BACCARAT PIECE: WITH THIS...
By Sean Spencer
CATEGORY: VRA
RATING: NC-17
KEYWORDS: Mulder/Skinner Slash
SPOILERS: None
SUMMARY: Skinner relishes some time away from his desk. SkinnerAngst and MulderComfort thrown in for good measure.
DISCLAIMER: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully and Walter Skinner are the properties of Chris Carter, Fox Television and 1013 Productions. No copyright infringement is intended or implied in their use in this work of fiction.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The story takes place a few months after Skinner's abduction. Major mush alert. Turn back if you can't stand sap between two men. Turn back too if you're offended by explicit descriptions of consensual loving sexual activity between two men.
...........................................
Mulder drummed the dashboard in a crazy rhythmic tattoo. Scully for the life of her couldn't identify the song in her partner's head. And it was driving her crazy!
"Mulder, quit it!" she cried. She was tempted to stop the car and let him out.
They were on their way to the regional field office to check in. They concluded the usual round of repeat interviews with witnesses. Mulder was crowing about the evidence of poltergeist activity, but Scully still had her reservations on the matter.
Mulder grew quiet. At first, she thought that he was raring for a fight with her regarding the evidence they gathered that day. But as she turned into the regional Bureau headquarters, the reason for Mulder's silence was apparent after they entered the offices.
As they passed through the hallway, Scully spotted a conference room filled with agents. The big meeting was for some field bust and the participants were in those dark blue FBI jackets, the sitting-duck jackets she personally called it. Scully heard the distinctive voice commanding the whole operation.
"He's here?" Scully didn't need to say who "he" was. No wonder Mulder was hyperactive in the car on the way here.
"Yes." Mulder nodded . "But he's not checking up on us or anything. This bust was planned months ago."
"Yeah, sure, Mulder. But we know who he's checking up on. And it's definitely not me."
Scully immediately bit her lip at what her remark implied. But to her amazement, Mulder just laughed lightly and playfully pushed her. This caused her to lose her balance, but her partner immediately apologized and righted her with a hand on her shoulder.
Great, now I'm one of the boys, Scully ruefully thought as she walked down the hallway.
They found a room with an empty table. It was one of the interrogation rooms and with Scully's laptop set up, they had a temporary office. For the next hour, they argued back and forth. Mulder was convinced that a poltergeist was involved while Scully was more than convinced that it was a group of teenaged pranksters. Both of them forgot who was in the conference room down the hall, as their friendly argument grew more heated.
They were so engrossed that they were surprised at the sound of a throat being cleared.
"Agents Scully and Mulder," Skinner nodded at them.
"Good afternoon, sir." Scully stood up as a sign of respect for the Deputy Director.
Mulder was already standing by the whiteboard, beside his diagram of evidence and events. Skinner asked a few polite questions regarding their progress on the case.
"Can I see you for a minute, Agent Mulder?"
Scully tried not to look. She almost succeeded. But her curiosity got the better of her.
She peered through her lashes at them. She had a clear view from the glass window of the small room. She couldn't tell what they were talking about, but if she didn't know that they were supposed to be a Deputy Director with his subordinate, she would have mistaken them for friends. Very, very good friends from the negligible distance between the two men. Scully hastily looked away when Mulder glanced back at her. Then when she felt the coast was clear, she surreptitiously gazed back at them.
After what seemed to be a fairly long conversation between Skinner and Mulder, her partner went back to their makeshift office. To her surprise, Skinner gave her a perfunctory half-salute as he left.
Both of them went back to work. It was mostly paperwork for tonight. The special sensors and scanners for "poltergeist-hunting" would arrive tomorrow. They agreed that tomorrow was the night to prove or disprove Mulder's theories of poltergeists.
...................
The steak and ribs place wasn't fancy but it was the best place to eat in this small town. Mulder's mouth watered as he caught a whiff of barbecue as he stepped out of the car. He could tell that Scully was starving, too. The place was pretty crowded and he took it as a good sign that the place was filled with locals. Good honest food to end a workday.
The hostess was about to seat them at a table for two when Scully looked up and saw someone waving his arms at them.
"Hey, Spooky!"
The large restaurant was filled to the rafters. Mulder squinted through the smoke that filled even the no smoking section. From his vantage point, Mulder saw the long table filled with suits. Inwardly, he groaned.
It wasn't pleasant to end a long day with the Bureau boys, especially when they'd start to talk shop. Especially when they'd ask about their case and his present pet theory that involved poltergeists. He could see in his mind the image of Scully sinking low in her seat as he lectured on documented poltergeist activity.
Regional Bureau people were notorious for misinterpreting the behavior of HQ folks. They always had a feeling that they were second best. They resorted to all sorts of defense mechanisms to make up for feeling that they have to prove themselves all the time. And one of their defenses was finding snubs where none existed. Mulder and Scully certainly didn't need to ruffle any feathers so they reluctantly made their way to the Bureau men.
Introductions were made at their end of the table. They managed to squeeze at one end.
They fielded the usual teasings about the X-files. By this time, Scully and Mulder were used to the underlying hostility that they didn't really work on "real" cases. But mercifully no one lingered on that topic. They were all excited about the successful raid that afternoon. It was only a few minutes into the meal before Mulder saw Skinner at the opposite end of the table.
Skinner had that amused glint in his eye. How could he have missed that distinctive bald head anywhere? It was clear the DD had been watching him all this time. To cover up his embarrassment, Mulder nudged Scully to draw her attention to the DD.
Scully smiled at him teasingly then gave a wave to Skinner, who acknowledged it with a nod. The men in their immediate area noticed how familiar Scully was with the Deputy Director. The gesture wasn't lost on them. Their estimation of Scully rose by leaps and bound. Most didn't know that the DD was their former boss.
"Mulder, he's looking at you," Scully leaned over into his ear.
"He is not!"
"Yes, he is," Scully nodded. They continued to whisper with their heads very close to each other, as was their habit. It was only later when their side of the table was abruptly silent that Scully realized that the people were looking at their posture in amusement. This time she blushed and pretended to look like she was caught.
Well, this was one way to deflect attention from the real relationship going on right under everyone's noses, she thought.
"So, who was the one who thought of checking the warehouse?" Scully asked innocently to the group. The conversation flowed once again.
Mulder marveled at his partner's facility in changing the subject. The agents around Scully started strutting their stuff to catch her attention. This hapless group was under the Scully Spell again.
The rest of the dinner went off without a hitch. Once in a while, Mulder glanced at Skinner's way but he studiously avoided smiling too much at his lover. After countless ribs were consumed, beer guzzled down and testosteronal posturings made, the Bureau people stood up and left the restaurant in one drove. Good-byes were said and they got into their rental cars.
Scully took the wheel again. She glanced over at her partner and smiled when she saw Mulder eyeing Skinner through the window as the DD got into his own rental car with his set of agents. Scully refrained from saying anything as she drove back to the motel.
"Why is Walter here, Mulder?" Scully finally thought to ask. Deputy Directors in fieldwork were almost unheard of.
"He's been on this case for years, Scully," Mulder yawned. "Five years since he was AD. He wants to finish it through. This drug bust will cut off big time dealers for most of the southeast."
They were soon back at the motel parking lot. Scully killed the engine.
"Uhm...ah...Scully," Mulder began. He couldn't finish what he wanted to say.
This time Scully decided to be kind.
"Okay, Mulder," she said. "It's all right with me if Skinner and I switch rooms."
"How'd you know I was going to...?" Mulder's voice trailed off.
"Mulder, I know true love when I see it," Scully said with a note of irony in her voice. "And I distinctly remember the connecting door between our rooms."
Once back at the motel, they switched Scully's and Skinner's luggage into the respective rooms. Scully shook her head when Mulder jiggled Skinner's room key in his hand. The DD had given it to Mulder in the hallway that afternoon when Scully was studiously avoiding looking in their direction. She wondered what would have happened if she'd said no.
.................
Mulder relaxed once Scully was safely ensconced in her new room. This particular case wasn't stressful with no dead bodies to deal with or frantic relatives to appease. The idea that Skinner would be here in a few hours considerably lightened Mulder's mood. Mulder couldn't even remember the last time they were billeted in the same motel together for "official" work reasons. He opened the connecting door and proceeded with his second shower for the day.
The DD's trek down south was totally unexpected. Scully and Mulder had been here two days already. Mulder received three phone calls from the DD in that time. It was the usual checking up on Mulder calls and the agent was beginning to chafe at the long arm of Skinner all the way from DC.
Then a call came again from his lover last night. Skinner's voice was light but Mulder could tell that the older man was looking forward to this bust as fruition of five year's worth of work. Plus sneaking around could prove to be exciting.
The DD finally knocked softly on the door a few hours later.
Skinner was well weary but triumphant. Countless leads for cases throughout the country were obtained from this afternoon's work. Once the door was shut behind them, the DD swept a very surprised Mulder into his arms. The older man tore off his glasses, then dipped Mulder and kissed him.
"I needed to do that," Skinner said at the gasping Mulder. The older man reached into his coat pocket. Mulder was stunned at the tiny rose bud that Skinner held out at him.
"For you," Skinner said simply.
This time, Mulder was awake, very much awake. He was speechless as he took the rose from Skinner. The DD kissed him again before going back to "his" room and continuing with his night ablutions.
Mulder looked at the rose, twirling it around and around. They had never given each other flowers before. Flowers only lasted a few days at the most and created a mess as they slowly wilted in the vase. And flowers were frilly and feminine and--frilly.
Where did Skinner get this anyway? Mulder hadn't noticed a florist in the small town and certainly, no florist was open this time of night.
The rose was so--red. It was without a flaw. He tentatively sniffed at it.
Of course it smells like a rose, he berated himself. What else should it smell like? He decided not to think too much about this. Instead, he tossed off his T-shirt and boxers. Most likely this rose was going to lead to something interesting.
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Skinner walked back in the room with a towel around his shoulders but nothing else. The DD pitched his carry on bag at the floor by his side of the bed. His well- toned physique never failed to light up Mulder's interest.
"Hello, beautiful," Mulder purred then laughed.
"It's time for some serious loving," Skinner breathed.
The raid was carried off without hitches this afternoon and the success of the whole operation definitely fueled Skinner's ardor. The slow sweet stuff wasn't for tonight. The urgency he felt inside him couldn't be denied.
He took Mulder's face in his hands and pried the agent's mouth open with his own tongue. The kissing was intense and he wondered if they were both going to have swollen lips tomorrow. Skinner chuckled happily when he felt Mulder's hands straying to his groin and buttocks. Mulder was trying to push Skinner back on the bed but the DD wouldn't give in.
"No, Fox, I want to have you my way."
Before Mulder could do anything, Skinner clasped the younger man's wrist above his head and kept it there. He groaned as Mulder's mouth opened willingly and their tongues began sparring for control. He smiled to himself as Mulder groaned. The younger man literally shivered as Skinner's tongue frantically licked his ear and moved down to his neck, leaving a deliciously moist trail.
The DD could feel Mulder's erection against his belly but he had other plans at the moment. He lightly flicked his tongue on each of the agent's nipples. Mulder's eyes closed as the older man's mouth continued its wet course down his body. They were going about quickly, almost frantically. Skinner glanced down between their bodies, taking note of how both of them had grown hard in minutes. The older man felt his own arousal threatening to take full control of him, too.
It was always like this when they were separated for even a short period of time: the first few minutes of being together sometimes became too intense as their pent-up passion reignited. Skinner heedlessly let instinct overcome him, taking Mulder in his mouth and sucking for a few seconds.
The agent's writhing on the bed with his legs splayed out as pleasure coursed through his body was soon accompanied by high pitched cries. Skinner pressed steadying hands on Mulder's hips as his own head bobbed up and down as he alternately engulfed then released the agent's raging erection. A lighter flick of Skinner's tongue at Mulder's corona caused the desired effect.
The younger man's cries grew louder, leaving Skinner little choice but to release Mulder. He clamped his own mouth over the agent's as he continued to pump him with his hand. Mulder's swollen testicles were drawing high in their sac, as his pleasure culminated.
"Walter, I'm gonna come." Mulder arched his neck as he hoarsely croaked a cry. Skinner savored the grimace on his lover's face, a grimace he had elicited.
Sure enough, the hot sticky wetness was all over the DD's hand. He pumped Mulder a few more times until the agent batted his hand and drew his hips away.
Skinner caressed the younger man's torso until he calmed down. Without much prompting, Mulder turned over to his belly.
"More, Walter..." Mulder moaned into the pillow, his thighs parting as he exposed his buttocks to his lover. "I need more of you."
The AD reached down to the floor where his carry on luggage was. Skinner warmed the Astroglide and applied a very generous amount of the stuff. He teased Mulder, lavishly coating the skin between Mulder's buttocks but avoiding his lover's anus altogether. Skinner silently laughed to himself as Mulder wiggled then splayed his legs some more, doing everything to tempt him.
"My turn," he muttered. He was so hard that it was a miracle that he could even wait. Skinner rose up to his knees and held his rampant erection, sliding between Mulder's buttocks to get the excess lubricant onto him. Then he carefully penetrated his lover, pulling back abruptly just when the crown of his penis passed the tight ring of muscle. By the third time Skinner pulled back, Mulder finally craned his neck.
"Walter, stop teasing..." Mulder whimpered. "I can't stand it!"
"Neither can I," Skinner groaned finally. A happy sigh came over both of them as Mulder's heat easily accommodated his single deep thrust. The DD leaned forward some more, taking in Mulder's face embedded in the softness of the white pillow, eyes closed in bliss. He lightly licked his lover's ear.
"Like it?"
"Uh-huh," Mulder moaned. "You know I do..."
"Me, too. It's good here."
Skinner's heavy breathing filled the room and he could feel himself grow ever bigger and larger. Mulder's warmth, tightness and friction intermittently drew him in and released him. Skinner's reined in grunts and moans as he pounded into his lover accompanied the slapping sound of their flesh. The bed started creaking as the intensity grew. Heat actually emanated from the point at which they were one and spread to Skinner's heaving body. The throbbing built to a fever pitch at each thrust. Skinner attempted to elicit another erection from Mulder by reaching underneath, but he wasn't successful. Then it was his turn to shudder. A gasp escaped as the bright points of pleasure filled his senses.
Skinner's panting eventually subsided. He rolled over and was beginning to drift off to sleep. The anticipation of the raid, culmination of years' work, the overall success of a clean operation with no untoward incidents, the night's company at dinner, capped by a great time in bed wore him out.
He felt Mulder get up and a minute later, the agent returned. Skinner was vaguely aware of Mulder's gentle hands on him as his lover cleaned him up.
..........................
"Walter..."
Mulder had to shake him awake twice. When Skinner opened his eyes, he found Mulder seated on the bed with his glasses in his hand. The younger man was back in his boxers and T-shirt.
"What?" Skinner accepted the wire rims and fumbled it in place. His eyes widened when he saw what Mulder had in his hand.
It was a small velvet box.
"For you," Mulder said simply.
Skinner was speechless as he took it from the younger man.
"You didn't tell me you were going to get me this," Skinner gruffly said. The box contained a signet ring. Mulder nodded solemnly.
"You didn't tell me in advance either when you gave me mine years ago, Walter," Mulder reminded him. "I've been carrying the ring in my luggage for a month now, waiting for the right moment to give it to you. Hey, I'm easy. Just give me a good time in bed and I give out rings right and left."
Skinner squinted at the interior surface of the ring. "Forever, too. F," said the engraving.
The DD lay back stunned. Mulder took his left hand and put it on his smallest finger. It was a perfect fit, the same way Mulder's years-old ring was a perfect fit.
Mulder kissed him tenderly. A tear or two escaped from under Skinner's lids, embarrassing them both. Skinner wasn't exactly one who cried even in front of Mulder. "Yeah, I know. This is one of the happiest days of your life...drug bust, back in the field after such a long time, this ring, me."
"Yes," Skinner covered up more of his embarrassment by half-heartedly wrestling his lover back to bed. For the past few months, he'd been too emotional. His therapist said it was a natural stage in his recovery. But it left him feeling disoriented. Mulder sensed his unease at shedding tears. Wordlessly, he took Skinner in his arms and hugged.
..............................
Skinner flew back to DC the next day. It was up to the regional field office to carry on with the clean up operation from the drug bust. This very brief foray back in the field was an experience he'd like to repeat if he could. But Skinner knew it was wishful thinking on his part.
They exchanged heated frantic kisses by the connecting door just as the DD's security agents came to pick him up for the hop to the airport. In the car to the airport, Skinner glanced down at his hand and smiled.
Scully raised her eyebrow at the small rose pinned to her partner's lapel the moment she saw him that morning. But Mulder chose to say nothing about it, and Scully chose not to ask. The agents who sighted the rosebud nudged each other and then looked at Scully. She herself didn't correct the misconception that the rose came from her.
Let the rumors fly fast and wild around them. All that mattered was that she had John, and Mulder had Skinner and that was that.
Kim Cooke took note of the new ring on her boss' hand. The brief stint of fieldwork was a blessing for the desk-bound Deputy Director, but this good mood was from more than the drug bust. She smiled knowingly to herself as she remembered a certain Special Agent in her boss' life.
END OF BACCARAT PIECE: WITH THIS...
Feedback highly appreciated seans13@hotmail.com
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"A beacon in the night."
Mulder in reference to Skinner
Nisei
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