Disclaimer: I can't claim any rights to this show, but I do love it. Not that that counts for much.

Story Summary: Lynette surprises Tom on his birthday with the last thing he ever expected: total control. Takes place around the time of the season two episode "There Is No Other Way," so some knowledge of what's going on in that episode would be helpful. Rated a very strong M for explicit sex and language.

Total Control

A story by Ryeloza

Lynette usually thought it was too much to hope for a Saturday afternoon where she got to lazily lie around and read a book, but this particular one had been shaping up to work out to her advantage. Tom had taken the boys to his sister's for the afternoon and once Penny was down for her nap Lynette foresaw at least two glorious hours of freedom. This week, which had been particularly fraught with arguments with her husband, couldn't have been a better one for the break. So it figured that just when she finished cleaning up Penny after lunch there was a knock at the door. Cradling Penny on her hip, Lynette sharply opened the door and tried not to look overly annoyed by the sight of Gaby.

"Hey," said her friend, entering the house without waiting for an invitation. "Do you mind if I hang out for awhile? Carlos is making me crazy with all his talk about babies. Like what happened at the adoption agency was all my fault."

"What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Gaby flopped down on the couch. "It's quiet here today," she observed.

"Tom took the boys to his sister's, so Penny and I have the house to ourselves."

"Oh. Good." Gaby frowned and reached behind her to pull a small toy truck out from behind her back. Disdainful, she set it on the coffee table. "Where were you the other day anyway? We had poker at my house, remember?"

Lynette set down Penny in the playpen and sighed. "I still haven't talked to Bree. I'm afraid that if we're together in the same room it's going to end with me throwing something."

"Bree didn't even show up. She was probably thinking the same thing. And Susan's still in the hospital, so poker turned into me and Edie getting drunk on margaritas."

"Well at least it wasn't a total loss then."

Lynette managed a small smile before collapsing onto the couch next to Gaby. Gaby furrowed her brow and smacked Lynette's knee with her clutch. "What else is up with you? Is something else going on besides this whole Bree thing?"

"No. Yes. Well. Just lately Tom's been…" Lynette shrugged. "It's probably nothing."

"What?"

"Okay. I know I have some control issues. Tom knows I have some control issues. He's always known that about me. But lately he's been acting like I'm trying to take over his life. He was bickering with me all week about it, but I thought we'd resolved it. Then this morning he snapped at me for telling him not to use up the eggs making French toast. So I feel like we're back at square one."

Gaby nodded knowingly. "Carlos gets like that. His whole he's the man of the house, macho vibe. What you need to do is give Tom the control he wants in the one place that it'll really benefit both of you."

"And that would be?"

"The bedroom."

"Of course."

"Hear me out. Whenever Carlos suddenly gets the urge to be the boss, I just let him tie me up and go to town for the night. It makes him feel like he's in charge, and I get something out of it too."

Lynette eyed her skeptically. "And that works?"

"Trust me. Tom will be putty in your hands."

"Yeah…I don't know, Gaby."

"What? Don't tell me you've never used a little bondage before?" Lynette frowned and Gaby's eyes widened. "Lynette! You're missing out!"

"On what exactly?"

"A great orgasm, for one." Lynette laughed. "Come on, what's the worst that could happen? I'm wrong and it sucks? If that's the case then Tom is sorely lacking in the sex department."

"I just don't know how I feel about not...being…" Lynette trailed off and rolled her eyes.

"What?"

"In control," said Lynette as she shook her head. "God, Tom's right about me, isn't he?"

Gaby grinned. "So prove him wrong."

"Well...he does have a birthday coming up."

"Perfect. Do you want to borrow my handcuffs."

Lynette laughed nervously. "Uh, no. That's okay."

Gaby shrugged. "Well if you change your mind, you know where I live. Now, let's talk lingerie!"