Title: What goes around…Part Five Alex knew he was being followed, but the man a few yards behind him was so bad at it, Alex simply released LT, who immediately ran off, and continued to walk along the water’s edge. Eventually, he stopped at a bench and sat down. A few seconds later, someone joined him. ‘Alex Krycek?’ Alex nodded, took the envelope he was handed, called LT to his side, and walked home. Frank was working at the clinic, and, knowing he was alone, Alex tipped the envelope out onto his bed. The notes were scruffy, used. But the sheet of paper tucked between them was heavy and expensive. Alex had to struggle to read the scrawled note. ‘I’ll be in touch.’ ************ Alex recognised the man from the previous week. ‘Look, what is this for?’ The man shrugged. ‘I’m just a delivery boy.’ Alex took the envelope and tucked it into his jacket. ************* Sitting on the bench Alex simply waited for the man to sit next to him and hand him the envelope. Calling the dog to his side, he walked back to his car and opened his phone. ‘Alex? What’s wrong?’ Skinner opened the door immediately Alex rang the doorbell, his face anxious. ‘Is Mulder here?’ ‘No, he’s at work. Do you want me to call him?’ ‘No.’ Skinner took the envelopes and laid them on the table. ‘Are you sure this isn’t some kind of joke? There’s no signature on the note, and you haven’t heard from him in almost a month.’ Alex shook his head. ‘No. I know it’s him. I recognise his writing.’ Skinner sighed. He didn’t want to know how Alex recognised the White House Chief of Staff’s handwriting. ‘You’re being set up Alex. Either you’re going to be blamed for something you didn’t do, or they’re gonna ask you to do something for them. Either way, you’re in trouble. Still, you’re safe as long as you continue to act normally.’ Reassured by Skinner’s confidence, and relieved of the burden of his secret, Alex sat back. ‘I don’t know what to do.’ Skinner stared at the money and the note for a few seconds. ‘I’ll talk to him.’ Alex paled. ‘No! He’ll know I told you. You’ll be in trouble too.’ Skinner put a calming hand on Alex’s arm. ‘Alex, I can take care of myself. Now go home.’ Still not sure Skinner understood what he’d offered, Alex got up. ‘Be careful.’ Skinner smiled. ‘I will.’ ************* Alex was in a rare good mood. Skinner was sorting his problem for him, he’d managed to do all the weekly grocery shopping alone, and he was feeling no pain whatsoever in his arm for the first time since he’d left hospital. He walked back to the apartment easily carrying the two brown bags. The late winter day had darkened early, and Alex didn’t see the group of men until they were too close for him to do anything other than curl into a tight ball to try and protect himself from the fists and boots. Suddenly it stopped. One of the men leaned down and snarled: ‘Walter Skinner isn’t someone you should be seen with.’ ************* Mulder tried to be understanding. He knew Skinner was missing Alex. But he was so relieved that things at home were back to what he now thought of as ‘pre-Alex’ that he didn’t really care. He was just checking on some paperwork he was going to need for a meeting the following day when he heard Skinner in the basement. Remembering his fall, Mulder closed the folder, got up, and followed Skinner down the narrow staircase. Skinner heard Mulder coming down the stairs and turned, grateful to have another pair of hands to help with the heavy headboard. ‘I thought we might as well put this back. The bed looks odd without it.’ Between them, they got the cast-iron headboard up the narrow stairs and into the bedroom. Mulder held it while Skinner screwed it back on the wall. As Skinner straightened up, Mulder said softly: ‘How about an early night?’ ‘Did you get all your paperwork ready for tomorrow?’ ‘Yeah.’ Skinner smiled. ‘Why not?’ Mulder groaned as someone banged on the front door. ‘I’ll get it.’ ‘Hi Frank.’ ‘Fox. Is Alex here?’ ‘No.’ Skinner came down the stairs. ‘Frank. What’s up?’ ‘Alex didn’t come home. He’s been behaving oddly recently.’ Both older men ignored Mulder’s derisive snort. ‘I’m worried about him.’ Skinner sighed. ‘Okay. Fox call the local hospitals. Give them Alex’s description.’ He grabbed his keys. ‘I’ll help you look.’ As they left the house, Frank answered his phone. ‘Harris…Alex…where are you…okay, we’re coming. Stay put.’ He felt a mixture of relief and anger. ‘He’s been mugged. About a block from our place.’ Skinner nodded. ‘I’ll drive.’ He turned to Mulder. ‘Don’t wait up.’ He wasn’t surprised at Mulder’s lack of response. ************* Mulder groaned as the alarm clock buzzed. Although he hadn’t waited up for Skinner, Mulder’s anger at his sudden departure had meant he hadn’t got to sleep for some time, and had spent a restless night. Even with a full eight hours, Mulder was not a morning person. Skinner was. Mulder could hear him in the kitchen, preparing their breakfast. Pulling on a dressing gown, Mulder hauled himself out of bed. Walking up behind Skinner, Mulder stretched his arms around his waist. ‘Good morning.’ Skinner continued to butter the slice of toast as if Mulder weren’t there. ‘Walter?’ ‘Sit down Mulder.’ The sharpness in Skinner’s tone made Mulder frown and he released Skinner and dropped into a kitchen chair. ‘What’s wrong?’ ‘Nothing. Eat your breakfast.’ Silently, Mulder chewed on the toast, then showered and dressed quickly. Picking up his keys, Mulder called: ‘I’m off. See you later.’ Getting no reply, he slammed the door and stamped out to his car. Skinner dropped the knife into the sink. He hadn’t expected to experience the feelings of guilt he had over the attack on Alex. Added to which he was nervous. Really nervous. And he knew how unfair he had been to Mulder. Now he would have to make it up to him. After he’d talked to Leo. ************* ‘Leo McGarry’s office.’ ‘This is Walter Skinner. I was wondering if Mr McGarry was free at all today?’ Margaret wrote on a pad: Walter Skinner. Standing at her side, Leo frowned. Then he held out his hand for the phone. ‘Skinner.’ ‘Leo. Are you free for lunch?’ Leo looked at his watch. ‘Yeah. Twelve-thirty?’ ‘Out of the building.’ Keeping his face blank, Leo forced a polite edge into his voice. ‘Sure. Johnsons?’ ‘I’ll see you there.’ ************** Skinner wasn’t surprised that Leo was already waiting for him, sitting at an open-air table in the restaurant courtyard, sipping a glass of water. Leo looked up as the waitress showed Skinner to the table. ‘Skinner.’ ‘Leo.’ ‘Would you like something to drink, sir?’ Resisting the urge to ask for something stronger, Skinner nodded. ‘Mineral water?’ The waitress smiled. ‘I’ll be right back.’ Skinner didn’t waste any time. ‘I know you’re paying Alex. I also know you paid someone to beat him up because he told me about the money.’ Leo’s eyebrows barely moved. ‘Here’s something else you should know. Dupont Circle’s a busy place. Accidents happen. It would be a shame to have to see your replacement on TV delivering the eulogy at Fox Mulder’s funeral.’ ‘I’d ruin you.’ ‘You’re a bisexual who was fired after he was deemed a risk to national security. You were given several warnings after repeatedly being seen leaving a number of DC’s ‘alternative lifestyle’ bars with your lover and his weird friends. I’m not sure you’d find an audience for your gossip.’ Skinner stared at Leo. It wasn’t true. He was discreet to the point of paranoia. He and Fox never went out together unless it was to an official function or with company to some other perfectly ordinary restaurant or bar where they would attract no attention. Never with the Gunmen. And they never behaved inappropriately in public. Suddenly he realised why he’d been forced to resign. His personnel file had been altered. Skinner had to fight to keep his voice down. ‘Does the President know what kind of man you are?’ Leo laughed. ‘No. But he wouldn’t be where he is if it wasn’t for me. So he’s sensible. He doesn’t ask too many questions.’ Tossing a twenty dollar bill onto the table, Leo got up. ‘Alex is mine. I’ve paid enough for him. If you’re tired of Fox and you’re looking for someone new, look elsewhere.’ *************** Leo sipped morosely at his drink. ‘I did a bad thing today.’ Catherine put a hand on his shoulder. ‘Bad by my standards or bad by your standards?’ ‘Really bad.’ Catherine sighed. ‘Go downstairs and wait for me.’ Leo looked up. ‘It wasn’t that bad.’ ‘You’re lying. And just making it worse. Go on.’ Slowly, Leo slid off his barstool. ‘I have to work tomorrow.’ Catherine nodded. ‘So do I. ‘Jimmy, drive Mr McGarry’s car home then get a cab back here.’ ‘Yes ma’am.’ ‘Keys Leo?’ Leo fished his keys out of his pants pocket, threw them to Jimmy then turned and followed Catherine. ‘I don’t need this.’ Catherine’s voice was hard, matching her expression. ‘I’m in charge now Leo. I don’t want to hear another word from you until you thank me afterwards.’ Leo swallowed hard. He locked eyes with Catherine for a moment then dropped his gaze and began to unhook his tie. He tried not to look as she unlocked a wooden chest in the corner of the room. Suddenly, he remembered something. He looked up at the security camera above the door. Catherine came towards him holding the cane she’d taken from the box held in her hand. She saw where he was looking. ‘I turned it off.’ **************** Margaret came into the Oval Office, a notepad in her hand. ‘Sir, Leo called in sick. Said he’d be in Monday. He’s hurt his back.’ Bartlet nodded. ‘Thanks Margaret. Remind me to call him later.’ Making a note on the pad she held, Margaret nodded. ‘Yes sir.’ ************* The following day… Still sore, Alex walked LT slowly around the water’s edge. A German Shepherd ran across to them, ignoring the shouts of its female owner. Alex almost tripped as the dog’s leads became entangled around his legs. ‘Hey, LT!’ He heard the woman’s failed attempt at long-distance control. ‘Caesar! Heel!’ Alex grabbed both leads, wrapping them around his hands until both dogs were unable to do anything other than stand at his side. Breathlessly, the young woman came running over. ‘Caesar! Bad dog!’ Alex handed her the lead. ‘It wasn’t his fault.’ ‘No, it was mine. I should have known he’d want to say ‘hi’ to LT. I just haven’t seen him around for a while. I guess they had a lot to catch up on. Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Sarah. I know Frank. I don’t think we’ve met.’ Alex smiled nervously. ‘Alex.’ Sarah looked at her watch. ‘I’m gonna be late for work. See you tomorrow?’ Alex nodded, sure his flushed cheeks were obvious. ‘Yeah.’ Sarah smiled. ‘Bye.’ The man sat on the park bench and waited for Alex to join him. He made no sound as the small thin blade pierced his heart. Alex took the envelope from his coat pocket, tipped the man’s hat over his eyes and got up, calling LT to his side as he walked back to his car. ************** Monday morning Hoynes frowned. Yet again he was reading about a ‘major policy change by the Bartlet administration’ in the Post. He walked across to his safe. Too late he remembered he’d left his copy of the tape in the VCR in Leo’s office. Angry with himself he bent down and pulled out an envelope. Pushing his finger under the flap he tore it open. He straightened out the sheet inside and began to read the short paragraph. ‘I, Leo McGarry, White House Chief of Staff, do hereby resign, effective immediately.’ His smile faded as his eye continued down. In place of his signature Leo had written: ‘When Hell freezes over’.’ His attention was caught by a news story. The woman was clearly listening to the voice in her earpiece at the same time as reading from a sheet she’d been handed. ‘This just in. A night club in downtown DC was destroyed by fire less than an hour ago. Reports say that the building, rumoured to be the home of DC’s most discreet club whose members are said to be DC’s political and social elite, was destroyed by an electrical fault. This follows an inspection less than a week ago in which city officials gave the building a safety certificate. In other news, a DC free clinic today received a large anonymous donation…’ ************* ‘Hi Frank.’ Surprised to see Skinner so early, Harris nevertheless greeted him warmly. ‘Hello Wisk. I’m just on my way out.’ ‘Okay. I wanted to talk to Alex. Is he here?’ ‘Yeah. He’s doing the dishes. Alex, Walter’s here.’ Alex came slowly out of the kitchen. ‘I’ll be back around..?’ He looked across to Skinner. ‘An hour?’ Harris nodded. ‘Okay.’ ‘Come and sit down Alex.’ ‘I’m sorry.’ Skinner frowned. This was worse than he guessed. ‘What are you sorry for Alex?’ ‘The fire at the club.’ Skinner couldn’t help himself. ‘That was you?’ Alex nodded, staring at the carpet. ‘And the money for the clinic?’ Alex nodded. Skinner put a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. ‘Alex, you can’t make up for a bad thing with a good thing.’ ‘Why not?’ Skinner sighed. ‘That isn’t how it works Alex. People might have been killed.’ ‘It was only a small fire to begin with. There wasn’t anyone in there. If there had been they could have easily got out.’ Skinner shook his head. ‘That isn’t the point Alex, and you know it. People are already criticising the local fire safety inspectors. They say they should have been more careful. How do you think those people feel right now? They did a good job, and no-one believes them.’ ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘Stop saying you’re sorry Alex. It’s way too late for that. At least the money will do some good.’ Alex sensed a slight hope. ‘Are you going to tell the police it was me?’ ‘No.’ Alex looked up. ‘Promise?’ Skinner sighed. ‘I promise.’ ‘You can’t break a promise, right?’ Warily, Skinner said: ‘No.’ ‘I…did something else.’ Skinner closed his eyes and lay back against the sofa. ‘What?’ ‘I…you did promise, right?’ ‘Alex!’ ‘I killed a guy.’ Guessing Skinner asked wearily: ‘The homeless man in the park?’ Alex nodded. ‘You promised.’ Skinner said sadly: ‘I wish I hadn’t.’ Quietly, Alex said: ‘You can tell them if you want.’ Skinner put his head in his hands. ‘I should Alex. You know that. But I did make a promise.’ Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘You mean it?’ Skinner was silent for a long time. Eventually, he looked up. ‘Yes but you did some terrible things Alex. I don’t care why. I think you need to be punished, don’t you?’ Alex nodded. ‘Let’s get it over with.’ ‘Frank has different soap.’ ‘Alex, I think you know this has gone way beyond washing your mouth out.’ Alex swallowed hard. ’You’re gonna…hit me.’ ‘Alex.’ Skinner’s eyes narrowed warningly. ‘I know…spanking isn’t hitting. But it’ll still hurt.’ ‘Maybe you’ll stop the next time you even think about doing anything similar.’ ‘You know it wasn’t me, right? It was him. I don’t kill.’ Firmly, Skinner said: ‘That’s the only reason I’m still here Alex.’ Alex got to his feet and unhooked the button on his jeans. Alex lay across Skinner’s lap, flinching as Skinner’s large hand came down to rest in the small of his back. ‘Why are you being punished Alex?’ ‘Because I killed someone.’ ‘And?’ ‘Because I burned the club down.’ ‘And?’ ‘Because people will get into trouble.’ ‘And?’ Alex paused, thinking quickly. But nothing else came to mind. He squealed as a sharp tap stung his butt. ‘Alex?’ Skinner prompted. ‘I don’t know…I didn’t do anything else.’ Another firmer slap took his breath. ‘How about threatening the Vice President? Extorting money from him? Injuring two of his staff who were only doing their job.’ ‘He hurt me!’ Alex tried to defend his behaviour. Gently Skinner rubbed Alex’s back. ‘I know. But there were other ways of resolving your problem.’ ‘How?’ ‘You could have come to me.’ ‘You hate me. Ow!’ A stinging pain followed Alex’s comment as Skinner’s hand connected with his bare flesh. ‘Alex?’ ‘Mulder hates me.’ Alex held his breath, waiting for another slap. Instead, Skinner laughed. ‘He doesn’t hate you. I agree you’re not his favorite person. But I doubt Mulder’s on your Christmas card list either, right?’ Alex’s whole body shook as Skinner chuckled. Alex said in a small voice: ‘I’m sorry.’ Skinner sighed. ‘I know. Now keep still. And keep it down. I doubt Frank’s neighbors would think twice about dialling 911 if they heard you screaming in here.’ The punishment Walter meted out was painful but short. He had no idea if the part of Alex that was quite capable of killing him without breaking into a sweat would surface if he continued with the spanking for too long and he wasn’t going to take any unnecessary risks. Afterwards, Alex sniffled and sobbed, held in Skinner’s tight grip. ‘Shh. It’s all over now. You’re forgiven. Hush. Tell me what lesson you learned?’ In between sobs, Alex hitched: ‘To tell…someone about… my problems.’ ‘Well done. Now, lay here and I’ll fix us some coffee.’ Alex pouted sulkily. ‘I hurt too much to drink it.’ Skinner laughed, reaching down to tousle Alex’s hair as he got up. ‘We’ll see.’ ********** Two hours later, Harris opened the door. Skinner was reading, Alex’s head resting in his lap, one arm loosely draped across Skinner’s thighs. Alex woke and turned sleepily at the sound of the door closing and hissed in pain. Hiding his amusement, Skinner looked up at Frank. Who had heard Alex’s exclamation and guessed the cause. ‘I dropped by the clinic. We just got a huge donation.’ ‘I saw that on the news. Any idea who it was from?’ ‘No. But it’ll buy some badly-needed new equipment.’ Harris went to hang up his coat and make himself some much-needed coffee. A new coffee machine had been at the top of his list of vital equipment the clinic needed. Pushing Alex off, Skinner got to his feet. ‘Bye Alex.’ Alex looked at the floor. ‘Bye Walter.’ Skinner tipped Alex’s chin up. ‘Try and be good for a while, okay? I don’t want to have to come round here again to discuss your…‘activities’.’ Alex nodded. ‘I’ll try.’ ************** Mulder picked up his phone. ‘Agent Mulder.’ ‘Meet me at the airport, six pm. Don’t be late.’ ‘Walter, what...?’ Mulder listened as the connection was severed. He smiled and dialled an internal extension. ‘Kim, it’s Mulder. Does the Assistant Director have a few minutes?’ ************* Skinner opened the door, ready to hand the cab driver his suitcases. ‘Catherine…’ ‘Going somewhere?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Here. One should always have something interesting to read on the…plane.’ Skinner smiled and took the envelope she handed him. ‘I loved him. He changed. Somehow…I don’t know. Anyway, you’ll know what to do.’ ‘Catherine, wait…thank you.’ Skinner tried to stop her walking away. But as he watched her hurry back to her car and drive away, the taxi pulled up and he knew he had no time to waste. ************* Fox leaned across the seat, desperate to know what had Skinner so absorbed. In the first half hour of the flight, after he’d opened the envelope, they’d barely exchanged two words. ‘What is that?’ Skinner looked up for a moment. ‘Eat your meal Fox.’ ‘Yes Walter.’ ************* ‘Mr Vice-President.’ ‘Margaret. Is Leo around?’ Hearing John’s voice, Leo wandered through into the outer office. Warily, he looked up from the briefing folder he held. ‘John.’ He jerked his head towards his office and John followed him in. Leo closed all the doors before automatically moving to sit behind his desk, changing his mind at the last minute. Although he wasn’t as sore as he had been, he didn’t want to sit if he didn’t have to. ‘What do you want?’ ‘How about a truce?’ Leo closed the folder. ‘Okay.’ Hoynes was instantly wary. ‘Just like that?’ Leo’s smile lacked any warmth. ‘You were never gonna win John. I just wanted to see how long it would take you to work it out.’ ‘Where the Hell do you get your confidence from?’ ‘When your best friend is the most powerful man on earth you’re pretty much in a no-lose situation.’ Hoynes’ expression hardened. ‘One day you’ll lose Leo. I just pray I’m around to see it.’ Leo’s smile faded instantly. ‘If that day comes John, you’d better pray. Cos if I go down, you go down with me.’ Bartlet walked into Leo’s office. Sensing the tension, he asked: ‘Am I interrupting?’ Leo smiled. ‘Not at all sir. The Vice-President was just leaving.’ Josh came running in, almost knocking Hoynes flying. Breathlessly, Josh gasped: ‘Sir, Leo…CJ…Press Room…’ He grabbed the remote and the TV flickered into life. The live feed from the room a few hundred yards away continued. A flustered CJ Cregg was battling the tidal wave of shouted questions from the people squeezed into the tightly-packed press room. ‘CJ, does the White House have a response to the rumour that the Vice-President and the Chief of Staff were members of the club which burned down earlier today?’ ‘CJ, is there any truth in the suggestion that the club’s basement was used by members for illegal activities?’ ‘CJ…’ ‘Offshore accounts…’ ‘CJ…’ Josh muted the TV. Bartlet looked from Josh to Hoynes. Finally, he looked at Leo. ‘Well?’ Leo’s face settled into a reassuring smile. ‘I’ll take care of it sir.’ Taking a deep breath, Leo moved into what was becoming an all too familiar damage-limitation mode. ‘Josh, find Toby and Sam, and meet in my office. Mr Vice-President, perhaps you should come too?’ Stunned, Hoynes nodded mutely, following Leo out. Bartlet sat back down behind his desk and began to annotate the briefing document on the desk in front of him. The End Home Send me feedback on this fic Return to the Crossover Fic Index