Life from the Ashes Book 2 - Hope and Faith
Chapter 17
Happiness and Heartachesby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Tuesday, June 8
4:30 a.m.In his sleep, Mulder rolled away from Skinner's warm body and wrapped himself around Krycek. The A.D. unconsciously turned on his side, following his lover, and curled up behind the agent's body.
The beeping of the alarm clock woke the older man. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and turned off the alarm. Climbing out of bed he walked into the nursery, he held out his hand and a heated bottle appeared in it. Hope was sucking on her pacifier in her sleep, and he smiled tenderly at her as he picked up Faith. The infant slowly came awake as he placed the nipple against her lips he sat in the rocking chair. The three men took turns every two hours feeding Faith. Hope was fed every four hours, but unlike Faith, she cried loudly when she wanted to be fed. While Faith usually had to woken up, she rarely cried.
"Sugar, how like your daddy you are," Skinner murmured to the little infant. She peered up at him through thick lashes; her hazel eyes appeared golden-brown in the dim light. She sucked contentedly on the bottle. "You do have a good appetite."
In the bedroom Krycek nudged Mulder awake. "Hey, love, I got an itch that I need you to scratch," he purred, kissing the agent's eyes, nose, and lips.
"Mm, where?" Mulder asked sleepily, running his nails over Krycek's back.
"Lower," he murmured as Mulder's hand moved down to his ass. "A little bit lower," Krycek directed as the agent's fingers slipped between his buttocks. "Now up about nine inches," he moaned as Mulder's fingers nudged his asshole.
"Mm, nine inches . . . I'm going to need something longer than my fingers," Mulder breathed huskily.
"And thicker," Krycek advised, handing the agent a tube of KY. They shared a deeply passionate kiss while Mulder flipped open the lubricant.
"Turn over, lover." Mulder pulled away and allowed his lover to turn on his side with his back facing him.
Krycek raised one leg, exposing his anus to his lover. Mulder wasted no time preparing him. Mulder smiled up at Skinner as he came back into the bedroom and climbed in bed behind him. He passed the tube back to him. "Do me, Walter," he purred as he guided his cock into Krycek's anus.
"With pleasure, babe," Skinner murmured. He opened the tube and applying lube to Mulder -- his lover was already slick from earlier.
Krycek moaned as he felt his lover's large cock slide deeper into his body. "Yes, that's just what I needed," he groaned, pushing back against Mulder's cock, taking it deeper.
Mulder's hand caressed Krycek's chest and he pinched and twisted his nipples. The agent's mouth nipped the soft skin behind the younger man's ears. Mulder felt Skinner's cock entered him. He sighed with contentment when the older man was fully sheathed inside of him.
They stayed attached and unmoving for several minutes, just relishing the closeness and warmth of each other's body. At first, the lovers were clumsy at trying to set a rhythm, but they soon settled for a slow easy fucking. They didn't want this moment to be over too soon.
Mulder was completely blissful, he had never experienced the sensation of fucking and being fucked at the same time. The feel of Krycek's ass muscles clenching tightly around his cock as it was buried within the hot, velvet interior was mind-blowing. He wondered if Krycek could feel the electric wave coursing throughout his body when Skinner brushed against his prostate. He didn't have to wonder for long as the younger man's body arched against his and they both screamed as the sensations of pleasure overcame them.
Skinner followed them over the edge as Mulder's contracting muscles milked him. Sweaty and exhausted, all three men collapsed on the bed. The older man pulled out and rolled on his back. "God, I have to get up and get ready for work," he moaned.
Mulder turned and wrapped his arms around Skinner's chest, kissing him. "C'mon, I'll share a shower with you and wash your back. After your morning workout, I'll make you breakfast."
Skinner smiled, hugging him tightly. "Fox, you're going to spoil me, do you know that?"
"No, I just don't want you going to work hungry. I know from personal experience what a grouch you can be on an empty stomach. Besides, I promised the other agents that I'd see to it that you came to work in a good mood. After all, they're paying me good money," he quipped.
Krycek rolled over, pulling the covers over him. "Oh, so that's where all those five dollars bills have been coming from." he chuckled, burying himself deeper under the blankets.
"Ha-ha, very funny." Skinner climbed out of bed. Pulling Mulder with him, they stumbled into the bathroom.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Exercise Room
Tuesday, June 8
6:00 a.m.Skinner wanted to get in a quick workout before he changed for work. He was not surprised to see the Japanese major already up and working out in the room. They had worked out together the last three mornings.
"Good morning, Kazuo," the A.D. greeted, walking over to the bench press.
"Good morning, Walter." The major hesitantly walked over to him. "Ah, Walter, can I ask your advice?"
Skinner strapped on the leather wrist supports and looked up at the nervous younger man. "Sure, Kazuo."
"I . . . I find myself wanting to explore a deeper relationship with Shinji, but I don't know how to proceed." The major looked pleadingly at him.
Skinner slowly removed the wrist supports. "C'mon, let's go up and have this conversation in my study." They rode the elevator to the main level.
Skinner stepped into the kitchen. Mulder was at the counter feeding Hope a bottle he looked up concerned. "I thought you were working out, I haven't started breakfast yet."
"Don't worry about it, babe. I'm just going to grab a couple of mugs of coffee for Kazuo and me," he replied. Filling two mugs with coffee, he added cream to the major's cup, knowing how he liked it.
Mulder smiled at Sawada. The major stood nervously in the doorway.
Skinner guided the man into his office. After the major was sitting in a wingback chair by the fireplace, Skinner handed him a steaming mug of coffee. The A.D. sat in the opposite chair.
"Kazuo, there is something important that you need to know before you get anymore involved in your relationship with Shinji."
"Walter, I hope you're not going to tell me he's your lover, too!" he exclaimed.
"No! Fox is all I can handle." Skinner chuckled. "What I want to warn you about is the side effects. It's not like having sex with a normal male, the moment you exchange bodily fluids with an immortal your body chemistry is altered. You become hopelessly in love with him. There is no way that you will be able to live without him," the A.D. stressed.
Sawada looked thoughtful for a few minutes. "Walter, I haven't even had sex with him and already I don't want to leave him. What about you? What are your feelings for Shinji?"
"I'll admit that I find Shinji very attractive, but I have Fox, so Shinji's beauty doesn't affect me like it would other men. Kazuo, I've been in love with Fox for many years, long before the virus affected him. I don't love him because he is an immortal. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure if his mutation has an effect on me," he sighed. "Kazuo, you realize that Rory isn't going to like it if you fall in love with Shinji?"
"I don't think that will be a problem. Shinji will realize that MacIver isn't good enough for him once he has a dependable, honorable man in his life," the major said with confidence.
"Kazuo, exactly how much do you know about immortals?"
"That they cannot die, they're all extremely beautiful, they give off an extremely arousing scent, and that they can change into females during a full moon."
Skinner couldn't stop himself from laughing at that last comment; he'd heard it himself recently, it was a myth that seemed to grow with the telling of it. "Kazuo, that last part is purely myth, they don't change during the full moon," he chuckled.
"Oh." The major looked embarrassed.
"There are things about them you should be aware of, and another side effect you should know about." Skinner looked thoughtful.
"What?"
"Immortals are fragile, they need to be constantly protected from predators. They require an anti-pheromone shot every five days. The immortals that have sorcerer lovers cannot go without anal sex for more than 48 hours when they're not on the drug or 5 days when they are on it. We have to always be compassionate toward them; they are totally dependent on us both sexually and socially. Immortals are under constant stress of having their rights taken away or being attacked. It's our responsibility to make sure they always feel safe and loved." Skinner looked at the major making sure the man was following his words carefully.
"I don't want you to think you should treat immortals like 'the little woman'. You shouldn't! You have to remember that they are independent men who have been forced into dependency. Sorcerers who love immortals have to walk a fine line between letting their lovers have the freedom to be as independent as possible and at the same time be close enough to protect them when necessary. I won't tell you that it's easy. There are times that I've wanted to, *tried* to, smother Mulder with my protection because of my fear for his safety. He's had to remind me to step back and let him breathe.
"Kazuo, if you have sex with Shinji you'll find that your sex drive will increase and you'll be able to have more orgasms within an evening." Skinner sighed, "However, your immortal lover has an even a higher sex drive, and he will wear you out. I'm happy that Alex is in our lives. If anything ever happened to me . . . he'd be there for Fox. You have to realize that your life will have to change to accommodate Shinji . . . you cannot leave him alone for longer than 5 days at a time. You don't want him suffering from sexual withdrawal; it is extremely painful for him. I'd suggest that you overcome your disdain for Rory, it really is better for an immortal to have two sorcerer lovers."
The major sat stunned for several minutes. "I didn't realize how dependent an immortal is on us for his day-to-day existence. However, I think I can handle Shinji without the help of another sorcerer, after all, isn't that what MacIver's been doing?"
"It's not as simple as that . . . Rory is already physically bonded to him, he won't be able to let Shinji go!" Skinner stressed.
"So, what you're saying is if I have sex with Shinji, it will become my responsibility to provide love and protection for him, and I will be physically bonded to him." Sawada leaned back in his chair and sipped his mug of coffee. His hand trembled ever so slightly.
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"I already don't want to leave him. Walter, I think that I've fallen in love with Shinji." He looked embarrassed and uncomfortable. "I don't know how it happened. I want to make love to him, but I've never had sex with another man . . . I don't know how to go about it," the major stammered.
"First, you have to ask him . . . if he says yes, then talk to Fox. He'll help you plan the perfect romantic evening. The rest will just happen naturally," Skinner smiled warmly at the nervous man.
"Thank you, Walter," he replied, somewhat relieved, but worried about what a great responsibility it would be to have an immortal for a lover.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Mulder's Office
Tuesday, June 8
10:20 a.m."Hey, Mulder," Takeda greeted as he walked into Mulder's home office.
"Hi, Shin." Mulder looked up from his computer.
The younger man threw himself down on the leather sofa. He lay with his back against the armrest, and his feet propped up on the cushions. Takeda reached for the bag of sunflower seeds on the coffee table, placing it on his lap. "Kazuo has asked me to spend the evening with him tonight," he informed the agent. "He was really cute and nervous."
"That's what you wanted, isn't it?" Mulder looked back at him.
"Yes. Mulder, I need your advice?" he asked, crunching on a seed.
"Sure, Shin." Mulder logged off the Internet. He sat on the opposite end of the sofa from the younger man.
"When did you first realize you were in love with Walter and Alex?" Takeda asked.
"I once had a misunderstanding with Walter, I thought he had betrayed me, I wouldn't listen to anything he had to say in way of an explanation. I was devastated. I realized later that it was because I had fallen so deeply in love with him that it hurt so much. I really didn't know for sure that I loved him until that moment." Mulder reached for some seeds. "Alex was a different story. I've been in love with him since the first day I worked with him . . . I never wanted to admit it though."
"Yeah, that's how it was with Rory and me. The moment he came through that door and rescued me from those Consortium doctors, I fell in love with him." Takeda smiled. "I'm falling in love with Kazuo, he fills an emptiness in my heart that Rory can't. I didn't realize how much I missed Japan, it's so nice having someone I can speak Japanese with and talk about our country to. I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Do you still love Rory?" Mulder asked, concerned.
"Yes, more than ever," Shinji sighed. "I don't want to lose him, but I find myself needing Kazuo, too."
"Shin, do you love Kazuo?"
"Yes. It's weird, I haven't even had sex with the man and already I'm in love with him."
"You just said that you fell in love with Rory before you had sex with him so it's not so weird." Mulder smiled. "What you need to do is make sure Rory knows how much you love him, you don't want him thinking you're dumping him for Kazuo."
"Was that what you did?" The young man looked questioningly at Mulder.
"No, both my lovers were deeply guilt-ridden. Alex was willing to give me up, but I couldn't let him go. Walter was the tougher sell. I had to promise to have a child with him before he would agree to share me with his brother, he needed that added bit of security." Mulder looked into the younger man's eyes. "Shinji, it's going to hurt Rory a lot to have to share you with another man, are you sure that is what you want?"
"I don't want to hurt Rory, but I can't lose Kazuo."
"I just want you to know what you're getting yourself into. Rory and Kazuo don't like one another -- this is bound to make them hate each other more. I'm worried they may even try to kill each other."
Shinji placed the bag of sunflower seeds back on the coffee table then crawled up the sofa and into Mulder's arms. He hugged the agent and cried softly against his chest. "I don't want them to hurt each other, Mulder, what am I going to do?"
"Ssh, I'll ask Alex and Walter to watch them, they won't allow them to fight inside the mansion. In time maybe they'll learn to accept one another," he murmured, holding Shinji and rubbing his back soothingly.
The soft knocking at the door interrupted them. Shinji pulled away and wiped his eyes, while Mulder went to answer the door. "Hi, Kazuo, what can I do for you?" Mulder asked, blocking the view of his office from the young major.
"Walter said I could ask for your help . . . do you have a moment?" Sawada tried to see into the room.
"Sure, let's go down to the kitchen," Mulder replied. Stepping out of his office, he closed the door.
Mulder had Sawada sit at the breakfast table. He brought over a pitcher of ice tea and two glasses. "Alex and Rory have taken the babies for a buggy ride down by the lake, they should be back in a half hour," Mulder informed him as he sat at the table, pouring the tea into their glasses.
"This shouldn't take long. Shinji has agreed to spend the evening with me . . . I want to make it special for him. Walter said you could help me plan the perfect evening." Sawada looked timid and uncertain.
Mulder smiled warmly at him. "I'd love to help you out. I'll even cook you a romantic dinner for two that I'll have waiting in your room when you take Shinji up. Walter has several bottles of champagne stashed away that will go perfectly with your evening, but first we'll need lots of candles and some scented bath oils."
"Candles? Bath oils?" Sawada asked confused.
"Kazuo, even with a woman, haven't you ever shared a bath together?"
"Oh, yes," he blushed.
"Okay, plan on having Shinji up to your room at eight-thirty o'clock tonight. I'll have everything set up and waiting for you." Mulder grinned.
"Thank you very much, Mulder. " The major smiled back, relieved.
"Hey, Mulder, this package just arrived for Faith. It's from the Tsar of Russia," Tony stated as he entered the kitchen. He placed the package in front of Mulder on the breakfast table.
"Oh, great. At least it's too small to be a piece of furniture," Mulder stated as he unwrapped the package.
"You know Tsar Nikolai Slava?" Major Sawada asked, intrigued. Japan had been trying to form an alliance with Slava against Kong Woo Long, a fierce Chinese sorcerer Warlord.
"Not by choice," the agent sighed, pulling out an exquisite antique music box. The box was a rich polished mahogany with silver gilding. Mulder opened the lid and delicate music filled the room.
"That's very pretty, Mulder," Takeda said, coming into the kitchen.
"It's a present for Faith," Mulder replied. He had to admit the tune was beautiful and soothing.
Shinji walked over to the refrigerator. "I'm going to make lunch. I thought I'd grill hamburgers outside and make some coleslaw." He started pulling ingredients out for the coleslaw.
"May I give you a hand, Shinji?" the major offered. Taking the cabbage from him, he went to the sink to wash it.
"Yes. Thank you, Kazuo," Shinji murmured softly. He suddenly felt shy around the older man.
***
Winter Palace
St. Petersburg
Tuesday, June 8
1:20 p.m.Tsar Nikolai strolled down the passageway in the lowest level of the Winter Palace where the air was damp and musty smelling. He stopped in front of a wooden door and his n'thral guard opened it for him. The room beyond was a large windowless workshop; it had a small cot against the far wall and only one occupant.
Masataka Izumi sat huddled over a workbench; he had a large magnifying glass set up in front an object he was painstakingly carving. He was too involved in his work to notice the Tsar and his large n'thral guards. He paused occasionally due to uncontrollable coughing.
Slava stood quietly watching the Japanese man work, he didn't want to startle him so he allowed him to continue working. After a few minutes the man became aware of their presence. Izumi looked up and met the tall Cossack's dark black eyes. "Tsar Nikolai." He stood and bowed. He covered his mouth as another spasm of coughs racked his slim body. Izumi was in his early fifties and the dank air in the cellar of the Palace was affecting his health. He recovered his composure and back away from the bench to allow the Tsar to view his work.
"How are the carvings coming, Izumi?" Slava asked, walking up to the workbench. There were three Netsuke carvings in various stages of completion, and sketches for four more. The Tsar had traded a beautiful Nordic slave to a Hutu n'thral warlord for the hippo ivory that the carvings were being made from. Slava picked up the completed one. It was three inches high, and the detailing was exquisite.
"I should have another one finished by the end of the week," the older man replied sullenly.
"This is really beautiful, Izumi, you are doing a marvelous job. To show my appreciation I'm having your quarters moved to the top floor."
The Tsar marveled at the likeness of Fox Mulder and himself on the carving. It showed them embracing and sharing a deeply passionate kiss. Both figures were fully clothed. He was bent over the agent's body with one hand squeezing Fox's ass and the other on his back, holding him pressed against his chest.
The figures became more erotic with each carving. The next one, that was nearly finished, had Fox's nude body leaning back against his fully clothed one. The agent's back was pressed against his chest, he had his trousers undone and his large cock was pressed against Fox's bare hip. One of his hands held the agent's cock while the other was splayed across the smaller man's belly. Fox's head was leaning back against his broad shoulder the look of arousal was clearly etched on his beautiful face. Slava was kissing the side of the agent's throat.
Slava was planning to send them to his lover one at a time. The first was for Fox's birthday. He smiled when he imagined the look of pleasure that would be on his Fox's beautiful face when he received this intimate gift.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Tuesday, June 8
8:30 p.m.Major Kazuo Sawada had never felt more nervous in his life as he opened the door to his bedroom suite and allowed Shinji Takeda to proceed him into the room. As promised, Mulder had an elegant dinner waiting for them. The table was covered with a fine linen tablecloth on it was a short vase of red roses and two lit candles in sterling silver candlestick holders. There was a sterling silver ice bucket with a bottle of champagne standing next to the table.
Takeda walked over to the table and lifted the silver lid off one of the plates. "Mm, it looks delicious." He smiled.
Sawada smiled, pleased to see the gourmet meal Mulder had prepared for them: poached salmon with a dill sauce, julienne vegetables, and a simple citrus salad with chunks of fresh pineapple.
Shinji sat at the table while Sawada set the lids aside on a tray Mulder had left for them. "Would you like some champagne, Shin?" the major asked, popping the cork off the bottle.
"Yes, please."
Sawada filled both of their glasses, then sat across from Takeda. "Shinji, what's so funny?" he asked, noticing the broad smile on the younger man's face.
"Mulder . . . he's thought of everything. Did you know that eating fresh pineapple before bedtime will make your semen taste very much like pineapple in the morning?" the younger man asked, popping a chunk of pineapple into his mouth.
"No. I didn't know that." Sawada blushed.
"Tell me about your family, Kazuo," Takeda requested.
Sawada was relieved by the change of subject. "I was raised by my father Gou and my Uncle Takeshi. My mother died when I was three," Sawada said sadly. "There was only one woman in our family, my Uncle Takeshi's wife Megumi, they had no children. My other two uncles Shinobu and Masataka were never married. Shinobu is a tattoo artist in Tokyo, he's only five years older than I am. My Uncle Masataka is an artist and traveler . . . I think he's somewhere in Europe . . . I only see him once or twice a year." Sawada smiled, thinking about his eccentric uncle.
"What does your father and Uncle Takeshi do for a living?"
"My father was a law enforcer with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, he's been retired for several years. Uncle Takeshi is a world famous chef. He appeared on an American television program featuring Japanese cooking, and he had a cookbook published," Sawada told him proudly.
"Then most of your family survived the virus?" Shinji asked. He was a bit envious, because his mother and three sisters all died, leaving him all alone.
"Yes, everyone except my aunt. Shinji, I'm sorry, I know you lost your whole family," the major murmured, reaching for the younger man's hand.
"There is no reason for you to feel guilty, Kazuo." He squeezed the older man's hand then went back to eating.
They finished eating and Sawada put the dirty dishes on the tray and carried it outside the room, setting it down on the floor. Mulder had told him to leave it there and he'd retrieve it later.
Sawada walked over to Shinji and pulled the young man into his arms. He started kissing him passionately. "Let's go into the bathroom . . . I have a surprise for you," he breathed huskily.
"What?" Shinji smiled as the older man pulled him toward the bathroom.
Before entering, Sawada used his powers to light all of the candles in the room.
"Wow!" Takeda gasped, he was amazed at how romantic the bathroom was with candles flickering on every surface.
Sawada went over to the bathtub and turned on the water, he added some bath oils. He then went back to Shinji. "I think you're a bit over dressed." His hands shook as he removed the younger man's shirt.
"Here, Kazuo, let me," Shinji murmured. He removed the rest of his clothing then helped Sawada out his. Takeda stepped back to appraise the older man's body. He felt suddenly vulnerable by Sawada's powerful, muscular body. Unlike MacIver's lean and agile one, the major's body was immaculately chiseled with large well-defined muscles. "Mm, very nice," he murmured, admiring Sawada's cock, it was longer than MacIver's cock but not as thick. He felt extremely thrilled at the prospect of being made love to by such a powerful and handsome man.
They stepped into the full whirlpool bath and Takeda reached over, shutting off the water as he turned on the jets. He sank down into the warm swirling water. "My family never had money for such luxuries, it cost my mother and sisters all of their savings to send me to college. I now wish they had used the money for their own pleasures instead . . . life is too short," he sighed.
Sawada sank down next to him. "Shin, you can't bemoan the past . . . you didn't know what the future would bring." He reached behind the younger man and pulled the tie out of his ponytail freeing his long hair. He fingered Takeda's earrings, they reminded him of MacIver.
"You wear your hair and dress like a gangster . . . is that what you want to be, Shinji? Do you want to be like MacIver?" the major asked harshly.
Takeda pulled away. "I love Rory . . . I want to be like him, strong, brave . . . free." Takeda let his hand roam under the water, stroking Sawada's cock. "What do you want, Kazuo?"
Sawada inhaled sharply as his cock jumped under Takeda's hand. He quickly grabbed the younger man's hand and pulled him against his chest, forgetting his anger. "God, you are so beautiful . . . I never thought I'd feel this way for another man." He kissed the side of the immortal's neck as his arm wrapped around the younger man's back. The major's hand roamed lower, and he pulled Takeda up on his lap.
Takeda wrapped his arms around the older man's body and kissed him deeply. He turned his body around so he was straddling Sawada's lap and he deepened the kiss. The younger man chuckled into the major's mouth when he felt the hotness of Sawada's semen splash against his ass.
The major blushed. Merely being kissed had never brought him off before, and he was embarrassed by his lack of control. "Shin, I . . . I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"I have never had sex with a man before . . . I was hoping to . . . ah." The major's blush deepened.
"You want to fuck me?" Takeda grinned saucily, enjoying the older man's embarrassment.
"Well . . . yes. I was hoping you would show me what to do, but I guess I spoiled it," he sighed.
"Kazuo, we have all evening . . . I'm sure you're capable of getting it up more than once." Takeda reached down and stroked the major a few times before he felt his cock starting to respond. "Rory can come six times in one evening."
"Shinji, please don't talk about that man when you're with me," Sawada ordered. He grasped the younger man's cock for the first time feeling its girth and length. It felt strange to touch another man this way.
Takeda sucked in his breath, pushing into the major's hand. "Rory is a part of my life, Kazuo. I love him."
"Do you think you'd be able to love me, too?" Sawada asked.
"Yes, it's possible," Takeda smiled sweetly. He relaxed against his body, resting his head on Sawada's shoulder he let the warm whirling water soothe him.
After several minutes had passed, Sawada kissed the top of Shinji's head. "I think I'm ready again . . . do you want to go to the bedroom?"
"Sure, Kazuo, we'll take it really slow and I'll show you exactly what to do." Takeda stood and climbed out of the bathtub. The major pulled the drain; standing, he accepted a towel from the younger man. He watched nervously as Takeda walked naked into the bedroom. He couldn't pull his eyes away from the younger man's firm buttocks.
Sawada hurriedly dried himself and put out the candles. When he walked into the bedroom, Shinji had the blankets pulled down and he was lying on his back with his legs spread giving the major an unashamed view of his anus. He was stroking his cock with one hand, in the other was a bottle of lubricant that he tossed to the older man.
"Kazuo, I like to be well-lubricated and stretched before I'm made love to. Normally, I like a lot of foreplay, but we can forgo that until you're better able to control yourself," he directed huskily.
Sawada bent and picked up the tube from the floor nervously licking his lips, he walked over to the bed. He spent several long seconds drinking in Takeda's beauty. The younger man was fully aroused and giving off a delicious scent that was driving the young major mad with lust, his cock was straining against his belly as he climbed onto the bed. He knew Shinji was right he would not last long.
The major opened the tube and squeezed out a generous amount of lube. He slowly coated the younger man's ass then inserted a shaky finger into his anus. Sawada felt the sphincter muscles clench tightly, he didn't know how he was going to get his large cock into such a tight space without exploding prematurely.
Takeda was purring contentedly and pushing back against the major's finger. "I'm ready for another; don't be afraid, you're not hurting me," he soothed.
Sawada pushed another finger into Takeda. To his surprise, he was finding the whole experience very erotic. "Shin, I don't think I'm going to be able to last much longer," he moaned. His cock was leaking against his belly.
"Then go for it, stud," the younger man quipped.
"Don't you have to turn over?" the major asked.
"No, I want to watch your face," he purred, placing his shins on the major's shoulders.
The young Japanese officer caught on quickly. He lubricated his cock and positioned it against the younger man's anus. Sawada started pushing, he moaned when the head of his cock popped in. He groaned as he pushed in further as his cock was being gripped in an unbelievable tightness. Sawada tried to stop himself from coming as he felt his balls creep up. He only made it in halfway when he lost his battle and came hard, crying out.
He blushed over his lack of control, but to his amazement, he was still hard inside the younger man so he pushed in deeper. His semen made it easier to slide all the way in.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to come again so soon," he apologized.
"You know, Kazuo, you are very handsome," Takeda murmured; lowering his legs, he wrapped them around the older man's waist.
Sawada bent down and captured Takeda's mouth in a deeply passionate kiss, trapping the younger man's cock between their bodies. The immortal rocked against the major's body, smearing pre-cum onto their bellies.
"Oh, please fuck me," Takeda begged.
Sawada pulled out slowly then pushed back in; he enjoyed the way his cock was firmly held by the younger man's hot interior. He started thrusting in more forcefully as Takeda's legs forced him to pick up his pace. He worked up a sweat from thrusting in and out for over fifteen minutes, dripping onto the younger man. The major watched as Takeda threw his head back, crying out as he came, his milky semen hitting his chest. He was shocked as the muscles in the younger man's anus started clenching his cock and forcing another orgasm from him. He spurted deep into Takeda's bowels. Sawada collapsed on the younger man, still buried deeply inside of him.
After several minutes had passed, he eased out of Takeda's body, and crawled up to lay beside him. He pulled the immortal into his arms cradling him against his chest. Sawada was sated and truly happy for the first time in almost two years.
"Well, Kazuo, what do you think?" Takeda murmured.
"That was the most mind-shattering experience I've ever had. Thank you, Shin," he murmured, hugging the younger man tighter.
Takeda reached down and pulled the blankets over their bodies. They fell asleep wrapped in one another's arms, waking up several more times during the evening to make love.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Wednesday, June 9
9:30 a.m.Sawada was in an extraordinary good mood as he took the back staircase down to the exercise room. He stopped in the doorway when he saw the Scotsman was working out. MacIver was shirtless, and his upper body was lean and muscular. He was glistening with sweat as he performed several martial arts moves. The older man spun once, jumping high in the air. As he kicked out with his foot, he broke several one-inch boards that were set up in a vise.
Sawada ignore him as he walked over to the parallel bar and started doing chin-ups.
MacIver glared at him, then walked casually over to where Sawada was working out. "So, Major, you'll be going back to Japan now that you have fulfilled your commitment to your government."
"I have no intention of leaving just yet. When I do go back, Shinji will be returning with me." Sawada did not hide the contempt he felt for the roguish Scotsman, whom he considered to be a bad influence on Shinji.
MacIver turned red with rage. "You'll be leaving today, you fucking whore! You've done your goddamn duty! If you so much as look at Shinji again, I will cut your bloody heart out!" he hissed.
"I suggest you take your own advice and leave. Shinji needs someone honorable to look after him . . . not a lowlife like yourself!" the major snapped. He didn't move quickly enough as the Scotsman's fist made contact with his face.
Sawada recovered quickly and kicked out with his foot, MacIver easily deflected the blow. The Scotsman grabbed a metal pole off the wall and swung it at the Japanese major's chest. Sawada jumped back, the pole missing him by a breath. He grabbed a similar pole and deflected several more blows by MacIver. The younger man was surprised by the agility of the Scotsman.
They fought for fifteen minutes before Sawada was able to sneak under MacIver's defenses to deliver a hard blow to his ribs -- he thought he heard one snap. MacIver cried out in pain; swinging back with the pole, he caught the major in the knee, knocking him off his feet.
"STOP!" Krycek shouted as he came racing into the room.
When MacIver attempted to bring the metal pole down on the major's head, Krycek used his powers to remove both of the weapons from the men's hands.
"I SAID STOP!" He stormed over to the two men, surveying the damage. There was a large bruise forming on MacIver's side, and Sawada had blood running down his chin from a cut lip and his knee was swelling. Both men were panting heavily.
"What the hell are you two doing?" he asked, glaring at both men.
"Alex, I was just advising the major that since he has performed his duty, he isn't needed here any longer," MacIver drawled.
"Alex, I'm in love with Shinji. I'm not leaving him," the major said, attempting to stand. Krycek helped him to his feet.
"I think you're both out of line . . . it isn't your decision to make." Krycek put an arm around Sawada's waist and headed for the door, with MacIver following.
"Whose decision is it?" MacIver grumbled.
"Shinji's. If he wants Kazuo to stay, he stays. If he wants to throw you both out, you both leave. It's as *simple* as that," the triple agent told them, ignoring the hostile looks they threw at him.
They stepped off the elevator and walked into the kitchen. Krycek helped Sawada onto one of the tall stools. Takeda rushed over seeing the blood on the major's face and his other lover's bruised side. "What's going on?"
"Your boyfriends were fighting over you. It seems they both would like the other to leave. Shinji, you need to make a decision," Krycek told him as he walked over to the freezer and took out a tray of ice. He soaked a towel then placed several ice cubes inside; walking back over to the major he laid it on his injured knee.
"Decision? Rory, you promised me that you'd treat Kazuo nicely." Takeda looked at him angrily.
"Shin, this was only suppose to be a one time deal! He wasn't supposed to stick around after having sex with you! I want him out of here!" the Scotsman yelled.
"Rory, please. I love you, but I've fallen in love with Kazuo, too." Takeda had tears streaming down his face. MacIver never raised his voice at him before, and Takeda realized how deeply he had hurt him.
"NO! You promised me, Shinji!" MacIver spun around, holding his side. He angrily left the room.
Takeda tried to run after him, but Krycek grabbed his arm. "Shin, let him calm down first. He's not going to listen to you in his present state."
"But he's injured, Alex. He needs me to heal him."
"He'll be fine. You take care of Kazuo . . . I'll go and talk to Rory."
Krycek found the older man in the apartment he shared with Shinji.
"Rory, drinking isn't going to make this go away," Krycek commented, watching as the Scotsman pulled out a bottle of whiskey.
"Mind your own bloody business, Alex!" he snarled. He gasped in pain when he sat and his injured ribs rubbed together. He downed two fingers of whiskey, then poured himself another, quickly downing that as well.
"Here, let me take a look," the triple agent said. Kneeling down next to MacIver, he felt the man's ribs. "It looks like you have one broken rib, Rory. Would you like me to get Fox to heal it for you?"
MacIver ignored the question; he had bigger problems than his health to worry about. "Fuck! I've lost him, Alex. What am I going to do without him? I can't live without him." He cried into his glass, tears streaming down his handsome face.
Krycek felt his heart go out to his friend, he had never seen MacIver so heartbroken. "You haven't lost him. Shinji still loves you . . . he's only asking that you share him with Kazuo."
"Alex, just because it works for you and Walter to share Mulder, that doesn't mean it will work for us. I can't stand that arrogant bastard! He already told me that he's taking Shinji back to Japan with him!"
"Shin isn't going anywhere without you, Rory. The major is going to find out the hard way what the cost of being in love with an immortal is," Krycek soothed. "C'mon, at least let me wrap your ribs."
MacIver grabbed the bottle and allowed Krycek to lead him into the large bathroom. The triple agent searched for something to wrap the older man's ribs.
***
"Shinji, he had no right to yell at you that way!" the major growled.
Takeda was pacing back and forth, wringing his hands nervously. "Kazuo, please, stay out of this . . . Rory had every right to be mad at me. I broke my word to him . . . I have to see if he's all right," he murmured. Leaving the kitchen, he didn't notice the devastated look on his new lover's face.
Krycek could not find any bandages to wrap MacIver's ribs. The Scotsman continued to drown his sorrows, while the triple agent searched the bathroom. Krycek was about to rip a towel into strips when he was interrupted.
"Alex, you can leave now, I'll take care of Rory. That is, if you'll let me, Rory?" Takeda asked softly; walking up to his Scottish lover, he brushed the hair out of his eyes.
"Shin, I'm sorry . . . I yyellled at you," he muttered.
"Rory, you have every right to be angry with me. Come here, I'll fix your side, then we can both sleep for the rest of the morning." Takeda took the bottle from his lover's hand and passed it back to Krycek. The triple agent poured the contents down the drain before leaving the apartment.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Wednesday, June 9
11:00 a.m.A large armored van pulled up in front of the mansion. Mulder strolled out to meet their new guests. He nodded to two agents he knew from the bureau as they unloaded the luggage.
"Fox!" A handsome, tall, blond man walked over and hugged him. Although his thick, blond hair was peppered with gray, he still looked younger than his forty-six years.
"Gabriel, you can see!" Mulder exclaimed, looking into his friend's bright blue eyes, he frowned with confusion as he noticed they were still sightless.
"Yes, but not with my eyes," he smiled. "Damn, Fox. You always were a beautiful man, but now. Wow!"
"How can you see me, if not with your eyes?" Mulder asked, ignoring his friend's other remarks.
"With my mind . . . I project a part of myself outside my body to see, it's remarkable. The colors and details are more brilliant than I was ever able to see with my eyes," he explained. He hooked his arm through Mulder's and steered the agent over to meet the other men waiting outside the van.
"Fox, this is Justin Cody Blaise. Justin was a Texas Ranger," Hunter informed him.
Blaise was a tall beautiful redhead with gray eyes. Mulder estimated that he was around his age.
Mulder shook hands with the man. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Cody. Please call me Mulder," he said.
"Mulder, thanks for having us here, it sure beats the last place they had us locked up in," Blaise replied.
"Fox, this is Joseph Shadow Hawk. He's an Ojibwa from Minnesota."
Mulder smiled at the younger man, he was around Shinji's age. His eyes were deep, black pools and he had long, silky, black hair. "It's nice to meet you, Joseph."
"You too, Mulder. I prefer being called either Joe or Hawk, but Gabriel insists on calling me Joseph no matter how annoying I find it," the young man sighed.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Mulder smirked.
The other two agents in the van had deposited the luggage inside the front foyer. They climbed back into the van and drove off.
"C'mon, I'll show you up to your rooms," Mulder replied. He helped them upstairs with their luggage. The first room they stopped at was Krycek's old suite. Hunter deposited his bags inside. He followed Mulder and his two charges down another hallway to two bedrooms at the end.
"I'll let you get settled in. Come downstairs when you're ready. My fiancée is making lunch, it should be ready at noon," Mulder informed them before leaving.
After he was out of hearing, Hawk turned to the others. "Wow! This place is awesome!" he exclaimed while looking out the window at the end of the hallway. "I wonder how many acres their estate covers? It will be so nice to be able to go outside without worrying about being molested."
"Gabriel, how come you didn't tell us we were moving into a mansion?" Blaise complained. They had developed a close friendship in the three short days that Agent Hunter had been assigned to guard them.
"I didn't know myself," he stated. "Fox never was interested in material things, it must be his life partners that purchased this place for him. I'll admit that I'm anxious to see his two daughters and meet his fiancée." The handsome FBI agent smiled.
"Okay, let's unpack, get washed up, then go meet our new family," Hawk grinned, feeling completely at home.
***
Mulder strolled into the kitchen and hugged Krycek from behind. "How's lunch coming?"
"Fine. Kazuo is helping me by watching the babies."
The baby bassinets were on the counter in front of the Japanese major. Mulder walked over and sat next to him, then looked into the bassinets at his two sleeping daughters. He turned his attention to the man watching them and saw how miserable Sawada looked.
"Kazuo, Shinji is in love with you . . . he's not about to dump you, but you're going to have to accept that he loves Rory, too." The agent rested a healing hand on the younger man's injured knee, expending just enough energy to relieve the swelling and pain, but not enough to make himself tired. "After lunch I'll finish healing your knee."
"Thanks, Mulder. Is it okay if I stay here longer? I know that I was only suppose to stay a week, but I just can't leave Shinji," he sighed.
"Kazuo, you're welcome to stay as long as you want," the agent smiled reassuringly. "Please, try to get along with Rory, he's really a good and dear friend."
Sawada smiled for the first time all morning, he had been worried that Mulder was going to take MacIver's side and throw him out.
"Thanks, Mulder. I plan to earn my keep . . . I don't expect to be treated like a guest," he replied, picking up Hope as she started crying for attention.
"What about your duties as an army officer . . . isn't your country going to expect you to return?" Mulder asked, pleased to see how delicately the major handled his daughter.
"I'm going to have to return eventually, but I have at least a month of leave accumulated. Then I'm going to request reassignment to the Japanese embassy here, and handle any assignments they have for me from there," the major stated firmly.
"Do you think they'll approve your reassignment?" Krycek asked, leaning back against the counter.
"My government might object at first, but I have something that they want. They'll eventually see things my way," he replied with confidence.
"Why, Major, I didn't think you had it in you to blackmail your own government," Krycek quipped.
"Alex, I'm still loyal to my country, but if it takes blackmailing them into letting me stay here with Shinji that is what I will do," he replied seriously.
Before they could discuss it further, their new houseguests walked into the kitchen. "I hope we aren't interrupting anything," Hunter replied. Walking over to the counter, he wrapped an arm around Mulder's shoulders. "Fox, would you like to introduce us?" He smiled.
Krycek was taken aback by the man's familiarity with his lover, that Mulder allowed him to call him Fox and touch him intimately made the triple agent jealous.
Mulder noticed the look in his lover's eyes. "Alex, this is Gabriel Hunter. Gabriel was my first partner when I joined the FBI," he replied hastily.
"Fox, I thought Reggie Purdue was your first partner?" Krycek asked.
Hunter interrupted. "Fox and I were only partners for a month. Our partnership ended suddenly, when I was critically injured in a bomb blast that left me blind and with partial hearing," Hunter explained. "We've remained close friends throughout the years."
For the first time, Krycek noticed the man's unseeing eyes. "Sorry, I didn't realize."
"Don't worry about it . . . my blindness is no longer a problem for me," he stated, smiling at the younger man.
A beautiful redhead stepped forward. "Alex, I'm Justin Cody Blaise and this is Joe Shadow Hawk. You have a beautiful home, I'd like to thank you for allowing us to stay here."
"You're welcome . . . Justin. Please feel free to make yourselves at home. If you need anything, just ask," Krycek replied.
The young Ojibwa was goggling over the infants. "Mulder, may I hold her?" he asked, looking down at Faith who had awakened from her nap.
"Sure, Joe. Just remember to support her neck," Mulder advised him.
"Don't worry, Mulder, I used to baby sit my sister's kids," he replied, tenderly cradling the infant in his arms.
"This is Major Kazuo Sawada, he is also staying with us," Mulder replied.
The major studied the men, liking them instantly. He was surprised that he didn't feel the arousal toward them that he had felt when meeting Shinji and Mulder for the first time. Maybe, it was because he was now Shinji's lover that he wasn't affected by the new immortals. "It is a pleasure to meet all of you," he replied, bowing slightly. He was still holding Hope, nestled in his arms.
"It's a pleasure to meet you also, Major." Hunter reached out and caressed the baby's cheek. "Your daughters are beautiful, Fox."
"Thank you, Gabriel," Mulder smiled proudly.
***
"Rory, please believe me! I would never lie to you . . . I love you," Takeda begged, hugging the older man's body close to his.
"If you loved me, you wouldn't need this other man," MacIver said quietly.
"It is not that simple, my love. I need both of you. What would happen to me if anything happened to you? If you really loved me you would be willing to share me, so I wouldn't ever be left alone," Takeda murmured, kissing his brow. "Rory, you will always be my first true love . . . I will never stop loving you," he stressed.
"Shin, how would you feel if I started seeing one of the new immortals that is moving here today?" MacIver grumbled.
Takeda was a bit taken aback by that remark, he got up on his elbows and stared into his lover's eyes. "I . . . I thought you lloved me." His bottom lip quivered and his eyes misted over.
"That's what I thought, too." The Scotsman caressed a thumb across Takeda's cheek, wiping away a tear that broke free from the younger man's eye.
Shinji wrapped his limbs around his Scottish lover's body. "Rory, I love you, please, don't leave me," he begged. Shinji had never been unsure of MacIver's love for him before, it made him feel totally vulnerable. The older man was his protector, his shield against the outside world. He felt ill and sick to his stomach as fear crept back into his life. Takeda clung tighter to MacIver, he buried his face against his chest and cried trembling with fear.
MacIver was totally undone by his lover's tears, his heart temporarily thawed. He hugged him tightly. "Shin, I love you. It breaks my heart to share you, but you know that I'll do anything to make you happy. However, don't expect me to call this man my friend that will never happen!"
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Wednesday, June 9
6:00 p.m.The two men hung their heads in shame before the larger man's scolding. "If either of you fight inside the mansion again, you both are out of here! You might have killed the babies and the other residents of the estate! Don't you have enough sense to realize what would have happened if you lost control of your powers?"
"Walter, we didn't use our powers . . . " MacIver started to explain.
"YOU WOULD HAVE!" Skinner shouted, slamming his hands on the desk in his study. "If Alex hadn't interrupted you, you both know damn well that you would have resorted to your powers!"
Skinner glared at the two men. "Come with me," he said, walking out of the study. They followed him outside and down the path toward the lake, he stopped a hundred feet from a large boulder.
"Watch," Skinner snarled. He pointed a finger at the boulder a bolt of blue light leaped from the tip and struck the boulder and it exploded into thousands of tiny fragments.
"I . . . I ddon't have the power to do that," Sawada stammered.
"Both of you have the power . . . you just haven't tapped it yet. Now do you see why I'm so furious with you? If you'd gotten angry enough you might have tapped a tremendous amount of energy without even realizing it!" Skinner growled.
"Walter, I'm sorry . . . I'll not fight on the estate again. You have my word on it," MacIver murmured.
"Me too. Sir, please accept my apology," Sawada murmured.
"Gentlemen, I'll take you at your word. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get ready for dinner," Skinner replied, leaving them to look at the shattered pile of rubble.
***
The Wild Orchid Restaurant
Wednesday, June 9
9:00 p.m.Mulder smiled over at Skinner, this was their one month wedding anniversary. The restaurant was on the top floor of the downtown Hyatt, they were seated at the restaurant's best table -- it had a view of downtown D.C. The agent had made the reservations for dinner and a hotel room for the evening. Krycek was watching the babies for them.
"Walter, I was thinking that as soon as we clear my rights with the government, that we can try to have a son." Mulder leaned back and allowed the waiter the place his dinner down in front of him.
"The chef selected the most succulent lobster tails for you and Mr. Skinner," the waiter informed him as he laid another plate in front of the A.D. "Is there anything else you gentlemen need?"
"Thank you, Mark. We're fine for now," Mulder smiled sweetly at him, making the waiter blush. He headed back towards the kitchen, nearly colliding with another waiter.
"Fox, be careful, I really don't want Mark hanging around outside of our estate," Skinner quipped, slicing off a chunk of sweet lobster meat from the tail and popping it in his mouth.
"I had to lay down the law with our foreign guests today," Skinner complained.
"Walter, no one is better at laying down the law than you. How did Kazuo and Rory take it?"
Skinner chuckled. "Like two guilty school boys. They did promised not to fight on the estate anymore . . . we were lucky they both had enough common sense not to use sorcery when fighting today. At least it gave me hope that they'll honor their promises."
Mulder chuckled. He picked up his wineglass. "Walter, I'd like to propose a toast. To you, a handsome lover, husband, and father . . . may we always be together as one." They clicked their glasses together.
"Thank you, Fox. This evening is so wonderful, I'm glad you surprised me with it. We should get out more often," he replied, smiling.
"We still haven't gotten around to doing the evening on the town with Rory and Shinji. Remember you promised Rory that you and Alex would help provide security when he took Shinji out for a movie, dinner, and dancing."
"I've apologize to both of them. I really didn't want to leave Hope in only Yori's care after the morph. We could plan something now, I feel comfortable with Agent Hunter and Kazuo being at the house to watch the girls with Yori. I've studied Hunter's records he really is a powerful sorcerer . . . I think he's even better than I am," Skinner replied.
"Walter, it doesn't bother you that Gabriel calls me by my first name and touches me, does it? We've been friends for so many years and he's always been physical in showing his affections," Mulder murmured.
"Fox, I trust you."
"Thanks, Walter."
"Excuse me, Fox Mulder, I'm Reverend Xsavior. I hope you don't mind my interrupting your meal, but I had to introduce myself. You have been an inspiration to my followers and me, it is truly a privilege to finally meet you," the dignified man gushed.
"Ah, thank you, . . . Reverend. If you don't mind, this is a private celebration," Mulder replied, keeping the annoyance out of his voice.
"I apologize, but before I leave, please accept this gift." The older man handed Mulder a small jewelry box.
Mulder opened it with trepidation, inside was an exquisite lapel pin. It was silver and in the shape of a small flower. The pedals were made out of amethyst. The agent looked at it, puzzled -- something about the small purple-red flower rang a bell with him.
"It's an amaranth," the reverend informed him as he turned to walk away.
Skinner glared at the man's back as he left. "Fox, I wasn't able to read him . . . but he wasn't a sorcerer or a clairvoyant. What's wrong?"
"That man . . . do you know what an amaranth is?" Mulder asked, studying the pin.
"Isn't it a wild flower with small purple blooms?"
"Yes, it's also a mythical flower that never fades. It is everlasting and eternally beautiful," Mulder sighed, setting the pin aside.
Skinner quickly scanned the restaurant, but the reverend was no longer there. "He's gone now, babe. Let's forget about him and enjoy the rest of our evening."
"Sure, Walter." Mulder smiled weakly. Reaching out, he grasped the older man's hand.
They ate for a while in silence. Skinner looked up at Mulder, licking his lips. "Fox, when is the next full moon?"
"I think it is June 28 or 29 . . . why?"
"I want to check to see if the myth has any validation," Skinner replied, smiling softly.
"What myth?" Mulder picked up his glass of wine.
"Sawada told me that it is a well known fact that immortals turn into females during a full moon," the older man told him seriously.
Mulder choked on the sip of wine he had taken and started laughing. "Thanks, Walter . . . you really know how to cheer me up. A female, God, what's next?" he chuckled.
***
Three weeks later
New York State
Unknown Location
Monday, June 28
11:50 p.m.Only moonlight and candlelight lit the large room. The full moon shone through the skylights in the forty foot ceiling above. Tall candle holders that stood between each pillar. The marble in the room was a purplish gray, and large vases of flowers with small purple-red blossoms filled the room.
The room was in the shape of an icosahedron -- in the center was a stone altar. Standing in each of the twenty corners was a marble statue, carved from the same purplish-gray marble. Most of the statues were incomplete; the six that were finished showed beautiful young men with little girls held protectively in their arms.
On the altar in the middle of the room was tied a nude male, he wore only a metal cuff attached to his left ankle. Around the altar was gathered fifty men dressed in long, hooded, woolen purple robes.
A man with an ornate robe stepped up to the altar staring down compassionately at the bound man. "Franklin, tonight you will be delivered from the devil's clawed hands, back into God's loving embrace. Your return to God will guaranty that the future offspring from your seed will be pure."
Franklin's terrified brown eyes looked up at the priest as he frantically tried to twist free from his bindings. His naked body was marked with old and new scars from a month of torture. His eyes were puffy and red from being deprived of sleep and his ribs stuck out from lack of food.
Two men stepped forward, one forced Franklin's mouth open while the other inserted a thick metal tube down his throat. The tube was connected to another metal tube coming out of the floor; it led down to the basement below. With a nod from the leader the valve was thrown open, causing Franklin's body to jerk up in extreme pain, he thrashed around for several seconds, heat blisters formed on his chest, then he laid still -- dead. The sickening smell of cook meat filled the room.
"Prepare his body for the final ceremony," the leader said. Lowering his hood Reverend Xsavior looked down at the body twisted in pain. "You will be in God's hands soon, Franklin, your sacrifice will benefit mankind."
Five men stepped forward and untied the body. One man removed the metal cuff from the ankle. Four of the men wore gloves because the body was too hot to touch. They smoothed out the limbs before rigor mortis set in, then lifted it off the altar and carried it out of the room.
***