Love Land 2: Tell Him

by Jennie

Pairing: Mulder/Skinner

Rating: PG for language and implied m/m relationship

Status: New, complete

Series/Sequel: Yeah *sigh* - Sequel to You Don't Know Me. Second of at least three.

Disclaimer: They're not my characters and I've made no money with this little story.

Notes: Thanks to Jami, Tesa and Ursula for the Beta's.

Summary: Due to popular demand - heeere's the sequel - Mulder and Skinner TALK - No sex yet, kids - next time, I promise. You really should read 'You Don't... ' first - otherwise this'll make little or no sense to you

Love Land 2: Tell Him

by Jennie

He also made it pretty damned clear that I wasn't welcome in his bed. So much for that brilliant idea. Once he'd actually admitted to being interested in a man - well, shit, a guy can't blame himself for hoping, can he?

On the other hand, he HAD said that this unnamed man was straight. And, until tonight he'd thought I was straight - hadn't he? I'd never given him any reason to think otherwise.

I don't think so, anyway - and he HAD looked surprised at my admission.

On the other hand (how many hands is that anyway?), well, there had always been a certain look in his eyes during the few relaxed moments between us. Or, was that just wishful thinking on my part?

Shit - this is getting me nowhere fast. With a disgusted sigh, I climb out of the bed and creep downstairs. Settled on the couch, I turn on the television - volume carefully lowered - and flip through the channels in search of something... anything that might distract me.

I settle on an old horror movie - seems that the porn channels aren't included in Walt's cable package.

Hmmm - 'Walt's package'...

Dammit - enough already. He's made his lack of interest very apparent. I'm disappointed, yeah. Can't help that. While thoughts of him distracting me in THAT way hadn't been in my mind when I'd headed here earlier - okay, such thoughts hadn't been in the FRONT of my mind - I'd felt such a surge of hope for a few minutes there...

FUCK!

With a groan, I sink back into the couch cushions and try to concentrate on Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.

A near-silent sound has me jolting upright, twisting to see what danger stalks me NOW. Spotting Skinner standing on the bottom step, I don't relax at all. I try, though. Do my level best to appear quite fascinated by the movie.

"Hey," I offer casually. "Sorry if I woke you - I, um, couldn't sleep, after all."

He sighs heavily. "So I see."

Stepping off of the stairway he starts across the room. "I couldn't sleep either, actually," he admits gruffly. "I'm gonna make coffee - you want a cup?"

"Sounds good." I watch as he disappears into the kitchen, frowning in wonder as I note that he's still dressed - except for his shoes, I can't help noticing.

Why do I find that so... so hot? I have my kinks, I admit that freely, but feet are definitely NOT one of them.

He comes back in to join me on the couch while the coffee brews. I studiously keep my eyes directed at the TV - but, his rumpled state has not escaped my eagle eye. Nor, to my dismay, has the fact that he's not wearing his glasses.

Gotta watch my step here. Very carefully.

He groans and rubs tiredly at his eyes.

VERY carefully.

There's always been something so vulnerable about him when the glasses come off...

I'm in trouble. Big trouble. I want him - shit, I always have. And now, knowing that he's available - or could be, to the right man - I'm... Trouble, I tell you. With a capital 'T'.

I sigh. Now I'm quoting old musicals - damn my eidetic memory!

Thankfully, he ignores my sigh and watches the movie with a small frown on his face. "Mulder, please tell me this isn't as schlocky as I think it is - are we really watching this?"

"Hey," I protest. "This is a classic, I'll have you know."

A grunt of skepticism is his only response.

"Maybe if you put your glasses on," I suggest helpfully.

Just exactly whom I might think might be helped by this, I don't specify.

"I think not, Agent. In fact," he sounds almost teasing as he hauls himself back to his feet, "it is no doubt much less objectionable this way."

"You sir," I huff in answer, "have NO appreciation for fine art."

Skinner chuckles. "Oh, I like art just fine, Mulder. This in no way resembles anything of the kind. And what did we agree to about that 'Sir' business?"

"Hey," I object. "You started it - called me 'Agent'."

"Your only specification was that I not call you 'Fox'," he points out reasonably.

Have I ever mention how much I hate reasonable people? I elect to ignore him as he walks into the kitchen. I'll lull him into a false sense of security - um hmmm - that's exactly what I'll do. I'll be so fucking reasonable he won't even recognize me.

While he busies himself with the coffee, I start flipping through the channels again. Surely I can find something more... reasonable. More to his taste.

0h - here we go. Jeckyll and Hyde - with Fredric March. Don't remember that version? You plebian. It was released a looong time ago. In fact, it's silent. Walt should remember this - from the first release. I'm giggling helplessly when he reenters the room.

He pauses, frowning at me suspiciously. "Do I even want to know?"

"Here," I pat the cushion beside me invitingly. "I've found a movie you'll recall from your younger days. Join me."

He sits down and directs his attention to the television. Gapes. "Mulder, you... you little shit! Just how old do you think I am?"

I shrug innocently. "Gee, I can't begin to guess. Tell me, Walt, how old ARE you?"

He sits back and snorts. "Fuck you, Mulder."

Oh boy. Oh MAN. I should be so lucky.

He turns and stares at me incredulously.

Uh oh. I frantically wonder if I actually said that aloud.

"WHAT did you say?"

Oh damn.

Oh FUCK.

I eye the stairs, wondering if I can get up to my room and lock the door before he KILLS me.

Not a fucking chance in hell, I decide. Best just hope he'll take that as a part of my admittedly weird mood tonight.

He continues to eye me suspiciously.

No such luck - shoulda known. "Um," I shift uncomfortably. "Guess I should pack my bags and leave now, huh?"

"You didn't bring any bags, Mulder."

"Oh. Well, guess I can just go then."

He reaches out with one hand, blocking my weak attempt to leave the couch. Turns off the television with the other and directs his full attention my way.

"What," he growls - dammit, if he only knew what that growl DOES to me - "are you doing, Mulder? You come here tonight expecting me to make you forget Scully? Is that it? I'm not into pity fucks, Mulder. Don't want one, won't give one."

Oh shit. Now I've done it. "Ah... well, damn, Walt - I don't suppose this would be a good time to mention how long and how much I've wanted you?" What the hell - might as well come clean. What MORE do I have to lose?

A little more dignity will hardly be missed at this late date.

He sits back and regards me from narrowed eyes. "And Scully? What the fuck was that all about earlier, Mulder?"

Shit. Not gonna let me off the hook so easily, huh?

"Okay... look. Until tonight I thought you were straight - and I mean STRAIGHT - y'know, Marines - big tough macho AD... I um - well when you said that about there being a 'him'," my words trail off helplessly under his gimlet eye.

"And Scully?" He pushes.

Damn him. Damn ME. And my foolish mouth.

I sigh. "I DID want it to work, Skinner. Really - I tried. Gave it my best shot. But, she knows me too well. I think she knew there was a man... one I couldn't get out of my mind, y'know? Don't ask me how. She's scary that way."

"Uh huh." Very noncommittal.

"I... ah, DAMMIT, Skinner, you were the first person I thought of when she kicked me out. I needed you - you always could make things better. I don't know how or why - but, you make me feel safe."

"Oh?" Skinner's eyebrows rose towards his non-existent hairline. "So now I'm your father figure. Thanks, Mulder. That makes me feel MUCH better."

Shit! Can I say NOTHING right? "Dammit, Wa - um, Skinner. You know how it was with him. I hate the bastard. The last thing I need or want is a 'Daddy'."

Skinner sighed. "Walt is fine, Mulder."

Okay. That had to be a good thing... didn't it?

"I only meant that... well, I didn't want to go anywhere else - see anyone else. I needed you - and, as always, you helped. *I'm* the one that fucked up." I admit this in a low voice - apologies are NOT my thing. "And, I'm sorry. Really. I'll - I won't do it again, Walt. Won't push my limits with you... "

"Hell!" Rising, Skinner - WALT - paces across the room. Back and forth - twice. He stops and clears his throat. "I... oh, fuck it. Obviously YOU are the 'him' I referred to earlier, Mulder. BUT," he warns as a smile creeps across my face, "I'm not going to be your - um, rebound fucks are just as out as pity fucks."

Okay - wasn't exactly a resounding yes - but neither was it a no. I can live with that.

He turns the television on again and reaches out, drawing me close with one arm. Oh god! I can't contain my happy sigh as I relax against his strength and warmth.

And, damned if I don't fall asleep.

Only to dream. But that's okay. Because I only dream of tomorrow.

Tomorrow... with Walter.

Yeah.

*****

Yes, dammit, there will be yet another Sequel.

Tell Him

written by Bert Russell Berns

I know somethin' about love
You've gotta want it bad
If that guy's got into your blood
Go out and get him

If you want him to be the very part of you
That makes you want to breathe
Here's the thing to do
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

I know somethin' about love
You gotta show it and make him
See that moon up above
Reach out and get it

If you want him to
Make your heart sing out
And if you want him to
Only think of you

Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

Ever since the world began it's been that way
For man and woman were created
To make love their destiny
Then why should true love be so complicated? Oh

I know something about love
You gotta take it and
Show him what the world is made of
One kiss will prove it

If you want him to be
Always by your side
Take his hand tonight
Swallow your foolish pride and
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

end