Title: Changes Part One: Some things, money can’t buy. ‘I’m FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner. I’d like to see Mr McGarry.’ ‘Do you have an appointment?’ Margaret had already run her finger down the diary entries while she was asking the question, and knew the answer. ‘No. But it’s urgent.’ Surreptitiously, Skinner rubbed his damp palms on his trouser legs. ‘He has a few minutes in about half an hour. Would you like a coffee while you’re waiting?’ ‘No thanks.’ Skinner dropped into the chair opposite the red-headed assistant and looked around. ************* ‘There’s someone from the FBI asking for you.’ Leo frowned. ‘Who?’ ‘Walter Skinner.’ ‘Thanks Margaret. Can you check with Donna and Ginger and see if I can push my meeting with Josh and Toby back an hour?’ ‘Okay.’ ‘Mr Skinner?’ Leo walked through the door and saw the man sitting nervously in front of Margaret’s desk.’ ‘Mr McGarry.’ Skinner got up and extended his hand. ‘What can I do for you?’ ‘Do you have time for lunch?’ Leo looked at his watch. ‘Sure. Margaret, you need me, call my cell.’ ‘Yes Leo.’ ************ ‘So?’ ‘I need your help.’ ‘My help? With what?’ ‘Fox has gone missing. This morning I received this.’ Leo took the crumpled sheet of paper and skimmed the simple instruction. ‘The price for the return of your property - one hundred thousand by tomorrow. Wait for our call. Come alone.’ ‘Have you got the money?’ Skinner’s face tightened. ‘Even if could sell the apartment, I’d never manage it in twenty-four hours.’ Leo looked disinterested. ‘What do want me to do?’ ‘Lend me the money.’ Leo laughed. ‘Implicate myself in a kidnapping negotiation?!’ ‘Mr McGarry, please…’ Skinner had swallowed almost all of his pride in approaching the White House Chief of Staff in the first place. Now he was on the verge of begging. Leo looked at Skinner, then unfolded his cell phone. ‘Catherine? Can you meet me for lunch? I’m with Walter Skinner…yes…okay.’ ‘I’m assuming you have checked this for fingerprints?’ Leo held up the small piece of paper. ‘Yeah. Nothing. And I’ve made a few discreet enquiries. No-one’s heard anything.’ ‘Leo? Walter.’ Catherine came over to the table and saw the expressions on the two men’s faces. ‘What’s wrong?’ ‘Fox has been kidnapped. Skinner wants me to give him one hundred thousand dollars ransom money.’ Catherine frowned. ‘Where are you getting the rest?’ Skinner was confused. ‘Rest?’ ‘How much did they ask for altogether?’ Leo handed over the note. Catherine read it, then handed it back to him. ‘It’s either a joke or a set-up.’ Both men stared at her. She sighed. ‘When you were younger, how much seemed like enough money to buy anything?’ ‘A thousand dollars.’ Leo wasn’t sure where Catherine was heading, but he trusted her. ‘Depends how old you mean.’ Skinner was less certain, and wasn’t going to risk saying the wrong thing. ‘And now?’ ‘A billion.’ Leo was used to dealing with large sums of theoretical federal funds, and answered immediately. ‘A million, maybe.’ Skinner’s response was still cautious. ‘Okay. So one hundred thousand isn’t what either of you would consider a large sum of money. Not now. You’re both wealthy men. But as a kid, it would have seemed like you could buy the whole world, right?’ Both men nodded. ‘So, either the people who sent the note are very young, or it’s a fake. They either don’t have very expensive needs, or they just want enough money to not make you go to the police.’ Skinner rubbed his hand over his scalp. ‘I don’t care who they are. I want Fox back. However much it costs.’ Catherine nodded. ‘Okay. Call me when they call you. Leo, get me the money. Bring it by my apartment later.’ Both men stared at Catherine, neither quite sure what they were agreeing to. ‘Look, you’re with the FBI, and you’re Chief of Staff. Neither of you can be involved in any negotiations over Fox’s safe return. Call me when they call you, Walter. Okay?’ ‘Yes ma’am.’ Skinner wasn’t sure how to address Catherine, but didn’t want to waste time trying to find out. He got up and walked back in the direction of the Hoover building. ************ ‘I’m Robert Donovan. Catherine is expecting me.’ Jimmy nodded and allowed the heavy-set man with his pronounced Southern drawl to walk into the hallway. ‘Wait here.’ ‘Mr Donovan? Please, come in.’ Catherine smiled warmly. A potential new member, already thoroughly vetted and with several years experience in a different US state, was someone to be polite to. ‘Sit down. Coffee?’ Nervously, Donovan nodded. ‘Um, yeah, please.’ Catherine sat in an armchair leaving Donovan no choice but to sit on the couch. He took the coffee mug from Catherine and looked around as she sat back down. ‘So, tell me about yourself. Do you mind if I call you Robert?’ ‘My friends call me Bob.’ ‘Bob it is. So?’ ‘Well, ma’am, I’m a partner in Edward…’ Catherine shook her head. ‘No. Tell me about yourself, not what you do for a job.’ Donovan took a breath, trying to settle his nerves. ‘Uh, okay…well, I was trained by…’ Donovan looked up as Jimmy came in. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt ma’am. There’s a call for you.’ ‘Thank you Jimmy.’ Catherine looked across at Donovan. ‘Excuse me would you?’ ‘Oh, sure, you go right ahead.’ ‘Jimmy, who is it?’ ‘It’s Mr Skinner, ma’am.’ Catherine took the receiver from Jimmy. ‘Walter, what is it?’ ‘I’ve heard from them.’ ‘And?’ ‘He wants to meet at the airport.’ ‘When?’ ‘Two hours.’ ‘Very well. Stay by the phone. I’ll call you when Fox is safe.’ ‘I want to come with you.’ ‘No.’ ‘If anything happens to Fox…’ ‘Walter, stay where you are. Do you want me to send Jimmy over to make sure you stay home?’ ‘No.’ ‘Okay. I’ll call you as soon as I have him back.’ ‘Mr Donovan?’ ‘Ma’am.’ ‘I’m terribly sorry, I have to go out unexpectedly. There will be no problems with your membership.’ ‘You’re letting me in? Just like that?’ ‘Yes. Come to the club on Friday night. We’ll find someone for you to play with.’ ‘Thank you ma’am.’ ‘Call me Catherine.’ ‘Yes ma’am…er…Catherine.’ ************* ‘Mr Smith?’ Catherine looked at the scruffy middle-aged man sitting in the plastic chair. ‘You got my money?’ ‘Where is Fox?’ ‘Who?’ ‘You don’t get a dime until I know Fox is safe.’ ‘Hey lady, I’m just a go-between. I don’t know nuthin’ about no wild animals. The guy said to give you this.’ Catherine tore the envelope open and stared at the picture for several seconds. ‘You wait for two hours, then he’ll call again.’ ‘Who?’ ‘The guy who gave me that.’ The man waved a hand at the envelope. ‘What was his name?’ ‘No names lady. That’s the way we do things.’ ‘How much did Edward say you’d get?’ ‘He didn’t. He just said I’d be well-paid.’ Catherine reached into her soft-sided briefcase. ‘Here. Buy yourself a ticket to somewhere warm.’ The man looked down at the two large bundles of hundred dollar notes. ‘How do I know you’re not a cop?’ Catherine got to her feet. ‘You don’t.’ ************ Edward looked across the room. ‘David, answer the door. Whoever it is, make them go away.’ ‘Sir.’ David got up from where he was crouched at the side of the bed and walked to the front door, pulling on a towelling robe as he went. Jimmy was worried as he drove Catherine from the airport to Edward’s elegant townhouse. Whatever was going on, it had something to do with the photograph Catherine had been staring at as they drove across town. ‘Stay in the car, Jimmy.’ ‘Yes ma’am.’ ‘If I’m not back in thirty minutes, call Leo.’ ‘Yes ma’am.’ Jimmy turned off the engine, looked at his watch, made sure his cell phone was working, then leaned back in the seat. Catherine took advantage of David’s shock at seeing her in the doorway to press a finger to his lips. ‘Not a sound David.’ Catherine listened through the half-closed bedroom door. She could clearly hear Fox’s desperate pleas. ‘I can’t. We have random drug testing. I could lose my job.’ ‘It’ll make your time here much more…pleasurable Fox. Now come on.’ ‘No.’ Fox’s cry of pain spurred Catherine into immediate action. Pushing David onto the floor, she walked quickly into the bedroom. ‘David, who was at the door?’ Edward didn’t even bother turning round until he saw Fox’s surprised reaction. ‘Me.’ Catherine stared at Edward until he looked away. ‘How did you know?’ ‘I recognised the bed. You’ve had it since you became a member. I saw it when I came here, remember? David!’ David hurried in, terrified. Catherine pulled a small card from her pocket. Turning it over, she handed it to him. ‘Call Walter. Tell him Fox is safe and I’m sending Jimmy to pick him up.’ She gestured to the small sheet of glass and razor blade on the bed. ‘Get rid of those.’ ‘Yes Catherine.’ Turning back to Edward she nodded at Fox, crouching, naked and obviously terrified, on the bed. ‘Let him go. Then pack. You have about forty minutes before Walter arrives. I’m fairly sure he’s gonna be a little upset. You probably won’t wanna be here when he turns up.’ She watched as Edward got up and reluctantly released Mulder from the collar and handcuffs, both of which had been chained to the wrought-iron headboard. ‘David!’ ‘Yes Catherine?’ ‘Go down and tell Jimmy to go pick Mr Skinner up from his apartment and bring him here. Then get a cab for Edward.’ ‘Yes Catherine.’ ‘Fox, come here.’ Slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on Edward, Mulder climbed off the bed and walked towards Catherine. She tried not to let her anger show as her practised eye took in the welts and bruises dotted over Fox’s body. ‘Walter’s on his way. Get dressed. Edward, pack. Then book yourself a plane ticket to somewhere far away.’ Suddenly realising what was going on, Edward started to protest. ‘You can’t do this!’ Ignoring him, Catherine took a firm hold of Mulder’s arm, bare below his t-shirt, and led him into the sitting room. ‘Let’s wait for Walter, Fox.’ ************** ‘Where is he?’ Walter rushed into the sitting room and looked around. ‘Fox?’ Slowly, Mulder pulled himself to his feet and stood on shaky legs while Skinner walked over, holding him at arm’s length. ‘Are you hurt?’ Mulder considered his answer for a few seconds. A few welts from an undeserved beating. A number of bruises from rough handling. And… ‘No sir.’ Skinner pulled Fox to him and held him tightly. ‘Who were they?’ Catherine shook her head. ‘You have your Fox back. Just be thankful for that, okay?’ Skinner looked round, seeing David for the first time. ‘What’s he doing here?’ ‘Take Fox home Walter.’ Catherine said, the gentle tone underpinned by a firmness which made Skinner look over to her. ‘Edward.’ His shoulders sagged, and he hugged Mulder more tightly until the younger man began to squirm in the iron-tight grip. ‘Where is he?’ ‘Gone.’ ‘What shall I do?’ Catherine and Skinner looked at David, who sat, temporarily forgotten, in an armchair. Catherine thought quickly. ‘Tonight, you’ll stay with me. In the morning, you’ll meet someone I think might take you on. He’s new in DC, but he’s experienced. Go and pack enough for tonight, then come back in here.’ Managing a relieved smile, David got up quickly. ‘Yes Catherine.’ Catherine turned round, just catching Skinner as he left. ‘Walter, you owe Leo ten thousand dollars.’ Miserably Skinner nodded. ‘I know. I’ll sell the apartment.’ Catherine frowned. ‘For ten thousand dollars?’ ‘Ten thousand?’ ‘Yes. You didn’t really think I would hand over such a large sum to a complete stranger, did you?’ Skinner took his jacket off, wrapping it around Fox’s trembling shoulders. ‘Thank you.’ Catherine smiled. ‘You’re welcome.’ ************ ‘David, this is Mr Donovan. He’d like to take you on. I’ll be staying with you for the weekend, just until I’m sure you’re both happy.’ ‘Yes Catherine.’ Catherine walked across the room to where Leo was sitting, Josh at his side. ‘I have something for you?’ Leo looked up. ‘Yeah?’ Catherine handed him an envelope. ‘Ten thousand dollars.’ ‘From Skinner?’ Leo had noticed neither Skinner nor Fox was in the club. ‘No Leo. From me.’ ************ ‘What would you do if someone kidnapped me Leo?’ Leo turned on his barstool. ‘Wait till they got bored with you and brought you back Dep.’ Josh frowned. ‘No, really, I’m serious.’ Leo wanted to end the conversation. ‘So am I. Now go talk to David.’ ‘Would you pay a hundred thousand dollars for me?’ Leo made sure Josh was looking directly at him. ‘Whatever it took Dep.’ Smiling broadly, Josh walked across to where David stood, surrounded by people interested in hearing what his new life was like. Leo got up and walked over to Donovan, who was in conversation with someone Leo didn’t recognise. Who walked away immediately he recognised Leo. ‘Donovan.’ ‘Mr McGarry.’ ‘Call me Leo. How’s it going?’ ‘With David?’ ‘Yuh.’ ‘We’re…working things out.’ ‘You take good care of the kid, you hear?’ ‘Yes sir.’ ************* ‘Fox?’ ‘Sir?’ ‘Come in here.’ Fox walked from the sitting room where he’d been flicking disinterestedly through a pile of magazines. ‘Sir?’ Skinner patted the bed beside where he was laying, propped up by a heap of pillows. ‘Just for tonight.’ Fox climbed slowly onto the bed, hoping his nerves didn’t show. Skinner put his arm around Fox’s shoulders and pulled Fox’s upper body onto his. ‘Do you want to talk about what happened?’ ‘No. Sir.’ ‘All right. Not tonight. But you will.’ Realising he’d been granted a temporary reprieve, Mulder relaxed a fraction. ‘Yes sir.’ Feeling the tension in Fox’s upper body, Skinner leaned across, pulling Fox downwards until he was laying curled up on the bed, his head and arms resting on Skinner’s lap. Ignoring the contracting muscles, the shaking body and the rapid gasps of breath, Skinner put one hand in the small of Fox’s back, the other starting a slow stroking movement from Fox’s neck, moving gently across his shoulders and upper back, then slowly moving downwards. When Skinner’s hand reached the base of Fox’s spine, he felt the body beneath him suddenly tense, and the breathing become ragged once more. With a huge effort, wondering what the Hell Edward had done to Fox, Skinner controlled the rage inside him, keeping his voice calm and even as his fingers explored Fox’s smooth, warm flesh. ‘You’re safe Fox. I’m not going to hurt you. Just relax.’ Suddenly, Fox was wide awake, struggling in Skinner’s iron grip, incoherent sounds tumbling from his lips. Finally, he managed to speak. ‘Let me go! No! Please don’t hurt me.’ Instantly, Skinner’s hands moved to hold Fox, experience telling him that Fox needed to be held, not released when he panicked. ‘Shhh. You’re safe. Fox, listen to me. Relax. Hush now. There…’ As he calmed, Skinner moved Mulder so the younger man was lying facing him, still maintaining contact with him, but held less tightly. Immediately Mulder buried his face in Skinner’s chest, sobbing desperately. ‘I’m sorry.’ Skinner lifted Mulder’s chin until their eyes met. ‘You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing. Okay?’ Tearfully, Mulder whispered. ‘Okay.’ Mulder’s eyes closed without him even realising it, and he hardly felt the movement as he was lifted off Skinner’s lap and onto the bed, his head resting on a pillow still warm from Skinner’s body heat. He stirred slightly as a gentle kiss touched the top of his head. He was barely aware of the soft words as Skinner settled beside him, his arm wrapped protectively around his sub. ‘My Fox.’ ************* Leo closed his eyes, listening to the soft sounds of Josh settling into sleep. Sleepily, Leo lay still as Josh shifted in the bed until they were lying spooned together, Leo’s arm around Josh’s waist. ‘Would you really do anything to get me back if I was kidnapped?’ ‘Yes. Now shut up and go to sleep before I decide I’m not that tired.’ Squirming at the possibilities the comment implied, Josh pulled the bedclothes over his shoulder. ‘Yes Leo.’ ************* Catherine settled into the huge bed listening carefully to the conversation in the bedroom opposite. Donovan offered to let David in his bed, and was apparently surprised when David suggested he’d rather sleep at the foot of the bed than in it. ‘You sure David?’ ‘Yes sir.’ That was another thing they’d talked about. Eventually, David had admitted that he was uncomfortable with Donovan’s suggestion that he use the term ‘Master’ straight away. Donovan decided he’d settle for the less formal term. For now. ‘Very well. There are spare bedclothes in the closet.’ ‘Thank you sir.’ ‘Night David.’ ‘Goodnight sir.’ ‘Goodnight Mistress.’ Catherine looked down the bed, her mind filling in the picture of Jimmy, lying on the floor at the end of the bed. ‘Goodnight slave.’ Click here to go to Part Two   Home