The Schoolmaster
by Pepper
This story takes place in the Take 2 Universe, this is Fox's second case since becoming an adult again. I've changed the Take 2 Universe to the extent that when Fox returns to adulthood he is younger in age then when he was taken. He would age to his normal age gradually over the next few years instead of all at once. So for this story he is around 25 years old.
Main Characters: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Rachel and Walter Skinner, Sr. and Maggie Scully
It was October 4, 1999; Fox and Dana are on a very demanding case for the Washington, D.C. Police Dept. Fox had been assigned to it when D.C. police were unable to catch the perpetrator. Dana had been sent as support for Fox.
The case deals with the physical abuse of male children, ages 10 -18. The boys are from several area schools, one private and three public schools. The kids had been kidnapped and taken to a private location and whipped. Different instruments were used to accomplish this. The boys talked about being paddled, spanked, and strapped. The kidnapper was described as a big and powerful built man who used different disguises on each boy.
The kidnapper returned the boys after 3 or 4 days usually at or near an area hospital. When examined the boys were found to have skinned, bruised, bleeding or otherwise enflamed wounds in and around the buttocks. The doctors decided that the boy, depending on the severity, would be unable to sit or even walk in comfort for anywhere from 3 - 16 weeks.
Fox had already begun working on a profile. His profile described a male aged 50 - 60 years old. Maybe a retired educator who had finally got tired of misbehavior in school and decided to do something about it. He also may be an irate parent, uncle or grandfather of a student that can't get an education due to the misbehavior or pranks done in the classroom. He is the vigilante type.
Each of the boys taken had been described as a troublemaker. They each loved to disrupt classes making teaching hard to do. Several pranks had been "laid at their door," even though the school principal(s) were unable to prove that they had done them. Normal punishments were not working with these boys, so maybe the vigilante had thought a more physical approach was needed. The newspapers had already given the perpetrator a nickname. He was called the "Hoosier Schoolmaster", or "Schoolmaster" for short.
Each boy said the same thing. First he had been warned by the Schoolmaster to straighten up or he would visit them again and keep him for 3 - 4 weeks instead of 3 - 4 days. This warning always came in the form of a note that was delivered to their home after they had been released from the hospital.
Fox was angry; they had the profile but were still unable to catch the Schoolmaster. He decided on a course of action that would put him in the path of danger, not only from the Schoolmaster but from his father as well. He would be the "bait" to catch the Schoolmaster. Since he didn't think his Dad would approve of the plan, he would have to proceed with out his or Scully's knowledge. He knew that once he went undercover his father would allow the plan to proceed so the perpetrator wouldn't be scared off.
Since he was proceeding without Bureau's approval, he would get the Lone Gunmen to help him with his background. He was planning on enrolling at the private school that two of the boys had been taken attended. Hoping that if he acted the part of a troublemaker the Schoolmaster would take him and in the process get caught by his partner, Scully. He was enrolling as one Andrew Phillips, nickname of Drew. He had the Gunmen doctor his record as being a real troublemaker. They had him as being so smart that he would get bored in class and perform certain pranks to liven it up. He disrupted all of the classes he was in making the teacher's lives miserable when they were unable to teach because of his pranks.
The Gunmen fixed him up with an address that was available but unused. Fox figured that since he was in his middle 20's and so young looking, he could pass for an 18 year-old with just a change of hairstyle and clothes. He was always being told that he looked too young to be a FBI agent. Now he would use that to his advantage. He first parted his hair so he would have bangs that he cut so they came into his eyes. He was looking younger by the minute. He would dress in his sloppiest jeans and t-shirts and wear his favorite black leather jacket. Looking at himself in the mirror it seemed that a sullen teenager was staring back at him. "Well, it would just have to do. Dad always tells me I behave like a kid, anyhow," Fox said aloud.
The Gunmen supplied him with bogus papers allowing him to be enrolled at the George Washington Academy, the only private school in the target area. Two of the boys had been taken from this school and by Fox's calculations the next victim was due to come from there as well. Only when he had everything in motion did he send a e-mail message to his partner, Scully, explaining what he was up to and how he would need her help to complete his plan. He keyed her F. B .I. computer to pass this information on while he was in school. She would be unable to stop him from continuing.
*****
Monday morning, October 4, 1999, Fox presented himself, dressed in worn jeans, Knick's T-shirt and black leather jacket with Reeboks, to the administration office of the George Washington Academy. He was ushered into the office of the Headmaster, Dick Nelson.
While Fox was being presented to the Headmaster, Dana was just getting to their office in the basement and was surprised not to find Fox already there waiting for her. The phone rang it was Skinner. "Yes, sir...no, sir, he isn't here yet...no, sir, I don't know where he is. It isn't like him not to be here. As soon as he arrives, I'll send him right up." Dana was curious now. She called his apartment on the off chance that maybe he just overslept. There was no answer, "Where can he be?" she asked out loud. Then she had a thought and sat down at her computer, to read her email. "You have mail," chimed and when she clicked on she discovered Fox's message. She read it, printed it and went immediately to see Skinner.
When she got to Skinner's office, she asked Kim, Skinner's secretary, "May I see him for just a few minutes, it's about Fox." When Kim communicated that to Skinner, Scully was asked to come in.
"Sir, I know where Mulder is. Read this it explains everything."
The note reads. "Scully by the time you get this, it will be too late. I will be enrolled as Andrew Phillips at George Washington Academy on 723 Downing Drive, I'm putting myself up as "bait," hopefully I will be the next boy taken by the Schoolmaster. The Gunmen have doctored my school records to read: troublemaker, smart but when bored will pull pranks. It also reads that I have been kicked out of my last two schools for my bad behavior. I will tell the officials that I had rather be referred to as Drew. I am 18, my mother is dead, and I live with my dad and older sister. Since I am listed as being 18 I will be driving myself to school each day. However, for today only, I need you to pick me up from school, my car is in the shop. I had to ride the bus to get to school this morning. I need you to cover my back. I plan on being the worse troublemaker that they ever had. I'm bound to attract the attention of the Schoolmaster."
After reading the note, Skinner looked up at Scully and said, "Agent Scully go to your partner and back him up. When school is over, pick him up and bring him here at once. I want to see him in my office immediately. That is all."
After Fox had been ushered into the Headmaster office, Dick Martin got right to the point, "Andrew, I see by your records that you have gotten into trouble at your last two public schools. You have been labeled a troublemaker, you like to cut-up in class, well, and THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN HERE. I need to talk to your father; I see that there are no phone numbers listed for home or office. You have until tomorrow to produce some and I'm sending this note home with you to be given to your father. He is to read it, sign it and you are to bring the reply back with you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir, and the name is Drew."
"Andrew, your first class is American History, the teacher is Mr. Pope; the second class is English with Mrs. Davis teaching. Your third class is Math; Mrs. Thomas is your teacher. Then you have lunch. After lunch comes P.E. and after that is Chemistry with Mr. Collins teaching. Your final class is Study Hall with Mrs. Morris presiding. The room numbers are listed next to the names on your school schedule. Andrew, if I hear of any misbehaving on your part, I will be informing your father. Now there is the bell, go to class."
In American History, Fox sat in the back of the room and ignored the class. When the teacher asked him a question, he would just look at him and smile.
Fox did the same in the following classes until Math class when he picked on the girl seated ahead of him. He also made rude sounds during class.
It was during Lunch that he had the best time; he instigated a food fight that left the cafeteria in shambles. There was food everywhere. When the principal learned who had started it he was livid.
He had a great time in P.E. playing basketball. He didn't want to leave the court, to take a shower and return to class but finally the coach was able to persuade him.
Fox was having a ball. He was doing all the things he dreamed of doing when he was a boy but was afraid of being punished. This time he knew he was safe from being disciplined. There was no father around to correct him.
Chemistry was next and he behaved only until there were some chemicals to play with. At least he didn't bother anyone in class.
With Study Hall coming last he was able to do all of his homework for the next day. When the final bell ended, Fox was the first student out of Study Hall and in running down the hall to deposit his books in his locker he literally ran into the Headmaster, nearly knocking him over.
"That's it, I've had it with you today. You are coming with me," grabbing him by the ear and walking to his office.
"But sir, my sister is waiting. She's coming to pick me up," cried Fox, as he nearly had to run to keep up with the Headmaster.
"I'm sure she'll look for you when you don't come out. We'll just wait for her."
About 30 minutes later, Dana stalked angrily into the administration office getting the attention of the administrative assistant, she asked, "Excuse me, I'm trying to find Andrew Phillips, he's a new student here." "Are you related to him?" the assistant had to be careful giving out information especially with the "Schoolmaster" on the loose. "He's my younger brother." Dana let out an exasperated sigh, which she didn't have to fake. "He's in the Headmaster's office, this way please." Upon entering the office, Dana noticed Fox standing in the corner. She directed her gaze to the man sitting behind the desk, "Mr. Nelson, my name is Dana; Drew is my younger brother. What has he done this time?"
"He has been nothing but trouble today. He misbehaved in nearly every class. At lunch he started a 'food fight' that left the cafeteria in shambles, food all over the walls. It took the cafeteria staff hours to clean up. Lastly, he nearly knocks me down by running through the halls at the end of school. The only way he is leaving this afternoon is if his father picks him up so we can have a discussion about Andrew's future behavior. Please call him and have him come here."
"Yes, sir," Dana pulled her cell phone and speed dialed Skinner. "Dad? I'm in the Headmaster's office at Drew's school. Drew's gotten into so much trouble today, that the Headmaster will only release him into your custody. Yes, sir, I'll tell him."
"Mr. Nelson, our father, Walter Phillips, will be here shortly." Fox's expression was one of shocked surprise when he realized who his "Dad" was going to be. Fox started to turn around and join Dana when Headmaster Nelson turned and said, "Andrew, get your nose back in that corner. If you were my son, I would heat up your backside to such a degree that your behavior would change for the better, and when your father comes I am going to suggest it to him. I am also going to ask for his permission to paddle you when you misbehave in school. Now think about that until your father gets here."
It was only thirty minutes later that there was a knock on the door and an irate older man came in. "Mr. Nelson, I am Walter Phillips, Sr. Drew is my grandson. My son, Drew's father, was in the middle of a important meeting and asked that I come and get the boy." He turned back to his grandson and said, "Drew, what do you think you're doing misbehaving in your new school," and strode over to a stunned Fox Mulder. He didn't know that his grandfather was visiting. Walter, Sr. turned to the Headmaster, "What did he do this time?"
The Headmaster was quick to list Fox's sins. He delighted in describing in great detail the food fight and everything else he had done finishing up with the running in the halls and nearly running him down. During the recital, Walter began to get angry and got angrier at every thing Fox had done.
"Sir, I don't know why he is acting up like this. His father was raised with physical discipline but the boy's mother didn't believe in it and this boy," giving Fox a shake, "got use to getting his own way and getting away with murder. When his mother died recently from cancer the boy didn't handle the grief real well and his father just doesn't know how to handle him. He's asked me to help in introduce discipline into Drew's life. I think with discipline in his life, he will be turning over a new leaf. After today's transgressions I think we will begin now," and turning back to the Headmaster he said, "Mr. Nelson, do you have a small paddle I can use?"
"Nooooooo, Gran," cried a worried Fox.
Mr. Nelson was more than happy to comply; he returned to his desk and produced a small thin paddle and handed it to Walter. "I always use this on the boys."
"Is there some place that we can go so I can handle his punishment?"
"Come with me," opening a side door revealing small room that had a table and two chairs in it, "this is where I punish my unruly students."
"This will do nicely," pulling a struggling Fox along with him." This won't take long. Please wait here." Gran said to the Headmaster and Dana.
Gran shut the door and turned to his most troublesome grandson, "Fox," he whispered angrily as he took a seat in the nearest armless chair. "Your father had asked me to impress upon you the folly of going undercover without proper back-up."
"But, Grannn," Fox didn't bother to keep his voice down.
"Don't but Gran me young man." motioning to Fox to get over his knees. Fox struggled with his conscious and reluctantly got over the older man's knees. Since they were in a public place, Gran didn't tell him to lower his pants and boxers. And for that small favor Fox was very grateful
Gran asked the ritual question, "Why are you getting this spanking?"
Fox answered, "I oww didn't owww get oww clearance to oww go undercover on this case." Fox was sobbing his jeans weren't no protection against the man using the paddle.
Gran continued to weld the paddle, "And?"
"I (sob) put my self in unnecessary danger." Fox shook with his sobbing. Gran knew that Fox had enough so he put the paddle down.
"Son," Gran rubbed Fox's back in comfort, "we love you. You are not to throw yourself into dangerous situations without proper backup. "
"Sorry Gran," Fox tried to pull himself together. Gran helped Fox get to his feet and then stood up. Wrapping the other man in a hug, "Well I think we'll convince the Headmaster you've been punished."
Fox smiled a little at Gran's little joke and rubbed his butt, " Yeah, I think so."
They went back into the Headmaster's office and Mr. Nelson nodded approvingly at Gran. Fox was still wiping tears from his face and was wincing when he walked. "Drew stand in that corner, while I finish talking to Mr. Nelson." Fox nodded his head and went to the corner that his grandfather pointed at. The corner was one where Gran could watch him during the conversation, Gran then turned to Mr. Nelson.
"Mr. Nelson, I'm sure that my son will give you permission to use physical punishment on this boy, but be sure you use it on his trouser backside. Save the bare bottom punishment for us."
"Yes, sir, just to have permission to paddle him when he deserves it is enough. Your son will have to sign this release so that we have his written permission on file." Nelson handed the form to Gran, "Please have him complete this and send it back with Drew as soon as possible."
Gran looked at the form then put in his pocket, "One last question, what is the maximum number of licks that can be given for offenses?"
Nelson answered, "The maximum number is 12 licks for any given offence. But it has got to be serious to warrant it. A prank like the ones Andrew likes to play would require the severest punishment."
"I don't think Drew will risk it again. We'll make sure he understands that if he's spanked at school he will get double that number at home." Gran gave Fox's back a stern look and then continued, "If you have to spank him make sure that you give us a call."
"Yes, sir." Headmaster Nelson was not used to this kind of support from the parent's of an unruly student. Most of the time, the parents would take the child's side.
"Drew, it's time for us to go home. Apologize to Mr. Nelson."
Fox turned toward his grandfather and hanging his head in shame and humiliation he stuttered out an apology. "Ssorry, sir."
Nelson looked smug and he was going to enjoy punishing this student, "Just try to behave at school, son."
Walter Sr. ushered his "grandchildren" out of the office. Fox was wincing the fire in his backside was even worse then normal. His jeans held in the heat and the sweat was irritating his already sore butt. The trio walked to Dana's car.
"Dana, can you give us a ride back to Walter's apartment? I took a cab to get here.
"Of course, sir."
Walter and Dana helped Fox into the back seat where he immediately laid on his side for the journey to Walter's. Once safely in the car Walter Sr. informed Dana and Fox of their boss' wishes, "Walter wants to meet with the two of you about the case. You're to meet at his apartment."
Dana turned to Walter Sr. and asked, "Will Fox be alright?"
" He'll be fine and he had it coming for doing things the way he did. Endangering his life by becoming 'bait,' he's lucky I didn't double the licks. He's not out of the woods, yet; Walter may decide on giving him a spanking as well."
"Nooooo, not another spanking," a cry of anguish came from the back seat.
Scully made excellent time and soon was pulling up into the parking lot of Skinner's apartment. Getting Fox out of the backseat added to the pain in his bottom and he started crying again. Scully was on one side and his Gran was on the other supporting him as he walked to the door, the doorman was unable to see that he was crying. Thankfully they arrived at Skinner's door quickly. Rachel opened it at the first knock. Taking one look at Fox tearful face she knew he was in trouble again. After getting them into the apartment she turned to her husband and asked, "Why did you punish him this time?"
"Wait, let's get him in bed and then we will tell you the whole story."
"Dana, why don't you wait in the living room? Rachel and I can handle Fox from now on." They took him to his father's room and while Rachel was pulling down the sheets, Walter helped Fox remove his shoes and pants and deposited him gently in the bed. Fox immediately turned on his stomach and after Rachel kissed him on his forehead, he closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep.
Once they returned to the living room and Dana, Rachel asked once again, "Now what did he do that caused you to punish him? I want all of the details."
Walter Sr. and Dana sat down and told Rachel everything. Rachel got the picture and exclaimed angrily, "As soon as that boy wakes up, he's going over my knee."
"That won't be necessary, Mom. He's going over my knee as soon as I get my hands on him."
"Walter," exclaimed Rachel, as she got up to give her first born a hug and a kiss, "You're going to have to wait in line, son. I get first crack at Fox."
"Yes, ma'am. Where is Fox by the way?"
"He's resting in your bed. Your father gave him a paddling he won't be forgetting for some time."
"You paddled him in the Headmaster's office?" Walter exclaimed incredulously.
"Yep, by the way the Headmaster sent home a form to be filled out by his father. It gives the Headmaster written permission to paddle him when he deserves it."
"Bare bottom??"
"No, I told him he could only be punished clothed, to leave the rest to us."
"Oh, sir, your father played his part as enraged grandfather magnificently. You should have seen Fox's face when his grandfather came into the room. It was priceless." For the next few minutes Dana filled her boss in on what actually had happened in the Headmaster's Office. Then his father filled him in on how the punishment was carried out.
"You say you paddled him hard," asked a concerned parent of his father.
"Oh, yeah, that boy's bottom was quite red when I finished."
"Well, sore or not, he needs to get out here so we can make plans so this case will have the full support of the Bureau."
Rachel left to get Fox up. Upon entering Walter's room, Rachel moved over to the bed and watched how peaceful Fox looked when he slept. She went to Fox and shook him gently, "Fox, honey wake up, your dad is here and needs to talk to you and Dana about the case."
Fox turned on his back to get up and cried out when his sore bottom made contact with the mattress. Rachel saw the distress her grandson was in and told him, " turn back on your stomach, dear, I'll be right back." She returned a moment later and told him, "I'm going to put some Aloe Vera lotion on your sore bottom. "Nooo, Gram," as he turned on his side to keep out of her reach, "I'll do it myself."
"Hush, you can't reach back that far. Now turn back on your stomach, I don't want to add to the heat in your bottom, but I will if you don't obey me NOW."
"But I don't want you to see me like this," wailed Fox
"I've seen it before, now obey me," instructed Rachel. After a moment's hesitation, Fox finally did as his grandmother instructed, blushing as his grandmother lowered his boxers. The cool lotion felt wonderful on his sore bottom and the pain seemed to be receding. Rachel rubbed the small of his back in a gesture of comfort until she thought the lotion had time to seep in. "Fox, I think you can get dressed now." Fox started to put on his own clothes but Gram had another suggestion.
"Fox, why don't you put on a pair of your dad's old sweatpants, they will be looser in the seat. They are in the bottom drawer."
Fox entered the living room, carrying a pillow with him, just in case. "Dad, where is Yoda?" looking around for his dog. "We sent him home with your Uncle Joe when he dropped your grandparents off for their visit. By that time," giving Fox a stern look that made the younger man very nervous, "I knew about you going undercover and not know what it was going to entail I decided he would be better off with Joe & Nora."
Walter started to walk toward his son with a determined expression on his face and Fox fearing the worse hid behind his grandfather.
"Fox, come here," instructed Walter to his son. After some hesitation Fox did as he was told. As soon as he was within arm's reach, Walter grabbed him and enveloped him in a hug. Soon Walter and Rachel and Scully joined in the hug as well. The hug did a lot to rejuvenate Fox who jumped in and explained his plan to his father.
Walter directed Fox to the softest chair he had. Fox went to the chair placing his pillow on the seat, making it as soft as possible. He gently pushed his son in the chair. As soon as Fox was seated Walter began, "Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, we need to get down to business." Walter cleared his throat and then continued.
"Fox, we now need to iron out of all the details before we can do anything else. This case must meet FBI standards." They worked for hours before finally acquiring a safe house and two phone numbers.
While all of this was taking place in the living room, Rachel was hard at work in the kitchen fixing one of her mouth-watering meals. Soon delicious smells were filling the room, getting everybody's attention. Walter looked up as his mother entered the room, "What smells so good, Mom?"
"We're having fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, salad with iced tea and chocolate cake for dessert. Now I want everybody to eat their fill, I cooked plenty. It's time to eat, Fox bring your pillow."
After a filling supper Dana made plans to go and pack all she would need for a couple of weeks. "Scully, would you mind picking up some groceries for the safe house?" Walter asked when he received an affirmative answer he then continued. "I'll pack a bag for Fox and me and meet you at the safe house." They would become a "happy" family, for at least a week or so.
Fox and Walter beat Dana and set about getting the rooms in order. Due to Fox's condition, Walter did the most work. By the time Dana arrived the rooms were ready. Dana put up the groceries and seeing that it was now 11:00, Walter thought that Fox should now go to bed.
"It's too early to go to bed," whined Fox.
"It's 11:00 and you have school tomorrow, so go to bed, young man," replied Skinner, the father mode in full swing.
Fox gave him a dirty look but did as he was told, since 6:30 was going to come awful early in the morning. He went to bed, grumbling as he went. But was asleep by the time his head hit the pillow.
Scully woke him in the morning. It was 6:30, and Fox was having trouble getting up. "Fox get up, you have to go to school." "Just a few minutes more, mom," replied a sleepy Fox. Walter appeared and told Dana to get breakfast ready, he would get Fox up. As Scully was walking towards the kitchen she heard a loud SMACK followed by an "Owwwwch" and smiled knowing that Fox was now up.
When Fox made it to the breakfast table he was dressed and his head was still damp. "Coffee, please, large and black," he requested.
"No, Fox, your breakfast is on the table, I expect you to eat every bite of it and drink your milk," instructed Walter Jr.
"Dad, I'm really an adult, I'm only playing the part of a teenager. Lighten up. Now pass the coffee."
Walter got up and stalked over to Fox and whispered in his ear, "I filled out that form the Headmaster sent home with Gran, it asked for permission to paddle you and I gave it. I can always add that you can be paddled on the bare bottom for anything you do that they consider being serious. Now are you going to do as I say and eat your breakfast and anything else I put in front of you with out protest or do I tell them to please paddle your bare bottom whenever they like. The choice is entirely yours."
Fox gave him a dirty look but picked up his fork and ate and drank everything in front of him. His breakfast included scrambled eggs, bacon, orange juice, toast and a large glass of milk. After he finished and got a goodbye kiss and hug from his worried father, Dana took him to school.
Fox had decided, after yesterday's paddling, that he would have to be subtler in his misbehavior; he couldn't take many more spankings like he had yesterday. He would play pranks where he would be suspected but they couldn't prove that he did them. His reign of terror would begin tomorrow after a trip to a practical jokes store.
The Headmaster was waiting for Fox, when he arrived at his locker. Fox handed over the note Skinner sent back to the Headmaster. After reading it Mr. Nelson said, "Andrew, I hope I won't be forced to paddle you today, but if you misbehave in any way, whether it is not paying attention in class or playing a prank or pestering a classmate, I won't hesitate to administer a paddling then and there. And then I will leave a message for your father. Do you understand me, boy?"
"Yes, sir...excuse me I have to go to class," and Fox left him standing there and hurried to his first class.
Fox found it hard to pay attention in class, first because even when he went through high-school the first two times around he had been in advanced classes and secondly he already knew this stuff and the teacher wasn't exactly putting an exciting spin on the history lesson. All Mr. Roberts, the history teacher was doing was reading straight from the book in a monotone. Fox was planning his first prank when the teacher called on him. Both times he gave unsatisfactory answers. After class was over the Headmaster was waiting to talk to his teacher about his behavior in class, and when he learned of his indifference in class he returned to his office for his paddle and then went to Fox's next class to administer Fox's first paddling.
There was a knock at Mrs. Davis' English Class. When Mrs. Davis answered the door, the Headmaster said, "Excuse me, Mrs. Davis, but I have to speak to one of your students. Would you ask Andrew Phillips to join me in the hall?" When Fox left the classroom, Mr. Nelson told him, "Andrew you just earned yourself a paddling for not paying attention in your American History class. Now bend over and grab your ankles." When Fox was slow to obey, he was grabbed and pushed back into his English class. "Excuse us once again, Mrs. Davis, but we have need of your desk." After Mrs. Davis moved out of the way, Fox was forced to bend over the desk; his legs were kicked apart. The Headmaster took up position and once again swung low and caught Fox low on the seat of his pants where thigh and buttock met. He gave Fox 6 hard licks. Fox bit his lower lip to keep from crying out. After the last SWAT Fox was allowed to rise and return to his desk with the admonishment to keep his mind on his work or he could expect more paddlings before the day was out.
Fox, blushed with everyone staring at him, and returned to his desk and gingerly sat down with a wince. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He kept his mind on English and his sore bottom for the rest of the hour.
In Math class, he actually paid attention to the teacher; he answered questions correctly and for the time being was a pleasure to have in class.
During lunch, he was very careful to not do anything that could be misconstrued as troublemaking on his part. He meekly sat down and ate the majority of the food on his tray. Then he got ready for his next class of P.E.
In P.E. class he actually listened to the coach and followed his every command. After class he went on to his Chemistry class. He got there just before the last class was dismissed. After that class left he saw the teacher leave for a few minutes. With the teacher gone the classroom was empty and it gave him time to pull his first prank.
He remembered from his chemistry class so many years ago what would happen if dry ice were packed tightly in an enclosed small plastic tube. So he did it and left the tube in the teacher's desk drawer waiting for the explosion to come, which it did five minutes into the class. It disrupted the whole class. The teacher told the Headmaster, when he came to discover the cause of the explosion that he would investigate. Mr. Nelson left the class and it was resumed. As soon as class was over he went on to the Study Hall where he completed all of his homework.
While he was doing his homework in Study Hall, Mr. Collins started his investigation. He found bits and pieces of dry ice and part of a plastic tube with a stopper in its end and put 2 and 2 together and came up with the explanation that this was not an accident. He went to report to the Headmaster. "Mr. Nelson, the explosion was not an accident. It was staged to go off and disrupt my class."
"Do you have any idea who might have done this?"
"No, because I had to step out for a few minutes and when I returned students were filing into class."
"Who was the first student you saw upon entering the classroom?"
"Andrew Phillips."
"After the explosion, did you happen to see what Andrew was doing? And did he look surprised?"
"You know, he didn't look surprised in the least, and it looked like he had a smirk on his face."
After Study Hall, Fox returned to his locker to put up his book. He found the Headmaster waiting for him. "Andrew, did you have anything to do with the disruption that took place in your Chemistry class today?"
"No," lied Fox, "and you have no proof that I did it."
"Andrew I know you had something to do with it and if I ever find out for sure, I will give you such a paddling that you will remember for years to come."
"I got to go, my sister is waiting for me."
When Fox got to the car he couldn't help himself, he had to brag about the prank he pulled off. "Scully, they knew I did it, but couldn't prove it." Scully just looked at him and took him back to the Bureau for a conference with Skinner. Once there they learned that no other boy had been taken. Fox and Dana got permission to talk to the two boys that had gone to George Washington Academy. Fox had to learn everything he could about what the other two boys had done to be picked up by the Schoolmaster. He had to be the next victim. During the interview he learned that they boys had been playing practical jokes on everyone and were seldom caught and punished for the deeds. The Schoolmaster had punished them for only those pranks where they had been suspected. Learning all they could their next stop was at the Practical Jokes shop so that Fox could prepare for his "Week of Terror."
They returned to Skinner's office to share the victim's' information with him. Before leaving Skinner told Fox that it looked like he was on the right track and to be careful.
For the next few days, George Washington Academy was the scene of many practical jokes. They were played on unsuspecting students and faculty alike.
The first joke was discovered when Fox's American History class entered the room to find all of the desks facing in the opposite direction, it took half of the class period to put them back. Later that day, in Fox's Math class, the teacher's desk drawers had been put in upside down, so when the drawer was opened everything fell out. It took a while to put that back right.
The next day, a smoke bomb went off in the Chemistry lab. He fixed it so it would go off while he wasn't even in the room, but since it was his class that had been there just before the bomb went off it too was laid at Fox's door.
One day during an English exam, loud music was coming from the lockers outside the English class. The locks had to be cut off with metal cutters to open the lockers and remove the radios or tape players. Several had been found to have timers wired into them so they would go off when everyone was in class. The exams had to be postponed until another date. It had been too loud to concentrate on the tests.
One morning, when the Headmaster had opened his office he couldn't get in. It had been filled entirely with crumbled paper (it had taken Fox with the help of the Lone Gunmen most of the night to accomplish it). Upon opening the door to discover the paper, he turned and caught Fox with a smirk on his face standing in the hall looking in.
Fox miscalculated only once during this week of terror, when the Coach had caught him outside of his office with a screwdriver and screws in his hand. On closer examination of his chair, it was discovered that all of the screws were missing. The coach took Fox and the evidence straight to the Headmaster. The Headmaster took one look at the evidence and after listening to what the Coach said took Fox to his inner office. He asked the Coach to remain and help with Fox's discipline.
The Coach was asked to hold Fox in place bent over the table, while he paddled him. The Headmaster took out his paddle with the holes drilled in it and preceded to "wear Fox out." He lowered the boom on Fox's bottom to the tune of 12 licks, most of them in and around where thigh and buttock met. Fox sobbing by the time the last lick was given.
The Coach then took him back to P.E. to run laps. When he was allowed to shower he glanced at his sore bottom and found it still red and warm to the touch. Due to this paddling Fox used extra caution in performing the other jokes and pranks.
One day during lunch several students managed to spill water down the front of their shirts and dresses due to the fact that several of the glasses had been substituted for Dribble Glasses.
Even library books were not safe. They discovered that the books left on the Librarian's desk were super glued to each other and the desk. This was discovered after Fox had left the library.
The last practical joke happened on Friday, when Fox set up a bucket of water in the hall in front of the administration office while no one was watching and adding liquid soap to it and then dropping in a bag of crushed dry ice, Fox took off. He glanced back in time to see the bubbles overflow and covering the whole area. He ran to his final class of Study Hall, just getting there before the bell had rung. He was among the last five students to get there. Ten minutes later the Headmaster appeared, asking to speak to the students who had either been late or near late. The last five students including Fox were asked to talk to the Headmaster. "There was another practical joke played not more that ten minutes ago. I figure that the prankster was probably late or near late to class, so I am speaking to all of the students who fit that description. If you know who this prankster is, or if one of you is the prankster, come forward and take your punishment and we can get on with school. If you don't confess and I find out it was one of you then the punishment that will be inflicted on that student will be great indeed. That is all, you can go back to your class." All the time he was speaking he was staring straight at Fox.
After school was over, Dana was waiting like usual for Fox. After Fox had gotten in, he said, " It doesn't look like the Schoolmaster is going to strike here after all. I have only been caught once and have gotten away with over 5 pranks. All the other boys had gotten away with only 5 before the Schoolmaster grabbed them. We are going to have to try something different"
"Before we go to meet with Skinner, at the safe house, let's go by the Shapiro's Deli and pick up some sandwiches for supper." That sounded fine to Fox, who opted to stay in the car. She knew what everybody liked, so she went in to order. Ten minutes later she finally arrived back with the sandwiches. When she got to the car, Fox was nowhere to be found. She discovered marks from what appeared to be a struggle on his side of the car and realized with a sinking heart that the Schoolmaster must have taken him when there was no back up. She reached for her cell phone and hit the speed dial for Skinner and when he answered said, "Sir, the Schoolmaster has Fox," and waited for help to arrive.
As soon as Walter learned that the Schoolmaster had his son, he cried out in anguish. "What's wrong, son?" asked his father.
"The Schoolmaster has just grabbed Fox, and no one knows where he has been taken. Dana left him alone for no more than 15 minutes and when she returned he was gone. There's a team there now hopefully they will find something that will lead us to Fox. I got to go."
Later that day at an unknown location.
Fox woke slowly. His senses told him that he was lying on something soft and cool. It took a moment for him to realize that he had been stripped down to his boxers. He rolled over and was relieved to discover that he was not tied and he was only resting on bed sheets. The sudden movement brought on a headache and the pain intensified as he tried to remember what had happened.
He recalled a blue van pulling up next to their car and also remembered seeing the driver looking at a map with an expression of confusion to his face. As the man walked up to the passenger side window, Fox was lowering it to be able to give directions if requested. He remembered a fine mist hitting his face and everything going black. The next memory was waking up here a few minutes ago. He noticed an open side door and staggered to it. It was a bathroom. He went up to the sink and began splashing cold water in his face. It helped to wake him completely. When he returned to "his" room, he was surprised to see a powerful built man sitting on the bed. The man was sporting salt and pepper hair and a beard.
"Who are you?" asked an irritable Fox.
"I am your new Schoolmaster and I'm going to punish you for all those pranks you played at your school but were never caught doing. You have a lot to answer for, boy!"
He threw something at Fox and demanded that he put it on. It was a large shirt. "Put this on and follow me," and waited to see if Fox would obey him. Fox made no move to obey. The Schoolmaster moved fast for such a powerful man and in a twinkling of an eye had Fox in his grasp and bent under his arm. Fox's boxers were pulled down and the impromptu spanking began SMACK...SMACK...SMACK.
SMACK...SMACK...SMACK, he was really laying it on hard. Fox's backside was starting to get red. "You will mind me...SMACK
SMACK...from now on...SMACK...SMACK...whenever I speak ...
SMACK...SMACK...you will listen...SMACK...SMACK...and obey me...SMACK...SMACK... Do you hear me boy?"
SMACK...SMACK...SMACK...SMACK. "Yes, yes, please, no more," sobbed Fox. When Fox was released his bottom was a bright red.
"Now we will try this one more time; put that shirt on and follow me."
Fox scrambled to put the shirt on but when he reached to pull his boxers up the following statement stopped him. "Your earlier disobedience lost you the privilege of wearing underwear during your stay with me. Just kick those off, for the duration of your stay you will be bottomless." Fox hesitated only as long as it took the Schoolmaster to ask, "Do you want another spanking?" After hearing that he hurried to obey. When Fox followed the Schoolmaster from the room his boxers were left on the floor.
When they entered the room next door, which was lit, and setup like an old-fashioned schoolroom. Fox unconsciously rubbed his bottom as he stared at the contents of his new "classroom". The room consisted of a large desk at the front of the room with several student-sized desks facing it, in the corner there was a tall stool, and a chalkboard was on the wall. In a trashcan, next to the large desk, were several switches. On the other side of the chalkboard there was a large table and it held several instruments of corrections on its surface. They included paddles, straps, and a rattan cane. Fox felt sick when he recognized the "tools" the Schoolmaster had at his disposal. Fox happened to look up and saw a set of shackles hanging from the ceiling, and when he looked down he noticed an identical sets fixed to the floor. Both sets were set about a yard apart. He figured that any person shackled would be in a spread-eagle position. He felt his fear rising because he knew that he would soon be in that position.
"Boy," Fox turned his gaze to his captor once he was sure that his eyes didn't show his fear, "Pick a desk and sit down." Fox gingerly sat at one of the desks and winced when his bottom made contact with the hard wooden seat. "Open the top of the desk," when Fox complied he found several paper tablets and an assortment of pens and pencils.
"Andrew, whenever you are not being punished physically by me, you will be disciplined in the following way: you will come to this desk, sit down and write in one of the tablets, 'I will behave in school. I will not play any more pranks in school.' I want 300 lines per day, and I will give you 1 lick per every line you do not complete. Although, today I'll go easy on you and you only have to write 100 lines and you had better get started."
Fox reluctantly picked up a pen and began to write the assignment lines. He had gotten only half a page written when he was told, "I had better be able to read what you have written. For every line I can't read, you will get an additional lick." Fox was forced to start over, writing clearly and precisely.
The Schoolmaster gave Fox time to write only two pages of lines, "Come here and bring your notebook." Fox decided to try and talk with the man; he was after all a hostage negotiator. "Sir", he began, "I need to tell you something important. I'm not really a high school student. I am a FBI agent. My name isn't Andrew Phillips; it's Fox Mulder. I went undercover to try and catch you. You need help. You are harming the boys, you need to leave the punishment of them up to the schools or their parents." Fox thought that the man was listening to him so he took a deep breath and continued, "just let me call my partner and we can get you the help you so desperately need." He made the move to leave the room when the Schoolmaster sprang at him and wrestled him to the shackles and cuffed him in the spread-eagle position. He was unable to pull his arms or legs together. He was wide open for any abuse the Schoolmaster wanted to heap upon him.
"Boy, I have heard many fantastic lies in my day, but that one takes the cake. I don't like liars and I am going to punish you until you admit that it was a lie." He went to the table and picked up two objects. He brought them back so Fox could see them. As he held them up he said, "boy, these instruments are made of nylon and even though they burn and sting they will not break the skin. It will feel as if the skin is broken but it won't be. The first one I'll use is a nylon strap. The strap will be used on your backside and thighs. The second is a whip that has two braided strands with loose ends. It will be on used on your inner thighs. I will not tolerate lying so this whipping is to discourage you from telling tall tales while you remain with me. This should be a memorable experience for you!" The Schoolmaster said with a chuckle picking up the strap and raising his arm he struck the first hard blow.
"YEOWWCH," screamed Fox. The pain was so intense that he couldn't keep from screaming out. Smack. "Oww," Smack... "Oww," Smack... "OWW." Smack...Smack.... Smack...Smack. The blows and cries came swiftly and didn't stop until the 20th one had been given. The Schoolmaster stopped to admire his work; he had painted Fox a painful red from backside to knees. "Boy, are you ready to admit that you were lying?"
"I'm not lying," sobbed Fox stubbornly.
The Schoolmaster picked up the whip and after swinging it around his head struck with such force that Fox just knew that he was bleeding. It felt like a line of fire had touched his backside. Fox let out a mighty scream, "Yeowwwwwch." The Schoolmaster now focused entirely on Fox tender upper inner thighs. Fox screamed over and over until he was forced to scream out, "I was lying, please stop, Pleaseeee. I don't work for the FBI." He continued to sob as the Schoolmaster paused in his administrations. He decided to stop for now and let the boy rest. He left him hanging and sobbing. He went to the chalkboard and began to list Fox's pranks and how he intended to deal with them.
The list was a long one and Fox could only look and shudder. He didn't know how he would ever get away and feared that if Scully didn't find him soon he would experience each and every punishment listed. He panicked that they would only find him after the Schoolmaster had left him at a local hospital.
The list on the chalkboard looked like this:
Exploding plastic tubes -- 15 licks - leather strap
Rearranging of desks - 10 licks -- nylon whip
Drawer mischief -- 10 licks - nylon strap
Smoke bomb - 30 licks - leather strap
Loud music/locked lockers - 20 licks - spanking
Crumbled paper in office - 20 licks - nylon whip
Dribble glasses/cafeteria - 10 licks - hickory switch
Books super glued/Library - 40 licks - spanking
Soapy mess/hall - 20 licks - rattan cane
When the "Schoolmaster" finished he stepped away from the board and Fox was able to see and read the entire list. Fox read in horror and cried, "You can't.... I can't take all of that...I won't be able to sit comfortably for months."
"Boy, you will learn that when I say something I will carry it out. You just remember that when you are crying, screaming or begging for mercy, you only have yourself to blame."
The Schoolmaster went to the chalkboard and checked one of the offenses and picked up the instrument stated went to Fox and said, "Since it is getting late we only have time for one punishment. After that you will write the rest of your lines. While you are writing, I will be fixing supper, which you WILL eat without complaint if you know what is good for you." With that out of the way he swung the leather strap with a loud CRACK and a sharp pain erupted on his sore bottom. Yeowwwch, Fox screamed again and again as all 15 licks were given. After the last lick was struck, Fox was released and pushed towards his desk where he was instructed to sit and write. "Sir, may I please write the rest of my lines standing up?" Fox begged. After considering for a moment, "This one time you may do so. But, I will not be this lenient tomorrow." He left the room, as a sniffling Fox staggered to the tall stool; he used the seat of the stool as a desk and began to write.
It was one hour later that the Schoolmaster reentered the room to find Fox asleep on top of the large table. All the instruments of correction had been pushed to the floor. He was faced down with his head lying on his crossed arms. The tablet was placed between his spread legs. Before waking the boy, the Schoolmaster opened the tablet and counted the lines. All 100 lines were there and they were written clearly and precisely. He lightly smacked Fox's abused bottom, which woke Fox with a startled cry. "Get up boy, it's time for supper." After trying unsuccessfully to rise without hurting his bottom the Schoolmaster just picked him up and placed him on his feet. "Thanks"
"Now follow me, I have supper waiting." Fox followed and gingerly sat in the chair at the dinner table. When his sore bottom made first contact with the chair he jumped back up again. The Schoolmaster considered this for a moment and left the room. When he returned he had several pieces of rope in his hands. First he threw Fox back in the chair and swiftly tied him to it. He placed the rope around Fox's chest and tied it to the back of the chair. He then tied a knot to the middle of the rope around his captive's chest and dropped the remainder between Fox's legs and under the bottom of the chair and tied it to the back of the chair. Fox wasn't tied tightly to the chair. He was loose enough to be able to reach his plate and eat. The Schoolmaster wanted him to be loose enough to squirm in the chair. He wasn't disappointed.
The Schoolmaster went into the kitchen and came back in carrying a large bowl of some unidentifiable meat as well as a bowl of some type of greens. He came back with a platter of corn bread and lastly brought in two glasses of milk. "Eat up boy, I was raised on this stuff. My family was poor but we never went hungry and this was a feast for us." Seeing that Fox was not going to help himself, he decided to do it for him. He reached for Fox's plate, "Here boy, I'll serve you. I expect you to eat every bite." He reached for the meat and gave him a medium sized portion, "this is chitterlings (hog intestines), and let me give you some turnip greens and a piece or two of corn bread. You should be able to wash it all down with your buttermilk." Fox looked with dismay at the mess on his plate. The Schoolmaster noticed that Fox still wasn't eating and issued the following threat, "Unless you want a spanking, you'd better eat!"
Fox reached for the cornbread and took a small bite. It was delicious and he took a large bite next time. He took a tentative bite of the chitterlings and nearly gagged when he tried to swallow. He tried the greens and found them bitter and spat them out. He turned his attention back to the cornbread. When it became obvious that Fox was going to eat only the cornbread; the Schoolmaster reached over and spanked his left inner thighs with the wooden spoon he was using to serve the turnip greens. After a half dozen licks "EAT" he told Fox.
This time Fox picked up his fork and choked down his meal. He even drank the buttermilk. He drained it as fast as he could hoping that he would be unable to taste it that way. After supper Fox was released from the "torture" chair.
"You'll help me clear the table and the washing up." The Schoolmaster ordered. After the dishes were done the Schoolmaster took Fox back to his room. "I'm going to give you a good washing now take off your shirt and get in the tub." Fox hesitated but it only took a smack to his sore bottom to get him moving in the right direction. Once he stepped into the tub he was instructed to raise his hands so they could be chained above his head. His feet were spread apart and locked into place. The Schoolmaster then began to wash him. He left no part unattended. He was surprisingly gentle when it came to washing all of his sore parts. When Fox was cleaned he was released and told to dry himself and go to bed. When Fox returned to his room the Schoolmaster was gone and the door locked. When Fox was unable to find anything to wear he came to the conclusion that he was to sleep in the nude. He got into bed, turned on his stomach and was asleep as soon as his head it the pillow.
During the time Fox was in the hands of the Schoolmaster the FBI was using all its resources in locating Agent Mulder and the Schoolmaster. They had canvassed the neighborhood and dusted for prints. They discovered several prints on Mulder's side of the car. They had a witness who remembered a blue van parked next to the car. Scully reported that when she had entered the deli they were alone in the parking lot.
Scully and Skinner were discussing all of their options when there was a knock on the door. Scully opened it revealing Walter and Rachel Skinner as well as Maggie Scully. "Sorry to interrupt son, but we couldn't stay home, we need to know what's going on." Walter Sr. voiced the concern of the little group. It was late and they couldn't sleep. Their grandson was missing. Maggie felt the same way since she loved Fox as a son and had adopted him in her heart. Scully told them all the evidence they had to date. "Mom, Dad, Mrs. Scully, go home there is nothing here for you to do. I promise I will keep you informed," assured Skinner.
They saw the sense in the statement and left realizing that there intrusion may keep the others from finding Fox.
Rachel spoke to Maggie, "Maggie why don't you come home with us. We're staying at Walter's that way we'll all be together."
"Thanks, Rachel I really didn't want to wait alone." Maggie stated
Once at Walter's Rachel put on a pot of coffee and they all sat around unable to sleep and talked about Fox. "When we get that boy back, I'm going to give him a long hug and then I am going to put him over my knee for a long spanking." He wouldn't be in this situation if he hadn't set himself up as "bait."
"Bait?" asked Maggie.
Walter and Rachel then told her the whole story. When they had finished, Maggie said, "I get a turn punishing him after you're finished Rachel. Imagine that boy putting himself in danger." Maggie let out an exasperated sigh.
"You might want to be sure that he will be able to endure your spankings, we don't know what this Schoolmaster is doing to him."
"Well, we'll nurse him first and then spank him when he is well," the ladies relented. "Maggie when we get him back, why don't you come home with us and help me nurse him back to health."
"I'll be happy to," replied Maggie with a grin.
Early Saturday morning Fox was awaken with a light smack to his sore bottom. Even the light smack caused him agony "OWWWW." He was definitely wide-awake now. He was thrown a shirt, "Put this on and join me in the dining room for breakfast and hurry up about it or you'll get a spanking before breakfast." The Schoolmaster ordered sternly.
Fifteen minutes later saw Fox sitting at the table waiting for breakfast. He was served grits with a fried egg on top. He also had to eat a bowl of corn mush and drink a glass of milk. "Dig in boy, you are going to need all of your strength today. Eat or suffer a spanking before you start the day." With that threat in the air Fox ate every bite.
When he finished he was directed to go to the "class" room and start writing his lines. "Today you are to write 300 lines and you had better get started because I don't think you'll be able to write later." The Schoolmaster motioned toward the schoolroom. Fox slowly made his way out of the room. First he went to the front door to see if he could get out and found the door locked, needing a key to open it. Scared that he might be found at the door instead of at his desk writing lines he hurried away.
It was an hour later when the Schoolmaster made his way to his classroom. The first thing he saw was Fox hard at work writing lines. He was concentrating so hard that he wasn't even aware that the Schoolmaster was there until he boomed out. "Its time boy, come with me."
Fox knew where he was going to be placed and a show of rebellion surfaced and he shook his head and said, "NO!" The Schoolmaster yanked him from the desk with so much force that both papers and pens flew. Fox fought the whole way to the shackles but was unable to break away. He was unceremoniously dragged to the chains. Once there the Schoolmaster was able to cuff one wrist. He just waited for Fox to tire himself out. He then was able to easily cuff the other wrist. When he went to cuff his legs he cuffed them as far apart as he could. What he was planning on doing needed Fox's legs to be as far apart as possible. This show of rebellion had to be squashed and the following punishment should do it. He remembered his father doing the same thing to him when he was a teenager and had 'talked back'. Afterwards he was never disrespectful to him again.
He went to the desk and picked up the nylon whip and said, "boy, that little act of rebellion is going to cost you 10 licks; all of the licks are going to be on, in and around your anus."
He reached in his pocket and removed 2 large marbles. He went to stand behind Fox and, after producing a jar of Vaseline rubbed the first marble with it, inserted it into his captive anus. He swiftly inserted the second marble, which he hadn't lubricated. "Nooooo," cried Fox. "Now those marbles will make sure your anus stays open to receive the punishment."
With the words barely out of his mouth he gave a powerful flick of the wrist and sent the end of the whip right on target. Fox let lose a blood-curling scream, "YEOWWWWWCH," he had never felt something so painful. The next 9 licks were identical in strength, all on or in the anus itself. Fox was screaming in agony. After the final lick was given, the Schoolmaster addressed him, "The next time I say come you will come or suffer this punishment again only the number of licks will be doubled. Do you understand?"
"Yesss," sobbed Fox.
The Schoolmaster decided to leave the marbles in Fox for the time being as an extra reminder of the punishment for his rebellion.
Meanwhile back at the FBI, a match between the thumbprint and partial license tag had been made. They had a name. He had been a teacher at one time, and all reports showed that he ruled with an iron hand. The suspect was a John G. Stanley and his home address was 317 Bluebird Drive. Immediately on receipt of the information Scully and Skinner were rushing to the address hoping that Fox would be found there.
When they got there, the local cops broke the news that there was no sign Agent Mulder had ever been there. Scully could see the open anguish on Skinner's face his hope of finding Fox dashed. He was so scared that Fox would be found badly hurt. "Sir, it will be o.k. We will find him. We are closer that we were before. Take a deep breath and let's search this house and find where he is being held." Her words helped and he did as she suggested and turned back with her to search the house.
After searching for a couple of hours their big break finally came when Scully found out that he had a vacation home in Maryland. It was located near the Point Lookout State Park, about an hour away. As soon as that was communicated with FBI headquarters and the Maryland State Police then Skinner with Scully at his heels were running for the car. Before leaving Skinner took a little time to call his folks and inform them and Mrs. Scully of these new developments. Scully could only guess the conversation since she was only hearing Skinner's side of it. "Dad, this is Walter, we think we've located Fox. The suspect has a vacation home in Maryland and we're going to check it out. One of us will call when we know for sure that he is there. "No, Dad.... But Dad.... all right, we will be by in about 10 minutes...yes, sir." Skinner looked up his Scully's amused eyes and said, "My Dad is coming with us, and I don't want to hear another word about it."
"That's o.k. Sir, I understand."
The picked up Mr. Skinner and kept the conversation to a minimum all were hoping that they would find Fox at this location and that he was okay. The three said the same silent prayer, "Please, Lord let us find Fox and let us bring him home safe and sound."
At the time they were leaving the city, Fox was about to be punished for another of his many pranks. The Schoolmaster picked up a hickory switch and moved into position behind Fox. The focus this time was Fox's backside. He placed the majority of his ten licks in the area know as the "crack." (This is the part of the buttocks that are nearest the anus.) They last two were placed with force on his anus and broke the skin. Fox found voice to yell with each lick given, ow, oww, owwwch, and on it went until the last lick. When The Schoolmaster put down the switch there were drops of blood to be seen on the red throbbing butt before him.
Giving Fox only a couple of minutes of respite, the Schoolmaster picked up the nylon whip again and checked off another prank; this one was for all of the crumbled paper he had filled the Headmaster office up with. He placed the next twenty licks all over Fox's backside, thighs and especially in his anus. Fox screamed himself hoarse during this punishment. He was left hanging while the Schoolmaster left to fix lunch. When he had returned with lunch Fox had cried himself to sleep even as he was hanging from the shackles.
The Schoolmaster quickly released him from his shackles and left him in a heap on the floor. He knew "Drew" was unable to escape. He went in and had lunch and left Fox's in a bowl on the floor next to him. It was red beans and rice. He even came back with a bowl of water, which he also left. Fox didn't have the strength to move. He just closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep, which he did eventually.
Fox was dreaming that he was in the loving arms of his grandparents and they were making the hurt go away when he was suddenly yanked up and deposited over the Schoolmaster lap. He had not completely awakened when he felt his shirttail lifted and the marbles removed. He woke with a start and sobbed when he felt the pain connected with removing the marbles from his sore, blistered and swollen anus. He tried to yell but had no voice by this time. His earlier punishments had seen to that. His spanking started in earnest after that. The Schoolmaster had decided to add two of the punishments together, making the licks a total of 60. Fox no longer had any control of his weeping he continued crying all through the remainder of his punishment. After the last of the 60 licks had been given, Fox was dragged once again to the shackles and cuffed in.
While Fox was being shackled, the car bearing Agent Scully, A. D. Skinner and his father was pulling up to a house they hoped was Stanley's. Skinner and Scully pulled out their guns and Scully asked Walter, Sr. to bring in her doctor's bag that she had the foresight to bring along.
As Scully and Skinner arrived at the front door, the Schoolmaster picked up the nylon whip and once again approached Fox. Fox was still sobbing from the spanking he had just gotten; he was unprepared for the first of his 10 licks that fell on his burning backside. He yelled, but only a whispered yell came out. That didn't satisfy the Schoolmaster who went and pulled Fox's legs as far apart as he could and returned to stand between them once again. He aimed again at Fox's anus and began once more to inflict fire to that tender area of Fox's body. Fox's screamed again, the agony finding his voice and that cry is what Skinner heard, as he was about to knock.
The effect was instantaneous; he kicked the door in and ran towards the sounds he heard. He burst through the door and when he saw this large and powerful man hurting his son he went a little nuts. He launched himself at the man and with two blows he had knocked the Schoolmaster out. Scully quickly handcuffed him and turned her attention to Fox.
Skinner had him out of the cuffs and placed him on his stomach on the large table in the room. Walter, Sr. brought Scully her bag and she did a quick examination of him. She found and cleaned the stripes on his inner buttocks and anus. She cringed at the punishment that Fox had been forced to receive his backside was bruised and skinned in places. It was also very hot to the touch.
They had to apply cooling towels to it to help bring the heat down. He was burning up and she was sure he had a fever. A fever brought about by these brutal spankings. She lastly turned her attention to Fox's anus. It was inflamed, swollen, bleeding and had blisters in, on and all around it. He was in agony. She immediately produced a syringe and filling it with a painkiller injected into his hip. He would have yelped if he had his voice left to speak. He turned his pain filled eyes is her direction. "It's for the pain, Mulder; it should be taking effect at any moment. It won't take all the pain away but it will help to ease the sharpest of it. Now close your eyes, your family is here and we are going to take care of you."
Skinner found a sheet to wrap his son in and carried him out to the car. Scully got in the back with him. They put Fox on his side and placed his head in Scully's lap. Skinner talked to the sheriff and made arrangements for the Schoolmaster to be returned to Washington. D. C. and the FBI for interrogations. Then he got into the car with Scully, his Dad and Fox and drove home.
Walter Sr. called his wife, "Rachel," Walter had to get control of his emotions before he could tell her anything, "Walter, Fox is he" she stumbled over her words, "Is he alive?" "He's alive but he's badly hurt were taking him to Georgetown Medical for a thorough examination. We should be there in about 30 minutes, please meet us there."
"Take care of our children and I'll be there to meet you." Rachel said reaching in for her well of inner strength. Rachel relayed the news to Maggie gathering their things together they went out to the car. Maggie drove them to the hospital to await the arrival of their Fox.
Walter made it to the Emergency Entrance of the hospital in record time with sirens screaming and lights flashing. He entered the room carrying his son, "We need help here now." His presence was so commanding that emergency staff immediately took over and moved Fox in to an exam room once his father had placed him on a gurney. Scully went with them. Skinner and his father started to follow, but a nurse stopped them. "Please wait here" pointing to the waiting room. "Someone will be out when they finished examining him." Taking one last look at their injured Fox they reluctantly left. They found Rachel and Maggie waiting for them. They gave them a more thorough explanation on what was done to Fox and that they had the man responsible.
*****
In the examination room the ER doctor, Dr. James Moss, and Dana Scully were examining Fox's many injuries the nurses had already stripped Fox and put him in a hospital gown. They both winced at the sight of the bruises on Fox's buttocks he had to have taken a fierce beating at the hands of the Schoolmaster. One of the first things they had to do was document the injuries for the record. Scully had to let a police photographer take the pictures.
"Scully, No please don't. I can't let anyone see." Fox hoarsely protested.
"I'm sorry Fox we have to. You don't want him to get off, do you?"
One tear fell down Fox's cheek as he recognized the truth of his partner's statement. "Okay," it was barely loud enough for her to hear.
Once the pictures were taken they begin to treat the skinned places. First, they were cleaned and then antibiotic cream was applied. Then their attention turned to what they considered the worse of the injuries his swollen, bruised and bleeding anus.
Dr. Jim Moss wanted to check and see if there was further damaged to his rectum as well.
"Scully, I'm going to need to do a digital exam so can you help keep him calm? I'll order a light sedative to take the edge off, but we're going to need him alert enough to tell us if it hurts."
"Okay, Jim." Once he heard her agreement, he turned to the nurse, "Give him the sedative."
The nurse injected into his hip, it took a few minutes for her to find a place that was only slightly bruised.
"Oww! That hu...." Fox yawned before he could finish his complaint.
Once the injection had been given and the effects appeared to be working he donned the disposable gloves and motioned for Dana to do the same.
He lubricated his finger and very gently inserted his finger in Fox's sore and swollen anus and very carefully felt around. Fox whimpered and tried to pull away from the probing finger. He was unsuccessful and with the drugs in his system he felt uncoordinated and all he really could do was whimper.
"It's alright Fox, we have to know how bad it is. It'll be over in a few minutes." Dana tried to comfort him the best she could by murmuring words of comfort to him and rubbing his back it helped to a point and he relaxed a bit.
Dr. Moss paused in his examination, "Dana I liked to have your opinion. It feels like there's some tearing." Dana turned to Fox and said, "Fox I'm going to have to examine you as well. I'll try and be as careful and gentle as I can." Fox groaned but didn't try to stop her. Following the same procedure, as Dr. Moss, she lubricated her finger and inserted it she felt around and nodded her head. "Yes, Jim, I think there's some tearing and maybe even some blisters." She could hear Fox crying but until they were finished they couldn't completely put him out. They just had to try to keep him comfortable.
She continued, "Jim we need to have a look to be sure that what we are feeling is what we think it is."
He nodded his head in agreement, "Nurse please administer a cleansing enema and then see if the Endoscopes Room is free. The doctor figured that Fox would still be under the influence of the drugs during the enema and the move to the endoscopes room.
But, the doctor didn't realize until later was that the shot he had given Fox was starting to wear off. Very gently they inserted the probe in Fox's swollen anus and Fox nearly jumped off the table, "Nooooo, Scully, get it out.... it hurts...Sculleeeee." Fox screamed as loud as his sore throat would allow. Merciful the exam was soon over and the probe was removed. They found a small to medium tear in the lining of his rectum near the top and several blisters in the rectum itself. The majority of the blisters were found near the top of his rectum with a few more below the first ones. Scully knew that for the next few days Fox was going to be in intense pain whenever he had a normal BM, he definitely would have to be on a soft diet until the tear and blisters were healed.
Dr. Moss confirmed her worse fears, "He'll need medicinal enemas administered once every three or four days." (He's going to hate that. ) Dana thought with a grimace tuning back into what Moss was saying. "He'll have to have suppositories administered every day too." Moss paused looking at this patient and decided he would order another enema after he had talked to the family.
"What about his throat?" Dana asked
"We'll administer an analgesic and give them a prescription for a throat spray. He'll need to gargle with saltwater 3 times a day, too.
Let's go talk with his family."
*****
Scully and the Emergency doctor came out in what seemed like hours and explained the findings. Fox was lucky, it could have been worse if he hadn't been found when he was. The ER doctor explained, " He is sore and will be so for days but he will recover. The stripes on his backside will heal without any scarring, but it will be sore but it's not anything that a little time won't take care of. He should by able to sit comfortably by the end of the month. The worse injury is to his anus. It's sore, swollen and blistered inside and out. We stopped the bleeding. It's going to be painful for him to use, but use it he must. To help with that I'm going to subscribe stool softeners, to be used before each BM as well as before he goes to bed. I'm also going to suggest that the injury to his anus be treated as if he was suffering from Hemorrhoids. I want you to keep it lubricated. For this you must use suppositories, as well as medicated enemas. For the first few days keep him on a soft diet and later on try him on one with more fiber in it. With the abrasions to his backside, use the same measures that you would with sunburn or diaper rash, etc. Fox should also stay in bed for the first 3 days he'll have to use a bedpan and urinal. This is a necessity seeing that it would be too painful for him to sit for any length of time. After the three days you can see if he could do it on his own. I'm ordering a medicated enema before he leaves it should numb him enough to get him home."
Looking at the concerned group of people gathered around him, he asked, "Will anyone be able to take care of him for the next couple of weeks? If not I'm going to have to admit him, he cannot stay alone."
"That won't be necessary, doctor; my husband and I are going to take him home with us and nurse him."
"Who are you?"
"We are his grandparents."
"I'll be coming, too; I'm his "Mom."
After the doctor explained the treatments that Fox would need to his family. He went back to Fox's room to write up the order for the medicated enema. Scully went with him because she knew that her partner was not going to co-operate with the treatment. Even under 'normal' hospitalizations Fox fought against having enemas. Now with the painful injuries and the memories of his 'punishments' he was going to be harder to convince then ever that an enema was a necessary.
Knowing that Fox was being taken care of, Skinner was on the phone requesting another bed to be set up in his bedroom. He called Johnson's Furniture, where he had bought much of the furniture for his apartment, and ordered an oversized twin bed. When he had explained why he needed it, they were very obliging and said that it would be there within the hour. Skinner felt that since his room was the larger of the two bedrooms it would easily hold the extra bed. Regardless, he wanted his son as close to him as possible Fox would be comforted with his presence as he would be by Fox's. It had been a long couple of days and he wasn't sure he wanted his son out of his sight for long. He then called the manager of his apartment building and asked him to let the people from Johnson's in and to stay there while they set up the bed and to lock the apartment after they left.
That taken care up he now turned his attention to sheets and bedspread. When he told his parents and Maggie about the additional bed they volunteered to get the sheets and stuff and to make the bed ready for Fox's arrival. After hugging Walter goodbye they left.
Walter went looking for Fox and found him trying to get out of the bed. Dana was trying to keep him in bed with the help of the nurse and orderlies. The nursing staff had hoped to give the enema to Fox while he was still under the influence of the sedatives. Fox had not been given enough to knock him out and he was awake when the nurse and orderly arrived to give him the medicinal enema.
"Nooooo, get out. You aren't putting that thing in me," Fox screamed hoarsely.
"Don't scream like that Fox, its only going to damage your throat further," pleaded Scully. Walter had seen enough. He was concerned that Fox would injure himself trying to avoid the treatment. He decided to intervene before things got out of hand. The last thing Fox needed was to be traumatized further by being strapped down so they could treat him.
"FOX WILLIAM SKINNER," he said sternly as he marched into the room. Fox whipped his head around and eyed his father with growing trepidation. "Dadddd, they want to put that 'thing' in me."
"I know son, but it's for your own good." Walter said gently but firmly.
"Fox, it will make you feel better. This is a medicinal enema and it will ease some of the pain you're feeling," Scully informed him. Fox was ignoring Scully, but was watching every move the nurse and orderly made.
"Fox, I want you to lie back down on your side and let these people do their job," ordered Skinner. Fox got a stubborn look on his face and refused, "NO! And you can't make me." Walter turned to Scully and said in a low voice, "What can I do, I can't spank him while he's in this condition and he knows it."
Scully said, "The only thing I can think of is to strap him down just long enough to give him the enema. I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this but the medicinal enema will take away most of the pain and make things easier for him in the long run."
"Let me talk to him alone first." Skinner requested. Scully motioned for the hospital staff to follow her out of the room.
"Son, if you don't let them give you the treatment voluntarily. They'll have no choice but to strap you down. I don't think you want that! I'll stay here the whole time and hold your hand. Please Fox for once do something the easy way!" Skinner's tone had a pleading note in it.
Fox stubbornly refused to answer his father. Skinner looked at Fox for a long time and finally made his decision. Going to the door where Scully waited with the hospital staff he sadly said, "Do it."
Scully turned back to the nursing staff with instructions and soon he was strapped down. He fought them as much as he could but it did no good. He was strapped into the proper position to receive the enema, but the nurses tried to be gentle when they slipped the lubricated nozzle into him. He cried out in pain no matter how gentle they were the blisters in his rectum were painful. He bucked and tried to dislodge the tube and the people holding him and when he couldn't he started to cry in frustration. Once the water was flowing the straps were taken off of Fox so he could do his part. He was exhausted from the whole experience. Between the case, the pranks, the schoolmaster, the punishments and now this embarrassment he didn't know what he was doing. Finally the job was completed and Fox was cleaned up and allowed to sleep. Scully stayed with him while Walter signed the papers to discharge him.
Within the hour Fox was released and with Dana's help Walter took Fox home with him. When Skinner, Scully and Fox arrived at Walter's, Fox was awakened by Scully. "Fox, sweetheart, wake up, you're home."
"Home?" replied a confused Fox. Walter picked his son up and carried him to the elevator and soon they were at his apartment. Rachel opened the door at the first knock and immediately got out of the way. Fox struggled to get down. "Dad, let me down, I can walk."
"Hush, boy, and let your Dad carry you to bed," admonished Rachel.
Fox was deposited very gently on the new bed in his father's room. His Gram and Mom, Maggie, had pulled the sheets and blankets down so the boy could be put to bed. Fox was still dressed in the hospital gown that he had been put into in the Emergency Room. The Skinner's decided to let him wear it the important thing was getting him into bed and not what he was wearing. They put Fox on his stomach. The drugs in his system were helping to ease the pain and fight the infection and the bonus side effect to them is that they were making Fox sleepy. While he was in this state Walter pulled down the sheets and raised the back of the gown to show his parents and Maggie the condition of Fox's bottom, thighs and anus. They saw a very mistreated backside and thighs. The bruises were turning purple and there were skinned areas but it was his anus that really drew their attention. It was swollen, red, skinned and cut in two places. They could see where it had been bleeding.
"The doctors found blisters in his rectum near the top," Walter added emotionally. "It seems that this monster was somehow able to use a whip on him even in that small area and he even got the thing inside to do damage. Maybe Fox can tell us later what exactly was done to him."
Scully added, " The blisters in his rectum are going to cause Fox a lot of pain whenever he has a BM."
Walter interrupted and requested, "Scully, would you mind explaining his condition to the folks in the living room. I liked to spend some time alone with Fox."
Walter spent several minutes just sitting on the bed, staring at his son and occasionally patting him on the back or murmuring softly to him when he started to have a nightmare. Finally satisfied that Fox was in a deep dreamless sleep he went to the bathroom and washed the tears off his face. Whispering to his mirror image, "Thank God we found him, but it was to damn close."
When Walter rejoined the folks in the living room he caught the last of Scully's explanation, "...the doctor said that it is imperative that Fox stays in bed for the next 2-3 days. Under no circumstances is he to get out of bed. The doctor feels that if he can stay still, the blister will have time to heal. For the first three days he needs to stay on a 'soft diet'. While he's on this diet he doesn't need the stool softeners that the doctor prescribed. Once he's on a regular diet though, the doctor's feels that he'll need the stool softener. They must be inserted an hour before each meal. Just treat the bruises and abrasions the same as you normally would and he should able to lie down and sit comfortably with in a week or two. The doctor was going to send examples of the kind of diet Fox needs to be on. I told him there was no need. Fox's grandparents and Mom would have no trouble taking care of him."
Rachel and Maggie both smiled at that. They knew exactly how to take care of their "boy."
"The only problem as we see it is getting him to mind. He knows that we are not going to spank him in his condition. We'll have to find other methods to punish him, at least until we can spank him," declared Maggie. Rachel nodded her head in agreement. On that note, they ended the conversation Maggie and Dana took their leave. Dana promised to drop her mom off the next day on her way to work.
Walter and his parents soon went to bed. Walter assured his parents that he would be all right. "Don't worry, I'll watch out for Fox, he is in good hands."
Fox slept until the next morning without incident. He woke slowly and had a cold pit in his stomach when he realized he was laying on something soft and cool. He panicked! One of his last memories was waking up at the Schoolmaster's and all the punishments that came afterwards. He came awake with a start and a shout, "Nooooo, stay away." He was trying to get up and away when Walter came into the room. He was in the kitchen fixing coffee when he heard Fox's shout.
He rushed to Fox's side only to have Fox fight him still screaming, "No, please don't hit me." It took the combination of Walter and his father to hold him while Rachel talked to him, "Fox, honey, its Gram. You're safe, I won't let anyone get you, your Gran won't let anybody get you and your dad won't let anyone get you." Finally the words started to sink in and Fox started to quiet down and stopped fighting his father and grandfather. When Fox started to cry, Rachel motioned for her son and husband to let Fox go. When they complied she gathered him up into a hug rocking him back and forth until he cried himself to sleep. When Fox woke up for the second time Rachel was in the room with him holding his hand.
"Fox can you talk about what happened?" Rachel gently inquired.
Fox nodded his head.
"I'll get your Dad and Gram." Rachel left the room just long enough to get the others. When they arrived, Walter Jr. went to his son and kissed him on the forehead.
"Whenever your ready son." He gently encouraged.
Fox started explaining. "When I woke up at the Schoolmaster's the first time I was laying on clean, soft sheets and I didn't have any street clothes on just my boxers and t-shirt. This was so similar I must have had a flashback."
After Fox had calmed down from reliving a portion of his terrifying experience he was fed his breakfast. It consisted of scrambled eggs, apple juice, toast with jelly and a cup of milk. Fox discovered that he needed a little help in eating while resting on his side. Rachel fed like he was a baby. She put straws in his beverages to make drinking a little easier. He cleaned his plate it was the first really good meal he had in days. The whole eating experience tired him and he took another nap.
While Fox was sleeping Dana and Maggie stopped by. The Skinners gave Dana and Maggie an update on Fox. Then Dana and Skinner left the apartment together. They were most anxious to "talk" to the monster that had so badly hurt their Fox.
When Fox awoke the next time he found Maggie sitting in the rocking chair beside the bed. She looked at him with loving eyes and asked, "Do you need anything, baby?" Fox stammered, "Uh, I got to.... go. I need Gran to help me...please." Maggie deciphered his plea and went and got his grandfather. "Walter, Fox is awake and needs your help." It was some time later that Walter returned, "He's all right now."
Maggie and Rachel decided that there was no time like the present to try and give Fox his first bath. After his initial shock finding out that his Gram and 'Mom" were going to give him a bed bath, it went rather smoothly. He allowed them to administer the medicinal creams and ointment on all of his sore and swollen external places.
The problem came when Rachel tried to insert the suppository. Gram approached him with something in her hand. He asked simply, "What's that Gram?" "It's part of the medicine the doctor prescribed for you," answered Rachel. She then took a deep breath and broke the rest of the news to him, "It has to be inserted in your anus. It's to help heal the blisters in your rectum." She offered that as an explanation. When he didn't say anything she approached him and said, "Now hold still baby, this won't take but a minute." She took the suppository and lubricated it with Vaseline and started to push it in. Fox suddenly screamed out, "NOOOOOOO, Don't touch me!!! It hurts...it hurts."
Rachel was already at his side trying to calm him. When Maggie heard the terrified scream she rushed to the other side trying to comfort him. Their reassurances failed he wasn't even listening to them. He was in the world of the Schoolmaster, marbles, and whip and that was what he was experiencing and there was nothing his grandmother and Maggie could do to change it. Walter tried to reassure his grandson that they wouldn't let anybody hurt him. Fox was not listening. Finally in desperation Rachel asked Walter, " Honey call Walter and tell him to come home and to bring Dana with him. She'll need her doctor's bag. Please hurry!" He ran to do it. About 15 - 30 minutes later Walter and Scully rushed in. It is amazing what flashing lights and sirens blaring can do to clear the way.
Walter rushed in shouting, "Where is he? What's wrong?" Rachel rushed to him and said, "Shhh, Walter not so loud, he's in the bedroom or at least his body is his mind I'm not so sure." Rachel shrugged her shoulders in despair.
Maggie rushed to her daughter and said, "Dana, he's crying and won't or can't stop. He's near hysterics and we can't get him to calm down. He quiets for a moment and then starts back up. Please give him something."
Dana went in and slowly approached Fox. Fox looked up warily. "Mulder, its me Scully. You're safe, here's your dad." Walter entered behind her. "You know your Dad is going to keep you safe."
"Scculleee, he's going to get me and put the marbles back in and whip me again." Walter moved towards Fox quickly. "Sir, move a little slower; he's scared, approach him slower," Dana advised. A few minutes later Skinner had Fox in his arms and pulled him into a close embrace. Feeling safe in his dad's arms he began to sob uncontrollably. Dana moved behind him with syringe in hand and quietly injected the contents in Fox's upper hip. The shot began to calm him almost immediately and he entered into a dream like state.
"Fox, I want you tell me what the Schoolmaster did to you?" commanded his father.
Fox took a big breath and began to tell what the Schoolmaster had done. He told about the spankings, whippings, strappings; he also told about the "food" he was forced to eat or suffer more punishment; and he told about being put in the shackles. "Baby," asked his Gram, "what about the marbles?" At the mentioned of "marbles," Fox began to tear up and whispered, "He put them up me, in my anus to keep it open so he could whip me in my rectum. He did it over and over again. It hurt so badly; I screamed over and over until I couldn't scream any more. He kept them there and didn't remove them until after my anus was swollen, sore and bleeding. He then dug them out. The pain was so intense I nearly passed out." He finished this last part so softly that it could hardly be heard. The four other occupants heard him out and with every word tears started to fall down their cheeks. "How could somebody do this? And think they were helping anyone?" Rachel asked. No one could give her any answer.
"What brought this to the surfaced?" Dana asked her mom. "We were going to insert the medicinal suppository. Everything was going fine; Rachel explained everything she was doing before she did it. It was when she actually tried to insert it that the whole thing hit the fan and Fox began screaming. Is he going to be alright?"
"For now," Dana answered. She was watching as Skinner was gathering an unresisting Fox in his arms, sitting down in the rocking chair. He pulled his son into his arms to comfort him as he had when Fox was only a scared little boy." "He will be fine," repeating Dana once again, "for now." She gave her a sad smile.
Walter kept rocking Fox until he fell asleep in his arms. When Walter, Sr. stuck his head in a few minutes later he found his son rocking his sleeping grandson with tears running down his cheeks. Walter helped his son return Fox to his bed and then he hugged Walter while he cried away his frustration and anger. He soon had better control over himself. "Thanks, Dad, for your shoulder to cry on."
"That's what fathers are for. Now go and wash your face, you and Dana need to get back to work. Rest assured that Fox won't be left alone. We'll keep him safe for you until your return."
Walter did as he was told coming back into the bedroom he kissed his son goodbye. Then he and Dana were on their way back to work. They really wanted to get their hands on Stanley. Scully spent the trip back trying to keep Skinner from taking justice in his own hands and during physical harm to the man.
Scully made a request, "Sir, you need to step down from this case. You're to close to loosing it and if we don't follow the book that "monster" could get off." She looked at him with pleading eyes then continued. "If you don't put in the request than I do it for you." Skinner should have been upset that a subordinate would take him to task, but this was Scully and he knew that she just had his and Fox's best interest at heart.
Skinner nodded his head in agreement his anger to close to the surface to speak. Reaching FBI headquarters Skinner made an appointment with his superior.
He entered the Director's office and made his request, "Sir, I need to step down from "The Schoolmaster" case. I'm too personally involved to be objective. "
"Walter, I'm glad you made the request. It keeps me from forcing you to step down." The relief was clear in the Director's voice. "Who do you suggest to take over?"
"Dana Scully." Walter stated firmly.
"But, she's Mulder's partner." The Director stated incredulously.
"She's a professional and she make sure that all the I's are dotted and the t's crossed."
The Director saw that Skinner was convinced that she could handle it. "Okay, she's got it. Anything else?"
"I'd like to have a weeks leave. Mulder's going to stay with my parent's and they'll need help with him for a while." Skinner looked the Director in the eye. If he wanted to dispute his relationship with Fox then he'd take him on. Nothing mattered more than his son! If Fox had more nightmares, it would take Walter and his Dad to control him. Besides as much as he loved his parents and trusted them and Maggie. Fox was his son and he needed to take care of him or at least help.
His leave was approved. After checking in with Scully he returned to his desk to clear away any meetings for the upcoming week.
While Skinner was talking with his superior, Dana was busy talking with the ER doctor who had treated Fox. She explained the problem they had with the suppository and he agreed to prescribe something in another form for the blisters in his rectum.
The doctor prescribed a medicinal cream packaged in a tube with a rounded tip. All they would have to do in insert the tip and squeeze a small portion into his rectum. This would have to be done three times a day. Scully told the doctor she would be by momentarily to pick up the prescription and get it filled.
She called her mother and told her everything the doctor had said. She told her she would be by within the hour with the substitute medicine for Fox. When Dana arrived she had a bag full of the tubes of cream. She quickly told her mom what to do to administer the cream.
"Is Fox awake?" She asked, and at Maggie's nod, she continued, "well there is no time like the present to see if this works." Maggie led the way to Walters's bedroom. They found Rachel and Walter Sr. keeping Fox company. They all looked up at the ladies appearance. Dana moved towards Fox.
"Hey, partner, I got something to replace the last prescription with. Will you let me administer it?" Fox looked at her with apprehension and nodded shyly. "O.K., now Fox just turn towards your grandfather and close your eyes and TRUST ME."
"Fox, I want you to hold my hand and take a deep breath when I tell you and rest assured that your partner is not going to hurt you, can you do that for me son?" Walter told his grandson.
Fox did as he was instructed. He grabbed his grandfather's hand when he felt his boxers being lowered. Scully slowly squeezed a little dab of the cream on the tip to lubricate it and started to gently insert it.
"Now Fox, take a deep breath...now hold it and...you can breathe again...it is over." Fox turned and gave his partner a big smile and said, "Thanks, Scully." The rest of the people in the room gave a sigh of relief glad that they had something to treat Fox's inner injuries that wouldn't cause him any anxiety.
When Skinner got home that night he walked in to their room to find his father sitting with Fox. Fox was sleeping again. Walter motioned for his father to come out into the hall. They moved into the kitchen to find Maggie and Rachel fixing supper. Once Walter and son arrive, Rachel got up and gave her son a kiss and returned to what she was doing. "How was Fox this afternoon?"
"Dana came by a few hours ago with a change in medication. Instead of suppositories she brought medicated cream in tubes with rounded tips. This way the cream can be squeezed out. Dana applied the first dose without causing Fox any further anguish." Rachel replied first.
"Fox has been sleeping off and on all afternoon." Maggie answered next.
"I think I'll go and sit with him for a while," Walter suited actions to his words and left the table heading for his room. Walter had only been sitting with Fox for a few minutes when he wakes up.
"Hey, sleepy head, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, dad."
"How about some supper?"
"That would be fine but first can you help me with the uh...the urinal...and the bed...pan? Please."
"Sure son."
When Walter returned to the kitchen, "Fox is awake and hungry," he told his parents and Maggie. "When will his supper be ready?"
"It's ready now son. Well bring it in a few minutes. If he wants to know what he's having tell him tender roast beef, mashed potatoes and puree carrots." Rachel paused to catch her breath, "He'll also have to drink a glass of milk."
Walter went ahead to tell Fox that his food was on the way. He would stay with him while he ate and to see how they were going to persuade Fox to eat his carrots.
When they arrived they were surprised to find Fox semi sitting up in bed and on his back. At their questioning looks Fox replied, "It doesn't hurt that bad lying on my back. It's not that much pressure on my injury. Fox reddened in embarrassment having to explain such a personal matter to his family but he then continued. "I hate to eat while lying on my side."
Gram nodded her head in understanding, "Ok, dear, let me put this tray on your lap and then you can eat your supper."
Fox settled back on the pillows and surveyed his supper. He looked balefully at the carrots on his plate. Rachel sat on one side while Maggie sat on his other. Rachel had the spoon and Maggie had the fork. They decided to take turns feeding Fox.
Fox reached for his fork only to discover that there wasn't one. When he opened his mouth to ask where his fork was, Maggie swiftly put a forkful of roast in it. He started to chew and when he swallowed he found a spoon of mashed potatoes at his mouth, which he found himself accepting. He was treated to a straw in his glass of milk and he gratefully took a long swallow. When he opened his mouth to another forkful of roast he saw his Gram take a spoonful of carrots and bring it to his mouth. When Fox opened his mouth to decline the carrots his Gram quickly pushed the spoon in and he was forced to swallow. Fox was determined not to eat any more carrots if he could help it. He kept a wary eye on what his mom and Gram feed him. Accepting the roast beef and mashed potatoes readily. The problem came when his Gram brought another spoonful of carrots to his mouth. He was ready this time and refused to open his mouth. "Fox, open your mouth; I'm not going to ask again," advised his Gram. Fox shook his head, "NO."
Walter was about to insert his authority and order Fox to open his mouth and eat his carrots, when he saw his mom give Maggie a look he couldn't define but sent shivers down his spine. Maggie inconspicuously moves towards Fox inner thigh and gave it a pinch. When Fox opened his mouth to yell, Rachel pushed the spoon of carrots in and Fox had to swallow. "Gram that's not fair," Fox, cried.
"Fox, I asked you to eat the carrots and you disobeyed me, consider yourself lucky that you were only pinched. Now finish your carrots before something worse is done to you. I may not be able to spank your bottom yet but I can spank your upper thighs." After that and with the threat still in his mind, he ate everything that was fed to him.
"Gram, Mom I hate carrots," whined Fox. "We know that Fox, but that doesn't mean a thing to us. Veggies are good for you and you will be served them during your recovery. You had better eat them on your own or you will be fed like a baby. The choice is yours," threatened Gram, with Maggie nodding in agreement "
"That's not fair!" croaked Fox, whose voice had yet to heal from his ordeal at the hands of the Schoolmaster.
"Fox the choice is yours; eat what we feed you without complaint or YOU WILL BE FED LIKE A BABY. And while we are at it, loose the attitude or you will be treated like a baby in all regards. Do you understand me, young man?"
"Yes, Gram, I'm sorry," replied Fox meekly. Both his Gram and Mom leaned down and kissed him on the cheek and left with the tray. His father stayed to help him again with the bedpan and urinal. "Thanks, Dad," whispered Fox. "Anytime, son."
Walter stayed with Fox, just keeping him company until Rachel and Maggie reappeared with his medicine and the medicinal cream. Maggie held the glass of water so Fox could take the pills to help him sleep and to ease the pains he was still experiencing. Rachel handed Walter the cream and whispered to him how to administer it and left. She wanted to give Fox as much privacy as possible. Walter turned to his son and said, "Now Fox bear with me and we will have this over and done with so you can go to sleep. I want you to turn on your side and face the wall."
Fox did as he was told, trembling as he did it. He felt his Dad's hands on his boxers as they were lowered. He took a big breath and held it as he felt the lubricated tip enter his rectum. He felt the cool cream being administered and the tip removed and then he let the breath out. His boxers were hastily replaced. Walter wasn't surprised to see the tears on his son's face when he turned back. He reached for Fox to comfort him as the tears began to fall in earnest. Once Fox was back in control of himself, Walter helped him to lie back on the bed. He stayed with him until Fox had calmed down rubbing his forehead until he fell asleep. Once he was sure that Fox would not immediately awaken he gave him a kiss on the forehead and tucked the blankets more securely around him Walter left the room giving Fox a worried glance as he did so.
Walter heard the others talking in the kitchen and went to join them. He found Dana eating a bite of supper that Rachel had insisted upon when Dana came to pick up her Mom. "Walter sit and eat with Dana," said Rachel as she put another full plate down in front of him. It was the same thing that Fox had eaten only the carrots weren't pureed. Instead of milk they had iced tea.
Maggie and Rachel kept up a steady conversation while Dana and Walter ate their supper. Walter, Sr. had decided to sit with Fox while his son was eating his supper. Because of Fox's bad dreams they decided not to leave him alone for any length of time.
As soon as they had finished eating and the dishes done, they all retired to the living room to discuss what to do about Fox. Rachel started, "Dear, we've all been discussing Fox during the day and we think that the best place to take care of Fox would be at our house." Rachel looked imploringly at Walter Jr. It would have to be his decision. Rachel then continued, "Maggie will come home with us. Surely between the three of us, your father included, we should be able to return 'our Fox' to his best in no time."
Walter closed his eyes for a minute trying to make a decision, "I think that's a good plan, we can get him out of the city and away from any reminders of the..." Walter struggled to find the right word and settled for, "incident. But, I've already told the Director that I needed a week off and can always put in for more leave." Walter was trying to hold his emotion in check but his voice trembled a little, "I'm not ready to let Fox out of my sight for long." He turned to Dana, "I told the Director that you were capable of handling the case and you will report directly to him."
"Thank you sir, we will nail the guy." Dana had a feral gleam in her eye that she quickly hid.
Skinner nodded his approval, "When do you think we should take him to Danville?" The remark was more toward Dana for her medical advise but it was Rachel that answered. "Well we want to be sure that Fox is strong enough, and the doctor did say for him to stay in bed for at least two days and tomorrow is Monday so we figured that Wednesday would be a good day for the journey."
"I concur, the journey is going to tire him out enough as is, by Wednesday he should be able to make it without it totally wiping him out. That decided let's call it a night, ladies."
"Yes, sir, but I would like to look in on Fox before I leave, if that is alright with you?" asked Dana.
"Go right on in honey, I'll wait for you by the door," instructed her mom. Dana walked into the room and up to the bed and looked fondly at her partner, her best friend. He looked so young and innocent as he slept. She leaned down and kissed him on his forehead and whispered, "Sleep well Fox," and left the room accompanied by Mr. Skinner.
Walter saw them out the door and turned to his mom and dad and said, "you two look tired, and I'm going to sit up with Fox for a while. Why don't you get some sleep, I'll read e till I'm sure he's going to stay asleep. I should hear him anyway since were in the same room tonight." He kissed them both goodnight and took his dad's place sitting in the rocker next to Fox's bed.
Walter had intended to do just that but had accidentally fell asleep while reading and sending worried glances toward Fox. In reality he spent more time watching his son sleep then reading and after the stress of the last few days he had drifted off himself. He awakened when Fox began to shout, "Nooo, don't touch me.... It hurts, it hurts..." He was at Fox's side before his parents entered the room to find him holding his son trying to wake him. "Fox, it is okay. You're with me and I won't let anyone hurt you. You are safe. Wake up, son." "Dad?" "Yes, Fox. It's Dad. Wake up son."
"Dad, I dreamt that he was coming towards me with those marbles in his hands," Fox began to cry as he was relating the dream.
"It's okay now. Now I want you to close your eyes and go back to sleep." "No, he'll get me." "Son, how about I lie down next to you and protect you from him?" "Okkkay," stuttered Fox who was showing all the signs of getting sleepy again. He fought it until he saw his dad lie down next to him, then he cuddled next to him and drifted off to sleep once again.
Walter, Sr. tiptoed into Fox's room bright and early Tuesday morning to find his son and grandson sleeping soundly and not wanting to wake them left the room. He joined his wife in the kitchen. "Well, are they still sleeping?" "Oh, yes, like babies. Rachel, I was thinking that when we arrive home the first thing we need to do is go and bring Yoda back home. I think that having the dog with Fox will help him to sleep through the night." "You might be right, dear, Fox didn't have another nightmare once his father joined him on the bed last night. Maybe he just needs a warm body next to him to feel safe. He knows that Yoda will protect him. Remember he did bite Walter that one time when he tried to spank Fox in his presence. We will tell Walter when he gets up."
"Tell me what, when I wake up?"
"Walter, we were wanting you to sleep as long as possible since you didn't get much sleep last night." Walter interrupted her with a kiss and got a cup of coffee, "I got enough sleep. Now what are you going to tell me?"
"Walter, your father and I were thinking that what Fox needs to sleep through the night is Yoda. He will feel safe with the dog there. Yoda always slept with Fox on his bed and while he was there Fox never had nightmares. I know that while you both were on the case the best place for the dog was at Joe's but now the best place for him is with Fox."
"You know your right. We'll do one better, since we go past Joe's to get to your place we'll stop and pick him up. O.K.?"
"That's fine son, now sit down and have some breakfast, while I get Fox's ready. He's having oatmeal sweetened with honey with a glass of milk to drink. I'm afraid he won't like it." Rachel sighed, "but it's the diet the doctor ordered. I'll be glad when he can have more of his favorite foods."
Walter sat down while his mom put his breakfast down in front of him. Pancakes with sausages, orange juice and coffee were one of his favorites, and Fox's he thought ruefully. While Walter was enjoying his breakfast his father made his way to his grandson's room. He found Fox awake and trying to get out of bed. "Fox, where do you think you're going?"
Fox whipped his feet back up on the bed and said in a small voice, "Gran, I got to go and there was no one to help me...I got to GO."
Walter hurried to his grandson's side and asked, "bedpan or urinal?"
"Both, first the urinal and then the other." Walter rushed to help and soon Fox was experiencing relief. "I'm hungry Gran, what's for breakfast?"
"You're having oatmeal," and seeing Fox's face, he continued, "and you will eat every bite or..." Fox got the message and nodded saying, "I'll eat every bite, but I won't like it."
Patting Fox's arm in sympathy, " That's good son, because here comes your grandmother with your breakfast."
Fox kept his word and surprised his grandmother by eating every last bite. "That's my good boy, you will be eating solid food in no time."
"I can't wait Gram. Will you fix me some pancakes when that day comes?" Fox was using his puppy dog eyes on her and of course it worked. " I tell you what Fox, Thursday morning I will fix you pancakes with maple syrup and maybe a little bacon or ham, a glass of milk with juice and some hot tea. Your system isn't ready for coffee yet. We will be taking you to the homestead so you can recover there. Now I want you to lie back down and rest for an hour until Maggie arrives and then it will be time for your bath and medicine. I know that your partner will want to see you before she goes to work."
Fox was still a little tired so he closed his eyes and went back into a light sleep. Rachel looked at him fondly and picking up his tray left the room.
Wednesday afternoon the Skinners and Maggie packed up the vehicles for the trip back to Danville. Rachel would accompany her son and grandson for the journey home in Walt's Ford Explorer while Maggie would drive the other car carrying Walter, Sr. They packed the vehicles evenly with enough clothes and supplies to aid in Fox's recovery.
"Fox, here's your medicine, you need to take it before we leave." Fox submitted with good grace to the ministrations of his family. Dana was at the apartment and gave him a shot of sedative so they were sure that Fox could stand the four-hour ride to Danville. Walter and his father half- carried Fox from the elevator to the car they settled him on his side in the backseat. Dana leaned in, "Bye partner, behave and I'll try to make it on a visit soon." Fox adjusted his position on the backseat his Dad tucked a blanket around him. He turned to his partner, "Okay, Scully be careful. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Fox said with a twinkle in his eye. "Don't be smart partner." Dana said with a laugh. She straightened up kissed her Mom goodbye, "Don't let Mulder give you any trouble."
Maggie answered her, "He better not if he knows what good for him." Everyone but Fox laughed he just looked concerned.
Dana finished saying her goodbyes. "Agent Scully, I'll be in touch to check on the status of the case." Skinner's voice was even but his face (which Fox couldn't see) spoke volumes. The bastard that hurt his son had better get convicted.
"Yes, Sir." The two cars pulled out of the Crystal City Parking garage at 2 pm on Wednesday headed for Danville.
Rachel sat on the front seat with her son but spent much of the journey glancing over her shoulder at her beloved grandson. He always looked so innocent when he slept but this time more so, and her heart went out to him. In between checking on her grandson she discussed her plans for Fox's recovery with her son.
"Son?" Rachel turned to look at Walter. "Yes, Mom?" he answered. "You know that Fox won't behave the entire time he's recovering?" Rachel asked tentatively. Walter laughed quietly, "Yes, Mom. If we can get him through the first week without punishing him it will be a miracle." "We'll have to make sure that he knows that we love him, but he's going to have to rest and take his medicine like the doctor's ordered."
Walter sighed, "Yes, I know. I'll warn him about disobedience. The problem is to make sure he knows the difference between what we do and what the ba..." Rachel cleared her throat disapproving causing Walter to change what he was saying, "what that monster did to him. It won't be easy."
Rachel looked at her son, "We'll show him the difference. We will show him the difference." She smiled confidently at him. "He's going to eat well-balanced meals. Light exercise and take his medicine."
She turned back to Fox to make sure he was still covered. Walter cleared his throat, "The main problem as I see it is to get him to eat the meals and take the medicine." Rachel answered, "He will or else." Her jaw was set in determination. "He's going to be in better health when he's recovered than he was before he got hurt."
The journey went fast after that and soon Walter was pulling into the driveway at his brother Joe's house. Joe was waiting outside; he had been notified of their plans to pick up the dog. Maggie directed by Walter, Sr. had proceeded on to the homestead. They would use the time to get Walter's room ready for Fox and the dog. They would try Yoda on the bed to keep the nightmares away. In case that didn't work, Walt would be there.
When Walt put the dog in the car with Fox, Yoda seemed to understand not to bother him at the moment and spent the remainder of the journey sitting on the floor with his head resting on Fox's side. He had made no sound, knowing instinctively that he needed to rest.
By the time they pulled into the driveway at the homestead Maggie and Gran were waiting. Rachel jumped out with more energy that she thought she had. Her focused was entirely on her grandson.
"Did he have a good journey?" asked Maggie. Rachel nodded and said, "He didn't make a peep the whole time. Walt, let's put the poor boy to bed," she stated anxiously.
Walt nodded absently as he reached for his son. Yoda jumped out when the door opened so he wouldn't get in the way. Walt lifted his son with ease and with his family leading the way, opening doors for him he carried Fox all the way to his room. The bed covers had been pulled down and he tenderly placed Fox on his back. They had dressed him in sweat clothes for the journey and now Maggie and Rachel began to strip him so he could be redressed in his pajamas. Soon he was in bed and still sleeping. He had slept through the whole operation. Yoda walked up to him and carefully jumped on the bed arranging himself at the foot of the bed, finally laying his head down on the legs of his master. The family left Fox in the care of his fierce protector and took their leave for now. They would check back on him later.
Rachel and Maggie came up just before supper to find him just waking up. "Hello sweetheart, did you have a good sleep?" asked both Maggie and Rachel. "Yes, ma'am," replied Fox sleepily. "Fox, you have someone waiting for you to wake up," said Rachel, nodding to the foot of the bed at Yoda.
Fox followed her nod and his face lit up when he saw whom it was. "YODA!!" "I really missed you," cried Fox. Yoda carefully made his way to his "boy" and began to lick him on the face. He began to giggle. It was the most wonderful sound the two women had heard in some time.
"Sweetheart are you getting hungry?" asked Rachel. "Uh, uh," was all that came from Fox who was still to busy with Yoda to answer correctly. They left him glad for the smiles he was now showing. He didn't even notice that they had left.
When they arrived at the kitchen they started to discuss what they should fix him. "What about a hamburger?" Maggie suggested. "That sounds okay, with a baked potato and some peas that should fit the description of a well-balanced meal." Rachel stated. They set about fixing his dinner, the tray was set with the food, a glass of milk, and his can of chocolate ensure he was supposed to take. "We forgot his medicine." Maggie's tone was contrite. Rachel exclaimed, "That's right." We need to keep this warm for him and give him his medicine. "Well he was happy for a few minutes." Maggie was resigned to the fact that Mulder was not going to like getting his suppository. "It can't be helped."
Rachel said. "Honey?" she called to Walter Sr. "Yes, dear?" father and son came into the kitchen. "Here why don't the two of you eat this? Why we give Fox his medicine. We'll make something out fresh for him." Walt Sr. raised an eyebrow. "Okay, we'll dish ours up and put another potato on for Fox. The hamburger and the peas should keep okay." The ladies went upstairs; "First we have to get Yoda out of Fox's room." Rachel whispered. Maggie looked at her questioningly but called the dog, "Yoda, come." Fox looked at the women and knew it was time for his medicine and to their surprise he turned to Yoda, "Go find Dad, boy." Yoda looked from the women to Fox and back again wagging his tail he jumped down and went out the door. Rachel quickly closed the door. "Time for your medicine Fox. We'll make it quick." Fox grimaced but said, "Okay, Gram." They gave him his medicine and then patting his arm. "Good boy. We'll get your food." Rachel stayed with him while Maggie made up his tray again. They had no trouble with him since he was hungry. He ate every bite. They sent Walt in afterwards to help him with the bedpan and urinal.
Walt stayed with his son while Yoda was fed and had his turn outside. As soon as Yoda was back in the room and on the bed, "Now Fox I expect you to snuggle back under the covers and go back to sleep. You can visit with your dog some but when I come back I expect you to be asleep. Deal?"
"Yes, Dad." Fox intended to try and stay up to talk to Yoda but as soon as his head hit the pillow he was asleep. When Walt returned hours later he wasn't surprised to find Fox fast asleep. He went over to Yoda and put a hand on the dog's head and whispered, "Between the two of us we will keep him safe and sound, won't we boy?" Yoda just wagged his tail and went back to watching his master.
While Walt was getting ready for bed he happened to glance at his son and saw that he was disturbed about something he was reliving in his dream. When it looked like he was about to yell out loud and before he could reach him, Yoda was there and snuggled under Fox's arm. As soon as Yoda touched him he settled down immediately and his face had a peaceful expression back on it. Walt knew that their fears were now over. Yoda would keep their 'boy's' nightmares at bay.
The next morning Walter checked on Fox before leaving the room. He was sleeping soundly with Yoda on guard. He tiptoed from the room and joined his parents and Maggie in the kitchen.
They all looked expectantly at his entrance. "He slept the night through without nightmares. He did have the beginning of one just as I was getting ready for bed last night but Yoda was there to nudge him and he quieted right down. They slept peacefully the whole night through and Yoda slept with his head on the boy's leg. They didn't even wake up when I started moving around. I figure we wait to wake them until after we eat.
The rest of the family gave sighs of relief and smiles lit up their faces. "Excuse me, I want to share this happy news with Dana," said Maggie as she left the room.
While she was gone Rachel directed her son and husband to have a seat while she served their plates. For breakfast this morning she and Maggie had fixed a huge plate of pancakes. They also fixed bacon and had juice and coffee. There were bottles of maple syrup for the pancakes. Maggie joined them moments later and they all sat down to eat.
"Mom, Maggie the breakfast was delicious; is Fox going to be able to have some this morning? They are his favorites for breakfast."
"Son, I promised him pancakes for this morning. Only his are going to be a modified version of what you ate. I don't want to give him to many, so he is only getting 3 medium sized pancakes and instead of pork bacon he will be having turkey bacon. To drink he'll have apple juice and milk. If he manages to eat all of that he'll be doing fine."
"Walt, this will be his first breakfast since his rescue with fiber in it. He will be experiencing a BM later and it will probably hurt him so be prepared," informed Maggie. All of the sudden they heard the frantic barking of Yoda. That only meant one thing: Fox was in trouble. They all bounded up the stairs with Walt in the lead.
Walt got to his room first and what he saw chilled him to the bone. It was his son lying in a heap in front of the bed. He rushed to him and discovered him lying in a puddle of urine and sobbing. "Son, are you hurt?" Fox just shook his head, NO. "What's wrong?" "I peed on the floor. I was trying to get to the bathroom and...I ended up on the floor and couldn't hold it," wailed Fox.
Walt reached Fox and gave his shoulders a hug and said, "Let's get you cleaned and back to bed." Walter helped to hold Fox while Rachel and Maggie appeared with wet washrags and dry towels to clean and dry him. They first stripped him of his soiled boxers and quickly wiped him down with the washrag and then dried him. Then they redressed him and Walt carried him to bed.
Walter used the washrags and towel to clean up the urine on the floor. Fox continued to cry; it had been so embarrassing to be cleaned and changed by his Mom and Gram and he had blushed through the whole incident. Walt and Walter ever sensitive to the situation took their leave while leaving Rachel and Maggie to comfort Fox. They took Yoda with them, "Come on boy, your master needs the kind of comfort that only his Mom and Gram can provide."
With Rachel on one side and Maggie on the other they attempted to comfort their "boy." "Baby, can you tell me what happened just now?" Maggie asked tenderly.
"I...I was trying to reach the bathroom. I had to go. I got up and used the bed to support me but when I reached the end and took my first step without support my legs felt wobbly and I fell. I couldn't hold it and I... uh...I peed. I'm sorry, Mom," whispered Fox. "The doctor said I could get up today," cried Fox, in defense of his actions.
"Oh, sweetheart, it isn't your fault. You misunderstood what the doctor said or meant. The doctor wanted to give your body time to heal. That was why he wanted you to stay in bed for at least 3 days. What he wanted was for you to take things easy and gradually gain your strength back by getting up a little each day," Rachel said lovingly.
"Fox, we want you to wipe your tears and eat your breakfast and then we will see about getting you up for a little while later in the morning, okay?" said Maggie
"Sweetheart, do you remember what I promised to fix you today?" Asked Rachel.
Fox was wiping his face with the bed sheets and when he heard that he said with a smile, "Pancakes...today is my Pancake Breakfast."
"That's right baby, we will be fixing you pancakes and bacon for your breakfast. Before we leave you, are you going to need help from your Father and Grandfather to finish your bodily functions this morning?" Asked Rachel.
Fox shyly nodded his head. "Okay, we'll send them up," replied Rachel. They each gave him a kiss before leaving the room. While on their way to the kitchen Maggie and Rachel went past Walt and Walter and motioned for them to attend to their boy. Walt and his dad got the message and made their way upstairs.
As they entered the room, Walt asked, "Are you feeling better now, Son?" At Fox's nod, He continued, "What can we help you with?" "The bedpan, sir." Walter went to fetch it as Walt helped him to lower his boxers and lifted him for Walter to position the bedpan. Soon the whole embarrassing operation was over with and he was eagerly waited for his breakfast.
By the time Rachel and Maggie came in with his breakfast he was in better spirits and impatiently waiting for his pancakes.
Rachel set the tray down and Maggie placed the juice and milk on the night table next to him. Fox grabbed his fork and began to eat. They all sat down and watched him eat. Rachel had to take the fork when it became obvious that he was eating too fast and not chewing his food enough. She sat on one side and Maggie took over the juice and milk. They began to feed their boy.
"Gram, I can feed myself," argued Fox. "Hush, and open your mouth," replied his grandmother. Fox resigned himself to being fed like an invalid and did as he was told. He really wanted to eat those pancakes. In between each bite Maggie made him take a swallow or two of milk or juice. All to soon the pancakes were gone and he looked questioningly at his Gram, who interpreted his look and answered with a loud, "NO! You can't have any more right now. This is the most that you've eaten since you were rescue and I don't want you to make yourself sick."
Fox started to pout and was startled at the laugh his Gram gave him. "You scamp, if everything goes well and you don't get sick you can have pancakes again in a couple of days."
"Thanks, Gram."
Rachel and Maggie left Fox to take a nap after breakfast; they would be back later in the morning to insert a stool softener to prepare the way for the BM they knew would be coming. It would be the first one after eating solid food and they knew it would be painful for Fox and hoped that the stool softener would help.
When Rachel and Maggie came downstairs, Walt and Walter were there with Yoda. Walt looked towards his mom and asked, "Is it okay to let the dog back up?
"Yes, dear, when we left he was settling down for a nap. We'll let him rest for a while then we need to get him up for a short period of time. He needs to gradually get his strength back."
Walt commanded the dog, "Yoda go to Fox." The dog let out at a run. They knew that Yoda would let them know if Fox was in trouble again. They went into the kitchen to talk.
"Mom, while you and Maggie were feeding Fox we did the dishes so let's just sit down and decide what to do next." They sat down to discuss what was going to happen next. "Walt we're going to have to give him a stool softener soon to help him with his BM and I'm not sure if it is going to keep him from experiencing the pain of passing the stool." Rachel sighed and looked at her hands before she looked up at her son, "He's going to hate it! It's another suppository."
Walt nodded and she continued, "Well I expect he'll act the same. I'm afraid we've got to give it to him no matter what, so be prepared. We," pointing to Maggie and herself, will try and explain why he has to have it, but I'm not sure if it will be enough."
Maggie turned to Rachel and said, "Let's try the stool softener and see how it goes. If we have trouble I will get in touch with Dana and see if she can recommend something else. Who knows he may accept it, the stool softener is not as large as the antibiotic suppositories."
Rachel nodded and said, "We'll just wait and see. To change the subject Walt will you and your father go up and sit him up in the rocking chair for a while. I promised him that he would sit up for a while this morning. Be sure that he is covered up and let him stay for 15 - 30 minutes."
With Walt and Walter taking care of Fox, Rachel and Maggie decided on what to fix for lunch. They finally decided to fix a
pot roast with carrots, potatoes and onions. They would cook it in a 350-degree oven for 2-3 hours with liquid around it to be sure that it would be tender enough for Fox. Fox would have applesauce to go along it with. They were introducing more fiber in his diet.
Walt and Walter had no trouble with Fox in getting him in the rocking chair the only trouble they had was making sure he stayed there. "But Dad, I want to go downstairs. With you holding me up I'll be fine. There's nothing to do upstairs with everyone downstairs. I want to watch television."
Trying to find a compromise Walt told his son, "I'll bring the TV in from the study and put it on the chest."
"Thanks Dad." Fox smiled at his father. Skinner went and got the TV setting it up so that Fox could see it from his chair or the bed easily. Handing Fox the remote, "Behave and stay in
the rocking chair now, okay?" Walter had the urge to ruffle his son's hair but Fox would not of appreciated it so he settled for clamping him on the shoulder. "I'll behave, Dad."
"How about I get the checker board and the pinochle deck and we can trade off playing games?" Gran asked.
"That'll be great." Fox answered pleased that he was going to be able to do something besides lying in bed and sleeping.
"Dad, did you bring my laptop? There are games on that I can play when you guys got stuff you want to do."
"Yes, son, it's down stairs, I'll get it for you but you are not to connect to the Internet, Got me?" Skinner gave him a stern look.
"But, Dad..." Fox whined,
"But, me no buts son, you'd get on the net and start working. We both know it so don't even try." Skinner softened his reply with a smile.
Fox hung his head, "Dad you do know me don't you?" Walt brought his son's head up so their eyes could meet. "Yes, I do you're my scamp." This time he did ruffle his son hair.
"Ah, Dad not the hair! You want me to look like you?" Fox teased.
"Watch it!" Walter answered back but there was a twinkle in his eye.
Gran was laughing, glad to see his two "boys" so relaxed that they could tease each other. "Son, you get the computer and I'll get the other games. He turned to his grandson, "We'll be back in a few minutes, son." The two older men left the room and went downstairs to get the supplies. Deciding to check in the kitchen to see if they could help or if they needed to take anything back upstairs. They found the two women making a grocery list. They'd brought enough supplies from Walt Jr.'s house to cover a couple of meals, but hey would need to make a supply run.
"Mom, Dad and I are going to take some games up to Fox and spend some time with him do we need to take anything else?"
Rachel was in the middle of preparing the pot roast so it could slowly in the oven for a couple of hours while they saw to Fox's medication and went to pick up some Ensure which they had forgotten to get. "Nothing, right now we'll be up shortly with the medicine. Son, do you want to put Fox back into his room? You could get that ready." Walter just looked at his Mom, "I know Yoda's helping with the nightmare's but..."Walt looked at the floor and mumbled just loud enough for the other three to hear, "I'm not ready to let him go."
The other three adults exchanged worried glances, "Walt you're not going to be able to keep him with you for ever you know?" Gran pulled his son into a hug.
"I know; it's just too soon." Walter sighed. "Maybe in a couple days we'll see."
Walt and Walter went into the room and discovered that Fox was standing by the window looking outside. He was holding onto the window frame with Yoda looking up at him. Walter moved behind him and gave him one swat to his bare thigh. "Owww," Fox turned around to see two angry men looking at him.
"Boy, I believe I told you to stay seated or we would have a discussion about it."
"Gran, I didn't hear you come in. I...I just wanted to look out for a minute. You aren't going to spank me, I'm injured," declared Fox.
"No, Dad. He's right." Walter protested.
"Just because he's hurt doesn't mean he gets to disobey. "I didn't let you when you were hurt and I'm not going to let him either."
Fox tried to get his father to intervene, "Please, Dad?"
Walter turned to his son and said, "Walt wait for me outside this room this will only take a minute, oh and take the dog with you." Walt nodded, grabbed the dog by his collar and left his son to his father's care. He pulled the door close behind him. Once Walt and Yoda had left Walter turned back to Fox and grabbed his arm and pulled him to the rocking chair where he sat down and pulled Fox over his lap.
"Boy, I do not like the tone of your voice and I expect you to mind me when I say to do something. Yes, I know that you are injured and your bottom is not where I intend to discuss the problem."
With that he pulled his grandson's boxers down and proceeded to spank the back of his thighs. He only gave him four licks. The two on each thigh were right on top of each other. Fox yelled with each lick given. He let Fox up and said, "Fox, I'm sorry that you had to be punished but maybe now you will believe me when I say something. I love you son, but I will be obeyed." Walter opened his arms and Fox threw himself in his arms and said, "I'm sorry Gran; I love you, too."
Gran put Fox back in the rocking chair, "Remember that if you disobey me any further I will remove the TV and spank your bottom until it is red as a lobster, once you have recovered. Do you understand?"
Fox only nodded.
Walter called to Walt, "You and Yoda can come back in now, son." Walt and Yoda came back; Yoda went immediately to his master and put his head in Fox's lap. Fox was back in the bed in room watching the TV with a happy grin on his face. Before he left the room Walt came over and said, "Son, is everything alright with you now?" Fox nodded and Walt ruffled his head and left.
All of this took time and by the time they made their way downstairs they met Maggie and Rachel going up. "Walter wait, it is time to insert the stool softener and we may need your help." They turned around and preceded the women back up the stairs.
Fox looked up when they all trooped into his room. He surveyed them with a look of puzzlement on his face. "Gram...what's wrong?"
"Sweetheart, it is time for stool softener
"Thinking it was oral medication and still looking puzzled Fox held out his hand, "Okay, Gram I'll take it."
"Sweetheart it has to go in your rectum. It's to help you with your BM. You are going to need it, it will make the passing easier for you." Fox colored and started to shake his head, "Nooooooooooo. I don't need it. I haven't needed it before. Why now?"
"Baby, before the meals you were eating were part of a soft diet. Your breakfast had fiber in it; the stool is going to be harder. Without the stool softener it is going to hurt to pass the stool. It might hurt with it but not as bad as without it," explained Maggie.
Fox wouldn't listen and cried, "Nooooooo. You can't, I won't let you."
Rachel nodded to Walt and Walter and they moved to his side.
First thing Walt grabbed Yoda and hustled him from the room and shut the door quickly behind him. He then returned to Fox's side. "Fox, turn over and take your medicine." He said sternly. "NO I WON'T" Shaking his head Walter made a grab for his son's arms and held him while his dad grabbed Fox by his legs. They put him on his stomach. Fox was struggling to get away, yelling at the top of his lungs.
Maggie pulled his boxers down to his thighs and Rachel very quickly lubricated the stool softener and inserted it as far up Fox's rectum as she could. Maggie pulled his boxers back up and they all let go of their boy.
Fox's face was red from the yelling and sobbing. "Go away, I hate you. Go away." Walt motioned for them to leave him alone with his son. Yoda jumped on the bed and began to lick his face. After a while the sobs slowed down and finally stopped.
"Fox, come here to me son."
Fox looked at him for a moment before scooting over to that side of the bed. Walt pulled him off the bed into his lap and began to rock him like he did when he was younger. After a moment when Walt felt that he was calmer he explained again why the stool softener had to be inserted.
"Son, I know that it was embarrassing to be treated that way, but we had no choice. After eating breakfast we knew you were going to have a harder stool to pass and we didn't want you to be in pain passing it. Now this maybe painful to you, but trust me it will not be as painful if you didn't have it. Now you need to apologize to your mom and grandparents for what you said to them."
"I'm sorry dad, I'll apologize as soon as they come back in."
"That's my boy," and gave him a hug and helped him back in bed. Now before I go do you feel like you have to go?"
"No, sir, not now. I'll ring the bell when I'm ready."
It wasn't but 15 minutes later that Walt heard the bell ring and it sounded like it had a frantic touch to it so he hurried up.
Walking into fox's room he noticed his son immediately. He was starting to sweat a little. "Do you need any help, son?"
"Yes, please and hurry." Walt reached for the bedpan and soon had Fox positioned over it. He was just in the nick of time before the BM started. At first there was no trouble and then Fox started to feel something. It started as a burning sensation and he began to cry out loud. "Owwwww, Dad it hurts. You said it wouldn't hurt if you administered the stool softener first. I want to stop, but it won't."
"Son, don't struggle...let it come and it will pass soon," advised his dad.
After what seemed like an eternity for Fox but in reality was only a couple on minutes it was over with and Fox was cleaned and put back to bed. It had hurt worse than Fox thought it would. (There's now way, I'm going to eat anything solid and go through that again. )
When Walt returned to the others they looked up and he told them what had happened. "He had a successful BM, but it hurt him. I don't know how he is going to like eating knowing what it will instill in the end."
"We'll just have to watch him and see what happens next. His lunch is nearly ready. Maggie you want to try feeding him and see what happens?"
"I would love to, if someone would help me bring the glass of milk up, too." Once that was decided they began to fix his plate for him. They decided not to give him that much and see how that went, they could always bring seconds if he would only eat.
While they were fixing his lunch Fox was making plans of his own. He would convince his keepers that he was okay and could be trusted to eat his dinner. Once their backs were turned Yoda would eat the meal. With that decided he closed his eyes for a short nap.
When Maggie and Walter came up a few minutes later they saw he was sleeping. Walter sat the milk down and watched as Maggie sit the tray down and wake up Fox "Baby, it time for lunch," shaking Fox as she spoke." Fox had only been lightly sleeping and awoke quite easily. "Mom? What's for lunch?"
"Roast beef, potatoes, and a few carrots and milk to drink. Now sit up and let me feed you."
"Mom, I'm okay. I can feed myself."
"Are you sure, son I don't mind."
"Mom. You act like I can't even be trusted to feed myself. Look I can do it," and with that he picked up his fork and speared a bit of potato and put it in his mouth. He chewed it up carefully and swallowed. He picked up another bite, this time it was roast beef and did the same. He took a swallow of milk and continued to eat. "Mom, why don't you go and eat with the others. There is no reason that your food should get cold. All you'll be doing is watching me eat. Don't feel that I'm lonesome, I have Yoda."
Maggie nodded and with one last look at her "boy" eating left him to finish his meal. Fox continued to chew this last bite of food and then turned to Yoda and put the plate down and watched with satisfaction while his dog ate his lunch.
He was quick to stop Yoda, "Boy, don't eat all the carrots, they won't believe THAT. " He wanted the plate to look like he had eaten and licking the plate clean would not be believable. He did drink all of his milk and then waited for one of his parents to come a pick the tray back up.
When Maggie returned to the kitchen so quickly they others just looked at her with questioning looks. "He convinced me that he was quite able to take care of himself. He was eating when I left the room. He was eating meat and potatoes and drinking his tea."
"What did he say, Maggie?" Asked Rachel.
"He implied to me that if I didn't let him eat his meal by himself that I didn't trust him to do it. What else could I do but leave him to eat his meal alone."
"Nothing, but I'll check to see what he has eaten as soon as we finish our meal," declared Rachel.
"Mom, let me. I know how he was feeling when he had the BM. Let me check up on him for you."
"Okay, son. He's all yours. Now with that settled let's eat."
It wasn't until 30 minutes later that Walt made his way back up to his son's room. He discovered Fox fast asleep with the near empty plate on his lap. He quietly picked the tray up along with the empty glass of milk and tiptoed from the room. He knew his son needed the rest.
Fox took an hour nap and then rolled over and turned on the television, surfing channels until he came to an old movie that looked interesting. He was engrossed in it when his father came in later to talk. He sat down in the rocker and watched for a moment before opening the conversation. "Is everything okay with you, son?"
Fox turned and just looked with a puzzled expression. "What are you talking about, Dad?"
"I mean...you are going to continue with the program of eating the meals with fiber in them aren't you, son? I know you had a lot of pain with this last BM and you do know that you will be experiencing more, don't you? It should lessen a little after each um movement."
"Dad, I was upset earlier. I wasn't expecting it to hurt so much. I guess I understand that it has to happen. I'm not looking forward to it, but I did eat lunch. I ate everything except for the carrots. I ate some of them, but dad they are carrots." He sounded so sincere and Walt really wasn't expecting his son to lie to him that he nodded and after patting him on the knee got up and left him to his movie.
As soon as his father's back was turned Fox smiled. He had done it; he had fooled his father. ( He didn't consider it lying only fooling )
Walt went down and reported to the others that everything was all right with his son. He was on the road to recovery.
About 30 minutes before supper Walt came up to insert the stool softener. Fox turned over on his stomach and allowed his father to do it. Before Walt left the room Fox called out to him. "Dad, can I use the toilet instead of the bedpan from now on, please. The bathroom is so close and it isn't so embarrassing." Walt considered it and nodded. "Okay, son, ring your bell and I help you get to the toilet and then leave you to do your business and then escort you back to bed." "Thanks, Dad."
Fox was so pleased with himself, now no one would know that he wasn't having a BM. He would fake it. He sat back in bed and waited for supper, he was starting to get hungry.
Maggie and Rachel decided that since Fox had "eaten" a large lunch they would serve him something lighter for supper. They decided on a light soup, maybe some of Rachel homemade chicken and noodle soup. Rachel had made the soup a couple of weeks ago and had put it up in containers in the freezer for later use. She pulled out one container. There was enough soup there to feed Fox for at least three meals.
While Rachel was heating up the soup Maggie was getting the crackers, applesauce and a glass milk dished out to. They both took it up to him and sat while he started to eat. At the first spoonful Fox couldn't stop until he had finished the whole bowl, and the four crackers that were with it. He drank the milk but completely ignored the applesauce. "Honey, what's wrong with the applesauce?" Rachel asked perplexed. Applesauce was one of Fox's favorites.
"I'm full Gram." Fox pushed the tray away. "Thanks, the soup was delicious."
Since he had eaten everything else on his plate they didn't push the applesauce at this time. They were still under the impression that he had eaten everything on his lunch plate and had gotten some fiber in his system. They thought they would try it a little at a time and then see what would happen.
Walt and Walter came by later to help Fox sit up in the rocker for a while to help him regain his strength. Walt was careful to sit with him so he wouldn't be tempted to get up. After about 30 minutes Fox was taken to the bathroom and a few minutes later put back to bed and given his medicine. He was asleep in no time. Yoda jumped on the bed and began his job of guarding Fox's sleep. They slept the whole night through.
Fox kept up his pretense of eating all of his meals for the next few days until. Gran happened to look in on his way to the dinner table. (Fox has been giving his food to Yoda? ) His expression troubled he continued to watch Fox from the doorway.
"Is that good Yoda? I fooled them again. I'm not eating any fiber, no matter what. It hurt that first time I had to go, and I'm not going to experience THAT again, if I can help it," Walter heard his grandson say. He hurried on down stairs to share this new discovery with the other members of the family.
He found them all seated at the kitchen table waiting for him to join them. He sat down and after saying grace he passed on his news. "Fox hasn't been eating all his meals. He's been giving the majority of them to the dog."
"So that is why Yoda hadn't been eating," exclaimed Walt. "I thought he was coming down with something and I was going to take him to the vet's to see what was wrong. That scamp fooled me. Well, what are we going to do about Fox's not eating, and how did you find out, Dad?"
"I was passing by his room and the door was open a crack and I happened to glance in at the most opportune time and saw it. I stuck around a little longer and heard him tell the dog, that he was not going to eat any fiber no matter what. He went on to say that it hurt so badly the first time and he didn't ever want to experience that type of pain again. He doesn't understand that the fiber will help him avoid the pain not cause it. Son, why didn't you tell us he wasn't having firm stools?"
"I didn't tell you because I didn't know. He talked me into letting him use the bathroom by himself. I help him to the bathroom and wait until he is ready to return to the bed and then help him back."
"Well, the first thing we are going to do is make sure he eats. I'm going to fix him another plate and then Maggie and I are going to feed it to him. If you two gentlemen will accompany us, we will show Mr. Fox a united front maybe then he'll eat every bite. When he's finished, I'm sure you'll have something to discuss with him about lying, not eating that is better served to his bottom. I know his backside is healed. He has been sitting in the rocker without pain these last few days."
Fox was surprised about 15 minutes later to have his Mom and Gram return carrying another tray; loaded with food. "Mom, Gram thanks for the second helping but I'm not hungry. I've already eaten."
"No Fox, Yoda has already eaten. You are about to start," exclaimed Maggie. Fox was so surprised that all he could do is open his mouth in surprise and stare. He watched in amazement as his Gram pulled up a chair and sat at his right while Maggie pulled up the rocker and sat at his left and each grabbed a utensil and began without ceremony to feed their "boy." Soon Fox had eaten everything on his plate except for the small saucer of applesauce. "Gram I am not going to eat the applesauce." Fox said stubbornly, crossing his arms over his chest to emphasize his point. Rachel raised her eyebrow "Think not?" The hand that held the spoon tapped him none to gently on the top of his thigh. "Ow." That gave Rachel the opportunity to stick a spoonful of applesauce in his mouth. "Don't even think of spitting it out." His father said sternly. Knowing that he was busted, he swallowed and tried to convince them that he didn't want anymore, "Look I ..." he was interrupted by a spoonful of applesauce. He swallowed it and tried again. "I don't..." another spoonful. "Well you..." another spoonful. "I give up." Rachel nodded and handed him the spoon. He finished the applesauce. "You know right now you are not my favorite people. Would you please leave me alone."?
"Let me talk to Fox alone we have several items to discuss. His behavior right now is at the top of the list."
"Son, he didn't know what he was saying. He's just confused about some things." Rachel said worriedly, the look of Walt's face didn't bode well for fox.
"I'm going to clear some things up with him. Dad, take Yoda with you and close the door, please. "
When Fox heard that he cried out, "Nooooooo. Yoda don't leave me." Yoda had to be dragged from the room. Walt turned to his son and said, "Your Gram wants me to treat you with kid gloves, but I don't think you deserve them. What you said just now hurt her and your Mom; and what you did hurt her even more. I think you are well enough to experience a spanking."
"Noooooooo, I'm still hurt. I'm sorry; I'll apologize to Gram and Mom. Don't spank me."
Walt sat down in the rocker and swiftly pulled Fox to him and over his knee. "Too late," and with that he pulled his pajama pants down and proceeded to spank his son. S M A C K.
Yeowwwch. The first one was a hard one and the others followed in its example. Soon Fox's bottom was a nice rosy color and with one last SMACK, Walt pulled the pants back up and pulled Fox to him for a hug. "I'm sorry Dad," sobbed a more contrite Fox as he hugged his Dad back.
"I know you are son. I will not put up with this type of behavior. You will also be punished for your lying and endangering your life by not eating. But that will come about later after you have gotten stronger."
"Yes, sir," said a very subdued Fox. "Now Fox you will eat everything put on your plate. We will not have scenes like this again. The only way you're going to get back to normal function is by eating fiber. I know it hurts but that will lessen in time. You know that I wouldn't lie to you. Neither will your grandparents or Maggie. If Dana were here, she would tell you the same thing. You've always said in the past that Dana is the only one that you trust. I can call her up and she'll verify what I'm telling you.
Fox nodded, "I'll do whatever Dana tells me. I promise."
Walt immediately got out his cell phone and called Agent Scully and after explaining things to her handed the phone to Fox and left the room.
When Walt returned 15 minutes later he found his son still talking to his partner. He had a more peaceful look on his face and Walt knew that he had decided to do as he was told. "Fox, let me talk to her for a minute, than you can continue your conversation." Fox obediently held the phone out to his dad, who took it and retreated from the room. "Agent Scully? This is A. D. Skinner. Did you convince Fox? Good, that will make things easier for us to help him. Thanks. What's the status on the Schoolmaster case? Yes, yes, He confessed? Great, now Fox won't have to face him and testify. Whenever you wrap it up come up for a visit. Thanks again, let me turn you back over to Fox." He returned the phone to Fox and whispered, "Only 15 minutes more." Fox nodded and resumed his conversation.
While Fox was talking Walt returned to pass the good news on to the rest of the family. "Well, Dana convinced Fox to eat everything on his plate; she also told him that dietary fiber wasn't going to hurt him, that it was going to make things easier. The other piece of good news is the Schoolmaster has confessed that he was the one that did all of the punishment on those kids and most importantly on Fox. This means that Fox won't have to face him or testify in the same room as he. All we have to do is get him well and back to work."
Walt looked at his watch and seeing that 15 minutes had lapsed started back up the stairs to make sure the conversation between partners and best friends was finished. He was pleasantly surprised to find that Fox had indeed hung up. He walked over and sat in the rocker, "Did you have a good conversation with Dana?" Fox nodded, and said, "Thanks, Dad. It was great to be able to talk with her again."
"Did she tell you the good news?" At Fox's shake of his head, Walt continued, "About the Schoolmaster?" Fox paled at his name and shook his head more violently. "It's okay son, he's not going to hurt you. Dana's news was that he confessed to doing the abuse on you and the other boys. This means you won't have to face him in that courtroom and testify to what he did to you." Fox just started to cry. Walt pulled him to his chest and just held him. "It's okay, just let it all out," he said over and over again until the tears came to a stop. Fox cried himself back to sleep. Walt placed him back in bed and let Yoda on the bed to guard his dreams. He sat in the rocker just watching Fox sleep. Skinner's body began to shake from the relief of knowing that the bastard who hurt his son would be behind bars. Walter Sr. came up to see why his son hadn't come back downstairs and found him sitting in the chair watching Fox. With tears falling down his cheeks, Walter went to his son and pulled him into a hug. "He's alright, son, he's alright."
Walt Senior steered his son out of the room. "Dad, I'm fine."
Giving his son a searching look and another hug, "You both will be."
"Thanks, Dad." Walter returned the hug and then headed for the bathroom to wash his face.
It was a while before Walt came back down the stairs to join the others.
"Son, Maggie and I have baked him a huge pan of brownies loaded with pecans. After his nap we will cut him a piece with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it. We can take it up to him in an hour."
"No, don't take it up to him; Walt and I will bring him down to eat with us all at the kitchen table. In fact I think we should bring him down for one meal until he's stronger and able to come down for all of the meals. Today we'll start with this afternoon snack but tomorrow it can be lunch. That way he can have his nap afterwards. What do you think?"
"I think it is a wonderful idea honey. This can be a treat for him. This table has been quiet, Fox will liven the meals up again." They let him sleep a little longer and then around 3 p.m. Walt and Walter came up to get Fox and bring him down for his snack. With him at the table again the family would be complete.
When they entered the room they found Fox lying on his side with Yoda resting his head on his side. It was picturesque and there was such a peaceful look on his face that brought tears to their eyes. Walter put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Wake up, son," and shook him gently. Fox opened his eyes to find the loving eyes looking at him. "Hi Gran, what's up?"
"Fox your Gram and Mom have baked a huge pan of chocolate brownies and we were wondering if you wanted one?" Fox's eyes lit up at the first mention of chocolate, and he nodded and said at the same time, "Yes, pleaseeeeee." "Fox, your father and I are going to help you come downstairs and enjoy it with the family and if you like we were thinking of allowing you to spend one meal each day with the family. You pick the meal. Would you like that?" Fox just gave him a huge smile, which they interpreted as yes.
With Fox walking in between them, they made their way slowly down the stairs to the kitchen where Fox was tenderly deposited in the chair next to Maggie. Rachel appeared with a mug of cold milk and a small piece of brownie with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on it. She then brought out regular size pieces for Walter and Walt and smaller versions of it for herself and Maggie.
Fox took one look at his small piece and their larger ones and let out a yell, " Your pieces are bigger than mine. I want a larger piece." That got the other adults smiling and laughing they knew now that he was on the road to recovery. "Baby, as soon as your stomach can take a larger piece I assure you that you'll get one. Now go eat and enjoy."
Fox picked up his fork and dug in. He tried to eat slower but as soon as he put the first bite into his mouth he had to continue until the whole brownie was gone. He even drank all of his milk.
"That was good, can't I have just a little bit more?" Fox said with his usual whine. "Not now, son. Let's wait a little while and see how it sits on your stomach," requested Walt. Fox grumbled good-naturedly and nodded.
"Dad, do I have to go back to my room? It feels good to be out of it for a while."
Walt looked at his mom who nodded. "Okay son, how about we all go out and watch the game on television with you lying on the couch. At least if you get tired you can nap in there." And that is what they did. Fox stayed there until he got sleepy. As soon as Walt saw Fox fighting sleep he got him up and moving back upstairs to his room. Before leaving he told his father to grab the dog and take him outside. Yoda had been with Fox nearly the whole day and he needed to go out for a while. He would stay with Fox until his protector's return.
He guided his sleepy son back to bed and lay down with him, hoping that his nearness would keep the bad dreams away long enough for Yoda to rejoin them. When Yoda rejoined them both son and father were fast asleep so he just settled as close to his master as possible ever waiting until he would be needed.
When Walter came up later in the afternoon to check on son and grandson he found them all sleeping. He woke them knowing that if he didn't they might not sleep any more that night. As soon as Walt left the bed, Yoda jumped up and took his rightful place. Resting his head once again on Fox's leg he was ready to fight the bad dreams.
Walt followed his father down the stairs leaving his son's in Yoda "care".
It was a week later and Fox was taking all of his meals, except for breakfast, with the family. By the time he arrived for breakfast his family had already eaten. They were all early risers while he liked to sleep later.
He was eating nearly everything on his plate with the exception of all of his veggies. He would eat a few bites but seldom finished all of the vegetables on his plate. He never had any trouble finishing vegetables like potatoes or rice. The problem was eating his green vegetables and carrots.
Rachel and Maggie had scattered several cookbooks over the kitchen table trying to find recipes that would tempt Fox's appetite and get him to eat the hated vegetables. Maggie was thumbing through the vegetable section in one when she came across a picture, "Rachel, look at this." Maggie handed the book over to her friend, "You know this might work." Rachel was looking at a picture of peas surrounded by a mound of vegetables. "We need to hide them though." She added. "We could always dump some more mash potatoes on top." Maggie suggested. "It should work." Rachel grinned. "If he doesn't see them he'll eat them." The two women set about making dinner an occasionally snickering at the "trick" they were going to pull on their favorite "son". Hearing laughter the two Walter's exchanged looks they were in the living room after helping Fox upstairs. "Do we dare find out what there laughing about?" Walter Jr. asked his Dad. "Nothing ventured nothing gained." Walter Sr. said. He approached the kitchen carefully. "Ladies, what's for dinner?" He figured a nonchalant approach would be best. His eldest son was peaking over his shoulder. Rachel answered, "Rump roast, mashed potatoes and...." she started laughing. Both men exchanged another look. "Mom?" Walter Jr. looked so perplexed that both women started laughing. "What's so funny?" "We're having peas." Maggie said.
"Fox hates peas!"
"We know but we're going to hide them in the mashed potatoes. He won't know till it's too late." Father and son started laughing. "He'll hate it," Walt, Jr. said trying to control his laughter, "we, may need a little insurance." "Son, you can take care of that. Now shoo we'll call you when dinner's ready."
"Your mother's spoken son, how about a game of checkers? You definitely need the practice I don't think you've beat Fox yet." He ducked from the head tousling his son tried to give him.
It was a couple of hours later when they were all called for supper. They went upstairs and brought Fox downstairs, sitting him between Maggie and his father. Rachel served Fox first. "Thanks, Gram. Everything looks great." (and no green vegetables in sight. ) Fox almost chortled with good humor.
He could hardly wait for everyone to be served and a blessing. After the blessing Fox dug in. He first took a bite of the tender roast and found it was delicious. Then he took a forkful of the mashed potatoes; every eye was upon him, only he didn't even noticed.
With the forkful in his mouth he happened to look down and was dismayed to find little green peas in the middle of his mashed potatoes. (Yech. They ruined my potatoes! ) He raised his napkin to his mouth so he could spit out the food. He happened to look across at his grandfather before he completed his action. Gran pulled out the insurance, a wooden paddle, and placed it by his plate. The meaning was quite clear, either eat or be paddled. With those options he swallowed what was in his mouth.
He turned accusing eyes towards his Gram. "Gram, you put those green things in my mashed potatoes. You've ruined
them." His voice had a tremble to it as if he was about to cry. He loved mashed potatoes and in his mind he could not eat them with those green veggies in the middle.
"Now Fox, I've done nothing of the kind. This combination is good. You've convinced yourself that all vegetables taste bad and nothing is going to change your mind. It wasn't until you noticed the green peas that you decided that you didn't like it. Now I want you to try another bite."
Fox tentatively picked his fork up and took another bite. He made sure that some of the mixture on his fork contained potatoes and peas. He chewed them carefully and gave a sheepish grin and said, "they aren't that bad; as long as I can eat them in my mashed potatoes and not by themselves."
"You got a deal, son."
The rest of the meal went fine and Fox cleaned his plate and asked if there were any brownies left. "I'm sorry Fox but you finished the brownies yesterday. Today Maggie made a deep dish apple pie, and we have vanilla ice cream to go on top of it. Can I get you a slice?"
"Yes, please, Gram."
Soon Fox was digging into his mom's pie and asking for more. "Maybe later, Fox," replied Maggie. Fox was regaining his appetite and strength and it was about to get him in trouble.
Fox picked up his plate and followed his Gram into the kitchen and deposited it in the sink. He gave her a peck on the cheek and said, "Gram that was delicious. I really enjoyed the roast you and Mom fixed along with the potatoes and green peas."
"Thanks son, now go take it easy. The mailman was here earlier and there are some new magazines." Fox was getting tired of taking it easy. He was feeling so much better that he thought he should have some time to do what he wanted and what he wanted now was to go out for a run. After kissing his Gram he went towards the back door. He stopped when his Gram asked, "Fox? Where are you going?"
"I'm going out, Gram," and continued for the door.
"I don't think so. Fox, it's time for your nap, you look like you're getting tired. Maybe after your rest, we'll see if you can go out for a little while. Now be a good boy and go up to your room and lie down." Rachel was so sure that Fox was going to obey her that she didn't even turn around to check. It was a total shock when she realized that he didn't stop but continue on until he was out the door.
She rushed to the door and called out, "Fox William Skinner, you get yourself back in this house and up to your room; and I mean NOW!!! Don't make me call your dad or granddad." That threat got his attention and he slowed down and called back, "But Gram I feel fine. I'm tired of always taking naps. I'm bored. I want to go for a run and I'm going to," and with that he broke out in an easy jog and was gone.
"Walter, Walt come quickly," Rachel called frantically. It got the desired effect and her husband and son ran into the kitchen.
"Mom? Honey? What's wrong," they cried in unison.
"It's Fox. He's gone off for a run. I couldn't stop him. He could have a relapse. You have got to stop him and bring him back."
They wasted no more time talking and both left to start the search. Walt decided he would check the farm grounds and Walter decided to take the truck and cruise the roads around the farm. "I'll honk if I find him," and he left.
As soon as he turned into the road and looked to his right he saw the dog and knew that Fox was with him. He honked twice and then took off after his grandson. Fortunately Fox hadn't gotten very far when Gran pulled alongside and said through the open side window, "Fox, get in." He got quite angry when his grandson promptly ignore him and kept on running. He speeded up and past him before turning in and blocking his way. "Now he'll have to stop," Walter thought. When Fox ran to the roadblock he tried to run around it, when Walter called out, "Fox, you put the dog in the back of the truck and get in the cab with me."
Fox tried to ignore him but stopped when Gran added, "Don't make me come out and get you." That was one threat Fox couldn't ignore, he remembered the last time he made his grandfather angry enough to actually come and get him. He had been paddled on the spot and he didn't want another demonstration and he did as he was told. After putting Yoda in the back he climbed into the cab with his angry grandfather.
Fox took one look at his grandfather and knew he was in real trouble and decided to try and explain his feelings. He felt it couldn't hurt. "Gran, I'm sorry. I was just getting bored. All I seem to do is sleep and eat. I have to take naps like I'm a 5 year-old and I'm tired of it. I feel fine, really. Are you going to spank me?"
Walter looked at his grandson and saw the same thing his wife must have. Fox was just not strong enough yet, but the boy was stubborn. "Fox, you disobeyed your grandmother, twice. You know what disobedience gets you in this family. You were going to disobey me until I reminded you what would happen if I had to get out of the truck and get you. Yes, I think you are going to get a spanking maybe even a paddling." By this time they were pulling in to the driveway. His father was waiting for him.
As soon as Fox got out of the truck's cab his Dad immediately engulfed him in a powerful hug. He was then held at an arms distance and examined as if he was 5 years old who had just gotten dirty. "Fox what do you think you were doing?"
"Dad, I'm okay. I just wanted to go for a run. I'm tired of being cooped up in that house and being treated like an invalid," snapped Fox, as he struggled to get away.
Walt looked at his son, his facial expression turning from one of amazement to anger in seconds. He reacted at once by delivering a powerful smack to his son's hindquarters. It had the desired effect. "Owwwwwch, that hurts, " cried Fox as he tried to dance out of harm's way. "You get yourself in that house and have a seat in the kitchen while you are able," and punctuated the remark with another SMACK to his son's backside before releasing him. Fox hurried into the house.
For some reason Yoda made no move to defend his master, it was as if the dog knew that he deserved to be spanked. Walt took no chances and left him outside anyhow. Walt wasn't surprised to find his son seated and being scolded by both Maggie and his Gram for his behavior. Walter Sr. followed his son into the kitchen. The all looked at Fox until he couldn't take the pressure and snapped. "I didn't do anything wrong. I am an adult after all. If I want to take a run I will take a run," and folded his arms to his chest as if to say, "so there." It was definitely the wrong thing to say and it only made his folks angrier.
Walter cleared his throat and got everybody's attention, and said, "Fox, it's obvious that you think that you're fully recovered. If that's the case you've got some punishment coming that we have been postponing. Including being punished for disobeying your Grandmother." Turning to Rachel, "Honey, do you want to tell us what happened?" Fox started to protest, "I can tell you!" He just received stern looks from the other two men in the room and subsided into his chair.
Rachel started her story, "Fox helped clean off the table, and I thanked him. He complimented us on the meal. Giving us," looking at Maggie, " a peck on the cheek. Then he started to go out the back door. I asked him where he thought he was going and he told me, 'he was going out.' I saw a little fatigue in his face and told him no. It was time for his nap, afterwards we would see about him going out. I told him to go back upstairs and rest. I turned back to do the dishes and he defied me and continued to go out the door. I was shocked at his blatantly disobedience."
After Rachel had said this all eyes were once again focused on Fox and he began to squirm in his seat. Rachel continued to say; "I stopped him outside with the threat of calling, you or his dad." She said looking at her husband as she spoke. "I told him to march himself up to his room. He then told me that he was fine and tired of taking naps, and he wanted to go for a run and he was going out and with that he left. I had no other recourse but to call for you and Walt for help." Walking to Fox she added, "Baby, you could have hurt yourself and suffered a relapse. If that happened, we would have to start all over again. Relapses are no fun, they just make the recovery time much longer. You understand that don't you?"
Fox said, "But I feel fine, I'm sick of being in this house. I'm getting stronger you said so yourself. You're just being mean by making me stay here." That was the final straw. Walt grabbed him up from the chair, and was about to bare his bottom, and paddle him until his bottom was fire engine red. When Rachel stayed his arm and said, "Son, he's been sick. He doesn't really understand what he said. Let him go to his room while we discuss this. Please."
"Okay, Mom," Walt relented and turned to Fox and said, "Your Gram saved you from being punished out in the open and right now. Go to your room and stay there." He pushed his son towards the stairs and turned back to talk with his parents and Maggie what to do about his "problem" child.
Fox went towards the stairs and at the last minute went out the front door; Yoda was waiting. Fox was furious and began to work himself up into frenzy about the way he was being treated. "Who do they think they are? They are my parents but I am an adult. I can make up my own mind. I feel great. They just want to lord over me. I'm not their slave I don't have to mind them all of the time. Especially not now when there is nothing wrong with me. I'll show them."
All the while that he had been ranting he had been walking away from the house until he was down the road still muttering to himself about their treatment of him of late. He, like most recovering patients, had a selective memory. In the heat of the moment, he was forgetting their loving attention when he was recovering from the schoolmaster's abuse. They stayed with him both day and night in Washington working in shifts so if he woke with nightmares they would be there to comfort him. Fox was starting to feel sorry for himself and getting himself in more and more trouble.
While Fox was walking into more trouble, the other adults were discussing his disobedience, Walter said, "I found him almost right away. Fortunately, he was only several yards down the road. I pulled along side of him and told him to stop and climb into the cab. The scamp," giving an exasperated sigh, " ignored me and kept on running. I had no other recourse but to pull ahead and block his way."
"How did you get him to go with you," asked Walt.
"I had to remind him what would happen if I had to put him in the truck. Fortunately the threat worked and he finally obeyed me. Then we came straight home."
They discussed Fox punishment throwing out ideas and discarding them quickly, Walt finally said, "We all agree a hand spanking now and a "mini" punishment tour with a couple of bedtimes spankings?" The other adults nodded their heads, "Okay, I'll break the news to him." Normally Walt would make the decisions about punishing his son, but because of Fox's injuries he wanted to make sure that he was not over reacting. He climbed the stairs the discussion had done a lot to cool his anger, "Fox?" he called as he entered their room. The room was empty, "Fox!" He called again, not willing to believe that his son would be defiant enough to leave the house a second time. Worried he checked the bathroom and the study, Fox's normal room, and they were empty. "Mom! Dad! Maggie!" he yelled as he ran down the stairs. They all rushed out of the kitchen, "What?" they cried in unison. "Fox is gone." He hit the front door without breaking stride.
"Walt, wait we need to make a plan." His father shouted. It was decided that Maggie and Rachel would check the grounds, while he and Walt would take his son's Jeep Cherokee and check the roads. They figured that it would take a team of two to get him back this time. "It too bad I didn't bring handcuffs with me or we could cuff him to the bedpost and make sure he stayed put," muttered Walt to his father. It was a grim pair going Fox hunting that afternoon.
Even though he wouldn't admit it to himself, Fox was starting to get tired. He just began to slow down and when his father and grandfather finally got up with him he was hardly moving at all. Walter pulled up next to him and Walt caught him in his arms and bodily pulled him into the back seat with him. Walt opened the front seat for the dog to jump in. "How is he," Walter asked anxiously. He had seen just how tired Fox looked. "I don't know, we have got to get him back home fast."
That was all Walter needed to hear. He had the jeep turned around in a flash and roared back home at twice the speed limit. Soon they were in the driveway and honking the horn. Rachel and Maggie came running. Walt picked Fox up and carried him into the house putting him on the living room couch he stepped back.
Maggie and Rachel hovered over him for a moment. Walt he really needs to bed in his bed so we can really take a look at him." Walt picked him up one more time and gingerly carried him back to his room. He laid him down tenderly and waited for his mom and Maggie to tell him what to do next.
They descended on Fox and began to strip him of his clothes. Soon he was down to his boxers, "Gram, Maggie, I'm fine you don't need to do this." His protest feel on deaf ears, but he kept trying, "I'm okay, I just needed to get my breath back." They finished tucking him into bed, "Rest." Rachel shooed the other members of the family out of the room.
Rachel shut Fox's door and began to speak, "Maggie and I think that Fox was very fortunate that he didn't do himself some harm. He just needs some rest and he'll be okay. However I think he needs a spanking NOW for putting us through all of this and maybe a day or two at being treated like a baby to fully understand why he should obey us without question when it comes to his health."
It was soon agreed on and Walt went in to administer the spanking. Walter snagged the dog's collar and led him from the room. This didn't escape Fox's notice Fox who began to look apprehensive towards his Father's approach. The sinking in the pit of his stomach grew continued as his father seated himself in the straight back chair, "Come here Fox." Walt pointed to his lap. Fox reluctantly got out of bed and went to stand by his father. Walt pulled Fox over his knees and pulled his boxers completely off. "Son, I'm not going to tell you that 'this will hurt me more than you' cause you know that is not true. But I want you to understand that what you did today is what earned you this spanking," and without another word he began to give his son a spanking.
He started slowly smacking one cheek and then the other at a even speed but then as the smacks were beginning to turn Fox's bottom a rosy glow he picked the speed up until he was peppering his bottom with short and hard smacks. Fox tried not to cry at first but it became apparent early in the spanking that he would not be able to keep that up any more and began to wail and kick and scream. Walt hardened his heart to the pleas and promises until Fox began to howl and sob. After depositing two more hard licks to his sit spot he quit.
Fox was sobbing so loud that at first he didn't realize that the spanking was over. His butt hurt so badly he couldn't tell when the smacks had stopped. His first clue was when his dad pulled him up into a hug and then put him back to bed; face down, on the cool sheets. He left him crying into the pillows.
As Walt started down the stairs he could still hear Fox sobbing and it sadden him that he was forced to spank his son with such intensity. It had been a necessity to keep him from having a relapse. He went on down the stairs arriving at the bottom he called out, "Mom? Dad?"
"We're in the kitchen, dear," answered his Mom. Walt walked in to find everybody gathered around the table drinking a cup of coffee and discussing Fox. Walt poured himself a cup and sat down to join them. "How is he?" asked Maggie.
"I left him on his stomach on the bed with the brightest red bottom on display, sobbing his heart out. If we're lucky he'll cry himself to sleep." The others nodded in agreement.
"Let's hope that when he awakes he will be back to normal, but I somehow doubt it. He has been acting like a spoiled 5- year old lately. Refusing to eat his vegetables and then running away twice today," replied Rachel.
"Mom now that you mentioned it he has been acting like he did when he was five. He refused to eat his vegetables then too; and I seem to remember as incident when he ran away after I told him to go to his room. Granted he didn't get very far, but he did disobey me by leaving. I know how I handled it back then but how to handle it now? You mentioned something about treating him as if he was five?"
"Maggie and I had time to talk about the matter while we looked for him after his last escapade and we came up with a plan. Since he insists on acting like a 5 year old we will treat him as one. This means we will give him tub baths, drying him afterwards and even dressing him ourselves," explained Rachel.
"We also decided that he would continue to take naps. One is the morning and one in the afternoon. And to make sure he doesn't try and run away he will be taking them on the couch in the living room or den where we can monitor him and he will be wearing only a t-shirt," Maggie said with a smile.
"Talking back or cussing will be punished by giving him a spoonful of cod-liver oil or with a spanking. It will be dealt with immediately, no matter who is around at the moment.
He will have an early bedtime, too. We figured on a 6:30 or 7:00 bedtime," Rachel continued to explain.
"His meals will not change, except that he will eat all of his vegetables or we will fed them to him. He will not be allowed tea or coffee and will be drinking only milk, like all 5 years old do. Caffeine is not allowed. Since he is now 5, he won't be allowed to use the computer or get on the Internet, his television programs will be limited to educational ones only and he will be read to since he can't read," described Maggie, "if he thinks he was bored before, just wait and see what he thinks after reliving his life at 5 years of age."
"Well, what do you think? Do you think we can change his behavior and attitude with this plan?" Rachel looked expectantly at her son and husband. They looked with amazement at both ladies and answered with two big grins. "Mom, if you do this to him I KNOW he will change his ways and behave for the rest of his time here. If you need any help in carrying your plan out, I know that dad and I will be more than happy to help. Right Dad?"
Walter looked at his wife and Maggie and answered with nod and question, "when do you plan on springing this on him?"
"We thought to start the new day with Fox as our 5 year old boy, needing a bath to start the day," responded Rachel. "So Wednesday is the first day in the life of our 5 years old boy, Fox; let's see if we can age him by Friday."
After Maggie and Rachel had explained their plan to Walt and Walter they sent them on to town for a few items they would need in the upcoming two days. While the men folk were gone, Rachel and Maggie went to check on Fox. They found he had cried himself to sleep. He was still on his stomach with is red and sore bottom still on display. Rachel pulled the cotton sheet up over Fox to hide his nudity. Even in sleep he hissed when the sheet made contact with his sore bottom, but never woke up completely. They left him to sleep a little longer with his best friend on guard.
It was an hour later that Maggie came in to wake him. She gently shook his shoulder saying, "Baby, wake up. You need to get up now." Eventually Fox woke and turned naturally on his back, although when his sore bottom met the mattress he jumped up in pain with a cry. He began to rub his bottom in the attempt to ease the pain. He was still disorientated due to just waking and he didn't realize at first that Maggie was in the room. Realization came to him when Maggie cleared her throat and he turned and seeing her made him want to hide. He jumped back in bed and once again screamed when his bottom made contact once again with the bed.
He turned red with embarrassment when he realized that his Mom had seen him naked and rubbing his bottom. He just imagines her laughing at him and he lashed out at her viciously, "I hope you enjoyed yourself at my expense. I thought you loved me, but I see I'm only an amusement for you." He mistook her smile as one of her enjoying his discomfort; instead it was a sad smile owing to the fact that he had to be punished during his recovery.
The words were barely out of his mouth when she moved towards him and grasped his ear pulling him from bed and into a corner of his room. While she had him in the corner she smacked his already sore bottom four times, two licks to each sit spot. He yelped with his lick. "Now young man, you know I wouldn't laugh at your distress. If you had looked closer you would have seen the sadness in my eyes that accompanied that smile. I was sorry that during your recovery time you had to be punished. Now you just think about that for a while. I be back to release you in about 30 minutes." As she was leaving she said, "I'll be checking on you and you had better be there or you might have another visit from your dad later."
With the threat of another spanking hanging over him Fox didn't move. He used the time wisely, he began to feel sorry for himself and felt the anger rise up within him once again and by the time he was released he was furious. He kept the anger within him for the time being but when his mom returned and told him he was free to leave the corner, the room but not the house it was all he could do not to explode. He did get dressed so he could leave the room. He wandered down to the living room and gingerly sat himself down to watch TV. He found a basketball game and soon he was engrossed in it, and there was peace in the house once again.
He was so engrossed in the game that he didn't even hear his Dad or Gran when they returned with the items his Mom and Gram had sent them out for. They noticed him sitting watching the game and went in to talk with Rachel and Maggie.
"How was he this afternoon?" asked Walt. Maggie gave him a look and said, "Fine after I gave him four additional licks and he did corner time. But I feel there is an explosion just waiting under the surface."
"Four licks...corner time...what happened this time?" demanded Walter.
"When I went in to wake him he smarted off to me and I smacked him and put him in the corner for a cooling off period. I only gave him four additional licks but fortunately it was enough since his bottom was still sore. The matter is closed for now. For the last two hours he has been sitting in front of the television watching the basketball game. It's been kind of peaceful and we haven't bothered him."
Walt and Walter left their purchases with Maggie and went out to join Fox. Walt and his father each grabbed a beer for themselves. Walt also fixed his son a tall glass of ice tea and took it to him. Walter sat down near his grandson while Walt was handing the tea to Fox. Fox took the glass happily until he saw his father and grandfather drinking the beer. He looked at the beer and demanded, "I want a beer, too," and started to get up. His Gram guessing where he was going grabbed him and pulled him back to the couch. "Bad boys don't get alcohol, now drink your tea."
Fox was so tempted to throw the tea but was reminded by the soreness in his bottom what would happen if he did, and quietly sipped his tea. He returned to watching the game and ignoring his parents. The tension became so thick that you could nearly cut it with a knife. It stayed like that until they were called to supper.
Supper was no better. It started out nice when Fox began to sit gingerly in his chair and saw the fluffy and soft pillow some kind soul had placed in his chair. He looked up and smiled at everyone present for the pillow. From the smile the rest of the meal went downward. Fox ate everything on his plate and did nothing else. He wouldn't be drawn in any conversation his parents tried to include him in. The last straw came when he just got up after the last swallow of food and attempted to leave the table.
"Fox!! You get back here and leave the way you have been taught. You ask to be excused. You have been an unruly brat all afternoon and you are on the threshold of more punishment," declared Walter.
Fox returned long enough to shout out angrily, "CAN I BE EXCUSED!!!!!" He then left ant the run to his room and threw himself on his bed. He was expecting a male parent at any moment to punish him for his outburst and waited nervously for him to come. After a few minutes it became apparent that this was not going to happen. He began to feel sorry for himself and said out loud; "Now they don't even care enough when I purposely misbehave," and tears began to fall. He cried himself to sleep again.
What Fox didn't know was his parents decided to use the two days of being treated as a five year old as punishment enough for his outburst and bratty behavior. They left him alone until it was time for bed and Walt went up to tuck him in. He found him still in his jeans and t-shirt and began to strip him down to his boxers. He pulled the sleepy man to the bathroom and got him ready for bed. Soon Fox was back in bed sleeping once again on his stomach. Before leaving he kissed his son on his head and pulled Yoda from the room.
After feeding the dog and allowing him out for a while he was returned to Fox's bed and everybody went to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy and difficult day. Fox was going to be five years old again and they all knew they had better get a good night's sleep.
Bright and early Wednesday morning found everybody but Fox up and going. Breakfast was fixed, eaten and everything was made ready for Fox's breakfast. They decided that 5 years olds should get hot cereal for breakfast, so they made him some oatmeal and put it on the back burner and went to wake Fox. It was 8 o'clock and they knew they were going to have a hard time getting him up so early, so they enlisted the help of the men folk.
It was decided that Walt would accompany Maggie and together they would get Fox up and down for breakfast. At breakfast Maggie and Rachel would break the news to him about his return to his fifth year of life.
Walt and Maggie entered Fox's room and found him sleeping on his side. They woke him. Fox looked up into his mom and dad's faces and said sleepily, "Mom, Dad, what time is it?"
"It's 8 o'clock Wednesday morning, Fox. It's time for you to get up and have some breakfast. You are going to have a full day in front of you," replied Walt.
"8 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING!!!" cried Fox. "That's to early, come back in a couple of hours and I'll decide it I'm ready to get up then," and turned back over.
Walt calmly pulled the sheets back down and carefully pulled his boxers down. He then gave him a powerful lick to his backside. The effect was instant. Fox jumped up with a yell and his hand to his backside. "Young man you will get up and come down for breakfast. NOW!!!" Fox pulled his boxers back up and pulled on a pair of sweatpants and left with his Mom and Dad.
They made a quick stop at the bathroom and Walt sent Maggie on down to help Rachel get the breakfast on the table. As soon as Fox left the bathroom they resumed their journey to the breakfast table.
By the time Fox arrived he immediately was pushed to his place at the table and told to sit and eat. He did and saw what they and fixed him and began to protest. "I don't want any oatmeal; I want bacon and eggs!!!!"
Rachel took a deep breath and said, "Fox, because of your recent behavior we've decided to treat you as a 5 years old little boy for the next two days because that is how you've been behaving. Now oatmeal is exactly what my five year old is going to eat."0Fox just looked at them in amazement, not completely taking in everything that his Gram had said. "Treating me like a five year old?" Fox said very confused.
"That's right. For the next two days your mom and I will bathe you. We will dry you off and dress you. You will have naps twice a day and your bedtime will be at either 6:30 or 7:00."
"Noooooooo," cried Fox. This time he completely understood and he was protesting it heavily.
"Oh, and that isn't all Fox. You also will be allowed to watch only educational programs. They will be no using the computer or being on the Internet. You won't be reading but we will be happy to read to you."
"No TV, Computer, Internet, reading books. Why??"
"Fox you are only 5 years old and you can't read."
"Noooooo. I'll behave I promise," pleaded Fox.
"I'm sorry Fox, you are now 5 years old. Now pick up that spoon and eat your cereal, and don't forget to drink your orange juice and milk. Oh, one more thing you won't be allowed anything with caffeine in it either," said Maggie.
Fox picked up his spoon and slowly began to eat. He managed to eat it all as the tears became to fall. Once breakfast was over, Maggie told him, "Fox go on back up to your room and strip out of those clothes. We will be running you a warm bath."
Fox nodded and went up to his room and locked the door. "Let's see you get in now," and threw himself back on his bed.
Soon he heard footsteps and they went into the bathroom. When he heard water running he looked at the door and smiled. Soon he heard the knob being turned and when it became apparent to the ladies in the hall he heard his Gram call out. "Fox open this door immediately. It's time for your bath."
"Forget it Gram. I'm not opening the door. You're not going to give me a bath."
The grin left his face when he heard a key being inserted in the lock and the door being flung open. He could only look in shock as his Mom, Gram, and Gran entered the room.
"Fox you were supposed to be ready for your bath. I see like most 5 years olds you don't want to take a bath and I suppose we will have to help you out of those clothes. He numbly looked at them as they approached and began to strip him of his clothes. They stopped when they got to his boxers.
They led their 5 year old to the bathroom and just as he was getting into the tub Rachel whipped his boxers off. Fox blushed as soon as he saw his boxers in his Grandmother's hand. He immediately sat down and put his hands over his privates. They paid him no mind and both took up wash clothes and soaped them sufficiently and began to wash their boy. Maggie took the top half and Gram took the lower half.
When Gram approached his privates Fox began to squirm and tried to stop his grandmother from continuing. "Please Gram, let me do that part," Fox pleaded. Gram saw the anguish in Fox's face and relented. "Okay Fox, I'll skip that part and leave it to you. Although I still intend on washing your legs and feet," and did just that. That alone was enough to keep Fox red from embarrassment. True to her word Rachel handed the washrag to Fox and said, "Wash," and turned her back. Maggie did the same and gave him a little privacy to complete the job. Soon Maggie was back and washing his hair and rinsing the soap out and with Walter aid Fox was pulled out and with a towel fixed firmly around his hips was being dried off.
By the time he was lead back to his room, he was very subdued. His Gram led him to his bed and told him to sit. She threw him a pair of briefs and told him to put them on. When he gave her a questioning look, she replied, "Five year olds do not wear boxers, now put them on while your Mom and I find something for you to wear."
Fox slipped on the briefs and removed the towel. He sat gingerly on the bed. When he winced upon sitting his Mom saw and commanded, "Fox, I want you to lie down on your stomach. I have some aloe vera lotion to put on your bottom. It should help ease the pain."
Fox knew that meant he would have to lower his briefs for his Mom to apply the lotion and pleaded, "That's okay Mom, it doesn't hurt that bad."
"Boy, I think I told you to lie on your stomach. I can always request your Gran to reheat your bottom first," threatened Maggie (she had no intention of having Fox spanked again, but fortunately Fox didn't realize that and he obeyed her. )
By the time Maggie returned with the lotion Fox had taken the initiative and lowered his briefs and blushed when he felt his Mom rub the cool lotion into his sore bottom. It felt heavenly and he would have mentioned it if it had been his father or Gran who had applied it.
Maggie gave him 5 minutes for the lotion to soak in and dry before pulling his briefs back up and telling Fox to sit up now.
She went and conferred with Rachel and they pulled out an outfit that Walter and Walt had bought for Fox the day before.
They found a pair of jeans. The pants had a fly that had been changed to a snap opening. (Rachel had changed the zipper to one that opened with snaps instead. ) They bought a pair of
tie up shoes and a t-shirt with a Looney Tune character on the pocket.
When Fox saw what he was to be dressed in he tried to run out of the room. Unfortunately for him he had forgotten that his Gran was still in the room. While his Gran held him his Mom and Gran proceeded to dress him. Soon he was dressed in the outfit. It all looked so juvenile on him. He Hated It.
He thought that the rest of the day couldn't get any worse than having to wear this stupid outfit. He was to find out just how wrong that was to be. The rest of the day was just as bad. After he was dressed he was sent downstairs to watch some TV. He was put on the couch and told not to move. Maggie turned on the TV and found ETV and Sesame Street was on. He had to watch it and when it was over she found him another.
At 10:00, Gram came out and told him it was time for his nap, and he had to take his pants off, which he did gladly. He balked when he was instructed to take his briefs off as well.
"Boy, I said take your underpants off or do you want your bottom reheated." Faced with another spanking Fox slowly removed his briefs as well. Gram pulled a blanket up and Fox scooted under it. She brought out a pillow for him to use, and just before leaving him she collected all of his clothes and left him to take his nap. She turned off the television but left some music from the radio on to keep him company.
When Rachel returned about an hour later she wasn't surprised to find him sleeping peacefully on the couch. She hated to wake him. He looked so young and innocent with the blanket pulled to his chin and his hair ruffled from sleep.
She leaned over and laid her hand on his cheek and said, "Wake up, baby." He woke almost instantly.
"Did you have a good nap, honey?"
Fox nodded shyly, and said, "Can I get dressed now?"
Rachel smiled at him and nodded. She handed him his briefs and he put them on while still covered by the blanket. She then handed him his jeans and he hurried in them as well. "As soon as you're dressed come in and help your Mom and me with lunch," instructed Rachel.
A moment later, Fox entered the kitchen and was given the job of setting the table. He took the silver ware and soon returned for the plates. Maggie happened to look up and remarked, "Fox, baby be careful with the plates." He made a face at her concern but nodded anyhow.
By the time lunch was ready the table was set. "Fox go call your Dad and Grandfather. They are both outside. Now put on a jacket and don't run," said Rachel and followed him to the door to make sure that she obeyed him. Before he left the house Rachel grabbed a knit cap and put it on his head. "Now go dear," and pushed him out the door. She watched from the door to make sure he'd take it easy. She saw him go up to his father and grandfather and then returned to the kitchen to serve Fox's plate.
By the time the men folk and Fox returned lunch was served. Fox went to sit down when Maggie told him to go and wash his hands. She followed him and helped him to soap his hands literally treating him like a little boy and he resented every moment of it. She literally dried his hands with a dishtowel and only then was he allowed to sit and eat his lunch.
After the blessing Fox eagerly picked his hamburger up and took a big bite. It was his favorite, cheeseburger with French fries. He began to eat hungrily. He was admonished twice to slow down or he might get a stomachache. He looked for his glass of tea and was dismayed to see only a tall glass of milk at his place. "Mom, where is my ice tea?"
"Fox, you are a growing boy who needs his milk. Now drink it right on up."
Fox was starting to get real tired of being 5 years old, but he did as he was told. Since he ate all of his lunch he was given a small helping of ice cream and a couple of cookies for dessert.
Fox looked at the small helping and asked, "Can't I have a larger helping of ice cream?"
"Fox, as a 5 year old you can't possibly eat any more than what I've given you," replied Rachel.
Fox thought, "That is it. I'll show them," and began to eat the ice cream right up and got up to get himself some more. "Fox, no you can't have any more. Your eyes are too big for your stomach. Remember you are only 5 years old," scolded Maggie as she took the bowl away from him.
"SHIT," yelled Fox, "I AM NOT A CHILD, STOP TREATING ME LIKE ONE," screamed Fox at the top of his lungs.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than his father grabbed him while a spoonful of some liquid was put to his mouth and he was told, "Fox open your mouth and take this."
Fox took a sniff and flatly refused. Maggie took a hold of his nose and held it until he opened his mouth. As soon as he opened his mouth Gram shoved the spoon in and emptied it in her grandson's mouth. As soon as it was in his mouth Rachel stroked his throat until he swallowed. Once that happened he was released.
"What the HELL was that?" cried Fox as he tried to spit what remained of it in his mouth. To his dismayed another spoonful was put to his mouth and he was forced by the same means to swallow it as well.
"That, my son, is of cod-liver oil. We decided that it wouldn't be good for a child of the tender age of 5 to be subjected to having his mouth washed out with soap. So whenever you cuss or talk back you get a teaspoon of cod-liver oil. So if I were you I would watch my words very carefully," instructed Walt.
For the rest of the day Fox was extra careful in what he did and especially in what he did. When 3 o'clock came around and he was told that it was naptime, he removed his pants and briefs and pulled the blanket up and promptly went to sleep.
His readiness to obey was a sign to his parents that maybe he had grown up and he wouldn't have to be subjected to another day of being 5 years old. They would just have to watch and see what happened next.
After his nap he was sent to his room to wait for his father. Fox was waiting in bed when his Dad arrived. Walt greeted his son warmly and sat in the rocker. It was then that Fox noticed that he had carried a book with him. "Fox I want you to lay back in the bed and listen to the story I'm about to read to you. I must tell you that this something I've missed from when you really were a small boy. I loved reading to you."
Fox did as he was told and asked, "What are you going to read to me, Dad?"
Walt smiled and said, "This is a favorite of mine when I was younger and I thought you might enjoy it as well. The title of the book is, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.' It is by C. S. Lewis. Your Gram gave it to me one Christmas. When I finished I had to read all of the books in the series. I didn't have the book with me when you were of the age to hear it and I just found it here.
Now are you comfortable?" and at Fox's nod, he opened the book and started to read out loud, "Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. This story is about something that happened to them when they were sent away from London during the war because of the air-raids..."
When Maggie came up later to call them to supper she found Walt still reading and Fox engrossed in what was being read to him. She hated to interrupt but supper was getting cold. "Walt? It's time for supper."
Walt looked up and smiled and then closed the book. "Dad, can you read some more. That was nice and I miss your reading to me, too."
"Okay, son. If you are still 5 tomorrow I'll read some more then. Now it is time for supper. They left together with smiles on their faces. Walt steered Fox to the bathroom and they both washed up for supper.
Supper was a success. Fox ate everything on his plate even the carrots without protest. They had baked chicken with wild rice and carrots. He didn't even protest when he was sent to bed. He went quietly up to his room and got ready for bed.
He then returned downstairs to the living room where his parents were.
He went inside and cleared his throat, and when they all turned to him he said, "I want to apologize for my behavior of the last few days. I don't know what got into me. I guess I was getting bored and feeling so much better that I thought I was ready and able to get out like before I got taken by the Schoolmaster. I resented you telling me NO. I'm sorry for what I put you all for. Whether you treat me like I'm 5 years old for another day or not I still want to apologize."
Walt got up and hugged his son and said, "Welcome back son, I think you have reached the old age of 25. It's good to have you back."
"Dad, even though I am back to the age of 25 can you still read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to me?"
"Fox, I'll give you the book and you can read it for yourself."
Fox looked so sad at that remarked that his father had to ask, "What's wrong, Fox?"
"Dad, I really liked you reading it to me. Pleaseeeee, Dad," pleaded Fox.
Walt just looked at his son and laughed, "Okay, Fox. We'll set aside some time for my reading the book to you. It may only be once a week or maybe at other times it can be every night. It will depend on our workload. Okay??"
"Thanks, Dad." Fox then turned to go back upstairs. "Where are you going boy?"
"To bed, sir. I think I was told that my bedtime was sometime between 6:30 to 7:00 and I'm running late. Good Night," and then Fox went up to bed.
The rest of the time Fox spent at his grandparents was filled with his following their directions to the letter and he gave them no more serious problems until he was declared healed in body and soul. Fox couldn't wait to go home and see his partner, Scully.
The very first thing he planned on doing when he was able was to go back to the Academy and apologize to the Headmaster for all of the pranks he played while there.
As soon as Dana got off the phone with Fox, she hurried to her car and soon was in route to George Washington Academy.
While in route she reviewed her conversation with Fox, knowing that she had to get there as soon as possible.
She remembered her conversation of a few minutes ago, "Fox, don't you remember what the Headmaster told you that last day?" Dana didn't give him a chance to respond, "He told you that if he ever found out that you were responsible for any of the pranks, he would give you a paddling that you would never forget. And now you want to admit to him that you did those pranks? He'll make good on his threat before you can get your badge out.
Fox had argued his case, "but Scully I'll be carrying my F.B.I. I.D., don't worry he will believe me. Dad wants to see both of us in sixty minutes, this will only take a minute and I'll meet you there."
"Fox just what are you wearing to see the Headmaster?" Scully had a suspicion, that Fox was dressed inappropriately it would only add fuel to the Headmaster's fire. She grew even more concerned when she heard his answer "I'm wearing my favorite pair of jeans, a Knicks t-shirt and my leather jacket, why do you ask?" Fox replied.
"Fox" Dana's voice held a note of expiration. "Change your clothes he IS NOT going to believe that you're an FBI agent dressed like that."
"You worry too much Scully, I'll be fine. I'll meet you at Dad's office in an hour. 'Bye" and Fox was gone. She knew she was right and Fox was walking into a large amount of pain all centered on his backside.
By the time she had reviewed her conversation she had reached the school and parked next to Fox's car in the student parking lot, she made her way into the school and to the Headmaster's office. She went up to the receptionist and asked to see the Headmaster.
"Mr. Nelson with a student at the moment." the receptionist replied.
"Is the student tall with dark hair, wearing a black leather jacket, with a Knicks t-shirt and in jeans?" As soon as the receptionist nodded "yes", she barged into the Headmaster's office with the receptionists cries of "you can't go in there", ringing in her hears. No one was there so, Dana opened the door to the inner office and found Fox bent over the table with the Headmaster standing behind him and before she could stop him another lick descended on Fox's bottom. It lifted him to his toes and forced a "Yeowwwwwwch," from his lips. Fox was sobbing, pleading that he was an FBI agent. Fox was receiving his paddling on his jean-clad bottom.
"Stop," cried Dana, when she saw he was going to hit her partner again. The Headmaster turned to see who had interrupted him and recognizing Dana, replied, " Miss Phillips, your brother is finally getting his just rewards for all of the pranks he played while a student here. We are nearly finished and then you can take him home," and turned back to finish his punishment session with Fox.
"No, Sir, you don't understand, "he," pointing to Fox, "and I are FBI agents. We really are. I'm not his sister; I'm his partner. I know he sometimes acts like a unruly kid, but he really is who he says he is."
"Sculleee, I'm not a kid," argued Fox. "Quiet, boy," ordered the Headmaster, punctuating his order with a smack to Fox's bottom.
"Owwwwch," sobbed Fox, but didn't answer back. "Sir, if I could just talk to you for a moment in your office," requested Dana, wanting to give Fox's some time to himself to recover from his crying. "O.K., Miss, we can talk in my office." Before he left he turned to Fox and said, "Andrew, you will stay where you are. If I find that you were lying we will continue to have our discussion here," patting Fox on his sore bottom. "You had better be in this position when I return or I'll just have to start over again. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," cried Fox.
It took a while but Dana was finally able to convince Headmaster Nelson of their true identities. It actually took a call to the Bureau and having their descriptions given to him before he finally believed.
"Agent Scully, I am so very sorry, but he came in here wearing the same type of clothes that he did while a student here stating he was a FBI agent, showing me I.D. I'm sorry; I just didn't believe him. If he had come in wearing a suit and tie I might have. And then he told me that he had done all of those pranks and I just grabbed him by the ear and marched him in there," pointing to his inner office, "and put him over that table and began laying on the licks. Agent Scully, I admit that I paddled him hard, but I only gave him 12 licks."
"I wouldn't worry about the paddling of Agent Mulder, I'm sure that his immediate supervisor would have loved to be in your place giving him that paddling. I'm sure he deserved it for something he has done, like not following procedures. Now let me go and collect my partner and we will get out of your school. I apologize for all of the trouble Agent Mulder gave you while portraying an unruly student."
Dana went into the inner office and soon Fox and Dana were leaving the school, with Fox wincing as he walked. They went to Dana's car where Fox immediately got on the backseat and got on his side.
"Fox, we are going to be late to your father's office for the meeting, If you like I'll call him and tell him the reason for our tardiness; he'll understand," offered Dana.
"No, Scully, you can't tell my Dad about this," pleaded Fox. "Why?" asked Dana, and when she didn't get a reply figured it out for herself. "He told you not to do this, didn't he? You disobeyed you Dad, again."
"I...wanted to meet with the Headmaster personally and explain. I just knew he would take my credentials as being official. Dad ordered me to send a letter on official FBI stationary explaining the whole case instead. I thought he was a old fuddy duddy and my way was best."
"Oh, Fox, when will you ever learn," cried Dana sympathetically.
"So, you can't tell him the truth, I can't take another spanking," pleaded Fox. "Fox, the best I can do for you is not volunteer any information, but if he asked I'll have to tell him the truth, O.K.?" reasoned Dana. Fox nodded, and Dana continued, "we need to tell him something, so he won't come looking for you. I'll call and leave word with Kim that we are coming but are just running a little late." That met with Fox's approval and Dana did just that.
They got to the Bureau about 20 minutes later, stopping at the restrooms for Fox to wash his face to hide the signs of his crying and then they went up to see Skinner. They were ushered in to Skinner office. "You wanted to see us, Sir," they said in unison.
Skinner got up from his chair and walked over to where they were standing looking closely at Fox. "Is anything wrong Fox?" "No, Sir," answered Fox nervously. Walter continued to look at Fox as he said, "Fox, Dana please be seated." Dana sat at once, Fox, very careful of his Father's scrutiny, sat gingerly. Walter returned to his desk, sitting turned to Dana and asked casually, "Why were you two late to our appointment, Agent Scully?"
Dana answered as carefully as she could, not wanting to get Fox in trouble with his father, "something came up that we couldn't avoid, Sir; we came as quickly as we could."
Walter nodded, then turning to Fox asked, "What did you do this time, son?" Fox looked at him in amazement and muttered, "How do you do that?"
"Son, I know you. You've been crying. You couldn't wash that away. Now who is going to tell me what happened this time to cause you to cry, Fox?" Fox and Dana exchanged looks, and Dana taking a deep breath began the story. "Sir, Fox went to George Washington Academy, dressed like you see him now, to apologize to the headmaster about his behavior while undercover in the Schoolmaster case."
"He what?" turning to Fox, "You disobeyed me and went anyhow."
"Sir, he went in with his FBI credentials in hand and didn't convince the headmaster that he was an agent with the Bureau. Headmaster Nelson took one look at the way he was dressed and waving his ID and apologizing for the pranks he played while undercover. The Headmaster came to the conclusion that he was trying to play another prank on him and took him by the ear, quick marched him to his inner office put him over his table and paddled him. By the time I got to him, Fox was in great distress pleading with the Headmaster on his true identity while getting his tail paddled."
Walter turned to Fox and asked if he was okay. Fox thought he could gain some sympathy if he told how the headmaster had abused him. "Dad, he hit me hard with that paddle. He hit as if my butt was a ball and the paddle was a bat. He hit me 12 times. I think we should charge him with assault on a Federal Officer."
Walter turned in time to see Dana shake her head, and he stood and went to Fox and yanked him from his chair and escorted him to his desk. "Fox take down your jeans and boxers and bend over my desk." "Dad, nooooo, Scully's here."
"Fox either you do it or I will," demanded Walter. Fox seeing he had no choice did as he was told. As he lowered his boxers he started to blush. He hid his face in his arms. He was so embarrassed.
Walter stood behind Fox so he could excess the damage done to his son's bottom. He could see that his bottom was enflamed and bruised. He motioned for Dana to join him. He wanted a doctor's opinion of this. Dana took a quick look and came to the same conclusion. "O.K., Fox you can pull up your pants now and go stand in the corner. I have something to discuss with Agent Scully."
Fox did, as he was told not wanting any more abuse heaped upon his backside. As soon as Walter saw that Fox was unable to hear his and Dana's conversation he asked, "Dana, I want your opinion on this whole incident."
"Sir, I think Fox got what he deserved and no charges should be pressed against the Headmaster. I know you told him not to go and I spent several minutes trying to dissuade him from doing just what he did. I argued with him as he was driving to the school and his confrontation with the Headmaster. Headmaster Nelson told me that if he had come in dressed the way agents dress, he would have given him the benefit of doubt and probably wouldn't have paddled him. Fox didn't do that. Instead he wore the same thing while undercover at his school. He heard Fox admit and then apologize for doing the pranks and then he shows him his ID. He just assumed it was another practical joke. So he followed through on the punishment he promised Fox if he ever found out that he was guilty; he paddled him."
Walter considered Dana's explanation and said, "I concur; there will be no charges filed against Mr. Nelson. Now what about the damage the paddle did to Fox's bottom?"
"Oh, he will be o.k. in a day or so. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I recommend that you put aloe vera lotion on his bottom, it will help take the sting out of it."
"Then I can't spank him for his disobedience in this incident," Walter mused to himself, but then he smiled, "but I can use another type of punishment on him," and leaned over to Dana whispered something in her ear. She looked startled at first then a huge grin appeared and she left the office.
Fox looked around at Dana's departure and said, "Where is Scully going?" "Never you mind, son. You will find out real soon. Now turn back and put your nose in that corner. Turn back again or I will be tempted to spank your sore bottom."
The threat worked, Fox kept his nose in the corner. He didn't even turn around when the door open about thirty minutes later. Dana came in carrying a paper bag, which she handed to her boss.
"Fox, you can come out of the corner now. I want you to come over here and sit down." Fox came over and pleaded "NO" with his eyes about sitting down on his sore bottom. Walter interpreted his look and ignored it. Fox reluctantly sat, hissing as his sore bottom made contact with the chair. Walter loomed over his son and taking a bottle out of the bag with a tablespoon said, "Fox since the Headmaster has done an admirably job of correcting you today, I'm forced to use another means in punishing you for your disobedience."
Walter opened the bottle and started to pour a full tablespoon of the liquid and held it to Fox's lips. "You will open your mouth and swallow this or suffer another spanking right now and then you will swallow this too." Thus threatened Fox took a tentative smell of the liquid in the spoon and clamped his teeth together refusing to open his mouth. The stuff in the spoon smelled awful and he was not going to swallow it. He recognized the smell as cod-liver oil. He had been subjected to two teaspoons while recovering at Danville. It was a smell and taste he didn't ever want to experience again.
As soon as Walter saw that his son was not going to take the spoonful willingly motioned for Dana to take the spoon. Once she had, he pushed his son down against the hard chair making him cry out in pain. As soon as he opened his mouth to cry out Dana dumped the contents of the spoon in his mouth. Before he could even try to spit the stuff out his Dad put his hand over his mouth and Fox was forced to swallow.
"Ugh, that still taste awful?" sputtered Fox trying to get that awful taste and texture out of his mouth.
"You do remember my son just how terrible cod-liver oil taste. From now on you will be taking it. It will either be used as a tonic when you look run down or as punishment when your bottom is too sore to spank. It contains Vitamin A and D, and it is good for you. It is one of your Gram's favorite remedies for nearly everything, as well as a means of punishment, as you do recall."
"One other thing, Mr. Nelson will not be charged for assault on a federal agent and if you choose to pursue it you can expect another dose of cod-liver oil and maybe even a dose of castor oil."
As soon as Fox heard that he quickly concurred to his Dad's request. "Fox as of Wednesday, December 8, 1999, you will resume your duties as a field agent of the FBI. That should give you an extra day to get over the paddling you received today. The Schoolmaster has been caught and convicted due to your dedication of duty. This case is officially closed."
The End