::  A Civil War Story  ::

Chapter Eight

Skinner stood there in the dark for a long time until he heard the crack of a twig behind him. "Well, Reverend Kersh?"

Kersh came to stand next to him. "You mustn’t be harsh on her. When I found out what she had done, I packed my bags to leave. As important as what we were doing was – is – I couldn’t let her do that. I lied to her, told her I had to get back north and see how things were, but then her husband came home. I’m not really sure what happened between them, but she told him about me, about what we were doing. He came to see me and it was so strange. He really tried to understand, but he couldn’t. He didn’t understand how a freeborn man would risk enslavement by doing what I was doing. He actually begged me to leave. That was a week before he died. I would have left, but I was afraid of what Krycek would do to her. Plus, Jeffrey Spender had started stopping by the house, even though Dana would have nothing to do with him or his father. Wouldn’t even invite him in for a refreshment. Of course, there is no society left down here. No one to care. The parties in Atlanta, I hear, are much like Mr. Poe’s The Mask of the Red Death. Some people do like to delude themselves."

Skinner grunted. "Don’t be so sure of the outcome, reverend."

Kersh sighed. "I have to be, general. Now, come back to the house. There’s a cold supper still laid out for you."

Skinner reached out and stopped him. "One last question, reverend. The truth if you will."

Kersh peered back at Skinner. "If I know the answer, I will tell you the truth."

"Who killed Krycek?"

"I don’t know. No one saw him."

"Graves saw him. Said he was a black with a scar running down his face, right through the eye."

Skinner swore he heard a faint sigh of relief. "Ah, that would be Billy Randolph."

"Where is he?"

"Thankfully, I can say once again, I don’t know. He was one of the senator’s slaves. It is fitting that it was he that killed Krycek. Billy and Ellie were promised to each other and Krycek…well how much do you know of the story?"

"Mrs. Mulder said that Krycek was Sookie’s father."

"Yes. And once he raped Ellie and got her with child, he swore if Billy ever went near her he would sell the child as soon as he could fetch a price for her."

Skinner thought and tried to remember when he had last seen Ellie and Sookie. "They’re all three gone, aren’t they?"

"Yes, and I expect Billy will take good care of them."

"Good."

They turned and started to walk back to the house. Skinner let out a long painful sigh. "What killed Spender?"

They had just reached the barn and Kersh looked in at the men repairing the damage done in the search. "Interesting phrasing, general."

Skinner looked at Kersh and made his decision. He told him everything he could remember of his dream and then told him about Isaiah Culpepper. Kersh thought for a long time and had even begun to walk toward the house, Skinner close on his heels. Turning, his lower lip caught between his teeth for a moment, Kersh asked, "A rainbow of color he called it?"

"Culpepper said that yes. I don’t remember any bright colors, just the blood dripping from the teeth."

Kersh lowered himself to sit on the steps and rubbed his thighs, then looked up. "That bears out what Sookie told me the few times that she would speak of her experiences. You understand, Skinner. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. But, I am also a descendent of a proud race of people. I was lucky. My father earned his freedom and found a new life in the north. He worked hard and learned to live in this land, but he had vivid memories of his village in Africa. Even though he was baptized he always told of the stories of his youth, the beliefs of his tribe. When I went to school and began to meet escaped slaves a few, a very few would tell me the stories that they knew or had been told. I have made many notes and all I can tell you is that my father was of the Masai and that the evil god of his people, Satan if you will, was call Nemaunir, the god of storms who takes the form of a serpent. You white folk find beauty in the rainbow; my people in Africa view it as an anomaly and not a good omen at all. I know Micah was a Masai too. I was trying to get him and Sally out last year when we heard from Joe, Micah’s brother what happened to them. I don’t know why they let Joe live so long, except he was the biggest and strongest of Spender’s slaves."

Skinner closed his eyes in pain. "I can’t tell my superiors that he was killed by an avenging African god. I might as well tell them…"

Kersh rose, "You tell them that he died as a result of his injuries. As to Krycek?" Kersh shrugged, "put out a warrant on Billy. I’m sure he made his way north."

Skinner let a tired laugh escape his lips, "North, huh? That would be Northern Arizona?"

Kersh grinned and then grimaced and then touched his bruise. "Your Major Doggett packs a wallop."

"You pack one of your own, reverend." Skinner and Kersh turned at Doggett’s weary voice. "General, your new room has been made up. Langley’s moved all your gear and the front room that you had been using is all ready for General Hooker when he arrives tomorrow."

Skinner yawned and nodded. "Very good, gentlemen, if you will excuse me." He left the two of them to sort out their differences and made his way up the back steps. He hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast but was suddenly too tired to care. He entered the weird little room and noticed that all the doors were standing open, ready for their new occupants. He glanced in each one but found none of his gear and was patently relieved that Stone hadn’t put him in the room where he had seen his apparition of the "Snake God."

Walking into the main hallway he looked into the front bedroom and saw that several pieces of furniture had been added. He glanced around and saw Langley sound asleep on his bedroll curled up just outside of Mrs. Mulder’s door. Skinner sleepily entered the room next to Hooker’s but saw that none of his gear was there either. He felt a slow heat rise to his cheeks and he stalked into the hallway. The door to Captain Mulder’s old room stood open and he finally saw the small oil lamp burning next to the bed. He noticed that much of the furnishings had been stripped and he was left with the bed, a wardrobe, a small desk and chair and a washbasin. He gritted his teeth and started to turn and yell at Langley when the connecting door eased open.

His heart stopped. She stood there in her green dressing gown, her hair down around her shoulders. "I hope you don’t mind. I asked Captain Stone to put you here. At least I know you and I hope you don’t mind." All he could do was shake his head. "Well good night then, general." She stepped back into her room and closed the door.

He let out a long painful breath and then took in another great gulp of air. He stripped off his coat and undershirt and went to the basin. He noticed that a large bucket of water sat on the floor next to the pitcher. He gratefully stripped the rest of the way, toeing off his boots. He washed the sweat and the grime of the day off of his body. He only wished it could wash the memories of the horrors he had seen today, but then he realized he shouldn’t forget, that people needed to remember the horrors. He found clean undergarments laid out for him and quickly donned them. He was just getting into bed when he heard the crying. A momentary panic seized him until he realized it was coming from next door. Shaking, he went to the connecting door and started to knock but he didn’t, instead, he gently opened the door and saw her lying on the bed, sobbing. "Mrs. Mulder? Dana?" She didn’t answer but rolled away and buried her face in the pillow. He was at her side in three long strides. "Dana!"

"Go away."

"Not till you tell me why you’re crying."

"It’s nothing, I’m just…"

He leaned over the bed and pulled her until she lay there, her thick red hair splayed across the white linen pillow, looking up at him in wide-eyed shock. "Get out."

He sat on the bed, his back against the headboard. "Not until you tell me why you’re crying."

"I don’t know. I’m crying for a lot of reasons." She sniffed and sat up one knee bent under her. "I’ve got a right to cry you know."

"Yes. But tell me why."

"Why do you want to know?" She rubbed the back of her hand against her cheek trying to dry her face.

He thought for a long time, laying his head back against the headboard he studied the shadows in the room. "Because Dana Mulder, you own my soul and I cannot bear to think that you are crying because of what happened between you and that bastard Krycek."

She sat there and stared at him. "What?"

"You heard me, Dana. You…"

"You can’t mean that. We hardly know each other, I’ve just lost…"

"What have you lost? A man who didn’t know the value of what a true and precious thing he had?" He shook his head. "Dana, I don’t expect you to love me, I can’t explain how or why I feel about you the way I do. But nothing you have done will change that."

She sat there for a moment longer and then crawled up the bed and laid her head down on his chest. "The letter that he wrote to me. The one you gave me."

His chest heaved a great sigh. "He can’t hurt you anymore, Dana. It doesn’t matter what he wrote."

"He wrote and told me he wanted me to go. I was to take Alvin and whomever else I wanted and to go home. That he could no longer trust me to look after his way of life. He told me to tell Alex he was in charge but that I was to take whatever and whoever I wanted and to leave." She broke down then and he held her tightly.

Some hours later he woke with a crick in his back that he tried to stretch out without waking her. He gently eased down, pulling her with him, but her faint mew of protest had a most unwanted effect on his lower anatomy. Gently he tried to push her onto the pillow next to him. Rolling her over until they were laying on their sides her eyes fluttered opened. He waited for her to scream or push him away, but instead she smiled sweetly and brought her lips to his. He couldn’t move until her tongue flicked out and caressed his lips. His groan seemed to satisfy her because she increased the pressure and brought her hand up to caress his shoulder. He regretfully broke the kiss. "Dana, please. I can’t take advantage. I…"

She placed her hand upon his cheek. "Walter, please. I’ve only been bedded by a man who thought he ought to and by a man who wanted to control and punish me. I would like to make love to a man who says he loves me."

Gently moving her until he leaned over her, he studied her face; his finger eased a strand of hair off her cheek. "Dana, are you sure?"

"Love me, Walter." She reached up and pulled his head down to hers. The kiss started out sweetly but soon Skinner’s tongue demanded entrance. He captured her mouth in a searing, passionate kiss that had her arching her back toward him. His hand moved up and down her torso, caressing and teasing her firm breasts. He pulled back and watched her face flush. "Walter? Please?"

He began to work on the small pearl buttons at her throat and she gasped at the sensation of being undressed by him. As he exposed her flesh, he bestowed kisses and light teasing nips upon her skin. Her hand rested at his hip and she began her own cautious explorations.

His mouth finally reached the coral of her nipple and she sighed at that sensation, momentarily halting her own progress. He gently tugged the gown down over her shoulders and then down her chest kissing and licking every inch as it was revealed to him. Kneeling next to her he finally tugged it over her hips. Tossing the garment away he stared down at her naked form, the glistening tuft of hair between her legs, as red as her tresses. "My god, Dana, you are the most beautiful woman I have every seen."

Tugging on his undershirt she whispered. "Off."

He struggled out of the offending garment, standing for just a moment to strip off the rest. Gasping at his size she sat up and then knelt on the bed before him. He crawled back to her and took her in his arms, and rubbed her sensitive nipples with his coarse chest hair. She whimpered. "Oh that feels so good. I’ve wanted to touch you since I saw you in the tub yesterday. Please, Walter may I?"

He groaned, "Dana, let me touch you tonight. Let me kiss you. It’s been so long that I’m afraid that…"

Her eyes widened but she reached down and slowly caressed his length, causing them both to moan in pleasure. He eased her down and covered her body in kisses. He spread her legs and knelt before her. Panting, he pleaded. "I don’t want to hurt you, Dana."

Smiling she guided him into her opening and she held her breath as he spread her, stretched her. He stopped and let her adjust to his size and she wiggled under him, causing him to groan. "Dana." He growled. But, her small hands came up and grasped his firm ass and pulled him down on her until he filled her completely.

He began to pump in her, kissing her hair, her cheeks and finally capturing her lips again. They began the age-old dance and he watched for signs of pain or pleasure. He wanted more than anything to please her; to make her feel the joy of their union. Her eyes opened wide as a flush began to cover her skin. "Oh my. Oh God. Walter?"

"Let it go, Dana." She arched her back up to meet his strokes and she suddenly buried her face in his shoulder to muffle her scream of pleasure. She fell back panting, trying to catch her breath, and he finally let himself go, three long furious strokes later he was swallowing his own shout of pleasure, praying that Langley would sleep through this too."

They lay on their sides, holding each other lightly. She was the first to find her voice. "Is it supposed to feel like that?"

Skinner could only nod a goofy contented grin on his face. He finally lay back on the pillow, pulling her with him. The last thing he remembered was her whispered, "Please don’t let this be another dream."

::  ::  ::

The next day was hectic, with soldiers running back and forth. The barn was hastily rearranged yet again, this time with Graves right in the middle directing the soldiers. Speculation was high as to the reason for Graves’ sudden change in demeanor, his sudden sobriety. Cots were found and put into neat rows and the stall that senator had been murdered in was completely torn apart and fresh hay bales were stacked there.

Riders went out and came back reporting the progress of the troops and around noon, the first wagon-load of recuperating wounded were brought in. Most of the men would be up and about within a week or two. The most seriously wounded had already been shipped back home. Doggett assigned men to escort the first company of men to the Spender plantation, and Skinner met with General Logan.

For the next two days troops poured into the area, and all found places to stay, though most avoided several areas on Spender’s plantation. And, when it was time to march on toward Atlanta, the companies encamped there were the most eager to march into battle.

It was well into August before Skinner was given orders to march with his men to Whitfield County to aid a Union garrison under siege there. Skinner rose early that morning and looked down at her sleeping form. They had been very circumspect around other people, but each night he had come to her room and they had held each other whether or not they made love. When he received his orders, he waited until last night to tell her. She had tried hard to keep the fear and tears from her face but it was no use and she clutched at him and their lovemaking was more physical, almost brutal in it’s intensity. Fortunately, the last of Hooker’s generals had left last week and no one heard her intense cries of release but him. He had wisely moved Langley and Frohike downstairs on the pretense that they could do a better job of protecting the house if the first floor was adequately protected. He had ignored their knowing grins.

He went into his own room to shave and wash up. He smiled at the long red marks her nails had left on his chest. The sun was not yet up but he knew that if he waited too long she would stir and he needed to be dressed and composed when they parted.

He had just buttoned up his jacket when he heard her enter the room. Steeling himself he turned and was surprised to see her fully dressed, her hair pulled back and held in place by the heavy crocheted snood. He was reminded of how she had looked the first time that he had seen her, standing there so regally on the portico downstairs awaiting the enemy. He didn’t know what to say so he held out his arms and she walked carefully into his embrace, keeping her eyes on his. "Just tell me that you will return."

His lips descended and captured her mouth. He put every emotion he felt for her in that kiss and finally broke away to take a deep shuddering breath. "I swear it, Dana Mulder." She nodded and then for the first time that they had been together, led him out the door instead of returning to her room to maintain the pretense. Langley waited outside to pack the rest of Skinner’s gear and didn’t even blink as the two, holding hands, walked out into the hallway together. As they descended the front stairs together, she relaxed her grip to allow him to release her hand if he wanted, but he only held her tighter. Stone and Doggett were waiting for him, and only Stone showed any surprise at the obvious display of affection, and that was only the raising of one eyebrow. Skinner laughed. "I see you have my men doing it now, Mrs. Mulder."

A smile lit her face, "Doing what, general?"

He gestured to the embarrassed Stone, "That thing with the eyebrow."

Quirking her own eyebrow up she purred, "Now whatever do you mean, General Skinner, sir?"

They ate in silence, Skinner listening to Stone and Doggett’s reports but never taking his eyes off of her. Finally, Pendrell came in and reported, "Sir, everything

Is packed up and ready. Colonel Farrell has arrived with the rest of the men."

Skinner nodded and stood. "Did you find Sergeant Culpepper for me?"

"Yes, sir. He’s waiting outside."

"Send him in and while you’re out there find Alvin for me, please." Turning to Stone and Doggett he commanded. "Mount your horses, gentlemen, I’ll be out in just a minute." Looking up he noticed that Culpepper was standing there, his cap in hand. "Come in Sergeant. Ah, Reverend Kersh, come in and close the door please."

The two large men eyed each other suspiciously, but entered the room together. Skinner came around and took Dana’s hand in his. "Sergeant, I’m leaving a small detail here to watch out for Mrs. Mulder. There have been rumors of nightriders taking revenge on people who have, even against their will, aided the Union Army. Sergeant Culpepper, understand this, Mrs. Mulder is the one thing in life that I hold dear, you will protect her while I am gone. Understood?"

Culpepper snapped to attention. "Yes, sir, General Skinner."

Turning his attention to Kersh, Skinner placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. "I want you to promise me that you will look after her for me, sir. I plan to return as soon as I can and then I would ask that you marry us, though, as you are my witness before God, I consider her my wife with or without vows and I have left papers to that effect with Major Doggett."

Finally turning to Dana he pulled her to him, embracing her, kissing the top of her head. "I don’t have much, Dana, but if I don’t make…"

She pushed him away angrily. "Don’t you say it, Walter Skinner. Don’t you even think it. You will come back to me. I know it." He nodded and then turned on his heel, opened the door and strode out to where Pendrell was holding Satan’s reigns. Swinging his leg over the saddle he stared as her as she came out to stand on the porch again, this time flanked by her two protectors. Saluting her, he turned Satan and led his men back down the path.

::  ::  ::

Epilogue

June promised to be beautiful in the south, the trees were fully green and the flowering shrubs scattered color throughout the vista before him. He had turned in his retirement papers to Sherman two weeks after Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House. He knew there would be little standing in his way, as the Army now had more generals than it knew what to do with and he figured that he, like Custer and several others would be demoted back down to colonel now that peacetime had returned. It had taken nearly a month for the paperwork to be finalized and he had been kept surprisingly busy. When he had finally shook Colonel Doggett’s hand one last time and mounted Satan, he took his bedroll, food and a thick stack of her letters with him. He had carefully packed away his uniforms and sent them, along with a few other personal belongs to his brother for safekeeping.

He laughed into her ear. "Every night that you will let me, Mrs. Skinner."

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