Mission: Jaws of the Jaguar

mission4

Mission: Jaws of the Jaguar Chapter FourShopping Expidition

Fox stared at the man sitting across from him, thinking about all he'd just heard. It was crazy. But then, when had craziness ever been a deterrent to Fox Mulder? "How much force would I be expected to use?"

"If all goes well, that shouldn't be an issue. I'd expect you to defend yourself, or me, if I was attacked. But this isn't an assassination. You aren't expected to terminate anyone in cold blood. If it should become absolutely necessary, I'll do it, but we try to avoid that whenever possible." His tone was mater of fact and unapologetic. "Anything else, Mulder? Ask anything you want. I need you to be sure about this."

Mulder thought. Was there anything else? He knew that there should be, but he couldn't say what. The choice wasn't really all that complicated. He could leave the room with this intense young man, putting his life in the hands of someone he'd known less than an hour, committing himself to going into a situation that most sane people wouldn't attempt with less than a company of fully armed marines.
Or he could go down to the basement and resume reorganizing his files, hoping that something remotely interesting would turn up soon.

"Okay. You got me."

Ethan smiled. Not yet. But it's just a matter of time.



"No, I'm sorry, you can't contact your partner. Skinner will give her an explanation as to why you're unavailable."

Fox didn't particularly like that, but he could see it's necessity. He knew that some of the men they'd be ing ing with considered wiping out an enemy's entire circle of family and associates to be good business practice. "What about clothes? Don't I need to pack?"

Ethan had escorted him to a very tasty green Jaguar, and they were on the road, headed toward Baltimore. That was where he was going to spend the next two weeks becoming Daniel Ballard. "No. I doubt if anything you have would be suitable. Daniel has expensive tastes. Outfitting you will be part of the learning exercise. We'll start today, and we can pick up the entire wardrobe gradually."

"Wardrobe? How much am I going to need?"

"A good bit. Daniel is a clothes horse, and Connor loves to indulge him. We may be inside as long as a week, and Daniel would want to appear at his best to impress his lover's potential partner. Kind of like a corporate wife. By the way, you may need to flirt with Montaña."

Fox eyed Ethan dubiously. "Just flirt?"

"Maybe." He slid a glance at Fox. "Will that be a problem for you?"

Fox was silent. "Don't worry about it right now. Olivero may have the stereotypical macho temperament."

"Maybe and may don't instill a lot of confidence, Bridger." Only about twenty minutes into this case, and already I'm having doubts. Oh, well. Montana is Latin American, what would be the odds?

The shopping was a new experience. Mulder had always made do at chain stores. His one prize was the Armani he had picked up deeply discounted from a store owner grateful for someone who didn't automatically sneer at his tale of a late night alien abduction. After careful investigation, Mulder came to the conclusion that the man was a fruitcake, but he didn't turn down the deal on the suit.

"You're going to need mostly casual and club clothes," Ethan explained as he led him into a small store with a dignified facade and a discreet sign, stating that it was `Talbot and Sons'. "But I think we should have at least one jacket. Daniel would want to be prepared for any occasion, but we'll skip the tux."

"Damn, and I was really looking forward to a satin cummerbund."

"You wore pastels to your senior prom, didn't you?"

A dignified, grey haired man approached them, a tape measure dangling around his neck. "Good day, gentlemen. I am the proprietor. How can I assist you?" He eyed Ethan's costume with approval, and Fox's with mild disdain.

Ethan gestured at Fox. "My friend and I are having a little holiday in South America. He needs some vacation clothes, and a nice blazer, I think."

Mr. Talbot stepped back and considered Fox carefully. "Hm, yes. All light weight, of course, what with the climate." He walked around Fox. "Well proportioned. Broad shoulders, narrow waist and hips, long legs. Yes, he'll be a pleasure to dress."

"What am I?" Fox muttered to Ethan. "A Ken doll?"

"Be quiet and let the man do his job, Fox."

Talbot took Fox's measurements, all of them: chest, waist, hips, shoulder to wrist, neck, outer seam... Fox wanted to balk at the inside leg measurement, but Ethan glared at him silently, and he acquiesced. Once the haberdasher had the measurements, Ethan and Fox were seated in comfortable chairs, and the assistants started bringing out the clothes.

Fox sat quietly while Ethan and Talbot discussed what cuts and colors would look best on him. At one point he asked if HE had any say in what he was going to wear. Ethan had replied certainly. He could chose from whatever Ethan saw fit to buy him. Fox slouched in his chair with a sullen look on his face, but didn't protest any more.

Mr. Talbot watched the interplay with interest. They were by no means the first couple like this to come into his establishment, though it was usually a much older man outfitting a younger one. He suspected that the dark haired one was going to have his hands full with his companion, who seemed a bit spd. d. But as the shopping continued, he decided that the young man with the green eyes wasn't the type to let his lover push him around.

They were loaded down with bags when they left. Fox was feeling a bit dazed by the conspicuous consumption. He had three silk shirts, three linen shirts, five pairs of slacks, blue jeans, underwear, a navy blazer, shorts, a couple of casual pullovers, socks, a tie that cost more than he usually spent on an entire outfit, and the tiniest pair of swimming trunks he'd ever seen. He'd flatly refused the thong, that was one thing Ethan couldn't budge him on.

And still they weren't done. After lunch they, or rather Ethan, purchased loafers, athletic shoes, and some executive lace-ups. At a sports store Mulder acquired new sweats, tees, and running shorts. The final stop was a jewelry store.

The clerk here greeted Ethan familiarly. "Good afternoon, Mr. Bridger. It's almost done, they're just finishing the engraving."

"That's fine. I need to pick up a watch, anyway." He went over to the watch display. "Okay, Fox, what do you think? Cartier? Or maybe Gucci, or Longines. They've got Movado, Vizio, Skagen, Omega..."

"No Rolex?"

He meant the question to be snide, but Ethan said calmly, "Only a second hand one."

"I was beginning to wonder what type of card you had. Is there anything after Titanium?"

"Let me see that one, please." Ethan pointed to a handsome watch of brushed steel. The clerk handed it out reverently. Ethan took Fox's hand and slipped it on his wrist, then studied the effect. He removed it, handing it back. "Now let me see one with a rectangular face instead." Again Fox modeled the watch. "Yes, that's better."

Fox got a look at the price tag, and blanched. "Bridger, I'd be scared to wear this. It costs more than my first car did."

An older man, who'd been watching them, leaned over and whispered to Fox, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, dear boy. You may be young and pretty, but good sugar daddies are hard to find."

Fox flushed, but murmured, "Thanks for the advice. I'll remember that."

Ethan paid for the watch. As he was signing his receipt, the manager came out of the back, holding a small velvet box. "Here you are, Mr. Bridger. It turned out lovely, if I do say so myself. Please, check it."

Ethan accepted the box and opened it. "Yes, that's perfect." He offered the box to Fox. "For you, Daniel m'love."

The box held a heavy silver man's ring, fashioned in a Celtic knot design. Fox picked it from the satin lining and examined the inside. In simple, dignified script were the initials CG and DB.

Ethan took the ring back, held Fox's wrist, and slipped it on his third finger, left hand. Fox stared at it. There was no mistaking the symbolism. He knew without asking that this was a reproduction of a ring that Connor Galbraith had given Daniel Ballard, and it was a sign of ownership as much as a token of affection.

He looked back at Ethan. The manager and a couple of the clerks were watching with pleased, excited looks on their faces. What had Bridger told them about this commission? That it was an anniversary present? Some sort of engagement ring, or wedding ring?

They were expecting some sort of reaction out of him, that much was obvious. And he could tell that Ethan was, too. This is a test. He wants to see how I'll do presenting myself as Daniel. What would Daniel do? I don't know that much about him yet, but Bridger said PDOAs.

Fox twisted the ring on his finger admiringly. Then he smiled at Ethan, softly sa"Bab"Babe, it's beautiful," and kissed him.