"Oh man, YES! The Vet recommended I get carriers for them but I hate the
thought of putting them back in cages after just getting them out. Won't they
be all right just on leashes?"

"Leashes will be fine to walk them to and from the car but you never know how an
animal will act in a car. It might be a distraction to your driving." Walter
explained.

"Lady was calm enough when we had her in the car. Maybe she'll be an influence
on Rags."

"Lady was seriously injured and out of it. However, she does seem to be a lot
calmer than Rags. But they are going to be as excited as you are to take them
out of there. Maybe you could secure the leashes somewhere in the back seat."

"That's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that. You have a lot of good ideas
about dogs. I guess you've had a lot of them over the years?"

"We always had them around the farm. I haven't had one since I left home
though."

"I'd really appreciate it if you could come along with me to bring them home.
Now that it's almost here, I'm terrified."

"Nothing to be afraid of. They are just animals and all they really need to
make them happy is food, a warm place to sleep and someone to care about them."

"I can hardly wait to get them home. I'm going nuts here. Do you have any
plans for the evening? Would you like to grab a bite to eat? My treat for
helping me get the dogs home."

"I could eat." Walter answered and mentally kicked himself for sounding so
eager. This was Alex Krycek he had to keep reminding himself.

"Great! What do you feel like – Italian, Chinese, Mexican, steaks?"

"Actually I was thinking about Italian myself." Walter looked at the red
Stouffer's Spaghetti box in his hand and put it back into the freezer.

"Italian it is." Alex agreed.

"I'll pick you up." Walter said as he hurried up stairs to change. "There's a
great place over on west Sullivan Street. Not all that far from you."

"Maria's? I've been there! I love their food!"

"Yeah, that's the place. What time?" Walter asked as he was going through his
closet deciding what to wear.

"Soon as you can get here. I'm starving!"

"Great. I'll be there in thirty minutes."

"I'll be out front waiting."


Walter cursed silently as he pulled over to the curb and took his wallet out and
lowered his window and handed his driver's license and I.D. to the young traffic
cop.

"Oh, gee, I'm sorry, Sir." He handed them back to Walter. "It's Friday night
and we get a lot of speeders out here. Just be careful."

Walter put them back in his pocket and took off now cursing himself for driving
like a teenager on his way to a hot date. This was not a date! This was just
two hungry people going out to dinner – it certainly wasn't a date. He looked
in the mirror and checked his chin at the next stop light to make sure he hadn't
missed any whiskers with his quick run over with the razor. Not that it was
necessary. He was not out on a date. He was just going to get some dinner.
That was all.

Alex was out front as promised and Walter couldn't still his reaction to the
smile that greeted him. He leaned over and opened the door, Alex got in and
they headed for Maria's. The aroma assailed them as they entered and they were
engulfed with dim lights, tinkling dinnerware and the murmur of low
conversations. Somewhere in the background he could hear some romantic ballads
being played.

They were seated and opened their menus. In minutes they were sipping wine and
waiting for their food.

"I can hardly wait for tomorrow morning. It seemed so far away when I first
made the decision to adopt the dogs and now all the sudden here it is."

"Having second thoughts?" Walter asked.

"No! Not at all. I'm just … anxious about it. I want it so bad … and I don't
usually get the things I want. I'm not used to things working out the way I
want them to."

"Well, it's a new life you've started. Maybe all that will change."

"Oh, I hope so – especially where the dogs are concerned. I dreamed of having a
couple of dogs but I always thought I'd have a house first."

"Still no luck in that department?"

"Not really. I did find one that I really liked that had a big back yard but it
would be a forty-five minute drive to work each morning. If I took that, I
wouldn't have time to take them out for morning walks before I left for work –
it would be dark outside."

"If they had that big back yard you probably wouldn't have to take them for a
morning walk. They would get enough exercise out in the yard. Was it fenced
in?"

"Yeah, it was. I hadn't thought of that. You mean I could leave them outside
in the yard all day?"

"You could – as long as you had some shelter for them to get in out of the
weather."

"It had a big screened-in back porch. Maybe I could prop the screen door open?"

"Or get a doggie door just to give them access to the porch."

"That would be great! Where do I get a doggie door; Home Depot?"

"You could probably pick one up at a pet store. I don't know if Home Depot
carries that sort of thing but they shouldn't be that hard to find. That way
the dogs would have shelter and you could still keep your house locked up
tight."

"That's a great idea! I'm thinking I might have to take another look at that
place. Want to come with me?"

The food was served then and conversation turned to their dinner which was
delicious and exactly to their liking. After they finished they lingered over
another glass of wine before leaving. Once out front of Alex' apartment they
chatted for a moment.

"You want to come in for a nightcap?" Alex invited.

"No, I'd better not. The wine was enough for tonight." Walter answered.

"OK. I'll see you in the morning then – early?"

"Is nine early enough?"

"Yeah – that'll be fine. I can't believe that I'm finally going to bring them
home."

"Try and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day." Walter smiled at Alex'
continued eagerness.

"I will. Try, I mean. I doubt I'll sleep much." Alex said and then if just
remembering, he turned to Walter and added, "Thanks for coming to dinner with
me."

"It was my pleasure. I never turn down pasta in any way, shape or form."

"I'll have to remember that." Alex said with a smile. He reached over and gave
Walter's arm a gentle squeeze and said, "Good night," and got out of the car.

Walter swallowed hard and called "Good night," after him. He watched Alex
unlock his door and go inside before he started the car and drove off.

What the hell was he doing? He argued with himself. This was Alex Krycek! Not
someone you go have dinner with. He must be out of his mind! Alex Krycek – the
last person on this earth that he'd want to get friendly with. Yet here he was,
wishing he'd gone inside for that nightcap.

He was still arguing with himself when he got into bed. If he'd gone in with
Alex, he might be in bed with him right now. He stopped that thought before it
went any further. Alex Krycek was not someone you went to bed with – to dinner,
maybe – but not to bed.
Still … he couldn't help but wonder what it'd be like with him.

Walter worked out vigorously the next morning, determined to give his body
enough of an exercise that it would stop yearning for other exercises that he
wasn't in a position to provide for the moment. He needed to give some serious
thought to getting out and getting laid. It had been some time and he was
beginning to hurt. Maybe he'd go out this evening after he finished helping
Alex get settled in with the dogs. Yes, he decided, that's what he'd do. He'd
finish his afternoon chores and plan on an evening out.

Walter showed up a little passed nine and Alex met him in the parking lot
looking as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. They went in Alex' car and he
filled the drive with nervous chatter. When they got there Alex gave the girl
his credit card, signed all the paperwork and the dogs were brought out from the
back all wiggly and excited – tails wagging and eager to see him. He snapped
the leashes on each of their new collars as their shiny new licenses tags
dangled at their necks.

Walter couldn't help but smile and everyone's enthusiasm. It was a good time
for all concerned. The Vet and his helpers were glad to see the dogs well and
going to a good home and Alex was beaming with happiness. The dogs were
circling at their feet; sure something exciting was about to happen and all left
with a flurry of activity.

Walter offered to drive so that Alex could sit in back with the dogs as they
found nothing to secure the leashes to. Lady sat quietly at Alex' side but Rags
was all over the place even trying a time or two to get up into the front seat
with Walter.

The ride finally ended and they got the dogs out of the car and into the
apartment and took them off the leashes. Lady stayed by Alex' side but Rags
took off and sniffed through the entire apartment, checking everything out.

Alex walked Lady into the bedroom and showed her where her bed was. She stepped
up on it and lay down for a minute then got right back up. Rags immediately
jumped up on Alex' bed and lay down.

"You're going to have your hands full with that one." Walter laughed.

Alex coaxed Rags down off the bed and pointed to his bed on the floor. Rags
sniffed it a bit and then headed out to re-inspect the other rooms to make sure
he hadn't missed anything.

"It'll take time, I know, but he seems to be a smart thing. I think he'll
learn." Alex said as he followed the dogs out.

Walter took one last look at the bed and tried not to think about Alex sleeping
there and wondering if anyone had been there with him. He shook those thoughts
out of his head and followed the others into the living room and sat down.

Alex sat on the other end of the couch – Lady at his feet and Rags up on the
couch beside him. He petted the dog generously then told him to get down with
Lady and he did, surprising them both.

"I told you he was smart!" Alex beamed with a smile that affected Walter much
more than he would ever admit.

"I'd better go. Looks like you've got things pretty well in hand now." He
stood and headed for the door.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help, Walter. I probably never
would have made it if I'd had to drive and look after the dogs too."

"Well Lady is a real winner there, Alex, but you've got your work cut out for
you with Rags. He's going to be your biggest problem." Walter said as he
hesitated at the door and fiddled with his keys.

"I'm looking forward to it." Alex smiled at him and Walter knew he meant it.
There was something about this Alex Krycek – something that he liked. He
couldn't quite put his finger on it but it would come to him.

"Good luck." Walter said and felt the heat raise as Alex slipped his hand into
Walter's and squeezed.

"Thank you, Walter. I know you mean that."

Walter nodded and hurried out to his car. This could not be happening – not
with Alex Krycek! He took a deep breath and started the car. There would be no
need to see him any more. He wouldn't accept any further invitations – there
was no need. Lady was fine now and everyone was happy. He'd just get the hell
out of there and never go back. He'd get his mind busy on other things and
forget all about Alex Krycek.

He didn't get laid that night, that weekend or the next. He went out and even
had a few offers but nothing he saw interested him. He turned down several
invitations to go out and see Alex' new home and after a while Alex stopped
calling. Skinner went back to his normal life; working late and spending the
weekends alone doing routine chores and evenings with page 17 of the magazine
that he kept between his mattress and box springs. It was good enough. No
entanglements, no commitments – just the magazine and his strong right hand.

Another lonely weekend with nothing to do found Walter fixing himself a drink
one Saturday afternoon when his phone rang. His heart quickened and he decided
if it was Alex, he was going to go see his new house. It wasn't Alex – it was
Jeremiah Smith.

"Skinner," Walter answered the phone.

"Skinner, its Jeremiah Smith. I'm looking for Alexander and I can't find him.
Do you have any idea where he might be?"

"You've tried his cell?"

"I have and it just goes to voice mail. I need to speak with him right away.
It's an emergency."

"I have no idea where he is. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No. Not unless you can find Alexander."

"Well, he just recently got a couple of dogs so he might be out with them but I
can't imagine why he wouldn't have his phone with him."

"Dogs? I'm not surprised. He always said he wanted to get some. Walter, its
Malleon. He's been critically injured. There's not much time left. He's
asking for Alexander."

"Shit. OK. I know of a few parks around where people take their dogs. I'll go
have a look and see if I can find him."

"Thank you, Walter. I'll keep trying his cell too. He'll know how to reach me
when you find him so I can pick him up."

"I'll get right on it." He pocketed the phone, spent a few minutes on-line
looking up dog parks then grabbed his jacket and took off.

He was about to give up when Rags came vaulting over and jumped up on him. He
looked around frantically and finally saw Alex coming to him on a dead run, Lady
at his heels.

"Thank God, I found you!"

"What is it; what's wrong?" Alex immediately sensed Walter's urgency.

"Jeremiah Smith has been trying to get in touch with you. You need to call him
right away."

"Oh shit." Alex felt all his pockets. "I must have come out without my phone."

"Here." Walter handed him his phone.

Alex punched some numbers into the phone.

"Jeremiah? Alexander. What is it?"

He listened for a time and a look or horror came over his face. He closed the
phone numbly and handed it back to Walter.

"He's coming for you?" Walter asked filled with sympathy for the tears he saw
fill Alex' eyes.

"Uh huh. I've gotta go."

"Where? I'll take you."

"What about the dogs? I have to take them home."

"I'll take care of them. Come on. My car's right over here." Walter led them
to the parking lot and they all got into his SUV.

"Where are you supposed to meet him?" Walter asked once they were under way.

"My place. Head west."

Alex explained how to get to his house and Walter suggested that he call his
boss and tell him there was a family emergency and he had to take a few days
off. Alex did and thanked him for the reminder. Once home, Walter assured him
that he could look after the dogs and for Alex not to worry about them.

Smith showed up then and the two of them left. Walter was alone with the dogs
and wondered aloud how he managed to get himself in this deep with Alex again.
He took a tour of the house and yard and was impressed. It wasn't very big,
three bedrooms, kitchen, living room and dining room and only one bathroom. The
back yard was perfect though and it was huge. There was a six foot high fence
surrounding it and it was filled with trees and grass and lots of dog toys
scattered around. The back porch had an old porch swing where it was obvious
that the dogs spent a lot of time. He was pleased. The dogs seemed happy and
healthy and he regretted not coming out sooner to take a look around. He paced
the floor and waited.

Around dark the dogs started to get antsy and Walter realized that he hadn't fed
them yet. He opened a couple of cans and dumped them into their dishes and
filled their water bowls with fresh water. He scanned the pantry and found some
canned pasta and had that for dinner. He spent that first night on the couch.
He left for a few hours the next day to go home and get some clothes and late in
the afternoon he called in work and left a message with his secretary that he
would be gone for a few days. Then he settled in to wait.

It was late Thursday afternoon before Alex got home. He walked into the house
and went straight to his bed. Walter paced the floor and kept checking in on
him. Alex slept until nearly noon the next day. As soon as Walter heard the
shower come on he got up and started a pot of coffee and some bacon and eggs.
Alex came into the kitchen and accepted the cup of coffee and sat down at the
table, wordless.

"Are you OK?" Walter asked as he sat a plate down in front of Alex.

"Yeah." Alex didn't say another word until his plate was empty and Walter
poured him a second cup of coffee. "The dogs OK?"

"Uh huh." Walter answered as he poured himself a cup of coffee and joined Alex
at the table.

"He's dead. Malleon's dead."

"What the hell happened?"

"Hunting accident."

"Smith couldn't do anything for him?"

"By the time he was found it was too late. All Jeremiah could do was keep him
alive until I got there."

"I'm sorry. I know you were close."

"He was my friend. For all my growing up years, the only friend I had."

"I know he cared about you."

"I cared about him too! Just not in the same way. He was a good man, Walter."

"I'm sure he was. I'm glad he was there for you when you needed a friend."

"When I lost my arm, he took care of me. That was the first time he asked me to
stay. I almost did. I didn't want to come back."

"Why didn't you have Smith fix your arm back then?"

"Because then everyone would have known I was working for the Resistance. I
couldn't take the chance of anyone finding out."

"I wish I'd known."

"It was too dangerous."

The dogs started barking at the back door and Alex got up and let them in. They
greeted him thoroughly until he had had enough and told them to get down. The
door bell rang and Walter said, "I'll get it."

"No. I need to move around. I'll get it." Alex walked to the front door while
Walter rinsed the dishes and followed into the front room.

"Yes, I'd like that," Alex was saying.

"Michaels – Alexander Michaels." Alex said as the newspaper person wrote the
name down. "And it will be here every morning by six?"

"Yes sir. I throw this part of my route right at five thirty."

"That's great. Thanks a lot."

"Thank you, Mr. Michaels." The young man said as he turned and left.

Alex closed the door and turned to see Walter staring at him. "What?" He
asked.

"Alexander Michaels? Are you really … Alexander?"

Alex came over to him, "That's the name I was born with. Alexander Michaels
Krycek. Michaels was my mother's maiden name. She went back to using it after
they got divorced when I was five. It's in my records at the Bureau if you want
to check it."

"Please … tell me what happened. Tell me about Alexander." Walter asked as
they seated themselves on either end of the couch – Walter tossing his pillow
and blanket over to a chair.

"First of all I want to tell you again I'm sorry for deceiving you. I never
meant for it to go that far. It all just got out of hand."

"I'd like to hear about it – from the beginning."

"I was just finishing up an assignment for Jeremiah when I took a .45 slug to my
left shoulder shattering it. I would have bled to death but Wilson, another
Resistance worker, was nearby and got help. I don't remember a whole lot
between the time I took the hit until I woke up.

I was lying in bed and Jeremiah was talking to me. I felt fine, just a little
sleepy and a mild head ache. The first thing I did was grab my shoulder and
found out it was fine. My shoulder was fine and my prosthetic was gone and in
its place a flesh and blood left arm. At first I thought I'd been regenerated
but then I started listening to what Jeremiah was saying and I realized I'd been
transplanted."

"Transplanted?" Walter asked unable to believe what he knew was coming next.

"My consciousness had been placed in another body." Alex explained.

"I want to hear it from you. I want to know exactly what happened."

Alex nodded his head and went on. "My job was completed but for one thing.
They needed me to plant a bug in a doctor's office. That was simple enough but
the place was being closely watched and this face would have been recognized.
With the new face, I made an appointment to see the doctor, complaining about a
headache, which I did indeed have, and simply went in and finished the job."

"I'd been told that my regeneration was going to take another thirty days so I
just went on back to my apartment. I stood looking at myself in the mirror for
a long time – at the new body – perfect in every way. Not a scar on it. Then I
thought about you and wondered what you'd think of that body. I didn't give it
much more thought than that and just got in my car and drove around to some of
the clubs that I've seen you in. That place I found you was the fourth one I'd
looked in that night." He took a deep breath and went on.

"I didn't have any real plan. I think I just wanted to see how you'd react to
the new body – to see if you'd be attracted to it. I don't think I thought much
passed that."

"You should have told me."

"And once I did, that would have been the end of it."

"You're probably right." Walter had to admit.

"I swear to you, Walter. I never dreamed it would go that far. Once I saw that
you were interested, there was no way I could turn back. You asked me to dance
and that ended any possibility of just walking away."

Walter breathed in deeply remembering that night and the first time he had taken
Alexander into his arms.

"It was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me. I had had these …
feelings for you for years but I never dreamed that one day I'd end up in your
arms, dancing."

Walter stood up and paced the floor. "Go on." He prodded.

"When you whispered an invitation to go someplace private, I could hardly
believe my ears. It was like being in a dream from that point on. We didn't
talk much on the ride to the hotel. Come to think of it, we didn't talk all
that much after we got there either." Alex grinned.

"Whatever possessed you to ask me to go away with you?" Walter asked angrily.

"I wanted to be with you. I didn't want it to end."

"You could have told me. Anywhere along the line – you could have told me."

"Every day we were together – every hour – this thing between us seemed to grow
and I was in deeper and deeper. I was afraid if I told you, you'd hate me even
more than you already did. I told myself we'd just have that time together and
then I'd go back to being me and it would all be over with. We were both having
a great time – no harm done."

"Go on."

"Then everything changed. Once I was back in my own body, I realized that it
had been completely regenerated. Jeremiah had fixed everything. I had a new
arm and all my old injuries had been removed. The Consortium was gone and I was
notified that my status had changed to Active Retirement. I was free. Free
from the old man, free from being on call 24/7 and free to have a life. The
first thing I did was come to you and tell you the truth."

"And how do I know any of this is the truth?"

Alex got up and walked over to him. "You already know it. That's why you're
here."

Walter stared at him and knew the truth.

"All you have to do is kiss me one time and you'll know I'm Alexander."

Walter kissed him then, a long endless kiss that left them both shaken. It was
perfect. The only person who had ever kissed him like that was Alexander – his
whole world tipped on its side. "Alex? Alexander?" He asked as he cupped the
face in front of him in both hands.

"I'm right here, Walter and I love you, love you, love you." Each 'I love you'
was punctuated with a kiss – first on the left cheek, then the right cheek, then
the lips – exactly the way Alexander had done on their last night in Paris.

Tears rolled down Walter's cheeks, "Alexander – Alex – is it really you?"

Alex was too choked up to speak but shook his head vigorously and blinked back
the tears.

Walter kissed him again and crushed him in his arms. "I'm never letting you out
of my sight again, Alexander, never!"

"I can live with that."


THE END