Title: Lucky

Author: Amazon X

E-mail: yankeestarbuck@yahoo.com

Website: http://yankeestarbuck.tripod.com

Feedback: Why, yes, thank you!

Category: slash, lost and found

Rating: NC-17

Summary: You never know what you may find in the Grand Canyon.

Archive: The Basement, Full House Slash, Gossamer, WWOMB, and if I OKed when I signed up on the list, go for it.  Anyone else, just tell me!

Disclaimer: Not mine, never were, I have no money.

Notes: There was a story about a cat found in the Grand Canyon.  The story is here: http://tinylink.com/?YFjZc07C39 and I was all but ordered to write this.  Well, after a little research, I found the climber who ended up having to amputate his own arm after being pinned by a boulder.  Aron Ralston has a prosthesis that allows him to continue his rock climbing.  Kay, so, rock climbing with a prosthesis, cat who's an amputee...do you see where this is leading?  So did I.  Aunt Ursula made me do it.  Note there's a line I adapted from something Bette St. Cloud wrote.  Miss her.

Special Note: Alameda East is a real animal hospital that is the subject of the show "Emergency Vets" on Animal Planet.  I never write Real Person Stories, but have so much respect for the work these doctors do, especially when they do pro bono work or work out exorbitant costs for people who can't afford to pay for their pet's care.  The doctor's I'm using are real, and they're my favorites.  I'm sure they wouldn't mind being used in this manner.

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GRAND CANYON
MIDDAY

Sweat glistened on the bare chest of the man who reached for the next ridge above him.  He'd removed his shirt long ago, tucked it into the back of his pants.  His chest had been tanned to a deep red-brown since he'd retired from the FBI.  He never wanted his skin to be the fish-belly white it used to be.  It had once been suggested his body was the same color as his undershirts and briefs.  He never wanted to have that comparison made ever again.  And he stopped wearing undershirts and white briefs.  Some days, he wore nothing under his plain jeans and flannel shirts.

But not that day.  He was wearing full boxer briefs, protecting his legs from the elastic leg bands of regular briefs that may constrict on his skin.  He was strapped carefully, tying off cams as he went along.  He wasn't far behind his climbing partner, making sure he kept up pace.  That man was far and away the best climber he'd met, regardless of his handicap.  No, he forced the leading prosthetic maker to design a climbing prosthetic for him, the same kind made for Aron Ralston after he decided to go back to climbing.  Walter Skinner had a lot of respect for a man who wouldn't let a tragedy stop his leisure activity.

When he reached the top, the darkly tanned hand reached down so he could help Walter make it over the ridge.  The two men stood side by side and looked down over the edge of the cliff they'd just scaled.  Alex handed the canteen to Walter to take a deep drink.  "Don't pour it over your head this time.  That's all I brought."

Walter smiled.  They were camped far below in the cave that was formed underneath the rich red rock they had just climbed.  "Ok, genius, how do we get down?" Walter asked.

Alex smiled.  Walter was nervous when Alex Krycek smiled that way.  Nothing good can come from Alex's naughty smiles.  Alex walked to the first stake he'd pounded into a crack to secure the climb.  He checked the second and secured both ropes, checking for any fraying.  He clamped the ropes back onto his belt, handed the canteen to Walter and stood at the edge of the cliff, back to the edge.  He smiled, waved with his fingertips, grabbed the ropes and jumped off the cliff.  Walter leaned over to watch him rappel quickly down the sheer face, jumping back only once before landing gracefully on the red sand below.

Walter never liked that.  Alex took risks, and Walter knew why.  After living the life he had, did anyone really expect him to retire to a cabin to fish and hunt?  They tried that, living in a house in a quiet suburb, but Alex got restless.  He needed action, he needed, and mostly he desired, danger.  He needed to feel that at any moment, it was all over.  Rappelling from cliffs in the Grand Canyon was his latest passion.  Walter knew how dangerous it was to let a one armed man jump with only one hand to control the ropes, but if he didn't let Alex do it, Alex would do it on his own without Walter there.  This way, they were together. Also, Alex made love like an animal after a good scare.

Being of a more careful sort, Walter checked his own lines, and then rappelled a little slower than Alex down to the canyon bottom.  At the bottom, Alex unclipped Walter's belt, not very careful to avoid his package, and said, "Nice job for an old man."

"If you want me to be a live old man, you'll stop complaining."

They finished the rest of the canteen of water and started back to the campsite in the cave.  They had plenty of supplies there, as well as Alex's extra prosthesis.  Water was plentiful, as well as purifying tablets and a pot to boil it.  Alex wasn't worried about drinking water at the campsite.  He was busy getting his boots, shorts, socks and prosthesis off.  He needed to wade in the slow running water of the river by the cave.  They'd found an area that was shallow and had a decent pool to wade and wash.  Alex walked into the waist-deep water, and began to sink.  Walter wasn't far behind, shucking his clothes and making his way to Alex.  Both men lay back in the water and began to float.

Alex reached out and grabbed Walter's hand to pull the man near him.  He tumbled on top of Walter and pulled them both down.  Just before Walter could suck in a lungful of water, Alex covered his lover's mouth with his own, kissing air back into the other's mouth.  Walter put his feet down and pulled Alex up into his arms.  He swept the man up and walked out of the water carrying him like a bride.

"Where are you taking me?" Alex asked, eyes dreamily staring into his lover's.

"To bed, you sexy fucker," Walter moaned in Alex's ear.  Into the shallow cave, to where their packs and bedrolls were, Walter lay his lover down on the bed of sleeping bags they'd left from the morning.  He stretched out beside Alex and took his mouth in a searing kiss.  Alex leaned up and kissed back, as fervently, holding Walter's head with his hand.  Walter pulled Alex's body against his, hands going straight to the ass he loved to hold, kiss and fuck.

Alex ground his hard cock into Walter's, desperate for friction, while Walter tried to get his mouth around Alex's ear.  "Don't do it, Walter.  I'll come right now, I swear to God!"  Alex wasn't kidding.  When he would risk his life, rappelling, climbing, extreme skiing or snowboarding, sky diving, and even water skiing, Alex came out of the experience with wood, hard enough to pound nails.  Usually, Walter was the one fucked.

This time was no different.  Alex ran his hands up and down Walter's chest, concentrating on pinching the tiny nipples into hard peaks.  Alex latched onto one spot just below Walter's collarbone, above his heart, sucking hard, regardless of the hair covering the skin.  His hand trailed down Walter's side and back up his thigh, reaching for the prize, the hard cock that had been throbbing against Alex's belly.  Alex was a generous lover and used his oral talents on Walter to make the man crazy.

Hands made their way through the thick, dark locks of Alex's hair.  Walter's body was taught with pure excitement, the feel of his lover's mouth doing exciting and wonderful things to his body wound him as tight as a drum skin.  One foot sought purchase on the ground for balance as Walter began to gently thrust up into the waiting mouth, the gentle trickle of saliva tickling its way down his balls.  Alex knew just how to twist his head, just how to roll his tongue to make Walter squirm.

Without warning, Alex pulled back and sat up on his heels.  He reached over to a pile of supplies and immediately pulled out a small bottle of Maximus lube and coated his cock.  Both men enjoyed sex regularly and took turns bottoming, but Walter always bottomed on these outings.  The workout the night before was nothing compared to what Alex promised him that afternoon.

Walter's chest reared up as Alex entered him, plunging right in balls deep.  Braced on his truncated limb, Alex used his hand to stroke Walter's thigh and pull the leg up against him.  The feeling of Alex's soft ass against the inside of Walter's legs soothed him a bit, but just as Walter became accustomed to Alex inside him, Alex decided to move.

Thankfully, Alex wasn't frantic, pounding into Walter as he loved to do.  Tasting Alex's lips was like licking fire, the sweetest tasting flame.  Walter savored the burn, on his mouth, on his hands, in his ass and in his heart.  Loving Alex was difficult, but Walter was determined to be up to the challenge.

Dropping his body to cover Walter's, Alex began thrusting shallowly with only his hips, slamming into Walter's thighs.  Walter grabbed at Alex's ass, squeezing and pinching the full cheeks of the luscious end.  The angle changed and Walter felt his prostate getting pummeled by Alex's cock, shooting lightning up his spine.  The knot of pleasure formed in the pit of his stomach, collecting the electricity and tightening it.  Walter looked up and saw Alex's eyes, bright, wild and excited.  Alex's look flickered to Walter's mouth a moment before it was taken with a fierce need of connection.

A few last thrusts and Walter came hard, clenching tightly on Alex's cock, and in turn, wrenched a powerful climax that shook Alex's body near violently.  He thrust weakly a few last times before collapsing bonelessly on Walter's chest.  Instinctively, Walter's arms came about Alex's body, stroking the expanse of his sweaty back.  Alex lay still for a moment, catching his breath, and then began the ritual tongue bath.  He was of the belief that the only real way to worship your lover was the lick his body from head to toe.  He insisted that when Walter didn't have to meet with "polite company" he not wear deodorant.  Walter questioned him on that.  "We're peasants.  I like the smell of your body."

As Alex started to lift Walter's legs to get at his well-used ass, Walter sat up and stopped him.  "Alex, I've had enough.  Let's go wash in the river and nap for a while."

Alex looked at Walter for an extra minute.  Walter could see Alex was weighing Walter's request, searching for a rejection.  The man was still smarting from a lifetime of being on the outside.  Alex grew up in a house of eight children, and he was lost in the middle.  According to him, his parents never found him remarkable in any way, as his grades were about average, unlike some of his siblings, and he wasn't as skilled in sports as other of his siblings, and he wasn't as adept with instruments as yet other of his siblings.  He was just your average, handsome, sweet young man.  But this wasn't enough for his parents, and of course, it wasn't enough for him.

It was natural that in college, the Consortium would recruit him.  He didn't realize that every time he crossed them, they would kill a member of his family.  They were all gone, and he couldn't believe he was responsible.  That was where Walter was most important.  Walter absolved him, told him, "You are not responsible for something you could not control.  They never should have used them against you.  You were doing the right thing, Alex.  They were doing the wrong thing.  Don't think for one second that you are the reason they were murdered.  The Consortium alone is the reason your family was murdered."

It wasn't easy.  In the four years since Walter helped Mulder escape from a federal prison, after finding out Alex was alive, he worked very hard to clear Alex's name, and to clear his conscience.  They worked together to bring Mulder and Scully in from the cold, bring the Consortium heads to justice.

One thing that always stuck in Walter's mind was the first face-to-face meeting between Alex and Gibson Praise since he'd assisted Gibson's abduction to his surgery.  Gibson took a step back, looked Alex over, and then smiled.  Alex's face was stone still.  Walter waited to see what would happen next, but even he wasn't prepared for what Gibson said.

"You can both relax, you each love each other."  Gibson then walked away from them, getting into the back of Walter's truck, so they could go look for Mulder and Scully.  Walter and Alex didn't know what to say, so they didn't say anything.  The only thing that indicated they heeded Gibson's pronouncement was they reserved one room for the two of them at the motel they would bring Mulder and Scully to when they were found.  Their first time was awkward, rushed, full of fumbling hands, false starts, and bumped heads.  Neither man would have changed a moment.

After they brought Mulder and Scully to safety, and the rest of the conspirators to justice, whomever was left when the smoke cleared, Alex stood outside the courthouse, Oscar de la Renta suit and shined Kenneth Cole shoes, and was lost.  Walter, dressed in a classic Brooks Brothers suit and Florsheim wing tips, stood beside him.

"What's wrong, Krycek?  You just redeemed every evil thing you ever did by standing up to the people who made you do them."  Walter resisted putting a hand on Alex's shoulder, fearing it would be too condescending, and would probably end up being broken by the man beside him.

"The Smoking Man got away."  It was said quietly, barely overheard by the traffic on Independence Avenue as they stood on the corner together.  Days spent in the Capitol building melded together for them both.  Walter had been impressed by Alex's wardrobe, not realizing the man wore anything other than leather jackets or long wool coats and signature black 501s.  Alex was certainly full of surprises.

"There's a special level of Hell for him.  I have no doubt he will burn for eternity with no hope for redemption."

"Kak Vy pozhinayete, Vy seyete – takzhe."  Walter smiled, remembering his grandmother using the same phrase, "As you reap, so shall you sow."

"Horosho skazannyj moj drug," he said in return.

Alex's head came up and he looked intently at Walter.  "Well said, my friend?  Is that what you wanted to say to me?"

A nodding head was the only indication that Walter had heard him, as he was staring at Mulder and Scully across the street, being helped to their car by the police, crowded by the press.  Inside, both men were very happy that they were not the subject of news.  They were bit players in a production befitting Broadway.  Greed, ambition, power and evil; were there any other reasons to live?

"Krycek, what are your plans?  I mean, how will you support yourself now?"  Walter wasn't sure why he was asking, it just seemed natural, after having been his supervisor, having taken care of all the incidentals on the road like rooms, food, laundry, shampoo for the longish, dark hair that when exposed to the direct D.C. sun held red and gold highlights.

"What do you care?  I'll finally be out of your...way."  Walter smirked at the pause.  Yes, Alex would be out of his hair.  His chest hair, his pubic hair, the sparse, soft hair on the backs of his thighs...

"Maybe I don't want you that far."  It was a simple statement, and it communicated volumes.  Both men looked at each other, and as of that day, the decision was made.  Alex sold his condos in New York, DC and London.  He asked to keep the dacha on the banks of the Black Sea, near Odessa.  He and Walter liked to vacation there.  They bought a house in a suburb not too far out of DC, where Walter still worked for the FBI as a consultant part time.  Alex managed his various and many bank accounts and didn't do much more.

Walter didn't care.  He liked that Alex tried strange things like cooking exotic dishes, and keeping the house immaculately clean.  This would go on for a few weeks, maybe even two months.  Then, Alex needed to be free, to risk his life and do something incredibly dangerous.  It was why Walter brought him rock climbing in the Grand Canyon.  Alex didn't think it was high enough, when they first arrived and told Walter to prepare himself for the Himalayas.

In the cool of the cave, Walter stroked Alex's shoulder as he dozed on Walter's shoulder.  He let his eyes drift closed, waiting for the afternoon to cool down.  They'd pack their things and move to the next site to spend the night and repel more then next morning.  Walter would need a good nap before packing base camp and heading out again.  Just as the warmth was lulling Walter into dreamland, a sound seeped in through the fog.  It was a faint rustle, but it sounded like it was coming from where they'd stored the food supplies.

Only one eye opened, and Walter peered over at the pile.  Walter had gotten his eyes lasered after the unfortunate skydiving incident that left him with a small scar on his cheek from cracked lenses, and his eyesight had improved exponentially.  He saw a flash of glossy black, but in the darkness of the back of the cave, he wasn't sure what it was.  He remained still and opened the other eye.  The flash of a tail startled Walter, but when he settled, and really looked, the tail wasn't as big as he thought.  It moved fluidly, the way the silent creature moved.  Then he felt the hitch in Alex's breathing against his side.  He was awake.

The animal pawing through their supplies came out into the light, and the green eyes gleamed.  Walter was startled for a moment before realizing that it wasn't one of Mulder's X-files monsters.  No, it was just a cat.  It walked into the light, well, limped into the light.  Walter was confused, why would the cat be limping, when he saw it.  The cat's front left paw was missing.

Walter looked down at Alex, who's eyes were wide open, focused on the cat.  "Should we get up and catch it?" Walter asked.  He had no experience with cats.  His family had grown up with a variety of animals, dogs, fish, hamsters, a bunny for his little sister, as well.  But they'd never had a cat.

"No, let it explore.  Just don't make any sudden moves.  You'll scare him and he can't run that fast.  I think he knows he's safe in here."  The cat went back to picking through the knapsack that contained their supplies.  It tried to paw at the bags with its injured leg.  Walter could see it looking over at them, and then it went back to its work.

Alex moved gently, just sitting up at first.  Walter lay back and watched, letting Alex work his magic.  He'd seen Alex coax a frothing guard dog to a gate and lick his hand, then go lay down in the shade.  Alex was an animal savant of some sort.  He knew how to make them at ease with him.

Walter lay back and watched as Alex made his way to the wary animal, bristling fur and three paws of claws ready to strike.  Alex just sat beside the cat, not moving.  The cat sniffed at him, and Walter recalled how gamy from sex Alex smelled.  He wondered how the cat would react to that.  Would it feel threatened or would it relate?

It limped to where Alex sat and sat before him.  The paw looked gnarled, a traumatic amputation, just like Alex's own.  The cat was most likely attacked by an animal, a bobcat, mountain lion, coyote or something along those lines.  There were plenty of predators in the area, thus Walter and Alex insisted on carrying rifles with them.  Neither man would need them for this animal.

To his amazement, and on further thought not very much, Walter watched the cat butt its head against Alex's outstretched hand.  He didn't move at first, but after the cat lay down, expecting to be petted, Alex began the stroking.  His hand moved around the glossy fur of the cat and that cat just lay back and let him.  Walter wanted to be amazed, wanted to think this was something incredible, but he couldn't.  Somewhere inside, he knew that Alex was that one person who could do everything.  He was MacGyver, Fonzi and Crocodile Dundee rolled into one.  And Walter was lucky enough to enjoy the love of this man.

"Walter, I think we have to take him to the vet," Alex said, quietly.

Walter looked over to see Alex holding the animal in the crook of what was left of his arm, which was a gamble, considering it was a stray and Alex was still naked.  The cat, however, was content to be held against Alex's bare chest, the sparse hair not disturbing the ebony coat.

"Animals lose paws in the wild, you know," Walter said.  "It's been known to happen."

"This isn't a clean wound, Walt," he said, more forcefully.  "It's infected.  And he can't keep walking on it."

The concern in Alex's eyes forced Walter to see the truth in his statement.  Walter had never let any of his pets go without medical care; this would be no different.

"What do you think we should do?" Walter asked.

"Go get washed and dressed.  Then, I'll get washed and dressed and then, tie him to me in a sling made from a shirt.  We'll climb out today and contact the rangers to get us.  They'll get us to the nearest town with a vet."  The words flowed easily from Alex's mouth, all the while he stroked the cat's head and back.  He was soothing the animal, calming it so that Walter could hold it and Alex could wash and dress.  When both men were put together, and they had cleared their campsite and stowed everything in their packs.  And there was the cat, sitting on a small bed made of Alex's shirt.  Walter helped Alex tie the shirt around his middle.  The soft words flowed easily, a gentle cadence that even began to soothe Walter.

"We'd better get going," Walter said, pulling his watch from his pack.  "It's almost two, and regardless of the heat, we'll lose sun before we get to the road if we don't start now."  Alex nodded in agreement.

They started out at an even pace, following the old map to the easiest paths out of the canyon.  They walked, climbed and trudged through the hot country.  They stopped after a few hours to eat a quick meal, the MREs that Alex always brought along.  For some reason, he loved them.  Walter didn't much care for them, but food was food when one was in a hurry.  They started out again, and as the sun set, they reached the road leading to the ranger station.

"He's asleep, Walter.  We should get to the truck, now.  Get the rangers."

Walter had a friend at the ranger station, a former agent he'd worked with when he was a field agent in Arizona for two years.  Greg Wolcott had always liked the open air, the arid climate of the desert and the freedom of the canyon.  Walter knew that he wouldn't stay in the bureau long.  He made the trip back to Albuquerque for Greg's going away party, just to prove to his friend that Walter would never forget him.  It was a surprise, though, to see Walter, and his lover, climbing in the canyon.

Walter pulled out the radio from his pack and contacted the station.  Greg gave him a pick up time of forty-five minutes.  Alex sat on an outcropping of rocks, getting the weight of his pack settled, and opened the shirt a bit.  His charge looked up from where he was nestled against Alex's flat belly and blinked.  A canteen appeared before Alex and he took it to open and fed a few drops to the cat.  He drank a bit, then settled back against Alex's body, starting to purr.

"Walter, do you know why cats purr?" Alex asked, breaking the quiet of the night.

"No, Alex, why do they purr?" he asked, turning to his lover, thankful for the distraction of waiting nervously.

"I don't know, I was asking you.  I never had a cat growing up.  We didn't have time for them.  Someone was always going to some lesson, or game or recital.  Well, I was being dragged along to one of these things.  I was never allowed to have a pet."

"Well, you're an adult, now," Walter said, stroking the glossy dark hair that Alex had let grow in.  "You can have a pet if you like," Walter said gently.

"Really?  I mean, you wouldn't mind?  I guess..."

"Alex, you don't have to ask my permission.  I'm your lover, not your father.  If you want to have a pet, that's fine by me.  I like animals.  Although, I had dogs growing up, cats are nice.  Besides, who's the one who decides we're going on all of these excursions?  That's you.  You don't ask my permission, you just tell me where we're going, when we're leaving and how long we'll be gone."

Alex smiled.  He absently petted the cat as he was looking into the dark night that settled around them.  The air was still warm from the day, but it was still, almost eerily so.  The only sound was the rustling of Walter in his pack.  He looked over to Alex, who had closed his eyes, sitting on a rock, hand randomly stroking the cat.  It seemed to sleep under his touch.

"I think the cat was owned," Walter said.  "A feral cat wouldn't let you do that.  Someone dumped him here, and being a housecat, he couldn't defend himself from an attack very well.  Have you looked at it?"

Alex shook his head gently.  Walter walked over and squatted in front of Alex and his charge, letting the glossy black nose makes its way around his fingers and hand.  When Walter was confident he wouldn't get bitten, he began gentle petting of the quiet animal, then moved his way down to look at the destroyed limb.  The poor cat had been either limping for a while, or this had happened in the not so distant past, because the tip of the horrid amputation was red, raw and abraded.

Walter stroked the cat under his chin and felt the throat vibrating and smiled.  "He's purring for you, Alex.  That's a good sign."

After a few more minutes of petting, Walter heard the far off sound of the engine and waited by the side of the road for the headlights coming around the bend.  Greg was sitting behind the wheel and smiling as he pulled up.  He got out of the jeep and walked to where Walter stood.  Walter was a bit nervous.  They hadn't spoken since Walter had started seeing Alex.  When he and Alex showed up at the ranger station, Greg looked at him, but didn't say anything.  He wore his interrogation face, the one he put on when he questioned anyone, witness or suspect.  Walter didn't take that as a good sign.

When Greg stepped out of the jeep, he walked over and held his hand out to Walter.  "Hey, man, I'm sorry about the reception at the station the other day."

Walter took Greg's hand and felt the familiar warm, solid handshake of the past.  "I almost didn't recognize you back there.  The look you gave me froze my balls."

"Yeah, I know.  I thought it would keep you quiet.  I didn't really know what you and Alex were to each other, but Clemmens, my new partner, he's born again.  Last thing I needed was him giving me constant scripture about homosexuals.  What he don't know don't annoy me 'til I throw him off a cliff."

Walter smiled.  He understood and nodded.  "Thank you.  And I understand.  I wouldn't wish that on you, either."

Greg walked to Alex and squatted before him.  "You find him friendly?  He's been strayin' around a while.  I tried to catch him, get him to the pound, but no dice.  You're good."

"Thank you.  I'd shake your hand, but...t'ain't easy with one wing."  Greg looked down at the junction of Alex's prosthetic.  He'd put the usual hand mode on, not needing the special climbing paddle of the other.  That was stashed in his pack.

"Just fine.  You know, I thought I should be concerned about you going climbing, back when you were in the station with Walt.  Your knowledge of climbing, when I asked you about it, impressed the hell out of me.  Thought you might be someone with some crazy thing to prove."

"Just need to see death on the edge of my vision sometimes.  Walt's always there to yank me back in time."

Greg nodded, and Walter knew he understood.  "Just don't take him over.  He's a good friend."

"I'm not planning on either of us going over."

Greg nodded.  He reached for Alex's pack and loaded it into the back of the jeep, then went to the driver's seat.  Walter loaded his in and helped Alex into the back seat.  The cat had gone to sleep.  They drove into the night, passing the ranger station and heading to the local town.

"I called my wife.  She's happy to let you guys stay the night at our place.  The cat can rest in a home, and you guys can get real showers.  She'll make a big breakfast in the morning."

"You remarried?" Walter asked.

"Yeah, after Jeanie died, I sat around long enough, went out and found Essie, and we've been very happy."

"Essie?" Walter asked.

"Yes, Esmerelda Fuentes.  Lovely woman.  You'll like her.  And she'll love you, Alex.  You look some like her brother.  He...died in the Gulf."  Greg looked at Alex in the rearview mirror.  "She may get weepy, don't take it personal."

Alex nodded and sat still, looking forward.  The cat had gone back to sleep and he was getting there himself.  They drove on to Greg's house where the light was still burning.  The three men walked, carrying their bundles into the house.  Essie was a small Mexican woman, with gentle features softened by her very pregnant body.  She looked up at Alex and gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.  "Dios mio, Elmer!  Greg, you were right!"

She walked forward and put her hand on the arm that held the cat.  She smiled, patting his bicep.  "You come and bring el gato to the back room.  He will be fine there.  You and your amor can sleep in the spare room.  I...I'm going to bed."

She turned and left the room, closing the bedroom door behind her.  Greg pointed the way to the back room, saying, "She's been very emotional in the last trimester.  She's due next month."

"Let us know, Greg," Walter said, patting his friend's shoulder.  "We'd like to send a gift."

Greg nodded and smiled.  After settling the cat with a bowl of milk and a can of tuna, Walter and Alex showered and settled into bed.  Alex stroked Walter's belly, snuggling into his neck.

"Not tonight, Alex," Walter said, shying away.  "Not in Greg's house."

Alex sat up and looked down at Walter.  It always irked Walter that when he had the laser eye surgery, it didn't improve his night vision as much as he thought it would.  Alex had perfect vision, and clear night vision to boot.  It was quite annoying, if not unnerving.

"Walter, I wasn't going to.  I have more respect for your friend than that.  I just wanted to hold you."

Walter smiled and pulled Alex back into his arms.  "That I can do."

They slept lightly, Alex getting up several times to check on the cat.  Walter couldn't hear it, but he believed Alex when he said the cat was crying.  Poor animal must have been terrified.  But Alex, the Cat Whisperer, settled the little thing.  In the morning, both men were thankful to be awake with the sun.  Greg gave them clear directions to the closest town with a hotel and a vet and said he'd drop them at the visitors' center where they'd left the rental truck.  The center had a shuttle that had left them at the ranger station, so they opted to put their truck in the long-term lot.

When they were ready to get the cat, Essie had made a box for him, with air holes but closed so that the cat couldn't get out.  She hugged Alex exceptionally long, letting a strangled sob hang between them.  Alex remained quiet and serene.  Walter was impressed at how Alex could allow the small woman to hang on him, kiss his cheeks and dictate how the cat would be held.  Greg drove them to their truck and told them how to get to the local vet, a man they had brought their old dog to.

The man ran the office out of the back of his ranch house.  He was waiting for them in the driveway long before the truck had approached the house.

"You the boys that Ranger Greg sent over?" he asked.  Walter bristled a bit at being called a boy, until he took a good look at the man.  Greg had told them the vet was Hopi, but Walter wasn't prepared for a man who he figured was around when the canyon was a ditch.  Walter didn't feel so insulted.

"Yes, sir," Walter answered as Alex brought the cat over.  "I'm..."

"I know who you are.  Greg told me.  Come on in, let me look him over."  Walter watched as the old man's eyes roamed down Alex's exposed prosthesis.  With the Arizona heat, they stuck to tank tops, which gave them both golden tanned skin.  Alex even sprouted dark freckles on his shoulders.

They followed the man into the house, passing his many awards and diplomas, spanning fifty years in veterinary care.  Dr. Kele Istaqa Makya, or Dr. Kele as they were instructed to call him, led them into a clean, if very old, exam room.  Walter smiled at the faded Rockwells of kids and their pets.

Alex placed the box on the exam table and stepped back.  Dr. Kele opened the box, talking to the cat in Hopi.  Walter would never forget that language, the cadence, the gentle words that coaxed a black cat from its hiding place in the corner of the box.  "Handsome.  He knew it, too.  Someone didn't want him anymore.  Probably a puppy or a baby.  Very sad, he's a handsome fellow."

Walter watched the doctor check the cat over, basic manipulation and listening, looking in eyes and ears.  Then he just held the cat a few moments, looking into the cat's eyes.  The cat was fixated.  His tail even stopped twitching.  Walter was fascinated.  Eventually, Dr. Kele put the cat back in the box.

"He seems fine, a little warm for a cat, a little dehydrated.  Probably due to his missing paw.  The closest animal hospital that can help you with this is in Colorado.  It's called Alameda East.  They're your best bet for handling a missing paw."

"Can you help me with directions?" Walter asked.  He knew Colorado a bit, having spent six months there on a case of two missing children.  Dr. Kele led them into his home, past the brightly lit kitchen and comfortable-looking living room.  They went straight to a library, full of books, artifacts, things Walter remembered from countless homes in the area.  He was twenty years younger instantly.  Except one thing in the office was quite different.  On the desk was a very slim laptop computer.  Dr. Kele sat at the desk and began typing.  Walter had to hide a smile.  All too soon, a printer jumped to life behind them on the credenza.

"These are the directions," Dr. Kele said, handing Walter a few papers.  "The office number is on there as well.  Just tell them I sent you.  Dr. Taylor knows me."

Walter nodded and looked down at the map.  It read a drive time of nine hours.  Alex was deceptively quiet.  Walter knew the gears were working, Alex was thinking two or three moves ahead.  That's why he kicked Walter's ass at chess.

"We'll need a mall or something," Alex said.  "Can't keep him in a box.  He'll need real food, too."

"You're a good boy.  Quiet, but a good boy," Dr. Kele said, and gave them directions out of town to a shopping center.  He refused any offer of payment that Walter made.  "It was nice to have my hands on a patient again.  To help.  He'll be OK, that one.  He's strong.  And you are good with him."

Hands were shook and the men went back to their truck, traveling again.  Alex sat in the front, leaving the cat in the box with the top open.  With the sun shining in the back, the cat was happy to nap curled up in the corner.  At the shopping center, Walter opted to stay in the truck, with the air conditioner running, waiting for Alex to come back.  The cat would never survive in the heat if they went in and left him without air conditioning.  As it was, they would have to speed the whole way to Denver, and share driving so they could go the whole way, and spend only one night in a hotel before taking the cat to the new vet.

It was not an easy drive.  Alex was silent, which bothered Walter.  Alex wasn't much for road conversation usually, but he would have one or two things to say about the terrain, weather, or the local color.  When he was driving, his eyes were fixed on the road, boring a hole in the windshield.  When Walter was driving, Alex was looking out the window, letting the landscape go by.  As they stopped for gas and food, Walter stopped Alex before they got in the truck.

"You need to talk to me, Alex," Walter said, taking a risk and putting his hand on his lover's face.  "Why are you so quiet?"

Alex shook his head, pulling away from Walter a moment, dropping the bag of munchies on the front seat.  Then he looked into Walter's eyes, pulled Walter close and both men held onto each other.  "I'm sorry...it's just...with the cat, I can't help thinking of Tunguska, and what happened..."

Walter held him closer.  They didn't care who watched as their lips met.  Alex would never have told him this once upon a time.  They only once discussed the time when Alex lost his arm, when it was taken from him, since Alex had drank too much vodka the night of the tenth anniversary.  He told Walter the whole story, how they held him, mutilated him, then left him in the cold, dark forest.  It took every ounce of experience in interviewing victims that Walter had gained over the years to not break down for Alex.  Alex remained the rock-hard being he'd created for himself, to protect the inner being made of flesh, blood, and feelings.  The flesh and blood he could usually hide, but the feelings he kept deep inside, showing only a select few, Walter, Walter's little sister and sometimes, Scully.

Alex pulled away from the kiss and looked away at the truck.  "Come on, we'll get to a hotel in about another two hours.  Then, we can let the cat out and get a shower and some food.  He needs feeding, too."  Alex stepped back and looked back at Walter.

"You're right, Alex.  We'll get going."

Walter gassed up the truck and they headed for Denver.  Alex had consulted his wireless PDA and found a four star hotel that was pet friendly and was only twenty minutes from the animal hospital.  The Westin boasted a king-sized bed, a 32-inch flat screen television, wireless internet, laundry, 24-hour room service, mini-bar, and a two-person-sized bathtub.  When Alex signed the register book, he stared down the concierge, who gave the men a disapproving look.  It was appalling how Denver was progressive in some ways, and still, others remained narrow-minded.  Then again, maybe it was just this one man.

Alex handed his platinum card to the concierge and said, "We'll need laundry service for the morning, we'll need dinner in an hour and a half, two steaks cooked medium with Caesar salads and baked potatoes with butter and sour cream, and we'll need a bottle of good red wine with that.  Turn down service won't be necessary.  Oh, and a glass of cold milk, skim milk, if you please.  And a small, shallow bowl.  Thank you."

Alex stepped back and grabbed the cat carrier, while placing his pack on the rolling luggage cart.  The bellman standing there snapped to attention and Walter smiled as he put his pack down as well, and both men went to the elevator to go up to their room.  The bellman was quiet, smiled appropriately, and he helped them into the room, putting the packs down gently on the floor by the bed.  Walter walked towards him, but Alex cut him off.

"Can I help you gentleman with anything else while you're here?  Any special requests for the cat while you're here?"

"No, thank you, sir," Alex said.  He pulled his wallet out and handed the man a few bills.  "Just make sure our food is hot and the milk is cold.  Got me?"

The bellman looked down at the offering, smiled and said, "Absolutely."

He left the room and closed the door gently.  Walter slipped his arms around Alex from behind and said, "He needed two hundred dollars?"

Alex stroked Walter's arm.  "He's the only one who didn't sneer at us."

"Fuck them," Walter said.

"No, I want to fuck you.  Think we have time before dinner?"

Walter smiled.  "I think that if we get in the shower right now, we should have time for a nice long fuck before our steaks get here."

Walter began undressing and Alex just watched.  Out of the corner of his eye, Walter saw the cat find his place on a velvet settee and curl up.  He'd taken to the place well.  When Walter was completely naked, he turned and walked to the shower, stepped into the stall.  He waited a beat, until Alex had removed his arm and the rest of his clothing.  A moment later, Alex walked into the bathroom and entered the large shower stall.

Walter pulled him close and turned so that the hot water could rush over his tired shoulders and back.  Both men were exhausted from a day of driving and knew that a shower and dinner would be just what they needed.  Gentle kisses and caresses accompanied hands that spread suds over intimate places that would soon be kissed and worshiped.  They tumbled onto the bed afterward, some places not so dry, but neither cared.  Alex had moved the lube to the bedside table when Walter was in the shower first, and upon seeing it, Walter grabbed it.  He coated his finger to stretch Alex, slick his ass for Walter to ease inside.

Walter settled between Alex's legs, just lying still, feeling Alex tight around his cock.  Walter looked down into the clear green eyes he loved so much, capturing Alex's lips in a searing kiss.  He began moving, sliding in and out, worshipping Alex's body with his own.  They didn't waste time playing, intent on sating each other.  It was a comfort to Alex, an affirmation that Walter would always love him, no matter if he had one arm or two.  Walter concentrated on Alex's prostate, jarring the little knot of pleasure deep inside his lover's body.  Seeing Alex come, when he was free and uninhibited, letting his emotions loose, was a pleasure that Walter treasured each time they made love, whether it lasted minutes or hours.

With a thrash of his head and a jerk of his hips, Alex came, spurting come on his chest and belly.  Walter reveled in the tightness and let loose as well.  His body jerked, tightening his hold on Alex's hips.  Walter knew there would be finger-shaped bruises on Alex's body, but neither would care.  Alex admitted to liking it.

One collapsed on the other, Alex stroked Walter's sweaty back.  He pressed a kiss to Walter's shoulder.  "We're going to need another shower."

"Nah, we'll take one in the morning.  We don't need to wash to eat and go to bed."

"This is true."  The men got up, cleaned the come from their bodies and as if on cue, the knock on the door alerted them to the arrival of their dinner.  Walter pulled on the hotel bathrobe and accepted the cart of food.  He wheeled it over to where Alex had set up chairs and they sat to chow down.  The cat rose from his place on the chair to accept the bowl of milk and the plate of food Alex put down for him.  He didn't much like canned cat food, but there wasn't anything he could do.

As they wound down for the night, Alex put together a disposable litter box for the cat, who used it right away.  Walter settled onto his side of the bed, and Alex on his own.  They both lay back, Alex rolling onto his left side to put his head on Walter's shoulder.  They slept like this sometimes, when Walter knew Alex was feeling insecure.  Walter pulled him close and kissed the soft hair on the top of Alex's head.  They were both close to dreamland when there was a thunk on the bed.

Alex jumped back and Walter immediately leaned over to turn the bedside light on.  Both men looked down to the foot of the bed to see two gleaming green eyes.  The cat sat down, blinked twice and immediately extended a leg to begin grooming, Walter and Alex completely forgotten.  Alex smiled and lay back on the pillow.  Walter looked down at him.

"Well?  What are you gonna do about him?" Walter asked, hand extended to the animal.

"Nothing.  Let him sleep there.  What can he possibly do?" Alex asked, and rolled over.

Walter rolled his eyes and turned the light off again.  "Alex, if I get one claw in me while I'm sleeping, I'll take it out on your ass."

"Don't threaten me with a good time."

Walter smiled.  Walter could barely make out Alex's dark head on the white pillow, so he judged where Alex's cheek should be and placed a kiss on the soft skin.  Alex reached out and stroked Walter's belly.  They settled down and soon, all three males were breathing deeply and evenly.

In the morning, Walter was just coming up from the depths of dreamland when he felt a weight on his chest.  Fear hit him first, the beginning of a heart attack.  He had been to the doctor not three months before with a good report on his cholesterol, blood pressure and cardiac responses.  One never knew when these things would happen.  With his right hand, he reached for Alex's body to wake him, knowing he may not be able to speak.  With his left hand, he tested for the fabled shooting pains that signaled a cardiac event.  It moved deceptively easily.  He reached for his chest, to just touch his body, maybe to massage the heaviness away.  That was when he encountered the furry mass.  He must have reached too quickly and hit the cat pretty good, for it jumped off him, hissed and ran to the outer room of the suite and hid under the chair he inhabited the day before.

Alex rolled over and opened his eyes.  "What's wrong?" he asked.  He sat up and looked at Walter, then at the cat in the other room.  "What did you do?"

Walter shook his head ruefully.  "I thought I was having a heart attack.  Turns out, he was just sitting on my chest.  If he does that again, I may really have a heart attack.  Keep that damn thing away from me."

Walter got out of bed and started to get ready to go to the vet hospital.  He noticed Alex didn't get up right away, so Walter took his shower alone.  He stood over one of the sinks, shaving, and Alex finally dragged himself in.  Walter walked out as Alex began to pee, knowing he liked privacy sometimes.  Walter called the front desk as he heard Alex in the shower.  He asked for two full breakfasts, coffee and juice, and a glass of ice cold milk and a shallow bowl.  By the time Alex was done, Walter was setting the table for them.

"Hey, breakfast looks good," Alex said.  He hadn't attached his prosthesis yet, but he wrapped his arm around Walter's middle from behind.  Walter stopped adjusting the dishes and put his hands over Alex's.  Two warm lips caressed Walter's smooth neck.

"I'm sorry I was a jerk earlier," Walter said, quietly.  He leaned back into Alex's kiss.

"It's OK.  I'd be an asshole if I thought I was having a heart attack," Alex said, and jabbed the back of Walter's thigh with his knee.  Still laughing, both men sat down to eat, and Alex gave the cat his bowl of milk.  It lapped up just a little, then went back to curl up under the chair.  Alex watched the little man while he ate, and Walter could see the worry in his face.

"So, we're gonna get in the truck and go to the vet, and I want you to call them.  I'll drive.  A deal?" Walter asked.

"Yeah, that's fine.  He's not looking so good."

The men finished the last of their breakfast, and put the cart of dishes outside the room.  Alex attached his prosthesis while Walter scooped the cat up and deposited him in the carrier.  "Little man, Alex, you and I are going to the vet hospital and we are going to get you some help.  That leg looks terrible."

The cat graced him with a single, soft meow, then blinked his eyes sagely.  Walter smiled.  "You're forgiven for this morning."

Alex walked out and was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with his well-worn sneakers.  Walter was amazed how he used the prosthetic hand to tie his laces with his real hand.  Never made a mistake.  They made their way down to the truck and started for the hospital.  Alex called ahead, telling the receptionist they would be there in about fifteen minutes with a cat that wasn't a full-on emergency, but enough of one that they needed to have him seen that day.  She assured them it was a slow day and someone would see them when they got there.

Alex looked back at the carrier on the seat and saw the cat lying there, not really moving.  Alex sat back and steadied his eyes on the road.  "Step on it, Walt."  Walter briefly consulted his rearview mirror to see what the cat was doing, then checked for any signs of police before breaking the speed limit.  He didn't want to tear up the streets of a town he barely knew, but he could see the state of the cat was weighing heavily on Alex.

They pulled into the parking lot of Alameda East Veterinary Medical Center.  Walter was impressed with the size of the place.  It was as large as a human hospital.  Walter followed Alex in, carrying the cat.  This was Alex's show, he could do all the talking, if he wanted.  And he seemed to want to take charge.  The receptionist greeted them and asked them to have a seat.   Most of the reception area was large windows looking out onto the lawns that covered the area beside the building.  There were two vet assistants exercising a dog in the grass.  The hallway leading to the exam rooms was covered in pictures of dogs and owners, mostly children, with narratives of success stories written underneath.  Walter noticed there was more than one dog with a missing leg among the portraits.  Alex sat beside him filling out a new patient form for the hospital files.

A young man who Walter guessed was a vet assistant as well, led them to an exam room, where Alex took the cat out of the carrier and sat on one of the chairs in the room.  Walter sat beside him in the other.  A tall man, much taller than either Alex or Walter, with a shock of wavy, white hair and a mustache to match, walked in, smiling.  His blue eyes twinkled behind his dark-rimmed glasses.  He held the folder of information Alex had filled out and said, "Hi, I'm Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald and I hear you have a cat that needs some attention.  It's nice to meet you."  Walter and Alex greeted him, shaking his hand.

The doctor took the cat from Alex and said, "Well, I can see his main problem is that paw.  How did he lose it?"  Alex proceeded to tell him of the find and how they took him to a vet and then brought him to Alameda East.  "He's a lucky boy to have found two very caring people to watch out for him.  Now, we have a few options, here.  I'm not sure how you want to handle this, since this is what we call a 'Good Samaritan' find.  You can leave him here with us, or you can adopt him yourselves."

"What happens if we leave him?" Alex asked.  A dark shadow came over his features, and Walter could feel his hackles coming up. Alex was preparing for a fight.

"Well, most likely, he'll be put to sleep.  Not many people want to adopt a cat who has to have extensive surgery."

"What kind of surgery?  What are we talking about here?"  Alex's head cocked to the side.  He was still listening, but his anger was growing by the minute.

"Well, right off, I can tell you, he won't keep that leg.  A cat can't walk on just the end of it.  It will continue to get irritated and infected.  He may end up dying from infection sooner than from not having a paw.  I don't know how you feel about having a three-legged cat you found in the Grand Canyon."

Alex reached over with his prosthetic hand and stroked the cat's head.  "Why wouldn't I want a cat with three legs?"

Color bloomed in Dr. Fitzgerald's cheeks.  "I'm sorry, I didn't see.  You're very natural with it.  OK, then, let me get a preliminary exam done, and then we'll schedule a look see with the surgeon."

"Is that Dr. Taylor?" Walter asked.

"Yes, he's our chief surgeon and the founder of Alameda East.  You know him?"

"Of him.  The first vet, Dr, Kele, told us to tell Dr. Taylor he said hello."

"Dr. Kele!  He's still seeing patients?  He must be a hundred years old, God bless him.  Well, let's take a look at this handsome boy..."  Dr. Fitzgerald examined the cat, looking in his eyes and ears and nose.  He checked the cat's heart and breathing, then peeled back his lips to see his teeth.  "Well, he seems fine to look at, but I'd like to take some blood and urine from him.  He seems a little dehydrated, too.  Have you been feeding him, giving him fresh water?"

"I gave him food from the pet market place, and milk."

Dr. Fitzgerald nodded.  "I see.  Most adult cats are actually lactose intolerant, like humans.  Although some cats like milk, cheese, ice cream and even yogurt, it isn't good for them to have it constantly.  There should always be a fresh supply of clean drinking water for him.  If you're going to keep him, I'll make sure one of the interns talks with you guys to make sure you're prepared to take this little guy home."

Dr. Fitzgerald took the cat in his arms and turned to take him to the inner areas of the hospital, but turned back suddenly.  Alex braced for what was to come.  "Does he have a name?  I don't think you told me."

"Lucky," Alex said, not missing a beat.  "His name is Lucky."

Dr. Fitzgerald smiled.  "That he is.  You gentlemen can wait in the reception area and I'll come out and talk to you about what the choices are."

Alex nodded.  Walter stood and guided Alex out to the waiting area, where they sat side by side.  Alex never initiated any public displays of affection, and Walter kept it to the barest minimum, and only in gay-friendly places where they were among friends.  But Alex reached down and grabbed Walter's left hand and held tight.  Walter turned to him, and pulled the white-knuckled hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on the flat of Alex's fingers.

"He's going to be fine, Alex.  They're going to operate on him, and he'll heal and be fine and come home with us..."

"Walt, I don't need a pep talk.  Just hold my hand, OK?"

"Ok."  Walter sat with Alex, watching the piped in veterinary educational television on the far wall.  Alex's hand never left his, until Dr. Fitzgerald came out, and Alex sat up.

"Gentleman, I've examined Lucky, and that's the perfect name.  He's running a little fever, and I think that's from the infection of the amputation spot.  I'm pretty sure it was a predator that got his paw.  But the good news is he's in great condition for his operation.  Dr. Taylor will come out and talk to you.  He's examined Lucky and said he's a prime candidate for surgery.  Mind you, the left front leg definitely needs to come off."

"We figured," Alex said.  "It's fine, good karma, I think."  Walter smirked at Alex.  He was completely in charge, totally in his element.  This is how he was whenever they were on vacation, the man with the plan.

Another man with equally white hair, but not as wavy, but a matching mustache as well, came out and sat on Alex's other side.  "I'm Robert Taylor, the surgeon who's going to work on Lucky tomorrow."  Hands were shook and Dr. Fitzgerald left to continue to his next patient.  "I wanted to tell you that Lucky is going to stay here overnight before surgery."

"Why can't you do it today?" Alex asked.  Walter felt it coming up in Alex, the anger, the injustice on behalf of a stray black cat.

"Well, he needs to be observed for the night.  We want to make sure he's well enough to make through a surgery.  You told Dr. Fitzgerald that you found him in the canyon.  From the preliminary exams, he seems dehydrated and a bit malnourished, but that could be from being in the canyon so long.  Sometimes, strays don't take to being adopted as easily as we'd like.  When he's had more observation time, I'll better know if he can handle the surgery.  I'm sure he'll be fine by tomorrow."

Alex nodded and Walter could see the anger seeping back into the places where it hid when it wasn't needed.  They shook Dr. Taylor's hand and watched as he left.  An intern led them back to the kennel area.  She was a sweet young girl, blonde hair, solidly built and the kind of girl Walter would have loved to call daughter.  Alex found the kennel before she pointed it out and opened the cage door.  He put his hand directly in and began stroking the cat, murmuring in Russian.  Walter could just make out the words, "you'll be fine, little man, I will come back for you."  He as assuring the cat it wasn't being abandoned again.

"Dr. Taylor is confident Lucky will be fine for surgery tomorrow.  We have both of your cell phone numbers and we'll contact you before Lucky goes in and after he comes out.  You don't need to come and wait here tomorrow.  We'll call you as soon as he's out of the operating room and by the time you get here, he'll be coming 'round out of the anesthesia.  That'll be better than him completely non-responsive.  Many owners don't deal with that very well, seeing their pets unconscious."

Alex just nodded while stroking the cat.  Walter reached in and took a pet of the glossy fur.  The wet nose left a slimy trail on his hand before the dark head bowed to allow Walter to stroke him.  They stayed a while, thankfully not shooed away by the staff until it became late.  They knew it was time to leave.  Walter suggested dinner out and thankfully, Alex accepted.  They went back to the hotel and dressed for a dinner out.  They had packed extra clothes left in the truck while hiking, and it was good to have use of them.

One thing Alex loved was dressing up to go out and show off.  Both men in custom-made suits, Walter in charcoal and Alex in black, they wore highly polished shoes and belts with matching silver buckles.  Walter put in a call the concierge to ask for a restaurant recommendation, and was pleasantly surprised that the evening concierge was a fellow friend of Dorothy.  They were directed to a fabulous steak house and the part of town that would be more comfortable for them to find a place to drink, or dance, or anything else that might make them more comfortable.

As promised, the meal was delicious, although they forewent the steaks for seafood.  Afterward, a waiter that could not stop flirting with Alex told them about a nice bar where they could get some excellent micro-brewed beer and listen to some truly great jazz.  Both men were toasty and romantic by the time they made it back to the hotel.  To say they spent the better part of the night making love was an understatement.

In the morning, Alex was awake with the sun, and down in the gym exercising by the time Walter was out of bed and in the shower.  He followed down and spent some time on the equipment.  Alex knew his limitations of equipment in the rest of the world, yet thankful that the Bow-flex at home was modified for him.  He sat on a bench doing bicep curls while Walter ran on the treadmill.  They didn't talk, but Walter could tell that Alex just wanted to spend time doing nothing, just making sure he wasn't thinking about Lucky.

When they had both exhausted themselves, Walter led Alex to their room and into the Jacuzzi.  He slowly undressed his lover, taking care to stroke each new revealed piece of flesh.  Last but not least, Walter removed Alex's prosthetic arm.  Walter always treated it with the greatest care, it having come from the premier prosthetic maker in Europe.  It had microprocessors instead of motors and the latex felt like skin, always warm.

They settled back in the water, letting the massaging jets of water leech all the tension from their bodies.  Walter lay back against the ramp and waited for Alex to find his place.  Alex came to lay across Walter's chest, hand roaming Walter's lower back.  Walter peppered Alex's hair with kisses, hands kneading his shoulders.  Alex sat up and pressed his mouth on Walter's, kissing him deeply.

Alex pulled back and said, "I'm glad I hooked back up with you.  You know how to kiss.  And you suck cock really good."

Both hands came about Alex's face, holding him still.  "I love you and if you want me to suck your cock, I will.  You just tell me what you want, OK?"

They barely made it to the bed before Walter engulfed Alex's cock in his mouth.  Alex threw his legs apart wide and lay back, enjoying the mouth on him.  Walter knew just how to take care of Alex, knew just where he liked to be licked and nibbled and stroked until Alex was thrashing about in the grips of his orgasm.  A resounding slurp accompanied Walter pulling up from Alex's spent member.  He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and sat up.

"Is that what you wanted?" Walter asked, voice husky from deep-throating Alex.

Alex sat up and wrapped himself around Walter's body.  "That's exactly what I wanted.  And I love you, Walt."

Alex took Walter's mouth in a tender kiss, stroking a warm hand over his head and shoulders.  Tender lips wandered over Walter's throat, shoulders and down his chest.  Alex loved nuzzling in Walter's chest hair, rubbing his face all over the covering of fur.  It had never occurred to Walter just how feline Alex was, meticulously clean, organized, adventurous, and he definitely had nine lives.

Alex wrapped his lips around Walter's cock, sucking it deep in his throat.  The rhythmic swallows were almost Walter's undoing until Alex pulled back and grabbed the bottle of lube that was left on the bedside table.  He slathered Walter's cock with it and pounced, driving it deep inside his ass.  Alex was intent on making Walter come the hard way, by fucking himself slowly on Walter's pole.  He stretched back, showing his full body, all muscles rippling and glistening with water droplets.

He rode Walter's body, squeezing tightly around Walter's cock.  Walter grasped his waist and held him still to thrust up into his body.  Alex reached out, bracing his hand on Walter's chest, moaning and whining with each slap of Walter's body against his.  The rough and strong man that Alex was outside the bedroom became a needy, whining mass of hot, liquid flesh.  Walter was pleased to see Alex's cock rise again, reached out for it to jerk him along with each thrust upwards.

Alex could only stand a few more thrusts and strokes until he was coming on Walter's chest, jerking and squeezing Walter's cock in his ass, milking Walter to coming inside him.  Alex collapsed on Walter's chest, trying to control his breathing.  Walter slipped his arms around Alex's sweaty body and pressed urgent kisses to his face.

"You never cease to amaze me, Alex.  I think making love to you is more exciting than any of the extreme sports we engage in."  Walter meant it.  He didn't mind the shark diving, or the mountain climbing, but he honestly preferred risking heart attacks and strokes making love to a man who raised his blood pressure so high that when he came, he felt as if his head would explode.

Alex slid off Walter's chest down onto the bed, and propped his head up on his hand.  "You're for real?" Alex asked.  Sometimes, his past as a smartass kid would peek through.  Alex tried to be the hardened man, the one who never cracked a smile, the one who had the blood of many deaths on his hands.  Sometimes he tried to be the unaffected, blase globetrotter, the one who's been everywhere and seen everything.  But sometimes, he was the boy who had everything to live for, all the choices before him, until he made a bad decision.

"I am one hundred percent real.  And as for the extreme..."

Walter didn't get the chance to finish his sentence because Alex's phone rang and he jumped to get it.  Walter watched his ass jiggle as he ran to the sitting room.  He listened as Alex spoke with someone and a wide smile grew over his features.  A sparkle danced in his eyes.  Someone was telling Alex very good news, and it was just what he wanted to hear.

"Thanks, doctor, we'll be there in about an hour.  He should be coming around by then, yes?"  Alex nodded at the answer he got and flipped his phone closed.  "Good news!  Lucky's out of surgery, he's doing well, and the leg came off easy.  They said he's going to be difficult to handle for a while, as he gets used to it, but we should have a nice pet to take home."

"They say anything about the bill?" Walter asked.  He knew he had to ground this conversation, or Alex would float off into an oblivion of happiness.

"No, but they have my card number.  They can just charge it, I told them that.  Come on, let's get a shower and go see the boy."  Alex walked over and reached out for Walter's hand.  Walter got to his feet and followed Alex into the bathroom.  They showered, dressed and Alex drove to the hospital, smile on his face.  Walter was pleased that Alex could find happiness in a pet, a cat with three legs, a kindred spirit.

They arrived and Alex was out of the truck before Walter had his seatbelt off.  He followed Alex across the parking lot and in the front door, enjoying the view of his ass.  They entered the hospital and an intern was called to take them back to the kennel area.  Lucky was lying in a comfortable-looking cage, layered with towels.  He was bandaged, attached to an IV and looking a bit stoned.  Walter commiserated with feeling, remembering a time when he spent medicated and numb, and not just when he was a boy in another world.

Alex reached into the cage with his real hand and stroked the glossy black fur, and the purr started.  It was louder than any other purr Walter had ever heard.  Dr. Taylor walked over and shook Walter's hand.  Alex nodded, continuing to comfort Lucky.

"Well, your cat lives up to his name.  He came through very well.  I want him here another day or two, if that's OK, to make sure there's no infection.  After that, you can take him home.  I'll need to see him in a week after that."

"Dr. Taylor, we don't live around here.  We live in Virginia.  We can't bring him back if we take him home."

"Well, then you should think about staying in the area for a while.  At least until I can clear him for travel.  Taking him further than your hotel for the next couple of weeks, I wouldn't recommend it.  He'll be good fast, but give it a week.  At least that much."

Walter looked over to Alex.  "This is up to you, he's your cat."

"You'll stay with me if I stay here?" Alex asked.  There was no sign of his emotions.  All Walter saw was his blank, public face.

"Of course I will."  It wasn't said in any particular way, not condescending or mocking.  They were beyond that.  They were real men, who didn't have any allusions about why they were together.

"OK, we'll stay then.  We can come every day and see him?" Alex asked the doctor.

"Sure, don't see why not. Let's see if we can't get him into an exam room so you can hold onto him proper."

Walter and Alex were led to an exam room, meeting Dr. Fitzgerald on the way.  He shook their hands and was happy there was a positive prognosis for Lucky.  An intern brought Lucky to Alex, and he sat there, stroking the long, lithe body.  Walter scratched the head a bit, feeling the purr through to his bones.  The cat was very happy to see them.

"I was looking on the internet last night," Alex said.  "There's the belief that when cats purr when injured, it helps them heal.  Researchers aren't entirely sure how, but it's not uncommon for an injured cat to purr loudly."

Smiling, Walter placed a kiss on Alex's cheek.  Alex was doing research and learning about a whole new life form.  The office staff let them stay a while, until they needed the exam room for other patients.  The intern was nice and allowed Alex to carry the cat back to his cage, and he stood there, petting Lucky until the cat fell back to sleep.  Features of stone, Alex walked out of the office, reminding the receptionist that he would be back the next day about the same time.  She nodded and smiled, wishing him a good day until then.

The drive back was made in silence.  Walter drove, allowing Alex to sit back and watch the scenery go by.  The town where the hospital actually resided was called Aurora, a quiet, well-kept suburb of Denver.  There were mostly houses and schools, much like any other sleepy, pretty town in America.  Walter drove on, sneaking glances at Alex.  He'd never seen Alex bite his nails before.  Alex was adamant about having a free edge on his right hand, to make sure he could manipulate certain things.  But his thumb was the first victim, and onto his ring finger.

"Alex, you're biting your nails.  Are you sure that's wise?" Walter asked, realizing he was going to start on a third shortly.

Alex looked down at his hand and sighed.  "I'm just concerned.  I mean, he's getting better, I know that.  I saw his eyes all bright and he's not shedding overly much, but...what if it doesn't work out?  What if he doesn't like the house?  Or he doesn't adjust well to the amputation?  I mean...it's not easy..."

"Alex, why are you worrying now?  If you taught me anything, it's to take things as they come.  My grandmother always said, 'Wally, don't borrow trouble, you'll get enough in time.'  It makes sense."

"Wally?  Your grandmother called you Wally?  Oh, that was a mistake," Alex said.  His mood lifted as he began to barrage Walter with references to the nickname his beloved grandmother insisted on calling him.  She never listened when he asked to be called Walt, and when he was older, Walter, but continued to use that name that no one else dared use.

Yet, he sat there and took it, smiling and the various and creative statements flowing freely from Alex.  Walter could deal with a little humiliation to get Alex's worries off the cat.  They made their way to downtown Denver, where they stashed the truck in a parking garage and walked around the new trendy 16th Street Mall.  Alex shamelessly held Walter's hand while he window browsed with Walter.  They ended up at an outdoor restaurant, eating and talking.  Walter noticed that many people were staring at Alex, to see how a one-armed man handled a lobster tail.  To their surprise, and Walter's amusement, he took the tail in his prosthetic hand and proceeded to crush it.

He picked at the meat with his fork, daintily dipping it in the melted butter.  Several young people, female and male alike, stared at him, watching his mouth.  Alex had a shapely mouth, and he used it well.  Walter just watched and smiled, enjoying the show Alex was putting on for the locals.  Walter shifted in his chair, wishing he'd worn looser jeans.  Watching the butter drip down Alex's chin, and the nimble tongue snake out to wipe it clean, it was more than Walter could handle.

They barely made it into their room to collapse on the bed and tumble around, pulling clothes off each other, kissing newly bared bits of flesh.  They made love for hours that night, playing like they were new and young, as if there was a whole new world to discover about each other.  They laughed and smiled and nibbled and tickled, and Walter felt like a young man again.  It was something he treasured about Alex, keeping him young.  They slept soundly that night, the sleep of the sated.

In the morning, they went to a pancake house, then back to the hospital.  Alex held the cat in his lap, letting the purring take him over.  Walter held Lucky for a while, enjoying the purring as well.  They sat for several hours, until Alex asked if he could take Lucky out onto one of the exercise lawns to the side of the hospital.  The intern was happy to let them outside, freeing the room.  They enjoyed letting people visit with their pets while healing, but they usually needed the room.

They sat on a blanket on the grass, in the shade of a large oak tree.  Lucky walked a bit, testing the grass, trying not to stumble.  Walter and Alex knew not to laugh at Lucky; cats were quick that way and seemed to know that someone was laughing at them.  They watched as he tried to play with a ladybug, then he wandered back to where Alex sat, and settled on his lap.

Walter and Alex sat on the lawn a while until a vet tech came out and told them Lucky had to come in for exams and meds.  They carried him back and settled him in his cage.  "If he does well, you can take him home tomorrow," the young woman said.  She was smiling, white teeth bold against her dark skin.  Alex nodded and Walter shook her hand, thanking her.

They left the hospital and drove slowly back to the hotel, stopping at a Sonic for tater tots and cherry-lime icy drinks.  Alex had a thing for cherry drinks, and the added lime was something special.  Walter settled for a sweet iced tea.  He also had a grilled chicken Caesar wrap sandwich and onion rings, while Alex had a double large order of just tots.  Walter drove aimlessly after that, until Alex asked if they could go to a movie.

"You sure you want to go?" Walter asked.  Alex nodded, a naughty smile growing on his face.

They had done this before, going to a film to neck like teenagers and ignore the feature.  This was a great distraction for both men.  It wasn't difficult for them to fall asleep that night.

Alex arrived bright and early the next day to collect Lucky from the hospital.  The cat was resting comfortably, flicking his tail.  Alex reached in to pet him.  "So, can we take him home?"

Dr. Taylor came over and shook Walter's hand.  Alex's was busy in the cage.  "Yeah, you can take him today.  Keep him fed, watered, fresh litter, and I recommend the flushable kind, so that his urine isn't in the box for long periods of time and won't infect his incision.  Bring him back if he gets listless, non-responsive..."

"How can you tell the difference?" Walter asked, smiling.

"Well, you may wonder, but if you make a loud noise and a cat doesn't run away, well, that'll tell you something.  You'll get to know him and his habits, and you'll know if he's not well, I can guarantee that."

"We'll watch him carefully," Alex assured the doctor and helped the vet tech get Lucky into his carrier.  They went to the front desk, paid the bill and left with their new family member.  The drive back to the hotel was marked by a stop at the pet store for more food, bowls and fresh litter.  They went back to the hotel and set up litter in the bathroom and food near the mini-bar.  Alex went all out, buying all the bottled water he could find.  Lucky would not drink tap water if Alex could help it.

Walter went out that afternoon and found a video chain store.  He was thankful their membership translated two thousand miles away.  Walter loaded up on DVDs and smiled at the cashier as she asked if they would like to try some of the latest video games that were just recently available.  He smiled and shook his head no.  How would a one-handed man play video games?  Did Alex even care?

Back at the hotel, Walter curled up on the couch with Alex to watch their DVDs.  They both loved Steve McQueen, "The Great Escape", "The Magnificent Seven", "Bullitt", "The Sand Pebbles", "The Thomas Crown Affair", which they liked much better than the remake, and "The Cincinnati Kid."  It was hard the keep their minds on the movies.  Steve McQueen got them both hot, and when Alex felt Walter's erection digging into his ass, he ground against Walter's crotch and halfway through the second disk, they were sweaty and tangled on the floor in front of the television, kissing in the afterglow.  Alex rested his head on Walter's chest, but his gaze led across the floor, to where Lucky lay under the plush settee staring at them.

"He's a gorgeous animal, isn't he?" Alex said, smiling.

"Yes, and curious, as well.  He stares at us, you know."

"Yeah, he's a cat.  Of course he's curious.  That's probably how he lost his paw, being nosy.  He won't have to worry about that any more."

The two men spent most of the next day in the same way, watching Steve McQueen videos and stopping to make love.  By the third day, Alex was a bit stir crazy.  He called the hospital and asked Dr. Taylor if they could leave the cat alone in the room and go out, since he'd been fine for two days.  The doctor agreed that if Lucky was eating, drinking and using the litter without incident, they could probably leave him alone for a while and get some air.

Alex, always thinking ahead, had gotten the private number of the night concierge and called the man to find where they could spend the day in the mountains, following trails and enjoying the air.  By the time they got back to the hotel, Lucky was stretched out on the bed, asleep.  He looked up as soon as the door closed.  Walter and Alex were mesmerized as he stood, arched his back to stretch and then stretched his one leg forward to arch forward.

"That's the life, lying around and stretching out when the people with the food come back," Alex said.

"You could have that life, Alex," Walter said, pressing a kiss to his neck.  "I would take excellent care of you."

Alex turned and caught Walter's lips in a gentle kiss.  "Yeah, but you know I'd get bored."

"I know.  Maybe Lucky will keep you entertained for a while."

"Maybe."  They spent the rest of the week learning things about Denver and Colorado, and Alex also went on a serious shopping binge at the Castle Rock outlets.  He decided it would be smartest to mail everything back, and mercilessly flirted with the young woman who helped them box their purchases.  She turned as red as her lipstick.

On the seventh day, Alex called the animal hospital and asked if he would be able to bring Lucky in for a check up.  They scheduled an appointment for late morning, pleasing Alex greatly.  They drove out to the hospital and Alex anxiously waited with Lucky in his lap.  The intern walked them back to an exam room and Alex waited impatiently.  He pulled Lucky from the carrier and pet him, calming the shaking animal.

Dr. Fitzgerald walked in and shook Walter's hand.  He took Lucky from Alex's hands and said, "He's looking very good!  You're taking good care of him, I see."  Dr. Fitzgerald did his preliminary exam, then checked over the incision area very carefully.  He was happy with what he saw.

"It's still clean, that's good.  And there doesn't seem to be an infection.  I'm going to cautiously say that you're fit to go back to Virginia where you live.  Dr. Taylor wants a last look at Lucky, but I think you're clear to go."

Thankfully, Dr. Taylor's exam had the same decision as Dr. Fitzgerald's, that Lucky was OK to travel home.  Alex was given a copy of the file with all medical notes so that their new vet in Virginia would have all the information.  Alex called to confirm the scheduled flight for the next day, but there was a snag.  The airline wouldn't let them keep Lucky in the cabin with them.  He had to go in the cargo hold.

"Oh, hell no!" Alex yelled.  "My cat had major surgery a week ago.  He's coming into the main cabin with me.  I won't take him out of his carrier, for obvious reasons, but there's no way he's going into cargo."

"Mr. Krisek..."

"Krycek.  My name is Krycek.  If you can't accommodate me, I'll find an airline that can."

Alex hung up the phone and dialed his travel agent.  She would be able to help.  She'd already gotten the old airline to extend their tickets.  Then again, you extend that courtesy to frequent first class fliers.  She took his call immediately.  "Alex, what's wrong?  Your flight is tomorrow, what?  You called to confirm, right?"

"Yes, and the for-shit airline you booked us on won't let me take Lucky in the cabin.  Change it.  Either change their minds, or change our flights.  He's got an FAA-approved carrier, I already checked.  So, go find me a flight, OK, Brenda?  Walter and I want to go home.  We're exhausted."

Alex flipped his phone closed.  He went to the couch and flopped down, dropping his cell on the table.  Lucky jumped into his lap and butted his head under Alex's chin.  Immediately, Alex smiled.  Walter, who was sitting at the small desk in the corner, checking his email and writing an email to Scully.  "You OK, Alex?" Walter asked.  At that particular moment, he wished they had pet names for each other.  He wished he called Alex anything, like sweetheart or love, or something.  They never had.  They were Walter, or Walt, and Alex.

Alex lay back on the couch and pulled Lucky onto his stomach to watch TV.  "Walt, find us a movie, OK?  I have a headache."

Walter searched the channels until hey found something old and suitable.  Alex liked James Stewart and "Shop Around the Corner" was one they both enjoyed.  Walter pulled Alex's feet into his lap, pulled off his sneakers and socks and began massaging both soles.  Before long, Alex was asleep.  Walter left them to nap together, cat squarely on Alex's stomach.  He took the novel he'd been reading, both cell phones and went onto the balcony to sit in the sun and read in quiet.

It wasn't long before Brenda called back with a new reservation.  A new airline, special instructions to accommodate the cat in the first class cabin and it would become their new frequent flyer airline.  "Brenda, how can we thank you?  You are one of the hardest working people I've ever met.  Thank you."

"Relax, Walter.  I won't charge you extra."

He laughed and bid her good evening.  He went back into the room to wake Alex and tell him the good news.  Both he and Lucky yawned in unison.  "That's good news, Walt.  How about we all eat in?" Alex stroked Lucky's coat, inciting a rumble of purring.

"I think I can manage that."  Walter smiled.  Things were going to get interesting from then on.

*-*-*-*
EPILOGUE

Walter sat at his laptop on the back porch of the house.  The move to Canada was the smartest thing they'd ever done.  The "Greater Vancouver Area", especially to the west, was picturesque with mountains and forests and some of the most beautiful seascapes they'd seen.  The house they bought was atop a hill that could see just about everything but the city itself, which was fine by Walter.  He liked where they'd settled.  They were legally married, they were near enough outdoor activities to continue their adventures, but there was one main difference.

Alex had stopped being a daredevil.  It was the craziest thing.  Oh, he still loved skiing and climbing and hiking and sailing, but he didn't have to do it almost to his death.  Walter had bought Alex a boat, and Alex bought Walter the house.  But Lucky brought Walter peace of mind.  Alex was so enamored of that cat, it was frightening.

The first thing he asked Walter to do when they'd moved was build a cat door.  Lucky could come and go as he pleased.  Walter was happily writing his books, with Mulder's blessing.  He was living a solitary existence in Bali, well, not very solitary.  He was enjoying the company of the natives there.  He'd let his hair grow very long and sent a photo to he and Alex of himself with long cornrows of braids.  Walter thought he looked happy, finally.  Scully was, of course, happy having found her son.  She wasn't married either, but she was enjoying the life of a professor at Johns Hopkins.  Doggett and Reyes, having married, were still working at the FBI, Assistant Directors for different sections.

Alex walked out and stood at the railing, drinking a late morning cup of coffee.  "Tomorrow is going to be spectacular.  We should take the boat out."

"We can do that.  No, we're not taking Lucky.  Remember what happened the last time?  He was terrified and when we started up the motor, he hid so well, we couldn't find him."

"I wasn't going to ask," Alex answered, and the reached down to allow the cat to jump into his arms.  The coffee was balanced precariously on the railing.  Walter didn't much care about the coffee spilling, or losing a cup if it broke.  The problem was how crazy Alex would get if Lucky cut his foot.  After they'd brought him back to Virginia, he'd not adjusted well to the hot, humid summers.  They tried to find a place that had summers that were milder, and a place they could both be happy to live in.  After Alex's hysterics calmed, and Lucky perked back up from heatstroke and two days in the vet's office, they settled on Vancouver and moved.

Walter put his laptop on the table and stood to walk over to Alex.  He stroked Lucky's head, causing louder purring.  He pressed a kiss to Alex's cheek and said, "If you take me sailing, I'll make it worth your while."

Alex carefully put Lucky down and turned, putting his real arm around Walter's shoulders.  "How about I make it worth your while now?"

Another kissed shared between them and Walter said, "I think I can get behind that."

"If you hurry upstairs, you can get behind me."  Alex turned and went into the house.  Walter bent down and lifted Lucky into his own arms.  He stroked the dark head, starting the motor on the furry little man.

"You know, if it weren't for you, I'd have lost him by now.  Thank you, Lucky."  Lucky didn't describe the cat's luck finding them, but the luck Walter gained in keeping Alex safer and saner.  He kissed the dark head and put Lucky back onto the porch deck.  He entered the house, knowing the luck that was waiting for him upstairs in their bedroom.

The End
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