Life from the Ashes Book 2 - Hope and Faith
Chapter 26
Family Holidaysby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
Justice Building
Saturday, November 20
10:30 a.m.Mulder sat staring at Leo Bartok, looking for the slightest hint of emotion from the man. He had just informed him that his family back in Hungary had been dead for months. They were all killed in a ghoul attack only a couple of weeks after Bartok had agreed to spy for the consortium.
"So, all the time that I spied for them my family was already dead," Bartok said, staring straight ahead, his voice even without the merest hint of emotion.
"I'm sorry, Leo," Mulder murmured.
"No need for you to be . . . in a way this is justice for you and your family, Mulder. I put your family in danger and God punished me by taking mine away," he replies solemnly. "I would like to go back to my cell now, if you don't mind."
"Okay, I'll signal for the guard."
Mulder watched sadly as Bartok was led away in manacles. John Byers hadn't even tried to see him, since finding out that Bartok really had spied on Mulder and his family.
Back in his cell, the distraught man slowly removed the laces from his shoes and tied them together. He no longer had anything to live for in this world.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 25
5:30 a.m.Dressed in his bathrobe and slippers with his long, silken, black hair still mussed from sleep, Shinji Takeda sat at the kitchen counter in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving morning holding his daughter Ayako lovingly in his arms. He was cooing at her as he fed her a bottle. "You're daddy's sweetie, aren't you, Aya?"
Mulder smiled over at them, he had just finished stuffing the twenty-four pound turkey and was lacing the bird closed. "Shin, would you like me to fix you breakfast while you're up?" he asked. After tying the knot in the string, he opened the oven door.
"Sure, cold cereal would be fine. I plan on saving my appetite for dinner," he replied, watching as Mulder covered the large turkey with aluminum foil then lifted and slid it into the oven.
"The turkey should be done at about one and the football game is on at three," Mulder informed him, setting a bowl and spoon in front of Takeda. "What type of cereal do you want?"
"Frosted cheerios, please."
Mulder filled the younger man's cereal bowl then added milk. "Would you like me to hold her while you eat?"
"Yes, thanks, she needs to be burped," Takeda answered. Putting the empty bottle on the counter, he passed the infant to Mulder.
"Hey, pumpkin," Mulder cooed, placing her against his shoulder, he gently rubbed her back. "I can't believe my babies were once this tiny."
Takeda smiled, watching him. "Is Justin going to be able to make it to dinner?" he asked, eating a spoonful of cereal.
"I don't know. Joe said he was able to stay awake two straight hours yesterday."
"Good morning, boys," Tristan Woods said cheerfully as he entered the kitchen. He was the new in-home nurse they had hired after interviewing twenty-six applicants. He was in his early thirties, with dishwater blonde hair, blue eyes, and five foot, eight inches tall. His ears were pierced, and he had a few interesting tattoos on his arms. Woods had been gay before the virus; he had left Mulder and the others in stitches as he regaled them with stories about the recent exploits of his friends who had been seducing all of the available heterosexual males.
"Morning, Tristan," Mulder and Takeda replied in unison.
Woods grabbed a bowl and helped himself to some frosted cheerios. "How's the Thanksgiving meal preparations going?" he asked, sitting at the counter next to Takeda.
"Fine, Hans and Frohike finished making the pies yesterday. I just put the turkey in the oven and Kim is cooking a second smaller turkey. Scully, her husband, and brothers are bringing over a large salad and a relish tray, and Langly agreed to bring a sweet potato casserole and Byers."
"How's John doing?" Woods asked. In the five short days that he had been there, he had ingratiated himself with the family. He was openly friendly and constantly asking questions.
"He had just started to accept Leo's betrayal, now he has to deal with his suicide. He's feeling guilty," Mulder sighed.
"Poor John, that was really horrible. It might take awhile, but I'm sure he'll be fine," Woods said. Getting up, he rinsed his bowl and placed it in the dishwasher. He pulled a tray off the shelf in the pantry and started fixing breakfast for Blaise.
"Hi, guys. Do you need any help, Mulder?" Spender asked, coming into the kitchen. He walked over to the coffeepot and helped himself closing his eyes he savored the aroma and the first sip.
"We're going to want to bring the folding chairs and tables up from storage, or we could wait for Walter to teleport them up," Mulder replied as he passed the infant back to Takeda who had just finished putting his bowl and spoon in the dishwasher.
"No, I'll do it. Where do you want me to set them up?"
"I thought we could put them end-to-end with the dining room table expanding it out into the foyer. That way we can seat everyone at the same table."
"That sounds like a plan, Mulder," Spender replied, strolling out of the kitchen for the elevator.
"Mulder, can I talk to you up in your office?" Takeda asked, cradling his sleeping daughter.
"Sure, Shin. What about?" Mulder asked as they headed toward the staircase.
"It's rather personal, I'll tell you when we get there."
Mulder glanced at him speculatively; he had been wondering how Shinji was coping lately. He opened the door to his office and allowed the younger man to precede him in.
They sat on the sofa together, and Mulder waited patiently for Takeda to begin talking.
"Mulder, this is going to sound sick, but after Kyle examined me and discovered that I wasn't pregnant . . . I was disappointed. It's not that I wanted to have a baby by the men who raped me, but my body's experiencing a strange urge to have a baby, it has started to become unbearable. I thought Ayako would help, but she hasn't . . . I don't know how to make it go away." Takeda stared at his infant daughter as he told Mulder this; he was too embarrassed to meet the older man's eyes.
"Shin, you have nothing to be ashamed of . . . I'm having the same compulsion. It's a little like severe hunger pangs . . . an uncontrollable need for nourishment. The closer we get to our cycle the stronger the urge to fill that gnawing emptiness becomes, and it never goes away."
"Mulder, do you think that it will continue to become stronger until it forces us to satisfy it?"
"You've only gone through two cycles, Shin. I can confirm that the third cycle was harder to get through. If it weren't for the fact that Walter and Alex were out searching for you when my cycle peaked, I might have given into that urge." Mulder shivered, he leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. "I'm trying to think of an excuse for me to go out of town on a case, without Alex, during the next peak of my cycle."
"Mulder, why is the thought of getting pregnant abhorrent to you? Is it just because you feel it makes you less of a man, more of a freak?"
"Isn't that enough?" Mulder chuckled softly. "Shin, what if the child isn't normal, but some sort of a monster?"
"I wouldn't worry about that; Kyle just got back the results of the amniocentesis he did on Justin and it shows his baby is a normal female. The only exception is that she's carrying the extra mutant chromosome. He thinks she may be an immortal like her fathers."
"Even so, Shin, it still scares me. Don't forget the changes our bodies will go through, and the pain, I don't particularly care for the idea of pushing an eight pound object through my bellybutton."
Takeda sighed, staring down at his daughter again. "Mulder, would you think less of me if I gave into this compulsion and didn't try to fight it?"
Surprised, Mulder peered over at him and answered tentatively. "No. It's your life, Shin, but can you tell me why?"
"I'm having a hard time concentrating, it's all I can think about lately and that's not fair to Ayako. She needs my full attention and love." He smiled softly down at his daughter who was sucking her thumb in her sleep.
"I guess that makes some sort of sense. Which of your lovers do you want to father your baby?"
"I want Rory to be the father, he's wanted a baby and Kazuo already has Ayako."
"Shin, do you think Rory will understand? He might feel uncomfortable with the idea of you being pregnant."
"I don't know. I suppose that I should talk to him and Kazuo about it first, but it won't change my decision . . . they are going to have to understand. Mulder, I can't go on living with this need any longer."
"How are Rory and Kazuo getting along? I've noticed that they have been spending more time together." Mulder asked, noticing his mail had been placed on his desk. There was a small box on top of the envelopes; it must have come yesterday.
"They've discovered that they have a few things in common after all." Shinji grinned. "And they no longer even have to work at tolerating each other . . . I think they genuinely care about each other now." He watched as Mulder retrieved the box from his desk and carried it back to the sofa and started to unwrap it, revealing a silver-gilded box.
"What's that?" Takeda asked with interest.
"Shin, if I show you something do you promise to keep it to yourself?" Mulder asked, looking into the box, he chuckled at the absurdness of the carving -- Slava's fantasies about them were in high gear. This one had Slava fully clothed seated on his throne complete with a tasteful crown, while his naked likeness straddled Slava's lap and worked itself on the large cock that jutted out of the Tsar's pants.
"Okay, I promise. Now show me, please," Takeda begged, dying with curiosity.
Mulder passed the box to him and chuckled even harder at the expression on Takeda's face. "He sent me two others, here, I'll show you," he said. Getting up, he went to his steamer trunk and took out the other two gilded boxes. It felt good to share this smutty little secret with his friend.
"Mulder, the craftsmanship is incredible, it looks just like you. This man is Tsar Nikolai Slava, isn't he? He's very handsome," Takeda stated, studying the netsuke carving closely. He put it back in the box and took the other two boxes from Mulder.
"Yes, that's Slava. I feel guilty for keeping them, but I couldn't bring myself to destroy them," Mulder replied.
"No, Mulder, you can't destroy them . . . they are too exquisite. Hmm, the artist's signature is familiar, but I can't place where I've seen it before. Rory would get a kick out of seeing these, but I think Kazuo would be extremely embarrassed," Takeda chuckled, putting the carvings back in the boxes.
"I think Rory has already seen them . . . he's the one that usually gets the mail and he intentionally put these packages up here when he usually leaves my mail downstairs in the bedroom. Now remember, Shin, you promised that you won't mention this to anyone."
"You have my word, but I expect to see any future netsuke carvings that he sends you. Hey, do you think if we send him photographs of Rory, Kazuo, and me, that he could have a carving done of all three of us?" Takeda asked with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Sorry, Shin, but I don't want any contact with Slava, otherwise, I'd email and ask him. C'mon, I have things to do and you need to get dressed."
"Thanks for listening to me, Mulder, it really helped me to see things more clearly."
"Anytime, Shin."
***
6 hours later
Dana Scully sat in the living room holding Ayako in her arms. "Kazuo, she is so pretty. What does your family think of her?"
"My father is very proud, he's shown the photos that I sent him over the email to his friends and neighbors. He and my uncles are planning on coming here to see her in the spring. I just wish I could contact my uncle Masataka, no one has heard from him in seven months."
"Where was your uncle last seen?"
"Dana, my uncle is a Bohemian artist, there are times when we don't hear from him for months at a time. He was traveling through Europe the last time I heard from him."
"You're worried about him though?" she asked, concerned.
"Yes, because some areas in Europe aren't very safe, not to mention there are still ghouls there. Japan has used the anti-ghoul virus to exterminate our ghouls, I don't know why Europe has resisted using it."
"I had my doubts about the anti-ghoul virus when it was first used. I really thought they should have done more tests on it, but it seems to have work perfectly," Scully confessed.
"Hey, Scully, you are in my dog house," Mulder stated firmly, coming into the room. He was carrying a tray of drinks that he offered to the people in the room.
"And why is that, Mulder?"
"Jeez, Scully, eloping. How come you got off so easy? You're Catholic, I'd have thought you would have wanted a large religious ceremony," Mulder complained as he moved around the room. Kimberly and Tony each selected a glass of wine off the tray, they were both holding their daughters.
"No offense, Mulder, but after I saw what you went through I decided that being married by a justice of the peace was the perfect alternative." She smirked, then frowned as Mulder offered her a drink. "No thanks, I can't have alcohol in my condition," Scully informed him. "Do you have any tea?"
Mulder pulled the tray away. "Scully . . . you're . . .?"
"Yes, Mulder, I'm pregnant!" She had been artificially inseminated two weeks ago.
Scully's husband slid over on the sofa and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Mulder, we're both very excited about this baby. It took us awhile to get permission, but once the government determined that both our families were normal humans without any trace of mutations, they granted it right away," Doctor Jonathan Carter told him.
"I'm really happy for both of you," Mulder replied, he leaned down and kissed Scully on her cheek.
"Mulder, can I ask you a question?" Scully asked.
"Ah, sure, what?"
"Is it true that Justin is pregnant, too?"
"Yeah, but we're trying to keep it quiet. When we were looking for an in-home nurse, we didn't even tell the men who came for the interview the full extent of their duties."
"I can understand that, the press would have a field day with this story. How long do you think you'll be able to keep it quiet?"
Mulder frowned. "Not very long."
Krycek stepped into the room carrying Faith balanced on one hip, and her exersaucer in the other hand. He placed the device in the middle of the living room floor then sat her in it -- several toys appeared on the plastic tray in front of her. She grinned up at him then picked up a rubber squeeze toy and held it out to him. "Daadadda," she babbled.
"Thanks, cutie," Krycek replied, taking the toy he squeezed its belly, making it squeak.
She found that funny laughing each time he squeezed it.
"Dana, Jonathan, congratulations. Bill told us the good news," Krycek said from where he knelt playing with his daughter.
"Thank you, Alex. So where are my brothers, nephews, and son?"
"They're all in the upstairs game room. Walter, Rory, and Jeff have taken them on in darts."
Mulder started to head out of the room when Krycek grabbed his hand. "Can I talk to you, Fox?"
"I have to help Frohike and Hans put dinner on the table."
"This will only take a second. Langly, can you watch Faith for me?"
"I'd love to, Alex," Langly said, sliding off the sofa to play with the baby.
Krycek guided Mulder out into the hallway. "Fox, I want to set a date . . . I can't stand it any longer."
"Alex, whenever, wherever . . . as long as it's a small ceremony." Mulder smiled, kissing him gently, resting his hands on Krycek's hips. "You know I'll always love you whether we're legally married or not, it really doesn't matter."
"It matters to me, Fox. The government has started making special concessions to families where the men have made legal commitments with each other. I want us to be legally recognized as life partners by our government."
"Fine, Alex, you decide. I'll happily marry you."
"Okay, Christmas Eve. I'll arrange for Father Joseph to come here and perform the ceremony and it will be only family."
"Mm, sounds good to me." Mulder kissed him and then quickly then went to help with the Thanksgiving meal.
***
Mulder glanced around the table at his family and friends. This was the first time that Thanksgiving had actually felt like a real family occasion for him. Everyone was joyfully talking and eating, and then his eyes rested on Byers. The man was taking only small bites of food and not participating in the conversation that Langly and Frohike were trying to coax him into. It would take Byers time to get over Bartok's death. Blaise, Hawk, and Woods were absent; they had elected to dine in their room, the Texan was still not physically up to participating.
"So, Jeff, you must have felt some satisfaction when the U.S. strike force rescued Sung Lee and Luis Marquez?" Charlie Scully asked.
"Yeah, I suppose . . . but I should have done something sooner."
"C'mon, you're a hero. The president has given you a full pardon, and there's talk about turning your life story into a movie," Bill Scully replied as he scooped some more sweet potatoes onto Matthew's plate.
"Have they made a decision on whether they want to stay in the U.S.?" Jonathan Carter asked.
Skinner took a sip of wine before answering. "They both want to settle together in the San Francisco area. The government has offered to supply them with a secure home and protection similar to what we have here. They'll have a four sorcerer and two clairvoyant security team and the latest in high-end security devices," he informed them. His department had been given the task of hiring the security team, until they did; he had assigned his men the task of guarding Lee and Marquez.
"I'm surprised you don't have them move in here," Scully said, scooping up a forkful of cornbread dressing.
Krycek snickered; they had had that discussion with everyone in the household. "Dana, if you haven't noticed this family is growing -- in a few years we'll run out of space."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right . . . so when are you and Mulder planning on having more children?" she asked with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
Mulder rolled his eyes at her then went back to eating.
"It will be at least a couple of years. We want Hope and Faith to be in their own rooms first," Krycek answered. He bent down and kissed the top of Faith's head, who was sitting on his lap. Faith had refused to sit in her highchair like her sister, she preferred to sit at the large table. She started whimpering, holding out her arms to Mulder, he reached out to take her from Krycek. The two babies had learned which father could make them feel better.
"She's teething," Mulder explained as he gently inserted his finger into her mouth and ran it along her sore gums, which relieved her pain instantly, and stopped her crying.
"Have you ever considered going into pediatrics, Mulder? We could form a partnership," Doctor Carter asked.
"Sorry, Jonathan, but I have enough work with my daughters and the FBI."
"It's just a thought," he replied.
The rest of the meal passed quickly. Mulder was in a hurry to get upstairs to the game room to watch the football game on the large screen TV. The sorcerers had been elected to clean up after the meal.
The game had turned out to be a disappointment, unlike last year's football games. The NFL had decided to ban all n'thrals from playing after most of the human players went on strike to demand their removal, sighting unsafe playing conditions and their fears over incidents in the locker rooms.
After the last game ended, their guests departed. Skinner noted how tired Mulder looked, he figured a hot shower would do them both some good.
***
"Oh, god, Walter." Mulder's hands clutched Skinner's head as the older man went down on him in the shower. His cock was sensitive from Skinner's thorough attention. Mulder's knees gave out when Skinner took him down his throat; he would have slid to the floor but Krycek's arms wrapped around his body supporting him as he plunged his cock into Mulder from behind.
Mulder threw his head back against Krycek's shoulder and shifted his legs further apart; the younger man turned his head so he could kiss those perfect lips. Thrusting his tongue in and out, in time with the thrusts his cock was making into his lover's tight opening. His arms hugged Mulder's water-slick body firmly against his.
"Do you like this, Fox?" he purred.
"God yes, harder, Alex," he groaned.
Skinner pulled forward and pushed the tip of his tongue into to slit of Mulder's penis. Squeezing his sacs gently, he smiled softly as he felt Mulder's body stiffened and the younger man's seed spilled out into his greedy mouth. His knees were becoming sore from kneeling on the hard porcelain shower floor. He'd have to get around to installing some sort of padding on the floor.
"Walter, save me some," Krycek gasped as Mulder's sphincter muscle tightened around his cock; he held still relishing the sensation.
Skinner sucked the last of the semen from his lover. He slowly stood and caressed Mulder's lean body. Pressing firmly against him, he kissed Krycek over his shoulder, sharing Mulder's essence with him. He stopped when he picked up Hope's crying telepathically because the roar of the shower had drowned it out.
"Finish him, Alex, I'm going to see to the babies," Skinner stated, stepping out of the shower, he glanced back once at his lovers, both of whom were still locked together in passion. He quickly dried himself then pulled on his bathrobe and went to see what was wrong with his daughter.
"Hey, angel, what's wrong?" he cooed, picking her up. He noticed what the problem was; her pacifier was on the floor, picking it up he carried her into the bathroom so he could wash it. "Fox, we're going to have to try to wean Hope of her pacifier addiction."
Mulder leaned against the shower wall, sated. "Walter, she's still too young, we'll start weaning her when she's older."
"I don't understand why she needs it . . . Faith doesn't need one," Skinner complained.
"Hope shares your predilection for sucking on things," Mulder quipped saucily, stepping out of the shower.
"Brat."
Krycek laughed with amusement as he dried himself. "C'mon, guys, let's turn in."
***
Jason Duffy's Cave
Friday, November 26
NoonRory MacIver trudged through the mud and the slush. Most of the snow from two weeks earlier had melted and the temperature was hovering in the forties. The little man was carrying a cooler and had on a backpack. He walked through the narrow tunnel leading to Duffy's cavern using his powers to light the way.
He stopped at the door and knocked on it. A surprised Jason Duffy answered staring down at him.
"Rory, what are you doing here?"
"We had a lot of leftovers from our Thanksgiving dinner so I thought I'd bring you some. Plus, Shinji wanted me to get a blood sample from you," MacIver replied, stepping into the large, warm, cavern. He set the cooler down on the table and started pulling out Tupperware containers.
"You didn't have to go through all of this trouble, my friend," Duffy replied, deeply touched.
"Sit down, lad. The food is hot and the beer is cold," MacIver stated as he opened several different containers. He had used his powers on the four-hour drive up here to keep the food hot and the beer chilled.
The nine-foot tall n'thral sat on the large, homemade bench, staring hungrily at all of the Thanksgiving dishes as the Scotsman filled his plate. MacIver removed the backpack and pulled out a six pack of beer and a whole pumpkin pie.
As Duffy ate, MacIver filled him in on the latest happenings in the world.
"So, Rory, why does Shinji need a sample of my blood?" Duffy finally asked, leaning back pleasantly full. He drained a can of beer then reached for another one.
"He's working on a drug that will suppress a n'thral's sex drive. He figures if he could find a way to suppress it then you wouldn't be ostracized."
Duffy became excited. "That is excellent news, if he succeeds there would be no need for me to live here away from society."
"That's what Shinji is hoping for, plus it will make it safer for immortals and humans in our society, too."
"How is Shinji doing?"
"Better, but he's still having nightmares and there is something else bothering him that I haven't been able to get him to talk about. I should be heading back to him," MacIver murmured. He pulled out a syringe to take the blood sample.
Duffy held out his arm and watched passively as the Scotsman plunged the needle into it. "Thank you for the meal, Rory, and tell Shinji I appreciate his help, too."
"It's the least we could do, Duffy," MacIver said, swinging the empty backpack over his shoulder. "Goodbye, my friend."
"Goodbye, Rory."
***
Takeda looked up from the sofa as MacIver entered their apartment at the mansion. The baby was asleep in the bassinet on the coffee table.
"Hi, Rory, did Duffy enjoy the meal?" Takeda asked, standing he walked over to his lover and they shared a brief kiss.
"Yes, he did, and I brought you his blood sample."
"Good, I'll put it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Rory, Mulder is helping me turn one of the storage rooms downstairs into a laboratory. That way I won't have to go to the Procreation Center as often to work," Takeda said, heading over to the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator. "Would you like a beer?"
"Sure, Shin," the Scotsman said, sitting on the sofa he leaned forward to admire the sleeping infant. "That's a good idea, fixing up a laboratory here. If you need me to get any equipment or materials for you on the black market, let me know."
Takeda came out of the kitchen and handed MacIver a beer. "Hmm, I can't think of anything right now. Kyle has everything I need, he's shipping it here on Monday, and he'll be sending you the bill for it." Takeda sat next to him smiling. "Now that you're here, I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Sure, Shin, what is it?" MacIver asked. Scooting over until they sat thigh to thigh, he wrapped an arm around the younger man's shoulders.
"Rory, I want to have a baby with you," he said quickly, looking into his lover's eyes.
"Shin, that's wonderful, I'd love to have a child with you! Thank you, God, imagine me a father," MacIver babbled enthusiastically. "When do you want to go to the Procreation Center?" He asked, smiling broadly.
"Rory, you don't understand . . . I want to have a baby with you, but not from a growth cylinder. From my body -- here," he murmured, touching his belly.
"Shin, why?" MacIver gulped, staring at him with trepidation. "Justin's been off his feet for over two weeks, we don't know what other side-effects there are. I don't want to put your life in danger or cause you any pain, and what about Ayako, she needs you."
"Rory, you need to understand something . . . this isn't some whim on my part . . . my body craves this! You have no idea what it feels like to need something so desperately." Takeda hastened. "Besides, Justin is getting better every day, I spent two hours talking to him today, and Ayako needs all of me . . . I can't give her that now, not in my current condition."
"Shin, are you saying this is a physical need? Are Mulder and the others being affected? Is that why Hans has been begging Frohike for a child?" MacIver asked anxiously.
"Yeah, we're all being affected. Mulder is trying to fight it -- he doesn't want to give into the compulsion, it scares him. I don't have the energy to fight it. Rory, I need this right now as much as I need air to breathe."
"Okay, Shin, if this is what you want, but don't you need to be at the peak of your cycle in order to become pregnant?"
"I think we need to be within the three day window. My cycle peaks on December 6, so we can start trying December 5."
"Shin, your happiness is the only thing that is important to me," the Scotsman murmured, leaning forward he gently kissed the younger man. Takeda's cycle was nine days away, he hoped in that time, either his lover would change his mind or Blaise would show an improvement in his condition.
"I love you, Rory."
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Thursday, December 2
6:00 a.m.Fox Mulder performed some stretching exercises as he prepared for his morning jog. The air was cool and crisp and his breath was visible as he breathed. A sudden sense of dread clutched at his stomach, making him feel nauseous. He stared around him questioningly, then stepped back into the mansion through the doorway off the kitchen.
"Fox, what's wrong?" Krycek asked, looking up as he set a bowl of cereal on the tray of Faith's highchair.
"I . . . I need you and Walter to search the woods by the fence on the far north side of the estate just past the marsh."
Skinner and Hunter looked at him questioningly as Krycek went to grab their coats.
"Did you see something out there?" Skinner asked, taking his coat from Krycek.
"No. It's just that I have this strange feeling that something is out there waiting for me," Mulder replied, shivering.
"Okay, stay here with Gabriel. We'll be right back," Krycek said.
Mulder resisted the urge to argue that he wanted to go with them.
"How do you want to play this, Walter?" Krycek asked, following Skinner out the front door
"We want to surprise whatever is out there, so let's split up. You circle around the estate with my SUV, pull off the roadway just before the woods on the north side, I'll take the mountain bike down the jogging path then sneak through the woods. If there is anyone out there we'll trap them between us."
Skinner slowed the mountain bike and slipped off, he was just out of sight of the north side fence. He sneaked through the woods scanning the area for any intruders with his mind, but he could not sense any other presence -- only Krycek's. He was just beginning to think that Mulder was imagining it, when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He quickly erected a shield and simultaneously sent out a warning to Krycek just as a round of bullets ripped toward him.
"Don't kill them! We need to take them alive," Skinner shouted at Krycek.
Krycek and Skinner had three n'thrals and one clairvoyant trapped between them. They sent energy charges at the men, knocking them off their feet, but not enough to render them unconscious.
"Get up," Krycek snarled, kicking one of the large n'thrals with his boot. He noted that all four men wore some sort of an electronic helmet on their heads that was giving off a low hum.
"Walter, I think we've found what's causing our security gap."
Skinner held out his hand and one of the helmets appeared in it. He switched off the device and studied it. He was now able to pick up the n'thral's thoughts.
Krycek indicated the hole underneath the fence that the four men had dug to get onto the estate. "We need to extend the fence down and plant underground detectors."
Skinner nodded his head in agreement. He used his powers to fill the hole and remove the remaining helmets from their prisoners. Satisfied that he could now read all of their minds. Skinner then telepathically communicated the situation to Mulder.
*Yeah, Walter, we know. Gabriel is on the phone to the FBI,* Mulder replied as MacIver and Sawada raced through the kitchen, grabbing their coats from the mud room they ran out the backdoor. He noted the two men had their workout clothes on and were drenched in sweat, he realized they must have been downstairs in the gym.
*Fox, I'm sorry, I should have realized that you wouldn't take chances with your safety. It makes me feel a lot better knowing that you were able to sense the danger and come to us,* Skinner told him as he made the prisoners walk in front of him down the path toward the mansion.
*Walter, that's what I've been trying to make you both understand. I don't need twenty-four hour protection, I can take care of myself, and if I need your help, I'll ask for it -- like I just did.*
*Fox, we realize that now,* Krycek replied sincerely.
Mulder turned to Hunter smiling. "Gabriel, things are looking up . . . I think they're finally getting it."
"I think you may be right, Fox." The older man smiled back.
Hope's crying caught Mulder's attention. Sighing, he unfastened her from the highchair and glanced over at Faith who was giggling with delight. They had rice cereal covering their faces, hands, hair, and clothing. Skinner and Krycek had been in the process of feeding them. Faith was squishing the stuff through her fingers.
"C'mon, princess, daddy will give you and your sister a bath," he murmured soothingly to Hope. Mulder balanced her on his hip as he went over to the kitchen sink, rinsing it out he started it filling.
"Gabriel, can you zap me in some soap, shampoo, and towels?"
"Sure, Fox." Bottles of baby shampoo, bubble bath, and a washcloth appeared on the counter along with two large plush towels.
Spender walked into the kitchen, chuckling, he knelt next to Faith. "Hey, cutie, are you having fun?" Looking up at Mulder, he watched as his half-brother stripped the soiled outfit off the baby. "Mulder, would you like any help?"
"If you don't mind, Jeff, can you take care of Faith?" Mulder tested the water with his elbow before setting Hope into it. He started filling the other half of the sink as Spender carefully lifted Faith from the highchair. She graciously offered him the handful of mush she was holding.
"Ah, no thanks." Spender grabbed a paper towel and cleaned her hands. Then he undressed her, careful not to get any of the sticky cereal on himself. He laughed when he got a good look at Mulder -- the agent had a clump of cereal in his hair and the front and side of his black sweatshirt was smeared with it. "They're not the only ones that need a bath," he said, as he tested the water then set Faith into sink.
Mulder ran a hand through his hair, feeling the sticky cereal. "Yuck."
"Gee!" Faith slapped the water with her hands splashing Spender.
Hope giggled and imitated her sister, slapping the water, too.
"Hey, munchkin, you're getting me all wet," Mulder grumbled playfully tweaking her nose. She grinned happily up at him.
Spender smiled at him then his look turned somber. "So, Walter and Alex caught some intruders on the grounds?"
"Yeah, they're going to hold them in the garage until the FBI gets here. At least they may offer us some clues as to what the weaknesses are in our security system." Mulder shampooed Hope's curly, black hair, then used the hose to rinse out the soap, he tilted her back carefully so as not to get any into her eyes.
Spender's eyes glazed over. "They don't work for the consortium . . . does the name Xsavior, mean anything to you?"
"Yes, but he hates mutants, I can't picture him employing them."
"But, he did," Spender replied, his eyes briefly distant. "Mulder, he's desperate to get his hands on you. He blames you for his recent troubles." He couldn't tell Mulder the other things that he saw in the n'thrals' minds. How would Mulder take it knowing that the n'thrals had permission to use his body as they pleased as part of their payment?
"What's wrong?" Mulder asked, noticing Spender's frown.
"Nothing."
"Hi guys," Blaise replied, walking into the kitchen unaided, he sat at the counter. Hawk followed him closely sitting next to him while Woods quickly got them coffee.
"Justin, how are you feeling?" Mulder asked as he wrapped Hope in a bath towel.
"Better. Can I hold her?"
"Sure." Mulder handed him the baby.
"Mm, you smell marvelous, angel," Blaise murmured, smelling the baby's freshly washed hair he kissed the top of her head. "Mulder, you have cereal in your hair," he smirked not looking up from the baby.
"I know." Mulder studied Blaise closely, he wouldn't have thought it possible for the immortal to look more beautiful, but the Texan glowed radiantly.
Spender pulled Faith out of the sink and wrapped a towel around her, he gently towel dried her hair. His eyes kept drifting over to Blaise. This was the first time he had seen the man who had been bedridden since he had arrived.
Blaise met his eyes. "You must be Jeff . . . Joe and Tristan have mentioned you."
"Yes, I am, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Spender said, balancing Faith on his hip, he reached out to shake the Texan's hand. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better."
Blaise snorted. "Tell me that again in about eight months."
"If it takes only eight months . . . you never know it could be twelve or more," Hawk teased.
"Joe, you have a dark sense of humor," Blaise grumbled.
***
Skinner, Krycek, MacIver, and Sawada came strolling into the mansion three hours later. They had gotten all the information possible from their four prisoners before allowing the FBI to take them away.
"It was Xsavior, Fox," Krycek informed Mulder who was sitting on the floor in the family room, watching cartoons with the babies. The agent had his suit and tie on.
"Yeah, I know, Jeff told me."
"Oh, I forgot he's a clairvoyant. We should have had him help scan the clairvoyant we captured. It would have saved time," Krycek replied.
"You also could have woken Frohike up," Mulder grumbled, he was starting to feel irritable.
"So, where is Jeff?" Skinner asked.
"He's downstairs swimming with Justin, Joe, and Tristan."
"Justin's back on his feet?" MacIver asked, relieved.
"Yeah, he's looking a lot better, too," Mulder replied.
"Well, I think I'll go roundup Shinji and join them. Kazuo, would you mind watching your daughter for awhile for Shinji?" the Scotsman asked.
"Nope, I was just going to do that," Sawada answered.
Skinner sank down next to Mulder on the floor and scooped his daughter up onto his lap. "It's nice to see things getting back to normal around here," he murmured. He started to play patty-cake with her and missed Mulder's anguished expression.
"We're already late for work, Walter. We'd better get going, I'm helping Scully with an X-File case and I'd like to get started."
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Sunday, December 5
4:30 p.m."What, Frohike?" Mulder growled letting the little man into his office.
"I think that I've done it," he said, ignoring his friend's grumpy mood.
"Think you did what?" Mulder grumbled, collapsing on his leather sofa.
"Got Hans pregnant."
"Oh. Are you sure that's what you want?" Mulder asked lackadaisically, closing his eyes he tried to focus on what Frohike was saying.
"Yes, positive. I thought about what you said, and I realized that part of it made sense. I was afraid that once the baby comes Hans would focus all of his love and attention on her and not need me any longer. I'm still afraid of that, but it seems like a selfish reason to deny him a child. It's all he seemed to be talking about lately." Frohike glanced at Mulder, noticing the pained expression for the first time. "Mulder, are you okay?"
After getting no response, he sat down next to his friend and gently nudged his shoulder. "Mulder?"
Mulder slowly opened his eyes and gazed over at him. "Sorry. You were saying," he sighed.
Frohike immediately realized what was wrong. "Mulder, are you hiding out up here?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"You haven't told Walter or Alex, yet?"
"No, it's too embarrassing . . . I thought I would avoid telling them for as long as possible. I was supposed to be out of town on a case. I had arranged with Scully to call me in on her X-file investigation, but after Xsavior hired those n'thral thugs to abduct me, A.D. Murphy refused to allow me to go without suitable protection, namely Alex."
"Mulder, you can't hide up in your office for three days."
"God, Frohike, it's driving me crazy . . . I can't take the emptiness, it's killing me!" Mulder rose anxiously, he was an emotional wreck. "How's Hans doing?"
"He was a mess earlier, until we had sex *there* and that calmed him down immediately," Frohike told him.
Mulder's curiosity got the better of him. "What was it like?"
"I've never experienced anything more pleasurable. It's clear that the orifice was designed for sexually pleasing both partners," Frohike sighed, remembering how the internal muscles worked the entire length of his cock. Mulder's voice pulled him out of his daydream as the agent sank back down on the sofa next to him.
"Frohike, snap out of it."
Grinning, he said, "Sorry, Mulder, I was reminiscing."
There was a knock on the door and Takeda, Schatz, Blaise, and Hawk strolled into the office. The four immortals were smiling and joking with one another. Schatz plopped down on the sofa next to Frohike, looping an arm around the smaller man's shoulders he leaned affectionately up against him. Takeda took the other side next to Mulder, putting his feet up on the coffee table. Blaise sunk into the recliner and Hawk wheeled over Mulder's desk chair.
"What's going on? Why are all of you grinning like fools?" Mulder snapped, feeling more irritated by the minute.
"Hey, what bee crawled up your ass, Mulder?" Blaise asked, noting the agent's sulky expression.
Takeda interrupted, knowing Blaise had no idea what Mulder was going through. "Justin, be quiet, please." He then turned to his friend. "Mulder, we've all had sex with our lovers . . . we're not experiencing any uncontrollable urges any longer."
"Shin, are you telling me that all four of you are pregnant?" Mulder looked over at Hawk when he said it.
"We'll know in a couple of days, that's how long it took Justin to show symptoms. Mulder, it was the most awesome sex ever . . . you should try it sometime," Takeda giggled giddily. He had been feeling totally elated since having sex with MacIver four hours earlier.
Frohike kissed his lover on the cheek, standing. "It's my turn to cook dinner. Hans, try to cheer Mulder up." He grinned over at the disgruntled man who glared angrily at him.
After Frohike had left, Takeda turned to Mulder and whispered in his ear. "Show them, please," he begged.
"Show them what?" Mulder sighed; his head was starting to throb.
"The netsukes," he whispered in a hushed tone so only Mulder could hear him as he leaned against the older man's body.
"Shin, no," Mulder said somewhat annoyed, but he realized that his young friend was somewhat inebriated and wasn't in full control of his faculties.
"Mulder, c'mon show them, they won't tell anyone, they're our brothers." Takeda started giggling as he sagged against Mulder's body.
Hawk didn't know what was so funny, but Takeda's laughter set him off laughing, too. He was feeling lightheaded and slightly giddy since Blaise and him had sex.
"Show us what?" Schatz asked, leaning up against Mulder's other side.
Mulder buried his face in his hands. "God, why me?"
***
Frohike strolled through the family room, stopping briefly to play with Hope and Faith who were in their playpen. Ayako was sleeping in her bassinet. Their fathers were at the kitchen counter talking about the security of the estate, they could see all three babies.
Frohike stepped into the kitchen whistling happily.
"Hey, Rory, I just saw Shinji. Way to go, buddy," he said, holding up his hand they high-fived each other.
"Melvin, you sly dog . . . Shinji told me about Hans," the Scotsman smirked. "Was that fucking awesome or what?"
Skinner, Krycek, Hunter, and Sawada stared at each other trying to figure out what the two men were talking about.
Krycek finally couldn't stand it any longer. "Guys, what are you talking about?"
"Not that we're ones to brag or anything, but we just scored big-time with our lovers," Frohike stated smugly.
"What do you mean by big-time?" Skinner asked.
MacIver couldn't help the goofy grin on his face. "Well, let's just say that besides just having the best sex *ever* . . . in about nine or so months we're going to be fathers."
"They let you have sex with them there?" Krycek asked totally astounded.
"Let us? They fucking instigated it," MacIver replied joyfully.
Skinner and Krycek exchanged stunned looks, knowing how their lover felt about it. Krycek ventured forward -- he wanted to find out more. "Why?"
Frohike couldn't stop MacIver from answering, he knew Mulder didn't want them to know, yet.
"Why? Hasn't Mulder told you?" the Scottish sorcerer asked, confused.
"Told us what?" Skinner growled. He couldn't believe that Mulder was keeping another secret from them.
"Ah, Walter, I think you really should ask Mulder," Frohike said.
"I'm asking you, spill it!"
"Shit, okay. It seems all of the immortals are having a physical compulsion to have a baby, and from what Mulder says it grows stronger with each new cycle," the little man replied.
"Fox confided this to you, Melvin?" Skinner asked.
"Yeah, remember the day we found out that Justin was pregnant, and Hans was starting to pressure me into having a baby with him? I needed some advice so I talked to Mulder about it, he explained why Hans felt so compelled to have a baby."
"Okay, let me see if I got this straight. Hans and Shinji decided to become pregnant because they couldn't control the physical urges their bodies were experiencing? What about Joe?" Krycek asked.
"Joe, too," Frohike informed them.
Hunter noticed the stormy looks on Skinner's and Krycek's faces. "Alex, Walter, I'm sure Fox isn't intentionally keeping this from you . . . this is probably scaring the shit out of him. Put yourselves in his shoes, he's suddenly having an uncontrollable compulsion to get pregnant. That would probably be a big blow to any man's masculinity, much less an FBI agent who's nearly forty years old."
"We know you're right, Gabriel, but he really should have discussed this with us. I suppose that's why he was trying to get assigned to that X-Files case, so he'd be out of town right now," Krycek muttered.
Skinner sat quietly, he was calculating in his head. If it took the other three immortals only three to four cycles to give into to their body's demands, how long would Mulder be able to hold out. He glanced over at Krycek, wondering if he could figure out a way to get him out of town during Mulder's next few cycles.
"Walter, forget it," Krycek glared at him. "Try shielding your thoughts a little better, okay?"
"Sorry, Alex, but you know how much I want this."
"Not anymore than I do. When Fox caves in we'll flip a coin."
"When I cave in to what?" Mulder asked, walking into the kitchen with the other immortals behind him.
Embarrassed, both men looked at each other, waiting for the other to answer his question. Skinner sighed. "Fox, Melvin was just telling us about the immortal's physical compulsion to have a baby."
"Oh, I see, and you expect me to eventually cave in, and then you wanted to flip a coin to see which one of you gets to make me pregnant. That's fucking decent of you," he snarled sarcastically. "Melvin, thanks a lot." Mulder spun around and fled the room his emotions were raw.
"Fox, wait," Krycek shouted.
"Watch the babies, please, Melvin," Skinner ordered as he followed Krycek and Mulder out of the kitchen.
Krycek was knocking on the door to Mulder's office. "C'mon, Fox, open up," he pleaded.
"Alex, we're going to have to break in," Skinner said. Neither man like using their powers to invade their lover's privacy, but they saw no other option. A loud crash behind the closed door had Krycek quickly unlocking it and they rushed into the office.
Both men ducked as a lamp crashed against the wall over their heads.
"Get the fuck out of here and leave me the fuck alone!"
"Fox, we just want to talk to you, please," Skinner replied, stepping around an overturned shelving unit. His foot squished, he looked down, he was standing in a puddle of water from the fish tank that had been on the shelving unit -- the fish were flopping around. Skinner quickly concentrated and the fish were teleported into the fish tank in the game room.
Tears were streaming down Mulder's face as he angrily hurled his PC monitor off his desk. He was about to knock the rest of the items onto the floor when his eyes fell on his daughters' photo. He backed away, shaking, and was caught in Skinner's strong arms. Mulder spun out of his lover's hold and threw himself down on the sofa. He curled up in a ball, sobbing uncontrollably.
Krycek knelt next to him. "Fox, we're sorry. We didn't mean to make light of your situation," he replied, rubbing his back.
Skinner rested a comforting hand on his head. "Fox, we have no way of knowing what you're going through, please, talk to us."
"How could you know? When I don't know! Fuck it . . . I don't even know what I am any longer or what I want." Mulder sat up against the back of the sofa, refusing to look at them. "A week ago, I would have told you positively that I never wanted to become pregnant . . . now it's all I can think about," he sobbed.
Skinner slid beside his lover on the sofa and pulled him into his arms. Mulder buried his face against Skinner's chest; his hands clenched the fabric of the older man's shirt. "Ssh, Fox, it's going to be okay." He met Krycek's eyes as the younger man sat on the other side of Mulder and massaged his back. They knew that they had to tread carefully.
"The others have already accepted what they are. Why can't I?" he whispered against Skinner's chest.
"Fox, you're no different, you're the same man that you've always been," Krycek soothed.
"Alex, we both know that's not true."
"Okay, you're different . . . we want to help you deal with this, let us. Fox, tell us what you need," Krycek replied.
"I need to get through the next three days, I should be better, somewhat better, afterwards, at least until my next cycle." He relaxed into Skinner's arms, his tears stopping.
"Okay, Fox, we'll help you . . . I'll see if Tristan has a sedative that will help you sleep," Skinner murmured.
"Yeah, that's what I want, to sleep, so I don't have to think or feel."
***
Skinner stared lovingly down at Mulder's peacefully sleeping face.
"You'll need to give him two pills every six hours. There's enough here to get him through the next few days," Woods told them handing the bottle to Krycek.
"Thanks, Tristan," Skinner said, walking the younger man to the door. He closed the door and walked back to the bed.
"Walter, how are we going to deal with this? We can't sedate him every month," Krycek asked, sitting on the bed he caressed Mulder's face.
"I know, but we'll do whatever Fox wants for now, until he starts to accept what he has become. It's going to take time. You know, he really hasn't changed that much, he's still pigheaded." Skinner grinned affectionately at both Mulder and his half-brother.
"Well flipping a coin is definitely out," Krycek said, pulling down the covers to reveal Mulder's body, he had on low riding sweatpants that left his belly exposed. Krycek rested a hand over Mulder's navel, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath his hand. "The best sex ever . . . do you believe them?"
The bed shifted as Skinner sat down, his hand covered Krycek's. "We have no reason not to, we'll find out in time."
Krycek leveled a hard look at him. "Don't hold your breath, Fox has much stronger willpower than the other immortals," he said.
"I don't know if that's true. Justin probably would have held out as long or longer than Fox if he hadn't become accidentally pregnant," Skinner replied.
"It must be because Justin and Fox are fifteen years older than the other three. Shin, Joe, and Hans had an easier time adjusting and accepting to their body's changes. Do you really think Fox will give in and allow us to have sex with him there?"
"Yeah, his curiosity will get the better of him, but it might take a few months," Skinner replied as they sat and watched their beautiful lover sleep.
***
St. Petersburg
Monday, December 20
11:30 a.m.Tsar Nikolai Slava strolled down the aisle in front of the seven growth cylinders containing his and Mulder's daughters. At his side walked Masataka Izumi and Marat Fyodorov. Inside the cylinders his daughters were the size of four and a half-month old fetuses. Slava admired their perfection -- these tiny lives were a part of him and Fox.
"Izumi, I want beautiful gold nameplates made for each of the royal princesses."
"Tsar Nikolai, I would happily do this for you, just tell me their names."
"Izumi, my friend, please allow me to introduce you to my daughters. This is Princess Ekaterina and this is Princess Anatasja." Slava said with pride as he moved down the roll, stopping before each of his daughters. "Princess Raisa, Princess Marina, and Princess Natalja." He had started coming here daily to check on their progress, and had grown to love them with all of his heart. "Princess Svetlana, and this is Princess Elizaveta my little Lisa," he said smiling.
"They are all very beautiful, Tsar Nikolai. I will make the plates to match their beauty," the Japanese artist bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Izumi. I sent my Fox the latest netsuke you made for his Christmas present, I'm sure he will love it as much I did. How is his New Years present coming?"
"It is nearly complete. I would someday like to meet him, I've come to know his likeness so well from carving it."
"You will and soon, he will be here in February, just in time for our daughters' births," Slava replied. He nodded his dismissal and the two men left him to visit his daughters in peace. Slava had started telepathically singing to them, he noticed that they seemed to respond to his presence. "Oh yes, my hearts, we will soon be one big happy family."
***
Deep Space
Planet EmpyreanThe Seraphim overlord Xochipilli strolled down the long corridor of the Welkin Palace located in Empyrean's largest city. Walking nervously at his side was Ricardo Montoya. The young human immortal glanced around at thick facetted crystal walls; he saw shapes moving behind them, but couldn't make them out through the distortion. He was dressed in a shimmering, silver, silken robe with matching ankle boots on his feet. The boots had soft leather soles that left no marks on the white marble floors.
Montoya glanced fearfully at the Seraphim -- the being had large, white wings with shades of violet mixed in that match his silky violet hair. Everything else about him appeared human with the exception of his penis, which was currently hidden by tight, purple, silken pants. A matching tunic further covered the large bulge of the being's sex organ. The Seraphim wore knee-high soft leather boots in a deeper shade of purple.
They reached the end of the hallway and entered a large reception hall. It had a glass covered dome stretching the entire length of the room. Montoya could see the golden glow of this planet's sun and the whispery white clouds in the turquoise sky. An indoor rainbow arched from one side of the room to the other and reflected from the crystal walls, there was also an indoor waterfall and gardens. The room's occupants were all Seraphims, there were about fifty of them. They each had unique colorings; he took in the varying colors of their wings gold, red, brown, black, white, blue, and silver. Their skin tones and facial features matched the different races on Earth from pale beige to dark brown.
Montoya's fears vanished in the absolute splendor of the room and the beautiful beings before him. He shivered remembering the feel of his Seraphim's hands and lips upon his body. The sheer pleasure the being pulled out of his unwilling body. He froze when the beings surrounded them and he stepped closer to his Seraphim.
"Brother Xochipilli, you were not exaggerating about this creature's beauty, he is exquisite," said a tall Seraphim with long white hair and red eyes. "We would like to see all of him."
"Of course, Brother Xovena," Xochipilli replied. He stepped behind his human and reached around to Montoya's front, unfastening the robe, he pulled it off him.
With the exception of his ankle boots, Montoya was now totally naked in front of them. He blushed with embarrassment over their appreciative remarks; their hands touching and caressing his body made him dizzy.
"He has such an exquisite body," one Seraphim said, stroking a hand down the immortal's long back to the gentle curve of his buttocks. "His skin feels like silk." The Seraphims admired Montoya's flawless, tan skin and delicate bone structure.
"Does he have a name?" Xobonoa asked, his wings, hair, and eyes were black, and his skin was a deep chocolate brown.
"I've renamed him Xoric." Xochipilli stated proudly.
Shocked murmurs spread throughout the room. "You've given him a family name? Why?"
"Because I've taken him as my permanent mate. I will never choose another," he said, wrapping the robe back around his lover's lithe body, he pulled him protectively against his chest.
"Brother Xochipilli, this has never been done before. We cannot stop searching for our true mates."
"I have found mine. Xoric is carrying our child and when the baby is born, you will see that these human immortals are the mates we've been searching over the millenniums to find."
"Very well, Xochipilli, we will wait to see this child. Where are the other human immortals?" King Xowolfe asked. He was taller than all the other Seraphim, his eyes were emerald green. His hair and wings were a sable brown. His skin glowed pale beige against the dark green outfit he wore.
"My king, this was the only one that we were able to retrieve from Earth. The other immortals were too closely guarded."
"What do you mean? We have never been defeated or denied what is ours," the king bellowed.
"The earthlings were a more formidable force than we had anticipated. King Xowolfe, they tricked us and used our own technology against us. We're unable to get through the shields they have protecting their planet."
The king's hand gently and thoughtfully caressed the side of Montoya's face. "If the other human immortals are as beautiful as this one, then I want them here, regardless of whether they are our chosen mates or not. See that it is done Brother Xobonoa, and they are not to be touched until I make my selection from them first."
"As you wish, my king."
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Christmas Eve
7:30 p.m.Fox Mulder sang Christmas carols as he dressed Hope in a dark green velvet dress. He had on a black suit with a burgundy tie. Alex Krycek was singing along with him as he dressed Faith in an identical dress, except that it was burgundy. He wore a black suit with a forest green tie.
Mulder laid Hope on her back and pulled the white, ruffled tights up over her diaper then slipped her feet into matching green velvet slippers. "You are so beautiful, princess," he cooed lovingly as he brushed her thick curls and fastened a green velvet headband around her head.
"Are you ready, Fox?" Krycek asked, when he finished fastening the burgundy headband around Faith's head.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Mulder replied nervously. He balanced Hope on his hip, letting her play with his tie.
Krycek picked up Faith, stepping over he tenderly kissed Mulder. "Let's get it over with then."
They walked out of their bedroom and headed for the living room, their guests all stopped talking when they walked into the room.
The living room was all deck out in holiday splendor, there was a nine-foot tree decorated in gold and silver. It had angel ornaments covering every inch of it. There was fresh pine garland draped around the mantle and windows, giving the room a wonderful pine scent. The room was lit warmly by candlelight and the tiny white lights on the Christmas tree. There was a fire blazing in the fireplace, making the whole room feel warm and homey.
"Guys, stand in front of the Christmas tree. I want to take a picture of you and the babies," Frohike order, holding up his camera. He took several shots of them together then he had Skinner get into the picture. The older man took Hope from Mulder. Mulder stood in the middle between Skinner and Krycek who each held their daughters in one arm with their other arm wrapped around Mulder's waist.
Skinner's cousins and uncle wanted to have their photographs taken with the babies, too. So did the rest of the guests . . . after about a half-hour Faith started to get fussy putting an end to it all.
"Thanks, cutie," Mulder whispered into her ear, kissing her on the cheek. He smiled and winked at Krycek who was holding her. "We have one smart kid there."
"You got that right, Fox. She takes after her old man," Krycek grinned back.
"Are you, boys, ready?" Father Joseph asked them after all the pictures were taken.
"Yes, Father," Mulder replied, guiding Krycek over to stand in front of the fireplace. Spender took Faith from Krycek and Blaise stepped forward and retrieved Hope from Skinner.
Skinner was standing up for Krycek and Hunter was standing up for Mulder. Time passed slowly as Mulder and Krycek stood exchanging vows in front of the blazing fire. Mulder was slightly sadden that three of his family were absent -- Takeda, Schatz, and Hawk were all asleep in their beds still experiencing the first symptom of their pregnancies.
Skinner's uncle and cousins were there along with Yori and Lev and their seven adopted sons. Frohike, Langly, and Byers were present, as were Spender, Blaise, MacIver, Sawada, Kimberly, and Tony. Dana Scully and her family were celebrating Christmas Eve at her mother's old home in Baltimore. The Scully's had wanted to recapture some of the Christmas spirit from before the virus, they were attending a Christmas Eve mass as a family, then going caroling with the other members of the church. They were planning on coming to dinner at the estate on Christmas day.
Mulder sighed inwardly when Father Joseph finally pronounced them married. They shared a long kiss as their friends and family applauded. Skinner went and opened a couple bottles of champagne, filling nineteen fluted champagne glasses.
When everyone had a glass of champagne, Skinner cleared his throat. "I'd like to propose a toast. To Fox and Alex, may they be forever happy together."
Mulder smiled and quickly amended his lover's toast as they click glasses. "May we all be forever happy."
"So, Alex, what are you and Mulder doing for a honeymoon?" Uncle Kostya asked.
"I thought we'd go to Las Vegas after New Years, from about January 8 to the 12," Krycek answered quickly, smirking over at his half-brother.
"No, let's say from January 20 to 25," Skinner said, figuring out immediately that January 8 through the 10 was when Mulder's cycle would peak again.
Mulder sighed. He was feeling better right now, so his lovers' childish competition to get him alone during one of his cycles didn't irritate him as much. "January 8 through the 12 would be pretty boring for you, Alex, with me being sound asleep during three of the days."
"Why would you be sound asleep for three days?" Uncle Kostya inquired.
Mulder blushed; so far they had been able to keep Blaise and the other immortals' pregnancies a secret from the outside world. How would he explain why his needed to be sedated during those days without explaining everything else.
"It's an inside joke, Kostya," Yori told the old man, winking knowingly at Mulder.
Mulder smiled appreciatively at the large Russian. "Yori, are you still planning on starting back to work at the FBI daycare in January?"
"Yes, Mulder, I missed all of the children there. Lev's and my sons are in school during the day, it will be nice to do something useful."
"The children all missed you, Yori, and I would feel better knowing that you are there for my daughters," Mulder told him sincerely.
MacIver stepped over to them carrying a tray of appetizers. Mulder selected a crab cake from the tray.
"Would you like another glass of champagne, Mulder?" MacIver asked.
"Yes, thanks, Rory," Mulder said as his champagne flute was filled magically to the brim.
Krycek came up behind him and wrapped his arms around Mulder's waist, kissing him behind the ear. He reached for the glass of champagne and took a sip. "Since Kazuo has moved in with Rory and Shinji, his old bedroom is free, I thought we could spend the evening there alone together."
"Alex, I like the way you think," Mulder said, turning around in his arms, he kissed him passionately his tongue exploring deeply. A flash of light forced them apart. Both men glared at Frohike as the little man tried to hide the camera behind his back.
"Hey, I have to make a living, too. Several magazines will pay top dollar for this photograph. Now if the two of you want to make out au naturel in the spa downstairs, I'll be set for the year 2000," Frohike quipped, backing away from them.
"It's okay, Alex, he's just trying to make a little extra money for Hans and the baby. I told him it was okay to sell a few *tasteful* photographs of us, but not any photographs of our daughters without our permission, and we do get to approve all photographs first," Mulder murmured, preventing Krycek from going after him.
"Fox, what does Frohike know about tasteful? To him tasteful would be us wearing black dress socks as we fuck."
"We've never fucked with only our socks on."
"Hmm, so do you want to try it?" Krycek asked, pulling up his pants cuff showing Mulder his black sock, which wasn't completely black.
Mulder squinted. "Is that Rudolph?"
"Ah, gee, it's Christmas Eve, Fox."
Spender came into the room to find them. "The food is ready, come and eat, you can discuss your weird sense of fashion later."
"Jeff, you're a fine one to talk, at least neither of us is wearing a tie that lights up," Krycek snorted watching the lights flash on and off on Spender's Christmas tree tie.
Mulder looked at Krycek, embarrassed. "I was planning on wearing my Santa Claus tie tomorrow, it lights up and plays a medley of Christmas carols."
Krycek shook his head. "Yes, it's definitely obvious that you two are brothers, and we didn't even need the DNA test to confirm it," he stated.
They followed him into the dining room where a long buffet table had been set up with all sorts of delicacies on it. Filling their plates, they carried them into the family room where another Christmas tree had been decorated.
Three of Yori and Lev's little boys were staring up at all of the candy canes, gingerbread cookies, popcorn, and sugarplum garland hanging on it.
"Cousin Fox, Cousin Fox." The little boys rushed over to Mulder as he sat on the sofa with Krycek.
"Yes, boys?" he asked, smiling at them.
"Can we have a candy cane?" they asked in unison.
"You can have as many candy canes as you want after you eat," Mulder replied, winking at Yori who came up quietly behind his sons, hugging them. Their startled shrieks quickly turned to laughter.
"Come on, boys, you should see all of the treats that Fox and his family have prepared for us in the dining room." The large man steered them in the direction of the dining room.
Sawada sat down next to Krycek holding his daughter cradled in his arms. MacIver came into the room carrying two plates of food, placing one on a tray table next to the Japanese major. "Here you go, Kazuo."
"Thanks, Rory."
Krycek turned to Sawada. "How's Shinji doing?"
"He's starting to stay awake a little longer everyday. If Shin's, Hans', and Joe's symptoms follow Justin's, they should all be out of bed by the News Years Eve," he replied.
MacIver and Sawada had been watching Justin Blaise closely for any indications as to what to expect from their lover in the future. They had been questioning the immortal non-stop about how he was feeling until Blaise had started to become short tempered with them.
Tristan Woods walked into the room with John Byers. The two men were a sharp contrast to each other, Byers was flawlessly groomed in a tasteful suit, and Woods wore tight, green, leather pants and a black, silk shirt. Woods had been trying to fix Byers up on a blind date with one of his friends, but the dapper gunman kept refusing.
Byers looked pleadingly over at Mulder. "Excuse me, Alex, I see yonder a fair damsel in distress," he snickered, going over to rescue his friend.
"Tristan, isn't it time for you to be checking on Shinji, Hans, and Joe?" Mulder asked, looking at his watch.
"Mulder, you don't have to be so subtle, if you want me to stop bothering John all you have to do is say so," Woods replied saucily.
"Tristan, stop bothering John."
"See isn't that better? I'd love to stand and talk to you, but I have to go check on my patients. See you later, John," he chuckled, leaving the room.
"Ah, thanks, Mulder."
Langly strolled up with their coats, handing Byers his. "Mulder, John and I have to be shoving off, thanks for inviting us."
"Thanks for coming, guys. Are you going to be able to make it to Christmas dinner tomorrow?"
"Mulder, are you kidding, just try and stop us. See you then," Byers replied, pulling on his coat.
"Bye."
Kimberly and Tony left shortly after them with their daughters. Skinner's relatives left two hours later, along with Yori, Levi, and their boys. The boys were each carrying presents that Skinner, Krycek, and Mulder had bought for them.
Skinner strolled up to Mulder and Krycek with a baby balanced on each hip. Faith yawned and rested her head against Skinner's shoulder, closing her hazel eyes. "I'm going to put them to bed, the excitement has been too much for them."
"They were both very good tonight. Are you sure you can handle them all by yourself?" Mulder asked.
"Fox, you and Alex enjoy your evening alone together, we'll be fine. Don't stay in bed too late tomorrow, we're going to be opening the gifts in the morning."
"Don't worry, we'll be up early, neither of us wants to miss our girls' first Christmas," Mulder said, rubbing Faith's back lovingly, he leaned over kissing Hope on the cheek and giving Skinner a quick peck on the lips. "Night."
Krycek exchanged kisses with Skinner and the babies, too. He waited until Skinner had left the room before focusing his attention on Mulder.
"C'mon, Fox, I'll race you upstairs. The winner gets to suck the loser off," he shouted over his shoulder, he was already dashing for the staircase.
"No fair, Alex, you had a head start," Mulder complained, he really wanted to top Krycek first this evening. His lovers' obsession with the taste of his come was beginning to drive him insane. It had been fun months ago to be given a mind shattering blow job every evening, but enough was enough. He crashed through the door seconds after Krycek and tackled the younger man onto the bed, wrestling him onto his back. He stared into Krycek's very green eyes and very aroused face, his hands held the other man's wrists against the mattress.
"Alex, let me make one thing perfectly clear, I'm going to fuck you through this mattress then I'm going to suck you off. Tomorrow morning you can blow me to your hearts content, but not tonight." Mulder dove in and captured his lips, forcing him to surrender.
"God, Fox, I love it when you go all n'thral on me," Krycek giggled breathlessly. "Fine, you can be on top as long as we can fuck with our socks on."
"Socks? Okay, just don't start developing a fetish -- socks today and four inch pumps tomorrow," he chuckled.
They quickly wrestled out of their clothing, leaving them strewn all over the floor. Mulder ran a sock-covered foot down Krycek's leg, frowning. "I really don't find any erotic thrill in this."
"Shut up," Krycek growled, pulling Mulder's head down for a kiss, he sucked on his lower lip. His hand caressed down the other man's sides, feeling the ridges of his ribs beneath firm, silky skin.
Mulder's hands sought and found Krycek's nipples, he played with them until the younger man was moaning into his mouth.
Krycek was awash in sensations. Mulder's scent, taste, and the feel of his hot body were filling his senses. "Oh god, Fox," he groaned, pushing his hips up and rubbing his groin against his lover's.
Mulder moved down the other man's supple body, he sucked the side of Krycek's throat just below his ear, leaving a bright red raspberry behind. Mulder moved further down until Krycek's cock was pressed against his stomach and navel causing the agent to gasp and close his eyes as waves of unbridled desire flooded his senses. He quickly raised his body off and moved down further, he covered his panic by taking Krycek's cock in his mouth. Mulder had been careful in the past not to allow any physical contact between his lovers' sex and his stomach area. He was no longer concerned about them forcing themselves on him -- he was more concerned over controlling his own lust. //The *best* sex ever.// His friends' proclamations kept intruding on his thoughts.
Mulder was jerked back to the present, as Krycek pushed him off. He hadn't even been aware of how long he had been sucking him.
"Fox, are you still with me?"
Mulder stared up into Krycek concerned green eyes. What would it hurt he was two weeks from his next cycle, and he wouldn't become pregnant from the contact. "Alex, I changed my mind. I want to try something different." Mulder looked sultrily up at him through thick lashes, licking his lips in anticipation.
"What?" Krycek's breathing increased, as he became even more aroused under Mulder's lustful stare.
Mulder legs straddled Krycek's thighs and his ass was planted on the younger man's knees, as he knelt over him. He caressed and rubbed his belly then slipped a finger inside his navel, which caused his breathing became heavy. "I want to see if it's as good as they say, babe," he replied huskily.
"You want me to fuck you there?" Krycek sat up suddenly; he nearly toppled his lover off the bed, but he quickly grabbed the agent's arm steadying him.
"Yeah, do it," Mulder replied, rolling over onto his back, he offered himself to his lover.
Krycek had his lips on him instantly. He sucked and probed his lover's navel with his tongue. The taste and smell were the most incredible things he'd ever experienced, they filled his senses like a drug and his cock became wonderfully hard, it was leaking steadily. Krycek moved up, positioning himself over Mulder's opening, he couldn't control the force with which he plunged in or the scream that tore through his body. The internal muscles tightly gripped and massaged the entire length of his cock. It felt like he had inserted his cock into a vacuum pump that jerked, squeezed, and sucked him all at once. The internal fluids were increasing his cock's sensitivity, keeping him at the peak of arousal. The feeling was beyond description, if he died now he would die incredibly happy.
"So good, so good, so good."
Mulder wasn't sure, if it was Krycek, or himself that kept repeating that mantra. He stared up at his lover's throat, regrettably this position didn't allow for them to reach each other's mouths. His erection was pressed between Krycek's buttocks, but the angle was wrong for entry. He felt like he was flying high above the world, his eyes landed upon winged beings -- angels. They were holding out their arms to him, wanting him to join them. As he reached out his hand, the sky fell out from underneath him, and he was falling. He crashed back into his body, experiencing the most incredible orgasm of his life.
"Oh god, that was fucking awesome," Krycek gasped as he pulled Mulder into his arms kissing him passionately. They held each other tightly, trembling as their bodies slowly returned to normal and they fell into a sated sleep.
Krycek woke up a couple hours later. He managed to get Mulder underneath the covers without waking him, wrapping himself around his lover he fell back to sleep.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Christmas
8:30 a.m.Skinner held his daughter on his lap as he tried to get her to open another present. He started it for her, peeling a little corner of the paper away. Her little hands reached for the paper, tearing it off, then promptly tried to put it into her mouth. "No, angel, we do not eat the paper," Skinner admonished gently taking the paper away and throwing it into the trash bag.
"Walter, I think we should open the gifts for them otherwise we'll be here until New Years," Mulder advised.
"I agree, Walter, next Christmas they'll show more enthusiasm," Krycek replied, opening another gift for Faith, he held it up looking at Mulder in disgust. "Fox, a regulation NBA basketball?"
Spender chuckled, "Only you, Mulder, would get a seven month old a basketball."
"She'll grow into it. Besides, Jeff, do you know how irritating those Barney videos that you gave them are going to be?" Mulder asked.
"Yeah, that's why I got them," Spender smirked.
"Boys," Hunter voice cautioned as he came into the room carrying a tray of eggnog. He was wearing jeans and a Knicks sweatshirt that Mulder had given him earlier. "Melvin, has finally crawled out of bed, he's in the kitchen making breakfast."
"Good, I'm starved," Krycek said, setting Faith on the floor, he watched her crawl over to Skinner. She handed him a piece of paper she had found on the floor.
"Good girl," Skinner praised her, took the paper and threw it into the trash bag. Faith smiled, liking this game, she crawled away to find her uncle some more paper.
Mulder leaned back against the sofa, watching his family with undisguised love. He rested a hand on his belly. He was still feeling the compulsion for a child so he knew his and Krycek's sex last night hadn't resulted in him becoming pregnant, thank god. However, it had slightly lessened the compulsion. He sighed happily, looking forward to surprising Skinner by making love to him in the same manner that he and Krycek made love last night. Their lives were definitely looking up.
MacIver came racing excitedly into the room. "Doctor Pendrell called, he said . . . he said that he wanted to give Shin and me a Christmas present by giving us the results of Shin's amniocentesis today instead of tomorrow," he stopped to catch his breath before going on. "It's a boy! I'm going to have a son, do you believe it?"
Skinner stared at him stunned. "A boy, but we can't have boys," he replied softly.
"We can't have boys when the immortal's sperm is involved, but it's not involved at all when having a child this way," MacIver stated excitedly. "Of course, there still is a 50-50 chance that it might be a girl." He grinned. "I don't even know why I'm so excited -- I really wanted to have a daughter. Oh well, maybe next time."
Mulder looked over at Skinner; he knew how important having a son was to him. Now the Scotsman had just given him hope, which increased Mulder's trepidation and fear.
Sighing, Mulder slowly stood and walked over to his lover, lifting the baby off his lap, he passed her to Spender. "Jeff, please, watch your niece."
"C'mon, Walter, we need to talk, plus I want to give you your Christmas present," Mulder said, hauling Skinner off the sofa.
"Fox, there's no need for you to feel guilty. It's my problem and I'll deal with it," the bald man replied, following his lover to their bedroom.
"Walter, it's our problem. I know how much you want a son and I want to promise you that if I ever give into my compulsion it will be with you. Hopefully, we'll have a boy, but remember, it's still a 50-50 chance that it will be a girl." Mulder was undressing as he talked, looking up at Skinner, he smiled gently. "It would help if you got undress, too."
Mulder's promise to him had left Skinner frozen in his tracks. "Fox, do you really mean it?" he asked, toeing off his shoes.
"Yeah, I really mean it. But, Walter, I'm still going to fight that compulsion with everything I have." Mulder watched as his lover folded the last article of clothing neatly over the nearest chair. He walked up to Skinner and wrapped his arms around his waist, kissing him sweetly on the lips.
"So, tell me about my Christmas present? Is it bigger than a breadbox?" Skinner quipped, his hands stroking down Mulder's back and groping his ass.
"Oh yeah. The others were right, Walter, it really is the most mind-shattering sex," Mulder purred against Skinner's lips, taking his hand he placed it on his belly.
"Fox, you're going to allow me to have sex with you there?"
"Merry Christmas, lover," Mulder replied, pulling Skinner over to the bed and lying down in the center on his back. "It's not the best position, but once you're in it really doesn't matter."
Skinner's eyes misted over; he felt such love for this beautiful man lying before him. "Fox, you are one in a billion, I love you so much," he murmured, straddling Mulder's hips he bent down and kissed him thoroughly. His hand caressed over his lover's belly, seeking out and finding his navel, he cautiously inserted a finger.
"Oh god, Walter, that feels so good," Mulder moaned, writhing beneath the larger man.
"Fuck," Skinner gasped, startled. His finger was being gripped and squeezed, he could only imagine how good that would feel around his cock.
"Fox, does this hurt you at all? Do I need to prepare you?" He asked, feeling the internal moisture surrounding his finger.
"No, Walter, just get on with it." Mulder's voice was deep with desire.
Skinner's cock was hard and leaking against his belly, he felt Mulder's arousal underneath his own ass. The bald man grabbed his cock and positioned it over Mulder's navel then quickly pushed in against the tightly gripping internal muscles. "Oh, damn, that feels so good," he moaned. He kissed the top of Mulder's head once he was fully seated inside. Skinner's body shuddered from intense pleasure as he rolled them onto their sides, not wanting to crush his lover under his weight.
It was amazing, he didn't even have to thrust; Mulder's internal muscles were doing all the work. He had a leg thrown over the other man's hip and his arms hugged him firmly against his chest. The heat from their bodies pressed together was so sweet, Skinner wished he could reach Mulder's mouth. "Oh, fuck, yes, yes," he groaned.
Mulder felt himself drifting again as pleasure soared through him. He was back flying through the clouds; then he was in a land made out of crystals. There was a sparkling waterfall and