Title: Permanent bond Walter lay back on the thick rug John spread out on the grass and the four of them watched the joggers, skaters and other visitors to the park as they consumed the contents of the picnic basket. Fox decided that, despite the doctor’s clear ban on alcohol of any kind, Walter could risk a small amount of wine and he filled four glasses, ignoring Scully’s slight frown as he handed one of the glasses to Walter. ‘So, they’re taking care of you sir, right?’ Scully nodded at Fox and John. Walter shifted uncomfortably. Although he knew Fox had told Scully about their relationship, she was still a subordinate colleague, and he felt awkward discussing his private life with her. Filling the silence, Fox nodded. ‘Yeah.’ He took taking care of Walter very seriously, and wanted Scully to know he was. John nodded. ‘Yeah Scully. He’s not lifting a finger around the house. And you and I are in the office to take some of the crap.’ Scully smiled, reassured. ‘You know, sir, if you wanted, you don’t have to visit your doctor each time you need a shot. Mulder or Doggett could do it if I showed them how.’ Fox paled visibly at the idea of sticking a needle into Walter. John shrugged. ‘If it makes it easier for you sir, I guess we could do it.’ Walter looked uneasy at the thought of either Fox or John sticking him with a needle, and shook his head. ‘It’s okay Scully. It gets me out of the house.’ ‘When are you coming back sir?’ ‘When the doctor signs me fit Scully. He says another couple of weeks at least.’ Scully nodded. ‘Enjoy it sir. You know as soon as you come back it’ll be like you were never away.’ Walter nodded grimly. ‘Yeah.’ By the time the food was gone, it was beginning to cool, and Walter pulled on the sweater Fox had insisted they bring. ************* Walter looked up at the sound of the key in the lock. Mid-afternoon, he wasn’t expecting either Fox or John home. He flinched as the front door slammed closed. He turned his attention back to the paperwork on the desk and waited until John appeared in the doorway before looking up again. Mildly, he said: ‘John, you’re home early.’ ‘Is Mulder here?’ Walter frowned. John knew full well Fox that had left for a meeting with his publishers earlier that morning and was visiting Scully afterwards. ‘No. He’s away until tomorrow John.’ ‘Okay.’ Walter pulled off his wire-rims and looked up again. ‘John?’ John swallowed hard and walked to the door, pulling it closed. Walter tried not to panic. Closing the door when they were clearly alone in the house was, he was sure, significant. Anxious, he somehow forced himself to remain silent, waiting until John settled into the chair across the desk from his own. ‘How are you feeling sir?’ ‘Tired. I need to get this tax stuff done and I didn’t want to do it tonight. I started early so I could watch the game later without having to worry about it.’ ‘Sir…I…never mind.’ John shook his head slightly, got up and walked towards the door. ‘Sit down John.’ ‘Sir, it’s really not imp…’ ‘Sit. Down. John.’ Walter’s tone pulled John back to his seat. ‘Now, what is it?’ He was really concerned now, watching John’s ragged breathing and fidgeting hands. He got up and walked round the desk, sitting on the edge of the desk at John’s side. ‘Just tell me John. Please?’ John got up, pacing the room, expending some fraction of the pent-up energy he had stored over the previous few hours. Then he stopped abruptly and dropped into the chair opposite Walter’s, his head down. Walter got up, put his hand under John’s chin and lifted his head. ‘John, did something happen?’ John nodded slightly, moving Walter’s fingers. ‘Can you tell me about it?’ ‘You know the guys shoot hoops early on Tuesdays.’ Walter nodded. He had seen them several mornings. ‘I was just finishing up in the shower when they came in. I was thinking about a case and one of them accused me of staring at him.’ ‘What happened?’ ‘He said he was going to file a complaint.’ ‘That’s ridiculous. Who was it? I’ll talk to the Deputy Director.’ ‘I already got called in. I got a reprimand.’ Walter was incandescent. ‘No way John. If you explained and apologised, that should have been an end to it. I’ll call and make an appointment with the DD now.' ‘Please don’t. You’ll only make it worse.’ ‘John?’ Walter was sure he wasn’t getting the whole story. He waited, sitting back in his chair, until John got to his feet. ‘I’ll go pack.’ ‘John, sit down, and tell me **exactly** what happened.’ ‘I…kinda…lost my temper.’ Walter put a gentle hand on John’s shoulder, tensing as he felt John’s flinching reaction to what had been intended as a reassuring touch. ‘John, it’s okay.’ ‘I’ll get fired if he presses charges!’ John snapped, his face pale. Walter sighed heavily. ‘Was he hospitalised?’ John nodded slightly. ‘Stay there. Do **not** move until I come back.’ Walking into the kitchen, closing the door behind him, Walter picked up the phone, fingers shaking slightly as he pressed the keypad. ‘Fox?’ ‘Walter, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?’ ‘I’m fine. You need to come home.’ ‘I’m leaving now.’ ************ Fox pushed a bill at the cab driver and ran into the house. The man drove away quickly before his passenger could work out that the fare plus even a really healthy tip was about half what he held as he pulled away from the kerb. Hearing the cab, Walter went to the front door, hugged Fox briefly and asked quietly: ‘Did you talk to Dana?’ Fox nodded. ‘What’s up?’ Continued in Part Two Home Send me feedback on this fic Return to the X-Files Fic Index Return to the West Wing Fic Index