SEASONS PART II: AUTUMN ESCAPE

Chapter 1

     Walter awoke with a start, trembling and sweating. Three nights
in a row. Three nights. All summer without a single visitation, and
now.... He reached over to caress the pillow where Rae's head would
have been. 'God, baby, I miss you.' He lay back down and wished she
was here with him. He needed to talk to her, needed her fresh,
unfettered honesty. He needed her warmth.

     All summer, from July Fourth on his thoughts had been taken up
by Raelene Marie. Her voice spun in his mind singing for him alone.
Even before they had become lovers his thoughts were filled with
her. She had been a palpable force to him from the moment he'd
first set eyes on her. Before he'd met her he could pretend that
his life wasn't a lonely one. He could stay on the edges and not
get involved. 'No more,' he mused.

     Realizing that sleep would elude him he rose, tied his robe
loosely and grabbed his glasses from the bedside table. He padded
into his study to work. He had a mountain of files to go through,
some still from the week he was on vacation.

     In the kitchen he made coffee. The rich aroma made him think of
Rae. How she loved coffee: cappuccino, espresso, dark coffees. The
thought made him grin, ' But helpless at making it.' He rested his
head on the cabinet door. Missing her was a physical ache.
Everything reminded him of her.

     Damning everything he went to the phone and began to dial.
Before he finished however, he put the handset gently back in the
cradle. It was three a.m. Calling now would only make her worry.
He'd stop tomorrow, on the way home and call from a pay phone. It
had been two weeks since he'd watched her run crying onto an
airplane. Two weeks without a word from him. He wondered if she was
okay, if she was worried, or if she was lonely like him..........

................................................

     Rae rubbed her eyes and tried once more to focus. She had to
have the parts for this number finished for her concert chorale
rehearsal after school, and she only had one study hall this
semester. It was nearly six a.m.- she'd been up all night. She
found herself staring out the window at the brightening sky. In a
few days September would begin. August would be gone and Walter
hadn't called.

     Her gaze shifted to the seal replica that sat on a table in the
living room. A soft smile spread over her face as she thought of
the night in Monterey. She was still surprised at how gentle he had
been, could be for such a large man. She had never in her life felt
as loved, as cherished as she did when she was with him.

     'He'll call. He's just being safe, protecting me. He'll call.'
She repeated it like a mantra as she went up to shower and dress
for school.

..........................................................

     Skinner nodded at his secretary as he went by and she handed
him a stack of messages. In his office he shrugged out of his
trench and his suit coat. He lay both on the couch and stood by the
window. On his credenza was a picture of Rae. He'd had it enlarged
and framed and now he ran his fingers lightly over the surface. She
was sitting on the sand and had been looking out to the ocean
thoughtfully. She turned suddenly to say something to him, resting
her head on her knees when he snapped the shutter.

     His look softened as he raised his eyes to the window once
more. She would be at school now teaching, conducting. He calmed
his thoughts and set the picture back down. He would definitely
call tonight. They both needed it.

     He looked up as Kimberly poked her head in. "Are you ready,
sir?"

     "Certainly, come in Kimberly." He sat at the desk.

     As they went over the day's appointments and duties Skinner
noticed his secretary's eyes move more than once to the photo. He
only half- listened to her as he began to wonder if putting it
there was such a good idea. If she noticed others would too and
Skinner wasn't sure he wanted everyone who entered his office to
see her.

     Kimberly had noticed the change in Skinner from the moment of
his return. He was quieter, sadder yet at the same time seemed more
at peace. She looked once more at the photo of the mysterious
woman. 'I wonder if its the same one he met in July? ' Kimberly
took a moment during the lapse in conversation to look at her boss.
'I wonder why it makes him so sad?' She thought it odd that he had
received no phone calls from her.

     "Okay, Kimberly. If you have those letters ready be noon I'll
sign them. Call the Director and ask him for the McAlister files,
he should still have them. " He glanced at his watch, "I'll go to
lunch a little early, so try to get Mulder up here on time."

     "Yes, sir." She paused a moment," Sir?"

     "What?"

     "Did you have a good time in California?" She felt a little
foolish asking so late, but thought it might start a conversation.

     "Yes." He looked her directly in the eye, not giving her any
chance to ask more.

     With a murmur she nodded and left the office. Back at her desk
she heaved a sigh, whatever was bothering him he wasn't going to
tell her about it. 'Oh, well.  Its not like he ever talked about
his personal life much anyway.'

     Skinner immersed himself in work. He was determined not to let
his mind wander. File after file. One step at a time. Meet with
Agent McDonald, with Agent Torrey. Wait for Agent Mulder.

     "Sorry I'm late, sir."  Mulder handed him a file.

     Skinner waved him to a seat and looked at the pages. "This
report comes up short in several areas, Agent Mulder." He fixed the
younger man with a gaze that was pure steel and handed the folder
back. "It is unacceptable."

     "But sir........"

     "I don't have to tell you Mulder that this division is being
watched carefully. If I sign off on a report with this many holes,
my superiors are going to think I'm getting soft. That is something
I won't allow to happen. By the book, Mulder if you want the
X-Files to remain open. It can't be any other way."

     "Do you want me to include all tapes and records, even the
questionable ones then?" He was frustrated. Since seeing Skinner at
the airport in San Francisco he couldn't do anything right. "
You've told me before not to include speculation in official
reports."

     "Include it all, right down to the last paper clip."

     Mulder looked up, then saw the photo on the credenza. It was
the same woman, he was certain. His eyes flicked to Skinner. He was
watching intently. He had seen Mulder's look of recognition.

     " That's a very nice photo, sir. Someone you met on your
vacation?" 'There was no point denying it,' Mulder thought. Skinner
nodded, eyes intense. " Is she the same lady that ........."

     "I told you that you saw nothing at the airport, Mulder."

     "If I can help sir, you know I will."

     Skinner sighed and removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes. "I
appreciate that. If it becomes necessary I will make arrangements,
but she's out of it Mulder and I want it to stay that way." The
moment faded as Skinner shuffled some folders on his desk. "I want
that report rewritten by the end of the day. That's all, Agent
Mulder."

.................................................

     "I think Alex is beginning to get out of control," the man
said as smoke drifted out his lips. "I think he's lost focus."

     "And just what is the focus? By striking at the Assistant
Director through this new woman of his we could force him into a
deal. Alex is supposed to handle this, or am I mistaken?" The man
crossed his impeccably manicured fingers and regarded the other
with a mild gaze.

     "You are not mistaken. That's been the plan since he was first
seen with her on the Fourth. Alex has been enjoying this too much,
though. He has mentioned rape, and I thought that........."

     "Just so long as he doesn't kill her or Skinner. I want Skinner
under our control, not trying to revenge a lost love. If she is
killed it will martyr her in Skinner's eyes and......."

     "But what if we can use her?" The other man narrowed his eyes.
"If we get the girl, and make the deal with her she can work on
Skinner in ways none of us can. And he may very well tell her
things that will be valuable for us to know."

     The other man thought, tapping those polished fingertips
together ever so lightly. "It might work. Alex is an attractive
young man when he chooses to be. Do you know where she is?"

     "Not yet, but its only a matter of time before Skinner contacts
her."

     "When you find her have Alex get close. Then, if we can't sway
her we will take her and go with the original plan." He nodded,
almost to himself. "Yes, she can be very valuable either way."

....................................

     Skinner purposely worked late. He did it often these days, but
tonight he made certain it was after dark before he left the
building. He wanted to make it harder for anyone to watch his
movements.

     He drove long out of his way to a small town in Maryland and
stopped at an all night diner. There were a few farmers having a
late beer and a tired looking waitress. It was a spare and dismal
place.

     Skinner ordered a sandwich and coffee and asked for the pay
phone. He dialed his special non-traceable code, his authorization,
then Rae's number. It was nearly eight in Wisconsin, he hoped she
was home.

     "Hello?" A soft, melodic voice answered the line.

     "Hi, honey." Walter felt a lump form in his throat.

     There was a moment of silence before he heard a deep breath and
her voice again, excited now. "Walter? Walter is that you?"

     Smiling now Walter relaxed a bit, "Its me, honey. God I've
missed you. How are you? Is school going all right? How are your
classes? There's so much I want to ask......"

     "Me, too." Rae told him a little about her classes and the
kids. She told him about scoring music for the chorus and orchestra
and about her garden. She kept her voice light, trying to cover how
she really felt.

     Walter listened, and heard the occasional hitches in her voice,
as if she were talking around tears. When she stopped for a
breath, "How about you? You haven't told me how *you* are doing.
Are you okay?"

     That nearly broke her down. His voice was so gentle. She knew
that if he were here his arms would be around her. "I-I've missed
you Walter. I miss holding you and talking with you. I miss.... I
miss everything."

     There was silence for a moment. "Me too. I wanted you so much
this morning that I nearly called at three. But I knew it would
upset you." He paused and closed his eyes,  trying to imagine what
she would look like right now. "Rae, I can't talk much longer, its
getting late and I still have a long drive. I'm coming to see you
but it won't be until late next month. I don't have an exact date
yet, but as soon as I can. Just start looking for me around the
last weekend in September. I want to meet your family and see your
school. Honey..."

     "I won't plan anything much until you get here. I'm just glad
you called. I needed to hear your voice. Walter, I miss you and I
love you. Go home, darling. Get some sleep and I'll see you when
you get here."

     "I may not be able to call again....."

     "That's all right. Just so you don't go fooling around with
your pretty young secretary."

     Her soft laugh sent shivers up his spine. "I won't, Rae. Like I
told you before, there's no one but you." He paused for a long
moment, not wanting to let go. "I love you, honey. I'll be there
soon. Goodnight." He heard her whispered goodnight and hung up the
phone.

..............................................

     Skinner woke refreshed the next morning. It wasn't until he was
in the shower that he realized that there had been no dream, no
phantom old woman trying to choke him. As he shaved he tried to
figure out why he'd dreamed of her three days in a row, but not last
night.

     'Rae,' he said to the mirror. 'It has to be. I've been trying
to put her out of my thoughts, and that's when the old woman came
back. Maybe I should think more about Rae? Or maybe something's
going to happen to her? Or maybe something's going to happen to me
if I'm not with her?' He shook his head. It was too complicated,
too many possibilities. He'd just keep his lovely little music
teacher in the back of his mind and see what happened. 'If I can
get through the next four weeks without going crazy, that is.'

     For the first time since his return Skinner walked into his
office smiling and at ease. He said a hearty good morning to his
secretary and strode into his office with a relaxed lope. Kimberly
nearly did a double take. He wasn't the same tired, sad man that he
had been yesterday.

     When she looked in on him he was smiling and looking out the
window, twirling a pencil in his fingers just as he had been in
July when she was sure he'd met someone special. After leaving him
late last night still working she worried that something was very
wrong. Well whatever was bothering him had obviously been resolved.
He waved her in cheerfully.

     As they went through the daily schedule she noticed that
another picture of the AD's mystery woman had appeared. This one
was obviously a tourist shot of her smiling from the bridge of a
ferry. She was very pretty, if not the boss's type, and looked like
she was having fun.

     Noticing her look Skinner smiled, "She doesn't live here. That
makes it hard sometimes."

     It was a simple statement yet very revealing. Kimberly covered
her astonishment by looking at her pad. It was the first time he
had said anything so personal to her, and it explained alot of his
moods lately. She smiled back, "I understand. When Dan and I were
in college we were six hundred miles apart. It drove us both crazy,
and our families, too." They finished their morning 'conference' on
a light note. Before she left,  Skinner asked her to check on
airplane reservations for a fishing trip to  Canada for late in
September. He was planning to get away for a long  weekend to relax
and grow a beard.

     "I hear that there's good fishing up around Thunder Bay in the
autumn. Try to get a flight through Duluth and reserve a car. I
might just drive the rest of the way. I'll fill out the rest of the
papers this afternoon."

     Just as she was leaving Mulder looked in, "I have that report,
sir."

     "Sit down, Agent Mulder." He reached for the report and went
over it page by page. He examined each piece thoroughly for errors
or omissions.

     While he was doing this Mulder noticed the second photo of
Skinner's new girlfriend. From what he could tell she was pretty
and small. But he didn't understand why, if Skinner was trying to
keep her a secret he'd put two pictures of her in his office. It
was then he felt his boss's dark eyes on him.

     "This is much better." Skinner signed the back page and set the
file in the basket. Mulder continued to look at him as though
expecting something. "Is there something else, Mulder?"

     "Sir, the lady in the photo, is she the same one Scully and I
saw at the airport in San Francisco?"

     " Yes she is." Skinner rose and closed the office door. Then he
handed the first picture to Mulder. "She lives in Wisconsin. She's
a teacher, a civilian, which is why I didn't want you to know about
her."

     "What changed your mind, sir?" Mulder was surprised at the AD's
frankness. After all, this was the man who didn't even tell anyone
he was married.

     "I'm telling you now because I may need your help. I'm going
to see Rae in September, but no one is to know that except you and
Scully. As far anyone else is concerned I'm fishing in Canada." He
leveled his gaze at Mulder. "But if anything happens to me I want
you or Scully to get Rae to safety. I have a friend in California
who will take her in." His voice trailed off as he thought of Dave.
He was certain that it was the right place to send her. Dave would
care for her and not harm her.

     Mulder watched the emotions fly across Skinner's usually stoic
face. He was struck with the wish to meet this woman. If she could
evoke such a reaction in Skinner then she must be quite rare.
Mulder knew all too well the dangers involved in his work. He just
hadn't allowed himself to recognize that the danger had spread to
all who were close to him, including his boss. He was moved by
Skinner's request.

     "Sir, am I the best person to do this?" Mulder wasn't sure
that he wanted this kind of responsibility, especially for someone
who was this important to Skinner.  "If they're after you, then
wouldn't she be in more danger if she were with me?"

     "That's a possibility, Mulder. But I think that, if anything
does happen to me their attention won't be directed at you, at least
momentarily. I need to use that window, and I need to know that Rae
will be safe if I can no longer protect her. I'm not going to keep
her a secret after my return next month. By letting more people know
about her I hope to increase her chances of staying safe. I'm going
to let it be known that we are planning a future together, and that
this is no passing relationship> I'm also going to make it
absolutely clear that she is not a part of any Bureau activity. But
if its not enough I'm devising a plan to get her to a safe place at
a moment's notice. I need to know if I can include you in this
plan."

     Mulder thought of all the risks Skinner had taken on his
behalf: being attacked in the hospital stairway, being shot, framed
and nearly killed. All because of Mulder's relentless pursuit of
the truth. How could he refuse? How could he turn his back on the
only person, other than Scully who believed in his work? "Of
course you can, sir. And I can speak for Scully as well. I know
she'll be willing to help in any way possible."

     "Thank you." Skinner's look was more relaxed. "I'll let you
both know when I have the details in place."

.......................................................

     Rae was much calmer when she got to school the next day. Jim
noticed that she wasn't as edgy, didn't jump when spoken to. She
looked like she'd gotten a full night's sleep.

     "Did lover-boy call last night or something?" He whispered to
her in the teacher's lounge over coffee. She always grabbed coffee
in the morning before her first class.

     Rae was good natured to laugh through her deep blush. " Walter
called, if that's what you mean." She looked at him from under her
lashes. "He was at a public phone, though."

     Jim's look of astonishment was genuine. Rae had never been one
for suggestive word play, it simply wasn't in her experience. And
they hadn't spent much time together since she got back because of
the rush of the new semester. Now he began to be aware of just how
much she had changed in that short week.

     "Hey, can we get together this week? There's obviously alot
you haven't told me about your week in San Francisco." He was
astonished when Rae blushed even deeper.

     "Well just don't expect me to tell you *everything*." She
ducked out giggling at his expression.

     Her first class was the girl's chorus. It was a difficult one
because nobody felt much like singing at eight a.m. This morning,
however she felt benevolent, so she had them do nearly half the
period as stretches and warm-ups before singing a note.

     Second period was the concert chorale. These were her premier
students, the ones who had real promise. They had been together as
a group for three years, and now she was going to lose half. They
were planning some very challenging pieces this year, several that
she had allowed them to choose.

     After her free second period came her mixed group. This was the
bunch she was scoring the show tunes and popular music for. They
were as mixed a group as she had ever had, and her most challenging.
Several were surly and bad tempered, and she had a run-in with one
boy who threatened her because she confiscated his headphones.

     "Kyle you're supposed to *sing* not just listen. Join in, you
might be surprised to find out that it can be fun!" At which point
he had stormed out of the room shouting threats against her tires.
Rae had taken it in stride and moved the group right on to the next
number, passing out music as though nothing had happened. In ten
minutes Mr. Bell brought Kyle back. He was found in the boys'
bathroom smoking with two others and did Ms Craine want him in
detention? "Of course not. I want him to sing with the rest of the
group. Don't worry, Mr. Bell he's okay now. Please take your seat,
Kyle." After that things moved on, if not smoothly, at least with
no more incident.

     Her study hall came next. Since it was a freshman group they
were still too awed by their surroundings to be much trouble. After
lunch came her two theory classes and the boys' chorus.

     It was a full day and Rae went home tired and satisfied.

...................................................................

     Skinner pushed his departure date up as far as possible. He
was combining 2 personal days and 3 vacation days to have almost a
week with Raelene. It was Thursday, the last one in September and
he was working until noon. Then he would catch a flight for Duluth
where a Minnesota agent who had the same height and build would
take his place in the rental car and Skinner would hop on a short
flight to Milwaukee. Rent a car, half hour drive and he'd be in
Raelene's arms by six. He smiled at the thought.

     He hadn't been able to call again, but he'd sent flowers and a
card to the school to tell her he was definitely coming. He drove
Kimberly up a wall with his mood swings : Davis in Minnesota came
down with the flu and couldn't make the trip, someone else had to
be found; there were no connecting flights to Madison that day, he
had to go through Oshkosh; there was no rental car at the Oshkosh
airport, reroute through Milwaukee. With each problem his mood
dipped, with each solution his mood rose until his secretary
thought she was working for Dr.Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.

     But everything had finally worked as he wanted. All plans were
set. He tried to cover a number of contingencies and had each
scenario worked down to the numbers. The contacts were set up at
all points, and reliable communication established. If anything
happened Mulder, Scully and Rae would all be safe.

     He turned and looked at the photos on his credenza. Dave had
sent him one of he and Rae together on the beach and Skinner had
added it to the other two. He no longer made Rae a secret, but he
didn't advertise either her name or location, not until he returned
from Wisconsin. He had to ask Rae a very important question, and he
was uncertain about the answer.

................................................

     Rae was tired and put off Jim's dinner invitation. All she
wanted to do was go home, put on some shorts and putter in her
garden. It was how she relaxed after an especially trying day. She
was glad that tomorrow was Friday. Maybe Walter would come for the
weekend. He did say the end of September, well that was Sunday.

     She waved at several of her students and headed out to her car.

     The new school custodian picked up the crumpled papers and put
them in the barrel. He ticked off duties in his mind as he completed
them, but his eyes were watching from under his cap. He wore a
battered baseball cap and coveralls which hid his tall, slender
frame and dark hair. His green eyes glowed from under the brim and
they locked on a slim, blond woman as she walked out of the
building.

.....................................................

     Rae stretched her back as she straightened. She had neglected
weeding this section of the garden, and now was paying the price.
She looked up at the thistle that she had let go to seed and now
was bringing up babies. She was about to bend to the task again
when she heard a low whistle from behind.

     Walter stood at the side of the house admiring the view. Rae's
shorts were very short and her shirt was tied up under her breasts.
"Is this Pewaukee or Paradise?" he said softly.

     Rae was up in a heartbeat and flung herself into his arms. She
clung to him holding on with all her might. She turned her face and
kissed him joyously. "Oh,Walter I've missed you!"

     "Me too. Oh, Rae I've missed you so much."

     Walter slipped his hands beneath her buttocks lifting her up
against him and she wrapped her legs around his hips.. He returned
her kiss fervently, stroking her tongue with his. He ran his free
hand up her back and tangled his fingers in her hair. He kissed her
face and neck, her eyelids and ears. Then he just held her.

     Rae kissed him as far as she could reach. Hisarms were so
tight she could barely breathe, but she didn't care. She had been
pushing desire and longing out of her body for six weeks, and now
it threatened to spill over.

     Walter began walking toward the house, staggering slightly
because she was squirming in his arms. Rae's hands were caressing
his back and shoulders, reaching down to unbutton his shirt and
stroke his chest. She was whimpering his name and biting his ear.
Six weeks of waiting was affecting him as well and he pulled her
hips tight against his erection.

     In the house he was taken aback momentarily by unfamiliar
surroundings. They had entered off a deck into a utility room, but
he didn't know which doorway to go through.

     "Rae, honey, where?" he gasped.

     She giggled softly and got down from her perch. "Come with me,"
she said softly and took him by the hand.

     The minute Walter saw the sofa he picked her up and carried her
to it. He knelt in front of her and untied her blouse. Her breasts
spilled into his eager hands and he kissed and suckled them as
though driven by an unquenchable hunger. He busied his hands
removing her shorts and unfastening his trousers. He began to
caress her thighs.

     Rae moaned and squealed as his lips tugged harder at her erect
nipples. She rubbed her hands over his chest. brushing her fingers
through his hair and lingering delicately over his nipples. She
moaned in his ear as she nibbled and licked his earlobes. Running
her lips over his beautiful, smooth head then nuzzling her nose in
his hair she pleaded with him, begging him to make love to her.

     She didn't have to ask him more than once. Walter spread her
legs wide and thrust a finger into her to make certain she was
ready for him. He felt her quivering, wet excitement and holding
her hips, plunged in with one swift, deep thrust.

     Rae cried out from the back of her throat and arched her back
to meet him. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she threw
her head back and pushed her hips nearly off the sofa. She put her
feet on the edge of the cushion and leaned back.

     Walter nearly lay on top of her, groaning low, going as deeply
into her as he dared. He lost all sense of time and place. Rae was
climaxing and he could feel her powerful muscles clenching around
his shaft. Her entire body pulsed with the force and it sent him
reeling into a consuming orgasm of his own. He thrust short and
deep ending with a ragged yell that joined Rae's wordless cry.

     He lay against her still breathing heavily and softly kissed
her face and neck. Rae hands trailed lightly across his shoulders
and her legs were still wrapped tightly around him. He felt at
peace for the first time in weeks, warm and content. He allowed the
restless worry to drain out of him and let himself drift. There was
time enough to talk later, time to tell her his plans and to get
her input.

     For now though all he wanted to do was bask in the warmth of
Rae's arms and the satisfaction that her body brought him. He
wanted to forget for just a while, the reasons they couldn't be
together and the formless danger that hid in every corner. Here
there was no conspiricy, no cancer man, no Alex Krycek. Here they
could be safe, at least for a while.....


.....................................


     When Walter finally raised his head he saw Raelene' s half
closed eyes and small, satisfied smile and grinned. Her legs were
dangling loosely around him so he gently massaged her thighs and
leaned forward to kiss that smile.

     Her voice was soft, purring near his ear as he made his way to
her shoulder, "Are you hungry?" She ran her hands slowly down his
arms. It was a warmly sensual motion that made him shiver inside.
"They can't have given you much on the plane."

     "Well, between six hours of traveling and the aerobic workout
I just got I think I could eat the proverbial horse!" He grinned
down at her.

     "Six hours?" Her eyes opened wide." Did you go by way of
Buffalo or something?"

     "I'll tell you all about it later." He pulled her up to sit
straight then sat back on his heels. Her honey blonde hair had half
pulled out of the elastic band she'd had it in and her face was a
little blotchy from too much sun, but he didn't care. To him she
was the most beautiful thing on earth. He brushed the disheveled
hair lovingly off her face. "Where can I park the car? And where do
I put my gear?"

     "You park the car in the drive, and stow your gear upstairs,
right hand room." She started to pull her blouse back on but Walter
pushed it off again and began kissing her shoulders.

     "Your room?"

     "No, guest room." He gave her a look of surprise. "Oh no love,
just your gear goes in that room. You're not staying in this house
if you don't sleep with me, although you may not fit too well in my
bed. Once you see how small the rooms are you'll understand, I
can't put one more thing in any of them." She kissed him lightly on
the lips, lingering for a moment. "I've also made some space in the
bathroom on the shelf by the towels, you 'll see it."

     He helped her up and fastened his pants again. Rae wrapped her
arms around his waist and lay her head on his chest, listening for
a moment to the sound of his breathing and the deep, steady beating
of his heart. She almost couldn't believe he was really here, in
her house where no lover had come before. She felt Walter's strong
arms reach around her and hold her close.

     He rested his cheek on her hair just drinking in the feel of
her next to him. Better than words her touch told him that she'd
missed him and that she was happy he was here with her. Walter felt
warm and at home, deeply content and at ease. He kissed her
forehead.

     "So what's to eat?" He smiled down at her and rested his
forehead against hers.

     "I hope you like spinach lasagna. I have a big pan just
waiting to go in the oven"

     "Mmmm. Knowing you its loaded with garlic, too. Go shower
woman. I'll unload the car and park it for the night."

     When he came back in the house Rae was standing in the kitchen
wearing a soft blue knit dress with long sleeves, which she had
pushed up. She was getting a salad ready, slicing vegetables and
tossing them in a large bowl.

     Walter put his arms around her from behind and whispered in her
ear. "How do you do that?" She looked a question at him. "Shower
and dress so quickly. I can't have been gone ten minutes."

     "I had the dress out before I went out to the garden, its an
old one I like to wear in the evenings. As for showering, I learned
to do it quickly at my old apartment before I lost the hot water to
the guy downstairs." She looked at the two huge suitcases - both
larger than the one he'd had in San Francisco. "Are you moving in?"

     "Is that an invitation?" He chuckled. "No I just brought a few
things I thought you'd like. Your birthday's in two weeks isn't
it?" He left the larger case in the living room and headed
upstairs.

     Although she was consumed with curiosity Rae stayed in the
kitchen. 'What on earth could he have in there?' She wondered.

     In the bathroom Walter had no trouble finding the space for his
things. He understood what she meant by the size of the rooms. Her
bedroom had a double bed, dresser and a small night stand. That was
all that fit. The closets were equally tiny. The 'guest' room had
only a pull out bed and a chair. The third room had a computer on a
desk and an old desk chair, a reading chair and three built-in book
cases. The largest room was the bath, and that was because there
didn't have to be any furniture in it.

     As he closed the door to the medicine cabinet he noticed
something that sent a chill down his spine. Opening the door wider
he caught his breath and leaned against the sink. He tried to still
his pounding heart, but it wouldn't obey him. He stalked down the
stairs.

     He stood for a moment watching her take the pan out of the
oven. He was burning all over, and couldn't keep the hurt out of
his voice. "Rae, who's been here with you?"

     She looked at him, puzzled by both his question and his tone.
He sounded hurt and even though his voice was soft, angry. "No
one. Well, Jim came over a couple times for dinner, and my niece
stayed a few days but...."

     "Then who does this belong to?" He held out the bottle of men's
cologne. It was half empty, obviously used. "Whose is it Raelene?"

     "It's mine" She looked him straight in the eye. "I bought it."

     "For whom?"

     "For myself." She was beginning to bristle at his questions.
How could he doubt? How could he even think that....

     "Don't play with me, Raelene. Who is he? Why...."

     "Do you think for one minute Walter Sergei Skinner that I
would lie to you? Do you think that after being with you in San
Francisco I could let another man touch me? What do you think I
am?" She snatched the bottle out of his hand and brushed past him
into the living room.

     He followed on her heels and grabbed her arm above the elbow.

     "Let go of me!" She shook off his arm, threw the bottle into
the waste- basket then spun to face him. "For your information I
got lonely. I missed you so much those first two weeks that I
didn't know what to do. If you had taken time to notice the label
you'd have seen that it was your brand."

     The words rushed out, tumbling over one another as her anger
dissipated. "I came across it in a department store and the moment
I smelled the scent I was back in San Francisco. I bought it
immediately. I'd put it on a towel while I was in the shower or on
the pillowcase next to me." Her voice began to break and she turned
away. "Because it reminded me of you."

     Walter groaned as the anger drained out of him. He pulled her
against him. "Oh, baby I'm so sorry." She tried to fight, but he
held her too tightly. "I'm acting like a fool, because all I could
think was that you'd found someone else. I thought of another man
sleeping here with you, in your bed. I thought you were with
someone else when all the time I wanted you so much." He buried his
face in her hair.

     She slipped her arms around him. "There isn't anyone else,
Walter. How could there be? I told you what it was like for me
before I met you. How could I want another man when I've finally
found someone who's so good to me? When I love you so much?" She
hugged him tight trying hard to comfort and reassure him.

     He held on tight, soaking in all the warmth and comfort that
she was giving him. They stood that way for several long moments.
"I guess I'm still in FBI mode. I keep seeing shadows around every
corner and danger in the most everyday things."

     Rae pulled back a bit and looked closely at him. He looked
tired and worn. Even his smile lacked some of the brightness that
she remembered. ' Well, I'm going to take care of *that*.'

     "How hungry are you?"

     "Why? Are you going to punish me or something? Send me to bed
without supper?" He grinned a bit.

     "Kind of. You need to relax a bit and I'm going to help." She
kissed him lightly. "Go up to the bedroom, undress and lay on the
bed on your stomach."

     "Now this sounds promising, but isn't that the wrong angle?" He
began to tingle. She had some kind of plan, that much was obvious.

     "Not for what I'm going to do, so scoot. I'll put the lasagna
in the oven on warm. It'll be a little crisp, but that should give
us a couple hours to get you out of FBI mode."

..........................................................

     It was a drab room, but he'd been in worse. The faded blue
paint turned soft in the evening light, and the outdated furniture
and fixtures were comfortable if not fashionable. Like all rented
rooms it had a few dreary grocery-store prints on the walls and a
tacky wooden shelf with cheap nick-knacks.

     He sat at the table under the dim chandelier stroking the
mustache he'd been growing and looking at the contents of a small
tool box. Everything was here: brushes, makeup, various hair tints
and prostheses.

     He picked up the two small vials that he'd been so insistent
about. Floating in a sea of sterile saline were the blue contact
lenses that would cover his riveting green eyes.

     He was ready.

.................................................................

     Walter heard Rae enter the room, breathed in a rush of warm
flowery scent. His eyes were closed, but he listened closely,
trying to determine what she was doing. He heard the soft rustle of
her dress, then a fragrant, spicy aroma.

     She pulled the pillow out from under his head and looked at him
for a moment. He took up nearly the entire bed with his massive
frame. His shoulders were wide and tanned, muscular but not muscle
bound. They tapered to a sculpted waist and slender ( for his size)
hips. His rear was well defined and firm and his impossibly long
legs had the long graceful look of a running athlete. He was a
powerful presence in this tiny room.

     Walter turned his head to the side, "What are you going to do
to me?"

     She kissed his closed eyelids, "Just stay still and enjoy.
You'll like, I promise."

     She hiked her dress up to her hips and straddled him. Then she
poured the fragrant rosemary oil into her palm. After rubbing her
palms together to warm the oil she began to brush it gently across
his skin. He hummed softly as her touch deepened into a strong
massage. She worked over his back, neck and shoulders kneading the
muscles into relaxation before moving to his lower back. As each
section of his body loosened she moved lower until she was cradling
his feet and rubbing them firmly. Then she kissed each toe, licking
lightly at their tips.

     Walter was drowsy, completely at ease and loose. It had been a
long time since he'd had a good massage, and it felt wonderful. The
last six weeks had been filled with tension, spiraling to a point
which could break. Only now, after its release did he realize how
tight he'd been.

     Her voice came softly to him out of a relaxation induced fog.
"Okay Mr. Skinner. Time to flip."

     He rolled compliantly over, being careful not to roll off the
bed. To his surprise she was still dressed and seated with his feet
in her lap. She began to rub them firmly again, working her way up
his legs. She carefully avoided his groin and rubbed his stomach,
gently but firmly, then his chest and upper shoulders. He closed
his eyes again, reveling in her strong fingers and warm touch. Even
the scent of the oil had a calming effect. It wasn't until he felt
her tongue tickle his lips that he realized that the relaxation
part of the treatment was over.

     He began to wrap her in his arms, but she pushed them gently
away. "I'm not done yet."

     She kissed his neck and shoulders, gentling where her hands had
been strong and moved down his chest to tickle his small nipples
with the tip of her tongue. He moaned softly. Excitement and
anticipation began to spread through his body.

     She licked over his nipples with the flat of her tongue and
continued down over his stomach. His body hair tickled her nose and
cheeks. She rubbed her cheek against his stomach like a cat,
kissing and nibbling. As she moved lower his moans increased.

     She reached his groin and took his partially erect penis in her
hands gently, kissing the head and licking. He moaned and grabbed
the side of the bed as Rae lowered her mouth over him. Sliding her
still oiled hand over his shaft she sucked on the head, pulling on
him with her strong mouth. Then, much to Walter's shock and delight
she ran her tongue down the underside of his shaft and took one of
his balls in her mouth. She rolled her tongue around it gently all
the while stroking his penis. She gave the other the same warm, wet
treatment before dragging her tongue firmly back up the head. Then,
cradling his balls in her hand, massaging them she suckled and
stroked him.

     Walter thrashed on the small bed, hanging on to the sides, lost
in the delicious sensations ricocheting through him. He was on
fire, yelling out loud and pumping his hips. When he thought he
couldn't stand it any longer he came, hard and long. Finally with a
wail he collapsed on the bed senseless.

......................................................

     He awoke to a soft light in a strange room. He looked around at
the cozy needlework and pictures and realized that he'd fallen
asleep. He stretched out completely feeling relaxed and peaceful.
The soft light came from a torchiere behind the bed and in the
dimness he saw the sketch that Dave had done of himself and Rae.
She'd had it matted and framed and hung next to the bed.

     After showering and dressing in shorts and a t-shirt he padded
downstairs quietly. He heard soft guitar music and realized that it
was Rae. He stood at the foot of the stairs and watched her. The
soft light from a table lamp and several candles illuminated her,
gentling the lines of her face, making her look as though she were
sixteen. She rocked in time to the music, eyes closed.

     Walter realized from the way the dress billowed around her that
she'd lost weight. He hadn't been the only one under tension, he
saw now. 'Well, I'm going to make sure she eats decently while I'm
here.'

     Rae sensed a warm presence in the room with her and looked up
into Walter's soft, deep brown eyes. Smiling at him she set the
instrument aside and held out her hand.

     "You didn't' have to stop."  He sat next to her on the floor
and cuddled her into his arms. "What were you playing?"

     "Just some Bach airs arranged for guitar. I thought you might
sleep through." She wrapped her arms around him and lay her head on
his chest.

     "I didn't intend to sleep at all, but you kind of took care of
that. Hey," He pulled her away from himself and looked into her
eyes. "I thought you didn't have all that much experience with men.
Where did you learn *that*?"

     She smiled secretively and traced the outline of his lips with
her fingers. "You liked it didn't you?" By the gleam in his eye
and his seductive smile she could tell he did. "Then don't ask."

     Walter held her tightly and pitched her onto her back laying on
top of her. He held her hands over her head and kissed her deeply,
leaving her breathless. "Tell me." He let go of her hands and
settled beside her, holding her close.

     "I learned how to massage from my mother's therapist. After
she got sick and was bedridden the back rubs helped relax her and
let her sleep. I bake bread, so I've always had strong hands, and
the kneading motion just comes naturally. I pretend Mr. Skinner,
that you are so much dough, then have at it."

     Walter laughed. "More like putty." He kissed her temple. "And
the rest? Don't ever tell me you did that to your ex-husband. If
you did, and he didn't appreciate it he was a bigger fool than I
thought."

     "No. I had no thoughts about pleasing Tom, I was too afraid of
him for that." She pressed her face into his shoulder and for a
moment Walter thought she was going to cry. "Promise you won't get
angry?"

     "Of course I won't, unless you tell me it involves practical
experience of some kind. I'm a jealous fool when it comes to you,
you know."

     Rae giggled, "Not practical, no. Books." She laughed again when
she saw his expression, a mixture of shock and wonder. "I wanted to
learn, and there was nobody to ask or teach, so I read."

     Walter flopped over onto his back and began to quiver. It took
Rae a moment to realize that he was laughing. She blushed at first,
then saw the irony of the situation. She got up on her knees and
straddled his hips. Her hands began to search for and found the
ticklish places on his sides.

     Walter tried to roll away, but Rae's strong thighs held him
tight. So he began to tickle her, until they were both gasping for
breath. When she showed signs of weakening he rolled her onto her
back and pinned her hands at her sides. She couldn't move, his
greater bulk had her pinned securely.

     "Say uncle," he teased.

     "Never." She was fighting him, trying to buck him off.

     He leaned down and kissed her thoroughly. " Say uncle."

     "Never." She gasped it this time.

     He kissed her again deeply, wrapping his arms around her. "Say
uncle."

     Rae pulled his head to her lips. She put her legs around his
waist and tightened her thighs. "I won't give up so quit asking."

     'That's my girl,' he thought, allowing her access to his mouth.
As her tongue touched his he slipped his hands under her dress. He
raised his head and smiled at her. "You're right, honey. I'm not,
and don't want to be your master. We're partners."

     "Well since we're partners then we should divide labor. You can
set the table." She planted her feet flat on the floor and with a
mighty heave pushed him off. She leapt off the floor as quickly as
she could and left a laughing Walter reaching for her foot.

     Over dinner they talked about the past six weeks, filling each
other in on the details that each missed. Rae told Walter about
Kyle and his headphones. Walter told Rae about his 'fishing trip'
ruse. All of the tiny things of day to day life, each incident was
taken in as hungrily as the food before them. They were building
trust, sharing memories and weaving the tattered strands of their
lives into a single whole.

     After cleaning the dishes and putting away the leftovers ("I'm
only one man, honey!" Walter had protested when he saw the amount
of food on the table.) They went for a walk.

     Pewaukee was a village and it seemed to Walter that Rae knew
every- one in it. As they walked down the gently winding street
toward the lake Rae waved often and gave brief biographies of the
people they met. They were called over to a fence twice and asked
about certain activities at the school (Walter thought that the
neighbors were angling for an introduction) and several small kids
gathered and followed in their wake. The entire affair felt like a
holiday parade rather than an evening walk.

     Once they reached the dim public beach however the gathering
thinned to couples strolling on the sand and a few late anglers
trying for panfish. It was a small lake surrounded entirely by the
community to which it had given its name. In the surrounding hills
a few trees were already turning to gold reminding them that
despite the warm daytime temperatures autumn was at hand.

     Not content to stay on the beach Rae took Walter's hand and
crossed the street to a little general store. The faded red, white
and blue sign read: Alton' s and Rae pushed open the squeaky
screen. Walter was transported to his childhood and the small
corner store where he and his friends used to buy penny candy. The
walls were lined with shelves holding all sorts of oddities: home
canned vegetables sat chock -a -block beside sewing trims and
nails. Inside one massive glass case was candy, just like Walter
remembered from so many years ago. The other was a freezer case
that held hand-packed ice cream. At the back sat a middle aged
woman and a very old woman.

     Rising from her rocker the frail old lady came up to Rae and
hugged her tight. She was shrunken and shriveled from a long hard
life, but her eyes sparkled bright and filled with humor. Her skin
was still luminous and soft looking but when Walter took her hand
to shake it he realized that she must be at least ninety. Her hands
were gnarled and thin, but once had long tapering fingers. They had
been lovely hands once, but Walter preferred them as they were now:
gentle, kind and filled with wisdom.

     Rae raised her voice slightly for the old woman's benefit, "
Gramma I want you to meet Walter." She handed the old woman's hands
to Walter who first shook, then kissed them.

     The old lady laughed. In a younger woman it would have been a
giggle. "My, you're a big fellow. Reminds me of your grampa, big
fellow and strong, just like this." She threaded her thin arm
through Walter's massive one. "Handsome, too. Better looking than
grampa was." She ran an appraising eye up and down Walter's frame
then leaned over to whisper in Rae's ear, "Well built, too." Rae and
Walter both blushed which sent the old lady into a laughing/coughing
fit.

     "I brought him over for an ice cream, Gramma. Do I still have
a credit of two left?" Rae helped the old lady to the counter.

     "Honey, I've got cash...." But Rae jabbed him in the ribs.

     "Don't need no money here, young man. Little Rae and I have an
arrangement. Twice a month I give her an ice cream and she picks up
around the store for me, does odd job, sweeps. Things that Charlene
there can't do." Walter looked back to the other lady and saw that
her legs were in braces.

     "Oh Char, I'm so sorry. You shouldn't be so quiet !" Rae
dragged Walter back to the corner to introduce him to her cousin.
"They say we look almost like twins."

     "We used to at least. Pleased to meet you, Walter. Go on and
have your cone. We'll visit another time." Walter gave her his arm
as she stood heavily. "I have to go take my medication. Never know
what I'm going to loose next." She refused his offer of help and
shuffled through the back door. Rae sighed and watched her cousin
walk painfully out of the room.

     "Come, children. Eat this before it melts." Gramma Alton
handed Rae a single scoop and Walter a double. "Come sit on the
porch and tell me how you met." She clung to Walter's arm as she
walked to another rocker on the front porch.

     Rae and Walter sat on the front step and in a playful duet told
the story of their meeting in Washington and later in San Francisco.
Rae leaned against him and he looped his arm around her shoulders.
She used her hands to speak and almost hit Walter in the face with
her ice cream. He merely captured her hands in his and wiped the
drips off with a napkin.

     None of this loving by-play was lost on the canny old woman.
She recognized the look in her granddaughter's eyes. Gramma Alton
was sad the day her favorite granddaughter married her first
husband. There was no look of love in either of their eyes, no
desire, no spark. Gramma firmly believed in spark. She'd had it all
the years of her marriage, and even now felt a warm glow when she
thought of her tender, loving husband. She wanted it for all her
children, and was sad that so few of them had found it.

     But between Walter and Rae were sparks so bright they looked
to Gramma like fireflies in the soft autumn night. The playfully
affectionate gestures and touches told Gramma that these two were
going to have fun together. 'Probably already were,' she thought as
she watched Walter kiss Raelene' s hair and Raelene' s hand
absently and comfortably stroke his thigh.

     It was completely dark, a warm, soft night. The sky was dotted
with stars and there was a thin crescent moon over the lake. Indian
summer was in full bloom, but it was a fleeting illusion and
wouldn't last for long. All three souls on the porch knew this and
each felt the coming winter in the quiet of their own hearts.

     Admonishing Rae to stay outside Gramma Alton asked Walter to
help her back into the store. The old lady felt the hot blush on
Rae's cheek as she hugged her granddaughter good night. " Don't
worry, sweetie. I won't embarrass you."

     Inside the store Walter helped Gramma turn off the outside
lights and lock the back store room. He knew the old lady wanted to
speak to him. It warmed his heart to see the bright old woman look
at him with the spark of remembered desire. She was a pistol, and
Rae took after her.

     Gramma sat for a moment in her rocker and Walter knelt at her
feet. She held his strong hands in her frail ones. "You're a good
man, Walter. You're the first I've met who's good enough for my
granddaughter. Treat her well and you'll have a long happy life,
just like her grampa and I did. We had nearly fifty-five years
together. They weren't easy or all happy, but I'd take a single one
of them back now. Make her happy, young man. She's a good girl, full
of life, and she's had it hard. Make her happy, never raise a hand
to her in anger, never lie to her and never fool with another woman.
Do this and I'll shower blessings on you when I come to the Lord's
house."

     Tears prickled Walter's eyes as he helped the old woman to her
feet. Her gentle admonitions touched him deeply. He understood that
it was her way of giving him permission to be with Rae and he vowed
silently that he would do as she said. Aloud all he could say was,
"I'll try, Gramma." He wrapped her in his big, strong arms hugging
her gently. He bent his head down to kiss her on the cheek. "Thank
you."

     She looked up at him, bright eyes dancing just like her
granddaughter's did. "Oh you'll do all right. You're a big honey
bear, and Raelene' s a lucky little girl. She'd better keep you
satisfied, or I'll scold her." She gave him a final squeeze and a
final sweeping glance. "Yes, you're a good man. Scat now. Shoo. I'm
an old lady and I have to go to bed. Got to get my beauty sleep."
She cackled as she locked the door after him.

     On the front porch Walter watched as she turned out the last
light and closed the door to the living quarters. He had the
strange feeling that he had been suspended in time and was only now
returning to the present. He turned to look for Rae and saw her
gleaming gold head on the beach.

     She was sitting on the sand looking over the water. Her legs
were pulled up under her dress and her chin was resting on her
knees. He couldn't see her face, but her body told him that she was
thoughtful. It was the pose she took in California when she had
been moved or philosophical. He went and sat behind her on the
rapidly cooling sand. He put his arms around her and leaned her
back slightly to rest on his chest. They didn't need words. Both of
them felt somehow closer than before. Gramma had crystallized for
them the rather tenuous nature of their relationship up to now and
they both realized that they wanted more.


......................................................

     Rae stretched languidly, reaching to the top of the tall
headboard and running her hands along the curved edge. She felt
content and complete. Her thoughts traveled down to the pleasant
ache between her thighs and she blushed. 'What are you blushing
for?' She asked herself. 'It's not like you haven't made love with
him before.'

     But last night had been special. Not just for the lovemaking,
Rae blushed again at the thought, but for the loving and the
laughter.

     Walter had a hard time adjusting to her much smaller bed. His
feet dangled over the end and every time he tried to move on top of
her he'd bang his feet on the footboard. They would laugh and kiss,
then try again. He soon developed a trick of sliding his feet
between the mattress and the board making it much easier for him
and he jokingly said it gave him better traction.

     She lay there thinking of the differences in the only two
lovers she had known, of Tom's anger and Walter's patience. If only
she could have met Walter years ago she would have been spared so
much. 'But then I might not have appreciated him as much as I do.'
He was rapidly becoming her sustenance and she was as hungry for
him as she had once been for food.

     Just then a beautiful bald head poked into the room. How she
loved that head and every part of him as he entered the room
slowly. He was carrying two coffee cups and a plate of toast.

     "You don't even have a coffee pot!" He smiled at her as he sat
on the edge of the bed, setting the dishes on the small table. "How
am I supposed to make you your morning coffee if you don't have a
pot?" He leaned down to kiss her and to nuzzle her neck. Then he
stretch out beside her, mindful of the footboard and pulled her
against him.

     Rae snuggled against him, feeling the power in his arms. She
stroked his biceps lightly, then twined her fingers into his and
kissed his hand. Then she ran her fingers lightly over his chest,
letting the dark, curly hair tickle her fingers.

     Walter traced a line from her ear to her shoulder with his
finger tip. Her body was warm and smooth beside him. "It feels so
good to be here." He kissed her temple, her honey hair tickling
his nose. "What are we going to do today?"

     "What time is it?" She checked the clock - seven a.m. "I'll
have to call school in a little while, then I really need to make a
trip to the store. If I'm going to feed both of us and make
something for Sunday I'll have to get groceries."

     Walter groaned and sat up. "Do we really have to go? I'm not
sure that I'm ready to meet your family."

     Rae had called her 'local' (as opposed to Terry who was 'long
distance') brother while Walter slept yesterday and set up a family
barbecue at his house. Greg was just as enthused to meet Walter as
Walter was to meet Greg, so it looked to Rae as though she was
going to have some smoothing to do. Greg didn't like the fact that
he lived far away. It meant that, if Rae stayed with him she'd have
to leave and Greg didn't want that. He was in full big brother mode
and determined to be prickly.

     Walter, on the other hand had the feeling that he was going to
be grilled along with the steaks. By Rae's own admission Greg was
more protective/ possessive than Terry and was more likely to do
the "What are your intentions toward my sister" bit. Right now
Walter couldn't answer those kinds of questions. It depended on
Rae's answer to his.

     Rae sat up behind him and wrapped herself around him. She
stroked his chest with her fingertips and slid her feet along his
thighs. "Hey, it'll be all right. Don't forget you have something
in common."

     "What's that, honey?" He brought her hand to his lips. He
loved it when she cozied up to him like this. He liked the feel of
her body pressing against him.

     "Me. Just remember that I love both of you and you'll get
along just fine."

     "But I'm *not* your brother."

     "You got that right. You're my big, handsome boyfriend and my
niece and sister-in-law are going to be competing for your
attention. I hope you like sports, because my nephew will want to
show you his collections...."

     He smiled as she rattled on, but the word 'boyfriend' rankled.
He wanted to be more than just a boyfriend. He wanted.....her. He
wanted her to belong to him with the same possessiveness that
nearly got him in trouble yesterday.

     He twisted around to face her and noticed that she was still
wearing his Marine Corps ring. He picked up her left hand and held
it between his. She had fallen silent and was watching him. His
heavy gold ring over- powered her small, square hand. She had
wrapped yarn around it to make it fit, just like the girls used to
do in high school. He smiled softly.

     "You know, I have a few birthday presents downstairs for you.
Aren't you even curious?"

     "Dying, but I'm almost afraid to find out. Last time you
bought me something it was horribly expensive."

     "You'd better get used to it, honey. I'm an FBI Assistant
Director, I can afford a few small luxuries for the woman I love."
He kissed her forehead as he rose. " Just think, you won't have to
budget every last dime." He held out his hand to her. "Come on."

     Rae's heart was pounding so hard in her chest she was certain
he could hear it. She fought to keep her face neutral. She had been
certain he was joking in San Francisco when he said he wanted to
make her 'Mrs. Skinner'. In fact she had convinvced herself that he
had not been serious because she didn't want to hurt him by turning
him down. Now she wasn't so sure......

     Walter was tugging insistently at her hand and she looked up at
him. His eyes were lit from deep within. They sparkled and flashed
yet there was a bit of uncertantity as well.

     "Don't you think I should put on some clothes first? After all,
what if someone comes to the door?"

     His eyes raked over her, appreciating what he saw. Rae blushed
deeply at his glance, she still hadn't gotten used to that
particularly lusty look. But she liked it.

     Walter watched the blush spread from her cheeks down her neck
and to the top of her round breasts. He could feel excitement
spreading like wildfire through him. "What time did you say you
had to call the school?" His voice had that special depth that sent
shivers down Rae's spine. He cupped her face in his hands and began
kissing her. He leaned over and kissed and nibbled her neck,
flicking his tongue over the soft spot just under her ear.

     "Maybe I should call Mrs. Tompkins right now - then we won't
have to be interrupted. I know how you hate interruptions Mr.
Assistant Director." She turned her lips to meet his in a lingering
sweet kiss.

    Walter smiled against her lips.

.............................................................


	Mrs. Tompkins turned to the principal with a smile, "Well,
that was Ms Craine. Her special visitor is here from Washington."

     It wasn't the sort ofthing that Jennifer Miller did - giver
her teachers permission to play hookey. But Raelene Craine was
better prepared than most and had never called in a sick day since
she began at the school seven years ago. She was a well-liked
teacher with both students and faculty and she deserved to be with
her friend while he could get away to see her. Her lesson plans
were always explicit, detailed and organized, easy for any sub to
follow - even if her desk wasn't.

     Jennifer smiled at the thought of Raelene's desk, a hopeless
mess of manuscript paper, pencils, worksheet blanks. It was
horrendous but for one corner. In that one clear space was a
picture of the guythat she had asked for permission to take time
off for. A strapping, choice specimen of a man with big muscles and
a bigger smile. Jennifer found herself wondering what it would be
like to be on the receiving end of one of those smiles and sighed.
Maybe he'd flash one when Rae brought him in (she'd made Raelene
promise to bring him for a visit to the school, and Raelene seemed
pleased at the opportunity to show him off) then she'd find out.

.................................................................

     She barely had time to hang up the phone before Walter lay her
on her back and was kissing and nibbling her shoulders. He
stretched out beside her, throwing a leg over hers, pinning her. He
continued to work on her shoulders and chest, moving to the side of
her breasts, the soft valley between them and the shadowy crease
underneath.

     His teasing tongue and soft nips made Raelene writhe beneath
him. She began to moan softly and to caress his broad shoulders.
His touch always excited her but this maddening licking and
nibbling was driving her crazy. She wanted to feel his lips on her
nipples, wanted a firm, passionate kiss. This tingling teasing of
his was sendeing her over the edge.

     Walter could feel her trembling under his lips. She was
beginning to say his name in that special way, her lovely voice
dripping with passion. Giving in somewhat he fastened onto her
nipple and gave it a firm tug with his lips. She arched her back
and cried out. He placed his leg between hers, rubbing against her
with his thigh. Her moans spiralled up a notch.

     Then he suckled hard, kneading the other breast with his hand.
He felt her breathing come in gasps and reached down to insert
first one, then two fingers into her. She was wet and ready as he
pushed his fingers deeply. He felt the rush of her climax, her
strong muscles bearing down as he listened to her calling him,
asking him to enter.

     Keeping his fingers in place, and his mouth on her breast he
moved between her thighs. She opened to him, guiding him with
strong, caressing hands. She stroked him firmly before he entered
her, reaching down to gently squeeze his balls. It was nearly over
for him then, but he removed his fingers and penetrated slowly as
Rae howled from deep in her throat.

     She pulled his head up and kissed him, sliding her tongue into
his mouth. Her hands reached down to his hard, muscular rear and
kneaded, pulling him tight against her. She raised her ankles to
his shoulders. She bucked. She beat on the bed with her hands. She
felt the orgasm everywhere at once. She began to screetch.

     Walter held his weight on his hands, keeping his thrusts high.
His rhythm began to quicken. Her wails urged him on, forcing him to
go as deeply as he could.  His breath began to rasp, and wordless
moans escaped him. Rae's hands were on his chest, caressing his
nipples. Then her lips followed, sending electricity shooting right
down to his toes. He gasped. He felt her thrashing beneath him and
he went faster. He wrapped his arms around her and shouted, coming
in hard, long cries.

..........................................................

     The new custodian emptied the baskets in the music rooms,
shaking his head at the clutter on the choral teacher's desk. ' How
could anyone so attractive be so messy?' he wondered. He moved the
duster around to the clean space and scowled at the picture that
stood there.

     It was a vacation photo of a big, smiling man taken at Pier 39
in San Francisco. His swetaer and jeans rode easily on his body,
and his look was that of a man totally captivated by something out
of camera range.

     The custodian's scowl deepened when he saw an hours exception
form on top of the papers strewn across the desk. The dates were
filled in and it was signed by the principal. It needed only the
teacher's signature and could be handed in. Personal leave time was
being taken for today through next Wednesday.

     'She's not going to be here,' he thought. He looked again at
the picture. ' He must be here.' He knew he'd have to get in touch
with his superior. After the fiasco in San Francisco he needed
authorization to strike. But he'd get it. It was the perfect
opportunity with Skinner here. 'Why try to bring her in? She'd
never do anything Skinner wouldn't like. I'm going to have to go
with the original plan.'

     He smiled. He'd had time to think and to try sorting through
his twisted feelings, and he was sure he was right. Disabling
Skinner was the best way to get at Mulder. That way his bosses
could put real pressure on the AD to shut Mulder down, and keep him
down. He'd be what he was meant to be all along - a puppet.

     She was the key, the weak spot. By keeping her a secret Skinner
had made a fatal error. By keeping her a secret he was preventing
her from getting FBI protection. As long as she was a mystery with
no official ties to the AD she was nobody, expendable. And as such
very useful to him and his superiors.

     He smiled, 'Yes, very useful indeed.'

............................................................

     Walter felt a tickling on his nose. He twitched it, trying to
get the irritation away, but it continued. He brushed his hand
across his face and encountered a silky strand of honey colored
hair. He opened his eyes to a fall of glistening gold. He had
nestled his face into her neck and her hair fell across him in a
soft, fragrant wave. He kissed the ear that lay near his lips and
whispered soft words of love.

     He lay sprawled across her where he had collapsed after their
lovemaking. He tried to shift his weight off her, but she tightened
her arms around him. "No. Not yet." She whispered. She trailed her
fingertips along his spine, making him shiver.

     "I'm too heavy for you, hon." He continued kissing her cheek
lightly.

     "I'll let you know when you get too heavy Mr. Assistant
Director." She placed her hands on his cheeks and raised his eyes
to hers. Their soft, deep brown glowed, filling her with warmth.
There was so much in his eyes things she'd never seen in anyone
else's. She kissed those beautiful eyes gently.

     Walter held her gaze with the same caring regard. The lovely
deep, calm blue looked into all the feelings that he had locked
away for so long, melting the ice around his heart. When he had
left her in San Francisco he had frozen himelf in time, leaving
emotion in the west, taking only a chill back to Washington. But
here in the bright Wisconsin autumn he thawed once more. He was
completely hers for a while, all too brief a while and he wanted
every moment to count.

     "I thought you said we had to go to the store?"

     She tightened her arms momentarily, "Yes, we do. I'd better hop
into the shower. Is the coffee still warm?" She sat up as Walter
rolled off her and reached for her mug. "It's cold."

     Walter took the cup from her. "You shower and I'll warm the
coffee." He leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Unless you'd like some
company in there. Someone to wash your back, maybe?"

     Rae smiled, but she felt a slight chill inside. "No thanks, I
have a backbrush. I'd rather have warm coffee."

     Walter chuckled as he left, murmuring about getting a coffee
pot and shaking his head.

     Rae sat for a few more minutes then sighed deeply. She knew
she'd have to tell him. She was sure that he hadn't noticed the
scar, but if he were to wash her back in the bright bathroom light
he would. It was a long thin scar and most of the time unnoticeable.
But in bright light it showed up like a fine silver line drawn from
her shoulderblade to her hip. She shivered at the memory. 'No, he's
not ready for *that* story.'

     Downastairs Walter ruminated on Rae's unusual shyness about
bathing with him. She was gaining confidence in making love with
him, becoming inventive as well as exciting, but she wouldn't let
him near when she was in the bathroom. He didn't mind, for some
people bathing was a private matter and he wouldn't press the issue.
But he did think it was odd. Most of his other lovers liked to slip
and slide a little in the water. He smiled, 'There's plenty of time
for that. The rest of our lives.'

     He was standing in the small galley kitchen, leaning against
the counter with a dreamy expression on his face when Rae came down
fifteen minutes later. He was planning again: how many kids they'd
have (2 boys, 2 girls, nice and even), where they would live, coming
in every night to a warm home with dinner on the table and a loving
wife waiting, walking in shouting "Honey, I'm home !".

     Rae grinned, "You'd better go shower Mr. Assistant Director.
Our early start is shot, but we can still get alot done today." She
slipped her arms around his trim waist and kissed his cheek. "I
saved you some hot water."

     The grocery store was an adventure. They discovered that they
had many of the same tastes, and Walter found, to his delight, that
Rae's helplessness with coffee didn't translate to food. He watched
as she choose the fruit and vegetables, meats and fish with an
expert eye. She was effecient and thrifty, selecting no more than
they would need for his stay, "I'll make a little extra to last
through next weekend."

     When he asked her about the vegetables she told him about the
farmer's market. "I'll get more there tomorrow. Its a lot fresher."

     Thoroughly impressed, he insisted on paying the tab and led her
to the discount store. He had a short list of needs (he had made
her buy coffee beans - so a coffee pot was essential) and they took
care of them quickly.

...................................................................

     He was carrying in a load of groceries and stopped for a moment
to admire the view. Rae was barefoot and reaching up to put away
something. Her graceful lines made her look taller, balanced and
fluid. He saw her for a moment the way Dave had, as an artist
appraisng a model. She was small and sturdy, yet she flowed with
rhythm and elegance.

     She turned to take a bag from him and surprised an odd look in
his eyes. She couldn't describe it, but it sent a shiver down her
spine. It was like he was on the verge of something earth
shattering, and he wanted to share it with her.

     He set the bag on the counter and took her hand, wordlessly
leading her into the living room. He motioned her to sit, then
opened the large suitcase. He pulled out wrapped packages then
found what he wanted and sat next to her.

     Rae's heart was in her throat when she saw what he was holding.
It was a small velvet box, like one from a jewlery shop. ' Oh,
please no,' she pleaded silently. She stared at her hands trying to
will it not to be, to not let her happiness end yet.

     But Walter didn't hear her silent thoughts, he was too nervous.
Nothing had ever been this important to him before. He took Rae's
hand and said in a soft, deep voice, " Raelene Marie, will you
marry me?"

     Rae felt as if she had been punched. Everything stilled as she
was transported back to another proposal, another man......... 'No.
I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't........'

     "Rae? Honey?" Walter's voice tried to penetrate the fog.

=== Tom was holding her hand. She was on her break, sitting at the
back of the mini-mart, a cup of coffee on the table. " I'll take
care of you, Rae. You won't have to work so hard. You can go to
school and finish your degree, I'll take care of everything. What do
you say, babe?" ====

     "Rae, you're scaring me. What's wrong?" Walter took her hand
gently.

=== Tom sat on the bed next to her. She could taste the metallic
tang of her blood in her mouth. Her nose was bleeding and her eye
swelling shut. She lay curled on her side crying softly. "I'm sorry,
babe. I didn't mean it. I just get crazy when you say no like that.
It won't happen again, I promise....." ====

     "Honey..........?" Walter lifted her chin and saw the terror
in her eyes. His voice was worried, "What is it, Rae? Please tell
me."

     All she could do was shake her head. 'I can't do this. I
can't....'

=== Tom was looking at her across an empty courtroom with wounded
eyes. He couldn't understand. He had been good to her: he paid all
the bills, he put a roof over their heads. Now she wanted a divorce.
She wouldn't even sleep with him. She always said no. So he slapped
her a couple times was that so bad? ====

     She was somwhere else, he knew this. The terror in her face was
eloquent. It was *him*. She was remembering and it was bad, worse
than he thought. He didn't know what to do. Tears he could handle,
he could cuddle and comfort, but this raw, silent panic he couldn't
kiss away.

     "Rae, it's Walter. Look at me. Rae, look at me." His voice was
gentle, urging her to look into his eyes.

     Brown eyes, caring eyes. Not watery blue and angry. Gentle
brown eyes. Rae felt the fear receding, going back into the rooms
where she had locked it away. She felt as though she was coming up
into the light from under a stifling forest canopy. The must and
drifts of dead leaves were all about her and Walter was holding her
hand, pulling her into the light of a clearing. A sigh shuddered
through her and she knew with certantity what she had to do.......


......................................


     Rae gently extracted her hand from Walter's and turned away.
She didn't want to see the look on his face. If she did she would
fold. She sat for a moment, trying to think of words.

     Walter watched as she began to shut herself away from him. He
could see the signs: lowered eyes, uncertain manner, the turning
away. He was an expert at closing down, and he was damned if he was
going to let Rae go away from him like this. He had to get her back.

     "Rae," his voice was gentle and he placed a hand on her back.
"Tell me what's wrong."

     She rose, moving away from his touch. "I'm going to make lunch.
I hope you won't mind having a salad." Her voice had no life and no
emotion.

     He reached out and held her hand. "You haven't answered my
question." He opened the box to reveal a sparkling marquis-cut
sapphire nestled in a bed of diamonds. It shimmered in the sunlight
streaming through the windows.

     Rae gently closed the box without taking it from him. She could
feel tears beginning to prickle and shook her head. "You'd better
try and get your money back for that. You don't want to go into
debt for.....for nothing." She finished softly and went into the
kitchen.

     Walter sat for a moment looking at the small box in his hand.
He tried of think of what could be wrong. He had shown her how he
felt, told her that he loved her; he couldn't believe she didn't
feel the same. ' I know she cares for me. I can see it. Why?'

     He fought the impulse to go out the door. That would be too
much like running away and that was something Walter had never
done. They had to work this out and leaving wouldn't do it. He had
to go into the kitchen and talk to her, but how? What could he say?

     The last time she had closed herself off from him this way it
had to do with her ex-husband and how he had treated her. That had
to be the reason now, and Walter was determined not to let it get
between them. There were only going to be two people in this house
while he was here and one of them would *not* be Tom.

     He hesitated a moment before going into the kitchen, marshaling
his arguments. He was going to reason with her, show her that
getting married was going to be good for both of them.

     Rae braced herself against the counter and took a deep breath.
She wanted him with every ounce and every breath. She'd never felt
like this about anyone, not even the football player that she had a
crush on in high school. But marriage? Now? Her life was finally
hers, she didn't belong to anyone; not parents, not husband. She
was free from harm and other people's burdens. She wasn't sure she
could give that up.

     She felt his presence rather than saw him. He filled the small
room and his scent tingled her nose. Without turning she said," I
forgot to get kohlrabi. I'll have to remember to pick some up at
the market tomorrow."

     "I'll remind you." His voice was soft, and had an odd quality.

     The pause was long and awkward. He wanted to put his arms
around her and comfort her, but he couldn't - not yet. She wasn't
ready to accept his touch. Rae was afraid he would do just that and
all her conviction would leave her. So they stood not looking at
each other.

     Finally, with a deep in drawn breath Walter asked, "Why won't
you marry me, Rae?" He couldn't keep the hurt out of his voice.

     "I just can't, Walter. Go home. Find someone ...."

     "No."

     "But...."

     He moved close to her. "No Raelene. I've *found* someone and
I'm not going to loose her. I was married for seventeen years, and
it took me a long time to admit to myself that it was over. The
last five years weren't a marriage, they were an arrangement. I
stopped feeling for Sharon long before the divorce." He laughed
bitterly, "I stopped feeling altogether." He took her hand . "You
made me feel again, made me laugh. I don't want to give that up
now."

     "Walter, I thought I had everything under control, but I was
wrong. I thought I had worked it all through, but I was wrong. I
can't marry you. There are too many memories, too much to forget
and too much to unlearn."

     "Then don't forget. Remember it all, everything. Tell it to me
and then remember that I'm *not* him and I won't do to what he did."
He turned her around gently by the shoulders. "I'm not entirely sure
what you mean by 'unlearn' but I'll help you if I can."

     "It's not just the things he did." She looked up at him, into
his troubled eyes and knew that she had to try to put her unformed
emotions into words. "Are you hungry?" She looked at the half made
salad.

     "Let's save it for dinner. Please talk to me now. I need to
understand, Rae. " He walked with her to the sofa.

     They sat close as she tried to form her thoughts into an
understandable series of sentences. She tried to tell him that it
wasn't about love, but about control. After many years her life was
under control, her control and she wanted it to stay that way.

     "Then you're not afraid of me?" He stroked her hair lightly.

     "Of you? No. It's not you that frightens me, it's the memories.
It's being in another person's power, under someone else's control.
I've never known any good from marriage. Why can't we just go on
like we are? "

     "Because it's not enough for me. I want, no I need a wife. I
want to come home to you, have dinner and make love to you every
night. I want to do all the things that married people are supposed
to do together. I don't want to control you, Rae I want to be with
you."

     "But we hardly know each other. We've been together for exactly
six days and a few hours." The uncertainty in her voice was plain.

     Walter knew that she'd known Tom for nearly two years before
marrying him. But he had to convince her that that was a different
time and a different man. "Isn't that what engagements are for? To
get to know each other." She looked up at him deep blue eyes
puzzled. "I didn't mean marry me tomorrow, Rae. I mean when we're
both ready: when your contract is up, and I can get some ideas on
where we're going to live. We still have a lot of things to talk
about, to decide but we can work it out together. I just want to
know if you'll be my wife at the end of it all." He was quietly
serious, not joking or smiling.

     Rae looked out at the lowering sun. The alarms had stopped
their shrill wailing in her mind. She looked deep into herself to
that part of her that wanted him, trying to see if that desire was
stronger than the fear that would keep her alone for the rest of
her life. She knew instinctively that Walter was her last chance.
Gramma Alton had seen how special he was and Rae knew that she'd
never find another man like him. 'Maybe she knows best, ' she
reflected, 'But marriage. Can I deal with another person and all
that being with him can mean? I don't even know half of what that
is yet. Can I learn? Do I want to?'

     She turned to look at Walter. He was so quiet, so earnest yet
his eyes blazed with hope. 'How can I hurt him? He's never been
anything but good to me. I can talk to him, tease him, laugh with
him.' She took a moment longer, listening to her inner voice
whisper, 'Yes. Gramma is right. I can be happy with him.'

     He held himself still, trying not to look as anxious as he
felt. He was prepared to argue each negative she could bring up. He
could answer any question, negotiate any sticking point. He would
argue, pursuade, cajole and get outright stubborn if that's what it
took, but he wouldn't let go without trying everything.

     So he was taken completely aback when she turned to him and
said simply, "Are you sure?"

     The slow smile that lit his face as her words sank in was
enough to power half of Pewaukee. He wrapped his arms around her,
nuzzling his face in her hair. "Yes, I'm absolutely sure, Rae. I
wouldn't have asked if I wasn't." He held her shoulders and looked
deep into her eyes. She wasn't, yet. "It'll be just like I told
you in San Francisco - we won't do anything until you're certain.
You have to want it as much as I do."

     He picked up the box from the coffee table and began to open it
but Rae stopped him. She took it from him and set it back down.

     "I thought you were saying yes." He sounded confused.

     "I guess I am, even though I'm not sure I'm doing the right
thing." When he picked up the box again she set it down again. "But
I can't wear that. Could we get something a little less flashy? If I
walk into school with that on I'll never hear the end of it." For
the first time she smiled at him.

....................................................................


     "Skinner's in Wisconsin." He looked at the man in the deep
leather chair. From the top of the tidy silver hair to the tips of
his polished fingers this man exuded power and confidence. "Alex
thinks he should make a move. He knows the girl's address and is
certain that Skinner is there with her...."

     "No. I want you to try to win her over first. She will be of
more use to us as an ally then an enemy. Is Alex in position in the
school?"

     "Yes, but- "

     "Good. Tell him to be patient. He *must* go slowly and gain
her confidence. If he can do that and get her to tell him what the
Assistant Director's plans are she can be useful for a long time."

     "Until Skinner finds out."

     "Yes."

...................................................

     "But I don't understand, honey." He was leaning against the
counter. The kitchen was too small for two people to work, and she
told him to stay out of the way. He snagged a slice of cucumber and
used it to emphasize his point. "If you just extend the back wall
out into the yard, you can double the size of the kitchen and have
a new laundry room off the deck. Where's the problem?"

     "The problem sir, is that I'm just a small town music teacher
on a rather tight budget. The project you're talking about will
have to have an architect and an army of contractors and subs. It's
not the type of thing I can do myself on a weekend."

     She wasn't exactly sure how the whole subject came up, but it
had something to do with the size of the kitchen. He just didn't
understand that she couldn't start knocking out walls whenever the
urge struck her.

     Walter shook his head. "If that's all that's stopping you I
could......."

     "Uh-uh." She handed him the bowl and pointed toward the dining
room. "Table, please and set while I whip up some dressing." As she
worked she tried once more to explain to him that she wouldn't let
him pay for repairs on her house. "I do the important stuff, like
the roof last year. After all the kitchen is just a whim. I replaced
the countertops and doors two years ago and put in a new sink. I'm
the only person who cooks in here." She turned when she felt his
hands on her waist. She let herself sink against him, sliding her
hands up to his shoulders and looping her arms around his neck.

     Walter kissed the tip of her nose, smiling. "What about me? If
I transfer I'm going to be living here too, you know and since
you're no good at breakfast or coffee...."

     "Let's not make any plans until we know for sure." She ducked
out of his embrace and picked up her whisk. "Until then you *do
not* pay a cent to remodel my house understand, Mr. Skinner?"

     "Yes, ma'am." He threw her a mock salute and ducked out before
she flung the whisk at him.

     Over dinner shetold him more of her reasons for not wanting
his help. Walter was surprised to find out that Rae had scraped by
with even less while supporting her mother. She had bought this
house after her divorce and cared for the old lady until her death
three years ago while paying off student loans and a large hospital
bill (she hadn't told him what the hospital stay was for and Walter
wondered again about the scar on her back).

     "It's why I started touring with Route 66. Kids around here
don't want music lessons in the summertime, and our district only
pays on a nine month schedule. It was either that or work in a
mall."

     Walter chuckled at her wrinkled nose and pursed lips. He was
beginning to understand and appreciate just how complex she was.
What he knew about her was just the tip of the iceberg, so to
speak. She was stronger than her appearance gave credence to, and
she was not a woman to be taken at face value.

     After the cleaning up Rae took his hand and led him out the
lawn swing in the back yard. It was a big, sturdy wooden pole swing
and they sat cuddling together under a sky glittering with stars.
There was no urban glow here to block the dancing starlight and in
the circle of each others arms they pointed out favorite star
clusters, telling their stories.

     But eventually silence overtook them as the warmth of their
bodies began to rise into heat. Soft kisses replaced words and
hands began to caress rather than hold. Soon kisses deepened into
passion and hands began to unbutton and slide under clothes.

     Rising Walter pulled Raelene into his arms and pressed her
close. Just now there was no more to talk about, nothing he wanted
to say other than soft words of love. To tell her how very much he
wanted her, and to hear her say the same.

     He picked her up, smiling,  "I'm taking you to bed, woman. "

     She hummed in his arms and nibbled his earlobe, "Mmmmmmmmmm I
was wondering when you were going to get around to that."

     "Turnabout is fair play. It's my turn to make love to you." He
looked into her deep blue eyes then hugged her tight. " We both
need to relax tonight, and I want to give you a taste of what
you're going to get after we're married."

     Her grin turned wicked as she stroked the cleft in his strong
chin. "I thought I had my taste last night."

     He stopped dead in his tracks and began to laugh. He laughed so
hard that he had to put her down and lean against the deck rail.

     Rae put her arms around him and laughed along. It was such a
wonderful thing; to laugh so whole-heartedly with the man you love.
It was releasing, cleansing and Rae felt refreshed and light
because of it.

     When they had calmed she went up to the bedroom first while he
checked the door and window locks. He approved of the security that
she had here, but made a mental note that there were no electronic
devices of any kind. No matter what her protests he was going to
have a security system installed - soon. It looked as though they
were in for a long separation and he didn't want to worry about them
coming at her here, in her home.

     When he topped the stairs he saw the glow of oil lamps in the
bedroom. ' I'm going to have to ask her exactly *what* kind of
books those were,' he wondered as he pulled his shirt off and
slipped out of his decks. He unzipped and slid out of his jeans
then tossed all of them into the guest room.

     Rae was sitting on the bed still dressed. "I thought you might
like to do the unwrapping."

     Walter stroked her shoulders and neck. There was some tension,
but not nearly as much as before. He bent to kiss her cheek and
began to unbutton her blouse. At least they were beginning to learn
this much about each other. He enjoyed tasting and teasing as he
undressed her while she enjoyed the sight of him in his shorts.

     Rae's hands reached up to caress his chest and shoulders. She
wanted to memorize him; from the texture of his body hair to that
special scent that was uniquely Walter. She breathed deeply against
his shoulder as he sunk to his knees easing her blouse off. She
nibbled along the ridge of his shoulder to his upper arm, then
gentled back along the same path with her tongue.

     Walter unzipped her cutoffs then kissed her stomach and flicked
his tongue across and into her navel. Her gasp told him his new
technique was a pleasurable surprise. He nibbled and sucked on that
new sensitive spot for a moment longer before removing her cutoffs.
He kissed down over her hip to her knees. There he nibbled and
flickered his tongue over her kneecaps then lifted them onto his
shoulders as he made his way up her inner thighs, turning his head
so that he could excite both sides evenly.

     When he reached the especially sensitive area at the top of her
thigh he remained for a moment, breathing deeply of her complex
scent and biting gently. He finally resumed his path, tickling his
tongue up along the crease beside her labia on up to her mound.

     Through all of this Raelene was alight with sensation.
Electricity flowed along her skin. She breathed it in with each
gasp and sigh, exhaled it with each moan and cry. She writhed on
the bed, bunching the sheets up in her clenched fists, crying out
for him to stop and begging him to continue.

     Walter slid his tongue over her clitoris and felt her jump. He
worked on it gently, not wanting to over-stimulate her and worked
one hand along her thigh and under to fondle her firm, round rear.
He caressed the other hand up over her stomach to her breast. He
grasped it firmly in his palm, letting the nipple slide between his
fingers, kneading, massaging.

     This caused a shrill cry and a gush of wetness. Walter worked
down to her labia, tasting her salty, musky fragrance with his
mouth and nostrils. He swirled his tongue as deeply into her as he
could. He felt her trembling orgasm begin and eased her legs off
his shoulders. He held her hips firmly in his big hands and entered
her slowly, feeling each quiver and gasp.

     Each of her moans was his name as he began a rhythm. When she
began to thrash with another climax he wrapped his arms around her
and took possession of her mouth.

     She tasted herself on him as she sucked on his tongue, drawing
him deeper. She clutched his rear feeling the muscles bunch and
release with each thrust. In a moment of clarity she saw the
absolute rightness of being with him. But the moment was fleeting,
leaving only a sweet trace as she cried out from deep inside.

     Rae's throaty cry echoed in Walter's ears as his own climax
approached rapidly. He began to shudder, burying himself deep into
her. His gasps rasped into her as though they were her own until
with a final moaning cry he released.

     He trembled holding his weight on his hands, feeling Rae's lips
on his chest, her hands caress his back, then sank into her arms.

....................................


     It was going to be a hot day, Walter could feel it already.
Even though it was early the humidity was building and the sun was
already blazing in a high, cloudless sky. But despite the heat and
humidity there was something in the air that spoke of autumn. Maybe
it was the fragrance carried on the breeze of leaves turning and
falling, or maybe it was the feeling of settling in for a long
winter that was evident in the removal of lawn ornaments and flags
to be replaced by mulch and rose cones.

     Or maybe it was the fact that Walter knew that the impossibly
bright days couldn't last long. With any luck they would hold out
for his stay, but the weather would soon turn cold - and lonely.

     He had climbed reluctantly out of Rae's warm arms at five this
morning to go for a run and have a look at the village that she
called home. It was a village in a state of change with new
buildings being raised and streets being widened and paved.
Although it still retained the charm of a small town it was
growing, as small towns inevitably did. Influxes of people from the
cities seeking the safety and hominess of a village brought their
problems along with their money and changed the faces of these
little havens forever.

     A lovely voice mingled with the sound of splashing water
filtered down to him. Rae was singing in the shower. He didn't
recognize the song, but reveled in the voice. Her clear soprano was
full and rich and the words were understandable, even through the
splatter of the water.

     "I love coffee, I love tea. I love the java jive and it loves
me......."

     He grinned. When he came downstairs at five she had been
sleeping soundly so he puttered in the kitchen, readying things for
breakfast and made a pot of coffee. (He covered the grinder with a
towel because it made such a racket.) Before leaving for his run he
had taken the insulated carafe up to the bedroom and set it on the
nightstand with a mug so that she could have some when she woke. He
got the feeling that she was thanking him with the song.

     He knew that she had gotten up during the night, she was a
'midnight fisherman' as his grandmother used to say. One moment she
was gone and the space beside him was cold. A few moments later she
was back (well, it could have been an hour since he'd fallen back
to sleep) snuggling her bottom against him as he wrapped himself
around her. He wondered briefly if there was something troubling
her.

     Their day was going to be a full one. After Rae came down he
would shower then they would go into Milwaukee to her jewelry store
and get a ring. He had promised last night on the swing that he
would take back the sapphire. He sighed; she was right of course,
it was far too flashy for a high school music teacher. The stone
had reminded him of Rae's eyes when they sparkled and flashed but
he realized now that she liked her jewelry simple and elegant.

     After a trip to the farmer's market they would head back home
for a day of cooking and yard work. When she said that she hadn't
planned the days she was right. He saw the growth of weeds behind
her garage and was determined to whack them down today, along with
mowing the grass and pulling dandelions. He knew that she had to
cook for the barbecue tomorrow, so he thought he could take some of
the outdoor chores off her hands. She had told him once that she
did these things mostly on weekends when she didn't have students,
but sometimes she couldn't get to everything that had to be done.

     He felt her warmth as she pressed close to him from behind,
taking his hands. She smelled fresh and damp and her hair was still
wet. He felt her lips press against his shoulder.

     "Thanks for making coffee." She leaned her cheek against his
warm, broad back. He was solid, not a spare ounce of fat. "You
know, Mr. Assistant Director my Gramma was right. You are a fine
looking man." She grinned against him, "and well built, too"

     He eased her hands around his waist. "You're not so bad
yourself, Ms Craine." He pulled her around to face him. "I'll make
a deal with you. I'll do the yard work today if you make an extra
pie. I don't care for sweets, except for cherry pie."

     "Well finally, a weakness. Does that deal include the weeds
behind the garage?"

     "You mean a weakness other than you? Yes," he kissed her
lightly and slid his hands down to caress her rear, "that means
the weeds behind the garage. After lunch and a little dessert?"

     "How about now? Why waste a good sweat on a shower?" She could
still feel the dampness of his t-shirt as she placed her hands on
his chest. "We don't have to go in to Milwaukee today. The market
will keep until Tuesday, we'll have plenty of time then, won't we?"

     Walter felt her question like a pang inside and he tightened
his arms around her. How he wished he could stay, or bring her back
with him. He closed his eyes for a moment, he had to tell her that
there was no time.

     Rae felt the change in him and knew without his saying a word.
He had to leave soon, too soon and he didn't want to tell her. "Oh
well, hell. Let's go now. You go on up and shower fast, and I'll
get the list together. Since you don't have to pay for mileage I'll
drive that fancy car you rented, and you can look at the scenery.
Okay?"

     "Okay, honey." His voice was husky and dark and he kissed her
deeply before going inside. She already knew him so well, he wished
she wasn't such a mystery to him.

     As he passed through the living room he looked at the pile of
packages on the coffee table. She never brought them up, never asked
about them or if she could open them. 'Maybe she's embarrassed. I
never told her that I intended to celebrate her birthday early.
Maybe she feels like she should have something for me, too.' It
didn't matter to him of course, but it might to Rae he realized now.

     Rae followed his path into the living room and sat on the sofa
regarding the packages piled there. She had looked at them last
night, hefted them, wondered what was inside each. She didn't know
how to explain to Walter that it was him she wanted, not gifts. His
warmth and presence was what made her happy and his beautiful, happy
smile was the only gift she required. As long as he was determined
to marry her she felt he needed to understand that.

     'He's just a very kind and generous man,' she told herself and
smiled. ' But he shouldn't be so extravagant.'

     She was jotting things down on her pad, sipping coffee when
Walter came quietly downstairs. He was dressed in khaki shorts and a
shirt, carrying his leather deck shoes in one hand and the insulated
carafe in the other. He watched her for a moment, then walked up
behind her and planted a kiss on the top of her head.

     "You can open those, you know." He leaned against the sofa to
pull on his shoes. "We're probably too early for shopping anyway."
He walked around and sat next to her, refilling her cup.

     "Don't you think that it's a little, um, much? " She hurried to
explain her words. "I mean, I don't need a heck of a lot and I
appreciate everything you do for me but this...." She gestured to
the laden table.

     "Not all of those are for you, you know." He picked up a long
flat box and grinned at her. "This one's for me."

     She took the package from him. 'Probably something very tiny
and very see-through,' she thought silently.

     "And its *not* what you think." He grinned even wider as she
looked startled.

     She carefully peeled off the pretty paper, folding it flat and
chuckling at Walter's expression. Inside the box was the most
beautiful and elegant gown she'd ever seen. It was a delicate pink
satin, sheath-style with tiny straps. The back plunged down to
nowhere, but the front was more demure and she just knew it would
make her feel beautiful and sexy.

     She ran her hands over the smooth, cool fabric not looking at
Walter's face. The gift spoke volumes to her about the way he
thought of her. Certainly she had thought often of him during their
six-week separation, missing his smile, his voice and his
magnificent body. But all along a little nagging voice inside her
had repeatedly said: 'He doesn't think of you. Don't kid yourself,
it won't last.'

     Walter saw the sadness whisk across her face, but when she
turned to him she was sparkling, smiling shyly. He leaned over and
kissed her cheek. "See what I mean? When I saw that and thought of
you wearing it, I had to leave the shop so fast that the clerk must
have thought I was guilty of something." He smiled broadly and
twined a strand of her silky hair around his finger. "At that point
I'd been away from you for a month and all I could think about was
being with you again."

     "All this time I wanted to believe that, but somehow I
couldn't." She lay her hand gently on his knee. "But this...., I may
sound naive, but I don't see how any man could buy something like
this for a woman he *doesn't* think about."

     Lifting her chin he looked into her deep blue eyes, "There's
been no one else, Raelene and I promise you now that there won't
be. As long as I breathe, you'll be the only woman I want." He
pressed his lips to her forehead.

.................................................................

     They nearly came to another falling out at the jeweler's
however. It was fortunate for them both that Lon was an old friend
of Raelene's. Walter consistently wanted to get a larger stone, a
more expensive setting and Raelene was consistently holding him
back. They were on the verge of a serious discussion and Lon
despaired of them ever coming to a decision.

     All discussion ended however when Lon showed them a tray of
simple bands and Rae spotted the perfect ring. It was a stylized
depiction of a man and woman's hands clasping. A gentle tug however
and the hands separated and were holding between them a small ruby
heart. The whole ring was small, the details finely wrought in
white gold and the secret heart sparkled and flashed when revealed.

     Walter slipped it on Rae's finger immediately without even
asking the cost. Rae smiled up at him, clasping his hand and Lon
beamed. The ring was his creation, and he was pleased that an old
friend would use it for her wedding band.

     In the car Walter pulled Rae into his arms and held her for a
long moment. He leaned her head on his chest and rested his cheek
against her hair.

     She could feel his happiness. It radiated from him like the
warmth from a fire. She felt it in his gentle hands stroking her
back lightly and in his tender kiss upon her hair. She felt
cherished and desired, feelings still so new to her that she nearly
couldn't believe them. But she wanted to.

................................................................

	They walked about the farmer's market until nearly eleven,
then headed home. Walter took over the wheel so that he could get
used to navigating in Rae's neighborhood. She directed him
surely, giving him just enough warning for turnoffs and landmarks.

     It was lovely country with rolling green hills and fields
dotted with small shimmering lakes. Now he understood why this part
of the world was called 'God's Country'. Cattle ('Cows, darling,'
she had gently corrected him. 'In Wisconsin they're cows.') grazed
placidly in fields and large stands of oak and maple graced the
view with early color. The mellow golds and reds which warmed the
landscape, punctuating the deeper greens would soon be a blazing
wall of orange, red and flame yellow.

     In the midst of the million shades of green were small lakes,
like gems sparkling in the afternoon sunshine. She was directing
him by a US highway ('The long way home.') and they would round a
curve to be confronted by the smooth banks of a glittering little
lake or wind down a slope alongside the thread of a brook. It was a
rich country, gentle and generous and Walter almost wished he was
going to transfer here. He associated Rae as much with the peaceful
landscape as with the places they had traveled together.

     Moody seaside, exciting San Francisco, poetic wharf, peaceful
home and now lyric countryside - so many sides to this woman that
he loved, and so many faces yet to be discovered. He smiled as he
felt her warm hand on his knee and lifted it to his lips. 'I want
to know all of you, baby,' he thought. 'And I'm going to take my
whole lifetime to do it.'

...............................................................

     Back at the house Rae carried in the sack from the market while
Walter went to the garage to check her tools. He shook his head at
the sight of an ancient line trimmer and an equally geriatric push
mower.

     The mower he could handle, although he wasn't sure how Rae did.
It was heavy and unwieldy even if sharp ('She *must* be stronger
than she looks.'). But the line trimmer was another matter all
together. The string cassette fell off when he picked it up and he
found that it had been held together with duct tape. It was fatally
cracked, and he wasn't sure if he could find a new one. He threw it
in the car anyway.

     "Rae," he called from the back door. "Honey, I'm going to the
store to get some line for the trimmer. Do you need anything else?"

     She came out wiping her hands on a towel. "There isn't any more
line in the garage?"

     "Housing's cracked, hon. I'll get a new one and some extra
string. The weeds back there will take more than one pass."

     "I'll put on some shoes...."

     He stopped her by wrapping one arm around her waist. " I'm a
big boy, now. I can find my way all by myself." He kissed her nose.

     She ran her hand down his stomach to rest feather-light on his
crotch. " Mmmmm, I'll say you're a *big* boy." She grinned wickedly
at him. "Hurry home."

     His grin matched hers as he leapt into the car and revved the
engine. "Keep it warm, hon. I'll hurry back."

     To Rae's relief, however he didn't speed down the driveway or
street. His driving was as always, reliable and safe. 'Just like
Walter,' she smiled as she went back in.

     Taking the opportunity to prepare a small surprise, Rae got a
small package out of her desk and put it in a kitchen drawer. Then
she began to prepare crust. 'So he wants a cherry pie, eh?' She
found herself singing at the task, her heart light.

     Rae loved to cook and was always the preparer of the
Thanksgiving turkey. She didn't get the opportunity to cook for
more than one very often. It was one of the reasons Jim was over
two or three times a week. When her mother was still alive she
became skilled in planning meals to tempt a finicky appetite. Now
that she could cook whatever she pleased, she had nobody to cook
for.

     But now there was a man in the house. A big, handsome man and
she would spoil him any way she could, with her food, with her love
and with her body. She grinned broadly again, of course that was
spoiling *her*, too.

     She heard Walter pull into the drive about 45 minutes later and
come over the deck into the house. He was carrying a bag and a
large box. He sat on the chair and began to work on the box.

     She stood in the dining room archway, hands on hips, "And just
what is *that*?"

     He looked up from the task of tearing the tape off , "They
don't make that model anymore, Rae." He gestured to the little
trimmer lying on the floor. "I couldn't get a replacement string
cassette, and I don't have the tools or the time to machine a new
one. So, I bought a trimmer. Not a top-of-the-line, super-charged,
turbo anything. Just a trimmer, okay?"

     His eyes were so earnest, and his voice so teasingly daring
that Rae chuckled as she walked over to look at the tool. He was
right, it was a good brand, but not an expensive one.

     "I've been meaning to get one, I just never get around to it, I
guess. That's why the weeds behind the garage got so tall. I'd
start out with the old one, then start cursing at it." She kissed
his forehead. "Thank you."

     He pressed his lips to her stomach and nibbled through the
fabric of her dress. "What about my reward? You said you'd keep it
warm for me." He moved his lips up to her breast, kissing and
nibbling as he slid his hands up her dress to caress her rear.

     Rae gasped, shot through with surprising excitement. But she
pushed his shoulders back and he reluctantly gave way. He rested
his chin on her stomach and grinned up at her. She caressed his
lovely head and ears losing herself in his soft brown eyes.

     "Chores first, sex later. I have potatoes boiling and if I
leave them now, we'll have mashed potato salad tomorrow." She
kissed him, lingering over his lips. "I promise my full and
undivided attention as soon as the potatoes are done, deal?"

     "Deal. I have to get those weeds down anyway." She turned to go
back into the kitchen, but he held on to her hand. "Its just like
being old married folks, isn't it?"

     She ran her hand over his head, trailing her fingers along his
jaw to his chin. 'I hope so,' she thought.

............................................................

     It was hot and airless behind the garage. The western sun beat
down on him and he removed his shirt as he got hotter.

     Rae came out with a glass of lemonade but nearly dropped it as
she rounded the corner of the garage. Walter was working shirtless
with the trimmer, his muscles moving smoothly under his sweat
glistened skin. Rivulets of sweat dripped down his magnificent
chest, soaking his dark body hair. The drops trickled down over his
hard stomach, dampening the waistband of his shorts.

     His strong, well muscled arms moved rhythmically with the
trimmer, slashing a path through the waist-high weeds. She watched,
fascinated and excited as his biceps bunched and stretched with
each pass, his slender waist twisting, his legs planted shoulder
width apart. He was as well balanced and beautiful as a statue yet
so warm and alive and brimming with power that her indrawn breath
became a sigh of pure desire. The lemonade slipped out of her hand.

     Walter looked up and saw the look of lust in her eyes. It both
surprised and excited him, that look that hazed her blue eyes, wide
and electric. He dropped the trimmer and stalked over to her eyes
locked on hers.

     Holding her shoulders firmly he kissed her deeply,
passionately, thrusting his tongue hard into her. He wrapped his
arms around her, pulling her hips close, easing her dress up. His
mouth trailed to her neck, nibbling her flesh with his teeth, all
the while his hands pulled her dress further up. When he reached the
waistband of her panties he slid them down with one hand, fondling
her rear with the other.

     Rae was beside herself, rubbing herself against him, thrusting
her hips against him. She dragged her nails over his shoulders,
feeling their power, moving her hands over his neck, his head,
biting his ears. She raised one bare foot and rubbed it along the
back of his calf, caressing his thigh with hers.

     "Oh Walter, I want you, now." Her voice was throaty and deep.
It tickled Walter's ear as she sucked on his earlobe. "Now,
Walter, ohhh, now." She gave a small hop and wrapped her legs
around him, the rough fabric of his shorts rubbing the tender flesh
between her thighs. Her moan tingled in his ear.

     Walter caught her, sliding one hand under her rear and
caressing her swollen wetness with the other. He staggered into the
house as Rae, whimpering tried to unfasten his shorts. If he were
more capable of rational thought he would have been grateful for the
hedges that at least partially screened them from the neighbors. But
rational thought was lost to him with Rae squirming and moaning in
his arms.

     He made it as far as the utility room. Once inside he elbowed
the door shut and put Rae on the folding counter. They both fumbled
with his zipper, keeping their lips together, both laughing
slightly at their hurry.

     When his erection was released Rae reached for him to guide and
caress him. With his groan in her ear, she brought him closer,
rubbing him against her.

     He felt her like an electric current. She ran through his body,
her scent, her touch and as he sank deeply into her, her strength.
His breath rasped as he approached climax. It was too fast, he knew
it but there was no stopping.

     Rae was moaning against him, whimpering with every thrust. She
clutched his buttocks, squeezing. She threw her shoulders back,
arching, rubbing her breasts against his chest. The urgency of her
desire for him was nearly more than she could stand. She sank her
head against his shoulder, baring her teeth but not biting, her
breath coming in ragged gasps.

     Walter held her close, groans increasing. He tangled his hands
in her hair and pressed her against him.

     They both began to shudder, gasping for oxygen, moaning in
chorus. Then with a screech and a shuddering cry they came
together, holding on to each other tightly, tears running down
their cheeks.

............................................

     Rae had staggered weakly up the stairs, murmuring something
about washing up. Walter leaned back against the wash machine
feeling drained and elated. Every time they made love Rae got a
little bolder, a little more adventurous. She was a playful,
passionate companion and an exquisite lover. He smiled broadly, '
I'm the luckiest man on the planet.'

     He walked through to the kitchen and saw two fresh pies on the
counter. Looking closer he saw that one was a standard cherry pie
with a lattice crust, but the other had a huge pastry 'W' in the
center. He began to chuckle, well he *did* ask her to make him a
pie. Then he noticed a small square package, wrapped in blue with
his name on it. He picked it up went into the living room.

     On the table with the other packages had appeared two more,
both small and wrapped in blue. He looked up the stairs to see Rae
standing there watching him, a small smile on her lips.

     He held up the package in his hand, "What's this?"

     "Open it and find out."

     Walter watched her bite her lip, unsure of his reaction. He
held out his hand to her and led her to the sofa. He sat on the
floor by her knees and tore the paper off the box in his hand.
Inside, under a soft cotton blanket was a key ring emblazoned with
a cow. But on the ring were five keys, two silver and three brass.
In his heart he knew: they were the keys to her house.

     "I always meant to replace the locks with a single key system,
but this always seemed a little safer. At least if someone got my
keys, they wouldn't know which one to use."

     He got up onto his knees and pulled her lips to meet his. "
You're going to have to teach me which is which. Thank you, honey."

     She slid onto the floor to snuggle against him. She lay her
head on his chest, slipped her arms around his waist and hugged
him. She kissed the hollow of his throat, tasting the sweat that
lingered there and suddenly sat up.

     "Walter, the trimmer, your shirt, *my pants*. " She began to
giggle. "We just left them lay out there. What if somebody comes
by...."

     With a muttered "Damn!" Walter rose and disappeared out the
back. Rae dissolved in giggles thinking how they had acted like a
couple of sex-crazed teenagers. They certainly didn't act like the
mature adults they were supposed to be when it came to wanting each
other. From the cop in Berkeley, to the beach by Dave's to now,
they couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other. She had
rolled on to her side laughing when her panties fell to the floor
beside her.

     "Okay, the garage is locked, I'll finish tomorrow morning.
Here's my shirt and there are your pants. Now, " he sat back down
and pulled her onto his lap, "where were we?" He pulled her hands
back around him and cuddled her close.

     "You know something, Mr. Assistant Director?"

     "What?"

     She looked up at him, still smiling, "I love you very much."
She hugged him tightly.

     "I love you too, baby," his voice was soft and gentle as he lay
his cheek on top of her bright head. Then he reached over to pick
up a box from the table. "Start with this one."

...............................................................

     He looked at the pictures on the table. The couple in the
photos were obviously in love, deliriously so. The looks that had
registered on film were nothing compared to the sight of them in
the flesh. Alex had watched, taking every opportunity to document
Skinner's movements. But even he had underestimated Skinner's
attraction to her.

     By all accounts at the school she was a well liked and very
respected teacher. The students had glowing words for her, a couple
boys nearly worshipped her. The other teachers that he heard were
fond of their colleague, and few had anything bad to say. Even the
negative comments were more about the state of her paperwork than
her teaching. Alex had tried to find out as much as possible
without seeming obvious, and pricked up his ears every times he
heard her name.

     Alex picked up an especially tender picture of Skinner and Rae
on the beach by the lake. It was taken at night, after their visit
with the old ladies and conveyed a feeling of warmth. Alex
wondered, as he often had in the last two days what it would feel
like to be with someone like this. Someone who cared......

     'Stop it,' he chided himself. 'You're here to do a job. You
have no feelings in this.'

     When the word had gotten back to him to work on Raelene, to get
in into the game he had been frustrated. But as he reflected upon
the directions of his superiors he found that it made him sad. Sad
to take a nice, simple person and twist her into a pawn. He could
remember another nice, simple person fresh out of college and as
eager to please as a puppy. Thinking he was going to change the
world he joined the FBI. He was recruited in the academy by a
shadowy group who greased his way and gave him the kind of
assignments he craved.

     It wasn't long before he found that their way of doing business
didn't jive with what he had been taught in the academy. But they
got results he had told himself, quieting the voices that began to
speak in the darkness. They were protecting the larger interest.

     How long was it before he learned that he had been fooling only
himself? Before he learned that he was more like them than he cared
to admit? Before he admitted to himself that he *enjoyed* what he
did?

     'You have no feelings in this.'

     But he *did* feel and here in the quiet of the Wisconsin autumn
he heard once again the voice that spoke to him in the darkness.
That voice that warned that what he was doing was wrong.

     He looked at the photo once again then threw it down. Laying
his head on his arms he cursed,  'Damn you, Skinner. Damn you. Why
do you have to make me see? Why do I have to see?'

...............................................................

     Rae sat looking at the 'haul' on the table in front of her and
was a little embarrassed. Everything was carefully selected from
color and size to usefulness and style. Walter had a good eye and
excellent taste and Rae found herself wondering how it had
developed. He had told her that he always had trouble shopping for
his ex-wife, but from what she could see his instincts were nearly
perfect. 'Maybe he developed the talent after his divorce,' she
thought. By his own admission he had dated several women since his
separation. Maybe one (or more) of them taught him how to shop for
a woman.

     "Walter, how did you know what I would like?" She asked as he
returned.

     He was carrying a tray laden with cheeses, fruit and crackers
with a bottle of wine tucked under his arm. It had been his idea to
have an indoor 'pick nick' of sorts. He set everything down on the
coffee table and went back for wine glasses.

     "I just paid attention when we were in California." He sat
next to her on the floor and poured the wine. " I watched what you
looked at and listened to what you said, then I applied my mom's
'shopping rules'."

     She looked at him, smiling. "Which are?"

     "Buy the right colors, buy the best you can afford, and always
try it on. Of course I couldn't do the last one, but if anything
doesn't fit we can return it when you visit. I used to take her into
town to shop and she repeated those three things to me every time."
He chuckled. "I guess I never realized that it would come in handy
now."

     His voice always got a special warmth when he talked about his
family. She knew he didn't see them as often as he would like, but
that he tried to get home at least twice a year. He had mentioned
that he wanted her to go with him next time, and she found herself
wondering what kind of family could have brought such a wonderful
creature into the world. She looked forward the trip, whenever it
would be.

     Walter however, was still uneasy about tomorrow. It was
important to him that Rae's family like him. He didn't want to put
any strain on her by causing a rift between her and her brother.
Walter knew that he was going to have to reassure them that Rae was
going to be all right, but Greg was probably going to be hard to
convince. Walter wasn't used to situations where he wasn't in
control, but tomorrow Greg was going to call the shots.

     They lingered over the meal, talking about tomorrow and
planning the rest of his stay. He finally told her that he would
have to leave on Wednesday morning. The return trip wouldn't be as
complicated, since he was going directly back to Washington and
into the office for a couple hours. Now that he knew how to proceed
he could announce theirengagement to the Director and make more
formal arrangements for her safety. But they still had all of
Monday and Tuesday to spend together.

     She wanted to drive to Door County on Monday for a fish boil
('A what?'). There would be more color there, and it wasn't a long
drive. It was one of her favorite haunts, attracting artists and
artisans of all kinds. They could make an early start, poke around
the galleries and the autumn art fairs, have dinner and head for
home.

     Walter smiled as he listened. She spoke with the same longing
that she had of Monterey, weaving vivid imagery and poetry into her
descriptions of the place. He thought that she should be a travel
copy writer, she could probably make the arctic sound like
paradise.

     After cleaning up and putting the rest of the food away they
went for a walk. Rae headed down toward the lake again, she seemed
drawn to water, and they strolled on the beach along with a few
other couples. But they didn't linger there for very long. They
wandered up into the village and walked along Main Street, peeking
into shop windows and catching snatches of music from open bar
doors.

     "Do you shoot pool, Walter?" She had stopped in front of Joan
& Billy's and was looking in the doorway. There was a small, quiet
crowd inside.

     "Its been a while since I've handled a stick, but I think
it'll come back to me." He took her hand and entered the dim room.
It was a small mom and pop kind of place with a small space for
dancing, a few tables and a jukebox. The pool table was off to the
side in a cramped alcove and Walter wondered how anyone got off a
good shot.

     Several people at the bar hailed Rae as they entered, making
Walter wonder again if she knew everyone in town. She stopped to
answer and chat with a couple of them as Walter wandered back to
the jukebox. He punched in a dozen selections and turned to find
Rae racking the balls.

     The next couple hours were a revelation of sorts for Walter.
Several other people came into the bar and each came to greet Rae.
Rae herself was relaxed and loose, talking and shooting, clearing
the table without Walter even getting a shot other then the break.
As he watched her line up a particularly complex shot his eyes
wandered to the line of plaques on the wall. He noticed the names
'Rae Grey' and 'Rae Craine' on several of them.

     "I've been set up," he said as she successfully completed her
shot.

     "You bet." Walter turned to see Rae's friend Jim pull a bar
stool over. "Rae's been shooting in the league here since we were
in high school. Joan and Billy are my aunt and uncle. You must be
Walter," he held out his hand. "I'm Jim. Glad to finally meet you."

     Walter shook his hand firmly. "Aren't you the same Jim that was
in the band? The one that didn't want Rae to be alone with me?" He
grinned at the man, eyes twinkling with mischief.

     Jim laughed, "Yup, that was me. Rae set me straight." He
motioned Walter over to the pinball table on the opposite wall.
"Just between us, Walter you make her happier than I've ever seen
her. I don't know how you deal with her moods, but I'm glad you
do."

     Walter was about to ask him about these 'moods' when he felt a
hand slide into his back pocket. He reached out his arm to circle
Rae's shoulders. She was smiling and slightly flushed from the heat
of the place. There was a romantic song on the jukebox, and Walter
wanted to hold her close.

     "Dance, Ms. Craine?" He slid his arm lower, to rest at her
waist as he pulled her onto the dance floor. There were two other
couples there, moving slowly, standing close. He took Rae's hand in
his and swayed for a moment before starting to move.

     Rae slid her hand up the front of his shirt to rest on his
shoulder. She could feel the warmth of his skin through his soft
cotton shirt, the hard muscles of his shoulder. She let her fingers
stroke his neck with a feather touch just above his collar band,
playing along the strong column up to his ear.

     Walter leaned down and whispered, his breath tickling her ear,
"You'd better watch out Raelene Marie, we're in a public place."
He pulled her tighter against him, moving his hand down to rest on
her hip.

     Rae closed her eyes and let herself drift in Walter's arms. As
they moved in time to the music she felt his thighs brush hers and
his hand press firm against her hip. She was wearing a thin sundress
and could feel every movement of his body so close and immediate.
His scent, mingled woodsy/spicy aftershave and pure masculine Walter
filled her nostrils. She never realized what an intimate experience
dancing could be. Her senses were filled with him and the music in a
sensuous haze. She could feel herself begin to blush as she wondered
what he was feeling at this moment.

     Walter felt the warmth of her cheek against his chest and
wondered if she was thinking the same thing he was. He wished that
they were dancing at home so that he could begin to slowly remove
her clothes. First the tiny straps that held up her dress, slide
them off her warm shoulders, then past her elbows. That would take
the front of her dress down and her round firm breasts would be
pressing against him, nipples hardening against his chest.

     Then the dress would slip further down, past her shapely hips,
down her lovely legs to fall in a pile on the floor. She would be
left with only her lacy panties and Walter would begin to......

     'Get hold of yourself, man,' he thought smiling softly.
'Don't want to embarrass yourself in front of her friends.'

     The song ended all too soon and Jim stepped in to dance with
Rae on the next upbeat tune. Walter stepped back and watched as
they swung together, matching each other smoothly from years of
experience. He felt a slight prickle of jealousy at the easy,
relaxed manner she had with Jim and he felt immediately guilty for
it. She had known Jim for nearly 30 years and Walter only a few
weeks. Someday she would be like this with him, too. 'She just
needs time. She'll grow to trust me as soon as she feels safe
enough to.'

     He was nearly thrown off he feet then when Rae turned and hit
him with a thousand watt smile. He felt the corners of his mouth
turn up of their own will. ' Just wait until I get you home,
Raelene Marie. I'll *really* give you a reason to smile.'

....................................................................

     The next morning dawned gray and windy. The shredded clouds
flew on the laden wind like ghosts, gathering into mists in the
hollows and sliding with a rustle of leaves past the bedroom
window. The house lay in a low area near a brook and the wind
sighed in the trees and whistled around the corners.

     Walter lay snuggled in the warmth of Rae's arms and smiled at
the weather. All bets would certainly be off on a day like this. He
and Rae would stay home and cuddle together and talk about the
million things that there still were to talk about. He still didn't
know how she felt about children, or leaving Wisconsin, or ......

     Just then she stirred beside him, moving her thigh between his.
It was the move of a sleeper, but it excited him nonetheless. He
could feel the stirring begin as her smooth skin brushed him in
exactly the right spot and he groaned softly. She lay draped across
him where she had fallen after their nighttime loving.

     He had loved her exactly as he had been fantasizing on the
dance floor: slow romantic music on the stereo, undressing her
slowly and exciting every inch of her thoroughly. Then when they
had moved up stairs she had pushed him down on the bed and had her
way with him.

     He grinned. She had teased him a bit, holding his shoulders
pinned to the bed and though he could have thrown her easily
('Well, maybe not *that* easily.') he didn't even want to resist.
Afterward she had collapsed on top of him, telling him softly that
she loved him and had drifted off to sleep. He reveled in the feel
of her weight on him, her silky hair like a blanket covering him
and her slow, even breathing ruffling the hair on his chest.

     He stroked her arm, trying to keep his touch light so as not to
wake her. She stirred again. He held her hand to his lips and
kissed and licked each finger, nibbling the tips. He felt her mouth
curve into a smile against him, but she didn't raise her head.

     "You can wake me up any day of the week, darling." Her voice
was soft and purring and a little husky with sleep. "And we have a
few hours to kill before we go to Greg's."

     "Take a look outside, hon. I don't think anybody's going to
barbecue today." He chuckled as his eyes moved to the window.

     A gust of wind whistled at the eaves, taking mist and leaves on
a swirling flight past the window.

     She sat up and laughed. "You don't know Wisconsin people very
well, love." She stroked his cheek. "If we can have tailgate
parties at 20 below we're not going to let a little wind stop a
good barbecue! Greg just opens the garage door, sets the grill in
the doorway and everybody parties in the garage." She let her
fingers trail along his jaw and down his well muscled chest.

     Walter grinned, 'Oh well, maybe she won't feel like a long
drive tomorrow.' He looked at her sitting there in the muted light
from the window, her honey hair tousled about her face and
shoulders and her deep blue eyes reflecting the soft light. Her
calm gaze regarded him so solemnly, sweet lips parted that he
simply had to kiss her, tenderly brushing her bottom lip with his
tongue.

     He pulled her back down on top of him, " Then let's kill those
few hours before the lamb goes to the slaughter."

...................................................................

	The huge bear of a man unfolded himself from a lawn chair in
the garage doorway and waved. Simultaneously a tall youth screeched
to a halt on his rollerblades and called into the house, "Mom, Aunt
Rae's here!"

     Walter took a deep breath before opening his door. He had faced
stakeouts, shootings, raids and surveillance's with less trepidation
than this meeting with Rae's family. He knew Terry well after all
the time he had spent with him and Bob, but Greg was another matter.
This was the brother who had stayed at home and was closer to Rae in
age and circumstance. Not that Terry didn't care for his sister, but
he was far away and had only seen her a handful of times since
leaving.

     Rae's niece threw herself into Rae's arms and she picked her up
and spun her around. Walter stared, amazed because Becky was a good
two inches taller than her aunt and sturdy. For twelve she was a
tall girl, and at fourteen Nick was already six feet. Rae wasn't
short, although she seemed so to Walter who was over six feet
himself, but even at five-six she seemed dwarfed in this company.

     Becky took the bowl of potato salad from Rae and went into the
house as Walter came up. It was controlled madness for several
minutes as Rae introduced Walter to everyone and he shook hands
repeating names. Both kids tried to get the adult's attention by
climbing over each other and pulling and their parents tried to get
them to calm down. Finally Greg sent Nick into the house to get
beers for him and Walter, Becky and Cheryl took Rae and the pie
into the house to chat and look at new fabrics and the two men were
left alone.

     Greg was nearly two inches taller than Walter and had about
forty more pounds. He was heavily muscled and firm, with only a
slight belly. His calm blue eyes ('Rae's eyes,' Walter thought.)
sized up the intruder to his well ordered life and a big hand
pushed his thick auburn hair off his forehead. He wasn't happy, but
he was determined to be fair. This man had made his sister happy so
far and he would give him the benefit of the doubt.

     "So, you live in Washington DC?" Greg went back to the grill to
check the coals.

     "Right now I do, yes. Thanks, Nick." He took the long necks
from Nick and handed one to Greg. Nick went back in to collar his
aunt.

     "Planning on staying there?"

     "Rae and I haven't talked about that yet. There are advantages,
sure, but I want her to be happy. If that means a transfer,
then...."

     "I thought you were an Assistant Director. You can't just up
and leave something like that. For one thing Rae wouldn't want you
to, for another you'd loose alot."

     As they talked both men relaxed and fell into the kind of easy,
animated discussion that men have when they are alone. Both came to
the realization that they cared deeply about the same person,
though in different ways. Greg naturally wanted to protect his
sister from harm.

     "If I'd know what he was doing to her....hell, I don't know
what I'd have done. I never liked him, he gave me a bad feeling. It
was just gut, nothing I can explain, but it was right." He poked
the coals viciously with a stick causing sparks to fly.

     Walter nodded grimly. He felt as though he was always going to
have to fight Rae's memories of what Tom did, always going to have
to prove to her that he wouldn't hurt her. But then he thought of
her as she had been yesterday and last night and this morning. He
didn't care about the rest, they belonged together.

     Greg watched the grin spread across Walter's face and knew
with certainty that Rae was going to be okay. A violent or angry
man just didn't get that kind of silly grin when he thought about a
woman. Whatever he thought about Walter taking Rae away, however
they might miss her Greg would no longer be worried about her
safety at Walter's hands.

     Their talk eventually turned to other things: sports, the
economy and their jobs. Walter found himself wishing once again
that he was going to transfer. Greg had many of the same qualities
that made Rae so easy to talk to: forthrightness, humor and a
level-headed sensibility. He also saw evidence of Rae's
considerable stubbornness.

     Before the meat was ready Walter was dragged into the house by
Nick as the young man showed him his room and sports collections.
Walter promised to get him something from the old Washington
Senators from a DC shop and Nick gave him a Milwaukee Admirals hat
("I have six of them," he said laughing at Walter's protests.).

     When he tapped on the door to Becky's room he saw her and Rae
sitting on Becky's bed, arms around each other, heads bent over a
photo album. Becky's head was on Rae's shoulder and Rae was gently
rubbing the girl's back. Nick brushed past him and sat on the floor
at Rae's feet, taking her free hand and putting it on his back.
Walter's heart filled with an aching longing to see Rae with their
own children as he watched the tender scene.

     Rae looked up and surprised him with a glowing smile. "Sorry I
don't have another hand. These two bandits always monopolize me."
She wasn't sure what the look was that she saw in his eyes, but it
made her a little sad.

     "That's okay. I'll have you all to myself later." He walked
over and kissed the top of both Rae's head and Becky's. "Dinner's
almost ready. " At that both kids jumped up and tore out  of the
house.

     Rae stood up and snuggled against Walter. "Penny for your
thoughts?"

     "Pennies aren't enough when I'm thinking about you." He kissed
her lightly and walked her out of the room. This wasn't the time or
place to talk about having children. As with so many things there
was no way to predict Rae's reaction to the subject, and he wanted
them to talk privately, at home.

     The dinner was uproarious. Both the kids and Raelene were
having a great deal of fun telling jokes and giggling. Greg just
shook his head and tried in vain to get control. Cheryl talked with
Walter about the FBI, asking questions and listening carefully
while lobbing  withering looks at the rowdy members of the clan.

     After the large and hearty meal they moved out to the deck. The
weather had gotten milder, the wind had died down and the mellow
sunset turned the scene to gold. While Nick played catch with Greg
and Walter, Cheryl, Becky and Rae sat and talked.

     "I like him, Rae," Cheryl said. "He has a lot of patience with
the kids and he seems really nice. Did you take him over to
Gramma's store yet?"

     "Poor man, I took him over the first night he was here." Rae
chuckled as she remembered the spry old lay's reaction to her big,
handsome beau. " I think Gramma would like to get her hands on more
than Walter's arm." She laughed out loud as she told them about the
visit. "Well, Gramp was a big guy, too and Gramma always had good
taste."

     But Becky didn't like the big FBI man. Her aunt was only less
important in her life than her mother. The two of them shared so
much: musicals, root beer floats, dancing, boy talk. Aunt Rae was
the only adult outside her parents that she confided in. In fact
she felt comfortable talking to Aunt Rae about things she would
never tell her mother. Now this man was going to take her away.
'It's not fair!' Becky thought as she went back into the house.

     When the game broke up Nick and Greg went inside to catch a
game and Walter came to lean on the railing by Cheryl. Rae had gone
in to see if she could cheer Becky up.

     "She's upset that you'll be taking Rae away. None of us are
looking forward to that, but Becky's going to miss her best buddy
when Rae leaves. She's determined not to like you because of it and
Rae's trying to set her straight."

     He went in and heard the soft voices through the door. Rae was
trying, but Becky wasn't listening. He knocked.

     "Becky it's Walter, can I come in for a moment?" He heard a
muffled okay and entered. "Can I talk to Becky alone, honey? " He
helped Rae up and she squeezed his hand as she left the room.

     After Rae left Walter leaned against the closed door and
regarded the sad young girl. 'What can I say to her?'

     "I know what you're going to say, but it's going to be just
like before. Aunt Rae's going away and I won't be able to see her
or anything," her voice was on the verge of tears. She looked up at
him with Rae's eyes.

     He remembered Rae's eyes filled with tears just like this and
he wanted to comfort and reassure her. He sat beside her on the bed
and held her hand. "I know we'll be far away, Becky. You won't be
able to see your aunt as often as you do now, but you can come and
visit as often as you can. And we'll come here, too. You can talk
on the phone and write. I'll never try to keep you from her."

     She gave him an unbelieving look. "Sure. That's what *he* said
too, but he never let Aunt Rae come over here and I couldn't go to
their house. And whenever I tried to call her he was always yelling
at her. He was mean." She rose and stood on the opposite side of
the room.

     Walter stood close to her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"I *will never* keep you from your aunt, Becky. And I'll never hurt
her." He turned the girl to face him, tilting her chin up gently. "I
love your Aunt Rae very much and that means that I want her to live
with me. But that doesn't mean that I want to take her away from you
or Nick or any of the other people who love her. I just want you to
share her with me, okay?"

     Becky looked into his eyes, scrutinizing him. He *looked* nice,
and he *sounded* nice, a lot nicer than Tom ever did (Becky could
never call him Uncle). His eyes were kind and had nice crinkly lines
when he smiled (Tom didn't smile much). When he looked at Aunt Rae
he smiled and so did her aunt.

     Walter nearly squirmed under that steady, measuring gaze. There
wasn't anything more he could do to assure Becky that she wouldn't
loose her aunt. She had to trust him, take him on faith. Just as he
had asked Rae to do.

     "What do you say, Becky? "

     "You promise I can talk to her anytime? And I can come and see
her on my vacation?" She was beginning to brighten.

     Walter solemnly crossed his heart with his finger, remembering
the awe with which this gesture was held by his peers as a child.
"Cross my heart." He smiled gently.

     "Well, as long as you promise....." she smiled shyly at him,
looking up from under her lashes.

     Walter chuckled as he gathered her in a big bear hug. 'Someday
you're going to be a charmer like your aunt,' he thought. 'And
someday I hope you'll have cousins to play with when you come to
visit.'

.................................................

     Rae looked down at the head on her lap. He was asleep, his face
relaxed a small smile on his lips. He looked much younger than his
44 years when he slept like this. The small worry lines in his
forehead disappeared and his dark, arched brows curved gently over
his closed eyes.

     Rae's eyes rose to gaze silently at the darkness outside the
window. They had stayed late to see both kids to bed and to talk
with both Greg and Cheryl. By the time they had reached the house
it was almost midnight. Rae sent Walter inside (he looked
exhausted) while she locked up the cars and the garage. She went in
to find him stretched out on the sofa, shoes off and soft jazz
coming from the stereo.

     He raised his head enough for her to slide beneath him and they
talked softly about her family. She was in the middle of the story
about Nick's winning home run when she realized that he was asleep.
She watched the rhythmic rise and fall of his magnificent chest,
gazed down the long length of his body, covered his large hands
with hers.

     She smiled as she thought of him playing catch with Nick. The
three guys had such a good time tossing the ball and talking about
the world series. Rae had rarely seen her brother open up so
quickly, and Nick acted like he'd found a long lost buddy.

     And Becky. After their talk she had looked shyly but adoringly
at Walter. She'd even made a tentative try at calling him 'Uncle
Walter' (which he loved). When Rae tucked her in she had confided
to her aunt that Uncle Walter seemed like a very nice person and
that she didn't not like him anymore. Rae chuckled at the 'lapse of
lingy' but hugged her tightly glad that Becky felt easier about
him.

     Walter stirred, opening his eyes and looking hazily at her. He
had a smile of pure sleepy sweetness and he kissed her fingers when
she traced a line about his lips.

     She slipped her hand inside his shirt. "Think we ought to go
upstairs? You look tired."

     "Is that an invitation to dance?" His smile turned slightly
wicked and he raised his eyebrows.

     Rae laughed, "My, you get recharged quickly. If that short nap
is all it takes, I'm never going to let you get a full night's
sleep again!"

     He sat up and pulled her against him. "I'll hold you to that."
He kissed her deeply, tangling his fingers into her silky hair. He
kissed, nibbling along her jaw to her ear, then down her throat to
the hollow in her collarbone. He licked back up to her chin and
kissed her again.

     Rae stroked his head and tickled his ears with her tongue. She
clawed his shirt up and ran her fingernails lightly over his well-
muscled back. A moan escaped her when he reached the sensitive spot
under her chin.

     He murmured softly to her as he unbuttoned her blouse and slid
it off her shoulders. Her warm, soft skin was slightly flushed and
a deeper blush spread from her cheeks to her chest. He sat back for
a moment to admire her. She was leaning back, her eyes dark and
filling with a passionate haze, a cherry-red blush staining her
cheeks.

     "God, you're so beautiful." He stroked her cheeks tenderly. He
pulled her up and pressed her head to his shoulder. "Let's stay
home tomorrow, Rae. I want to talk and make love with you and I
don't want to do it in a strange place." He pulled her head back
gently and teased her lips with his tongue. He leaned back, holding
her on top of him.

     She ran her fingertips across his chin and smiled. "I promised
Jennifer that I'd bring you by the school, so we can do that
tomorrow. I don't really want to go for a drive either, but I would
like to take you to Door County some time." She kissed his chest
then propped her chin on her hand. "I guess I want to cram so much
into the time we have that I didn't stop to think you might want to
stay at home."

     "I like being home with you. This is the way I want it to be
when we're together all the time." He stroked her cheek with one
finger, then followed the line of her eyebrow. "Becky and Nick
adore you, Rae and I can see how much you love them. Have you ever
thought about having kids?" He paused his restless fingers on her
lips. "I mean, if you want to then, ...well I'd be happy to
oblige." He grinned. "And I'm sure Becky wouldn't mind having a
cousin or three to play with when she comes to visit."

     Rae lay her cheek against his chest. 'How do I answer? What can
I say?' Her thoughts raced. " I used to think about it when I was
younger." She got up and walked to the window. "But I haven't in a
long time."

     Walter knew that something was wrong. There was an odd quality
to her voice, a catch that made him think her emotions were going
to spill over. He went to stand behind her, hands gently on her
shoulders.

     "Of course you haven't. Its hard to think about a family when
you have so many other responsibilities. When there's not someone
in your life that you want to have kids with." He rested his chin
on her shoulder and spoke softly into her ear. "But would you
consider having children with me?" He felt her stiffen and draw
slightly away from him.

     "I don't know..."

     "You'd have anything you need, Rae. We'll have a house with a
yard and as many bedrooms as it takes. We'll hire a nanny if you
want to." He wrapped his arms around her, laying his hands against
her flat tummy.

     "That's not it. I....I don't think I want to have children."
Her words fell heavily. She pleaded silently to any being that
might be listening, 'Please, don't let him question me. Please
don't let him look at me just now. He won't be able to handle the
truth.'

     Walter sensed more than she was saying. He couldn't be certain,
but it wasn't entirely that she didn't *want*. He kissed her
shoulder softly, feeling the tightness under his lips. "Its okay,
honey. We don't have to settle it tonight. We'll have plenty of
time to decide...."

     She pulled abruptly awayfrom him. "But I *have* decided. In
fact I made the decision a long time ago." She pulled her blouse
back on and went into the kitchen.

     Walter squeezed his eyes shut. He had a feeling that he was
going to discover first hand what Jim had meant by Rae's 'moods'.
'Damn! ' He took a deep breath to calm himself, then went into the
kitchen to find her emptying the dishwasher. "Rae, talk to me."

     "There's nothing to say. You want kids, I don't. What else is
there?"

     "Rae, it's not that simple. Tell me why you're so upset. I just
asked...."

     "And I told you. "

     He was beginning to get exasperated. "Okay, you told me. I
didn't ask it to upset you. I just thought that, after seeing you
today with the kids that you'd want to have some of your own." He
held her shoulders. "Our kids, Rae yours and mine. "

     "Well, I don't want any." She shrugged him off.

     He let go of her, his anger beginning to rise. "Damn it, Rae
stop being so stubborn and talk to me. Tell me what's wrong. You're
going to be my wife, you're going to have to stop keeping secrets
from me."

     "Don't tell me what I *have* to do, Walter Skinner. You don't
own me!"

     She began to move past him, toward the back door, but he
grabbed her around the waist.

     "You belong to me Raelene Marie. I may not own you but you
belong to me." He tangled his hand in her hair and kissed her hard.

     She fought against him, twisting in his arms and pushing him
away. "I don't belong to anybody but *myself*!" With a deft twist
she extricated herself from his grasp and elbowed him in the ribs.
She ran headlong out the back door to the garage, grabbing her keys
and purse along the way.

     As he stood catching his breath Walter heard an engine roar. He
hurried out the back to see the flash of Rae's headlights as she
pulled out of the drive. He leaned his head back against the house
and pounded his fists against the siding. "Damn! Damn! Damn!"

..........................................................

     Tears blurred Rae's vision as she drove. When she was a couple
blocks from the house she pulled over to the side of the road and
cried. She rocked back and forth, pounding the seat with her hands.
She'd never be free of him, she knew that now. He would forever
haunt her life, steal her happiness, grip her memories.

==== She wasn't entirely sure that she should be happy. Tom had said
that he didn't want to have kids, but then he got upset when she
went on birth control. She hadn't known what to do. Sex with Tom
wasn't remotely pleasant, on most occasions he forced her and now
this.....

He was in a foul mood when he got home that night. He'd had an
argument with the supervisor and quit. All he wanted to do was go
home, have dinner and screw his wife. It turned him on when she
fought like that, like it really hurt her. Maybe tonight he could
make her fight a little harder, she'd been getting soft lately.

After dinner he fell asleep on his chair and Rae thought that he'd
be out for the night so she undressed and went to bed. But she was
wrong.

Tom stalked into the bedroom about an hour after she turned out the
light. He tossed off his clothing and climbed heavily into the bed
next to her, immediately grabbing her and pulling her legs apart.

"Not tonight, Tom, please. I'm so tired...."

She didn't get another word out. She felt the back of his hand
across her face like a burst of shellfire. She shielded her face
from the next blow, which fell on her shoulder. This infuriated him.
He rose and looked around the room, his eyes lighting on the bedside
lamp.

Rae curled into  a ball, terrified. She'd never seen him like
this........====

     She blanked out the rest. The scene was so vivid here in the
country darkness that it was difficult, but by sheer force of will
she squeezed it from her consciousness. She pulled back on to the
road and drove on for another four blocks, pulling up in front of
Jim's house.

     She fumbled with the key (they had exchanged keys many years
ago, in case of emergency) and finally opened the door. Stumbling
inside she searched around for the light.

     "Who's there?"

     Jim had heard the noise and came cautiously into the living
room with his tennis racket. The light snapped on and he saw Rae's
devastated face. He dropped the racket and caught Rae as she fell
against him, sobbing.

     "Rae, what's happened? Did he hurt you? Rae?" He dragged her
over to the sofa and examined her face for injury. She just kept
sobbing and clung to him. He didn't see any evidence of bruises,
but it might not be her face. He thought grimly of that night
nearly ten years ago when his dearest friend had called him
sobbing.

==== He was reading a good mystery novel, relieved for once not to
have a textbook in his hands. It was nearly 1 am when the phone
rang. Quieting his nerves he answered. There was only the sound of
heavy breathing, and he was about to hang up when he heard a
whispered voice," Jim, please help me."

He sat up straight, "Rae? Rae is that you? What's wrong? Where are
you?"

Her voice was halting, mingled pain and tears, " I'm at the
apartment. I..... think....I ....need a .....doctor." A sob broke
out then and a gasp.

"Rae, hang on, I'll be right there." Without even dressing he
grabbed a coat and bolted out the door.

When he arrived at her apartment the door was open a crack. He
entered cautiously, wary of any movement. He heard a whimpering
from the bedroom.

What he saw sickened and infuriated him. He bundled Rae into a
blanket and found the strength to lift her. She winced, gasping
from her injuries.

"I'm going to get you to a hospital. Then I'm coming back for your
things 'cause you're *not* coming back here *ever*!"

She'd had no strength to protest.

After getting her to the emergency room he knew what he had to do.
After seeing that Rae was settled and out of danger he went back to
the apartment and got all of Rae's things that he could fit in her
two suitcases. The rest, furniture and all was Tom's anyway. Then he
left her apartment keys on the table.  ====

......................................................

     Walter was sick with worry. Rae had been gone all night. He sat
on the sofa, he paced, he walked around the yard.

     After she tore out of the driveway he thought she'd ride around
for a while, giving them both an opportunity to cool off. But when
she wasn't back in three hours he began to worry. When she wasn't
back by six he was terrified.

     He hadn't heard any sirens, but she could have driven somewhere
out of town and not be found until morning. Or she could have been
car-jacked and left for dead somewhere. His imagination became more
vivid as the hours passed. Rae laying dead in a field , her car run
off the road, or off a cliff into the lake. He was beginning to
feel the first twisting of panic in his gut when the phone rang.

     "Rae?" He said anxiously.

     It wasn't Rae's voice but a tired-sounding man," No, Walter
it's not Rae. It's Jim."

     "Is she there? Is she okay?" His heart raced. Jim's name was
listed on all of Rae's documents as the person to contact in case
of emergency.

     "Yes and no. She's here but she's not okay. It took me hours to
get her calmed down. When she finally did she told me that you'd
had a stupid fight, that you didn't hurt her but she couldn't go
back. I tucked her into bed just a little while ago, she'll sleep
for a few hours."

     Walter slumped. 'Thank you. Thank you.' Tears trickled down his
cheeks. "I'll come and get her. Can you give me directions?"

     There was silence for a moment. "She doesn't want you to
Walter. She won't say why, but she doesn't want to see you."
Another silence.

     Walter was stunned. She *had* to see him. Of *course* she would
see him. They only had two days left.....

     "Walter? Are you there?"

     "Yes," his voice was muffled and Jim heard him breathe deeply.
"I'm here. Why, Jim? Why won't she see me?"

     "She needs time. I don't know what you fought about, but it
must have brought something back. Give her time. She's too used to
being alone."

     "But we don't have a lot of time. I'm leaving day after
tomorrow. Jim, give me directions to your place. If I can just talk
to her....."

     "I can't do that. I'll see what she's like when she wakes up.
She'll feel better then, I'm sure." Walter began to protest, but
Jim cut him off. "I'll call you later."

     Walter put his face in his hands. The fear became a dull ache
in his chest. It was supposed to be easy: ask the girl, get
married, have babies. That was the plan; the way it was supposed to
go. But Rae *wasn't* easy. She didn't seem to go by any known plan.
Her family liked him, she loved him, he was crazy about her so why
was it so hard?

     Tom. Her ex-husband, he who had betrayed her was standing in
the way again. 'Well damn him! I'm *not* going to let him ruin
this for us!' He rose and began to rummage through Rae's desk. 'I'm
not leaving here without seeing you again Raelene Marie.' He found
her address book and began thumbing through it page by page. He
didn't know Jim's last name, but he couldn't be far. Pewaukee
wasn't *that* big. He'd find her if he had to cruise the streets
looking for her car.

.................................................

     Rae awoke in a king-sized bed in darkened room. The wind had
whipped up again during the wee hours and a storm was howling. Rain
was pelting the window. It would be a perfect day to stay in bed. A
perfect day to cuddle with Walter.

     But she wouldn't be cuddling with Walter. She woke fully as
the realization hit her and she began to cry. She could never
cuddle with Walter again, feel his strong arms comfort her or his
hands stroke her. He wanted a wife, someone who would stay home and
cook and make coffee. Someone who would 'belong' to only him with
no memories to get in the way. Someone to have his children.

     She remembered how devastated she had been when the doctor told
her that Tom's beating had caused her to miscarry. Worse was the
fact that there may have been extensive damage and that it may not
be advisable for her to try to have more children. She had been
nearly through her first trimester and the beating had damaged her
uterine wall. In any case there would certainly be scarring, which
would prevent the uterus from stretching if she ever got pregnant
again. That might cause the uterus to tear around the hardened
tissue, or the fetus to be suffocated, neither a very comforting
prospect.

     She had mourned the loss of her fetus, but not her children not
yet conceived. There had been no need. She divorced Tom at the
first opportunity and, since there was no one else, had no reason
to mourn what she'd never have. She wrapped her life around her
niece and nephew. They were as close as would get to having
children.

     And then Walter came. Sweet, kind, sexy Walter. A man who
embodied all her fantasies, a man too good to be true. Of course he
would want to have children. A man like that could only be an asset
to the gene pool. He *had* to procreate.

     Rae listened to the rain, tears running down her face. She had
told him once that they were wrong for each other. She had tried to
tell him to find another. Well now he would. He would find a woman
who would give him the children he deserved: a nice, quiet, well -
adjusted woman who could fulfill all his needs.

     Rae hugged the pillow to her stomach and felt her last chance
slipping away. As the autumn rain slipped down the pane. As an
airplane slipped through the atmosphere. The airplane that was now
taking Walter home. Away from Wisconsin. Away from her.....

........................................................

     Walter sat in the rental car in the rain, watching the house.
He felt like he was on a stake out. No one had entered or left and
there was a single light on in the front room. The small house was
similar to Rae's and not far from hers. He saw a hand lift the
curtain, then let it drop. A figure came on to the porch and looked
at the car, then approached.

     Walter flipped the doorlocks open and Jim climbed in.

     The two men sat silently for a few minutes. Jim studied the set
of Walter's jaw, the crease between his eyebrows and decided that
this was what he must look like at work. He had to be tough to
become an Assistant Director at his age. He had to have a measure
of toughness too, with Rae.

     Jim wasn't sure what course of action to take. He was torn
between Rae's request for his silence and Walter's suffering.

     "I just want to see that she's all right, Jim. I want to talk
with her. I'll give her space if she needs it, but I'm *not* going
to disappear. We'll have all winter to have space, we need this
time together. " He turned to face Rae's friend." Just let me see
her, Jim."

     "I'm not keeping you from her, Walter. Rae asked me not to let
you in, but I'm not home right now, and the door's not locked." He
held Walter's arm, preventing him from leaving the car. "I want to
see her smile again, Walter. The kind of smile that only you've
been able to give her, but I don't want to loose her trust either.
I can't tell you why she's acting this way, but she thinks she's
lost you, that you're on your way back to Washington right now.
She's always felt inadequate, especially since Tom. She thinks she
can't give you what you need. Or what you want." He looked out the
window at the rain. "Think carefully before you go in, Walter. It
doesn't end here. These things are probably going to come up again,
and again. Every time a new scab is opened and until the wounds
completely heal - if they ever do. Please make sure you have that
kind of patience. I've got to go or I'll be late. The front door
isn't locked, but here's my key anyway, I have a spare at school."
He opened the door. "Think, Walter. Please."