Life from the Ashes Book 2 - Hope and Faith
Chapter 12
Home Lifeby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Wednesday, May 11
1:00 p.m."Fox, I know Yori's a friend, but could you possibly put this off a little while longer? We just got back . . . Hope needs you, she cries every time you put her down," Skinner argued, knowing it was next to useless to argue with Mulder once he made up his mind to do something.
"Walter, I promised . . . I don't even know if it's going to work. I never tried healing that type of injury before." Mulder sat cross-legged on their bed holding the baby, who stared up at his face.
Skinner walked over and sat next to him. "Fox, even if it doesn't work, you'll be dispensing a lot of energy; you're going to need to sleep afterwards." He caressed their daughter's cheek with his finger; she glanced away from Mulder's face, for an instant, to focus on her other father. "She won't understand why you're not there to hold her. Alex said she cried herself to sleep wanting you, we never should have gone away for three days . . . it wasn't fair to her."
"Walter, just lay her on top of me while I'm sleeping, you've done it before to get her to stop crying," he smiled, remembering waking up and staring at his daughter's small head, Skinner's large hand on her back supporting her as she lay on his chest.
"Yeah, that did get her to stop crying," he smiled. "Okay, Fox, I'll go and get Yori and you can try to heal him. Why don't you remove your clothes and put on a robe? It will be easier for me to put you to bed afterwards."
After Skinner left, Mulder carefully eased himself off the bed, not wanting to jostle Hope who had fallen asleep in his arms. He carried her into the nursery and placed her in the crib, then went into the bathroom to strip down to his boxers, brush his teeth, and wash his face.
As he pulled on his robe, he walked back into the bedroom just as Skinner arrived with Yori in tow. He knew his lover had wanted a word with the large Russian. Otherwise, Skinner would have used telepathy to summon him. Mulder wanted to know what had passed between the two men; he prayed Skinner had controlled his temper.
"Mulder, I really appreciate that you're trying to heal me," the large man murmured.
"Yori, I want to help you . . . you're my friend." Mulder walked over to the bed and sat. "Yori, stand in front of me and lower your pants . . . I need to touch your injury."
Skinner walked over with Yori, and sat on the bed next to Mulder as Yori stood in front of him and unfastened his pants lowering them to the floor.
Mulder brought his hand under Yori's limp penis and touched the ragged scar where the Russian's testicles used to be. He didn't feel the immediate tingle he usually got when touching an injury -- the wound was too old. Mulder closed his eyes and concentrated hard, pulling the energy from around him. He finally felt the faint electrical tingle course through his body and a glow appeared in front of his closed eyelids. He saw the image of cells splitting, multiplying, redeveloping -- the face of Jeremiah Smith flash before his eyes. Was this how the morphs healed? Before it had been so easy . . . it hadn't been this extremely draining or physically painful. The sound of the Russian's surprised gasp reached his ears, muffled by the pounding of his own heart -- it was too much for his body to handle. He continued as the flesh under his hand swelled and healed. He fell backwards, strong arms catching and holding him -- blackness claiming him.
Skinner cradled Mulder against him, brushing his sweat soaked bangs out of his eyes. He glanced at Yori, who stood looking down, and touching his fully healed scrotum. "Yori, now it's your turn to uphold your end of our deal. I really hate to see you leave, but it is for the best," the A.D. sighed. He effortlessly lifted Mulder while the blankets on the bed pulled down on their own and he laid his lover gently down. Removing the bathrobe, he pulled the blankets over him.
"Walter, I would never touch Mulder even now that I'm a whole man again, but if it eases your mind . . . I will keep my end of our agreement. Do I still have my job at the FBI Day Care Center?" he asked, fastening up his pants.
"Yes, if you still want it." He sighed, "Yori, you have to understand that I'm doing this for Fox. You might not be able to control yourself around him any longer."
"Walter, I'm a clairvoyant not a n'thral, and I happen to be in love with your cousin Lev. You trust your agents around him . . . aren't you worried they'll lose control? What about Rory? Or is it the fact that I was a gay man before the virus?"
"The agents I have guarding Mulder all knew him before the virus . . . they would never try anything with him. Rory has Shinji." Skinner looked down at Mulder's beautiful face, reinforcing his resolve. "I was bisexual before the virus. So, no . . . it's not because you are gay." Skinner knew how he had lusted over Mulder for years even before the virus changed him; it was unconceivable to him that anyone could resist the agent.
"If Mulder's not awake before I leave . . . tell him goodbye for me. I will start packing," he said sadly, heading out the door. The large man felt empty inside, he should feel happiness at being healed, but instead he felt only sorrow and loss.
Skinner sat on the bed next to Mulder, he felt miserable, but he was sure that it was the right thing to do. Never again would he take a chance where his lover's safety was involved.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Thursday, May 12
4:00 p.m.Krycek glared angrily at his older brother. He had gone out of town on a case yesterday, leaving Yori to take care of Hope until Mulder and Skinner arrived home. He returned this morning and ran into Yori as he was loading a U-haul with his possessions. Lev and Rory were helping him. All that he was able to find out was that Skinner had asked Yori to leave, and that it didn't involve Hope.
Skinner was inside taking care of his daughter. He was sitting in the family room feeding her a bottle and reading to her. He refused to look up to meet his half-brother's accusing eyes. Finally, he couldn't take the silence any longer. "Alex, what else was I supposed to do?"
"Walter, why don't you tell me what happened? By the way, where's Fox . . . what did he have to say about you throwing Yori out into the street?" Krycek asked, then scanned the house, finding his lover asleep, he became concerned. "What's wrong with him?"
"Fox healed Yori yesterday and he's been sleeping ever since. He doesn't know about Yori leaving, yet."
"What was wrong with Yori?" He was bewildered, this wasn't making any sense.
"Slava had him castrated when he worked for him. Don't you see, Alex? Now that he's a whole man again, he might not be able to control himself around Fox. I couldn't take the chance."
"Walter, when we first hired him to work for us, we didn't know he was castrated. At least I didn't. What's the real problem?"
"I never liked the way Yori was always hugging and touching Fox. I confronted him about it . . . that's how I found out about his injury. It helped me accept that he wasn't a threat to Fox . . . now . . . " his voice trailed off. Lifting the baby and placing her over his shoulder, he slowly rubbed her back.
"Sometimes you can be so blind, brother dear. Yori is the gentlest, most caring man I've ever met. He would never force himself on Fox." Krycek sat on the sofa, next to Skinner.
"What if you're wrong?"
"I'm not. Walter, he was there for you when Fox and I were abducted . . . and for both of us when we thought Fox was dead. I think you owe Yori an apology, and if I were you, I'd do it before Fox wakes up. Now give me the mouse, I'll take care of her until you get back." Krycek gently took the baby away from her father.
"Okay, here, I was on page 5." He handed Krycek the book he was reading to her.
Skinner took a deep breath, knowing Alex was right, that he owed the Russian an apology. Sometimes he could be so blinded by jealousy where Mulder was concerned -- he didn't see things clearly. He walked outside and up to Yori, ignoring the glare his cousin threw at him. "Yori, can I please have a word with you, alone."
"Of course, Walter," the Russian answered jovially. He held no grudge against the A.D. for throwing him out, which only made Skinner feel worse.
They walked down the path along the side of Yori's rooms. "Yori, I owe you an apology . . . I'm sorry. I admit sometimes my jealousy gets the better of me. I would like it if you'd consider staying."
"No," Yori took a deep breath. Looking around at the gardens, he again realized how really beautiful it was here -- he was going to miss it. "It's better this way . . . I'm moving in with Lev." He stopped walking and faced Skinner. "Walter, I do appreciate your apology, and it's good that you're overprotective of Mulder . . . the man could tempt a saint," the Russian grinned.
Skinner smiled and held out his hand. "No hard feelings, then?"
"None." Yori grinned shaking his hand.
Skinner wandered back into the house, relieved and less guilt-ridden. Not finding Krycek in the family room, he did a quick scan of the house and found him in the nursery. He quickly walked to his and Mulder's bedroom, glanced briefly at the agent's peaceful sleeping face and stepped into the nursery.
"It's really amazing how you seem to always get out of changing a diaper. Is this a new psychic ability you have, Walter?" Krycek grumbled as he put the fresh diaper on the infant.
Skinner chuckled when he saw the yellow stain on Krycek's white dress shirt. The younger man hadn't had time to change out of his work clothes, yet. "Alex, I've been changing her since Fox fell asleep."
"Well, now I know why her diaper leaked," he quipped, picking up the infant as she started to whimper. "C'mon, mouse, let's go see your daddy." Krycek walked past Skinner and up to the king-sized bed. Sitting down, he laid the baby on top of her father's slumbering body; she quieted down instantly.
Skinner walked over and sat next to him. "I apologized to Yori . . . but he doesn't want to come back . . . he's moving in with Lev. I'm sorry, Alex, I really was a jerk."
"That's okay, Walter, he would have left eventually anyway. I don't know where we're going to find another housekeeper. Is Yori still going to work at the daycare?" He reached over and pried Hope's fingers out of Mulder's light dusting of chest hair.
"Yes, thank god, at least I didn't screw that up."
"You're being too hard on yourself, you were only thinking about protecting Fox. By the way, how long has he been asleep?"
"About twenty-seven hours. It really did him in, he passed out in my arms immediately afterwards." Skinner reached over and rubbed his daughter's back, she closed her eyes and a yawn escaped her small lips.
"Shall we put her in the crib?" Krycek asked as the baby fell asleep.
"No . . . let her stay where she is for awhile . . . I'll watch her."
"Then I'll see about fixing us something for dinner."
***
FBI's Hoover Building
Friday, May 13
10:00 a.m.Rory MacIver muttered under his breath, looking sideways at Shinji Takeda, who sat next to him. The younger man had dressed in his nicest suit, the one he had asked Krycek to purchase for him. "Shin, I really don't see why you insisted on dressing up . . . for these men?" He waved his hand at the two-way mirror pointing at the small group of men on the other-side who were gathered around a conference table answering a variety of questions.
"Rory, Ssh! I'm trying to hear their answers," Takeda snapped. He had submitted the questions himself, if he was going to have to have sex with one of these men, he wanted to know everything about him.
"Sorry. You'd have thought your government would have at least had the decency to send good looking and semi-intelligent men," he grumbled.
"Numbers one and four are extremely handsome and they all are extremely intelligent. Look at the profiles my government provided," he stated, trying unsuccessfully to pass the manila folders over to his lover.
"I'd prefer not to," MacIver replied, sinking into his seat.
MacIver sat quietly, listening to the men in the other room speaking in Japanese for another half-hour, not understanding a word that was spoken. "This whole thing smells like a set-up. Look at them, every one of your choices happen to be in the military, why is that?"
"Rory, please. They're almost finished, just be quiet for a few more minutes."
Ten minutes later the interview broke up, and the men in the small interrogation room filed out. The door opened and a Japanese diplomat entered, followed by Walter Skinner. "Mr. Takeda, I hope we provided you with enough information for you to make your decision."
"Yes, thank you. I will let you know tomorrow . . . I would like some more time to review their files."
"Very well, I'll wait for your phone call."
"Sir, Agent Sullivan will escort you back to the lobby," Skinner informed the diplomat, stepping aside to allow the man to leave the room. After he left, Skinner closed the door and sat next to MacIver.
"Did everything go okay?" he asked.
"Yes, Walter. Thank you for arranging the use of the FBI's facility for our meeting. I really wouldn't have felt safe anywhere else," the Japanese immortal answered.
"It's the least I can do. Let's head back home. I really need to get back to Mulder. I'm concerned that he hasn't woken up, yet. It has been almost forty-eight hours," the A.D. said, standing up.
"Maybe you should have Doctor Harris look at him," MacIver suggested as they headed out the door.
Skinner prayed that it wasn't serious, he couldn't stand being without Mulder for much longer.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, May 13
noon"Yori, thanks for watching Fox and Hope for me," the A.D. said as he entered the mansion and ran into the large Russian who was carrying a tray. "Is he awake?" he asked when his eyes focused on the tray.
"Yes, he woke up about ten minutes ago . . . he's still pretty woozy."
Skinner reached for the tray. "Here, let me take that to him."
Yori passed him the tray. "Walter, now that you're back, I'll be leaving. Call me if you need me to watch Hope again," he said, heading for the front door.
"Thanks, Yori. I will."
Skinner carried the tray into the bedroom, stopping in the doorway. He looked lovingly at Mulder, who was curled up on his side with the baby lying next to him. The agent was murmuring softly to the baby, who seemed to be listening intently. Skinner couldn't make out what he was saying.
"Fox, how are you feeling?" Skinner walked over and set the tray on the small breakfast table, then made his way to the bed and sat next to him.
"I'm fine. Yori said I was sleeping almost two days . . . I guess that's a new record."
"Yeah, I was starting to worry," he smiled, brushing the bangs out of Mulder's eyes. "Did Yori tell you anything else?"
"Mm, no, he went to fix me something to eat. Why? What's wrong?"
"I did something really boneheaded." Skinner hung his head, embarrassed. "I told Yori he had to leave after you healed him . . . I was afraid to have him around you."
"But it's okay now? You left him here to watch me and the baby while you were out. Walter, please tell me you apologized?"
"I apologized, after Alex made me see what an irrational jerk I was. But it was too late, he had already made plans to move in with Lev. Fox, I'm sorry."
"I can't leave you alone for a minute . . ." Mulder muttered angrily, but seeing the pained look in Skinner's eyes, he decided not to add to his misery. "It's okay, Walter, what's on the tray?" he asked, scooting into a seated position in bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping baby. Skinner immediately propped the pillows up behind him.
"It looks like leftovers from dinner last night," Skinner said, seeing Mulder's apprehensive look. He quickly added, "Fox, don't worry, Alex cooked last night." He carried the tray over and laid it across his lap.
"Mm, Fettuccine Di Mare." He smiled, picking up a fork. "I was thinking, Walter," he said, taking a bite. Savoring the flavor, he picked up a slice of garlic bread and dunked it in the seafood white sauce. "There are a lot of cooking courses at the community colleges and high schools in the evenings . . . maybe you, Rory, and Shinji can attend."
"Fox, I really don't have a lot of free time. With you, Hope, my job, and maintaining this large mansion . . . I don't see how I could possibly squeeze it in."
"Hmm, maybe we could hire someone to come to the house and teach you. It would require less of your time . . . I'll look into it," he stated, not allowing Skinner to object. He had the perfect someone in mind. Skinner would probably hate the idea, but the little man really was an excellent teacher and cook.
"Whatever makes you happy, Fox." Skinner bent down and lifted their sleeping infant off the bed. Carrying her into the nursery, he placed her in the crib.
"How about I run your bath?" he asked, strolling back into the room.
"Only if you're planning on joining me."
"I would love to join you." Skinner smiled, stealing an olive from the small salad and sitting back down on the bed.
"Anything else I should know about?" Mulder asked, finishing the last of his meal.
"We have a meeting scheduled for Monday with the attorney I hired, and Alex has a surprise wedding gift for you when he gets home from work. Now, why don't you go into the bathroom, while I take this back to the kitchen."
"What type of gift?"
"It's Alex's surprise . . . you're going to have to wait for him to get home," Skinner said, carrying the tray back to the kitchen.
Mulder sluggishly climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. He looked at his tired face in the mirror. There was two days worth of stubble. Pulling down a can of shaving cream, he smeared it over his face. The agent picked up his razor and started shaving, glancing up as Skinner came in the room. The A.D. walked over to the whirlpool tub and started filling it. He poured in the last of the scented bath oil.
"Fox, we're out of bath oil . . . remind me to pick some up next time we're at the store." The older man shrugged out of his suit. Hanging it in the closet, he tossed his underwear into the hamper. He checked the tub, then walked up behind Mulder. Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of the agent's silk boxers, he pulled them down. Mulder stepped out of them as he finished shaving.
Skinner wrapped his arms around Mulder's warm body. Hugging him tightly, he nuzzled his cock between the agent's buttocks as he kissed the side of his lover's throat, rubbing his cheek against Mulder's smoothly shaved one. "God, Fox, I love you so damn much it hurts."
"Yeah, it feels like it could be painful," Mulder quipped, wiggling his hips and eliciting a deep moan from his lover.
"C'mon, into the tub with you." Skinner smiled happily as he dragged his gorgeous lover over to the bathtub. He reached down and shut off the water, putting one foot into the steaming tub.
He pulled Mulder in with him. "Shit! Ouch! You couldn't get it any hotter, could you?" the agent exclaimed, waiting for his legs to get accustomed to the hot water, before he attempted to ease the rest of his body down into the tub.
"It's not that hot . . . we have the air conditioner set too low, your body will adjust," Skinner said as he eased himself down, sighing as the hot water eased his aching muscles. Leaning back, he purred with contentment. "It's been awhile since we indulged in a bath together in the afternoon."
Mulder smiled down at him, then cautiously lowered himself into the steaming water on the opposite side of the tub. He hissed when his butt made contact, and waited for the initial sting to ease before easing the rest of his body in. "Mm, it does feel good . . . we should indulge more often." Mulder ran his foot up the older man's leg until his toes found their target and caressed his lover's scrotum.
"Fox . . . would you . . . get your ass . . . over here," he gasped.
"What?" Mulder smiled sweetly, running a washcloth over his arm.
"Don't ask me what. By the way, your nails need clipping," the older man said. Reaching down, he grabbed his lover's foot and pulled.
Mulder had to grab the sides of the bathtub to keep from falling backwards into the hot water as Skinner pulled him forward. The A.D. let go of his foot and grabbed his arms to pull him the rest of the way until they were groin to groin. "Never tease me after you've been asleep for two days, I happen to be very horny."
"That's what I'm counting on." Mulder smiled, wrapping his arms around the A.D.'s neck and claiming his mouth, he scooted up closer, his legs on either side of the larger man's hips.
Skinner sighed into the kiss, lacing his fingers through Mulder's thick, silky hair. His other hand was caressing Mulder's long, smooth back, made even smoother by the bath oils. When his hand reached his lover's pelvis, he pulled the agent even further on his lap until Mulder's buttocks rested on top of his hard cock. "Fox . . . lover . . . I want . . . I want to watch you fuck yourself on my cock," he murmured breathlessly as he pulled his lips away from Mulder's.
"Hmm, you want me to do all the work while you just lay back enjoying yourself?" Mulder purred, kneeling with his shins resting against Skinner's outer thighs.
"That was sort of the plan," the A.D. admitted while smirking up at his lover. Mulder was massaging his fingers over his scalp and gently kissed his way down to Skinner's lips. The older man's hands caressed the agent's ass then he slipped a finger into the tight puckered opening.
"Ah . . . so you decided to help out after all," Mulder quipped, pushing back as a second finger entered and stretched him.
"I'm not totally selfish," Skinner murmured, rubbing his finger over his lover's prostate.
"No . . . you're not," Mulder gasped with pleasure, arching his back and tossing his head back. He sighed as he felt the older man withdraw his fingers. The agent shifted his body until he was over his lover's cock. Skinner used one hand to position his cock against Mulder's anus; his other hand was on the agent's hip.
Mulder sank down on the large cock, moaning in pain as the large head forced its way past his sphincter muscle. Closing his eyes, he held still while his body adjusted to the invasion, before sinking the rest of the way down on the thick shaft.
Skinner laid back in the water, watching Mulder's face go briefly from pain to pure ecstasy. "Fox, don't move . . . I want to enjoy being inside of you for awhile," the older man murmured, feeling the delicious pressure on his cock that was sheathed in the agent's tight rectum.
"I have no intention of moving any time soon," Mulder purred. Leaning down, he captured Skinner's lips, kissing him passionately. Dueling with the older man's tongue for dominance and winning, he explored the lush mouth, then he leaned back and reached for a washcloth. He soaked it under the water, lifting it, he poured liquid bath soap on it and started washing Skinner's hairy chest.
As Mulder scrubbed the older man's shoulders, he said, "We should at least get clean while we're in here; after all, that's the purpose of a bathtub."
"That's the purpose of the shower . . . this is the purpose of our bathtub," the A.D. stated wiggling his hips.
Mulder groaned. "Does this mean I don't have to hold still any longer?"
"I'd appreciate it if you moved," he answered, his large hands on the younger man's hips.
Mulder shifted, raising his body, he felt the cock rub against his sensitive insides as it slid part way out of his body. He sank back down, angling his body so the mushroom shaped head of the older man's cock made contact with his prostate. He went up again, then back down, twisting his hips and squeezing his internal muscles.
Skinner cried out, making erotic noises. "Oh, God! Where'd you learn that move?"
"Your brother . . . he's a wealth of information," Mulder chuckled, repeating the move and picking up the pace.
"I bet." Skinner caressed the agent's straining cock. His own cock was going through the most enjoyable sensations being deeply buried in the younger man's body.
They set a bruising pace of pushing and pulling, up and down, with the occasional corkscrew motion. Mulder soon found himself unable to hold back. As his orgasm took him over the edge, he spurted his milky white come over the larger man's chest. The constricting muscle of the agent's rectum brought Skinner over the edge as he poured his release into his lover's body.
"Oh, yeah! Fuck!" Skinner exclaimed, sinking back into warm water feeling totally sated.
Mulder raised his hips and allowed the larger man's penis to slip from his body. With a washcloth, he washed the milky come off the A.D.'s chest. He turned and sank into his lover's arms, kissing his cheek. "Mm, thanks, Walter. Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?"
"It's been at least two days," Skinner replied, caressing Mulder's back.
"I've been asleep for the last two days," he stated, resting his head on the larger man's shoulder.
"That explains it," the A.D. smiled against his hair. "Do you want to get out?"
"No . . . not yet . . . the water's still warm," he murmured. Closing his eyes, he relished the closeness and contentment he was feeling. He nuzzled closer to Skinner's naked body, smiling as the strong arms wrapped around him holding him closely.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estates
Friday, May 13
5:40 p.m.Skinner was in the family room watching the evening news, drinking a beer and cursing at the television. He had been feeling sated and happy, but Nikolai Slava ruined that. The Cossack had cemented his control over Russia and declared himself Tsar. There were only a few scattered pockets of resistance left, and they were quickly being eliminated.
He looked up as Mulder strolled in with the baby. The agent had dressed in soft sweatpants and a T-shirt after their shared bath.
"She's freshly bathed and . . . " Mulder stopped in his tracks when he saw Slava's face on the television screen. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Meet the new Tsar of Russia," Skinner scoffed.
"Really? When did this happen?" Mulder asked, flabbergasted.
"The day of our wedding . . . Uncle Kostya told me before he left. I didn't want to ruin your day by telling you."
Before Mulder could respond, MacIver stormed into the room and threw himself down on the sofa. "He's absolutely the most pig-headed, stubborn, infuriating . . . " He noticed the two other men staring at him then noticed the beer in the A.D.'s hand, he concentrated briefly and a bottle of beer floated to him from the refrigerator. He downed half the bottle before turning to Mulder. "Hi, Mulder, it's good to see you up."
"Are you and Shinji still arguing about his working at the Procreation Center?" Mulder inquired, placing Hope in Skinner's arms.
"No . . . I lost that disagreement," he mumbled. "It's because he can't see how his own government is manipulating him. Do you think they are going to be satisfied with having him breed . . . with one of those bastards?"
"You're probably right, but it's Shinji's decision to make." Skinner tried to reason with him.
"Oh come on, Walter . . . as if you'd allow Mulder to make that type of a decision." MacIver downed the rest of his beer and another one floated to him.
"That's different, we're married," the bald man stated, ignoring the hostile look Mulder shot him.
MacIver sighed, "Look, Walter, maybe you could talk to Shinji, he looks up to you. I just want him to be careful. He's still so young and naïve. I'm worried the man that he chooses will mislead and deceive him."
"I'll talk to him, Rory. We'll set up some safeguards to make sure that he is protected. I believe your fears are justified, we're having a problem with some members of our government wanting to take Mulder's rights away."
"Thank you, Walter. For what it's worth, I'll be here for you and Mulder if it comes down to a fight against your government," MacIver said slowly, nursing his second beer.
"Is Shinji in your room?" Skinner asked. Getting up, he placed the baby back into Mulder's arms, pecking his lover's cheek. He didn't see the danger signs flashing in those expressive hazel eyes.
"Yeah, he's going over those blasted profiles . . . you'd think he was searching for a husband . . . not someone for just a one night stand," MacIver grumbled.
"I'll go up and talk to him, now." Skinner left the room heading for the back staircase. On the second floor, he walked down the long hallway, then turned down a smaller hallway -- at the end was Shinji and Rory's room. He rapped on the door and entered. "Shinji, can I have a moment of your time?"
Shinji looked up from the bed where all of the folders were spread out. He was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and was sitting cross-legged. "Sure, Walter."
The A.D. walked over and stared down at the different pictures attached to each of the open folders. "Have you made your decision, yet?"
"Yes." He picked up a folder and passed it to the Skinner. "Major Kazuo Sawada."
Skinner glanced through the folder, before handing it back. "Are you planning on meeting him beforehand?"
"Yes, my government would like me to spend time with the man at their embassy." Takeda looked down and wrung his hands together. "I really don't like the idea . . . Rory thinks they're trying to set me up, but I see no other way to meet this man."
"If you're nervous about it, we could have him over to the house for a few days so you can get to know him. I happen to agree with Rory, I think they might be setting you up. After all, your government wants you back . . . you saw how angry your ambassador was when you refused to return with him. I wouldn't put it pass them to try to abduct you. It would be better if you allowed me to deal with your government for you."
The young man shook his head. "You're sounding just like Rory, he doesn't think I can make my own decisions."
"You really should listen to him . . . he's older and has more experience than you." Skinner walked over and stared out the window. The view overlooked the front of the mansion, he could see the roof of Tony and Kim's cottage in the distance. The surrounding foliage it was nestled in blocked the view of the cottage.
"Does Mulder listen to you?"
"Fox listens to me most of the time . . . he respects and accepts me as the head of our family." Skinner smiled confidently.
"Oh . . . I thought you were both equal partners," Takeda stated, giving him a puzzled look.
"We are," Skinner stepped back over to the bed, glancing around the rest of the room. "Are you and Rory comfortable up here?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Yes, it was nice of you to allow us to stay here."
"I was thinking since the housekeeper's apartment is available, you and Rory could move in there. It would give you a lot more room and privacy."
"Thank you, Walter, I'll talk to Rory about it."
"Let me know what you decide . . . I'm going to help Fox with dinner."
***
"Fox, we could just put in a couple of frozen pizzas," Skinner suggested, noticing that Mulder was still rundown.
"No, Alex has been working hard all day . . . I want to have a decent meal for him when he gets home. Besides, you can consider this your very first cooking lesson." Mulder grinned, handing Skinner the packets of chicken breasts. "First thing, always wash the meat and clean off any excess fat."
Mulder walked up behind Skinner as he stood in front of the sink cleaning the chicken. He retied the A.D.'s apron, which had come undone in back. "Okay, we need three shallow dishes. In the first dish combine 6 tablespoons of flour and 3 teaspoons of lemon-pepper seasoning. In the second dish pour the buttermilk. In the third bowl pour 1 cup of corn flake crumbs and 6 tablespoons of cornmeal." Mulder placed a large greased baking pan on the counter next to the last dish.
"Okay, Walter, take the first breast and dip it into the flour mixture to coat it, then dip it in the buttermilk, finally dip it in the crumb mixture, then place it in this pan." Skinner followed the instructions and repeated it with the other seven chicken breasts.
"Okay, you can put to pan in the oven. It's already preheated, just set the timer for twenty minutes. Then you can start making the salad.
Mulder checked the potatoes that he had boiling on the stove and placed the pan of honey glazed carrots on another burner, setting the flame to medium. As Mulder was setting the kitchen table Krycek walked in.
"Hi, lover, miss me?" Krycek asked, wrapping his arms around Mulder's trim waist and kissing his neck.
"Mm, I always miss you." Mulder turned around in his arms, kissing his scrumptious lips, he ran his fingers through Krycek's thick hair.
"What's for dinner?" Krycek asked, watching Skinner removed a pan from the oven.
"Buttermilk Oven-Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, and carrots. Alex, can you call Rory and Shin, while I finish setting the table?" Mulder asked, placing the silverware on the round kitchen table.
*Hey, Rory, Shin, time to eat!* Krycek yelled telepathically. As he plopped himself down in a chair at the table and grabbed the beer that floated to him from the refrigerator while he loosened his tie.
Skinner carried the salad and an assortment of bottled salad dressings to the table.
MacIver and Takeda strolled into the room and sat at the table, Rory reached for a slice of bread from the breadbasket. "So, Alex, how your day?"
"Tedious . . . I did nothing but fill out expense and case reports." He sighed, taking the breadbasket from MacIver.
Mulder walked to the refrigerator and removed a bottle. Krycek could hear Hope softly whimpering in the family room. Mulder held the bottle under the hot tap water until it was the right temperature. Skinner and Krycek knew better than to offer to heat the bottle using their powers, Mulder had set them straight about helping him that way, without him requesting their help first.
Skinner placed the remaining bowls of food on lazy Susan in the center of the table. He opened a bottle of wine and filled each of their glasses before sitting down. Mulder came back carrying the baby, he sat at the table feeding her and smiled at Skinner, who filled a plate of food for him. He watched as the other men hungrily wolfed down the food.
"Alex, I'm hiring a cooking instructor to teach Walter, Rory, and Shin how to cook." Mulder grinned at the shocked expression on Takeda's and MacIver's faces.
"Now, lad, I'm a bit too old to learn how to cook. Shin, on the other hand, is the perfect age," MacIver argued, taking a bite of the glazed carrots.
"Rory, if I'm going to learn to cook then you are, too! And, don't try to use your age to squirm out of it. After all, Skinner's learning, and he's at least four years older than you," Takeda snapped.
"Guys, stop making it sound like it's a punishment . . . it's only fair that you learn. With Yori gone . . . Alex and I are going to need help with the cooking . . . we can't continue to do the majority of it. There will be times when we're both out of town on a case, and I would like to know that my daughters are going be fed a healthy meal," Mulder admonished. He placed the bottle on the table and turned Hope over. He gently burped her, then settled her snugly in the crook of his arm. He picked up his fork and started eating.
"Fox, it's going to be at least eighteen months before the girls will be eating what we're eating. What's the hurry?" Skinner asked, cleaning the rest of his plate.
"It's going to take you at least that long before your cooking is good enough to feed to our child," Mulder quipped.
Krycek chuckled, "Walter, he has you there and for the record I agree with him, I don't want to chance your cooking on my daughter."
"Okay . . . you've both made your point . . .we'll take the blasted cooking lessons," MacIver grumbled. "So what's for dessert," he asked. Getting up, he took his and Shinji's dirty dishes to the sink, rinsing them, he put them in the dishwasher.
"There's ice cream in the freezer," Skinner informed him, also rising he rinsed his plate too, and start clearing the table. Mulder was still eating and slowly sipping his glass of wine. The A.D. paused a moment to study him, he looked so beautiful with their child in his arms.
"Walter, shin told me about you offering us the use of the housekeeper's apartment, we'd love to move in there. I'd be willing to pay for our keep by doing the housekeeper's job around here," MacIver stated as he helped to cleanup the kitchen. He knew that with his powers he could do all of the daily cleaning in an hours time, which left the rest of the day for relaxing by the pool or fishing down at the lake.
"I'd appreciate that Rory," Skinner murmured, filling the dishwasher. He walked over and pulled two cartons of ice cream from the freezer. "Hey, Fox, what would you prefer, butter pecan or rocky road?"
"Butter pecan," Mulder answered as Krycek stood and grabbed their empty plates taking them to the dishwasher.
Shinji looked over at him smiling, "Mulder, I have some good news."
"What?"
"Kim and Tony have asked me if they could adopt my two daughters. I told them yes . . . now I can watch them as they grow up, and I won't have to worry about them being raised by strangers."
"Shin, are you sure that's what you want? You and Rory could raise them yourselves."
"No. I don't want to be reminded about the time I spent as a prisoner of the Consortium. This way I still get to see them occasionally, but I won't have the responsibility for their care and upbringing."
"I'm glad that you found a solution that works for you. Kim and Tony must be thrilled, they've always wanted children." Mulder smiled at Skinner as he placed a dish of ice cream in front of him. He picked up the spoon and started eating, looking down at Hope who was staring up at him. Mulder took a tiny amount of ice cream, careful not to get any of the pecans, and placed the spoon against her lips. She sucked at the small amount of ice cream scrunching up her face against the cold. The agent dabbed a napkin against her chin to clean up the drips.
"Did you like that, princess? Would you like a little bit more?" He scooped up another thimble-sized amount on his spoon and offered it to her, she eagerly opened her mouth for more.
"Fox, you shouldn't be feeding her anything other than formula this soon," Skinner admonished. "She can't even hold her head up on her own and here you're force-feeding her ice cream."
"A little ice cream isn't going to do her any harm, besides she likes it," he said, dabbing her chin with the napkin. He looked up into Skinner's stern expression. "Okay, if it will make you happy I won't give her anymore," Mulder pouted.
"Fox, finish up, I have a surprise for you," Krycek murmured, trying to ease the tension.
"I'm done," Mulder said, pushing the unfinished bowl of ice cream away. He stood up and handed Hope to Skinner. "You can watch her . . . seeing that you're such a great father."
"Fox, stop acting childish," the older man admonished.
"Then quit treating me like a child," Mulder grumbled, following Krycek out of the room. He steeled himself against the sound of Hope's crying as he left.
"Fox, do you want to go back and get her? She only cries that way when she wants you," Krycek asked, looking over his shoulder.
"No . . . he's been treating me like the little woman lately . . . I've had about enough of it. Let him try to manage her without me for awhile, maybe he'll come to his senses," Mulder huffed angrily.
"Maybe you should tell him what's bothering you. Fox, I'm sure he doesn't have a clue," Krycek advised, steering him through the upstairs library and up four steps to a locked door. He removed a key and unlocked it, then flung it open to the room beyond.
Mulder stepped in and looked around the room in awe, it contained a lot of his furniture from his old apartment in Alexandria. "Where did you get all of this?"
"Skinner had it in storage . . . I thought you needed a private place to get away from us every now and then. The computer is new it's the latest model on the market." Krycek walked over to the desk at the far end of the room.
Mulder followed, looking around. The room was used previously for storage, the floors were unfinished planking, the walls were covered in pine paneling. It had one large window that the desk was in front of. The room was about twenty feet wide and twenty-five feet long. "Alex, I love it," he said, walking over to his old leather sofa and plopping down.
"That's not all." Krycek walked over to the paneling and pushed a hidden button and a secret door popped open.
Mulder hopped up from the sofa and strolled over to the opening, looking down a steep flight of steps; a boyish grin lit up his face. "Where does it go?"
"There are two exits. One leads into the library and the other into yours and Skinner's bedroom. Do you want to go check them out?" Krycek asked, flipping a switch that lit up the small passageway.
"No . . . not now, later. Show me where the release is to open the panel from the passageway." Mulder watched as Krycek demonstrated the hidden switch.
The sound of a baby crying pulled their attention from the passageway. Skinner walked through the doorway with an extremely distraught, shrieking baby. "Fox, how can you be so insensitive? It isn't healthy for her to be crying like this!" he exclaimed harshly.
Mulder rushed over and took Hope from him. Hugging her against his chest, he sunk down on the sofa. She quieted down almost immediately, staring up at him with puffy swollen eyes and a small blotchy red face.
Skinner was about to launch into a lecture on responsibility when Krycek roughly grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room.
"Don't be a complete asshole . . . Fox is having a problem with how you've been treating him lately . . . don't make matters worse by yelling at him and laying on the guilt," Krycek whispered harshly.
Skinner looked up the few steps into Mulder's new office. "What do you mean? I'm not treating Fox any differently now than I've always treated him."
"He seems to think you're treating him, and I quote, 'like the little woman'. You should sit down and talk to him," Krycek advised, heading back up the steps and into the room.
Mulder was sitting huddled in the corner of the sofa. His feet were on the coffee table in front of him, the baby laid curled on his chest, and he had a far away look in his eyes.
Skinner walked up behind Krycek, seeing the dazed expression on Mulder's face. He walked around the coffee table and sat next to him, placing his hand over Mulder's where it rested on their daughter's back. "Fox, tell me what's wrong?"
Mulder's eyes focused, he stared deep into Skinner's eyes. "Oh pleeasse, don't act like you don't know!" He pushed Skinner's hand away from him and the baby.
"I don't," he said, looking pleadingly at his lover with a hurt expression on his face.
"You've snapped and belittled me more than once since our daughter's been born. You yelled at me in front of other agents at the Hoover Building, at your cousin's restaurant, and in front of my friends. You've made it known that you are the man of the house . . . what does that make me . . . or Alex?" Mulder kept his tone low, not wanting to disturb the baby.
"Fox, I didn't realize . . . you should have said something." Skinner reached for his hand and Mulder pulled it away.
"How can you not have realized . . . what do you see when you look at me?"
"I see the man that I love with all of my heart . . . my lover, my companion, and my friend. Fox, you mean more to me than anything in the world . . . I would never knowingly hurt or humiliate you. Tell me how I can make it up to you?"
"Walter, if you really understood then you'd know what would make it up to me. When you figure it out, get back to me. Until then, I'll be sleeping with Alex; you don't have to worry about taking care of Hope, she'll be staying with me."
Skinner was taken aback, he thought it was clear that he was sorry. He didn't have the slightest clue what Mulder expected from him. He glanced over to Krycek for a suggestion. *C'mon, Alex, do you know what he wants?* he pleaded telepathically.
*Sorry, Walter, I haven't a clue . . . if you figure it out, let me know . . . I might be in your shoes someday.*
"Fox, please . . . this is childish," Skinner stammered, knowing instantly that he had chosen the wrong word.
"That's twice now you've referred to me as a child . . . if that is what you think of me, why did you marry me?"
"Frankly, Fox, I don't know what I think of you right now," Skinner grumbled. Standing, he quickly walked to the door, pausing and glancing back. "I married you because I love you . . . I would think you'd know that by now," he toned softly. Turning, he left the room.
Skinner took the steps back down to the kitchen, muttering to himself.
"Walter, what's wrong?" MacIver asked from his position in front of the television set -- Takeda was curled up against him.
"Nothing," the A.D. muttered, heading into the kitchen just as Frohike came through the back door.
"Melvin, what are you doing here? It's getting kind of late," Skinner asked, glancing at the clock. It was close to nine o'clock in the evening.
"I needed to talk to you in private. I had one of those weird visions again, and this one has me worried." The little man glanced nervously around. "Where's Mulder?"
"Upstairs with Alex and the baby. We can go into my study," he said, leading the smaller man out of the kitchen, through the butler's pantry, and down a small hallway into his study.
"You've had a falling out with him, haven't you?"
"Fox is angry with me. I tried to apologize, but he wouldn't accept it. He refuses to tell me what I can do to make it up to him. He said I should already know," Skinner sighed. Walking over to his small liquor cabinet, he pulled out two tumblers and poured some bourbon into each one.
"Now tell me about this vision you've had and why it has you so worried?" Skinner asked. Handing him the drink, he sat next to Frohike in a wingback chair.
"Visions . . . I've had two different ones. I'm not sure of the timeframes . . . in the first one Mulder was in a large, elegant, dining room, he was sitting at the end of a long table when Slava walks up to him. Mulder looked up and smiled, tilting his head back, he accepted a kiss from the man. The second vision might have been in the same timeframe or later, Mulder was sitting on the floor surrounded by beautiful little girls, they looked to be about seven or eight years old. He was reading to them, again Slava walked up to him and leaned down to kiss him."
"Are you suggesting that at some future date, Fox is going to return willingly to Slava and have children by him?" Skinner asked aghast.
"So far, my visions have always been accurate, but there is too little information to make such a black and white statement. I don't know if Mulder returns willingly to him or even if those were Mulder's and Slava's daughters."
"But at some point in the future Fox is with that bastard. How can I prevent that from happening?"
"I don't know . . . if I had a vision that lasted more than a minute I'd be able to pinpoint just what is going to happen." The little man took a sip of his drink. "What are you and Mulder fighting about?"
"He says I've been treating him like a child, that I've humiliated him in front of other people. Melvin, I didn't know I was treating him that way. You know how reckless Fox is, he doesn't always think about the consequences of his actions. I've only been trying to modify that behavior . . . I don't want him harming himself or the baby. Maybe, I went a little too far and should have been more considerate of his feelings. I just wish I knew what he expects from me in a way of an apology."
"Mulder's not the sentimental type so I doubt flowers and candy is what he's looking for," Frohike sympathized.
"Maybe not . . . but it couldn't hurt. He could just be feeling cooped up, I suppose dinner and dancing might help," Skinner replied, putting his feet up on the footstool.
"Maybe you need to spice up your sex life," the little man suggested.
"He's not going to let me get close enough to have sex with him until I apologize the way he wants me to. I just wish I knew what way that is," Skinner sighed. He was blind as to what his lover expected from him.
***