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Necessary Disclaimer The characters described below belong to Chris Carter and Ten-Thirteen productions. I really don't have any business using them for my own private amusement but I understand that, since I'm not making any money at it, I'm not actually breaking any major laws.

Necessary Thanks and Information Thanks to Lynn who noticed Walter's middle name on the Summons he received from Senator Sorenson in Tunguska. Apologies for the unauthorized mention of Bela Lugosi. I don't think I've specifically offended anyone else in this one.

Beta credit: Thanks to Ashlyn, Lori, Meghan, and Christy for beta-reading this one. With such a stellar cast of betas, I can't help but feel I should have rewarded them with a better story, but this is all I could come up with. Any problem with the characterization isn't their fault, it's mine.

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Walter dropped the stack of mail on the desk in his living room and hung up his coat. He considered fixing himself a drink then decided against it. He'd had a couple of drinks already that evening, while he'd been sitting in a bar and catching up on the news with a couple of friends for the past two hours. 

He sorted through the pile of mail, automatically dropping bills into the same spot on the corner of the wooden surface. One envelope stood out from the handful. Thick, creamy paper with sharp edges. Expensive, he noted. He checked the address. W. S. Skinner. Can't be junk mail, not on this paper. He slit open the envelope and pulled out the square invitation card enclosed. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Mr. Walter Sergei Skinner

When Friday Evening

Where A Party

Why It's free

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder. It couldn't be anyone else. Few people knew his middle name, fewer still would think of using it since Walter invariably used only the middle initial. 

"What are you up to, Agent Mulder?" he addressed the question to the empty room, to the heavy invitation card in his hand, to his habitually absent lover. None of them answered. He looked in the envelope again, noticing another card. He frowned thoughtfully. The embossed, gothic script announced admittance for one to The Black Masque. Walter had heard of the infamous, annual event. It was a private affair, by invitation only, a full-costume Gay & Lesbian Ball for a select few hundred people. The affair was exclusive, expensive, and extravagant.  

Where in the hell did he get these* Walter assumed Mulder had kept a similar invitation for himself. 

When the phone rang later that evening, he was prepared with a list of questions. "Skinner," he answered the ring abruptly. 

"I thought it might be you." 

"You've never made an innocent phone call in your life. I got your invitation." 

"What are you up to, Agent Mulder?" 

"Why?" 

 "Bullshit. If you expect me to believe you're trying to make up for the high school prom you never got to attend, think again. The only reason I can think of that you'd want to attend a costume ball was if you thought there might be a demonstration of levitation or pyrokinetics scheduled to take place on the dance floor." 

"I do not. Are we going to get to your real purpose any time soon?" 

"I thought so." 

"Scully and I have this case about wrapped up. We're scheduled on an afternoon flight home on Friday."  

"And that has what to do with this invitation?"  

"As it happens, I've been in contact, via e-mail, with a man claiming to have inside information on a government plot to accumulate personal data on all government employees through the tracing of credit card purchases, bar codes at grocery stores, and a network of mail order stores."  

"You're kidding."  

"Nope. He claims it's true. The government has a network of computers that's being fed all of this information to create a complete spending profile on every government employee, no matter how lowly."  

"In other words, some new lunatic has come out of the woodwork and you can't resist talking to him."  

"Don't take that attitude, Walter. What if it's true? I've been trying to figure out for years where all my money goes. If I can get access to this program, I might be able to work out a budget."  

"Agent Mulder, this guy is a nut. The government can't even keep track of its own expenditures, much less the private buying habits of several hundred thousand employees.   

"As it happens, I'm inclined to agree with you, but I promised I'd meet with the guy."  

"Don't tell me. At the Black Masque. This Friday night."  

"You got it. He said he picked it because he could disguise himself, avoid detection. Plus which, I think he's on the decorating committee or something and got some free tickets. I think he assumes that not many government employees are going to be twisting the night away in that type of gathering, and that he'd be safer from surveillance there than anywhere else."  

"Even for one of your contacts, this sounds unusually paranoid."  

"He was offered a government job a month ago and has been running scared ever since. He thinks they're trying to add him to the list of people they're profiling." 

"Has this individual said why the government would be interested in collecting information on who buys frozen dinners five nights a week and who cooks from scratch?"  

"Well, this is the part that's a bit hard to believe, but he thinks the current administration is trying to set up a dictatorship and that this information-gathering somehow fits into the scheme. It's for blackmail or something. He wasn't clear about that part."  

"It's all hard to believe. You've met some weirdos in the past, but this guy is the icing on the cake. Very well, Agent Mulder. I hope you enjoy yourself."  

"Look upon this as an adventure, Walter. The invitation says, 'complete costume required' and that means full face masks as well. We can go together, no one's going to have any idea who we are."  

" It's not the idea of a public party, it's the company you keep. Besides, I don't dance."  

"Everybody dances, Walter. You stand up and shuffle your feet around. How complicated does it have to be? Besides, I'm committed to meeting this guy, so I have to go."  

"Have fun."   

"You're adamant about this, aren't you?"  

"You noticed. Would you like your invitation back? Maybe you can talk Scully into going."  

"She won't dance with me. She says I'm too tall, it hurts her neck. Besides, people would stare if a man and a woman were seen dancing together. Come on Walter, it will be fun. Talking to this guy is going to take about thirty minutes, and we'd have the rest of the evening together."   

"We could have had more than that," Walter said bitterly, thinking of his cold bed. "Forget it, Mulder. If you can fit me into your busy social schedule, you can call me later in the weekend. If I haven't made any plans, maybe we can get together."  

"Ouch. I sense some serious bitterness here."  

Walter sighed. "It's just been a long week."  

"It's only Tuesday."  

"You see my point."  

**** 

The invitation, and the phone call, stayed on his mind the next day. Assistant Director Skinner completed his duties, attended meetings, signed letters, and generally conducted business as usual. But privately he kept thinking about the invitation. The fine print on the back of the card had been specific. This year's theme demanded all-black costumes. Full face masks were required. 

Halfway through the afternoon, an interesting idea presented itself. It was an alternative to the ordeal the party would be if he allowed Mulder to coax him into attending. At the same time, he might be able to do something about Mulder's conviction that his life lacked adventure.   

He double-checked the calendar. Three days. It should be just enough. The next two evenings were busy as he made quiet visits to several obscure stores in less-familiar parts of town. Although his requirements were very specific, he managed to purchase exactly what he had wanted.  

Mulder called Thursday evening and Walter repeated his refusal to attend the party. Mulder didn't seem surprised, although he made caustic remarks about people who were unwilling to pursue new experiences. *Be careful what you ask for, Mulder,* Walter thought smugly, as he donned his costume the next evening.   

Driving to the converted Victorian hotel, Walter was glad it was January. He hadn't counted on how hot and uncomfortable his costume choice was going to be. Walter handed his card of invitation to one of the young men guarding the entrance. He scouted the lobby carefully and took up a place where he could watch the door. He had an hour until Mulder was supposed to arrive. He knew the agent would be on time, he was very careful when dealing with these nutcases that found him, always following their instructions exactly. Walter shook his head, Only a paranoiac like Mulder could understand those people that well.   

After a few minutes, he left his post and made the rounds of the rooms reserved for the party. The committee in charge of the ball had rented the entire building, so there was a lot of territory to cover. Walter made certain he knew the location and layout of each room. One or two offered some intriguing possibilities and he made a special note of them.  

At 9:50, he resumed his place near the door and started watching everyone that entered. He spotted someone that had to be Mulder within a few minutes. Watching the man walk into the room and stop to look around, he was sure.

Mulder was wearing a costume almost indistinguishable from that of most of the people in the room.  The outfit was almost a uniform for this crowd. Black pants and shirt, black tie, and a black mask that covered the face entirely, leaving small holes for the eyes, nose, and mouth. An ankle-length cape that almost, but not quite, disguised the distinctive movement of Mulder's body completed his ensemble.

Walter assumed the cape was supposed to conceal the agent's gun. Only about a third of the people at the ball were wearing the capes, which would make Mulder easier to identify later. Walter watched him carefully, making a clear note of exactly what the mask looked like until he was certain he could recognize his lover in the crowded rooms later.   

The other man disappeared into the growing crowd and Walter knew he was going to meet his contact. Walter stayed where he was, watching the action. He knew his own costume was gathering a lot of looks, but he ignored the veiled invitations, shaking his head silently when braver souls approached him with a request for a dance or some conversation.  

After about twenty minutes, he went in search of Mulder. Staying at the edge of the crowd, he scanned each room carefully until he found the younger man in the ballroom, watching the dancing and talking to someone casually. Walter made his way over as Mulder's companion walked off. He knew what Mulder saw as he stood in front of his oblivious lover. An imposingly broad figure, dressed in black from head to foot. Leather pants and boots, a heavy silk shirt and a matching tie. Walter knew the silk was gleaming dully in the atmospheric lighting of the ballroom, highlighting the light-absorbing qualities of the floor-length velvet cape and hood. His mask, also of leather, covered his face completely, down to the chin. His hands were covered with tight suede gloves. Except for the line of his jaw, there was no way to identify him. Through the narrow eye slits, his dark eyes took in Mulder's amused and curious reaction.  

Without a word, Walter leaned forward and brushed a kiss against the black mask where the curve of Mulder's cheek showed just above the fabric. Taking Mulder's arm, he pulled him a few feet to the corner of the dance floor. The agent stiffened and started to resist, clearing his throat nervously. Ignoring the response, Walter wrapped his arms around Mulder's waist and started moving to the slow music. He could feel Mulder deciding how to react to the unexpected situation, could feel him deciding not to create a scene.   

The younger man relaxed in his arms, trying to move back a few inches and gain some space between their bodies. He draped his arms uneasily over Walter's shoulders and pushed slightly. "Uh . . . I think you should know . . ." the agent started to say uneasily.  

Walter chuckled softly and let his arms tighten around the slim waist, keeping them pressed together from shoulder to thigh.   

He could feel Mulder's startled glance, the hazel eyes under the dark mask checking his face suspiciously. Walter smiled privately. He didn't mind if Mulder suspected his identity, although he didn't intend to confirm it just yet. The two men danced silently for a while, then Walter let one arm slide up Mulder's back and the other drop to just above the narrow hips. Tightening his grasp again, he moved slightly out of sync with Mulder's body, creating a pleasurable friction across his hips and chest. Mulder stiffened in his arms again and said, "Umm . . ." in a quiet voice.  

Walter whispered, "Shhh . . ." in a voice too soft to be identified. The arm around Mulder's back moved up a few more inches until it curved around the back of the agent's shoulders. After a moment, Walter shifted the grip of the arm around Mulder's waist, sliding his arm under the heavy cloth cloak the other man was wearing before pulling his lover's hips against his again. The feeling was shockingly intimate. In the middle of a crowd of hundreds of strangers, his arm rested against the familiar curve of Mulder's lower back.   

Mulder tried to pull away, but Walter's arms were bands of steel, one holding the black-clad head against his shoulder, the other forcing Mulder's hips against the heavy leather of his own pants. He could feel Mulder opening his mouth to voice an objection and forestalled the action quickly. Turning his head slightly, Walter caressed the corner of Mulder's mouth with his own, then lapped a slow, wet tongue across the parted lips. He could hear Mulder's breath catch in his throat for an instant.  

"Shhh . . . " Walter repeated, in the same soft voice.   

Mulder buried his head in the curve of Walter's neck, breathing deeply. Mulder wouldn't get any clues there. Walter had decided not to shave and his chin and neck were covered with an unusually heavy stubble. It was worth the odd looks he had gotten from Kim and the rest of the staff, just to feel Mulder's bewildered reaction as the agent tried to decide if he was being unexpectedly seduced by his lover, or assaulted by a leather-clad stranger.  

The music stopped and was replaced a moment later by a light dance tune. Abruptly, Walter released his hold on his lover. Stepping back, he waited while the agent looked him over from head to toe, then turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd. He was careful, once he was certain Mulder hadn't tried to follow him, to keep the younger man in sight. Mulder stayed where he was for a moment, apparently surprised by the quick disappearance of his dance partner. Someone approached him and gestured toward the band. Mulder shook his head and looked around. He started for the door, then hesitated and slowly resumed his original position near the wall.  

Walter could see Mulder watching the people who passed him and made certain he was well-concealed by the passing crowd and a convenient grouping of decorative plants. Mulder stayed where he was through several more songs, shaking his head in response to the many people who approached him, never ceasing to scan the crowd. The next time the band started a slow song, Walter saw him straighten up in expectation. Walter didn't move. About half-way through the tune, Mulder slumped back against the wall. Even through the disguising clothing, Walter could see the puzzlement and uncertainty in Mulder's posture.  

The band started a second slow tune. Walter was ready for it. He had shifted his position until just a few quick steps placed him back in front of Mulder, to whom he seemed to appear as unexpectedly as before. The younger man looked up at him hopefully. The heels on Walter's boots gave him an added inch of height advantage and he could tell this was helping to confuse the agent. Walter stood quietly for a moment, then nodded toward the dance floor and stood aside. Mulder hesitated, then led the way toward the crowded area. Walter could see him surreptitiously wiping his palms on his pants. Knowing he had already managed to make his lover nervous was amusing. Walter felt well re-paid for the trouble he'd gone to, to set this situation up.   

They resumed their earlier positions, Mulder's arms resting loosely across Walter's shoulders. This time, Walter didn't hesitate. Slipping his arms under Mulder's cape, he drew the younger man's body tightly against his and they started swaying to the music. As one hand caressed Mulder's back with seeming casualness, he heard Mulder gasp and saw him glance around the room. "Is it . . . are you . . . ," he tried to voice the question casually.  

"Shhh . . ." Walter repeated the soothing noise, laughing quietly. Mulder jumped slightly and Walter could see him biting his lip. When Mulder's glance darted up to check his eyes through the mask, Walter looked back with amusement. They moved slowly to the music, Walter stroking Mulder's back, or running one hand along his side. He nuzzled Mulder's neck, but was careful to restrain his more obvious caresses to occasional tastes of the satin skin. He licked his way up under Mulder's ear, then down to his neck, working his way toward the hollow of Mulder's throat until the younger man automatically shifted position to allow him better access. The instant after he moved, Walter felt Mulder tense up again. While the younger man seemed to be reasonably certain of his lover's touch, he wasn't quite positive enough to be comfortable with what was going on. 

Mulder's hands stroked the velvet cloak tentatively and Walter knew the agent was trying to measure the breadth of his shoulders, unnaturally emphasized by the folds of the material, and compare it to his memories. Walter rubbed his cheek against the fabric hiding the other man's face. Mulder turned toward him obediently and Walter repeated the exploration of his mouth, using only the flat of his tongue to taste the full lips, barely entering the hot cavern behind the guardian teeth. Mulder leaned into the embrace, trying to intensify the kiss and Walter pulled away immediately. Now there was a knowing smile on Mulder's face, but Walter wanted to try to keep his lover at least slightly off-balance for a while longer.  

Under the protection of the heavy fabric hiding Mulder's body from the crowd, Walter's hands explored his lover's body freely. Both hands cupped the tight curves of Mulder's ass, then slid up to explore the muscles in the lean back.  

Mulder sighed and pressed closer to him, seeming to accept the evidence of his senses, even though he couldn't confirm his knowledge with the sight of his lover's face. Again they were moving just out of sync, the friction of their bodies offering shivers of pleasure every few seconds. Through his own leather pants and the light dress pants Mulder was wearing, Walter could feel Mulder's growing excitement. He tightened his arm around Mulder's waist to intensify the pressure and stared deeply into the hazel eyes. He knew that under the mask, Mulder's face was flushed with the excitement of the unfamiliar situation. By now they were barely pretending to dance. Walter had both hands on Mulder's hips and was twisting them gently, playing the hardness growing in Mulder's pants against the firmness of his own erection. Under the mask, Mulder licked his lips and smiled confidently.  

Not so fast, Mulder, Walter thought with amusement. He kept teasing them both through the rest of the song, occasionally stroking his lover's back or chest through the heavy cotton shirt. Before long, Mulder was wriggling in his grasp, responding to the persistent touches. Mulder had obviously decided to disregard the crowd surrounding them in favor of enjoying the unusual, public attention. Walter pressed a kiss against the other man's cheek. He had always suspected a streak of exhibitionism in his lover. Not that anyone in the slowly swaying crowd was paying any attention to the sight of two men necking on the dance floor. The couples around them obviously found themselves much more interesting.  

When the music ended, Walter left his arm around Mulder's waist under the cloak and urged the agent from the floor. He led the way to a nearby corner, ignoring the other couples taking advantage of the dim light. Pushing the agent against the wall, Walter leaned against him to caress the exposed neck and throat again, pressing a line of soft kisses around each sensitive ear. With his back to the room, Walter knew his face was even more deeply shadowed, all Mulder could see was the dark material covering Walter's shoulders and the velvety curve of the hood where it hugged his neck before flowing up to cover his head completely.  

Shoving both hands back under Mulder's cloak, Walter started caressing him more urgently, stroking his chest and hips. Mulder laughed breathlessly and curved his hands around his lover's neck. Walter slid one hand between them to play with one of Mulder's nipples aggressively. Mulder gasped again, more loudly this time and Walter felt the shudder that ran through him. Through the soft, heavy fabric of the suede glove, he could feel the hardness of the nipple under his fingers and he pinched it with calculated cruelty. Mulder moaned soundlessly and dropped his head into the curve of Walter's neck. His hands slid under the velvet cloak to clutch Walter's shoulders.  

Walter quickly made certain that his cape covered both of their bodies as he pushed Mulder's hips a few inches from his own. Mulder made a startled noise and grabbed for his pants as Walter slid his hand inside the loose waistband. Shielding their bodies with his bulk, Walter let the hardness slide through his fingers, running his hand up and down the heavy length of the erection until Mulder was rocking against him slowly, biting back moans with every breath.  

Walter could see him trying once again to penetrate the dim light and the disguise to reassure himself that this was really his lover playing these unexpected games with him. This time Walter let the other man see his mouth curve in a slight smile. He pulled his hands away and tugged on Mulder's pants.   

Catching the hint, the younger man quickly rearranged his clothing, his eyes through the mask reflecting a mix of amusement and urgent desire. Pulling his lover close, Mulder slid his arms around the broad shoulders and buried his face in the velvet covering Walter's neck.  

"Don't tell me you're going to stop there," he urged quietly. Trying to control his ragged breathing, the younger man looked at him in disappointment.  

 "Mmm?" Walter made a questioning noise in Mulder's ear. He knew the fabric of Mulder's hood and the leather close his own mouth helped to disguise his voice.  

Mulder pressed his face against Walter's. "Take me home," he suggested.   

Walter hugged him and shook his head. "Too soon," he breathed. "Stay."  

"Forget the party." Mulder pressed against him urgently. "Let's go home."  

Walter shook his head silently, letting Mulder see his smile. Seducing the self-contained agent into a public display of complete frustration had been easier than he had hoped. He squeezed Mulder's ass. "More?"  

"Yes . . .no," the agent hissed furiously.   

Walter cuddled him tenderly, stroking the lean back. ". . . go upstairs?" he risked, making every effort to keep his voice toneless. He knew the agent was aware of his identity by now, but they both continued playing the game.  

Mulder clutched his shoulders and nodded.   

"Yes," Walter purred in satisfaction. Pushing away from the wall, he guided the shaky agent toward the door. As they moved through the crowded room and up the wide stairway Walter had explored before, Mulder gradually regained some of his self-possession although Walter knew his lover was acutely aware of his arousal. He watched with amusement as Mulder kept one edge of the cape across the front of his body. By the time they reached the atrium Walter had discovered earlier, Mulder seemed completely focused on the increasingly uncomfortable erection that he couldn't do anything about.

 The large room obviously wasn't deserted, but Walter hadn't expected it to be. He was interested in one corner and he steered Mulder there quickly and soundlessly. Although he was certain the isolated spot had had other visitors that evening, he was relieved to see it was deserted now. Brushing past the thick concealment of an arrangement of decorative plants, the two men stepped into a secluded corner of the room. Dim moonlight tried to force its way past the glass panels in the roof and an even dimmer light reached between the leaves of the plants from the occasional soft bulb in the high ceiling.  

Pushing Mulder close to the wall, Walter removed the black fabric cape and mask his lover was still wearing. He unbuttoned Mulder's dark cotton shirt and dragged it free, draping it over the back of a convenient chair. Mulder waited passively while Walter unfastened his pants and shoved them down to the agent's knees. Silently, in obedience to his lover's unspoken command, the younger man kicked off his shoes and finished undressing himself.   

When he reached expectantly for the buttons of Walter's shirt, Walter slapped his hands away gently. Pushing Mulder's naked body against the wall, he began caressing Mulder's neck and shoulders eagerly, running his suede-covered hands over the agent's body, then down around and across the swollen erection and beneath it, across the sensitive flesh below. He could hear Mulder's ragged breathing and quiet moans as he stroked the rigid organ slowly, the fabric of the glove sliding roughly across the hardness.  

After he finished his inspection, Walter turned his lover to face the wall and repeated the same thorough exploration across his shoulders, along the arms resting next to them against the wall, and down the long back.  

"You don't . . . ." Mulder seemed ready to bang his head against the wall in frustration.  

"Wait," Walter said quietly. He stroked lightly, covering every inch of exposed skin with the butter-soft fabric. As his hands slid to the hips, he kneaded the mounds of the ass roughly, grinding Mulder's hips into the wall. Mulder whimpered at the painful friction and wriggled. He seemed to be unable to decide whether or not he should be enjoying himself. Walter smiled again. Soon enough.  

The light was dim here, much dimmer than in the ballroom. Walter turned the other man back to face him. He saw Mulder's eyes watching him, roaming over his still unrevealed body, trying to see through the heavy clothing to where he knew his lover was ready for him.   

Walter leaned in and licked Mulder's mouth again, working his tongue across the lush lips until they were open and begging for his kiss. Pulling away, he rested his thumbs on the tight nipples and pressed gently. Mulder moaned in happy anticipation, his hands closing around his lover's shoulders again. Walter leaned closer and whispered, "Here?" as he teased them and Mulder nodded eagerly.  

Walter pretended to hesitate, then swooped down and bit him sharply. Mulder keened a low cry and his knees unlocked abruptly. Walter released him as Mulder sank to his knees, gasping and mumbling incoherently. Walter knelt next to him wrapping his arms and the cloak around the naked body, rubbing Mulder's back gently.  

After a few seconds, he stood up, wrapped one suede-covered hand in Mulder's thick, dark hair and pulled his head up. Still playing the game, he presented Mulder with the sight of his erection, confined in the leather pants but pressing eagerly against the unyielding fabric. With a muffled exclamation, Mulder leaned forward and started caressing the hard mound with his lips and tongue. Walter stroked his hair, enjoying the feeling of Mulder's mouth working on him. The pressure was exquisite and after a few seconds, Walter had to pull away before he lost his own control. He didn't object when his lover climbed to his feet and tugged eagerly at the buttons, unfastening the heavy fabric and releasing some of the pressure on his swollen erection.  

Walter stepped past him and leaned against the wall himself this time, pulling Mulder against him until the younger man's back rested against his chest. Mulder relaxed against him and Walter wrapped his arms around Mulder's waist, letting the younger man relax for a few seconds. Their isolation was almost complete. No noise from the party below was able to penetrate this distant room.  

When Mulder dropped his head back to rest against the broad shoulder behind him, Walter tugged a strip of velvet from his pocket. Pulling Mulder's hands behind him, he tied them together, firmly but carefully. Walter could feel him getting tense, then Mulder relaxed against him again.  

"I hope one of us knows what he's doing," was his quiet comment. Walter was vaguely aware of soft noises coming from other corners of the room as other couples took advantage of the secluded location and the heavy screen of plants around each nook, but all of his immediate attention was focused on the beautiful, naked man in his arms.   

Walter reached around and stroked his lover's chest again, letting the gloves glide over the sweat-streaked skin. Mulder's head fell back and he gave in to the stroking, making noises of approval in the back of his throat.  

Mulder laughed softly.   

"Good?"  

Mulder nodded and pushed anxiously against his hands.  

Walter kissed the back of his neck, working around to the sensitive area behind his ear. His hands didn't move and soon Mulder was trembling with anticipation.  Walter started gently rolling and tugging the hard nubs. He increased the pressure slowly until Mulder was writhing against him, struggling to suppress his moans of pleasure. The feel of Mulder squirming against him was eroding Walter's control, but he tried to ignore the sensation, concentrating on Mulder's reactions. He increased the pressure of his fingers slowly. The younger man tugged at his wrists, the support of Walter's body the only other thing keeping him on his feet. Every twist, every pull of Walter's leather-clad fingers resulted in a shiver and a moan of lust.   

Suddenly Walter slipped out from behind his lover, pushing the younger man back to take his place against the wall. Leaning down, he bit each nipple sharply, tugging the reddened flesh until Mulder whimpered and then transferring his attention to the other hard nub. He worked back and forth between the two until Mulder was jerking uncontrollably against the restraints on his hands. Walter grabbed Mulder's head and swooped down on his mouth, pausing a fraction of an inch before delivering the kiss Mulder so obviously craved. After a frozen moment, he licked the full lips again, his tongue hard and hungry against their softness. Mulder cursed quietly and tried to force the kiss, but Walter pulled away.  

He stroked Mulder's swollen cock, watching with pleasure as Mulder squirmed against the wall, begging soundlessly for an end to the torment.  

Walter turned him to face the wall again and Mulder leaned against it awkwardly, unable to use his hands or arms to brace himself. Walter shifted the restraint quickly, untying Mulder's hands and repositioning them in front of his body before he refastened the strap around his wrists. Sliding his arms around his lover, Walter pinched the swollen nipples and Mulder rewarded him with a quiet yelp. Reaching into his pocket, Walter pulled out a soft velvet gag and fastened it into place over Mulder's mouth. He didn't want to attract too much attention and Mulder was anything but quiet during sex. His lover didn't try to protest and Walter thought he even heard a muffled laugh.  

Walter ripped open a small foil package and pulled out the condom, unrolling it over himself quickly. He had remembered the small tube of lubricant as well. He slid off one glove and spread some of the gel on his fingers before working them quickly into Mulder's body. The agent responded with enthusiasm to the rough caress, his body relaxed and ready for his lover. Walter spread a generous quantity of the lube on his own erection, then paused to wipe off his hand and pull the glove back on. Pressing the tip against the prepared opening and his hands on the other man's hips, he paused, then plunged deeply into Mulder's body, listening with satisfaction as the thick gag muffled his lover's strangled cry.  

Walter forced himself to wait for a few moments before he pulled almost all the way out and thrust deeply into the willing body again. To the muffled accompaniment of Mulder's groans, he set about fucking his lover thoroughly, thrusting hard and deep and feeling the desperate response in Mulder's over-stimulated body.  

The long teasing had its affect on Walter as well and he could feel the climax gathering power at the base of his spine. He grasped Mulder's cock and thrust a few more times, feeling Mulder's long-anticipated orgasm pour violently through him. The muscles tightening around his cock drove Walter over the edge and he came a few seconds later, thrusting in one last, hard stroke, and fastening his teeth on Mulder's shoulder to stifle his own yell. He collapsed against his lover, letting the pleasure wash over him.  

The two men stayed that way for a few minutes, Mulder supporting Walter's heavy weight with the help of the wall until sanity started to return to both of them. Walter pulled free carefully, discarding the condom in a small receptacle. He removed the gag and freed Mulder's hands, stuffing the strips of fabric back into his pockets. As he started silently rearranging his clothing, Mulder began dressing hastily. The agent turned away for a moment and Walter slid out of the dim corner and hurried toward the stairwell. Nice to have you back, Agent Mulder. Give me a call sometime.  

. . . .   

It had to be the middle of the night. Walter had been sleeping the sleep of the justly exhausted when he gradually became aware of the dim light. Prying his eyes open, he saw Mulder undressing in the glow of the lamp by the door.   

He kept his reaction casual. "How was your evening?"  

"Adventurous," Mulder said thoughtfully. "You should have been there."  

"Don't tell me. The latest nutcase turned out to be the real thing?"  

"No, you were right, he was a waste of time. On the other hand," Mulder paused and smiled wickedly, "the evening wasn't a total loss."  

"Really?"  

"I think I met the man of my dreams tonight."  

"Don't tell me. Someone at the party turned out to be a dead ringer for Bela Lugosi?"  

"You don't seem too worried."  

"You're here, aren't you?" Walter said smugly.  

"There is that, of course," Mulder admitted.  

"What took you so long? Dancing with your dream man?"  

"I want to file a complaint."  

"What kind of complaint?"  

"I was tied up and ravished by a tall, dark stranger," Mulder accused.  

Walter smothered a grin. "Did you enjoy the experience?"  

Mulder picked up a brown paper bag laying on the dressed and emptied it over the blankets. A pair of leather gloves, a tube of strawberry-banana flavored lube, some leather straps, and a pair dark glasses fell onto the bed. "Very much."  

"What do you intend to do with all of that?"  

"I was thinking of a kind of instant replay," Mulder said slyly.  

"Forget it," Walter said definitely. "Do you know what time it is?"  

His lover crawled onto the bed and knelt over him "Walter," he said, dangerously.  

Walter looked at him and smiled slightly.  

Mulder kissed him thoroughly then smiled wickedly into his eyes. "More."  

****

 The end