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Disclaimer: The characters from the show aren’t mine, they
belong to others. No copyright infringement intended. Again, if someone’s used
the name(s) or storyline(s) elsewhere, the same applies. Any characters you
don’t recognise are mine. Feedback would be nice, positive feedback would be
nicer. Enjoy! Category: X-Files slash (implied) domestic discpline
(implied) hurt/comfort fic Rating: NC-17 overall for topic Characters: M/Sk/K Series: yes Part One Spoilers: None intended but anything unintentionally Summary: Disease can be spread in many ways Archive: Just tell me where it’s going Additional
‘stuff’: I’m not claiming any medical qualifications, just read and enjoy
please. Walter, Fox and Alex live together in my ‘Circle the Calendar’
universe. The picture that inspired this fic can be found at: http://www.squidge.org/~praxisters/pastel.html If
you’re interested: Tonsillitis is repeated inflammation of the tonsils, which
are a pair of oval tissue masses at the back of the throat. They gradually
enlarge in size from birth and reach their maximum size at about the age of
seven, when they then shrink substantially. They should help protect against
upper chest infections (respiratory infections) but may often become infected
themselves. The main symptoms of tonsillitis are a sore throat, fever,
headache, earache, enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the neck and unpleasant
smelling breath. Tonsillitis is best treated with rest, plenty of fluids and an
analgesic (painkiller) drug. Antibiotics may
also be prescribed ** A doctor friend of mine says that 3-4 serious
attacks in a single year would indicate that the tonsils should be removed. ** |
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Fox pulled back from Alex, wondering
what the Hell he had eaten. Alex sensed something was wrong and
looked at Fox. ‘What?’ ‘It’s okay Alex.’ ‘I’ve kissed you before Fox.’ Alex
teased uneasily. Fox frowned. ‘Are you feeling okay?’ Alex shrugged. After having an arm
hacked off by Siberian peasants without any pain relief, his measures of
discomfort were somewhat skewed, and he felt nothing more in his throat than
mild irritation. ‘I’m a bit warm.’ Fox scrambled back, increasing the
distance between them. ‘You’re sick Alex!’ Alex looked at Fox, panic in his expression.
‘What is it Fox?’ Fox calmed instantly, realising that
Alex needed reassurance, not wild guesses. ‘We’ll go see Frank. Get your shirt
on.’ Alex’s hands shook as he buttoned his
black cotton shirt. ‘When’s Walter coming home?’ ‘Not until this evening. Remember, his
flight was delayed?’ Alex nodded, biting his lip nervously.
‘Call him.’ Fox nodded. ‘Sure. When
we’ve talked to Frank.’ ********************** ‘Tonsilitis.’
Frank Harris said matter-of-factly. He had examined Alex, checked his temperature,
glands and seen the state of his throat. Alex had owned up to earache and he
had felt Alex’s swollen glands when his experienced hands had felt along Alex’s
jawline. ‘I’ll write you out a prescription for antibiotics. Where’s Walter?’ ‘On his way home.
His flight was delayed.’ Frank didn’t miss Alex’s reaction to
Fox’s words. Or Fox’s. He smiled, knowing the two
younger men needed Walter home. ‘Drink plenty Alex. And rest. Take
something for the pain if you need it but take care of yourself. This isn’t the
first time you’ve had this, is it?’ Alex sighed crossly. His voice was
soft, husky from the soreness. ‘No. Third time this year.’ ‘You might wanna think about having
them taken out Alex. It would put an end to your throat problems.’ Alex shuddered. ‘Um...sure
Mr Harris. Thanks.’ Fox followed Alex to the door, pausing
where Alex had fled back to their neighboring home. ‘Alex would sooner die than
voluntarily admit himself to a hospital Mr Harris.’ Frank Harris signed the prescription
and handed it to Fox. ‘It would be better for him Fox.’ Fox nodded. ‘Yeah.
Thanks. I’ll get this filled as soon as Walter gets back.’ ******************* Fox tucked the blanket around Alex, saw
that Alex took two Tylenol then busied himself
checking the house was clean and tidy, ready for Walter’s return. After a few minutes, he walked back
into the living room to check on Alex. ‘You need any...’ Fox smiled as he
looked down at Alex, sleeping restlessly on the couch beside him. He jumped as
a key turned in the front door. ‘Fox?
Alex?’ Fox walked quickly into the entrance
hall and helped Walter off with his coat, picking up the briefcase Walter had
dropped the instant he crossed the threshold. ‘Alex is sick.’ Walter forgot his tiredness, his relief
at finally being home, everything but Fox’s words. ‘What happened?’ ‘Mr Harris thinks he has tonsilitis. Again.’ Walter hugged Fox tightly. ‘He’ll get
over it. He always does.’ Fox hugged Walter back. ‘Mr Harris
thinks Alex should have them taken out.’ Walter released Fox and pushed him
away, holding his upper arms. ‘What did Alex say?’ Fox looked at Walter, seeing the
tiredness. ‘What do you think?’ Walter frowned. ‘Where is Alex?’ ‘Sleeping.
You know how he gets.’ Walter nodded sadly. ‘How are you? Not
feeling ill too?’ Fox looked at Walter, wide-eyed. ‘We
told you before Walter, we don’t *do* anything while you’re away.’ Walter ‘hmmmm’d’ and followed Fox into
the sitting room, standing behind Fox, his hands around Fox’s waist, as they
watched Alex sleep. Walter sighed. ‘I’ll talk to him.
Surgery sounds like the right way to go.’ Fox laughed. ‘You think you can
convince Alex to go under the knife voluntarily?’ ‘It’s in his best interest Fox. Alex
will work that out. Eventually. We can take him, wait
for him and take him home. He probably won’t even have to stay overnight. The
sooner he has it done, the sooner he’ll feel better.’ After a few seconds, awake and
listening with mounting horror at Walter’s plan, Alex turned over and his eyes
opened, fixing on Walter, pretending he hadn’t heard the conversation.
‘Walter.’ Both men heard the pain in his whispered
greeting. Walter crossed the floor, pulling Alex up into a tight hug. ‘I’m home
now.’ Alex was reluctant to break the
contact, his arms around Walter’s neck. ‘I missed you.’ Fox smiled. ‘We both did. You want
something to eat or just a bath?’ Walter sighed tiredly. ‘Any chance you
could make me a sandwich while I’m in there?’ Fox nodded, smiling. ‘Sure. Alex, you
want anything?’ Alex shook his head pathetically. ‘I’m
too sore.’ Fox mussed Alex’s hair. ‘Maybe some ice
cream?’ Expecting Alex’s eyes to light up, Fox
was surprised when his reply was a flat: ‘Okay.’ Shaking his head, Walter headed for the
staircase. Fox and cheese, Alex and ice-cream. He
tried to think of his own ‘thing’ and couldn’t. Waiting for Fox to return with his ice
cream, Alex wondered if he would be able to eat it, he was shaking so hard. ********************* Alex eventually drifted into sleep,
turning restlessly, his dreams filled with images of being held down by masked
men while his tonsils were cut out. Despite his screams, Fox and Walter stood
unmoving and silent in the far corner of the room. He was relieved when the
pain became overwhelming and he remembered nothing more until he woke early,
tired and still uneasy. ********************* Alex’s hands checked his jacket out of
habit as he pulled it on. Walter was still sleeping and Fox was busy sorting
laundry. He felt his adrenaline pen in his inside pocket, then
he moved quickly and quietly from the house, forcing himself not to look back.
No way was he going to let Walter to force him into having surgery on his
throat. No way. ********************* Fox turned as Walter came into the
kitchen. ‘Where’s Alex? He wasn’t around earlier.’ Walter had slept well, but was still
tired. He walked to the coffee machine, pouring himself a large mug of black
coffee. ‘Probably getting the newspapers.’ Fox turned back to folding their
laundry. ‘Yeah. At least he remembered his jacket this
time. It’s still cold this early.’ ******************* An hour later... Walter shook his head. ‘No, Fox. If
Alex wants to be alone for a while, that’s okay. He has to know we trust him.’ ‘He could be in trouble Walter!’ Fox
protested, already opening his cellphone. Walter’s hand slammed down on the lid,
snapping it closed. ‘NO FOX!!’ Sighing loudly, Fox sucked theatrically
at his fingertips, which could have been damaged if he hadn’t anticipated
Walter’s reaction by a split second and pulled his fingers out of harms way. He
picked up the laundry basket and walked upstairs. Putting Alex’s clothes away, Fox
noticed his holdall was gone. Slightly uncomfortable, he reached further into
the closet and pulled out the box he knew Alex kept his personal papers in.
Lifting the lid, his fears were confirmed. The box was empty. He turned and
yelled out of the door. ‘Walter! Alex’s stuff is gone. Passport,
everything!’ Walter came upstairs and looked into
the closet, saw the empty space where Alex’s personal papers had been. ‘I’m
sure he has his reasons Fox.’ ‘He’s sick Walter.’ Walter sighed. ‘Yeah.’
Taking the box from Fox, he replaced it and closed the closet door firmly. ******************* As they ate, Walter asked rhetorically:
‘Where are you Alex?’ His own appetite gone, Fox looked up,
his eyes meeting Walter’s equally worried face. ‘He could be anywhere.’ Walter reached across, gripping Fox’s
forearm gently. ‘Alex will be fine Fox. He’ll come home when he’s ready.’ ‘Let me talk to the Gunmen.’ Fox
pleaded Walter put his cutlery down and picked
up both their plates. ‘Do it.’ Return to the X-Files Fic Index Return to the West Wing Fic Index
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