Title: What goes around… Part Two Skinner woke first. The small sounds, out of place in a house with sounds he was used to, made him uneasy. Pulling on a towelling robe and wishing he hadn’t locked his gun away the previous night, Skinner walked cautiously from the bedroom. He was slightly disappointed that Mulder didn’t even stir as he climbed out of bed. ‘What the Hell..!’ Alex had heard Skinner’s footsteps and decided it wasn’t worth trying to get out before he was seen. ‘I’m just…’ ‘Stealing from my refrigerator.’ Alex pushed the cheese and chicken back. Skinner shook his head. ‘Sit down.’ ‘You’re gonna try and make me wait while you dial 911?’ ‘No, I’m going to make you some breakfast.’ ‘I thought you left.’ Mulder’s tired comment made both men turn round. ‘Fox, sit down.’ ‘No way. I’d rather go hungry.’ ‘Fine.’ Mulder scowled as Skinner turned his back on him and continued to gather all he needed for a cooked breakfast. As he ate, Skinner watched Alex carefully. Aware of the scrutiny, Alex turned away. ‘House rule, Alex. We talk through our feelings and our problems.’ ‘No thanks.’ ‘Alex, if you want to live under my room, you live by my rules.’ ‘How many?’ ‘A few.’ ‘Like?’ ‘No stealing from the refrigerator.’ ‘Okay.’ ‘Disobedience has consequences.’ ‘No way!’ Skinner shrugged. ‘Then finish your breakfast and be on your way.’ They ate in silence for a few minutes. Suddenly, Alex asked: ‘What kind of consequences?’ ‘What?’ Skinner looked up from his paper. ‘You mean like hitting and stuff?’ ‘I’m old-fashioned Alex. I like to think that the way my father disciplined me helped make me who I am. If I did something bad, he punished me. But he always made me talk about what I’d done, and agree I deserved to be punished. And he always stayed with me after he was done. He loved me, and wanted me to behave in a way that reflected how I was bought up.’ ‘I can take a lot of pain.’ Skinner frowned. ‘It isn’t about pain, Alex, it’s about learning from your mistakes.’ Alex fell silent again until he’d cleared his plate. ‘Can I stay for a while?’ Skinner smiled. ‘As long as you like Alex. There’s another rule you might want to think about before you finally decide.’ Alex’s hand shook as he put his glass down. ‘What?’ Skinner nodded towards the sink. ‘We share the household chores. You can load the dishwasher.’ Fox tried to hide the evidence of his disobedience as the bedroom door opened. Skinner smelled the familiar odour and walked to the window, opening it wide. Then he walked to the bed and held out his hand. After a moment’s pause, Mulder’s hand came out from under his pillow. Reluctantly, he handed Walter the half-finished packet of biscuits. ‘Fox, what have I told you about eating in bed?’ ‘Not to.’ ‘Where did you get them?’ ‘From the cupboard.’ ‘What did I tell Alex?’ Mulder was indignant. ‘That isn’t one of the house rules. You made it up. And I didn’t get them from the refrigerator. And I live here so it wouldn’t be stealing anyway.’ ‘That sounds dangerously close to you smart-mouthing me Fox.’ ‘Sorry.’ Skinner shook his head, holding the remains of the sweets at arms’ length. ‘Oreos. For breakfast. Go and wait in my office.’ Mulder was tempted to turn round when Skinner opened the door. But he didn’t want to make things worse. So he stared at the wall in the corner he’d chosen deliberately so he could look out of the window while he waited. ‘Now that’s a sign of a guilty conscience.’ Mulder spun round. ‘What?’ ‘I seem to remember saying ‘wait in my office’. I don’t remember anything about the corner.’ ‘All that stuff you said to Alex. You didn’t tell me any of that.’ ‘You came to me, Fox, remember?’ Fox nodded, still not lifting his head to meet Walter’s gaze. ‘Yes.’ Skinner sighed heavily. ‘I’m not going to punish you Fox. I understand you have more reason than just about anybody for disliking Alex. But I do want you to recognise that he is what he is because of what he’s been through. He didn’t chose his path in life. It was chosen for him. You are not as different as you want to think.’ ‘I’m nothing like him.’ Mulder spat. ‘Oh no?’ ‘No!’ ‘Abusive father, disrupted home life, joining in the FBI, sweet tooth…’ Skinner stopped, realising he was pushing the comparisons to their limits. Mulder frowned. ‘How do you know Alex has a sweet tooth?’ Skinner smiled. ‘Four sugars in his coffee? Not even you’re that bad.’ ‘I won’t apologise.’ Skinner shrugged. ‘Okay.’ ‘You can’t make me.’ ‘No.’ Skinner agreed. ‘He broke into our house.’ ‘Yes.’ Skinner nodded. Pouting, Mulder realised he had lost this particular battle. There was no offense against Walter’s ‘reasonableness’ defense. But he wanted something in return for his agreement to apologise. ‘Don’t listen.’ Skinner fought a smile. ‘I’ll stay in here and tidy my desk.’ Alex was sitting at the kitchen table flicking through the paper. ‘Mulder. You okay?’ ‘Why should you care?’ ‘I figured Skinner beat you up cos of me.’ ‘Don’t flatter yourself Krycek. And, FYI, he doesn’t ‘beat me up’.’ Mulder sneered. ‘Listen, I’m gonna go. I don’t wanna cause any trouble.’ ‘Running away again huh? You good at anything else besides?’ Mulder taunted. A moment later he was on the floor, gasping for breath, trying not to move in case the sharp blade at his throat made contact with his exposed neck. Alex leaned down. ‘Yeah, I’m really good at this.’ ‘Alex!’ Skinner’s sharp anger from the doorway snapped Alex’s head up. Reluctantly, he pocketed the knife and let Mulder struggle to his feet. The sight and sound of Skinner in full ‘Angry AD’ mode would have aroused Mulder if he hadn’t been shaking so hard. ‘In here.’ When Alex didn’t move, he raised his voice a notch. ‘Now!’ ‘What?’ ‘Alex, what happened?’ ‘He was mean.’ ‘So?’ ‘I wouldn’t have done anything.’ ‘You were on the floor with a knife to Fox’s throat. I’d hardly call that ‘not doing anything’.’ ‘I’ll go.’ Skinner sensed, but didn’t understand, Alex’s reluctance to leave. ‘Give it to me.’ ‘What?’ ‘The knife. I’ll keep it locked up in case Fox is ‘mean’ to you again.’ For a moment, Skinner thought Alex would simply walk out. He was surprised when Alex’s hand came out of his pocket holding the folded blade. Skinner unlocked a drawer in his desk, laid the knife in it, and held out a pen and a spiral-bound notepad. ‘These are yours. Keep them somewhere where you’ll be able to find them quickly.’ ‘What, I’m s’posed to keep a diary?’ Ignoring the tone of Alex’s question, Skinner shook his head. ‘No. But you will fill it soon enough.’ ‘What with?’ ‘Lines. Sit here.’ Skinner waited until Alex was settled at the desk. Then he wrote carefully on the top line of the first page: ‘I will not use violence against the people I live with.’ Handing Alex the pen, Skinner straightened up. ‘One hundred times Alex. And write neatly. I want to be able to read each line.’ ‘What if you can’t? You gonna beat me up too?’ Alex asked sarcastically. Skinner kept his temper. With difficulty. ‘No, you’ll start again. Now, if you want some lunch, I suggest you get started. When you’re done, come and show me.’ Skinner waited until Alex had picked up the pen and started on the task. ‘If you need to use the bathroom, do so. But come straight back.’ In a quiet voice, muffled by the proximity of his face to the desk, Alex whispered: ‘Yes sir.’ **************** The black cars with their tinted windows sat outside Skinner’s house. Flanked by two agents, Hoynes followed Leo up the steps to where Skinner stood in his doorway. Hoynes turned back. ‘Wait here.’ The more senior of the two agents began to protest. ‘Mr Vice-President, we’re…’ ‘Gonna stay here.’ Hoynes snapped. Hoynes followed Skinner upstairs and walked into the bedroom Skinner indicated. Alex was sitting on the bed, pulling on his t-shirt, when he realised he was being watched. Nervously, Hoynes began his apology. ‘Alex, I wanted to talk to you about what happened…’ Only Skinner’s quick reactions and the pain from Alex’s broken rib saved Hoynes. Pulling Alex off, Skinner pushed him to the floor, shouting for Fox. Who came running with the agents close behind. Hoynes put a hand to his face and felt the blood. He looked down at Alex who lay on the floor, fighting a wave of dizziness and nausea. ‘You stupid little…’ He kicked Alex hard. Alex screamed and Skinner forced himself between Hoynes and Alex. ‘Enough!’ Leo pushed Hoynes towards the door. ‘Out.’ He looked apologetically at Skinner. ‘Sorry. It was my idea.’ Skinner shrugged. ‘Fox, give me a hand here.’ Grudgingly, Fox reached down and pulled Alex’s arm. The scream made Skinner frown and Leo wince. He put a hand on Fox’s arm. ‘Go make some coffee.’ Between them, Skinner and Leo managed to get Alex into bed. ‘Thanks.’ ‘You need to do something about Fox. That’s the second time.’ Skinner was angry that Fox had let him down. ‘I know. He’s usually okay. He and Alex have…history.’ ‘You okay here now?’ Skinner nodded. ‘Thanks.’ ‘Fox, come in here.’ ‘I’m just…’ ‘Now!’ Leo snapped. ‘Yeah?’ Leo saw the look Fox gave him. What have I done now? ‘Sit here.’ Leo indicated the couch and Fox dropped onto the far end, well out of Leo’s reach. ‘Fox, I didn’t bring Alex here deliberately.’ ‘I know.’ ‘So why are you so angry with me?’ ‘It’s not you.’ ‘Who then?’ ‘He killed my father.’ Leo took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t know. I’ll find somewhere else for him.’ The voice behind them made them both turn. ‘It’s okay. I’m leaving.’ Skinner stood at the top of the stairs. ‘Alex, wait. We’ll find someone to take you.’ Alex was angry. ‘What am I? A stray dog? Thanks but no thanks.’ The front door slammed a few seconds later and Mulder visibly relaxed. He smiled. ‘I’m just gonna…’ Leo nodded. ‘I’ll let myself out.’ ************* ‘Gotcha. Do you know where you are kid?’ Alex stayed silent. The agent lifted him to his feet, pulling him into a pool of light. ‘Okay, let’s get you out of here.’ Mumbling, Alex managed: ‘John Hoynes. He knows me.’ The agent smiled while his colleague fixed the cuffs onto Alex’s wrists. ‘What the...?’ In the split second it took the agent to realise he was touching cold plastic not warm flesh, Alex pulled free and ran towards the building ahead of him. Getting out of his car, Leo heard the commotion. In the bright spotlights which illuminated the front of the building, he saw Alex, struggling between two agents. Frowning, he walked across the grass. Alex half-recognised Leo and his eyes flitted from Leo to the agents and back again. ‘Alex, I gave up waiting for you. Get lost?’ The two agents relaxed a fraction. If the Chief of Staff knew the kid, it was probably okay. ‘We found him in the bushes.’ ‘I slipped over. Hit my head. I was disoriented.’ The lie sounded convincing. The two agents released Alex’s arms. ‘Thanks. I’ll take it from here. No need to write this up, okay?’ Leo took Alex’s arm in a firm grip and almost pulled him across the lawn. ‘I’m sorry…’ ‘Shut up!’ Leo hissed. Shoving him into the passenger seat, Leo pulled quickly out of the car park. ‘Do you have any idea how many secret service agents there are between where you were and where John Hoynes was?’ Alex shook his head. ‘About two dozen.’ ‘You should have left me there.’ ‘Do you have any idea how lucky you are I came back here? They’d have probably shot you.’ ‘So?’ Leo scowled and they drove back to Skinner’s home in silence. *************** Skinner looked up from his newspaper. Mulder got to his feet and opened the door. Hearing Mulder’s angry comment, and Leo’s sharp remonstration, Skinner pulled himself wearily upright. ‘I thought you might be missing him.’ Skinner sighed. ‘Not really.’ ‘He was damn’ near shot by an agent.’ ‘He was at the White House?’ Leo gave Skinner a look. ‘I wasn’t out looking for him.’ Skinner flushed. ‘No. Er…thanks.’ Leo let go of Alex’s collar. ‘I’m not doing this again. Stay put.’ Freed, Alex made for the door. For someone of his size, Skinner moved remarkably quickly. He slammed Alex against the doorframe, pinning him by the collar of his t-shirt. ‘Say thank you to Mr McGarry.’ Alex looked at Skinner as if he were mad. He hissed at the pain as he was slammed backwards a second time, his spine connecting with the doorframe. ‘He’s waiting.’ Skinner snapped. ‘Thanks.’ Skinner looked from a furious Alex to Fox’s equally angry face. ‘Mulder. Bed. Now.’ Mulder gave Skinner a sulky look. Turning deliberately to face Leo, he smiled. ‘Goodnight sir.’ When he was out of the room, Leo laughed. ‘Good luck.’ Skinner’s face darkened. ‘If this is good, give me bad.’ Leo let himself out and drove home, wondering how on earth Skinner was going to manage. *************** Skinner knew he had to hold onto Alex. If he let go, he’d run. He gripped Alex’s arm tightly, dragging him unwillingly upstairs, pulling him into the spare room. Digging in the bedside drawer, he pulled out a pair of handcuffs. He clipped one to the wrought-iron headboard, the other around Alex’s wrist. Pushing Alex onto the bed, he pulled the bedclothes back. He covered Alex with the sheet and blankets and switched out the light. Pausing in the doorway, Skinner turned. ‘You so much as talk in your sleep, I’ll put you on the balcony.’ Again. Alone, Alex sobbed silently into the pillow beneath his head. An hour or so later, Mulder’s usual nightmares woke Skinner. Soothing him back to sleep, Skinner decided to take the opportunity to check on Alex. He padded quietly across the hallway and into the bedroom. He saw Alex’s body shaking, but heard nothing. Getting closer, he realised Alex was awake, crying silently. ‘Alex, do you need anything?’ Realising he wasn’t alone, Alex managed to control himself instantly and spat his reply. ‘No!’ ‘Do you want me to at least help you get undressed?’ This time Alex didn’t reply. Skinner had had enough. He was tired, and his temper, not good at the best of times, was short. ‘I asked you a question Alex.’ He shuddered as Alex whimpered. ‘I’m sorry…please don’t hurt me…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean it…’ Skinner sat slowly on the edge of the bed and put a tentative hand out towards Alex, half-expecting to be bitten. Instead, Alex’s glazed eyes seemed not to notice the gesture. But as Skinner’s fingers brushed Alex’s damp hair off his forehead, Alex shivered and tried to move away. ‘Please…no…I’m sorry.’ ‘Shhh. It’s all right. I’m not going to hurt you. There. Close your eyes. Shhh.’ Skinner wasn’t sure Alex even heard him, but it was the middle of the night. Tired, he didn’t know if he should try and snap Alex out of whatever memory he was trapped in or not. He decided not to try, and continued to stroke Alex’s hair, whispering a string of reassurances until Alex’s eyes closed, and his breathing slowed. Taking a deep breath, Skinner got up and walked back to his own bed. ‘First thing, Walt. You’re gonna sort this out first thing.’ Turning back to take one more quick look at the sleeping Alex, Skinner walked towards his own bed and Mulder, who had sprawled over a good two-thirds of their bed. Pushing Mulder’s limbs out of the way, Skinner climbed back into bed. Sleep came much more slowly for him than it had for them. ************* ‘What do you like?’ Skinner was making out the weekly shopping list. ‘Alex? What food do you like?’ Alex shrugged. ‘Anything.’ Skinner sighed. ‘What don’t you like?’ ‘Dunno. Djavol hates chicken.’ Skinner stopped writing. ‘Djavol?’ Alex seemed to realise what he’d said and stared at the floor, his shoulders trembling. Skinner got up. ‘Alex, who is Djavol?’ ‘No-one.’ Skinner lifted Alex’s chin. ‘Alex, tell me. I won’t be angry.’ Alex shook his head, his chest heaving. ‘No! I can’t…please…’ Skinner watched as Alex’s eyes glazed. He was somewhere else. Skinner sat on the arm of the couch and pulled Alex towards him, holding him tightly. Alex struggled for a few seconds, then relaxed totally. It took Skinner a while to realise that Alex had passed out. Alex woke on the couch, covered with a blanket. He watched Skinner writing for a couple of minutes then sat up. Skinner turned at the movement and smiled. ‘You passed out.’ ‘I’m sorry.’ Skinner got up and moved to sit at Alex’s side. ‘Who is he Alex?’ For a long moment it seemed Alex wouldn’t say anything. Then he whispered: ‘He’s the one who kills.’ Skinner tried to work out what Alex meant. ‘And who is Alex?’ ‘He’s the one who gets punished. But it doesn’t hurt. I don’t feel it any more. I’m safe inside.’ ‘Inside where?’ ‘The place.’ Feeling out of his depth by some distance, Skinner asked gently: ‘Why did you chose that name?’ ‘It means Devil.’ ************** ‘Schizophrenia. Probably post-traumatic if he’s told you even half of what happened to him, it’s not surprising.’ Frank Harris was a retired army doctor. He and Skinner had kept in touch with after they’d both returned from Vietnam. They worked out at the same gym, sometimes getting in the boxing ring together. Occasionally, when either he or Mulder sustained injuries which would generate unwelcome paperwork at the local Emergency Room, Skinner called Frank. Still working part-time at a local free clinic, Harris took care of them. Skinner sighed. ‘What can I do?’ Harris wanted to make sure Skinner understood how dangerous the boy could be. ‘Pray you’re not around when the killing part of him takes over.’ ****************** ‘Cleaner to aisle twenty-seven. Cleaner to…’ Fox and Walter exchanged a look. The previous evening, as Alex slept, they had worked their way through a list of ‘things which triggered Alex’s memory’, and after an hour, they’d stopped, exhausted. This was something to add to the list. Supermarket tannoys. Pulling Alex out of the path of shopping trolleys, leaving Mulder to continue with their weekly shop, Skinner asked gently: ‘Alex, what is it?’ ‘Twenty-seven.’ ‘What?’ Alex’s voice was small, matching his huddled form as he hunched on the floor of the bread aisle. Skinner had to crouch beside him to hear. ‘That was my number. I didn’t know I had a name until someone used it once. I didn’t move cos I didn’t know, and I got hit. Then I worked out it was my name.’ Skinner called across: ‘Fox, we’re gonna wait in the car.’ Pulling a face, walking back and taking the shopping list from Skinner, Mulder shook his head. ‘And you thought I was trouble.’ Ignoring the remark, Skinner pulled Alex to his feet, then guided him out of the crowded supermarket. Dammit, it had taken them a month to get him inside the place. Sudden noise, bright lights, crowds, and piped music. All on the list they’d made. Slowly, starting with the local news-stand, working up to an all-night supermarket at two am when they were the only customers, they’d managed to get Alex into the shopping mall. Skinner almost lost sight of Alex as he finally couldn’t bear it a moment longer and ran. He’d made careful note of their route from the car to the supermarket, and he simply retraced it, breathlessly pushing through the Saturday morning throng. Skinner finally caught up with Alex at the car, silently unlocking the door and allowing Alex to climb onto the back seat, where he immediately curled into a tight ball, his arm hugging his knees as he mumbled unintelligible Russian self-reassurances. Climbing into the front seat, Skinner unfolded his phone. ‘Fox, I’m gonna take Alex home. I’ll come back for you when I’ve got him settled.’ Ignoring Mulder’s grumbles, Skinner closed his phone and started the car. Remembering an earlier car journey, Alex’s mind drifted back. ‘Alex, come with me.’ The boys looked around the bare room where they’d been learning self-defence. The tall man with the ever-present cigarette stood in the doorway, looking at the assembled group. One of their teachers cuffed one of the boys around the head. ‘Hurry up.’ Moving towards the door, the young boy was aware of his classmates staring at him. Alex. I’m called Alex. Alex twenty-seven. Or maybe twenty-seven Alex. Okay. I’ll know in future. ‘Sit down Alex.’ He’d learned early on that to speak unless directly addressed was not a good idea. Dropping onto the couch, the boy fidgeted nervously, eyes fixed on the floor. Eye contact wasn’t encouraged. These people are your betters. You are nothing. Do as you’re told. Or else. ‘I’ve been watching you.’ I’ve been good. I haven’t done anything wrong for ages. I’m sorry… The older man seemed to sense the boy’s panic. ‘Alex, you’re not here to be punished. Quite the opposite. You’ve worked hard and learned well. I’m taking you home with me. Go with William and change your clothes.’ The man standing in the doorway held a pile of clothing suitable for a teenage boy. Alex got up and followed the man along the corridor. They stopped outside a door. ‘In here. Change. Bring your things out with you. Hurry up.’ ************* ‘Frank, I really appreciate this.’ ‘No problem. We’ll be fine. Harris looked at Alex, curled up on the couch. ‘What do you want me to do?’ ‘Just make sure he doesn’t leave.’ Where Walter was bulky, Harris was enormous. At least four inches taller and twenty pounds heavier than his boxing partner, Harris nodded. ‘No problem.’ ‘I shouldn’t be more than half an hour. Here’s my number if you need me.’ Harris dropped into an armchair, picked up the paper, and smiled. ‘Go already Wisk.’ Picking up his keys, Walter looked at Alex. ‘Alex, I’m just gonna pick Fox up. I won’t be long.’ He wasn’t altogether surprised when there was no reaction from the huddled figure on the couch. ************* ‘Frank, could you possibly hang around a little longer? Fox and I need to talk.’ Harris sensed the tension between the two men and waved his hand dismissively. ‘Sure. Take your time Wisk.’ ‘Fox, get your coat. We’re going for a walk.’ ‘I’m tired.’ ‘Fox!’ Harris suppressed his flinch at the sharpness in Skinner’s tone. Grumbling almost inaudibly, Fox pulled his coat on and followed Skinner out. ‘Sit.’ Skinner nodded at a park bench. Pouting, Fox dropped down onto the damp wood. ‘What?’ ‘Fox, talk to me.’ ‘What about?’ Fox asked sulkily, knowing perfectly well what Skinner meant. Patiently, Skinner said quietly: ‘Alex.’ ‘He killed my father. Do I need another reason to hate him?’ ‘I talked to Frank. He thinks Alex may be schizophrenic. Part of him killed your father. Another part of him has no idea what happened.’ Fox looked at Skinner as if he’d grown another head. ‘He’s mad. He’s capable of killing and you’re letting him stay with us?!’ Skinner sighed. ‘Do you want me to throw him out?’ He used words he knew would provoke a reaction. He wasn’t disappointed. ‘I’d like you to kill him.’ ‘Would that make everything all right Fox? Would it bring your father back?’ ‘I hate him.’ Ignoring the venom in Fox’s voice, Skinner kept his tone deliberately even. ‘I asked you a question Fox.’ ‘No! It wouldn’t. But I’d feel better.’ Putting his hand on Fox’s forearm, Skinner waited until they had eye contact. ‘Would you?’ Bitterly, Mulder snapped: ‘We never have any time alone. It’s always ‘little Alex needs this’ and ‘I’m just gonna to do this for little Alex’.’ Skinner smiled inwardly. He was right. It wasn’t Alex specifically. It could have been anyone. Fox was feeling neglected. ‘I’ve asked Frank to come over twice a week and give us some time alone.’ Fox brightened a little, half-smiling. ‘If he thought it was odd, you and me, I wonder what he thinks now you have two of us.’ Skinner smiled. ‘I don’t think I wanna know.’ Fox laughed. ‘Why not, Wisk?’ Skinner cuffed Fox around the head. ‘When we get back remind me to wash that smart mouth of yours out.’ Fox shuddered. ‘That’s why you put disgusting scented soap on the shopping list.’ Getting to his feet, Skinner nodded. ‘Yup.’ *************** ‘Hurts.’ Harris looked up from his paper. ‘What hurts son?’ ‘Hand. Hurts.’ Still half-asleep, Alex whimpered with the pain. Harris got up and reached for Alex’s hand, massaging the fingers and palm. ‘The other one.’ Harris eyed the stump. Phantom pain. He’d heard about it. He just didn’t know what to do. ‘Okay son. Try and sit up. Maybe it’ll ease.’ Alex allowed himself to be helped into a sitting position. ‘Thanks.’ ‘Sure. Better?’ ‘I don’t understand it either.’ ‘What?’ ‘How it can hurt when it isn’t there. But it does.’ ‘Yeah, I know guys lost arms and legs in ‘Nam. They can still feel them.’ Alex shuddered, remembering his own mutilation. ‘Sometimes I reach out for something…’ Harris nodded understandingly. Then he saw the prosthesis. ‘You want a hand getting this on?’ Alex shrugged. ‘Okay.’ It wouldn’t help. Nothing ever did. He pulled his t-shirt half-way off, then cried out as his ribs protested at the movement. ‘Easy son. Let me help you.’ Cheeks burning with the humiliation of his helplessness, Alex allowed the older man to pull his t-shirt over his head. For the first time in a long time, he allowed someone to help him strap the arm in place and replace his t-shirt. ‘Better?’ ‘Yeah.’ Alex lied. Harris wasn’t fooled. ‘You want something for the pain?’ Ales shook his head. ‘I don’t do drugs.’ Harris got up walking towards the bathroom. ‘I was thinking maybe some Tylenol?’ Alex wanted to refuse, but he was in pain, and he was tired. ‘Okay.’ ************** ‘Margaret, ask Hoynes to call me when he’s done for the day.’ ‘Yes Leo.’ ‘McGarry.’ ‘Leo, it’s John.’ ‘You ready to leave?’ ‘Yuh. Want me to come over?’ ‘No. You got plans for tonight?’ Hoynes smiled in anticipation. ‘Yeah.’ ‘Cancel ‘em.’ Hoynes began to protest. ‘Leo…’ But Leo had already hung up. Sighing, John replaced the phone, then picked it up again. Leo replaced his own phone, then pulled out his cell phone. ‘Catherine.’ ‘Catherine, it’s Leo.’ ‘Whatever you want Leo, the answer is ‘no’.’ Leo smiled. ‘Oh I think you’ll like my idea.’ ************ ‘I’m not going in there.’ Leo turned in his seat. ‘Get out of the car John.’ The two agents began to get out. ‘Stay here.’ ‘Mr McGarry, we can’t…’ ‘Afford to be out of work this close to Christmas?’ Reluctantly, the two men sat back in their seats. ‘Leo.’ Catherine totally ignored Hoynes who stood behind Leo. ‘Catherine. John has something to say.’ Leo stepped away and Hoynes found himself inches away from a very angry Catherine. ‘Er…I…came to apologise for what happened.’ Catherine stared at Hoynes. ‘Go on then.’ ‘What?’ ‘Apologise.’ ‘I…just did.’ ‘No. You said you came here to apologise. I didn’t hear an apology.’ Hoynes flushed bright red. ‘I’m sorry I hit the kid.’ ‘Alex.’ ‘What?’ ‘The young man was named Alex. And you didn’t ‘hit’ him. You almost killed him.’ Hoynes looked to Leo for support. Leo looked away. Suddenly, Hoynes was aware of how stupid he felt. And his embarrassment turned to anger. ‘Hey, I wasn’t hurting him. He could have said ‘stop’.’ ‘You told him to be quiet.’ ‘What?’ ‘You told him to snap his fingers if he wanted something. You didn’t give him a stop word, or a stop signal. You were irresponsible and now you’re trying to blame Alex for your stupidity.’ ‘Maybe you should chose your members more carefully Catherine.’ Hoynes’ head snapped back from the stinging blow. ‘Jimmy, show John out. The back exit.’ Apparently from nowhere, Jimmy materialised at Catherine’s side. ‘Yes ma’am.’ ‘Where the Hell are we going?’ Hoynes half-turned, but Jimmy pushed him forward, pointing at a door at the end of the corridor. ‘Through there.’ Hoynes opened the door and swallowed hard. He wouldn’t have trusted Leo not to have the entire White House press corps waiting for him. He walked into the brightly-lit room, suddenly panicking that the light really was from a dozen flashbulbs. Then he realised it was a spotlight. Picking out an upright leather-covered pole. With two leather manacles hanging from short chains fixed to the top of the pole. Hoynes turned, but the door was already closing and he heard the sound of a key in the lock. Chest heaving, John didn’t move. Catherine’s voice was soft, she was apparently standing some distance away. ‘This is the last time you will set foot in my club John. I have a good reputation. And you’re spoiling it. For what you did to Dominic, Alex and my reputation you deserve to be punished. Don’t you?’ ‘No!’ ‘John?’ Hoynes swallowed nervously, looking around, trying to work out where Catherine was. ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘Too little too late John. I asked you a question. Try again? You deserve to be punished for what you did. Yes or no?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Strip.’ As he removed his jacket, Hoynes heard voices, then a door open and close. He was startled by Catherine’s voice, this time in a different part of the room. ‘Don’t keep me waiting John.’ *************** ‘Walter.’ Skinner inserted his bookmark and closed the paperback. ‘Yes Fox?’ ‘I forgot. I was s’posed to remind you to wash my mouth out.’ ‘And you’ve just remembered at…eleven pm.’ ‘Yeah.’ Skinner looked disbelievingly at Mulder. ‘I’m sure if it had been something nice, you would have remembered earlier.’ ‘I didn’t forget on purpose, honest!’ Skinner heard the panic in Fox’s voice and relented. Then he had an idea. ‘Very well. I won’t wash your mouth out. You will be nice to Alex. Deal?’ Mulder hesitated. Disgusting though the taste of the heavily-scented soap in his mouth was, if he endured the punishment, he wouldn’t have to be nice to Krycek. Skinner waited; sure he could guess what Mulder was thinking. Weighing up the deal. ‘Define ‘nice’.’ Skinner fought the smile which threatened. ‘Don’t push me Fox. Well?’ Sighing theatrically, Mulder lay down. ‘O-kay.’ Skinner flicked off the light, smiling as he waited for sleep. **************** ‘Leo.’ Hoynes was used to Leo walking in unannounced, but this morning, too sore to sit down, he was startled by his sudden appearance. ‘Here.’ Leo tossed a video cassette onto Hoynes’ desk. Guessing, Hoynes asked: ‘Have you watched it?’ Leo shook his head. ‘Not interested.’ Leo turned to leave. ‘Leo, why do you belong to the club if all you do is drink over-priced Diet Coke and flirt with Catherine…’ Hoynes voice trailed off as he realised he’d answered his own question. ‘You and Catherine? How dangerous is that in your position?’ Leo’s face was impassive. He nodded to the desk. ‘About as dangerous as you leaving without that.’ ‘Catherine wouldn’t have given it to me.’ ‘You didn’t ask.’ ‘Leo, I am sorry for what happened.’ Leo shrugged. ‘No you’re not John. I’m sick of getting you out of trouble. I won’t do it again. Oh, and keep the Hell away from me for a while, okay?’ Picking up the cassette, Hoynes nodded. ‘Okay.’ Back in his office, Leo opened his briefcase and took out a videocassette. Opening his safe, he looked around quickly, confirmed the door between his office and the Oval Office was closed, shoved the cassette in the safe and closed the door. On to Part Three Home Send me feedback on this fic Return to the Crossover Fic Index