Note: OK, I really went overboard this time. I am taking everyone completely out of character. I have to. There have been certain scenes in my head that I have been wanting to use, and this was the only way I could use them. This series is, for the most part, nuts and flakes. Don’t look for any redeeming value in this series. This is a PWP silliness. –Batela.

"Shut up, Tommy Lee!" Skinner yelled into the cell. The drunk cackled. Skinner felt as though he were being watched and turned around, almost jumping out of his boots. Mulder was slumped against the door jam.

"Jezus, Mulder. What are you doin’ here?" Skinner sat at his desk and shuffled some paperwork. It had been six months, but Mulder hadn’t changed a bit, maybe a few more streaks of white at his temples. He’s probably going to have his mother’s white hair, Skinner thought absently, damned if it won’t make him look distinguished. Mulder came in and sat down, propping his feet up on the desk, ignoring Skinner’s glare.

"You’re developing a bit of a twang there, Skinner." Mulder commented as he cracked open a seed bag.

"Just call me Polly Parrot." he muttered.

"Polly wanna crackah?"

"Goddammit, Tommy Lee!"

"My couch has been invaded by Russia." Mulder stated abruptly. Skinner paled.

"Shit. I thought he was dead by now. What is he doing at your apartment?" Mulder knew that brown-eyed innocent look.

"He’s been telling me some interesting stories." He spit a seed into a paper cup, taking his time.

"Are you going to elaborate or do I have to drag it out syllable by syllable?" Skinner tapped his fingers on the desktop.

"Is there something you’d like to confess before I beat the shit out of you?" Mulder offered instead.

"Shut! Up!" Skinner yelled into the tank. He could feel himself starting to panic, wondering just what exactly Krycek had let spill.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mulder."

Mulder hit the desk in anger. "Bullshit, Skinner!"

"Yeah, bullshit, Skinnah!"

"Shut up!!!" they both yelled. Skinner stood and walked the long way around the desk past Mulder.

"Let’s talk outside."

The men stepped onto the porch, past the curious receptionist and several deputies. The midday air was beginning to become hot. People walked past and waved with a friendly ‘hey, Sheriff!’, as they looked curiously at the city-boy and his fancy Taurus. Skinner put his hands on the railing, leaning down for a moment as he thought.

"Mulder, I don’t know what he’s been telling you but I’m not going to try and justify my actions, not to you, not to anyone. I had my reasons for doing whatever I did in the past and I won’t apologize for it."

"Don’t give me that crap, Skinner, I’m the one that stood by you and fought for your exoneration. That isn’t what I’m talking about." Mulder spun Skinner around by the shoulder. Skinner looked at him in surprise. Mulder took a step closer while Skinner took a step back.

"Krycek told me something interesting, about you. Something that maybe you should have discussed with me, oh, about nine years ago? You’ve made me wait nine fucking years, Skinner!" Skinner continued to back up in alarm until he was cornered against the post. He paled again, hoping that Krycek didn’t spill what he should have forgotten about. Mulder was nose to nose with the older man.

"You’re a coward, Skinner." Mulder informed him. "Well, I have news for you; it is my opinion that being in the closet is a shameful thing. I’m not ashamed. And I refuse to hide from the public." Mulder brushed his mouth across Skinner’s, electricity sparking. "You make the next move or there won’t be one." he said softly.

By the time Skinner remembered to breathe, Mulder was gone, headed back toward the city. Skinner took a quick look around. No one was giving him any funny looks. He strode into his office, shut the door and picked up the phone.

"Krycek!" he barked into Mulder’s answering machine. "I know you’re there, boy, you answer that phone or I swear...."

"Well, shit, Skinner, take a Prozac." came the familiar husky voice.

"How could you tell him?! You promised! I was drunk when I told you!" Skinner paced as he spoke.

"Oh, quit whining! Biggest damned whiner... I’ve learned something recently, Skinner. Life is too short to waste and you’ve wasted half of yours already. Consider this my retirement gift to you. Now get some backbone and do something about it." The line went dead. Skinner stared at the phone. That was twice in the past ten minutes that someone had called him a coward.

***********

People stared, craning their heads and tripping over themselves as the denim clad, flannel shirted man strode down the hallway, boots clomping on the floor. He strode past Scully’s office, not taking notice that Kimberly choked on her coffee and quickly dialed the inner extension. He looked into a nearby office, which was empty. A careful look around the bullpen, ignoring the incredulous stares, and he found what he was looking for.

It took Mulder a moment to realize that something was going on. He looked up just in time to see a pissed-off Sheriff baring down on him. Mulder backed up until the wall stopped him. Two long arms caged him in, hands planted firmly on the wall on either side of him, baseball hat dangling from one hand.

"How’s this for public?" Skinner challenged him. Skinner kissed him hard, quite visibly using his tongue. Mulder made a small noise in the back of his throat. The file fell to the floor, papers scattering, his hands fluttering until they found a trim waist to hold on to before sliding up around a strong lean back.

The room was silent except for ringing phones. Scully opened her door and looked out, biting back a shocked grin. Kim was peeking wide-eyed over her shoulder.

"Skinner!" Scully barked, rearranging her face into a frown, "Stop seducing my agent, he has work to do!" She slammed the door shut. Skinner sucked on that pouty lower lip before giving it a lick.

"My place, Friday night." he said, his baritone a low rumble.

Mulder nodded weakly. "Yeah, sure... whatever." and he slid into a chair before he melted to the floor.

Skinner clomped over to Scully’s office.

"Ride ‘um, cowboy." someone muttered.

"I fully intend to." Skinner called back as he walked into her office and shut the door.

After a moment, the office erupted in a babble of noise. The men didn’t quite know how to handle the scene they witnessed and looked embarrassed as they made jokes, while the women huddled in clutches, gushing over Skinner’s long legs and tight ass, looking like he had been poured into his jeans. They descended on Mulder, demanding details first thing Monday morning and giving him first night pointers.

Thirty minutes later, Scully’s door opened as she and Skinner left for lunch. The office noise quieted a little.

"Fox! Remember to bring the wine." Skinner called out on his way past. Mulder buried his face in his hands. He created a monster!

************

Friday night, Skinner opened the door and watched as Mulder parked his car and walked across the lawn. Skinner was actually relieved, he had been afraid that Mulder wouldn’t show up through shear obstinance. He had been rubbing his hands on his pants all day, wiping away the nervous sweat, wondering what the hell he had gotten himself into this time.

"Hi." he said as Mulder came up to the porch.

"Hey." Mulder handed him a brown bag with the wine in it.

Well, that was stimulating conversation, Skinner thought, kicking himself. He shut the door and found Mulder looking around the livingroom.

"You’re looking a little peaked, are you alright?" Mulder asked with concern. Skinner nodded.

"Just nervous." Shit, what did he say that for?!

Mulder took the bag back and put it down on the table. He stepped up close to Skinner and put his arms around the man’s neck.

"Don’t be nervous. We don’t have to make polite conversation, we already know each other. We don’t have to do anything if you’re not ready. I want you, I’ve wanted you for years. I can wait if you need me to." Mulder softly calmed him. Skinner tentatively put his arms around Mulder’s waist and just held him, as he had been wanting to do for years.

"I’m sorry if I went too far at the office. Have they been giving you a rough time?" Skinner asked after he relaxed. Mulder chuckled, his fingers playing with the small fringe of brown and silver hair and laid his head on Skinner’s wide shoulder, drinking in fresh clean scent of the man.

"No more than what Spooky got. I can deal with it. Actually, several people have come out since then; they figured that if it was ok for us to be so open, they could do it, too."

Mulder pulled back slightly to look into Skinner’s eyes.

"I’m glad you came after me, I was afraid that I went too far." he confessed. He kissed Skinner lightly on the mouth, just brushing their lips together. Skinner rubbed his hands up and down Mulder’s back, enjoying the feel of the man, the sinuous muscles, feeling so different from a woman’s softer, more rounded body. He enjoyed being with women, found them attractive, was turned on by them, but there was just something about Mulder that called to him, something... primal.. that aroused every cell in his body.

"Candles on the table, music in the air. Something smells great. I would never have taken you for a romantic, Walter." Mulder murmured approvingly. Skinner kissed the side of his neck, slowly turning them around. He was glad that Mulder was pleased with the atmosphere that he tried to create, he wasn’t sure if it was acceptable for a man like it was for a woman.

"I have my moments." he whispered, sucking gently on an earlobe.

"God, I hope this is going to be more than a moment." Mulder said fervently. Skinner lifted his head and looked into the passion filled hazel eyes.

"Mulder, I’ve.. never..." He knew that he wanted Mulder, and he knew the mechanics, but he lacked the experience. He had to be honest, Mulder needed to know. What if he disappointed the younger man? God knows, he never expected Mulder to be even remotely interested, much less have things progress to the point where he had to worry whether or not he could please the man. Mulder leaned back a little to look into Skinner’s face with a bemused expression. He gently, slowly, stroked the high cheek bones with his fingertips. Skinner swallowed hard and shut his eyes for a moment, reveling in the delicate touch.

"I’ve wanted to, with you, in fact I shocked myself when I was able to admit it, but if you don’t want to, I’ll understand." His heart was about to jump out of his throat as he babbled, waiting to see what Mulder was going to do. Mulder kissed him. Slowly. Claiming Skinner’s mouth as his own territory, as Mulder’s tongue made an inspection of the moist, sweet cavern.

Skinner slid his hands up the man’s back, keeping one wrapped around his waist, the other hand carding the dark hair as he returned Mulder’s kiss.

Mulder reached between them and cupped Skinner’s cloth covered erection, eliciting a moan from the man as he firmly squeezed. Skinner lost what little sense he had left.

"Why don’t you show me your room? I want to make love to you." Mulder stated directly. Skinner flushed and nodded, unable to speak, thankful that Mulder was going to take the lead for their first time. He took Mulder’s hand and led him up the stairs.

They undressed each other, taking pleasure in the other’s body, touching, tasting each patch of skin uncovered, until they were a tangled mess laying across the bed. They laughed as they bumped noses, moaned and groaned as they explored each other’s body.

Mulder paused as he leaned over Skinner, kneeling between his legs. He cradled Skinner’s head in his hands, looking into the man’s eyes as he slowly entered him. Skinner stroked his face with wondering fingers, over lips swollen from passionate kisses, the taste of each other on their mouths. He was expecting pain, but Mulder had taken the time to make sure he was open and prepared.

When Mulder was all the way in, he took a moment, giving Skinner a chance to adjust, before beginning their ride into another world. Mulder moved slowly in and out, both of them wanting their first time together to last as long as possible. Neither of them spoke, they only looked into each other’s eyes, entrusting their souls to each other as they came together.

Skinner kept his legs wrapped around Mulder’s waist, refusing to let him go as they calmed down, wanting to keep that incredible feeling alive as long as possible.

"I’ve dreamed about this for nine years. If I’m still dreaming, I hope I never wake up." Skinner asked him, his voice husky.

*************

The morning sunlight drifted through the window framing the head of the man sleeping next to him in an ethereal glow. Skinner had been awake for a while, watching, listening to Mulder as he slept. He unable to believe that the man was actually curled up next to him, exhausted after their first night together. Skinner shifted and winced a little; his entire body was pleasantly sore. He was pleased when Mulder turned out to be as enthusiastic and creative in bed as he was in the rest of his life. It had been a long time since Skinner had romped all night; hell, it had been a long time since he’d romped at all.

A call of nature forced him from his silent musings. He snuck out of the bed and did what he needed to before looking at himself in the mirror. He almost didn’t recognize himself. He needed a shave. The shave turned into a shower; he stood under the hot stream, letting the warmth soak into his muscles. A cool blast hit his back and a pair of arms encircled his waist from behind.

"Is there room for two in here?" a sleepy voice asked.

"Absolutely."

A hand slid down and cupped his genitals. Skinner chuckled.

"I think we broke it, Fox." he mourned, looking down. Mulder leaned around to peer down the front to the package in hand.

"Bummer. We’re not 16 anymore, Walter." Mulder commiserated, he wasn’t exactly up to snuff himself yet. Skinner turned and stole a long good morning kiss before lathering the man up with soap. They took their time washing each other until the water started to run cold and their fingers were pruned.

Later, they sat together quietly on the porch as they drank their coffee and read the morning paper; Mulder the sports and Skinner the financial section. They read to each other from the national and local news. More trials and assassinations were going on, although it looked as though things were finally beginning to wind down.

"They’re re-quoting you again." Skinner commented.

"Yeah, they can’t think of anything new to say. No one has even called me in a couple of weeks." Mulder complained.

Skinner swatted at him with the paper.

"Pedestal getting a little too high?"

Mulder didn’t look up from the Knick’s scores.

"They should have something new to talk about fairly shortly once word of this gets out." he warned gently. "I meant what I said, Walter, I won’t hide. If you want out, say so now."

Skinner took the paper away from him and turned his face.

"Move in with me." To prove his point to the startled man, Skinner leaned in and took a long slow kiss.

Someone cleared their throat uncomfortably. Skinner took his time responding. It was his first deputy.

"Good morning, Kyle. This is my partner, Fox Mulder. Be nice, he’s going to be moving in shortly and he shoots better than you." Skinner informed the man. Kyle had never seen a man flamboozled by a kiss before, much less from a kiss by another man. He liked Sheriff Skinner, though, so he’d try and adjust, despite his own queasiness. A lot of things were happening in the world that he’d never given much credence to before so this was just one more to add to the growing pile of weirdness. He honestly thought that Mulder was with that pretty little red-headed filly that was always with them on the TV. Kyle was ready to surrender all reason.

"Yessir." Kyle knew that Skinner was kidding about him being a bad shot, he wasn’t, but he had a feeling that Mulder was a better shot. He knew who Mulder was, of course, everyone who paid attention to the world news knew who both of them were. Their little town had been proud and surprised to have Skinner take over as Sheriff in place of a boring retirement. Skinner had given everyone standing orders to dissuade any reporters from asking questions, so whenever one showed up, everyone would either clam up or start telling big whoppers in protection of one of their national heroes. Skinner loved the South, they were so conscientious of duty and honor. The reporters eventually stopped coming around. Kyle wondered if the world knew this tidbit of information. He shook Mulder’s hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Mulder. Good job with the, well, everything." Kyle gestured to the world at large and Mulder chuckled, understanding what the man was getting at.

"Thank you, but I had a lot of help." He patted Skinner’s knee. Kyle watched the movement and swallowed hard. This was going to take some getting used to, but, hey, he was country, he could live with it. So long as they didn’t try anything with him.

"Yessir. Uh, Sheriff? I hate to disturb your Saturday mornin’ peace but Miz Carmody is screechin’ about bats again."

Skinner raised his hands in exasperation. Bats were common in rural areas, but there were no reports of rabies.

"What does she expect me to do about them? Tell her to buy a cat."

"Yessir. But she insisted that this one turned into a man." Kyle cleared his throat again, twirling his hat in his hand uncomfortably. Skinner stared at him for a moment before turning to Mulder.

"I think that this is your department."

***********

"...and so I looked out my window and there it was, the biggest most ugliest of God’s creatures that I have ever seen, flyin’ about my window tryin’ to get in. I just blinked and all of a sudden a man was standin’ there in the shadows! He tapped on the window and I said ‘be gone, creature of Satan! I do NOT give you permission to enter into my home!’. It’s one of their rules, ya’ll know. Now, I’m a good Christian woman, Sheriff, no man is gettin’ into my bed until I’m properly wed, certainly no creature of the night! He left, ran right off, so scared that he didn’t even fly away."

The men nodded understandingly as they took notes. Skinner didn’t dare contradict the woman, all 400 pounds of her with curlers in her hair and a bright pink mummu tenting her body.

He looked around the livingroom, it was immaculate, not a thing out of place. He noted a video box on top of the TV, making out the title; ‘Salem’s Lot. Skinner made a notation of it. If nothing else, Ms. Carmody gave him plenty of practice writing reports. He’d much rather be lounging around the house with Mulder, who had decided to be generous and leave this X-File to Skinner.

Hoskins went outside to the side of the house to inspect the area. He bent down and waved at Skinner to join him. Skinner went out, followed closely by Ms. Carmody. They looked at the ground. Skinner was surprised to see footprints.

"Ah-ha! I told you, Sheriff!" Ms. Carmody caroled triumphantly. The men looked around and spotted a candy wrapper nearby. Skinner picked it up with a pair of tweezers. The chocolate was still fresh on the inside. He held it up to Hoskins.

"Who do we know with an addiction to Mars’ Bars?" he asked his deputy.

A short time later, the men had cornered the squirrelly little man in the barber shop.

"Where were you earlier this morning, Reggie?" Skinner asked him. The short, skinny barber trembled and collapsed into a chair, breathing hard.

"Please, Sheriff, I meant no harm." he whined in a high voice. He mopped his brow with a cloth handkerchief.

"Reggie, what possessed you to peak into Ms. Carmody’s window?" Skinner knew that the barber wasn’t a bad man, but to go around peering into windows?

"I, she, Oh Lord, Sheriff, she’s just so beautiful! I just had to see her, I couldn’t help myself."

Skinner stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"She has those big beautiful blue eyes, full lips just ripe for kissin’, and that voice! I’ll probably be damned for it, but I go to church every Sunday just to hear her sing." Reggie sighed and fanned himself with the cloth. Although Skinner himself didn’t attend the Baptist church, much to the Reverend’s disappointment, he could still hear Ms. Carmody belt out those hymns every week as the music echoed down the street past Skinner’s home. The woman did have an excellent voice.

"So, are you saying that you’re in love with Ms. Carmody?" he asked the barber. Reggie flushed and nodded.

"Yes, Sir, I have been for years but I know that she’d never give me the time of day, so I just worship from afar." he sighed with love-struck certainty. Skinner waited for a moment, getting hold of himself. He himself couldn’t see it, but to each his own...

"Reggie, I’m going to give you a piece of advice that was recently given to me. Life is too short to waste. You need to go and say something to her. Even if she turns you down, at least you can say that you tried. Bring her some flowers and ask her to sit on the porch with you." Skinner tried to dispel the uncharitable image of Reggie being squished under the woman. As Mulder had taught him, anything is possible.

"Do you think so, Sheriff? Do you think I have a chance with her?" Reggie asked hopefully.

"Well, Reg, you won’t know until you try. Go for it. And no more peeking into windows."

"Yes, Sir."

When he got home, Skinner found Mulder on the phone with Scully so he put the intercom on and told them both the story. Scully laughed and asked Skinner if he was sure he could handle the stress of the job. Skinner informed her where she could stick the stress.

End pt 2