regretted his words immediately however. Marita's strong gun hand manhandled his balls in a death grip. 

"Fucking hell, not...let go...Jesus..." He arced up in pain and knocked the microphone with his other arm. There was a tremendous roar of feedback. Christ the mike was still on he thought. He swung forward and slapped the off switch. 

"You stupid cunt," he grated at her. Marita released his balls, "You seemed to like my cunt a minute ago," she replied petulantly. Krycek flipped her the finger and then used the same digit to activate the microphone again. He bent forward and hissed breathlessly into it. 

"Uh, hang on you two. Chill. I'll be back with you directly." He flipped the switch off. He sighed with relief. 

"Get off me you dick," she grated. Alex frowned. Oh well it looked like he was going to have to wait to get some. So be it. But it would be payback time soon enough he thought rubbing his sore nuts. He shifted on the floor of the van. He got up and picking up the mike on it's long cord, placed it back on the small table that held the video monitors. He reached down with his good hand and zipped up the fly of his black Tommy Hilfiger jeans. 

Marita rose. She touched the hem of her leather skirt and realized something was missing. She reached down for her panties, found them under the bench and slipped them on. She smoothed down the skirt and then her hair as well and finally she sat down on the wheeled stool that faced the monitors. 

"Oh God, look at them," she laughed. Krycek moved to stand behind her and peer into the monitor. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in close. The color screen was quite good. They had invested in the best for this little caper. Krycek smiled to think how good the tape quality was going to be. He could practically see every scar on Walter Skinner's body including the tiny one he'd put on his chin. 

Krycek watched Skinner and Scully. They were still lying close on the mattress. Skinner held the red headed agent in his arms. He was stroking her hair. The bugs were off as well as the mike so he couldn't hear what Skinner was saying but he could read his lips. He was murmuring words of comfort to her. His stroking movements on her head and back were tender. Skinner's entire performance had been something Krycek hadn't really expected from the tight assed son of a bitch. Well, the whole thing had been pretty unexpected he thought with chagrin. 

He was rather pissed. The only thing that kept him from falling over into real anger was the fact that they had put on one hell of a show. He shrugged his shoulders and taking his hands off Marita moved to sit in one of the van's front bucket seats. 

"Ok, so the big dog has feelings. So what," he griped. 

Marita turned and stretched out her hand, palm up. She smiled wickedly at him. 

"Oh come on Marita, give me a break, you're not serious?" 

"You lost, boy toy. Time to pay the piper," she smirked. 

"Remind me never to bet against you again, all right." 

Marita flipped her hand up and down, "Cough it up, Alex. And don't try paying me in rubles. You know I'm not that stupid." 

"Fine. I don't want you telling people Alex Krycek doesn't settle his debts." Krycek reached into the leather jacket that was hanging over the seat back. He pulled out the roll of crisp American bills from it's inner pocket. He peeled off a substantial wad of hundreds and slapped them into Marita's hand. 

Marita didn't even bother to count them. She folded them carefully and shoved them down the front of her black t-shirt. 

That can rest between her tits for the time being Krycek thought. With any luck he might get the money back later.

"You should know you chicken shit tramp," she smiled. 

"God, I never thought that tight assed cocksucker would go through with it." Krycek shook his head in bemusement. 

"You should try talking to your marks a little more, Alex instead of beating them senseless or putting bullets in their heads." Marita advised studying the screen. "I never had any doubts about Walter," she added. "It was that red headed cunt I was worried about." 

"Dana Scully?" Krycek asked in amazement. He thought Scully was hot. She came off cold but with a mouth like hers and those argon blue eyes he had known it wouldn't take much to thaw her out. Besides he had gotten a little preview of how she'd felt about the other man in her life a couple of nights ago. "Yup, the bitch had been more than ready," he chuckled to himself. His thoughts focused on Mulder kissing her. He licked his lips. 

"Well, for God's sake, Alex, how long has she been partnered with Fox Mulder? Five years? And she hasn't balled him yet? Get real." 

"Don't mention, Mulder," Krycek frowned. He instantly fell into a dark sulking pout. That was a VERY verboten subject. 

"Oh honey, I'm sorry. I forgot about your special feelings for that weak willed fuckrag. I wouldn't want to piss all over your fantasies bi-boy. My mistake." Marita spat in sarcastic derision. 

Marita knew when to pull in her claws. She smiled at him. 

"So, what now, lover?" she purred. "You lost the bet. They fucked their brains out and loved every minute of it just like I said they would. But in this case, to the loser belongs the spoils. Their disposal is your decision, baby. Do I go down and cap them or what?" 

Krycek looked over into the monitor. He couldn't believe it. Skinner was kissing her again. AGAIN? Jesus maybe the guy really did have balls. Kill them? No. That wouldn't be fair really. They had been too entertaining. He had a nice taped souvenir of the encounter. He and Marita could replay the fuck tape for endless hours of mutual enjoyment. Killing them would be too easy. Letting them live might be a much better torture for them both. He could hardly wait until Fox Mulder got a load of the hickeys all over Scully's neck and tits. "I Want to Believe?" Fucking A. Mulder wouldn't want to believe that surprising sight. No way. Krycek giggled. I suppose I'll let them go he thought. He looked back over at Marita. 

"You're cutting them loose then?" Marita asked for confirmation. 

"Yeah, maybe I'm going soft but I can't snuff them now. Besides, I think it'll be a hell of a lot more funny to let them try to explain this to themselves and...others." 

Marita smiled. "Your wish is my command, Comrade Krycek. Oh, but what about Walter's clothes?" 

"Leave them in the van." Krycek grinned, "When you get back I'll deactivate the electronic lock on their door." 

Marita's smile broadened and her eyes began to dance, "Oh you are a wicked man, aren't you?" 

"You should know, my sweet," he answered running his hand back through his hair. 

Marita turned and grabbed Scully's clothing. She opened the van's side door and with a quick look back at Krycek, crept out into the early morning light. 

Alex Krycek turned back to the bank of monitors and bent close to catch the action. There wasn't much left to see. Walter Skinner was lying flat on the mattress and Dana Scully's head was resting on his chest. He was still murmuring to her and Krycek could tell that the big man was trying to lull her into sleep. Evidently he was succeeding because Scully's rib cage was rising and falling in a relaxed way that signaled that if she wasn't in dreamland yet she soon would be. 

Krycek watched Skinner's chest rise and fall, rise and fall. He bent forward and peered closely at the screen. Oh fuck, he thought. He thought he noticed something...no that couldn't be right. He shook his head. Skinner wasn't the type. But Walter's eyes did look moist. Alex's face softened and for the first time in a long time he felt something other than bitter hate for the whole world. He had to admit grudgingly that Walter Skinner had a soft touch. He had balls and he deserved some respect. Respect was why Krycek had let him live. Respect was why he would seek him out as an opponent again, and again and again. 

Alex Krycek pulled a pack of Morley cigarettes and a lighter from his jacket pocket. He lit up and dragged the acrid smoke deep into his chest. 

"Time to report in," he thought. He grabbed for the cell phone on the dash. 

THE HIDDEN DISCLAIMER: Marita Covarrubias and Alex Krycek belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting too. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made from their use either. But, I couldn't tell you this earlier because it would have ruined the surprise! Hope you liked it. Now...

-THIS REALLY IS THE END OF THE WHOLE STORY-