the other man''s long legs over his shoulders, as he inserted his fingers inside him, rubbing softly. Skinner''s dark eyes never left Mulder''s hazel ones as Mulder pushed his erect cock into Skinner''s waiting body, drew Skinner''s firm hips close, and thrust deep inside him.

"Is this okay" Mulder moved gently inside his lover, and Skinner nodded, his eyes still locked with Mulder''s.

"It''s good…keep going…" he whispered. Mulder did, but not for long as Skinner''s warm, strong body swallowed him, and he came, leaning down over his lover for a long, lingering kiss.

"I love you," Mulder said softly. "I never stopped. I never could."

Skinner gave a small, uncertain smile. "Yes." Was all he said.

*****

Epilogue.

September 16, 2001.

Mulder woke feeling stiff and satisfied. It took him a moment to remember where he was, then he heard the gulls crying in the wind outside, and smiled to himself. He got up and pulled on Skinner''s robe, wondered where the other man was. He wandered into the kitchen, and found the note on top of the laptop.

"You can read this whenever you want. It''s written for you, anyway. It always was. W."

Mulder smiled, and poured himself some orange juice, sat down, and opened the laptop.

Journal of Walter Skinner.

September 16, 2001.

I''ve left you sleeping. I didn''t want to wake you. I''m feeling stiff, and sore (!) myself. It was a long night, but good. Very good. You tasted of salt, and sea, and sunflower seeds, and Fox. My Fox. I''ve missed you. When I held you last night, I wanted to weep for having you back in my arms where you belong. ←思←兔←網←