Life from the Ashes Book 2 - Hope and Faith
Chapter 23
Abductionby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Monday, November 1
1:00 a.m."Thanks, guys." Mulder smiled weakly at Hunter and Blaise as he tucked the blankets securely around Skinner's and Krycek's sleeping bodies, both men were snoring loudly. "I've never seen them get this drunk before," he said, shaking his head as he started to pick up their discarded clothing that littered the floor.
"Mulder, are you sure that their drinks weren't spiked?" Hunter asked.
"Gabriel, why would their drinks be spiked?" he questioned, heading for the bathroom.
Hunter followed him. "Maybe Slava wanted them out of the way so he could get to you," the older man reasoned, watching as the agent tossed the soiled clothing into the hamper and hung the tuxedos on a hook behind the door.
Mulder started shrugging out of his tuxedo. "That doesn't make sense, Slava never touched me, and he had every opportunity. He even helped me take Alex and Walter out to the truck." Mulder felt an object in the tuxedo pocket, he pulled out a small silver gilded box similar to the one Slava had sent him for his birthday. "Damn."
"What is it, Fox?"
"Nothing. Can you watch my babies for me? I need to run up to my office for a second," Mulder asked, pulling on a robe, he tucked the box into its pocket.
"Which babies are you talking about? Walter and Alex or Hope and Faith?" Hunter chuckled, following him into the bedroom.
"Gabriel, really, Assistant Director Skinner would not be amused," Mulder quipped. He looked into the nursery at his daughters -- both babies were soundly sleeping.
Justin Blaise stepped up beside him. "You should have seen them earlier, Mulder. We dressed them in the pumpkin costumes that Dana brought over, they were so cute," he said, looking affectionately down at the sleeping babies.
"Justin, you really like children, don't you?" Mulder asked.
"Yeah, I've always dreamed of having a large family," he sighed.
Mulder looked sadly at his friend. "Does it bother you that you and Joe can never have children together?"
"It sucks that immortals can only have children with sorcerers. I'd give anything if Joe and I could have a child together." The tall Texan looked wishfully at the two pretty babies. "Well, I'm going to turn in see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Justin," Mulder replied. After Blaise had left, he opened the panel that led up to his office. Once in his office, he turned on the table lamp and opened the box, pulling out another small, erotic netsuke carving. This one was even more sexually explicit than the first one; it showed him standing naked in Slava's arms, leaning back against the larger man's clothed body. Slava's pants were unfastened and his large cock jutted out against his hip, his figure had it grasped in its hand. Mulder turned the figure over and noted the artist's signature in Japanese characters on the back; it was the same signature as on the first one.
Mulder wondered when Slava had snuck the box into his pocket. He concluded that it must have been when they had first arrived. When Slava kissed and hugged him, it was the only time the Tsar had been close enough to him all evening. Mulder placed the figure back in the box then placed the box in his steamer trunk. He then headed back downstairs.
Hunter looked at him sternly as he closed the secret panel. "Fox, you know I'd never tell you how to live your life, but keeping those figures can only lead to trouble."
"Gabriel, I'd appreciate it if you would respect my privacy. I'm not keeping those figures because of any feelings I may have for Slava, because I don't have any feelings for him. The figures are too beautiful to destroy, I thought that if I could find the artist, he'd be able to replace Slava's figure with Walter's or Alex's," Mulder reasoned.
"Just be careful, Fox. You've told me that you're making great headway in your therapy sessions, I'd hate to see it all explode over something like this," Hunter replied.
"Don't worry, I will. Thanks, Gabriel, for everything," Mulder said, walking out into the hallway with the older man.
"No problem, Fox. Goodnight."
Mulder stepped back into the bedroom and walked up to the bed, staring lovingly down at his sleeping lovers. Skinner and Krycek were snoring loudly and they reeked of alcohol and stale cigarette smoke. Mulder crinkled his nose at the smell. No way was he going to be able to get any sleep in the same bed with them. He went into the bathroom and took a quick shower to remove the smell of smoke from his own hair. Then he pulled on his soft sweatpants. Grabbing a pillow and blanket out of the linen cabinet, he walked into the nursery and spread the blanket on the floor between the wall and Hope's crib. Mulder wrapped the blanket around his body, resting his head on the pillow, he listen briefly to the soft breathing of his daughters before falling into a blissful sleep.
***
Skinner woke up with a splitting headache and a nasty tasting film on his tongue. He tried to get his bearings, the last thing he remembered was talking to the Director at Slava's party. Skinner shot up in bed, Mulder wasn't sleeping next to him and he immediately panicked. "FOX!" he cried out.
Skinner's cry woke Krycek and he sat up too quickly, groaning he held his head in his hands.
Mulder rushed out of the nursery, turning on the bedroom lights. "Ssh, Walter, it's okay -- I'm here," he whispered, sitting down on the bed next to the larger man.
"Oh God, Fox, are you okay? That bastard didn't touch you, did he?" Skinner asked, hugging Mulder in a tight embrace.
"No, he didn't try anything," Mulder replied. "Walter, no offense, but do you think that you could brush your teeth and take a shower?" He pulled away.
The movement on the bed made Krycek's stomach lurch, turning green, he quickly rushed into the bathroom. He knelt over the toilet bowl and vomited, while he groaned in pain.
"Fox, please, tell me that I didn't make a fool of myself," the older man moaned as Mulder helped him into the bathroom.
Mulder gazed down sympathetically at Krycek then flushed the toilet. "C'mon, babe, into the shower with you, too. Don't worry, Walter, you didn't make fools of yourselves, no one at the party was in any condition to notice." He helped both men into the shower.
"Damn it, Fox, I never would have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you. I don't why I got drunk . . . I don't think I had more than three glasses of wine," Skinner moaned.
"Seven glasses, Walter. I was keeping count; there wasn't anything else for me to do while you and Alex entertained your friends."
"Shit," he groaned. "Still that shouldn't have been enough to make me this drunk."
"Can you two talk a little more softly," Krycek complained, leaning against the shower wall as the hot spray wash over his body.
Mulder sighed, stepping out of his sweats and into the shower, he gently touched the sides of his lovers' heads, relieving their hangovers. He sagged against them, weakened by the double healing; he was caught in their arms before he could sink to the shower floor.
"I got you, babe," Skinner murmured, holding Mulder securely against his chest while Krycek's arms wrapped around Mulder's slim waist sandwiching him between them. The agent rested his head against the larger man's shoulder.
"I'm okay, just give me a second," Mulder sighed.
"Thanks, Fox," Krycek said, kissing the side of Mulder's mouth.
Mulder smiled and pulled away, stepping out of the shower. "Alex, Walter, finish your showers and don't forget to brush your teeth," he ordered, grabbing a towel, he dried off and started dressing for work. They were going in early because they had another appointment with Doctor Vettelman today.
***
Dr. Paul S. Vettelman, Psychotherapist Office
Monday, November 1
2:20 p.m."But he wasn't hurt, Walter," Vettelman reasoned. "And Mulder proved that he was able to take care of himself without yours and Alex's constant protection."
"Doctor, that's not the point . . . we got drunk and let down our guard, he could have been taken advantage of," Skinner reasserted, exasperated that the doctor didn't seem to understand.
"Walter, if Mulder is that helpless why is he still an FBI agent?"
"I'm not implying that he's helpless. It's just that there are a lot more dangers to him, being what he is," Skinner growled with frustration.
Vettelman smiled softly. "Yes, you're right, an immortal has more external threats than your average human does, but do you feel that he needs twenty-four hour protection?"
Krycek spoke up sharply. "Doctor, immortals are under a constant threat of abduction by hostile governments, the consortium, sex perverts, and aliens . . . Fox specifically has made enemies -- both human and alien who'd like nothing better than to get their hands on him."
"Is every immortal at your estate protected with the same diligence that Agent Mulder is protected?" Doctor Vettelman asked.
"Yes. It's our duty to see that all the immortals at the estate are protected," Skinner responded.
The doctor looked thoughtfully at the two sorcerers. Then he rested his eyes briefly on Mulder who had sat silently throughout the session. "I would like to try an experiment, but don't worry, it will not place Mulder's life in danger. For the next month, while you're at home, I would like you to give up total control and authority to Mulder, anything you want to do you must ask his permission for first and follow all orders he gives you."
"Doctor, what's the purpose of this test?" Krycek asked.
"Alex, we cannot always judge someone else unless we spend some time in their shoes. I want you and Walter to get a taste of what his life has become and at the same time give Mulder some control back over your relationship." Vettelman picked up his tape recorder, clicking it off. "Gentleman, that's the end of our session. I would like you each to add your thoughts over the next month to your journals and we will review them at the sessions we have each Monday."
Mulder smiled warmly for the first time that afternoon. "Thank you, Doctor," he said, walking toward the door.
***
St. Petersburg - The Winter Palace
Wednesday, November 3
1:00 p.m.Tsar Nikolai Slava paced around the laboratory anxiously. "They're alive? Are you sure? I don't see anything," Slava complained, stopping to look into each of the growth cylinders.
"They are all viable, moi Tsar. In four to five months you will have seven beautiful baby daughters," the doctor informed him.
"When will they be big enough so I can see them?" the Cossack asked.
"In four weeks, they will be as large as the palm of your hand."
The Tsar smiled broadly. "Fyodorov, have my architects draw up the plans for the royal nursery, and I would also like you to select among the female abductees, look for women that fit my requirements for nannies. I will make the final selections from the women you choose."
"Yes, moi Tsar," Marat Fyodorov bowed. Selecting suitable women should not be too difficult, there were only a thousand surviving females left in Russia and he could easily use his clairvoyant powers to find the best among them.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, November 6
4:30 p.m.Four police cars pulled up outside the gates of the estate. Skinner strolled outside to find out what they wanted. "Officer, why are you here?" he asked the nearest uniformed officer through the closed gate.
"Mr. Skinner, we have orders to bring you and Alex Krycek down to the station for questioning in connection with the murder of Milford Mooney. If you would please come along quietly," the officer ordered.
"Mooney's dead?" Skinner asked. Shocked, he turned to look at Mulder and Krycek as they came up beside him.
"Yes, now if you two will please come with us."
"What makes you believe we know anything about his death?" Krycek inquired angrily.
"We have an eyewitness that claims he saw you and Mr. Skinner murder him."
Skinner was taken aback by that news, he scanned all the officers' minds for any deception and found they were telling the truth. "Very well, Officer Schell, we'll come with you. Fox, tell Rory and Kazuo to watch the estate while we're gone, it shouldn't take too long for us to get this cleared up."
Mulder blistered and blushed under the leering looks the police officers were giving him. "Walter, Alex, be careful, this doesn't feel right."
"Don't worry, Fox, I've scanned them, they're on the up and up," Skinner whispered.
Mulder watched as his lovers were put into the backseats of separate police cars. He continued to watch until the vehicles drove out of sight. MacIver came out of the mansion as Mulder walked back up the driveway.
"Mulder, what's going on?" the Scotsman asked.
"Someone killed Milford Mooney, and he's trying to pin it on Walter and Alex," Mulder replied. Stepping past MacIver, he walked back inside the mansion. The Scotsman followed him into the family room where Hawk was watching the babies as they played quietly in their playpen.
Hunter, Schatz, and Frohike were in Baltimore visiting Frohike's brother Milton at the rest home. Tony and Kimberly had taken their daughters into town for a checkup with Doctor Carter.
"Don't worry, Mulder, there's no way they can make those charges stick," MacIver replied. He glared briefly at Sawada who walked into the room accompanied by Takeda.
Mulder couldn't understand his feelings of unease. "Rory, Walter wants you and Kazuo to guard the place until they get back," he informed the smaller man. Walking over to the window, Mulder stared at the setting sun, the uneasiness he felt grew as a gust of wind swirled leaves past the window. He turned and wandered into the kitchen, watching Blaise prepare dinner. "Justin, there are only going to be six of us for dinner tonight."
"Where's Walter and Alex?" Blaise asked, noting the other men that were present.
"The police took them down to the station for questioning. A man claimed he saw Walter and Alex murder Milford Mooney."
"You're not worried are you, Mulder? A police clairvoyant should be able to see the man's lying and that Walter and Alex are telling the truth in no time," Blaise replied.
"Justin, I have a bad feeling that something is about to happen," Mulder said anxiously.
"They'll be fine, Mulder," MacIver said, coming into the kitchen.
"Yeah, right." Mulder wandered back into the family room. "Joe, can you watch the girls for me? I'm going to run up to my office and try to find out more about Mooney's murder."
"Sure, Mulder," Hawk replied.
Up in his office Mulder made calls to the VCU and the D.C. PD to find out what they had on the murder. He wasn't able to get any details from them, only the time that Mooney was killed. Sighing, he stood and walked over to the window, staring out, he was lost deep in thought.
Down in the foyer MacIver and Sawada had gotten into a heated argument over which one of them was in charge while Skinner and Krycek were gone. Takeda couldn't take their bickering any longer, he needed sometime alone so he grabbed his coat from the hall closet and headed for the back door of the kitchen.
"Justin, I'm going for a walk if either of the n'thrals I'm in love with should wonder where I am," Takeda grumbled angrily as he pulled on his wool coat.
"Shin, don't be gone too long it's starting to get dark outside," Blaise said. He glanced up just as Takeda slammed the back door on his way out.
The young immortal headed down the path toward the lake; he was muttering angrily to himself and didn't notice the men dressed in black stalking him. He felt a sharp sting on his buttock then the whole world started spinning -- the last image he saw before sinking into unconsciousness was several men rushing toward him. At the exact same time Mulder was looking out the window in his office and in the distance, he saw the men abduct Takeda. He grabbed his gun and cried out telepathically to Sawada and MacIver, it took a several precious seconds before he got through to the two arguing men, and by then, he was racing through the kitchen toward the back door of the mansion.
"Some men have just snatched Shinji! Get your guns and protect the babies," Mulder shouted to Blaise and Hawk as he raced outside, followed a few seconds later by Sawada and MacIver.
Mulder only made it a few feet down the path when a hail of bullets cut him down, warning the other two men of the ambush. MacIver and Sawada quickly put up protective shields around their bodies, jumping over Mulder's lifeless form, they shot electric bolts of lightening at the source of the attack killing two men instantly. They cautiously made their way down the path only to be confronted by a Chinese sorcerer that had a similar protective shield around his body. He shot bolts of lightening at them, which they deflected and threw back at him. He contour attacked pinning Sawada and MacIver down so they couldn't get past him.
"Damn it! They're getting away," MacIver growled as he telepathically saw his lover being thrown into the back of a van by a large n'thral and four humans. "Kazuo, go left," the Scotsman shouted as he headed right placing the Chinese sorcerer between them. It took fifteen minutes before they finally succeeded in overpowering the foreign sorcerer. MacIver took off down the path, while Sawada grabbed the weakened sorcerer, throwing him to the ground.
Major Sawada angrily kicked the man in his ribs. "Who are you? Where is Shinji? What do you want with him?" He emphasized each question with another kick to the man's mid-section. Sawada looked up as the Scotsman came back down the path after trying to get to their lover.
"Anything?" he asked.
"No. They are out of my telepathic range. Did you get anything out of this piece of shit, yet?" MacIver asked, pulling the Chinese sorcerer to his feet and throwing him up against a tree.
Sawada walked over to them. "Nothing, but I've only just started," he snarled, backhanding the man across his face. Together they dragged the beaten sorcerer down the path and back toward the mansion.
"Jesus, Mulder," MacIver swore. Racing over to the downed agent, he gently rolled him over on his back, his clothing was covered with blood and riddled with large bullet holes. The agent's skin was cold and clammy, and he had no pulse. The Scottish sorcerer looked up at Sawada. "Take that asshole out to the garage and tie him up really good. I'll join you once I get Mulder back into the house," he said. Lifting Mulder's lifeless body in his arms, he carried him back to the mansion.
Blaise met them at the door, holding his handgun. "Rory, what happened? Where's Kazuo and Shinji?"
"Some bastards abducted Shinji. We captured one of them . . . Kazuo has taken the scumbag out to the garage. Guys, can you take care of Mulder? I need to get out to the garage," he said quickly, as he laid Mulder's body on the sofa in the family room.
"Is it safe now?" the young Native American asked, holding his gun.
"Yes. Sorry, guys, we really fucked up big time . . . those men should never have gotten on the estate," MacIver grumbled as he headed out toward the garage. His stomach was knotted in guilt and dread over Shinji's fate.
Hawk went to retrieve the babies; he had moved them with their playpen into the windowless pantry. Blaise started stripping Mulder's bloody clothing off his bullet-ridden body. "Joe, take the babies to the nursery and stay with them. I know they're too young to realize that anything is wrong, but I don't want them to see their father like this, and can you call Doctor Harris . . . these bullets are going to have to come out." Four of the bullet holes in Mulder's body were as large as his fist.
"Justin, why don't we use our powers to heal him faster?" Hawk asked, holding Hope, he had her turned so she could not see her father.
"We can't until someone else gets here," he sighed, looking sadly at his lover. "Joe, we need to get a hold of Walter and Alex, too."
In the garage Sawada had their prisoner tied to a chair. His shirt and shoes had been removed and his wrists and ankles were fastened with duct-tape to the arms and legs of the wooden chair. The man glared defiantly up at the Japanese sorcerer.
"Did you get anything out of him, yet?" MacIver growled, pulling a stiletto from his boot, he walked up to the man cutting him across his chest. "Where is Shinji, Dog?"
The man gritted his teeth against the pain, he snarled up at them. "The pretty immortal is on his way to China, he will become the personal sex slave of Warlord Kong. He'll soon discover what it feels like to have a real man's cock inside of him," he sneered contemptuously.
Sawada lost control over his temper and struck out in a blind rage. Heat blisters and boils appeared over their prisoner's upper body and he passed out from the pain -- the smell of burnt flesh permeated the air.
"Oh, that was just fucking great!" MacIver hissed sarcastically. "Kazuo, we're not going to get anything out of this piece of slime if he's unconscious. And who the hell is Kong?"
Sawada sighed. "Sorry. Kong Woo Long is a vile and ruthless Chinese Warlord, he's also a very powerful sorcerer. Rory, we can't allow Shinji to fall into that man's hands, he a sadist, he enjoys inflicting pain and humiliation."
"Damn it! I knew it! I knew this was your fault! You had to bring your enemies here," MacIver snarled, poking the major in the chest with his finger.
"Give it a rest!" Sawada hissed. "We need to concentrate on finding Shinji and that means working together. We'll take this up after we get him back. Besides we have another problem to consider, when we get Shinji's location from him, we can't leave the other immortals and babies unprotected."
MacIver stepped back reeling in his temper. "You're right, Walter will have our hides if we took off. I'll call the FBI and get their sorcerers and clairvoyants out here," he said, rushing for the telephone.
***
D.C. PD
Saturday, November 6
6:30 p.m.The police clairvoyant quickly confirmed that Skinner and Krycek were not involved in Milford Mooney's murder. In fact, the eyewitness who was also Mooney's butler turned out to be an Amaranthine, he finally broke down and confessed to the murder, but only after the clairvoyant had broken through the block the man had surrounding his thoughts.
"Mr. Skinner, there is an emergency telephone call for you," one of the detectives informed the large man as he stepped into the interrogation room.
Krycek followed the two men back to the detective's desk where Skinner took the phone call. "Joe, slowdown, who took Shinji?"
"Walter, I don't know . . . some men snuck onto the estate. Mulder's been shot," Hawk murmured softly.
"Damn it! Where are Rory and Kazuo? Why weren't they watching the estate!" Skinner growled angrily. "The babies . . . are they okay?"
"The babies are fine . . . I'm watching them in your bedroom. Justin is taking care of Mulder. Rory and Kazuo are interrogating a man they captured. Walter are you and Alex able to leave, yet?" the young immortal asked anxiously.
"Joe, we'll be there in an hour," Skinner said, disconnecting the call and meeting Krycek's eyes. "Some men abducted Shinji and Fox has been shot."
"Oh fuck, do you think this was a set-up?" Krycek shuddered.
"I don't know, Alex, they might have been waiting for the moment our guard was down. We need to get back there at once."
"Mr. Skinner, I'll have a squad car drive you and your brother back to the estate," the detective replied, flagging over two police officers. "There's been trouble at Foxfire Glenn Estate, see to it that Mr. Skinner and Mr. Krycek get back there as quickly as possible."
"Thank you, Detective Rice," the A.D. replied, quickly following the two officers out of the police station.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, November 6
6:40 p.m.Gabriel Hunter drove through the gates and he immediately sensed something was wrong. Frohike's gasp from the backseat confirmed his fears.
"What is it, Melvin?" Hans Schatz asked.
"Shinji's been abducted and Mulder's been shot," the little man informed his lover.
Hunter parked next to the garage. "Melvin, take Hans into the house then come back out here. Rory and Kazuo could use your clairvoyant abilities."
Hunter walked into the garage, taking in the tortured man tied to a chair in the middle of the room. "Guys, do you want to fill me in on just what's been going on?"
"Gabriel, thank god you're here . . . Shinji's been kidnaped and we can't get anything out of this fucker," MacIver hastened.
"Where's Walter and Alex?" Hunter asked.
"They were taken in for questioning by the police." Sawada replied.
"The police were out here? Why didn't they take this man with them?" Hunter asked, confused.
"No, no, that happen before this bastard and his friends snuck onto the estate," MacIver interjected.
Frohike walked into the garage, stopping abruptly. "Well, what do we have here 'Torture 101'?"
"Melvin, can you scan his thoughts and find out where Shinji is?" Hunter asked.
"Yeah, but he thinking in Chinese, you need a clairvoyant that speaks his language. Sorry," Frohike sighed.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck! That is just great! I know Chinese and I can't read him at all," MacIver growled.
"Me, too," Sawada admitted.
"I can repeat what he's thinking and you guys can translate," Frohike replied.
For the first time fear showed in the eyes of the Chinese sorcerer, he couldn't let these men discovered where the immortal had been taken. Pulling on his last reserve of powers, he committed suicide by imploding his own heart. His bladder and bowels released, causing a dripping puddle of urine to form under his body.
"Shit, what happened?" MacIver asked, checking the pulse of the obviously dead man.
"Shit's right," Frohike replied gagging. "I think he killed himself."
"Fuck, he was our only lead," Sawada sagged exhaustedly against the workbench.
"Did anyone think to call the police?" Hunter asked.
"I contacted the FBI just before you showed up. They're sending some men out here and contacting the state police to set up roadblocks," MacIver replied.
"What about Walter and Alex?" The FBI man wanted to know.
"Ah, no. We didn't try to get in touch with them, yet," MacIver admitted. Groaning, "Walter's going to kill us when he sees what condition Mulder is in."
"I'm sure Walter will eventually understand, but you're right, he's going to hit the roof. I suggest that you and Kazuo take your Jeep Cherokee and start searching for Shinji, that way you won't be here when the A.D. returns. It will give him and Alex time to cool off," Hunter told them.
"Gabriel, are you sure that you'll be able to handle security here until the FBI sorcerers arrive?" Sawada asked.
"Yes. Melvin, go with them, and see that they stay out of trouble," the American sorcerer ordered.
"We don't need a baby-sitter," MacIver replied offended.
"No, but you could use a clairvoyant. Frohike's telepathic range is far greater than both of yours combined. Now get your butts out of here," Hunter snapped.
Hunter went back inside the mansion after they drove off, and he knelt next to Mulder's body on the sofa. Blaise had done a good job of cleaning and dressing the extensive wounds. Mulder still wasn't breathing; it would take some time for his body to repair itself after such a massive amount of damage. Hunter tucked the blanket more securely around the agent's body.
"We've tried to get a hold of Doctor Harris to remove the bullets," Blaise said, leaning against the arm of the sofa.
Hunter looked up at him, holding out his hand; six slugs magically appeared in it. "There's no need for the doctor to come out now."
"Neat trick." Blaise looked down at Mulder's pale face. "Walter and Alex are on their way back . . . I was hoping that Mulder would come back to life before they get here, otherwise we're going to have two very angry sorcerers to deal with."
Hunter had to agree with Blaise, Mulder's lovers would not take his death very well, even if it were temporary. Before he could respond, he telepathically picked up the team FBI agents speeding down the road toward the gate, he quickly opened it for them using his powers. Their cars sped through the gates screeching halt outside the front door.
"Justin, the FBI agents have arrived."
Agents Johnson, Austin, Jones, and Gonzales rushed into the mansion. They stopped in the family room, looking down at Mulder.
"Hunter, is he going to be okay?" Austin asked softly.
"He's an immortal, of course he's going to be okay," Hunter assured him. He turned and faced Lars Johnson. "Lars, I need you to go relieve Hans and Joe, they're in the nursery watching the babies. Tell them to come out here immediately. I need them to help speed up Mulder's recovery before the A.D. arrives, and the rest of you can start searching the immediate grounds around the house, we'll wait until daylight to make a thorough search of the property."
Thirty minutes later Mulder was sitting up against the arm of the sofa, he was exhausted and ached all over. His wounds weren't totally healed yet, because the immortals, under orders from Hunter, only used enough energy to spur his recovery without making themselves exhausted. Hunter didn't want them falling asleep when the estate would soon be crawling with police.
"Fox." Krycek rushed into the room followed closely by Skinner. He sat gently on the sofa, bringing his hand up to caress the side of Mulder's face. "Are you okay?" he asked, gazing into pain filled hazel eyes.
"Alex, they took Shinji. I tried to stopped them, but I failed," Mulder replied, grief-strickened.
Skinner knelt beside the sofa. "Fox, we'll get him back. All airports, docks, and train stations have been notified to be on the lookout for them. There is no way they'll get him out of the country," he said as he pulled back the blanket and saw the massive scars from the bullets on his lover's torso. Gasping, "God, Fox, Hawk told us you were shot, but he didn't tell us how many times or how badly."
"Don't worry, Walter. I'm okay, by tomorrow there won't be any evidence of it at all."
***
Two days later
Takeda awoke, again, there was extreme pain coming from his pelvis and rectum, and a heavy weight was pressing down on him. He looked up in a daze at the distorted features of a n'thral, bending over him, raping him. He started screaming, which only got laughs from the four humans watching. He must have passed out because the next thing he knew was waking up to another man using his body, but the pain wasn't as great this time. Takeda tried desperately to detach himself from the agony and humiliation, he cried out for help both verbally and telepathically.
"Shut up, slave. No one can hear you up here. Isn't that right, Sven," the man asked the n'thral.
"Yep, no one. If anyone does, they will mind their own business," the n'thral laughed deeply. "Hurry up, I want him again."
"You see, slave, the use of your body is the price we're paying him for the use of his luxury accommodations." The man leered.
Takeda's mind vaguely took in the men's appearances; with the exception of the n'thral, they were all Chinese. He was lying on a soiled mattress on the floor and there was only one window in the room. His mind drifted again -- then blackness reclaimed him as the n'thral re-took his body.
Hidden behind a large boulder on the hill above the cabin, was an enormous lumbering figure. The figure had heard the pain filled cries and smelled the arousing aroma of sex and the distinctive scent of an immortal. Duffy huddled in a heavy bearskin coat that he had made from the hides of several bears. He watched the cabin as light snowflakes floated down around him. He was there for several hours before he finally reached a decision, the n'thral knew that he could rescue the immortal, but he wouldn't be able to control himself from raping him. He needed to leave the sanctuary of his mountain and find help. He would go to his friend Walter Skinner and tell him about the immortal. Duffy turned and crept off in the direction of his home.
***
12 hours later
MacIver, Sawada, and Frohike finally returned to the estate after spending the last three days searching in vain. All three men were unwashed, unshaved, and in need of food. Mulder stood glaring angrily at them because they only called twice in the three days they were away. "Get your butts inside. I want all of you to take a shower. When you're done, I'll have something fixed for you to eat, then you can get some sleep."
"Mulder, we're just stopping in long enough to grab a clean change of clothes. We need to get back out there," the major informed him. Then he tried to placate the angry agent. "Don't worry, Mulder, we've taken turns sleeping in the SUV . . . we just look like shit."
"Yeah, right, you're not going anywhere until you get some real rest and food. You're not going to do Shinji any good if you're too weak to rescue him. Besides, Walter and Alex are out searching for Shinji now and I think you should coordinate your search efforts with each other, they should be back in six hours. Plenty of time for you to get some rest," Mulder reasoned sharply. "It will give me time to pack some supplies for you to take when you head out again."
"Guys, he's right. We don't want to cover the same ground, and we could use the food and blankets for the road," Frohike pleaded exhaustedly.
"Okay, we'll do as you say, but if they're not back in six hours we're leaving," MacIver replied, heading quickly to his room to take a shower.
Four hours later, Duffy strolled tiredly up to the gate at Foxfire Glenn. He had used a payphone to call his brother in D.C., who looked up Skinner's address for him. He reached for the buzzer, but froze when a voice ordered him to stand still.
Hunter walked cautiously up to the gate, staring in awe at the nine-foot tall n'thral. "Don't you move, n'thral! What business do you have here?" he snapped.
"I need to speak to Walter Skinner." Duffy's deep voice carried across the lawn to Mulder and Kimberly as they came rushing up to the gate.
Duffy backed away quickly as the nauseating smell of the female reached him. From a safe distance, he shouted to Mulder. "Pretty one, I need to get a message to Walter. Tell him that there is an immortal being held up in my mountains." After delivering the message the n'thral turned to leave, knowing it would be a long walk back to his home.
"Wait, don't go," Mulder shouted, opening the gate. "Kim, go back to the house and get Rory and Kazuo."
After Kimberly had left. Jason Duffy walked heavily through the gate. Hunter quickly positioned himself between the n'thral and Mulder.
"That's far enough," Hunter warned.
MacIver and Sawada came racing across the lawn toward the gate, stopping abruptly at the sight of the largest n'thral they had ever seen.
"Jesus. Kim said you needed to see us, Mulder?" MacIver swallowed, looking up at the n'thral.
"Duffy, tell these men what you just told me," Mulder requested, staring up at the n'thral from safely behind Hunter.
"There's an immortal being held captive in the mountains by my cabin. I want someone to come up and retrieve him. Does he belong to one of you?" Duffy asked, staring between Sawada and MacIver.
"YES! Kazuo, get my SUV," MacIver replied excitedly, tossing his truck keys to the major. "Mr. Duffy, how did you get here?"
"I drove most of the way, but my truck broke down thirty-five miles from here," Duffy answered distractedly, he couldn't help staring at Mulder, he wanted to memorize the immortal for future reference when he was alone again. He shift uncomfortably, his arousal was hidden by the large bulk of his clothing.
"You walked thirty-five miles to get here?" Mulder asked, shivering against the cold, it had started snowing.
"There was no other way, beautiful, I don't fit in most cars. Besides how many humans would even stop for me?" he chuckled sadly.
Sawada pulled up in the SUV. MacIver glanced from the SUV to Duffy. "We'll need to remove the backseat, you should be able to squeeze in then." He concentrated briefly and the backseat vanished from vehicle.
Duffy climbed in through the back hatch, even without the seat he still had to bend his upper body uncomfortably to fit. He had to push a large box filled with blankets and food out of his way, and two duffel bags. MacIver closed the hatch, noting that the SUV was sagging low in the back from the n'thral's weight. He looked up at the cloud covered sky -- it had started to snow harder.
"Rory, be careful. I'll call Walter and Alex, and let them know where you're going," Mulder replied.
Four hours later, they had made it to the service road leading up to Duffy's cabin. They could barely see now through the blinding snowstorm. Snowdrifts started to form across the road as the wind whipped the snow around. The n'thral pointed out the direction to the cabin that Takeda was being held prisoner in, they parked the Jeep Cherokee as close as possible.
"If we're lucky the snow should allow us to sneak up on them," Sawada said, pulling on his gloves and hat.
"It doesn't matter if they know we're coming, those bastards are as good as dead," MacIver growled as he climbed out of the SUV, he went quickly to the back to let the Duffy out. Squinting their eyes against the stinging pellets of snow that blew into their faces, they made their way through the snowdrifts to the cabin.
They stopped behind some trees and surveyed the area. Both sorcerers reached out telepathically to make contact with their lover and froze in horror at what they saw. Blind rage quickly replaced horror, they made brief eye contact before charging the cabin.
Duffy held back, watching in amazement as the two men were illuminated in a blue light. The door to the cabin disintegrated and they disappeared inside. Duffy decided that the two sorcerers didn't need his help in freeing their lover and he would wait for them here. He knew from the rate the snow was falling that the men would not make it off the mountain anytime soon.
MacIver couldn't say exactly what happened inside the cabin, but somehow they had managed to set the place on fire. The dead bodies of n'thral and the Chinese gang were strewn across the floor. Fire raced up the walls and over the ceiling, the place was becoming an inferno. He rushed to help Sawada gather Takeda's nude, battered body off the burning mattress. They combined their powers to keep the flames away from their bodies and made their way outside the cabin.
MacIver quickly removed his coat and wrapped it around his lover, who was being held securely in Sawada's arms. "We need to get back to the truck," he shouted above the roar of the wind.
Duffy came up to them; his large frame temporarily shielded them from the wind. "You will not make it off the mountain, the snow is too deep. I will show you to Walter's cabin, it's two miles from here."
"Okay, lad, lead the way," MacIver agreed, shivering, even with the heat from the blazing cabin, his teeth were clattering against the cold.
On the way to the cabin, MacIver and Sawada formed a protective bubble around their bodies to protect themselves from frostbite. The two men didn't want to deplete their already low power reserve, but they saw no other way. They only hoped that the enormous n'thral remained friendly. It took them over an hour to make it through the drifting snow to Skinner's cabin.
At the door, the n'thral turned to them. "There are two cords of firewood stacked outside the back door, the pump is out back, too. There is a wood burning stove in the kitchen that you can use to heat the water and cook your meals. I will be back later with the supplies from your truck," Duffy said.
"Thank you, Duffy," Sawada replied, as he carried Takeda's limp body into the small rustic cabin. MacIver followed and quickly lit the fireplace then headed for the back door to bring in more firewood.
The brick fireplace stood in the center of the cabin, it was open to the kitchen and parlor. Pleasant warmth started to spread throughout the small cabin. Sawada moved the sofa closer to the fireplace before he laid Takeda on it he allowed the heat from the fireplace to warm the cold fabric. MacIver placed more logs in the fireplace then went back outside for more wood to fill the wood box by the kitchen stove. After three trips, he decided there was enough wood to get them through until tomorrow afternoon.
"How's he doing," MacIver whispered softly, kneeling next to the sofa. He felt a wave of anxiety at the look of grief in Sawada's eyes.
"Not good. Rory, we need to clean him," Sawada murmured, lifting the coat covering Takeda to show the Scotsman the blood and semen covering their lover's unconscious body. "Can you get a bucket of hot water . . . and soap if you can find it."
"Yeah, I'll be right back," he gulped, swallowing the bile that rose to his throat. He wanted to kill those bastards all over again, only this time slower. Searching the kitchen, he found a bucket and went back outside to the pump. The snow was still falling heavily, it took him a while to dig the handle of the pump free. He carried the bucket of water back into the kitchen then used his powers to heat it. Searching the kitchen, he found a box cleaning supplies in a cabinet under a wash basin. Besides the cleaning supplies there was also a bar of soap and some rags. MacIver sniffed the rags, finding them free of chemicals he tossed them into the bucket of hot water, carrying it and the bar of soap into the parlor.
Sawada sat on the sofa with Takeda's head on his lap, he was whispering soothingly to him in Japanese. MacIver placed the bucket on the floor beside the sofa and removed the coat covering younger man's body. He soaped up one of the rags and gently started washing him; his eyes filled with tears as he cleaned the semen from around his lover's bellybutton which appeared inflamed.
"I need to clean Shinji's back," MacIver murmured softly.
Sawada eased off the sofa and helped turn the young immortal over. MacIver swore hotly when he saw the damage to his lover's anus, meeting Sawada's eyes. "We're going to have to put our past differences aside and work together for him. The last thing he needs right now is for us to be at each others' throats."
"Rory, I can do it if you can. It was because of our fighting that this happened to him in the first place. I'll go and get you a clean bucket of water," Sawada replied as he picked up the bucket of dirty water.
After Sawada had left, MacIver turned his attention back to his lover. "Shin, my love, if you can hear me . . . I promise you that I'll learn to like Kazuo even if it kills me. Just come back to us, please," he cried, tears streaming down his cheeks. The Scotsman kissed the side of Takeda's face as he gently rubbed his back.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Tuesday, November 9
3:30 p.m."No, Walter, you can't go and rescue him," Frohike stated while blocking the doorway to prevent Skinner from leaving.
"Melvin, what are you talking about? Shinji's life is at stake here," Skinner growled.
"It's Shinji's life that I'm concerned with, Walter. I had another vision and in it Rory and Kazuo worked together to help Shinji recover, they are presently isolated in a cabin by this early season snowstorm. If you interfere now they will never learn to get along with each other. Leave them be for now, for Shinji's sake," Frohike stated earnestly.
"Okay, Melvin, if it really helps Shinji. But, damn it, I was looking forward to chewing out Rory's and Kazuo's asses! It took me forever to explain to the police why there was a dead body tied up in my garage, I'll just have to wait until they get back home," Skinner grumbled, shrugging out of his winter coat.
"If it's any consolation, they think that you're going to kick them off the estate for getting into the argument that led to Shinji's abduction," the little man informed him as they stepped into the kitchen.
"Fox told me about their argument as long as they didn't have a physical confrontation I'm not going to kick them out. Besides which, it's partly my fault; I should have known better and only put one of them in charge. God, Melvin, I hope you're right that they will learn to get along . . . not just for Shinji's sake, but for all of ours," Skinner sighed. He looked out the window at the snow-covered lawn and trees -- the snow had painted every surface a sparkling white.
Mulder walked into the kitchen. "The snow is worse up in the mountains. I just hope they don't get stuck up there," he said, taking a bottle out of the refrigerator.
"According to Melvin they already are, but it's suppose to be a good thing," Skinner replied.
Mulder looked at him anxiously. "Did they rescue Shinji?"
"Fox, I think so, at least Melvin said they did."
"I wish they'd call so we'd know for sure," Mulder complained sadly. He heated the bottle by running hot tap water over it.
"If they had a phone I'm sure they would."
"I packed a cell-phone in the box of supplies I put in Rory's truck," Mulder informed him.
"Well then, when they find it, they'll call." Smiling softly, he pulled Mulder against his chest and gently massaged his back. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, no physical or emotional scars. I just feel like an idiot for running into that ambush in the first place." Mulder pulled away, handing Skinner the bottle. "Walter, go feed your daughter, she misses you. Between searching for Shinji and clearing yourself of Mooney's murder you haven't spent anytime with her."
"Yeah, I've been feeling guilty about that and about leaving you stuck here, sorry. Doctor Vettelman is not going to be happy with us, we're suppose to be following your orders."
"Walter, we're just going to have to try again. Now, I'm ordering you to go feed and play with our daughter." Mulder smiled.
***
Skinner's Cabin
Tuesday, November 9
5:30 p.m.MacIver rushed to answer the loud banging on the back door. Duffy stood outside covered with snow that clung in frozen clumps on the bearskin coat he was wearing. In his massive arms he carried the box of supplies that had been in MacIver's truck, and the duffel bags that he had brought out to the jeep before Duffy had arrived at the estate.
"My god, Duffy, come in and warm yourself by the fire," he ordered, taking the box from the large n'thral. He watched as Duffy squeezed himself in through the door, he placed the duffel bags on the table then stood awkwardly in the kitchen in front of the fireplace. The ceiling in the kitchen was only nine feet and the top of n'thral's head brushed against it. The loft bedroom was above the kitchen and it over looked the parlor area so the ceiling in that room was vaulted.
"Is the immortal doing any better?" he finally asked as MacIver started unpacking the box.
"No, Shinji still hasn't regain consciousness. We've moved him up to the bedroom and we're taking turns watching him. Duffy, Kazuo and I really would like to thank you for all your help. If it weren't for you we never would have found him . . . we're in your debt, if you ever need a favor, just ask," MacIver said sincerely.
"Rory, I must be going, thanks for the use of your fire," Duffy replied.
"You've hardly had time to get warm, stay until you've at least had time to dry off. I'll have coffee made by then," MacIver begged, pulling out two one-pound bags of ground coffee from the box. He read the note Mulder had attached to one of the bags. [I thought this might come in handy if you needed to bribe someone for information to find Shinji.]
"Thanks for the offer, but I cannot stay too long this close to the immortal, he's already starting to arouse me." Duffy stared longingly at the bag of coffee; it had been over a year since he had a cup.
MacIver read his thoughts, smiling, he handed the n'thral one of the bags of coffee, and watched with pleasure as the man's face lit up with a smile. "Have a safe trip back to your cabin, Duffy, may I ask you where it is?"
"I live in a cave, but you would never be able to find it on your own. I'll show it to you if you want, when the weather clears up. Goodbye, Rory," he said as he squeezed back out through the door into the cold.
MacIver closed and bolted the door behind the n'thral then went back to unpacking the supplies. He smiled when he found the cell-phone and the deck of cards. The food was mainly snack food, except for the cans of soup and broth, there was nothing substantial, he would need to go out hunting for game if they were stuck here more than a couple of days. From the looks of the amount of snow outside they weren't going to be leaving anytime soon.
***