Halrloprillalar   hal@prillalar.com   http://prillalar.com/

November 1, 1999

RATING: PG13.

FANDOM/SPOILERS: X-Files. No spoilers.

SUMMARY: Skinner/Pendrell. The usual.

DISTRIBUTION: Archive anywhere. Email forwarding allowed.

DISCLAIMER: CC, 1013, Fox, not me.


SMALL HOURS
by Halrloprillalar - hal@prillalar.com

Somethings jerks, something races. My body. My heart. I'm awake.

It's 3:47 AM.

Vivid images flare briefly, then the dream slips through the pillow
and down under the bed to lurk until I drop off again. I'm left
uneasy without knowing why.

And I'm damn cold. There must be a reason. Think, Daniel.

It creeps up on me, slower than the gooseflesh. I have no blankets.

There's barely any light but I don't need to see to know that
Walter's rolled over and taken the covers with him. I look anyway.

All cats are grey in the dark and all men too. But he's beautiful
in greyscale -- a pencil sketch, all graphite and shadow in the
hollows of his face. One arm thrown above his head, a stern look on
his brow, even in sleep he seems coiled, poised, full of potential
energy. He's mine. I still can't believe it.

I'm shivering, though, so I tease at the blanket until I have
almost enough to cover me. Walter moves a little but he doesn't
resist.

All cats are warm in the dark and I snuggle in, my cheek against
his shoulder, my arm over his chest. It's restful, calming, and I
begin to match my breaths to his, thinking if I can just get the
exact rhythm, maybe I can get into his dreams as well.

His body heat seeps into me and I feel sleep tug me down, down,
down...

Something jerks, something races. My body. My heart. Something
kisses me. My man.

I take him in my arms. He runs his hand through my hair.

We're awake til dawn.

F I N I S

Halrloprillalar   hal@prillalar.com   http://prillalar.com/