New Beginnings

Author: Jvantheterrible

Date: November 13^th, 2001

Rating: R for implied m/m naughtiness…

Pairing: Sk/M

Disclaimer: Not mine, no monies, etc.

Author's Notes: I know it's been a loooong time since I've written anything. But…it JUST occurred to me why Mulder kissed Scully last season…and where he might be hiding. Tee hee hee…also, this story assumes that Mulder was most definitely NOT in Scully's shower in the Season 9 opener. LOL. That scene just didn't happen in this universe.

Feedback: Welcomed at jvadesignage@aol.com. Flames? If you don't like my writing, why are you even here? LOL.

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The front door stood ajar as former Special Agent Fox William Mulder hefted yet another of his overstuffed bags through the narrow doorway. There was no one to help him with his luggage, and he didn't really give a shit at the moment; his life as he'd known it for the past 20 years or so was over, and he hadn't really had much of a chance to think about the future yet. This place - what was as of this moment his new home - had always been safe for him; a place he could come to without recourse whenever he needed reassurance. Or a kind word. Or small bits of affection that he allowed bestowed upon himself from time to time. Lately, it had been the only place he could think of as home, and when the only other occupant offered up co-habitation sans hesitation, Fox nearly jumped at the opportunity.

Scully finally had everything she'd ever wanted and as far as Mulder could tell, there just wasn't room for him in her life any longer. His final visit to her apartment had been brief, filled with tears for both of them; happiness on her part - at least about the bundle in her arms, and bittersweet sorrow on both of their minds. Torn as Fox was about his decision to cut Scully and the child that he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt wasn't his out of his life, he couldn't help but recognize that without the FBI in common, there just wasn't anything left for the two of them. Not anymore.

No more calls to his partner in the middle of the night about this monster or that strange light sighting halfway across the country, running off at a moment's notice. No more shared offices with too little desk space. No more outrageous 302's to be considered, now that 'Spooky Mulder' had been discharged from duty. No more late nights in the office tossing pencils up into the cheap ceiling tiles. No more X-Files for Mulder; and once that became blatantly apparent, Fox decided to remove himself completely from the loop. No, consulting was not an option, thank you very much. In Mulder's mind, you were either on a case or NOT. And from this night forward, there would be no more cases for one Fox William Mulder.

He pulled the last of his things inside the condo and shut the door loudly behind him. Walked to the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge, then plopped down on the sofa with the remote in his hand as he clicked on the World Series. Yankees were losing 9 to 0? What the fuck WAS a Diamondback, anyway, he thought as he drank half his beer down in one gulp and kicked off his shoes. Checked his watch…nope, roommate wouldn't be home for a couple of hours yet. Taking a deep sigh, Fox Mulder relaxed on the plush white sofa and watched the Yankees continue to take their worst beating of the season.

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"Mulder," the pained yet still-gruff voice woke him instantly; Fox had fallen asleep on the sofa waiting for his new partner to arrive, and bolted upright at the dual sounds of the front door being kicked shut and the voice that had been missing for hours. Mulder turned his head and watched his roommate stumble into their now-shared abode before jumping up and rushing over to the obviously injured older man. Walter Skinner held one arm firmly across his middle, gasping slightly from the pain that he was plainly trying to conceal from the younger man. The AD reached out for the back of the couch even as Fox made it to his side and turned him gently around to take a look at the damage.

Mulder slowly pulled Skinner's hand away from his belly, grimacing as he saw the crimson that stained both of the older man's shirts AND his hand. It was still seeping through enough to continue spreading even as Walter attempted to proclaim his being all right. "The hell you're alright," Fox spat, helping the AD to sit on the sofa before taking off to retrieve the first aid kit from the bathroom. Seconds later, Mulder was kneeling on the floor between the big man's legs and lifting the 2 shirts, wincing at the small but deep tear just to the left of Skinner's navel.

"It's just a puncture wound, Fox. I caught a bolt or something in the basement of the EPA building while Doggett and I were evading capture…by our own men, I might add," Walter continued, sweating as the younger man cleaned and dabbed anti-bacterial in, on, and around the immediate area of flesh. "Goddammit, what is that shit? It burns," Skinner hissed as Mulder tended to him.

"It's peroxide, Walter. Suck it up, will you? It's not like we have…" Mulder's voice trailed off before he finished his train of thought, and Skinner lifted his head from where it was resting - back on the ridge of the sofa - to look at the younger man apologetically. The hazel gaze that had been so open and affectionate when he first came in had shuttered closed, and the older man immediately felt like a heel. Yes, it wasn't like they had a doctor at their beckon call anymore…

"Sorry Fox," Skinner said as he felt and watched the long capable fingers finish cleaning and tape a bandage over the still-oozing hole.

"No problem," Mulder replied curtly before standing to close up the kit and take it back to the bathroom. Moments later, Fox reappeared, his eyes once again glowing with concern for the older man still seated before him. "Are you really alright, Walter? Is there anything I can get you?"

"Come here," Skinner replied, reaching out towards the younger man and finally managing a smile when Fox plopped down onto the sofa next to him. He had just enough time to wrap his arm around his new roommate before the questions began. Skinner rolled his eyes in mock-exasperation as the former Special Agent began his tirade.

"So Walter, who were you guys running from? Did Doggett ask about me? Does anyone wonder where I am? How's Scully's baby?" Mulder was his usual pre-termination flurry of annoyance, but Walter still didn't think there had EVER been a time that he'd been happier to come home in his life than this very day.

"Mulder, BREATHE," Skinner murmured into his ear, playfully biting the younger man's earlobe; the peroxide really had made him feel better, and he recounted Fox's questions as he nibbled the flesh between his teeth. "Let's see…we were running from the new AD and Kersh's boys, Doggett asked where you were but I'm not telling, EVERYONE wants to know where you are but I'm not telling, and the baby…so far at least…is fine," Walter finished before kissing Mulder on the cheek.

"Good," Mulder replied simply with a nod, returning Skinner's peck on the cheek before changing positions so he could turn and meet the older man's thin lips with his own full pouty ones. "Mmmm, you taste good…even injured," Fox whispered, smiling as he both felt and heard Walter's growl beneath his touch.

"Come on Walter, we need to get you settled into bed so you're comfy-cozy," Mulder insisted as he reluctantly pulled away from his new partner and stood, offering his hand to the injured man before him. "Are you hungry? I could fix you dinner in bed," Mulder offered, only slightly put off by Skinner's glower as he shook his nearly bald head in negation, pleading loss of appetite by the events of the evening.

"The only thing I want in bed with me is you," Walter said as he accepted Mulder's hand up, and Fox beamed up at his once again mobile lover in wonderment. "Are you coming?" Skinner asked.

"Soon, babe, very soon," Mulder replied as he grabbed the offered appendate and led the older man up the stairs to their now-shared bedroom, Walter's laugh giving Fox all the courage and reassurance he needed to know that, yes, he'd made the right decision. On all counts.

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