Author's Notes: This one is dedicated to HollyIlex - happy birthday, 
dear! :-)

Warning: This is a Western AU with a teenaged Fox who will eventually 
have some sort of parental relationship with Skinner. If this isn't 
your cup of tea, do not read on.

Category: PG-13, Discipline

Disclaimer: CC lost ownership by default. I now officially claim the 
characters.

My addy is: gaby@gaby.slashcity.tv

My home is at: http://gaby.slashcity.tv

Summary: Fox and Evil Bill face off...



INDEPENDENCE
by Gaby


Chapter 13 – A Piece of Cake



There were times when Fox really didn't like adults that much. He was 
already rather weary of them anyway, not trusting anyone really. He 
could count his friends, people he truly trusted, on one hand. And, 
come to think of it, Fox decided that was a good thing. He knew people 
were unreliable so it was better to not trust them. Then it didn't 
hurt so much when people disappointed him.

Samuel Krycek had promised to take him to Eastville and now he had 
backed down. Fox knew it wasn't Sam's fault and he wasn't angry with 
the man. He was grateful that Sam had offered to take him in the first 
place; the four horses that suddenly needed new shoes before the end 
of the day meant desperately needed money for the Krycek family, so 
Fox readily agreed to let Sam off the hook.

It was just one of those days. Sheriff Skinner had been incredibly 
busy for the last few days, leaving town early in the morning and 
coming home rather late at night. He refused to tell Fox what he was 
doing; all he said was that he needed to question the ranchers in the 
vicinity and that the boy shouldn't worry. Not that Fox did. He knew 
his Old Meanie could take care of himself. But he missed him, he 
missed just dropping by in the afternoon when Skinner was in his 
office, he missed the big man waiting for him in front of the school 
during recess.

Then there was the fact that Miss Dana's birthday was coming up. And 
that Fox needed a present for her. And that he had found the perfect 
present in Eastville when he had accompanied the sheriff a couple of 
weeks earlier. It was a light blue sun bonnet with tiny white flowers 
and, considering the fact that Miss Dana had such delicate skin, it 
really was a perfect gift. But he had to buy it and for that he had to 
go to Eastville and for that he had to find an adult who would take 
him there. Since Skinner was too busy, Sam Krycek had volunteered. And 
then backed down. And now Fox had a really big problem.

Sam had offered to take the boy to Eastville the next day, but Fox 
didn't have time to go shopping then. He was scheduled to work in the 
Scully store the next two days and he wasn't going to switch days 
because Evil Bill was in the store today – and Miss Dana the next two 
days. Fox also had to finish painting Maggie Scully's fence. The boy 
had offered to do the extra work to get the money he needed to buy the 
sun bonnet. His Rose had been kind enough to pay him in advance so he 
could go and get the present, but he had promised to finish the paint 
job before the weekend. Miss Dana's birthday was on Saturday. Today 
was Wednesday, and Fox hated the world.

XXXXX

Fox decided there was only one person he could ask for help – Alex.

So, he ran to the little house his friend and his father lived in and 
knocked on the door.

"Yeah?"

Fox opened the door and took a tentative step inside. Alex was sitting 
at the only table in the small house, doing his homework.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked, a happy grin splitting his 
face in two.

"Your father doesn't have time for me. I need to find a way to get to 
Eastville."

Alex's face fell considerably. "Oh, I'm sorry, Fox. Think it'll help 
if I go and take over for him so he can take you to buy your birthday 
present?"

"Hell, Alex, no!" Fox looked at his friend, aghast. He knew how much 
Sam took pride in his son's good grades in school and he always made 
sure that Alex concentrated on his education, no matter how much work 
he had to do. Sam would send Alex right back to his homework, even if 
he could use all the help he could get.

Looking around the small house, Fox could also understand why Sam was 
so happy about the extra money he would make by taking care of those 
four horses. The boy considered Skinner's cabin as rather small, all 
things considered, but the Krycek household consisted of nothing but 
one room, with a bed in one corner where both father and son slept in. 
There was an old oven in another corner, a threadbare carpet in the 
middle of the room where the table stood. Two chairs, worn and creaky, 
stood around the table. There was one battered leather chair, 
obviously Sam's only luxury, dominating the corner next to the door. 
Fox never cared much about money or luxury or status symbols – though 
he had to admit that he was completely enthralled by things like his 
Rose's old grandfather's clock or all the silver and crystal in Old 
Spender's mansion. But he never really saw how poor the Kryceks were 
until right now. The little money Sam Krycek had saved when he had 
first come to Independence he spent on this house and on his son, for 
clothing, food and school equipment.

All of a sudden, Fox felt really bad about resenting Sam for not 
taking him to Eastville. He knew the Kryceks needed the money. He had 
happily helped out on occasion when work was too much to handle for 
father and son. But right know all he could think about was that 
stupid sun bonnet he wanted to buy.

Fox was startled out of his reverie when he heard his friend giggle. 
"What?" he asked defensively.

"You were swearing," Alex explained gleefully. "The sheriff wouldn't 
be happy!" He grinned broadly.

It took Fox a second but then he realized that he had said "hell" – 
something his Old Meanie *really* didn't like. He could taste the soap 
just thinking about how the big man would react.

"Anyway, I was thinking..." Fox took a deep breath and hoped his 
friend would help him. "See, I could go to Eastville on my own. I 
mean, nobody needs to find out I went alone. Think your father would 
back me up?"

"As in, lie for you?" Alex raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"Well, not really lie for me," Fox replied. "I mean, the sheriff won't 
be back till later tonight and I'll already be home and he'll just 
think your father took me to Eastville." The boy shrugged. "I don't 
think he'll go to him and asked him if I behaved myself on the trip or 
anything. I mean, they basically arranged it. I just think that your 
father would help me by not running to the sheriff and telling him he 
didn't take me..."

Alex nodded. "Well, I don't think anybody is going to bring that up. I 
mean, there's no reason, right? Tell you what, I'll talk to my father, 
asking him to keep a low profile." He smiled. "Bet he's feeling so bad 
right now he'll do anything to help you," he added, winking.

"That's not what I want," Fox protested. "I just thought...well, I 
just thought I could run to Eastville, get the present and be back in 
time before the sheriff is home. That's all."

"You want to run all the way on foot?" Alex raised a surprised 
eyebrow.

"What? Did you think I would take Spirit?" Fox laughed out loud. "Hey, 
you know I'm a fast runner!"

Alex nodded. If anyone could make it to Eastville and back before 
sunset, it was Fox. "Okay," he mumbled. "I'll go and talk to my father 
about not telling the sheriff that you went alone. It's the least I 
can do." He smiled. "Good luck. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes 
when the sheriff comes home before you do." Alex smirked.

Fox grinned right back. "Don't you worry, my dear Alex. I'll be back 
before you know it. Thanks for your help!"

He turned around and ran outside, deciding that his friend didn't 
necessarily have to know that yes, he did intend to use Spirit and 
would therefore be most definitely home before Skinner got back. After 
all, the big man had allowed him to run around on his own now and even 
to ride Spirit, so he wasn't even really disobeying the sheriff, 
right? So, he was only allowed to ride Spirit when the big man was 
nearby and when they were near the cabin and not anywhere close to 
other people. So, even though he was no longer forced to stay in town 
and was actually allowed to run around and explore the surroundings 
because he had proven once and for all to be able to stay out of 
trouble – meaning, stay off trees, out of the lake, away from the 
cabin's roof or the caves – the sheriff very probably didn't include 
running to Eastville in his pardon.

But, Fox reasoned while he led Spirit out of the corral, what the big 
man didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Or his own butt.

XXXXX

And it worked out just fine. Fox tethered Spirit in a quiet side alley 
when they arrived in Eastville, far away from the bustling Main Street 
and dozens of loud people that might spook the little horse. The boy 
went to the store, bought the sun bonnet, blushed furiously when the 
shop owner asked him if the present was intended for a girl he was 
sweet on, grabbed the slightly nervous Spirit who didn't like being 
left alone in unfamiliar surroundings, and rode home at a leisurely 
pace.

Fox had enough time to get all of his homework done and clean the 
cabin before the sheriff returned from his trip. The boy was just 
putting away his school books when he thought he heard some soft 
whinnying, so he went outside to investigate.

Sure enough, Spirit greeted Buck enthusiastically, something the big 
horse didn't seem to be too happy about from the way he tried to 
escape from the pasture and into the stable.

Skinner was walking towards the cabin when he almost got knocked off 
his feet by a very happy Fox. "Pa," the boy yelled in greeting, 
wrapping his slender body around the sheriff's burly frame.

"Hey, Rascal," the big man replied, smiling. He was bone tired, but 
having the boy in his arms gave him a surge of energy. He gave the 
skinny body a loving hug. "How's my boy today? Did you get the sun 
bonnet for Miss Dana?"

Fox nodded and snuggled closer to the strong chest. He loved riding 
piggyback, but his favorite was still "going piggyfront" as he called 
it – wrapped around the sheriff's torso, arms around the strong neck, 
legs around the waist, head on a shoulder. That way, the boy could 
feel the big man's heart thumping reassuringly against his own small 
chest, and he just loved the way the sheriff's arms that wrapped 
around him made him feel safe and loved.

Skinner realized that his Rascal was not going to climb off him, so he 
began to walk to the cabin with the boy latched on to him. "Homework 
done?" Fox nodded. "Your duties around the cabin done?"

Fox nodded again. "All of them," he mumbled against the big man's 
neck. If he had walked to Eastville, he probably still wouldn't be 
home at all – not to mention had finished his work. Damn, but he was 
clever!

"So, I guess I have a starving little rascal in my arms right now, 
huh?" Skinner smiled. Fox nodded wildly against the big man's 
shoulder, causing the sheriff to laugh out loud. "Well, no wonder I 
have to carry you," he commented, giving the body in his arms another 
loving squeeze.

Skinner released the boy once they were inside the cabin and Fox 
readily agreed to help the big man by setting the table and getting 
something to drink. They talked amicably for the rest of the evening, 
neither one of them mentioning the trip to Eastville once. Fox had his 
Reflection Time while the sheriff enjoyed a few minutes just staring 
at the dancing flames in the fireplace before they snuggled in the 
rocking chair, with Skinner reading to Fox and then having to carry 
him to bed because – as usual – the boy fell asleep in the big man's 
arms.

XXXXX

The next evening, Fox knew something was wrong as soon as Skinner 
entered the cabin. The boy was still busy with his homework, having 
spent the entire afternoon helping out in the Scully store, so he had 
just gotten home a few minutes before the sheriff arrived.

When the boy looked up from the notebook in front of him with a happy 
smile, he saw that sad, slightly disappointed look on Skinner's face. 
Fox's smile faltered a little and he swallowed hard. But then the 
sheriff smiled at him, obviously glad to see his Rascal, and opened 
his arms for a welcoming hug. The boy readily jumped up and ran over 
to his Old Meanie, collecting the bone crushing squeeze. "Still busy, 
I see?" Skinner asked, nodding at the table and the boy's school 
books.

Fox grimaced. "Mister Byers told us to write a poem. I can't rhyme. 
Why do I have to do that anyway? It's not important. I will never need 
this again in my life. Ever!"

Skinner laughed out loud and ruffled the boy's abundant hair. "Well, 
let me tell you a little secret. Poems work wonders when you try to 
woo a lady," he whispered conspiratorially, poking the tip of his 
Rascal's nose.

The boy's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked, awe-struck. He had never 
thought about it that way. Then something dawned on him. "Did you ever 
write a poem for a lady?"

Skinner grinned even wider. "Maybe," he replied with a wink.

"Did it work?"

"Maybe."

"Will you show me how?"

"Aren't you a little too young for that? Shouldn't you be 
concentrating on the poem you're working on right now?" Skinner 
laughed out loud when Fox made another face. "What's it about?"

Fox shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Mister Byers told me and Alex to write 
a poem, about anything. He just wants us to 'get a feel for the 
language.'" There was another grimace. "I've decided to write about 
Spirit. You know, what he looks like and feels like when he's running 
around, but I'm stuck." A heavy sigh. "What rhymes with 'heaving 
flanks'?" The boy looked up at Skinner, full of hope that the big man 
would sit down and finish that stupid poem for him.

The sheriff just grinned broadly and walked into the kitchen to start 
supper. "How about 'mighty spanks'?" he suggested before he 
disappeared, chuckling.

XXXXX

Even though Skinner was friendly, supper still was a subdued affair. 
They didn't talk much, the big man seemingly lost in thought, and Fox 
had to finish his homework all alone, even though the sheriff usually 
helped him. The boy decided that Skinner thought he could write the 
poem himself, that he didn't need help, so he didn't worry too much 
even though it was unusual behavior for the big man. When Skinner told 
him to get ready for Reflection Time, Fox went and changed into his 
nightshirt, grabbed his notebook and ran back into the main room just 
as the sheriff came out of the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee. 
The big man obviously headed for the rocking chair but the boy got 
there first, sprawling his lanky frame in it with a big grin on his 
face. He hoped to spend his Reflection Time on the big man's lap.

But instead of picking the boy up and settling himself in the chair, 
Skinner merely smiled back, ruffled his Rascal's hair, grabbed his 
book from the small table next to the chair and went to sit on the 
worn couch instead. Fox frowned. Maybe Skinner thought it would be 
awkward, holding his book with the boy on his lap, writing in his 
notebook. Fox agreed this would probably be somewhat uncomfortable but 
the big man had never passed up an opportunity to snuggle with his 
Rascal. No. Something was most definitely wrong.

Once his half hour of Reflection Time was over, the boy bravely 
decided to tackle whatever problem they were obviously having. Not 
that Skinner had said or done anything...he just behaved strangely and 
Fox had a bad feeling about this. So, gathering all his courage, he 
went over to the couch and sat down next to the big man who was 
engrossed in his book. "Pa?" the boy asked softly but Skinner didn't 
react.

Fox tugged at the sheriff's sleeve, startling Skinner out of his 
reverie. The big man smiled absently at the boy and put the book away, 
silently waiting for whatever was about to come.

"Pa? Is everything okay?"

Skinner's eyebrows rose and he gave the boy a long look. "I don't 
know. *Is* everything okay?" he replied meaningfully.

Fox bit his lower lip nervously and stared at his hands. "Are...are 
you mad at me?"

"No, son. Should I be?"

"I...I dunno." Fox swallowed nervously and bravely looked up to meet 
the big man's eyes. Skinner realized that his Rascal needed some 
reassurance so he opened his arms invitingly. The boy hesitated for a 
long moment, not entirely sure if he was truly welcomed, before he 
scrambled into the big man's lap, a relieved sigh escaping his lips 
when he felt those strong arms wrapping themselves around his body. 
Fox snuggled closer to the broad chest, just working up the courage to 
speak again. "I...um...yesterday, I...well, I went to Eastville 
alone," he mumbled finally, dropping his head again.

"Hmm-hmm," was Skinner's only comment.

"You...you knew that, didn't you?"

"Hmm-hmm," the sheriff growled again, this time making it obvious that 
yes, he had known.

Fox sighed forlornly. "I'm sorry," he offered softly. "Sam Krycek was 
too busy, but I had to go and get the present so I thought...I mean, 
you've allowed me to run around by myself and going to Eastville isn't 
different really and..."

"Rascal, don't even try blame me and my leniency," Skinner said 
sternly. Fox swallowed nervously again and began to tremble slightly. 
He didn't want the sheriff to be angry. Skinner realized that the boy 
was distressed and gave him a reassuring hug. "Look, Rascal, the 
problem here is that you didn't talk to me. I'm disappointed that Sam 
didn't tell me about what happened either. But I'm really hurt that 
*you* didn't say anything." Fox felt tears well up in his eyes. "I'm 
sure we would've found a way to solve this problem, Rascal. If you had 
just talked to me."

"But you're always so busy," the boy countered, anger coloring his 
voice. "You're never home anymore," he added more softly, surprised by 
his own outburst.

Skinner only sighed once, his demeanor and voice still calm and 
reassuring. "I'm busy, yes, but what I'm doing right now is important 
and part of my job. I can't ignore my duty, Rascal. But that doesn't 
mean I wouldn't have tried to find a way to help you."

Fox bit his lower lip again. Of course the sheriff would've tried to 
help. He always did. But what would he have done? The big man was just 
too busy, there was no way that he could've accompanied his Rascal to 
Eastville. That's why Skinner had asked Sam Krycek for his help in the 
first place, hadn't he?

Suddenly, Fox frowned. Hadn't Skinner just said he was disappointed 
Sam had not talked to him about what happened? "How do you know I went 
alone anyway?" he asked curiously, all dread forgotten for now.

Skinner smiled humorlessly. "I bumped into Bill Scully on my way home. 
I had just talked to Sam for a minute or so, just saying hello 
basically, when Bill came stumbling out of the saloon." Fox made a 
face. For the last couple of weeks, Evil Bill's drinking problem had 
escalated again. He was rarely sober enough to remember his own name. 
"I went over to him, thinking I could bring him home safe and sound, 
when he told me that he had seen Sam working in town all day 
yesterday. At first I thought he was too drunk to think straight, 
especially since Sam himself hadn't said anything to me. In fact, I 
probably wouldn't have given the whole thing a second thought if you 
hadn't told me you went alone." Fox made another grimace. Damn! He 
hated it when he got himself in trouble. Skinner actually chuckled 
when he saw the look on the boy's face and he gave him a reassuring 
hug. "I'm actually glad you did 'fess up like that, Rascal. I'm still 
disappointed you didn't tell me right away. Heck, I would've preferred 
it if you had asked for my help before you went to Eastville, but 
what's done is done."

Fox looked at the big man with wide eyes. Did that mean he would get 
off the hook? Was it possible? Could it actually mean there would be 
no punishment? "I'm sorry," he mumbled again, contrite. "I didn't 
think."

"Yes, that's quite obvious. I want you to understand just how hurt I 
am, Rascal. You chose to hide something from me. That's lying by 
omission. Can you imagine how I felt when Bill Scully of all people 
told me about yesterday?"

The tears were beginning to run down the boy's cheeks and he sniffled 
a little. "I'm sorry," he whispered again. "I didn't mean to lie. I 
just wanted to get the present and..." He gave a soft sob and buried 
his face in Skinner's chest. The big man hugged the boy reassuringly, 
waiting until Fox had calmed down a little.

"So," he said finally. "Feeling a little better, now that you 
confessed?" The big man smiled at the boy warmly, trying to show him 
that he wasn't angry with him. He was startled when Fox shook his 
head. "You're not?" he asked, doubt coloring his voice. "Why?"

"There's something you don't know yet," Fox whispered. Damn, he 
probably would've gotten off without any punishment at all or only 
some light punishment...but he just couldn't lie to his Old Meanie. "I 
took Spirit," he mumbled into Skinner's shirt, feeling more than 
seeing the thunderclouds forming over the big man's head.

"You did what?" Skinner asked in a perceptively calm voice.

"I didn't walk. I took Spirit." Fox looked up, saw the tightly 
clenched jaw, and decided to lower his eyes again. "It was okay, 
though. He was really sweet-tempered and really good. There was not a 
single problem. Honest. I made sure nobody spooked him and I didn't 
even ride fast. I was really careful, I swear."

When Skinner didn't react, Fox looked up again. He winced. The sheriff 
sure was angry now. Finally, through clenched teeth, the big man 
ordered, "Get me the paddle, please." The boy flinched visibly but 
didn't dare argue. So he meekly climbed off the sheriff's lap and went 
to his alcove where the paddle hung on one wall. With a deep sigh, he 
grabbed the paddle and brought it back to Skinner who took it 
wordlessly.

Fox bit his lower lip again, knowing full well what the sheriff 
expected of him. With a soft sigh he obeyed the unspoken command and 
laid himself over the big man's thighs. Skinner pushed the nightshirt 
up to bare the boy's butt. "I am really disappointed, Rascal. I am 
hurt that you didn't trust me enough to ask for my help."

Fox wanted to protest, wanted to tell Skinner that there wasn't 
anybody he trusted more, but he kept his mouth shut.

"Yes, you are allowed to run around freely, and yes, you are allowed 
to ride Spirit. But not the way you did, and you knew it!"

Fox flinched again and he wiped away a few tears. He hated it when 
Skinner was disappointed in him. He wanted the big man to be proud of 
him.

"However, you did confess what happened. I probably wouldn't have 
believed Bill, so you owned up, and that's good. You even told me 
about Spirit, something I would've probably never have found out." Fox 
was startled to feel a big hand ruffle his hair lovingly. "I'm proud 
of you for telling me this, Rascal. Well done. Good boy."

Fox looked over his shoulder at the big man who had spoken with such a 
gentle voice. He gave the sheriff a tentative smile, trying to convey 
how much it meant to him that Skinner was proud of him, that he would 
do just about anything to make him proud of him. Skinner smiled back, 
albeit a bit sadly.

"You have to be punished for what you did, Rascal. It was dangerous 
and it was against the rules. However, since you were honest and 
confessed everything, I will not punish you too much."

"Thank you," Fox whispered, meaning it. He deserved a paddling, he 
knew that, and he would gladly take a hundred whacks if need be. The 
fact that Skinner valued his honesty meant a lot to the boy.

"Ten spanks on each butt cheek, Rascal. Give me your hands. I don't 
want you to reach back."

Fox bit his lower lip again. Skinner only insisted on holding the 
boy's hands when the spanking was severe – not necessarily by quantity 
but by quality, like right now apparently. He sighed and moved his 
hands to the small of his back where the sheriff's left hand grabbed 
them, giving them a reassuring squeeze.

Then the punishment began, and the boy had been right. Skinner didn't 
hold back. He used the paddle with almost full force, concentrating 
the spanks on the boy's sit spots, hitting the fleshy underside of 
each butt cheek repeatedly. Fox realized with growing horror that the 
sheriff delivered each and every spank on the exact same two spots, 
causing the skin there to change into a deep red while the rest of the 
buttocks remained white. The contrast between hot and cool skin grew 
with each spank and, despite his best efforts to hold still, Fox began 
to squirm – not so much to avoid the punishment, but to get Skinner to 
lose his aim and deliver a spank somewhere, *any*where other than the 
smoldering sit spots. No such luck though. The sheriff unerringly 
found his target, creating two perfectly round, scarlet spots on the 
boy's behind.

Fox was sobbing softly before the punishment was over. He always hated 
forcing Skinner into spanking him; somehow the very fact that the 
sheriff had to punish him caused him more distress than the punishment 
itself. The growing discomfort in his buttocks only added to said 
distress and by the time Skinner threw the paddle on the low table Fox 
was crying.

Skinner gathered him in his arms lovingly, rocking the boy 
reassuringly, rubbing soothing circles on the slender back and 
whispering sweet nothings to him. "Shh, it's okay, it's over, Rascal. 
You took your punishment really well. I'm proud of you. Such a brave 
Rascal. Shh."

Fox slowly calmed down and snuggled into the strong hug. "I'm sorry," 
he sniffled again. "I didn't mean to disappoint you."

"I know," Skinner whispered into the boy's soft hair. "It's okay, 
Rascal. All is forgiven." Fox gave the big man a tentative but beaming 
smile which the sheriff readily returned. "However, punishment's not 
over yet. You clearly took advantage of me and my leniency. I allowed 
you a lot of freedom lately and I think you misused these privileges 
yesterday. So, you'll be grounded for a week starting tomorrow. Don't 
worry, you'll still be allowed to go to Miss Dana's birthday party and 
you can still work in the store and help Maggie. But you will not play 
outside or spend any time with your friends unless it's under 
supervision of Maggie or myself." Fox pouted but nodded his agreement. 
It seemed only fair. "You'll also not be allowed to ride Spirit. I 
don't think you would want to with your bottom hurting like that," 
Skinner grinned while Fox made a face. "But still, I'm revoking that 
privilege for one month." Fox opened his mouth to protest loudly but 
stopped when he saw Skinner's serious face. "Do you think I'm being 
too hard, Rascal?" the big man asked calmly.

Fox thought long and hard and came to the conclusion that, all things 
considered, he got off easy. Being grounded for a week wasn't really 
that big a deal anyway since he spent a lot of time working in the 
Scully store or with Maggie anyway and he saw his friends in school 
every day as well. Being forced to stay inside for a couple of hours 
everyday for a week didn't seem that bad. As for Spirit...well, he 
guessed he deserved that. One month was a long time though. Fox 
sighed. Then again, he still couldn't believe that the sheriff had 
allowed him to ride the wild horse in the first place and, as long as 
he was still allowed to take care of his four-legged friend, he 
guessed the punishment wasn't too harsh either. Heck, those twenty 
whacks with the paddle were a rather friendly punishment as well! The 
boy had been afraid of a much worse punishment.

Maybe, Fox mused, Skinner wasn't too thrilled about punishing him 
either. He knew that the sheriff didn't like people who ratted on 
others. The big man was a stickler when it came to the truth, so lying 
by omission was a big no-no in his book, but there was a difference 
between ratting on someone to ensure something horrible didn't happen 
and ratting on someone just to get that person into trouble. Evil Bill 
had known about their arrangement, so it was more than obvious that he 
had told Skinner about Sam Krycek and Fox just to get the boy in hot 
water, and Skinner really didn't like it. That was probably the reason 
why Skinner tried to be more than fair in his punishment.

So, Fox sighed and pouted a little for show before he grudgingly 
agreed, "No, you're not being too hard." He looked at the big man 
through his long eyelashes, gauging Skinner's mood and deciding it was 
safe to tease him a little. "You're still an Old Meanie though," the 
boy added, giggling softly.

Skinner grinned and kissed the top of the boy's head. "You bet," he 
mock growled. "And you're still a Rascal. Now go on and wash your 
face, son. I think it's time for your bedtime story, isn't it?"

The boy looked up with wide eyes, realizing that it was actually 
already past his normal bedtime. And the sheriff was still offering 
him some quality time snuggled up to a broad chest, sitting in the 
rocking chair, listening to the rich voice reading to him? Fox threw 
his arms around Skinner's neck and squeezed fiercely. "Yes, sir," he 
yelled happily, before he dashed off to wash his tear-streaked face.

XXXXX

The next two days were uneventful. Fox behaved himself for the most 
part, desperately tried not to squirm too much in school when he had 
to sit on the hard wooden bench, and spent most of his free time in 
the Scully store and at his Rose's house, working.

Saturday, Fox arrived at Maggie Scully's home early to finish the 
paint job. He had promised to have the fence done before Miss Dana's 
birthday party would take place since he had used the money he had 
received for this job to buy the present, and he still had quite a bit 
of fence to paint. While he was running down Main Street towards the 
Scully home, he bumped into Alex who readily volunteered to help him 
finish. That way they would be done sooner, and anyway, "this is what 
friends do for one another."

So, for the next few hours, Fox and Alex happily painted the fence. 
Maggie Scully was busy baking what seemed to be several dozens pies, 
while her daughter, the birthday girl, was working in the store. Bill 
Scully was too busy getting drunk again and came stumbling home around 
noon, collapsing on the couch in the sitting room, falling asleep and 
snoring loudly. Sheriff Skinner was visiting more ranchers, talking to 
them about whatever he was investigating, but he had promised to be 
back in town in time for the party.

XXXXX

Maggie Scully stuck her head out of the kitchen window and smiled at 
the two boys who were busily painting her fence. "Fox, Alex, come on 
inside. Wash up and make yourselves presentable. You can help Bill 
decorate the sitting room. The guests will be arriving soon."

"We're almost done here, Rose," Fox replied, brandishing his brush. 
"Just a few more minutes!"

"Okay, okay," Maggie laughed, shaking her head in wonder. She really 
loved the way Fox – and Alex, it seemed – took their work so 
seriously. Unlike her own son, for example. "Just don't be late, okay? 
I'm going to visit a few people and bring them something to eat but I 
should be back in about half an hour or so."

"Yes, ma'am," both boys nodded, waving good-bye.

Maggie's head disappeared, only to be replaced by a steaming pie on 
the window sill. And then a second. And a third.

Fox sniffed the air. The boys had been assaulted by the most wonderful 
smells all morning. Maggie Scully was famous for her pies and she 
usually brought a few pieces to the elderly, the sick or those who had 
to work and couldn't attend the party.

The boys finished their paint job after a few more minutes, grinning 
at each other happily. "A job well done," Alex said, looking around 
the backyard, taking in the white fence.

"Thanks for your help," Fox added. "I couldn't have done it without 
you." When Alex gave him a long glare, he conceded, "Well, okay, at 
least not in time." They grinned at each other again.

"Let's go see what your Rose has whipped up, huh?" Alex was already 
halfway to the kitchen window, licking his lips. His friend ran after 
him, hardly able to wait and see what miracles Maggie had performed 
this time.

Two wide pairs of eyes, one hazel, one green, slowly emerged over the 
window sill, followed by two noses that appreciatively took in the 
smells wavering around. "Wow," Alex whispered. "That sure smells 
great."

"It sure tastes great as well," Fox replied confidently. "Hey, look, 
there's a bit missing!" He pointed at a pie, smaller than the others, 
where about one quarter was gone. After a long moment, looking around 
and making sure that Evil Bill wouldn't suddenly appear in the kitchen 
doorway, he stuck one finger in the filling and then licked it off. 
His face split in two by a beaming smile. "Oh boy, you gotta try that 
one," he exclaimed, elbowing his friend.

Alex looked uncertain. "You think this is such a good idea?"

"You're kidding, right? Nobody will notice. We'll just take a few 
bites. Part of it is already missing. You don't seriously think 
anybody will see that we grabbed a few morsels, huh?"

When Alex still didn't look convinced, Fox stuck his finger into the 
filling again and then forced it into his friend's mouth. Alex's eyes 
lit up and he started to grin. "Oh...wow!" he exclaimed. Then he 
grabbed a handful of pie and shoved it in his face.

Fox grinned when he saw his friend lose all control and he hurried to 
get his part before Alex had devoured the entire pie. He had eaten 
quite a few of Maggie's pies in his time, but this one – and he 
giggled when he thought about it – really took the cake. It was a 
cherry pie, filled to bursting, with a golden brown crust. It was 
heavenly.

And suddenly, somehow, it was gone.

Completely.

Fox and Alex stared at each other, their cheeks still full, making 
them look like chipmunks. "Damn," Fox said with feeling. "I think 
we're in trouble."

"I think I gotta go home," Alex mumbled. He gave a cherry-filled 
smile. Fox didn't fall for it.

"You stay right here," he ordered. "We're in this together." The boy 
sighed, thinking hard. "Maybe we can hide the form. There are so many 
pies, maybe Rose won't even miss this one?"

Alex gave his friend a long look, obviously not sharing that 
sentiment, but shrugged. Heck, it was a better idea than to leave the 
empty form on the window sill.

Fox grabbed the form and they went inside and upstairs to the small 
room the boy had used when he had stayed at Maggie's house. They 
washed up and changed clothes, hiding the form under the bed.

"We'll think of something," Fox said reassuringly, though it was 
obvious that he really wasn't too sure about it himself. Then he 
sighed. "First we gotta go help Evil Bill. Can't wait."

Alex grimaced. He had seen Bill Scully stagger home from the saloon. 
The man had been majorly drunk. Hopefully the few hours on the couch 
had helped him sleep it off. Nobody, least of all a wonderful person 
like Maggie Scully, deserved such a son!

XXXXX

The boys couldn't believe their eyes when they entered the sitting 
room. Evil Bill was still lying on the couch, though Maggie had 
obviously roused him in the meantime because he held a streamer 
clutched to his chest. And he was snoring again. Loudly.

The room was still completely undecorated. Apparently Maggie had woken 
her son, told him to get the room ready for the party and had then 
left to bring pie to her friends. As soon as she was gone, Bill had 
obviously decided that the couch was a better option and had lied down 
again.

"Now what?" Alex whispered, reluctant to wake up the man. Everyone in 
town knew that a drunken Bill Scully could be very violent when he 
thought he was being provoked. Two boys sharing the same room could be 
such a provocation.

Instead of being nervous – as Alex had expected – Fox grinned broadly, 
turned around and ran back upstairs.

A minute later he came back into the room, carrying the empty pie 
form. Slowly, carefully, he walked up to Evil Bill until he stood 
right next to him. He leaned down, gauging just how drunk the man was, 
and gave Alex another grin when he realized Evil Bill was out for the 
count.

Then he proceeded to deliberately sprinkle the left over crumbs on 
Evil Bill's chest and face. The man didn't move a muscle. Feeling 
daring, Fox grabbed the one remaining cherry and used its juice to 
lightly color the man's lips, making it look as if he had been eating 
the pie. Then he pushed the cherry between the slack lips, just for 
the heck of it.

"I can't believe you did that," Alex whispered, eyes wide with terror. 
Still, he could hardly keep his giggles under control. That prank was 
just too good!

"Go get me a few more crumbs. We have to make it look as if he had 
eaten the pie in the kitchen and then lost the crumbs on his way back 
here," Fox mumbled, rearranging a few of the crumbs on Evil Bill's 
chest. His stubble helped keep some of the morsels right where the boy 
wanted them on the face.

Alex went into the kitchen and gathered a handful of crumbs which he 
then dropped like a trail right to the couch in the sitting room.

The boys grinned at each other, very proud of themselves indeed. 
"Okay, I'll bring the form back to the sill and then we'll get this 
room decorated. We're gonna help make this the best birthday party 
Miss Dana ever had!" Fox said. Alex nodded and went to grab a few 
balloons.

XXXXX

Maggie Scully came back to a fully decorated home. There were 
streamers everywhere, balloons in different sizes and colors, and even 
a huge banner which said "Happy Birthday Dana!" hanging over the fire 
place. The boys had set the table and – in lack of some blooming 
flowers in February – had used colorful paper to form a bouquet of 
flowers as decoration. They were adding some finishing touches to the 
streamers that hung around the doorway to the sitting room when Maggie 
Scully threatened to hug them to death.

"This is wonderful," she exclaimed but was shushed by Fox.

"Not so loud, Rose," he whispered. "We don't want to wake up Bill, do 
we?"

Maggie frowned. "What do you mean? Where is he?"

Alex pointed towards the couch. "We've decided to let him sleep and 
decorate the room all alone. I hope that was okay."

"Oh, of course it was, dear," Maggie replied absently. She was already 
halfway to the couch, obviously in the middle of formulating some kind 
of reprimand when she saw the pie crumbs adorning her snoring son. 
"William Angus Scully," she thundered, causing the boys to flinch 
visibly and waking up the sleeping man.

Evil Bill drew a deep breath, trying to get his bearings, and 
involuntarily sucked in the cherry Fox had placed between his lips. He 
choked on it and coughed helplessly until the cherry flew back out and 
landed on his chest.

His mother stared at the cherry, drawing her own conclusions, and 
turned wordlessly around to leave the room. Less than a minute later 
she stormed back in with the empty pie form in hand and shouted, "This 
is it, William! I've really had it! Not only couldn't you even manage 
to get up long enough to decorate the house for your only sister's 
birthday party! You couldn't even wait for the party to begin to eat 
some of the pie! The pie you *stole* I made especially for Fox and 
Alex because they painted the fence, because they were always so 
helpful! I only took one piece to Miss Melanie because she's at home 
with her leg in a cast and I know how much she loves cherry pie. How 
could you eat almost an entire pie? Don't you have any decency left in 
your drunken body?"

Bill just sat there, staring at the furious woman in front of him, 
swallowing nervously. He furtively wiped away the crumbs, obviously 
trying to remember if indeed he had eaten that pie or not. He was so 
drunk he just couldn't remember.

"I want you out of this house, Bill. Right now. I most certainly don't 
want you at the party. I wouldn't want you there even if you hadn't 
eaten the pie or if you had helped decorate the house. I just don't 
want you to be in the same room with our friends while you're that 
drunk. I don't want your sister to have to endure her brother like 
that *again*. Bill, I've finally had it with you. If you don't shape 
up soon, I will throw you out of the house for good. Now get out and 
think about your future. Just don't do it in the saloon."

Fox shared a nervous look with Alex. They had never thought Maggie 
would react that way. All things considered though, it was no wonder 
she had finally lost it. And the fact that she would've probably 
thrown out her son anyway, even without the pie incident, reassured 
the boys a little. Still, the way Maggie had scolded Evil Bill was a 
sight to behold.

Staggering slightly, Bill stood up and looked at his mother. "I'm 
sorry," he mumbled, obviously meaning it. "I...I'll go take a walk to, 
uh, to clear my head a little. Do you think I could...I could come 
back later? To join the party? I promise I won't drink anymore."

Maggie looked at her son thoughtfully. "If you can't walk a straight 
line you stay out of here," she ordered. "If your head is clear 
enough, you can come back."

Bill nodded, grimacing when the motion hurt his head, and slowly 
walked to the door. Both Fox and Alex took a nervous step back, not 
entirely sure the man wouldn't suddenly lash out at them, but Evil 
Bill merely left the room, grabbed his jacket and walked outside.

There was a long moment of silence.

"Well," Maggie finally said, clapping her hands cheerfully. "Now that 
this is taken care of, let's get this party going, hmm?" She smiled 
warmly at the boys and ushered them into the kitchen. "Sorry about the 
pie. It was the only one with cherry. But you can choose a piece of 
your favorite right now as reward for helping me so much."

Fox and Alex exchanged another look and shrugged mentally. Why the 
heck not? They had deserved it, hadn't they?

"I'd like a piece of that chocolate cake, ma'am," Alex said politely, 
receiving a hug and a kiss on his forehead.

"You can call me Maggie if you like."

Alex gaped at the woman. "I couldn't do that, ma'am! You're...you're 
Mrs. Scully!"

Maggie laughed. "Don't be silly, young master Krycek. I'm Maggie, and 
that's the end of it!" She nodded to herself, put a generous piece of 
chocolate cake on a plate and gave it to Alex.

Fox grinned from ear to ear. He just loved that woman. "Can I have 
some waffles?" he asked, knowing full well that there weren't any.

"Normally I would say yes, honey, but I don't have time to whip up 
some waffles for you right now. The guests will be arriving soon." She 
smiled warmly. "Now, I'm sure you'll find something you like among all 
those different pies on display here."

Fox giggled and looked around. There were about twenty pies scattered 
around the kitchen. It seemed Maggie expected half the town to show 
up. Considering how popular Miss Dana and her mother were, it could 
very well be. "I'll have some of that peach cobbler then, please," the 
boy said.

Maggie smiled broadly and complied. Soon, both boys were sitting at 
the kitchen table and dug in. The pies were absolutely delicious. 
Maggie bustled around, rearranging the food in the sitting room, 
making more lemonade. And then the guests arrived.

XXXXX

The party was a huge success. The guests enjoyed themselves immensely, 
Miss Dana was completely enthralled by the sheer amount of presents 
she received and she gave Fox a big smooch on his cheek for the 
beautiful sun bonnet. When the furiously blushing boy pointed out that 
Alex had paid his share for that present – since he had helped finish 
the paint job without asking for any money – Miss Dana purposefully 
walked up to the other boy and proceeded to give him a big smooch as 
well. Alex was torn between fighting the silly grin that threatened to 
spread over his face and wiping his cheek with his sleeve because he 
was still in the "girls are stupid" phase.

Sheriff Skinner couldn't help but chuckle when Maggie told him about 
the incident with Bill. He just couldn't stand that man and, even 
though he knew he should feel bad about what had happened, he also 
felt a certain satisfaction. That man had been a thorn in his side on 
both a personal and a professional level, and he congratulated Maggie 
on taking a tough stance. Not that she needed his assistance, but he 
offered his help just the same.

A few hours later, the guests were beginning to leave, Bill Scully 
came back home. He was more or less sober and went to his sister, 
talking to her softly. Miss Dana looked uncertain for a long moment 
before she smiled tentatively and hugged the man. Apparently, he was 
forgiven. Next he went to his mother who gave him a stern look but, 
after listening to him for a minute, gave Bill a loving kiss on the 
forehead.

"This is a man only a mother can really love," Fox commented under his 
breath, earning himself a cuff to the back of his head from a 
chuckling sheriff.

"Not everyone is as lucky as I am," Skinner replied, ruffling the 
boy's hair. Fox blushed furiously and ducked his head. The big man 
grinned. "Come on, it's getting late. Let's go home, okay?"

They bid farewell, brought Alex home and then mounted Buck.

XXXXX

"You know," Skinner said musingly when they were just leaving 
Independence at a leisurely pace, "I'm surprised you didn't eat half 
the cakes that Maggie made."

Fox stiffened slightly. Somehow, the big man seemed to know 
something... "I don't know what you mean," he replied cautiously.

"Oh, all I'm saying is, there were so many different pies to choose 
from and I know how much you love everything Maggie whips up. You only 
ate, what, three pieces?"

"Well, Rose already gave us something before the guests arrived. 
Because we helped her." Fox looked over his shoulder and gave the 
sheriff a broad smile. "She really likes the fence!"

Skinner chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair. "And a good job you did 
of it, too," he commented. Then, after another long moment, he 
mumbled, "Still, you were unusually shy when it came to Maggie's 
feast. I remember the discussion we had this morning when you refused 
to eat a healthy breakfast because, and I quote, 'I don't want to 
stuff myself with porridge when I can eat my Rose's pies instead'. 
Ring a bell, Rascal?"

Fox blushed, glad that he was sitting in front of the big man so 
Skinner couldn't see his flushed face. "I just wasn't very hungry," he 
mumbled.

"And you know what other thing I find interesting?" Skinner continued 
conversationally as if he hadn't heard the boy. "According to Maggie, 
Bill ate almost a whole cherry pie. Funny thing is, Bill doesn't even 
like cherries." He feigned some deep thinking. "What, do you think, 
made Bill eat something he doesn't like?"

"I dunno," Fox mumbled. "Maybe he was so drunk he didn't realize what 
he was eating?"

"Hmm...good idea. That could be it." Skinner nodded savagely. "Clever 
little Rascal."

Fox squirmed nervously. He just *knew* something was wrong. "But the 
pies were really great," he babbled, needing to fill in the silence. 
"Did you try the apple pie?"

"Hmm-hmm."

The boy squirmed some more. This was not good. Not good at all.

After another minute, Skinner said conversationally, "You know, 
Rascal, I don't like the idea of revenge."

Fox hung his head. Busted.

"Want to hear my theory? I think there was a certain boy – or boys – 
who couldn't resist the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen so, 
after a long day of hard work, they were hungry and thought a few 
bites wouldn't do any harm. And suddenly the pie was gone." Skinner 
leaned closer. "Am I getting close?"

The boy's shoulders slumped.

"You know, Rascal, I think you really weren't intending to get Bill in 
trouble. I think the situation just somehow presented itself and you 
took advantage of it. I know Bill has ratted on you the other day and 
I can understand that you would want to get even. The thing is, 
getting even is a skill that is really difficult to master."

Fox sighed forlornly. He was in deep trouble. Deep with a capital D.

"And, to be honest, what you did..." Skinner gave a tragic sigh but 
then couldn't keep the grin from splitting his face in two. 
Fortunately, the boy didn't see it. "I think the way you got even was 
brilliant."

The boy swiveled around in the saddle, mouth gaping open, not 
believing what he had just heard. Skinner grinned. "No, really, 
Rascal. All things considered, that was a pretty ingenious way to get 
even. I'm pretty proud of you." Fox gaped even more. This man was most 
definitely not his Old Meanie. "And if you tell anyone I said that, I 
am going to spank you," the sheriff added threateningly. The boy 
grinned.

"Does that mean you won't punish me?" Fox asked hopefully.

"Of course I will punish you," Skinner exclaimed. "I can understand 
why you did what you did and I admit that Bill deserved it. Still, 
what you did was wrong and you have to be punished."

The boy sighed and hung his head again. He could understand the big 
man's reasoning. Didn't mean he had to like it, though. "So, you're 
gonna spank me again?" he asked with a slight pout.

Skinner shook his head. "No, I don't really think this is a spankable 
offense."

Fox frowned. Hadn't he basically lied to Maggie and then to the 
sheriff? Wasn't that the most spankable offense of them all? Hadn't he 
received a paddling for the very same reason only a few days ago? But 
he'd be damned if he pointed that out to the big man!

"So, am I grounded for another week?"

Skinner shook his head again.

Fox frowned. "I'm not allowed to play with my friends under Maggie's 
supervision?" The boy sighed. If he was only allowed to meet his 
friends when the sheriff was near, he wouldn't see them at all. Not 
when Skinner continued to spend his days riding all over the 
territory. But the big man shook his head once more. "What? I'll never 
be allowed to ride Spirit again? Is that it?" Fox wailed despondently.

The sheriff leaned in close to whisper into the boy's ear. "Much 
worse," he confided. "I think what you did deserves a harsh 
punishment. Taking away your privileges isn't nearly enough."

Fox turned around to glare at the big man. Skinner couldn't be 
serious. He just couldn't! And what could be worse than having his 
privileges revoked? Or being thoroughly paddled?

"I think," Skinner announced, wrapping his arms around the boy in 
front of him, effectively trapping the gangly arms against the slender 
body, "that there's only one punishment harsh enough. So, starting 
right now, and only stopping when we arrive at the cabin, you will be 
subjected to..." The sheriff lowered his voice and finished 
dramatically, "the tickle torture!"

And with that, he used his left fingers to tickle the boy's right 
ribcage and his right fingers to torture Fox's left side, using his 
strong arms to hold him close to the broad chest in the meantime.

Skinner soon had a gleefully shrieking Rascal in his embrace. The boy 
wriggled frantically and if the big man hadn't such a good grip on 
him, Fox surely would have fallen off the horse. Tears of laughter 
were running unchecked down the boy's cheeks and he giggled 
hysterically, begging the big man to stop, and wishing at the same 
time that this particular punishment would never end.

The big man held the boy securely in his arms, chuckling himself when 
he watched his Rascal squirm, trying to worm his way out of the 
embrace. They were riding slowly – for one thing it would be too 
dangerous to ride at full speed while they were playing and secondly, 
Skinner had more time to torture his Rascal that way. It would take 
them another fifteen minutes or so until they were home and the 
sheriff was positive the boy would have muscle cramps from laughing by 
then.

Fox didn't stand a chance. He desperately tried to tickle back but he 
wasn't able to get a good grip on the big man. Still, no matter how 
much Skinner attacked his ribcage – and the sheriff knew perfectly 
well where the boy was the most ticklish – his Rascal still felt safe 
and loved.

All things considered, Fox decided that his Old Meanie definitely was 
the best Pa in the whole wide world.



THE END OF CHAPTER 13


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