Life from the Ashes Book 1 - A New Beginning
Chapter 8
Deceptionby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
San Antonio, Texas
Thursday, December 24
3:00 p.m.Krycek hung up the phone at the Central Park shopping mall. He had just made a long distance phone call overseas to his friend Boris in St. Petersburg. Boris informed him about a Russian freighter docked in Corpus Christi that was heading to Havana. Now they wouldn't have to drive all the way to Miami, after all. Boris was going to arrange passage for all of them to Cuba, and then onto the first flight leaving for Russia.
The freighter was scheduled to weigh anchor on December 26 at 7:00 a.m.; it should reach Havana the next morning. They would take the first flight out, which Boris had indicated would be at noon on the 27th. He smiled; soon he would have Fox at home with him in St. Petersburg. Then they would build a life together, that is, once Fox got over Walter Skinner. Krycek was hoping the new surroundings would help take his lover's mind off his former life.
Krycek shifted the heavy shopping bags in his hands. They had lost all their clothing in his rush to get out of Las Vegas, he had forgotten to retrieve their suitcases from that dead n'thral bastard. Fox was wearing some of Bill's clothing, which were too large for his lanky frame. Krycek had bought some new clothing for both of them, and he had purchased a new winter coat for his lover.
Krycek stopped in front of a toy store and couldn't resist buying Bill's little boy some Christmas presents, he hoped next Christmas they would have more to celebrate. He had the store wrap the gifts and struggled to carry all of his purchases back to the RV. Mulder was watching Matthew while Bill and Dana ran to the grocery store.
He unlocked the RV and climbed in. Mulder sat cross-legged on the floor playing with the baby. Matthew had just started walking and was pulling all the pots and pans out of the bottom cabinet, he would grab one and waddle over to Mulder and hand it to him, smiling.
"That kid needs some real toys." Krycek grinned, looking down at his lover.
Mulder sadly met his eyes. "Yeah, his dad didn't have time to bring any." The agent reached out and scooped Matthew up into his arms. The little boy squirmed and giggled at being caught.
"Well, maybe Santa will bring him some tonight." Krycek brought the bags back to their cramped bedroom.
He came back out and knelt by Mulder, reaching to muss the little boy's hair. "How are you doing, Fox?" Krycek asked after a few minutes.
"Not too well . . . I can't get over that he's dead." Mulder hugged the little boy tighter, seeking comfort from his small body.
"Fox, it will take time . . . but eventually, you will get over him . . . I'll help you." He kissed Mulder softly on the lips, taking Matthew from him. "C'mon, it's way past your nap time."
Krycek took the boy into the bedroom and put him down for a nap on the bottom bunk. He came back into the small galley kitchen and dinette area. Mulder was putting away the pots and pans.
"Alex, what did you find out from your friend?"
"We don't have to go to Miami which makes me happy. I was dreading having to smuggle us over to Cuba, it would have been extremely dangerous with a small child along. We're going to catch a freighter docked in Corpus Christi that's going to Havana and then take the first flight to Russia."
"That's good . . . I don't want to stay in this country any longer." Mulder felt responsible for Skinner's death and there was just too many memories here reminding him of that fact. The idea of going back to the FBI no longer appealed to him -- how could it?
Krycek gazed into Mulder's haunted hazel eyes; there was so much misery in them. It was going to take him a long time to overcome his lost. Scully was right about one thing, if Fox knew Skinner was still alive he would have left him to return to the older man.
He had his chance to kill Skinner, why hadn't he taken it? How would Fox react when he found out the A.D. was still very much alive and they had lied to him? Krycek knew how the agent would react and dreaded the confrontation. It had been a long time since Fox had been angry and hated him and he didn't want to go back to those days. He had three options: kill Walter Skinner, tell Fox that Skinner was still alive, or wait for the inevitable when Fox found out on his own.
For now, option three sounded like the best, in time, he would tell Fox the truth. He had connections within the Russian Government and Military, he would see that Walter Skinner was never allowed in Russia. It might give him enough time to win Mulder's love, so the agent wouldn't leave him when he finally told him the truth.
Krycek wasn't aware that during his musings he had taken Mulder into his arms and was hugging him tightly -- holding on for dear life. "Alex, loosen your grip . . . I can hardly breathe."
He did as requested, but did not release his hold on Mulder. Instead, he kissed him long and hard. "Fox, I need you. Promise me you'll never leave me."
Before Mulder could reply, Bill and Dana returned with the groceries. They both stared at the two men embracing intimately. Dana felt another spurt of jealousy. Bill felt curious about what it would be like to make love to another man. Although he was in the Navy, he'd never had contact with any gay sailors. He had an idea what men did together, but didn't have the slightest clue what it would be like.
"I put Matthew down for a nap," Krycek told them not breaking away from Mulder, instead he slipped his arm around the agent's waist bring their bodies closer together.
"Thanks, Alex, I think I'll go check on him." Bill put the bags he was carrying down on the dinette table and hurried out of the room. He was embarrassed by the fact he was starting to get aroused watching the two men.
"So what did you get, Scully?" Mulder broke away from Krycek and started helping Scully unpack the bags. She smiled affectionately at him; Mulder could be the perfect gentleman.
"We bought some seafood for our Christmas Eve dinner and a ham with all the fixings for Christmas." Scully pulled out a bag of sunflower seeds, handing it to him.
"Thanks, Scully." Mulder grinned appreciatively.
Bill came back into the room. "We should get going if we're going make it to Miami," he said. It was too dangerous for Dana and him to remain in this country. The government would be searching for his baby sister; she had become a hot commodity. They would send discreet word to Charlie and let him know their whereabouts. Some day they would be a whole family again.
"We don't have to go to Miami, Bill, head for Corpus Christi."
Krycek took a few minutes to explain the change of plans to both the Scullys. Bill started the RV and headed south, it wouldn't take them that long to reach the gulf town. If everything went okay, they would get there between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., then they could all relax for Christmas. Bill had been to Corpus Christi before and knew the city well. "We can park the RV at the docks when we get there. It should be well lit and heavily patrolled. We shouldn't have any problem with ghouls."
Mulder, Krycek and Scully sat at the dinette table. Scully wanted to be filled in on what was happening in the U.S. and around the world. They spent the next several hours talking as Bill drove.
***
Las Vegas
Thursday, December 24
5:00 p.m.An anxious Walter Skinner and Melvin Frohike met John Byers at the Las Vegas airport. The man walked off the plane dressed impeccably in a suit and tie; he was carrying a laptop and a briefcase. He wouldn't answer any of their questions until he picked up his suitcase at the baggage claim area.
"We might as well go back to the hotel because we aren't going anywhere tonight. Don't worry, if I believe you and that's a *big* if, we have plenty of time to catch up to them," Byers informed them with an arrogance he normally didn't project.
Skinner clenched his jaw in a stern scowl; he wanted to pound the small dapper dressed man. "Okay, we'll go back to the hotel, but you better be right about catching up to them," he snarled.
"C'mon, Byers, I can't believe after all our years of working together you would doubt my loyalty," Frohike whined.
"Frohike, I'd rather be safe than sorry."
They arrived back at the hotel and waited as Byers got himself a room for the night. Byers wanted to meet on neutral territory, so they met in the bar securing themselves a quiet corner table.
Byers opened his briefcase and pulled out a stack of documents. "This is all the data Langly and I were able to dig up on you, Mr. Skinner, I'd say it's pretty damn incriminating, " Byers informed them.
"John, I know all about the A.D.'s past involvement with the consortium. That's what you and Langly dug up, isn't it?" Frohike asked, irritated.
"Ah, well yes. What exactly do you know? And why are you helping him if you know about his involvement with the conspiracy?"
"I know that he regrets his initial involvement, and has been making amends to rectify his past mistakes. He supported Mulder, Scully, and the X-Files for over the past four years. It was only the first year that he worked for the consortium, he got out after Mulder returned alive from New Mexico and has been protecting him ever since."
Skinner gritted his teeth; he was becoming annoyed at being talked about as if he weren't even sitting here. "I can speak for myself, Melvin."
"Hey sorry," Frohike shrugged.
Skinner sighed, "Mr. Byers, I would never do anything to hurt Agent Mulder. It's true that I was initially assigned to control him and his work, but that was before I knew their true agenda. Do you have anything on me working for them after 1994?"
"No. But, Agent Scully believes you're still working for them, and that you don't have Mulder's best interests in mind."
"Agent Scully has become bitter over our governments treatment of her. In her mind, I'm part of that government and she's holding me personally responsible. I also think it bothers her that Agent Mulder and myself are living together. Scully has always been very protective of Mulder, I'm sure she really believes that she's doing what's best for him."
"Okay, I'll believe you, for now. We were able to track Krycek's cell phone and picked up a call he made to Miami. He was trying to hire a boat to take them over to Cuba. They need to get to Cuba in order to catch a plane to Russia. Krycek used one of his aliases to purchase a RV in Las Vegas, and we believe they are driving down to Miami. They should arrive there on the 26th or 27th."
"Good, then we can get there ahead of them." Skinner breathed a sigh of relief; he would have Fox back soon.
***
Corpus Christi, Texas
Thursday, December 24
8:30 p.m.They were parked dockside and the parking lot was brightly lit, Bill had checked them in with the dock security. In exchange for being allowed to park here and protection, Krycek agreed to give the head of Security the RV when they left.
Money had never been an issue with Krycek -- he had plenty. Their safety was his first concern, and two nights safely protected by dock security was well worth the price.
Krycek was helping Scully prepare their Christmas Eve meal. Mulder could have put both of them to shame, but he wasn't in the mood to cook. He wandered up to the front of the RV; it was parked so the windows faced out over the Gulf of Mexico. He sat down in the passenger seat and stared out at the tranquil moonlit waters.
Bill walked up and sat down in the driver's seat. "We haven't had a chance to talk, I wanted to apologize to you for what I said last time we met."
"It's not necessary, you were right after all. I am one sorry SOB." Mulder refused to meet Bill's eyes and continued to stare outside.
"No . . . you're not, Mulder, I was out of line when I said that. It was your conviction and beliefs that stopped those bastards in the end. The rest of us were too blind to see beyond our secure little lives -- we were all sheep waiting to be slaughter."
Mulder looked over and met Bill's eyes, nodding and accepting his apology then he stared back outside.
"Can I ask you something personal, Mulder?"
"You can ask, but I won't promise to answer it."
"Okay, I can accept that. What's it like being with another man?"
"I don't have all that much experience, Bill. Walter Skinner was my first male lover and that was only a little over a month ago." God, had it only been that short of time, he thought. A wave of sadness washed over him, he would never feel Skinner's strong, protective arms around him again.
"I always assumed you had more experience. You and Dana never became romantically involved, so I thought . . . "
"That I was gay." Mulder grinned. "She was my partner, Bill. It's not as if I didn't find her attractive, but we were partners, to go beyond that would have ruined our partnership."
"I can buy that. So what made you become involved with Walter Skinner?"
Mulder sighed, "I've always been attracted to both men and women, until now becoming involved with a man would have been too dangerous to my career. I was constantly under surveillance of one form or another. I couldn't risk it. But after the alien virus was released and our whole social structure changed, it didn't matter anymore. I had always been attracted to Walter Skinner so, it seemed like the perfect opportunity." Mulder turned his face back toward the window as silent tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Mulder. Dana told me about Walter Skinner," Bill murmured softly. Dana had told him that Skinner was dead, killed trying to save Mulder's life.
Krycek came up behind them and handed Mulder a beer over the agent's shoulder; he brushed his lips against the top of his head. "Dinner's ready." The lights in the front of the RV were off, but Krycek could see Mulder's red-rimmed eyes through his reflection in the windshield.
"Good, I'm starved." Bill rose, leaving the distraught agent to Krycek's care.
Mulder was peeling the label off the beer bottle as Krycek knelt down beside him. "C'mon, Fox, let's get something to eat."
"You go ahead, Alex, I'm not hungry."
"You haven't eaten anything all day. Don't do this to yourself, it's not healthy."
Mulder laughed, "I'm a fucking immortal, Alex, unfortunately not eating isn't going to kill me."
Krycek closed his eyes against the pain in his lover's voice. He reached out and took Mulder's hand in his, squeezing it. "Fox, please, punishing yourself isn't going to bring him back. I'm sure Skinner wouldn't want to see you starving yourself, regardless of the fact that you can't die."
"I'm sorry, Alex. I really can't stomach food right now, I doubt that I'd be able to keep anything down, anyway. You go ahead, I just need some time alone." Mulder's soft hazel eyes pleaded with him to understand.
Krycek kissed him on the cheek. "Okay, I'll be here if you need me. Please don't shut me out." Krycek headed back to join the Scullys, leaving Mulder to weather his grief alone.
Mulder took a sip of his beer reminiscing about how happy he had been with Walter Skinner. He should have realized it wouldn't last, fate always seemed to reach up and knock him down whenever he became happy. He never should have become involved in a relationship knowing his dismal luck -- it was destined to end in disaster.
Mulder shifted uncomfortably on the hard vinyl car seat. He should break it off with Krycek before their relationship also ended in disaster. He was becoming too needy of the younger man. He needed the comfort and security Alex provided him and cringed at the thought of being alone and unprotected. He was far too vulnerable, there were too many Henderson's in this world, but did his own selfish needs give him the right to put Alex's life at risk?
No, he couldn't do that to Alex. He would talk to him and let the younger man know that once he was back on his feet, he would be leaving him. It would be for the best. Once they were overseas he could easily go to England; he still had a couple of close friends living there that he could stay with until he found employment.
He took another sip of beer and found it warm, glancing at his watch he realized he had been sitting here for several hours. It was already after midnight. He very reluctantly got up and headed to the back of the RV. Three pairs of eyes looked up at him with concern when he walked up to the table -- he would have laughed if he could. Never in a million years would he have expected Bill Scully to show concern for his wellbeing.
"I'm going to bed," Mulder informed them, heading back to use the bathroom. He used the toilet then washed his hands, splashing some cold water on his face. There was a knock outside the door and it slid open revealing Krycek, who handed him a toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor and shaving cream. "I picked these up at the mall today."
"Thanks, Alex." He pulled the door shut giving Fox his privacy, besides there wasn't enough room in that small space for him.
Mulder brushed his teeth. He hadn't shaved for over two days and was grateful to get the coarse stubble off his face. When he came out, Krycek took his place. "I'll join you in a few minutes, my love." Krycek patted his butt as he went by him.
Mulder stepped in the bedroom, he tried to maneuver in the small room, there wasn't much floor space, the queen-sized bed took up most of the room, and it was piled with packages.
He easily shrugged out of the oversized clothes that he had borrowed from Bill Scully. Careful to fold them, he would return them to the larger man in the morning. He looked around for a place to set them and found a small closet and placed them on the top shelf.
He left his boxers on and looked helplessly at all the packages on the bed. Sighing, he started to unpack them. He hung the new clothing in the closet. Mulder came across an expensive, long, black, cashmere coat and ran his hand over the soft, thick fabric.
"Do you like it?" Krycek asked from the doorway.
"Yeah, it's beautiful."
"Good, I bought it for you. Merry Christmas, Fox." Krycek eased over along the side of the bed next to him and wrapped his arms Mulder's waist kissing him.
"Thanks, Alex." He hung the coat up in the closet on the last hanger. "I think you over did it. We have no more room to put the rest of your purchases," he said, looking at the large remaining bag.
Krycek took the large bag, glancing in it. "I'll put these in the other room, they're Christmas presents for Matthew."
Mulder smiled warmly at him, sometimes Krycek surprised him, he never knew the younger man had a soft spot for children. He found that attribute in the triple agent endearing.
With the bed now cleared, Mulder pulled down the covers and climbed in. Krycek came back and pulled the sliding door closed, he removed his clothing tossing it on the floor. He climbed in next to Mulder and immediately started making love to him. Mulder wanted to tell the younger man he wasn't in the mood, but the look of desire and love in Krycek's eyes stopped him cold. It seemed like such a small thing, allowing the ex-agent to take pleasure from his body that Mulder gave in. How could he deny Krycek anything, after all he'd done for him?
Krycek buried his nose in the curve between Mulder's shoulder and throat breathing in his scent. They had lost the agent's medication and he had come to realize that when Mulder was depressed his body didn't produce excess pheromones. Krycek wanted to do some more research into how the agent's moods affected his production of pheromones. He loved the rush his body got when breathing in Mulder's scent and wanted to eliminate his medication when they were alone together.
He had Boris contact Dr. Harris for the formula to Mulder's anti-pheromone drug. By the time they arrived in St. Petersburg, Boris should have the medication ready.
Krycek had to make tonight and tomorrow night count, because he wouldn't be able to touch Fox once they were on the ship. He didn't want the agent being aroused while at sea on a ship full of horny sailors.
He ran his hands down Mulder's lean length, feeling the warm, smooth skin and ribs. He eased himself down on top of him rubbing his hard erection against the agent's still soft groin. He rotated his hips gently as he softly kissed Mulder, seeking to titillate him. Krycek wanted his lover to enjoy their coupling as much as he would.
His weight pressed Mulder down into the mattress as he covered the warm length of him with his body. His hands were combing through Mulder's thick, silky hair, and he held the agent's head immobile to further explore his lush, damp mouth. Mulder lay still underneath him, not responding to his advances, Krycek raised his head and lifted himself off the agent's body. He stared into Mulder anguished hazel eyes. "Fox, you're not going to be able to bring him back. You need to start living again -- let him go. We'll make new memories together and build a new life -- just you and me."
"Alex, take what you need from me . . . I won't deny you anything. But, please, don't ask me to forget Walter Skinner that's something I will never do . . . not even for you."
"Fox, I can't make love to you like this."
"I can't offer you any more right now, just the use of my body." Mulder reached up and laid a hand on the side of Krycek's beautiful, sad face. "Alex, I'm sorry, but I'm dead inside . . . I don't know if I'll ever feel anything ever again."
"Fox, I'll see that you do. I'm not letting you go, I love you too much." Krycek lowered himself back down onto his lover's body and proceeded to devour his mouth.
He would make Fox feel again. He wasn't willing to give up so easily and someday Fox would return his love.
***
Miami, Florida
Friday, December 25
4:00 p.m.Skinner removed his glasses and massaged his temples. He was getting a headache listening to the unrelenting back and forth banter between the two lone gunmen. At least they were all on friendly terms now after Byers had reluctantly accepted Skinner's innocence.
Skinner kept his senses alert; he wanted to contact Fox the moment he came within his telepathic range. He wasn't sure of his total range, but he estimated that it had to be at least fifty miles. His only hoped he could defeat Krycek and get his lover away from him. Skinner was positive that Fox would try to return to him the first chance that he got, which worried him -- he didn't want his lover unprotected. At least Krycek was able to look out for Fox.
The waiter finally brought their orders; they had waited over two hours for a table in this crowded restaurant. They were almost turned away because of the lateness of the hour. Curfew started in a little over an hour and they would have to hurry back to the safety of their hotel. Miami was becoming infamous for having the largest number of ghouls in the nation.
Skinner glanced around at the other diners; a large number of them wore military uniforms. They were stationed in Miami to stop the influx of refugees sneaking in from Cuba and South America. The refugees were also responsible for the large population of ghouls in the area. The ghouls found the refugees whom snuck in after dark easy prey.
"So, Mr. Skinner, what is your assessment of the new procreation bill before congress?" Byers asked.
"I find it disturbing and very restrictive." Skinner never thought he would be stuck in Miami on Christmas discussing reproduction with Mulder's weird friends.
"What about it do you find disturbing, if I may ask?"
"I find the whole idea of creating a whole new government agency that's primary duty is to control and regulate who is allowed to reproduce disturbing. The very idea of some government bureaucrat with that kind of authority is un-American," Skinner scoffed.
"I'm surprised you would feel that way." Byers looked at the stern larger man, wondering what Mulder saw in him.
"Why is that?" Skinner returned the other man assessment; he didn't particularly care for the dapper man. Frohike might be strange, but he felt comfortable talking to him, he couldn't say the same about Byers.
"You're part of that government and in a high-level position within the FBI. I would think you would want the government to have that kind of control."
"The government already has enough control. They have control over the stockpile of ovum stolen from the thousands of women abducted over the last several decades. They have control over the surviving women. They have control over the testing of mutants -- including Fox, and he has no say whatsoever in participating in the testing." Skinner ticked off his complaints on his fingers.
"The government has to have control over procreation," Frohike exclaimed, giving both men an exasperated look. "C'mon, guys, we've had half the population wiped out in the last ten months. We need to get back on our feet and we can't do that without the Federal Government."
Both men stared at Frohike as if he had grown a second head.
"Frohike, are you saying you trust the Federal Government?" Byers had started to think that there was seriously something wrong with the smaller man.
"No, that's not what I'm saying. We need leadership more than anything right now and the government is our best bet."
"I see your point, Melvin," Skinner agreed. "We had better head back to our hotel. I don't want to be outside once the sun goes down," Skinner stressed after they had all finished eating.
They walked the short distance to their hotel. The temperature was pleasant and the sunset was a bright orange-red, it would have been the perfect evening to be outside. They reached the hotel just as the automatic floodlights went on.
Skinner said goodnight to the two men and headed for his room. He had sent most of his clothes to the hotel's laundry. They were fortunate to find a hotel with all the amenities. There were few hotels, except the very expensive, that still offered laundry and maid service. Most hotels provided clean sheets to the guests at check-in. There were laundry bags on each floor for the guests to throw their used towels and sheets into -- any new towels had to be pickup at the front desk.
Skinner sat down at the end of his bed and pulled off his shoes and socks, he draped his pants and shirt over a chair, putting his gun on the nightstand by the bed within easy reach.
He went in the bathroom and took a quick shower. It was still early so he called room services and ordered a bottle of wine, then turned on the television set. CBS was rerunning 'It's a Wonderful Life' he quickly flipped past that until he came to 'Scrooged' starring Bill Murray.
Skinner needed something that would keep up his spirits. Nights without Fox being with him were the worse. He had looked forward to spending Christmas with his lover and had a whole closet full of presents for him at home. Christmas had always been one of his favorite holidays and he wanted to share his family traditions with the younger man. He knew Mulder's family stopped celebrating the holiday after Samantha was abducted.
Skinner sighed and went over to his suitcase and pulled out an old Knicks sweatshirt. He had found it in the dirty laundry hamper at home while packing for his flight to Denver. It had Mulder's scent on it and he brought it up to his nose, sniffing in his lover's arousing aroma. He would have been embarrassed if anyone found out, especially Fox, that he slept with it. It had become a security blanket and a link to his missing lover.
Skinner took it back to the bed with him, propped up a pillow, and sat back to watch the movie. He reached for the glass of wine on the nightstand.
He thought back to the discussion over dinner about procreation. The government had started releasing documents about the consortium's work in reproduction. It seemed they knew ahead of time that the alien threat would eliminate the females from the human race. So, they had started several research projects on different ways of propagating the human species without them.
They pioneered research into cloning, test tube babies, and combining sperm between two males to produce a unique offspring using the female's egg, and they were still working on research to eliminate the need for the female's part in the process. The consortium even tried combining alien and human DNA in hopes that the mixed life form would be free from the effects of the virus.
Skinner thought he was still young enough, he wouldn't turn fifty for a few years, and he had always wanted to be a father. Maybe when the dust settled, he would discuss the possibility with Fox. He knew the younger man might have a problem with the idea, the agent was too much of a free spirit, and would probably not want the responsibility for child's life.
The movie had ended and Skinner shut off the television and the bedside lamp. He then curled up on his side and brought the sweatshirt up under his chin, falling to sleep immediately.
***
Corpus Christi, Texas
Saturday, December 26
7:00 a.m.They made it onboard the Russian freighter with no trouble and were treated like dignitaries. Boris had informed the Captain of the importance of his passengers. They were shown to special quarters aboard the freighter for their short trip to Havana.
Krycek made Mulder wear a hooded robe he had purchased in San Antonio; he wanted his lover's features hidden from the crew of the freighter. Mulder absolutely hated the robe, although he knew it was necessary, it was hot and itchy, and he felt like a damn monk.
When Krycek closed the door to their cabin, Mulder started to remove the offensive robe. "Leave it on," Krycek growled, grabbing Mulder's wrists and pressing his body up against the agent's.
"C'mon, Alex, this thing is hotter than hell. Did you have to get a woolen robe? Couldn't you have found something made out of silk?" Mulder whined.
"Quit complaining, it's for both of our welfare that you leave the robe on," Krycek smirked.
"Oh and how's that?"
"One, this ship has more peepholes in it than a sieve. Two, as long as your wear it I won't get the urge to jump you. Three, I won't have to kill most of the crew defending your honor."
"Oh, great." Mulder sat down on the bottom bunk. "Why couldn't you make them see an elderly man like you did in the hotel?"
Sighing, Krycek sat down next to him resisting the impulse to take Mulder into his arms. " I don't want to expend too much energy, this way was easier. You won't have to wear it that long, just until we're safely off this ship."
"Okay, Alex. Who knows, I might get the urge to join a monastery."
"Ha, you couldn't keep quiet that long and the other monks would throw your sorry ass out."
"Not all monks are sworn to vows of silence."
There was a knock on their cabin door and the three Scullys came in. "I see you've gotten the luxury suite," Dana teased.
Matthew waddled over and climbed between Krycek and Mulder on the bottom bunk. He looked sideways at Mulder trying to see his face from under the hood. He carried his new set of blocks that he handed to Krycek and commanded, "Play."
"Go ahead, Alex, play with him." Mulder laughed at the expression on the younger man's face.
Krycek looked at Mulder then smiled; he would show his lover playing with the little one-year-old wasn't beneath him. Krycek slid off the bed and sat cross-legged on the floor, opening the box of blocks, he dumped them out. Matthew sat down next to him and immediately started throwing the block across the room. Krycek scrambled to retrieve them, each time he put them down in front of the child, he would throw them again, and the triple agent was becoming exasperated.
Dana laughed and sat next to Mulder, her brother leaned up against the wall watching the inexperienced man playing with his son.
"Alex, those are blocks, he's suppose to stack them, not throw them." Mulder laughed at his frustrated lover.
"That's easy for you to say. Let's see you try to get him to stack them."
"I think you've been challenged, Mulder." Scully pushed him off the bunk to help Krycek.
Mulder sat down and confiscated all blocks and started stacking them. Every time Matthew picked up one to throw it Mulder grabbed it out of his chubby little hand and added it to the growing tower. After awhile Matthew caught on and started adding blocks himself. Mulder praised him and the little boy beamed with delight.
"Okay, Fox, you proven your point." Krycek was relieved to see Mulder smile from underneath that hood. He didn't say more than three words all day yesterday and had sunk deeper into depression. Mulder wouldn't even allow him to touch him last night.
They spent the rest of the day cooped up in the cabin. Bill and Krycek had agreed that it would be wise not to allow either agent above deck or out of their sights.
Krycek left to get them something from the galley to eat. He came back carrying a kettle of soup, bowls, and bread.
They ate quietly with Scully asking Mulder an occasional question about the FBI. How various agents were dealing with the changes at work and in their personal lives? Mulder tried to answer her questions, although he was depressed enough without talking about other agents and their personal problems. Besides, he had never participated in office gossip; he was usually the main topic of discussion.
Krycek glanced over at Fox with concern; he hadn't touched his soup. That made two days that his lover had not eaten. When he got Fox back to St. Petersburg, he would force him to eat even if he had to use mind-control on him.
The Scullys had finished eating and excused themselves, they were going to turn in for the night. Dana looked sadly at her partner on their way out, Mulder still hadn't come out of his depression over Skinner's supposed death and he seemed to be getting worse. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to lie to him, Mulder was closer to the A.D. than she had realized.
After they had left, Krycek piled the bowls into the empty kettle and looked over to Fox.
"Top or bottom?
"What?" Mulder looked up, startled at Krycek's question.
"The bunk bed? What did you think I meant?" Krycek smirked.
"I wasn't really sure, you caught me by surprise." Mulder blushed, he was glad that the hood hid most of his face. "Bottom," he finally answered.
Krycek wanted to share the bunk with Mulder, but he knew that would be a stupid thing to do. So, disgruntled, he climbed up onto the top bunk. "Fox, can you shut off the light? Oh, and bolt the door."
The agent did as asked, then climbed into the bottom bunk, lying on his side facing the wall. He huddled deeper within the robe; he had felt as if there were eyes on him all day in the cabin. With the lights out, he was even more distressed. There was something physically wrong within him. He shivered as a dull ache coursed through his body, closing his eyes against the minor pain he drifted off to an uncomfortable sleep.
***
Havana, Cuba
Sunday, December 27
10:00 a.m.Krycek had allowed Mulder to shed the uncomfortable robe once they were safely off the ship. After about the twentieth lustful glance his lover received, Krycek projected an image of an ugly mutant onto Mulder. He didn't like other men having sexually explicit fantasies about his lover, and the images he received from those men made him red with rage.
They waited at airport for their flight to board it was scheduled to depart at 11:00 a.m. The Scullys sat a few rows up in the waiting area, allowing Mulder and Krycek some time alone. Matthew sat on Dana's lap, she leaned over and whispered something to Bill, who got up and walked over to them. "I'm going to get us something to eat, do you guys want anything?" Bill asked.
"Bring us a couple of hamburgers, Bill." Krycek was going to see that Fox ate, he was looking too pale.
After Bill left, Krycek noticed Fox wince slightly and the younger man put his hand on the agent's arm. "Are you okay, Fox?" When he shook his head no . . . Krycek became concerned. "What's wrong?"
"I . . . I think I've discovered another side-effect of my mutation." Mulder cringed against the pain lancing through his body.
"What?" Krycek asked, seeing Mulder wince in pain.
"Don't laugh . . . but I think not having sex the last two nights . . . has caused my body to start going through withdrawal. I think if I was still on the anti-pheromone medication, it wouldn't be so bad."
"How do you know that's what it is? You haven't eaten anything in the last couple of days and you've been emotionally upset."
"Alex, I just know it's from not having sex . . . my body knows what it needs. The last time I went without sex for over forty-eight hours I was out of town on a case and I started experiencing similar symptoms, but they weren't this intense. I think my medication helps slightly. I believe having sex the first time caused a chemical reaction within my body making me addicted. It . . . it's like getting a drug high each time I'm fucked."
Krycek looked at him thoughtfully and stood up. He reached down, grabbing Mulder's hand he pulled him to his feet. "C'mon."
"Where? What are you going to do?" He looked cautiously at the younger man.
"I'm going to fuck you in the restroom. Then we'll know for sure if it's from sex." Krycek dragged him toward the restrooms.
"Alex, wait, it's too dangerous. What about the other men in there? If we have sex you know I'm going to be throwing off pheromones."
"We'll use the lady's room, no one will disturb us in there."
Krycek pushed Mulder through the door to the women's restroom. He had to flick on the light switch, looking around they noticed a thin layer of dust covering everything. It looked as if no one had come in here for months. Even so, Krycek guided his lover into one of the stalls, closed the door and started to unbutton his jeans.
Mulder doubled over in pain and Krycek held him close against his body until the pain passed. "Fox, I have you, you're going to be all right."
Krycek pushed his lover's pants and boxers down, bending him over against the wall behind the toilet, he pulled his own cock free from his pants. He spit into his hand and rubbed it into the crack in Mulder's ass and eased a finger inside.
"Damn, you were right about becoming a virgin again after twenty-four hours. Fox, I sorry, but this is going to hurt . . . we don't have any lube with us to properly prepare you."
"Alex, I can't possibly hurt anymore than I already do. Fuck me, please," he said breathlessly trying to hold back the excruciating pain coursing through him.
Krycek spit again and rubbed it on his cock, positioning it against the tight opening to his lover's body. He strained against it, until it opened allowing the head of his cock to pop inside. The younger man sighed; it felt like heaven as Mulder's anal muscles gripped his sensitive cock head. A surge of pure pleasure coursed through Krycek's body, knowing that he could have Mulder anytime he wanted him only added to his feeling of bliss.
Mulder groaned at the initial pain of being opened by Krycek's thick cock he had forgotten how painful his first time had been. His muscles tightened as the younger man forced his cock in deeper. Mulder felt completely filled and stretched beyond his limits as his lover drove the rest of his length in until his balls rested snuggly against his ass.
Mulder sighed with relief after his lover couldn't go any deeper. He would have to make sure he didn't go longer than twenty-four hours without having sex again -- it was too painful.
Krycek thought how absolutely good it felt to have his cock buried in such a tight, snug hole; he'd have to make sure they held off until after twenty-four hours more often.
Krycek lay draped over the agent's back, enjoying the muscles clenching around the full length of his cock. Mulder's smell was becoming intoxicating. Maybe he was right; sex with him was like a drug. He wondered if he would have eventually felt the same withdrawal symptoms.
He pulled out partway and gave a quick thrust back in, angling his thrust to brush against his lover's prostate. Mulder yelped as pleasure erupted throughout his body and the initial pain of entry quickly became a distant memory as Krycek started thrusting in and out of him.
Mulder shifted his legs further apart bending down and positioning his ass to open himself up further to his lover. He relished the sensation of the wrist-thick cock pile driving into his body, splitting him open.
Krycek drove deep into the agent's body with such force his heavy balls hurt each time they slammed into his lover's ass. Mulder was going to have a difficult time sitting on the flight to Russia, but he couldn't control the frenzied passion he was feeling. The need to make his lover feel him as he pounded deeply into him was all that mattered. He wanted Fox to come screaming and feel the sweet pain of being well fucked for the rest of the day as a reminder of whom he now belonged to.
Mulder needed both hands to support both their weights as Krycek drove relentlessly into him. He couldn't even attempt to touch his own cock, but it didn't matter, his balls crept up and his cock stood straight out away from his body, pointing conveniently into the toilet bowl. His body fell over the abyss as he shot his hot, milky semen into the toilet, and his ass clamped down on the thick flesh buried deep within it.
Krycek cried out in ecstasy as Mulder pulled him over the edge and he explored into his lover's tight ass. No, he was never going to give this up, Fox belonged to him now and he'd kill anyone who tried to take him away.
Krycek rested his cheek against the back of Mulder's neck, wrapping his arms around the agent's trembling body -- they were both close to toppling over. The triple agent pulled out and turned his lover around to face him, roughly pushing Mulder up against the door of the stall, he sealed his lips over that exquisite mouth, kissing him passionately.
"You're mine, Fox. No one will ever be allowed to touch you again," he informed him forcefully.
Mulder shuddered at the possessiveness of Krycek's statement. He knew how dangerous his lover was, although in the past he was the one who lashed out violently at Krycek.
Krycek backed off. "How do you feel?"
Mulder looked at him as cognizance returned. "Besides having a throbbing pain in my ass, I feel fine. Alex, it worked!" He smiled. He didn't have the fiery pain burning throughout his body.
"Okay, so we'll just have to let Dr. Krycek inject your medication into you every night." Krycek pulled Mulder tightly against his body; dropping his hands down behind the agent's back he cupped his buttocks and brought their hips and groins together. He tilted his head and recaptured Mulder's mouth with an exploring kiss as he licked and nipped his full lower lip.
"My love, we better get back . . . we wouldn't want to miss our plane," Krycek said breathing heavily as he tucked his cock back in his pants. He grabbed some toilet paper and gently cleaned the semen off his lover's body then pulled back up his boxers and pants. They departed the ladies room and received a reproachful glare from a man exiting the men's room.
The flight was already boarding when they returned to the waiting area, and Bill handed Krycek the bag with the hamburgers inside. Bill looked at both disheveled men smelling the scent of sex wafting off their bodies. He became instantly aroused and glanced around nervously, he noted other men sniffing the air. "Guys, I think it would be a good idea to get on board the plane." Bill hurried them along, blocking the view of Mulder with his body.
At Bill's disapproving glare Krycek murmured, "I'm sorry, Bill, but it was a medical emergency."
"We're just lucky that we're the only ones on this flight, otherwise we'd be in deep shit," Bill exclaimed.
They had first class to themselves. Krycek made Mulder take the window seat. He sat down next to him and pulled one of the hamburgers out of the bag handing it to Fox. "Eat," he ordered.
Mulder unwrapped it taking a small bite then proceeded to wolf the burger down. He was famished and suitably distracted from his grief by their recent bout of sex.
The plane was delayed on the runway for a late passenger who had called the airport at the last minute. After an hour a very handsome businessman entered and strolled down the aisle. He stopped before Krycek and Mulder's seats, glancing briefly at Krycek then stared at Mulder. He addressed Krycek while never taking his eyes off of Mulder.
"Comrade Krycek, it's good to see you returning to our homeland. Special Agent Fox Mulder, it is certainly a pleasure to finally meet you, I've heard and read so much about you. I am Nikolai Slava."
Mulder felt his blood turn cold at the look the man was giving him. He had seen that look before in the eyes of serial killers and sexual predators, this was a man to be feared. Mulder found it difficult to meet the man's eyes, he was extremely good-looking, but there was a malevolence to him that repulsed the agent.
Slava reached his hand out to Mulder for him to shake, but Krycek grabbed his wrist quickly shoving it away. "Ne trogai! Nikolai, he is mine and no one touches him but me." The threat behind the triple agent's words was as clear as glass.
"Don't threaten me, Alexei, we both know that I'm far more dangerous than you can ever hope to be. Until later, Agent Mulder, I look forward to becoming better acquainted," he murmured huskily.
Mulder shivered visibly as Slava's words washed over him and he received a visual image of him and Slava naked together wrapped in a lover's embrace. He glanced up in shock as he realized the handsome Cossack was projecting that image into his mind. Mulder turned and watched Slava walk down the aisle and sit several rows back.
The FBI man turned back and glanced at Krycek, his face was a mask of pure rage and hatred. "Who was that?" he asked cautiously.
"Nikolai Slava, he is the head of all organize crime in Russia and he's extremely dangerous. Fox, he also has the sorcerer mutation and has used his powers to wipe out all the competition. No one has the nerve or the power to challenge him, he usually get what he wants at any cost." Krycek was digging his nails into the arms of the airline seat, he was so angry. Slava posed a real threat to Mulder, more so than Henderson ever had.
Ten minutes later, the plane was in the air headed for St. Petersburg.
***
St. Petersburg, Russia
Monday, December 28
1:00 a.m.Mulder had fallen asleep an hour into the flight, resting his head on Krycek's shoulder. He looked so young and innocent while he slept; it ripped at Krycek's heart -- would he be able to protect him?
Shortly before the plane landed the agent woke up. He stared sleepily up at Krycek, smiling meekly. "How much longer?"
"We'll be landing in twenty minutes." Krycek caressed his hand over Mulder's face and brushed his hair out of his eyes.
When the plane landed, they pulled out their winter coats from the overhead compartment. The Scullys were sitting across from them and Dana dressed Matthew for the Russian winter, his outfit was complete down to insulated snow-pants.
Krycek kept a protective shield around Dana Scully, but so far, she didn't attract the interest of Nikolai Slava. Slava was focused only on Mulder and she looked too much like an adolescent boy. If Slava did scan her, Krycek's shield should maintain her disguise by broadcasting back the thoughts of an adolescent boy.
Krycek held back before exiting the plane, he wanted Slava in front of him. It bothered him having the man behind him the whole flight to Russia. Mulder was his lover and the thought the mobster wanting him made Krycek seethe.
Mulder pulled on the long, black, cashmere coat over his jeans and Hensley shirt. He sat back down next to Krycek and wondered why they were waiting. They had been given the okay to depart the plane.
The tall, dark, and handsome Cossack strolled down the aisle, stopping once more at their seats. Krycek glared angrily at him as he stared appreciatively at Mulder once again. "Do you really know who your friends are, Agent Mulder?" he asked smoothly.
"What do you mean?"
"Is he really dead?" Slava smiled smugly and left, leaving the agent to ponder his words.
***