Title: Hand and Foot

Author: Astridz55@earthlink.net

Disclaimers: These characters aren’t mine, except Robbie and I sure as hell don’t want him!

Notes: I got this idea when I sprained my knee and my DH offered to wait on me hand and foot. Thanks to CR for the title idea. Also there are a few little surprises here for various people. Hope you all find the ones for you!

Rating: R for now but I do intend to add a NC-17 part to the end.

This is pitiful. Even for me. Nearly midnight on a Friday night and where am I but at JEH. I had a date but the guy was a bit odd to say the least, he reminded me of Barney Fife. I should have listened to my instincts when I thought that Robbie was an odd name for a man in his mid thirties. Robbie is a great name for a kid because when he grows up he can go by Rob, Robert or even Bob. But Robbie? I just couldn't help but think about a man who still lives with his mother.

I finally managed to get away but when I was about half way home I realized that he was still behind me. There was no way in hell I wanted him to know where I lived so I decided to go to a safe place. I ended up at the JEH building, which was the safest place I could think of. Besides I had some work I could do.

After about three steady hours of work, the pile on my desk was almost completely gone and there was a rather large dent in the mountain on Mulder's desk. Deciding to call it a night, I gathered up the files that needed to be delivered upstairs and my things. I dropped the files off on Kim's desk so she could give them to Skinner on Monday morning. I was out of the outer office and almost to the elevator when I was startled by a deep voice.

“Agent Scully?”

I spun around and immediately realized that was my first mistake. Well, actually wearing the three-inch heels on the date was the first mistake. I could feel my ankle twisting even as I knew there was nothing that I could do to stop it. I felt myself falling but the man who startled me saved me. I looked up surprised both by his presence and the fact that he caught me.

“Scully? Are you okay?” he asked while helping me to right myself.

“I'm fine, sir. What are you doing here so late?”

“I could ask you the same thing, Dana,” he said with one of his rare smiles.

I actually paused a split second to enjoy the smile that is so seldom seen.

“I just thought that I would try to finish up some files.”

“Me too,” he said as he helped to right me on my feet. Unfortunately my ankle was hurt more than I thought because it didn’t want to support my weight. I grabbed at the arm that he still held out. “Dana?”

“I must have twisted my ankle more than I thought.” I said as I tried to stand on my own but he had to have been able to see the wince of pain I was unable to hide. Before I knew what was happening, Skinner swept me up into his arms. “Sir!”

“I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“No, you don’t have to. I just twisted it.” I tried to convince him to put me down.

“It could be a sprain even a break,” he insisted.

I wasn’t able to say anything else as he carried me through the deserted halls of the JEH. I knew that I shouldn’t be putting too much weight on it but his carrying me around the halls was a bit embarrassing. He took me straight to his car and after situating me safely in the seat; he drove to the emergency room.

Once we got to the hospital, he again picked me up and carried me into the emergency room. After he set me down in a chair in the waiting room he, went to the registration desk to find a doctor. He got a clipboard with the registration papers and then as he was walking back when he happened to catch a doctor rushing by. They talked for a few moments then he came back.

“There seems to have been an accident and they are going to be a bit busy with that any time now. I got the registration papers for you to fill out. It might be a while.”

“We don’t have to stay. I’ll just go home and wrap it up.”

“This happened on government property, you should get this taken care of properly,” he insisted and I knew that I wouldn’t win. I just shook my head at him and reached for the paperwork. Before I could get anything written a nurse rushed by with an ice pack, which she handed to me. She didn’t have time to say anything as the trauma came in and her services were required. I felt rather helpless just sitting there filling out paperwork while the doctors worked to save lives but there was nothing that I could do to help.

“So, Scully, why were you at the JEH so late?” Skinner asked.

“I had a rotten blind date.” I know that he was trying to take my mind off the fact that I was feeling helpless.

“That bad that you had to come back to work?” he asked with a slight smile.

“Well, I might be wrong but I think that he was following me from the restaurant and I really don’t want him to know where I live. I also figured that he wouldn’t want to wait around in the FBI parking lot.” I knew once I said that that I would have to explain the whole blasted date to him.

“My mother met this guy's aunt or something somewhere, I'm not sure. Well the next thing I know, Mom arranged this date. She hadn't even met him yet herself but his aunt said he was such a sweetheart."

"She was obviously biased," he said sarcastically. I couldn't hold back the smile that managed to escape.

"Very biased. All he did was either talk about himself or his ex-girlfriend who was stupid enough to leave him, his words, not mine. That's when he wasn't trying to tell me that women only belonged in one place, the home."

"Did he not know you are in the FBI?"

"Oh, he knew and he was threatened by it, I think. I didn't pay any mind to that but what made me a bit worried was that he kept referring to his ex-girlfriend. I began to wonder if he had been stalking her. Finally, dinner was over with and the creep actually said that since I was such a 'modern' woman, I wouldn't mind paying for dinner. It seems that he left his wallet at home." I saw his look of total surprise, not that I blame him. "I'm going to have a little talk to my mother about setting me up on dates."

"I don't blame up. What happened after you paid for his meal?"

"Luckily I met him there, so I got in my car and headed home but then I noticed a white Chevy convertible that appeared to be following me so I decided to go to the JEH instead. I knew that there was plenty of work to do anyway. I just didn't think anyone else would be there."

"I work late a lot, nothing else to do," he said wryly.

Before I had a chance to comment on that, a nurse called my name and appeared with a wheelchair. The doctor looked at my ankle and diagnosised it as a sprain just as I had thought but he wanted me to get an x-ray just to be sure. Amazingly enough, Radiology was nearly empty so I didn't have long to wait. After the radiograph we waited a bit longer for the doctor to review the film. Luckily there was nothing wrong other than the sprain. He then wrapped my ankle and advised me to stay off of it and to fill a couple of prescriptions.

I didn’t plan on actually filling the prescriptions but unfortunately I also didn't plan on Skinner overhearing the doctor so later, in the car, he insisted on taking the scripts to be filled. He stopped at the pharmacy close to my apartment and dropped off the scripts. While he was in the pharmacy he picked up a bag of supplies and a cane. After he came back to the car, he said that he would take me home first before he went to pick it up. He pulled into my parking space and before I could ease out of the car with my new cane, he was at my door. Without even letting me try the cane, he picked me up and carried me into my apartment. I was too surprised to say anything for a moment.

“Put me down,” I insisted.

“It’s probably best that you not use the cane on the stairs. This is easier,” he stated simply but not looking at me. A moment later he was at my door, which he quickly opened. “Which way is your bedroom?” he asked and I thought that I could see a slight redness on his ears. I pointed to the bedroom door. He carried me in then set me on the edge of the bed. "I'll be back soon. I'll get your prescription." Before I could tell him not to bother, he was gone.

I gingerly stood up on my foot, with the help of the cane and made my way to the bathroom. After washing my face and taking care of other essential business, I hobbled back to the bedroom. I reached into my dresser and pulled out my favorite sweat suit. It was one that I got many years ago but it was so incredibly comfortable, I couldn’t bear to part with it. It was one that I got as a freshman in college so of course, it was a little worse for wear. In fact, I didn’t wear it out in public due to the holes in the front and also the fact that I’ve had to sew the cuffs back on several times. I lie back down on the bed and soon fell asleep.

I woke up a while later with a blanket over me and tucked around my feet. I wonder how that happened since I hate my feet covered. I looked over and saw the prescriptions on my nightstand and I realized that Skinner must have come back while I was asleep and put them there. I reached for them and reluctantly took one of the pain pills. It was a lot stronger than I thought since it knocked me out.

I was surprised when I saw the clock and realized that I had slept for nine hours and it was 2 in the afternoon. I couldn’t resist groaning; I knew I wouldn’t get much sleep tonight since I slept so long. The groaning continued as my stomach decided to announce it was empty. I eased myself up and sat on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before I tried to walk with the cane. I got into the living room then stopped in my tracks.

Skinner was asleep on my couch. He had changed into some sweats himself and apparently made himself at home. I really don’t blame him; he had probably been up for twenty-four hours before we got back to my apartment. I was actually glad he didn’t try to drive home if he were that tired.

I limped over to the back of the couch and pulled off the throw. I looked at his relaxed face as I gently covered him. I had never seen him so relaxed, he looked so young when he slept, and so at peace. I was glad that he felt comfortable enough to sleep so well here. There was something about him that I couldn’t place. It had taken me a long time to trust him and I knew that my distrust hurt him but he accepted it without a word. He trusted me the whole time too. I wondered if he would ever forgive me for my distrust. I sighed lightly, knowing him, there would be nothing to forgive.

My stomach rumbled again so with one final look at his face, I walked into the kitchen to fix something to eat. I walked into the kitchen and was surprised to find my fridge more stocked than I had ever seen it. I pulled out some lettuce to make a salad but as I reached for the dressing it sipped from my hand and, of course, landed on my foot, my sore foot.

“Damn it!” I cursed.

“Are you okay?” Skinner asked as he appeared through the door. I didn’t look at him and didn’t trust my voice so I just nodded. He crossed the kitchen in two quick strides and before I realized what was happening he swung me up in to his arms.

“Sir, you don’t have to do this.”

“I know,” he stated simply. I looked into his unguarded eyes and I began to realize that he felt guilty for my injury.

“Skinner-“ I attempted to reassure him but stopped as he leaned down slightly.

“Walter,” he said in a surprisingly soft tone. My eyes flew to his lips as he said that one simple word. It almost looked at first as if he were going to kiss me as he nearly puckered up to say his name. I suddenly became warm, and it felt as if all my senses were suddenly on overdrive. I could smell his cologne that lingered and feel his muscles carrying me effortlessly. One hand was close to my breast and the other felt as if it were burning my knee. I could hear his breathing, sounded a bit too fast but somehow I knew that it had nothing to do with my weight in his arms, just my presence.

He set me down on the couch where moments before he had slept then he turned away. He walked into my bedroom to get the pills. He handed them to me then again walked out to get me some water. I was glad to have a minute to myself, as I wasn't quite sure what to think about these not new feelings that were resurfacing for my boss. I knew they were wrong but a part of me didn't really care.

He walked back in carrying a glass of ice water and a salad big enough for a small family. Without speaking he again returned to the kitchen and returned with two plates, two forks and another glass of water. He handed me a plate and I helped myself to the salad before he served himself.

As quiet as he had been I was surprised that throughout lunch I was learning more and more about Skinner, I still couldn't quite bring myself to call him Walter yet. I knew that was silly since I have called him Walter before but just never in this personal of a setting. I was enjoying his company immensely even after lunch was over when we just sat there and talked.

“Oh my. I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ll be fine by myself,” I said even though I did not want him to leave. He must have sensed my reluctance because he looked at me strangely before he spoke.

“I don’t have any plans for the day and since this was my fault, I would be more than happy to stay and help out with what ever you need,” he said sincerely.

I couldn’t help but think that the poor man must be so lonely if he finds the prospect of staying here with me fun. He didn't know yet, but my Saturdays were usually very dull. It would be nice to have someone else around for the day though since I understood his loneliness. If he was feeling guilty, maybe I could have him wait on me hand and foot. Of course, for this Saturday I didn’t even have my usual planned. I would catch up on any reports that were pressing, drop off my dry cleaning, paint my nails, watch movies and read some trashy novels.

“So, Dana. What can I do for you?”

I thought for a moment and even though I don't like being waited on, I decided to humor him. “Can you bring me my laptop and cordless phone?” Before I was even finished he turned to get them for me. “The only other thing that I needed to do today was to pick up my dry cleaning.”

“Where is it?” he asked. I gave him the directions and he said that he would be back in a little while.

After he left I turned my laptop on and worked on my journal. A while later the phone rang, I almost dreaded picking it up, not wanting to talk to Robbie. I sighed and picked up the phone, and was glad to hear my mother’s voice. She, of course, asked me how my date went and I advised her that she was no longer allowed to even think of setting me up on a blind date.

“That bad?”

“Worse, Mom. He was a creep.”

“Dana, I hate to tell you then but he asked for your address and without even thinking, I gave it to him.”

“Oh, Mom you didn’t!” I exclaimed.

“Dana, I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was that terrible,” she said.

I sighed.

“I know, Mom. It’s just that I don’t really want to deal with him today. After I left the fiasco last night, I went to work and to make a long story short, I sprained my ankle.”

“Dana! Just wait a few minutes and I’ll be right over,” she suggested.

“Mom. You don’t have to. I’m fine, the doctor said it was just a light sprain. I just have a brace on it and I was told to keep it iced if I could. There’s nothing for you to do. Honest.”

“Well, if you are sure, Dana. If you need anything call me okay?”

“Okay, Mom. I promise,” I said before I hung up. We both knew that I wouldn’t call her for anything but at least she didn’t complain.

As I was hanging up the phone, Skinner walked back into my apartment. He was carrying my dry cleaning and a couple of bags.

“Hey. Where do you want me to put the dry cleaning?”

“If you could just hang it in my closet, that would be great,” I commented.

“No problem. I took the liberty of renting some movies if you don’t mind.” He handed me the bag of videos as he passed by to hang my dry cleaning up. I watched him as he walked away and thought to myself that I could really get used to this treatment. He walked back in and picked up a movie. “How about a movie?”

“Sure,” I said, not having a clue what movie it is, as he popped it in the VCR. He started the movie then sat down on the couch next to me.

I was rather surprised to find out that the movie was Miss Congeniality. I guess that he must have picked it out for my enjoyment other than his. We watched the movie in silence. Once it was over and rewinding Skinner went to the kitchen to get me a refill of water. I had a few moments to think about the surprisingly nice and relaxing day I’ve sent with my boss. I never would have thought that Skinner would sit through, much less enjoy, a romantic comedy, granted it was about the FBI but still. Mulder would never believe this, not that I will ever tell him. It was as if he knew that I was thinking about him since just then the phone rang. I knew who it was, Mulder.

“Hey, Scully. What you up to?”

“Nothing,” I said resigned. I could tell that he wanted to come over or involve me in another wild goose chase. “Mulder, I told you that this is my weekend.”

“I know Scully but I’m bored.”

“Mulder, I told you that this is my Mulder-free weekend. I have a lot of things I need to do and I can’t do them if you show up. No you can’t join me. Why not? I’m planning on taking a nice long bubble bath and there is no way you will join me for my bubble bath. Good bye, I’ll see you on Monday,” I said just before I hung up. I knew that he was going to pout but I had really looked forward to this weekend without him besides I was having a lot of fun with Skinner. I knew that he would leave if Mulder showed up. I hung up the phone then turn around to see Skinner looking a bit surprised.

“He doesn't seem to understand the fact that I enjoy my time to myself.” As soon as I said that, I knew he was going to try to leave.

“I'm sorry, Scully. I didn't mean to overstay my welcome.”

“You haven't. Honest. Please don't leave.” I hope I didn't sound as desperate for company as it sounded but for whatever reason he decided not to leave. He didn't say anything, but I could see his face relax as he walked over to the TV and swapped the videos. He sat back down on the couch and relaxed as the movie started. It was a nice experience to sit quietly and watch a movie next to a man. I certainly can't do this with Mulder; he is physically unable to sit still for more than two minutes without fidgeting.

The second movie astonished me even more than the first one. I figured that he sat though the first movie because it was FBI related but this one was totally different. ‘L.A. Story’ was something that I never expected Walter to like. I had seen the movie before when it originally came out so I paid more attention to him than the movie. I thought about the differences that I’ve seen in him today. Somehow I suspected that I was being gifted with the true Walter Skinner and not the AD Skinner that everyone else usually sees.

After about half the movie passed I could feel my pain medicine wearing off. I looked over to the chair where I had a spare toss pillow. It almost seemed as if he could read my mind as he followed my line of sight then reached over to grab the pillow. He eased the pillow under my foot but it wasn't quite high enough. Walter surprised me when he scooted over then put the pillow on his lap and with extreme care he lifted my foot and gently placed it on the pillow. He didn't look at me, he just sat there and continued to watch the movie. I don't think that he realized that he didn't move his hand, which was still resting lightly on my ankle. I no longer thought about the pain in my ankle.

Unfortunately, I could no longer focus on the movie either. My mind kept flashing back to that kiss in the elevator. I couldn’t help but wonder how he would have kissed had I not surprised him so much. I’m sure that it would have been even more amazing than it was. Of course I didn’t plan on doing that then but it certainly gave me plenty to think about for a while after that. I hadn’t really thought of Skinner in that sort of way before. It wasn’t that I hadn’t noticed, I wasn’t blind after all. It just took so long for me to trust him.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. I looked up at Skinner and he carefully eased my foot off his lap and stood up to answer the door. I thought at first that it was Mulder until I heard a voice call through the door.

“Dana. Are you there? It’s me, Robbie.”

Skinner turned to look at me and I whispered, “My mom called, she gave him my address.” I moved to get up but Skinner’s voice stopped me.

“Let me take care of this,” he said with a mischievous smile as he took off his glasses. I watched in amazement as he totally transformed from the relaxed Walter back to the AD Skinner that I was more used to. He jerked open the door and took at menacing step toward Robbie.

“You’re not Dana!” his voice squeaked.

“Do I look like a Dana?” Skinner growled.

“Um, no sir. Is she here?” Robbie asked.

“Who? This Dana person? I don’t know who you are talking about.”

“Her mother said she lived here,” Robbie whined.

“Well, someone is obviously wrong. Don’t you think?” Skinner growled as he stepped even closer.

“Yes, sir. Sorry to bother you.” Skinner waited a moment before he shut the door.

“You went out with that weasel? He looked like he stuck his finger in a light socket; his hair was sticking up all over the place. I guess I scared him, he ran off down the hall,” Skinner said.

“I told you it was a set up. And my mother knows that she isn’t allowed to do that ever again,” I said some what amazed as he transformed again into the relaxed Walter of earlier in the day.

“How about I fix you some dinner?” he offered.

“You don’t have to,” I said even though I was worried that if he didn’t he would leave.

“I know but I don’t mind.”

I sighed as I watched him walk into the kitchen. I was glad that he was going to stay. I was really enjoying his company; he seemed like a different person, much more relaxed. I stood up and managed to walk into my bedroom with a minimum of limping. I went to the bathroom then stopping at my nightstand I picked up a book then went back to the living room. I dropped the book on the coffee table then went to join Walter in the kitchen. I watched him as he expertly began to chop various vegetables.

“So would you be cooking this if it were Mulder who twisted his ankle?” I asked.

“You shouldn’t be walking around, Dana,” he said.

“I’m fine and you didn’t answer my question,” I said with a smile, which he returned.

“Something tells me that Mulder wouldn’t like my stir fry. You like spicy food, right?”

“Yes. Spicy is great. Can I help?” He carried the cutting board over to the table along with a knife. He walked back to the counter and began slicing the meat for the stir-fry. “So, what would you have done if it were Mulder who twisted his ankle?”

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t have gotten him any videos. From what I hear, he has enough,” he said wryly.

“I’m glad I’m not the only one who knows about his little collection.”

“I think that most of the Agency knows about it,” he grinned.

We worked on dinner mostly in silence but it was a comfortable silence. As we started to eat dinner I mentioned the music in the second movie.

“Do you what that music in the second movie was? It was very pretty,” I asked.

“The scene with the kids, on the plane and the final credits the music was Enya. It’s some of my favorite music, it’s very soothing. I have a couple of her cd’s in my car if you would like to borrow them. I’ll go grab them after dinner.”

“Thanks. By the way, this food is incredible. I never expected you to be such a good cook, sir.”

“I’ve always liked cooking. I just don’t like to cook for myself so I enjoy cooking for others.”

“Well, you are more than welcome to cook for me anytime,” I said, part of me hoping that he would take me up on that offer.

We chatted for a bit while we ate and all too soon dinner was over. Walter took our plates over to the sink and I stood up to help. As soon as I set down the dish he turned around and literally swept me off my feet.

“Walter,” I gasped as I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I was wondering when you were going to stop calling me ‘Sir,’” he smiled at me. I looked into his eyes, still guarded by his wire rims but I could easily see some un-definable emotion. It almost looked like desire but I never imagined that he thought of me that way. The look soon disappeared though as he looked away. He sat me down on the couch again and to my surprise he sat down next to me. I moved my foot back up on the couch and he eased it back to his lap.

Once my foot was settled, he reached for the book that I had tossed on the coffee table. Spotting the bookmark, he flipped to that page.

“Shall I read to you?” I knew exactly where I was in the romance novel and I knew that he would not want to read the scene that I was expecting to happen in this next chapter. I guess that he assumed that it was okay because he began to read aloud.

“Do you want me, Dana?” His stunned eyes shot up to mine. A part of me hoped that he couldn’t read the answer to the unintended question and part of me wished that he could. He finally broke the eye contact to turn the book over to read the title.

“’Ava’s Playhouse’ by Renee Regan.”

The look of shock on his face was priceless! It was almost a shame that I knew that I had to explain.

“My sister-in-law Tara sent that to me. It’s about a woman, Ava who has a bed and breakfast and does some matchmaking on the side. Tara saw that the heroin’s name was Dana and she worked for the FBI so she said she had to buy it for me,” I explained. He nodded and with a slight tinge of pink across his creeks, he set the book back on the coffee table.

“Well, I really should be going,” he said as he stood up to get ready to leave. “Do you want anything, Dana?”

I longed to say yes so that he would stay but I was sure that he had other plans. I had kept him too long as it was.

“Thanks again for dinner and all your help. I had a nice day,” I managed to say, hoping to keep the longing out of my voice. I watched as he walked to the door and opened it and my emotions were running wild. I knew I didn’t want him to leave so I didn’t even think about what I said.

“You,” I blurted out.

“Me, what?”

“You asked if I wanted anything,” I said amazed that I had admitted my desires to him. It seemed that he was a bit amazed himself. He paused for a moment before he shut the door and locked it again.

“Do you want me, Dana?” he asked in a low husky voice.

A part of me was afraid that he would reject me but seeing the desire in his now unguarded eyes, I knew that he wouldn’t. I simply held my hand out to him and he wordlessly walked to me and took my hand. I watched as his large hand swallowed my smaller one and knew that despite his large size he would be very gentle with me.

His eyes met mine as he kneeled beside me and tenderly kissed my hand. I felt the shock of that kiss all the way up my arm. I sat there for a moment letting the tingle rush over me as he rubbed his thumb across my knuckles. I lightly squeezed his fingers before I stroked his cheek. He nuzzled his cheek into my hand then leaned down slowly and just as tenderly kissed me on the lips. It wasn’t a long kiss but it left us both a little stunned. I had though that the only other kiss we shared was rather nice but it was nothing compared to this kiss.

He pulled back a fraction of an inch to look into my eyes. What I saw in his was surprising. Love. I knew that he cared for me, today was proof of that if nothing else, but this was love. Not just lust, not just desire. Love. I wonder how long he’s loved me. If I admit it to myself, I’ve had feelings for him for quite some time now. I lean back toward him and get lost in his kiss again. His lips are so soft but firm. They parted as his tongue hesitantly touched my lips.

I could feel his desire building along with my own but I could also tell that he didn’t want to rush me into anything. I thought that was very sweet of him but I had waited long enough and I didn’t want just sweet from him. I wanted some of the passion that I knew was hidden behind those glasses. I parted my lips to tease his tongue with my own eliciting a low moan from one of us. I didn’t care which one of us it was but I knew that soon both of us would be definitely moaning more.

The End For Now.

I may add some NC-17 parts.