Life from the Ashes Book 1 - A New Beginning
Chapter 9
St. Petersburgby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
St. Petersburg
Monday, December 28
1:00 a.m.Krycek felt a stab of anger at Slava's question to Mulder. He didn't want his lover to start questioning whether Skinner was still alive it was too soon. Mulder was looking at him uncertainly. What should he say? What could he say?
"Fox, I'll explain later, once we're settled into our home." Krycek couldn't meet his eyes.
"Is he?" Mulder put his hand on the younger man's arm, trying to get him to look at him.
"Later . . . I promise. C'mon, let's get going." Krycek got up, and led them down the aisle. Bill had overheard the exchange between the two men and looked at his sister for answers. She refused to meet his eyes, embarrassed.
So, Walter Skinner was still alive and his sister and Krycek had lied to Mulder. There was going to be hell to pay once they arrived at Krycek's residence, and strangely he found himself taking Mulder's side over his sisters . . . whatever had come over her to lie to him?
They strolled through the nearly empty airport terminal toward the exit. Boris had promised to have a car waiting for them, and as promised, just outside the door to the airport terminal there was a black limousine. As they stepped through the door, a cold burst of night air hit them and Matthew buried his small face into his father's woolen coat. Bill carried his bundled son snugly in one large arm and his suitcase in the other.
Leaning up against the limo was a young man in a Russian military uniform, smoking a cigarette. He detached himself, standing straight as they approached. "Alexei!" he exclaimed hugging Krycek.
"Pyetr, it's good to see you again," Krycek said, returning the embrace.
"I would like you to meet my friends. This is Fox Mulder, Bill Scully, and Bill's sons Daniel and Matthew. Major Pyetr Yermolov." They exchanged handshakes. Mulder had a faraway look in his eyes, not really paying attention to the introductions.
"Come let's get out of the cold, leave your suitcases on the sidewalk, Vlad will take care of them," Pyetr suggested. The limo driver quickly opened the door for them and they climbed into the warm backseat. He collected their suitcases off the sidewalk and put them into the large trunk.
Krycek sat next to Mulder and noted his distant look, he took the agent's hand in his holding it on his lap, trying to comfort him. Pyetr smiled, speaking in Russian, "So, Alexei, he is even more beautiful than you've led on, but he seems distracted. Is there a problem?"
Krycek clenched Mulder's hand tighter. "Yes, I misled him and he knows it . . . he wants me to tell him the truth . . . he's going to hate me when I do," Krycek answered back in Russian as the limo drove them closer to that confrontation with his lover.
The limousine pulled up in front of an upper class, high rise apartment building. They were in an old historic section of St. Petersburg on Plekhanov Street the apartment building was near the Moika and Griboedov Canals.
The driver retrieved their luggage from the trunk and carried it inside to the elevator as Pyetr and Krycek bid their farewells. Before his friend departed, Krycek agreed to meet him for lunch on Friday.
Krycek strolled to the elevator where the others waited for him, they all rode silently up to his opulent penthouse apartment that took up the top two floors of the high rise. The elevator opened into a small anteroom with a large arched double-doorway, there was a security camera mounted above the doors. Krycek unlocked the doors, opening them they entered into a large foyer.
The Scullys stared in awe: the foyer was open to the second level and a huge crystal chandelier hung from the twenty-eight foot, curved ceiling. There was a beautiful dark green marble floor, even the curving staircase was covered in green marble. Expensive furnishings and antiques adorned the room.
"Alex, your home is so beautiful!" Dana exclaimed, staring up at the murals that covered the curved ceiling in the foyer.
"Come . . . I'll show you to your rooms, then I'll give you the grand tour." Krycek beamed with pride, the workmen had done an excellent job of cleaning up his family's home. His father had let it become run down after his mother's death. When his father had passed away two years ago, he left the apartment to his only child.
Krycek led them up the stairs and down a wide hallway, they passed several closed doors and another set of stairs leading up. "Those stairs lead to the roof, there is a patio and small garden. My mother used to love her flowers and the view is breathtaking in the spring and summer, you can see the Neva River, Vailieskii Island and Petropavlovskii citadel."
They came to the last doorway and Krycek pushed it open. Scully gasped in surprise at the large sitting room with a fireplace that was blazing. The room had twelve-foot ceilings with carved molding edging it. The hardwood floor had a Persian carpet and there were three tall windows with navy blue drapes and three more doors in the room.
"These were my grandparents' rooms." Krycek walked over and opened up the other doors, which led to two large bedrooms and one small sewing room. Each bedroom had its own private bathroom.
"Matthew could stay in the sewing room. I'll make arrangements for a bed to brought up and have it redecorated."
Mulder had followed reluctantly. He was impressed by the beautiful apartment and Krycek's apparent wealth, but didn't outwardly show it.
Dana and Bill put their bags into their respective bedrooms and shrugged out of their heavy coats. Krycek removed Matthew's coat and snow-pants. The little boy waddled around the room exploring everything he could get his grubby little hands on.
"C'mon, I'll show you mine and Mulder's room, then give you the grand tour of the rest of the apartment." Krycek led them back down the hallway, pass the curved staircase, to the end of the hall where there was a large curved archway with double doors. He flung both doors open and they stepped into the largest and most beautiful bedroom that Dana had ever seen.
There was a four-poster, king-sized, mahogany bed covered in rich fabrics. The top mattress was four feet above the floor and a small set of stairs was beside the tall bed. Rich tapestries hung on the walls, and in front of the walk-in fireplace there was a loveseat and two chairs. There were two sets of French-doors that led out to a large covered veranda. The bathroom was huge and done all in white marble with skylights, a large sunken bathtub and gold fixtures.
Krycek removed his coat and set his bags on the small breakfast table. He took Mulder's coat from him, seeing the reluctance to depart with it in his lover's eyes. Fear gripped his stomach as he slowly walked over to an armoire and hung both coats up. He knew Mulder would try to flee once he explained their deception to him. The agent would never understand why they had lied to him.
Of course, he would never let Mulder go; eventually his lover would have to except the situation. Krycek hoped over time that Fox would forgive him and return his love.
"Okay, I'll show you the rest of the apartment," Krycek stated, then turning to Mulder, he took his hand. "Afterwards, we'll sit down and I'll explain everything to you."
"Okay, Alex," Mulder sighed sadly. He was staring out the French-doors into the nighttime darkness.
They followed Krycek back downstairs where he showed them the various rooms. The large parlor, library, den, and a dining room with a table that could seat twenty guests. Detailed carved molding edged the ceilings in each room and several of the rooms had murals on the ceiling and walls. The baseboards were made out of mahogany and so was most of the expensive furniture. All the rooms had exquisite antique furniture, artwork, and area rugs covered hardwood floors.
They finally ended up in a huge kitchen. Behind the kitchen were the servant quarters, which sat empty. Labor had become a valuable commodity in all the developed countries that had survived the alien invasion.
Krycek had taken his time explaining the history behind some of the antiques and paintings that adorned the apartment. He was dreading the inevitable confrontation and wanted to put it off for as long as possible. When they arrived in the kitchen he knew it couldn't be put off any longer. He walked over and grabbed four glasses out of the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of vodka.
He set the glasses down on the kitchen table, glancing over at Matthew. "Maybe you should put Matthew to bed, Bill. You can put him in one of the servants rooms, we'll be able to keep an eye on him from here."
Bill did as requested and they waited for him to return before broaching the Walter Skinner subject. Krycek had poured each of them a glass of vodka, and he downed his nervously while waiting for Bill to return, and he poured himself a second glass.
Bill came back and sat down at the table, taking a sip from his glass. Mulder hadn't touched his drink he stared at Krycek and Dana, waiting for an explanation. He prayed that they had lied to him about Walter being dead, but why would they want to hurt him that badly?
"Damnit! Tell me, is Walter still alive?" he finally asked.
"Yes." Krycek couldn't look at him when he answered, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"Why did you lie? You said you loved me . . . " Mulder's voice rose in pitch as his anger grew, he was about to rip into to Krycek as he felt himself losing control.
Scully quickly interrupted, "Mulder, it wasn't Krycek's idea . . . he didn't want to lie to you. I convinced him it was for the best, I'm sorry. I wanted to protect you and still do. I don't trust Walter Skinner! I know he doesn't have your best interests in mind."
"Damn it, Scully! That's for me to decide *not* you!" Mulder hissed angrily, pushing back his chair he stormed out of the room.
"Sis, he's right, you had absolutely no right to lie to him."
"I'm going to see if he's okay," Krycek murmured sadly and quickly hurried after Mulder.
Mulder had gone back upstairs to their bedroom. Krycek came in as he was putting his coat back on. He looked up and met Krycek's eyes. "I'm leaving . . . can you get me a cab to the airport?"
Krycek closed and locked the door behind him. "No . . . you're not. For one thing, you would never make it to the airport before someone kidnaps you . . . and the second, I won't let you go. Fox, take your coat off and put the suitcase down." There was a dangerous edge to Krycek's voice, but Mulder ignored him and headed for the door. Krycek stopped him using mind-control, making the agent freeze in his tracks.
Mulder felt himself lose control over his body as he dropped the suitcase and shrugged out of his coat, complying with Krycek's orders.
"Hang it back up and while you're at it you can unpack our bags," Krycek ordered smoothly. He had to show the agent who was in charge. He didn't want to have to do it, but he was going to have to teach Mulder obedience.
Mulder found himself obeying Krycek's orders. He had no control over his own thoughts and found that he wanted to please the triple agent. It was different than when he was under Modell's control; at least with Modell, he was able to resist if only a little. Now every time he tried, his thoughts just disintegrated like sand sifting through his fingers and the need to be obedient became overwhelming.
He folded and put their clothing away in the dresser and hung the shirts up in the armoire. The toiletries he took into the bathroom. Krycek followed him and trapped him up against the sink with his body, wrapping his arms around the agent's slim waist.
"I don't like controlling you this way, Fox. If you give me your word that you will never leave me . . . I'll give you back your freewill."
"Alex, I'll give you my word that the first chance I get . . . I'm leaving you. You can't control me forever . . . you'll have to sleep sometime."
"Hush, my love," Krycek murmured, putting a finger up to the agent's full lips. Mulder found himself unable to talk or move.
"I can maintain control over you even in my sleep, and as long as you're within ten miles of me our link will never be broken. Fox, you are mine -- mind, body, and soul." Krycek ran possessive hands over the FBI man's passive body, bringing them up, he laced his fingers through Mulder's thick, silky hair and took possession of his mouth. Mulder's lips parted allowing his tongue to invade, Krycek thrust it in deeply tasting and claiming him.
Krycek broke the kiss, licking his way back out he stared into Mulder's sad hazel eyes. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, my love, but until you come to your senses you will not even be allowed to take a piss without my okay."
"Now remove your clothes and get into bed, I'm going downstairs and saying goodnight to Dana and Bill. I'll be right back." Krycek kissed him and left the bathroom. Mulder was powerless to do anything but follow the younger man's orders as he slowly started removing his clothes.
How could he have been so stupid to get himself into this unbearable situation? He hated not having control over his actions. Skinner had tried it on him once, but he let the older man know in no uncertain terms not to ever try it again. He was grateful to realize that he was allowed his own thoughts. At least Krycek hadn't taken that away from him, too.
*I wouldn't ever dream of taking your ability to think away from you, my love. Your brain is one of the features I love best about you.*
*I suppose it would be too much to ask that you stay out of my head?*
*Yes, it would be. Would you like me to give your regards to Dana and Bill?*
*Fuck off.*
*Don't worry I will, later.*
Mulder shivered, but not from Krycek' promise, the room was freezing against his naked skin. He walked over to the bed and the fireplace blazed to life, sending a comforting heat throughout the room.
*Better?*
*Yes, thanks.*
*You're welcome.*
Mulder climbed into the tall bed, even for him it was almost too high to get into, but pride prevented him from using the small set of stairs beside the bed. He crawled under the many layers of bedcovers and waited anxiously for Krycek to return.
Krycek strolled into the kitchen, the Scullys were hotly arguing and looked up when he entered.
"How's Mulder?" Dana asked.
"He was going to leave for the airport, but I convinced him to stay. Fox is not very happy with us right now, Dana."
"Can you really blame him? Why don't you let him return to Skinner?" Bill asked. "It's what he wants after all."
"No!" Dana and Krycek shouted simultaneously.
"Bill, Walter Skinner was behind my abduction. He is up to his neck with those consortium bastards and the conspiracy."
"If that were so, why would Mulder want to return to him? Don't you trust your partner's instincts? After all, it was Mulder who cracked the conspiracy wide open."
"Bill, that's not the issue, Mulder has always been blind when it came to Walter Skinner. Skinner provided a false hope to him during a time in his life when Mulder was vulnerable and needed someone to believe him -- in him. Skinner deceived him into trusting him, when he was really only there to keep an eye Mulder and control him for those bastards."
"Dana, do you have any hard evidence? If you do, we could send it to Charlie and he could take it to the Justice Department. Mulder couldn't return to Skinner if he was in jail for treason and that is a death sentence offense."
"Yes, Bill, the Lone Gunmen have dug up a small paper trail, but I'm not sure if it is enough evidence to convict him," Dana sighed.
"It doesn't have to be concrete . . . as long as it shows him working for them, it would be enough for a life sentence conviction." Bill was starting to warm to the idea, finally a way to get back at those bastards that caused his wife's death. If what Dana said was true, he would see that Skinner fried for his part in the worldwide cover up.
Krycek listen enthralled at their discussion, why hadn't he thought of it. A threat against Skinner would give him power to extract that promise from Mulder to never leave him.
"I'll call Langly, we could at least put the evidence we have together to show Mulder. Maybe we'll be able to convince him."
"You do that, Dana, I'm going to turn in for the night . . . morning." Krycek amended after glancing at the clock it was 5:00 a.m. Mulder was waiting for him; he could feel the agent's nervous anxiety.
***
Mulder lay in the large, soft bed contemplating his options. He had one trick that Krycek wasn't aware of . . . the ability to hide a small part of his thoughts behind a wall that even the triple agent couldn't penetrate. He had learned that trick while helping Skinner with his sorcerer powers.
If he wanted to get out of this humiliating and degrading situation, he would have to start using his brains, and not let his temper get in the way. Krycek had said over and over again how he was in love with him, he didn't like doing it, but he would have to use that against the younger man. If he could convince Krycek that he had forgiven him and cared deeply for him it might be enough to get the triple agent to stop using mind-control on him.
Mulder chewed thoughtfully on his bottom lip, trying to formulate how he could trick Krycek into believing that scenario. It wouldn't be easy to fool a man with his powers. Mulder smiled as he thought up the perfect way to get the triple agent to believe him.
***
St. Petersburg
Monday, December 28
5:20 a.m.Krycek stood nude in front of the full-length mirror in the bathroom, admiring his hard muscular body. Like Mulder, he was never going to age, very few people knew that sorcerers were also immortals. He ran a finger over the scar on his upper arm and then traced the one on his chest. Unlike Fox, he showed the scars from the years of fighting against the consortium and the alien invaders. Fox . . . he smiled, thinking of his lover's perfect flawless body, his cock swelled at the thought.
He left the bathroom, turning off the light and stared eagerly at the figure huddled under the covers. This would be the first time they made love in their new home and he wanted to make his lover remember it fondly. Fox may be angry with him, but he knew the agent could not control his sexual responses.
Mulder sat halfway up leaning on his elbows and looked over at Krycek, who was standing in front of the large fireplace on the other end of the room. The fire cast a warm orange glow on his smooth skin and shadows defined the hard muscles. Mulder's eyes wandered down his sleek body stopping at his firm perfectly shaped ass -- Krycek was a work of art. He unconsciously licked his lips, chewing thoughtfully on his full bottom lip. When he looked back up he met Krycek's eyes; the younger man was staring back at him over his shoulder. Mulder found it impossible to control his body's response to the other man.
When he sat up, the blanket had fallen down revealing his firm chest and dusty pink nipples. Krycek walked over to the bed, running a hand over the agent's chest, feeling the warmth underneath his fingertips. He never took his eyes from Mulder's as he climbed onto the tall bed and straddled the agent's lap.
Mulder moaned as he felt the pressure from the younger man's weight on his straining erection. Krycek grinned; he could feel Mulder's hardness under several layers of blankets. He leaned down and ran his tongue across the agent's chest, sucking on his left nipple and twirling his tongue around the pebbled nib. Mulder threw his head back, moaning louder and thrusting his hips up, pushing his covered erection against Krycek's hard length.
Krycek grinned seductively. Encouraged by the agent's response, he lavished similar attention onto the second nipple. He let his hand roam down and he reached for the blankets that covered his lover. He lifted his body and pulled the blankets down, using his feet to push them the rest of the way down the bed. Krycek then lowered himself onto Mulder's body, rubbing their hard erections together.
Mulder hooked his long legs around Krycek's, encouraging closer contact. He couldn't help himself; his body's need for sex pushed all thoughts from his mind. It didn't matter that he was having sex with the man who had lied to him and was holding him captive against his will. All that mattered was his body's need for intimate contact. Mulder reached up and pulled the younger man's head down, bringing their lips together. Their tongues wrestled back and forth as they explored each other in a deep, open-mouth kiss that took both their breaths away.
Mulder broke the kiss, staring up into Krycek's face, and he felt his heart melt at the undeniable love showing on the younger man's features. Krycek had told him everyday that he loved him, but he never really believed him until now. He brought his hand up and caressed the younger man's face, causing him to smile with joy.
"Alex . . . can we talk?" This was the perfect time to implement his plan, while sex had Krycek's mind clouded.
"Now?"
"Yes, now." Mulder ran his hands down Krycek's smooth back, resting them on his hips. "I owe you an apology . . . I haven't taken your feelings into consideration . . . I'm sorry."
Krycek stared into Mulder's eyes, trying to determine if he was telling the truth or trying to fool him into relaxing his guard. When he couldn't tell for sure, he used telepathy to get his answers and was surprise at what he discovered.
"Why, Fox? How can you forgive me?"
"You did it out of love . . . how can I hold that against you?" Mulder reached up and gently brushed his lips to Krycek's. "But, I can't promise you that I'll stay with you."
"And I won't let you go . . . where does that leave us?"
"I don't know, Alex. But what I do know is that I hate it when you use mind-control on me, and I want to return to Walter. But, I do care for you . . . I think I'm falling in love with you."
Mulder chuckled lightly, "Damn, I'm becoming so pathetic."
"Why, because you admit you have feelings for me?" Krycek laid his head down on the agent's shoulder; he was still stretched out on top of his lover who had both his arms and legs wrapped possessively around him.
"No, because I'm becoming an emotional cripple . . . I've never experienced the kind of feelings I have for you or Walter." Mulder sighed, then brushed his hand over Krycek's short, cropped hair and grinned. "But, you still have a stupid-ass haircut," he chuckled kissing the top of the younger man's head.
"Jerk," Krycek muttered, biting him lightly on the shoulder, then he kissed the side of the agent's throat. The heat of their two bodies being pressed together was causing both men to sweat lightly. Krycek lifted himself up and slithered down Mulder's body, running his tongue over Mulder's sweat dampened skin, tasting his lover's salty flavor. He kept licking and tasting the agent as he moved down his chest to his groin. The agent squirmed nicely under him, making delicious little noises that sent a jolt to Krycek's cock.
Krycek brushed his nose along the side of Mulder's cock -- it stood hard against the agent's stomach, he avoided touching it further, instead he pushed the agent's legs further apart. Then he took his lover's balls into his mouth, sucking and rolling them around with his tongue. He brought his hand under the agent's ass and gently caressed one finger over the puckered opening just teasing back and forth, circling around, not attempting to enter. Mulder pushed back against the finger trying to get it into him, making whimpering noises, squirming even more at the erotic torture the younger man was putting him through.
Krycek removed his mouth from his lover's balls, sitting back he patted Mulder's thigh. "Roll over," he ordered and Mulder complied, turning onto his stomach. Krycek grabbed a pillow and placed it under the agent's stomach elevating his hips, stroking his hands down on each side of the agent's hips, then up over the curve of his buttocks. The younger man spread his lover's cheeks with his thumbs and lower his head, licking down the crack to the tight opening breathing in and tasting his lover's musky flavor. He pushed tentatively with his tongue over Mulder's anus, teasing him gently, then he pushed his tongue in and the muscle tightened down on it.
Mulder gasped at the feel of Krycek hot breath on his ass, the younger man's nose and mouth pressed between his buttocks, and the incredible sensation of the moist tongue as it pushed into his body. "God!" He had never experienced anything so totally erotic before in his life. He pushed back with his butt, spreading his legs further apart to make himself more accessible. His cock was painfully hard, brushing against the sheets and leaking non-stop. He knew Krycek was going to bring him off just by rimming his ass. As the younger man pushed his hot tongue in and out of his lover, Mulder felt a tremor of pleasure shoot down and his spine and he came hard pumping his milky white come into the sheets.
Krycek removed his mouth as he felt Mulder's orgasm and reached his hand under the agent's body gathering the last of his lover's semen that pumped out into his hand. He used it to lubricate his cock and spread the remainder into the agent's crease. He quickly pushed his cock into the relaxed hole. He licked his lips, still tasting his lover's pleasant earthy flavor. Krycek sunk all the way into Mulder's body, finding no resistance -- his lover purred his consent. Mulder was totally relaxed and sated.
Krycek reached his hands around Mulder's waist and eased him onto his knees, then started to thrust into him. Angling up, he aimed for his lover's prostate, finding it, he managed to push against it each time he drove back in. The agent's muscles spasmed around his cock and Mulder cried out in pleasure, Krycek reached under the agent and found him hard again. The younger man started to stroke the agent's cock as he thrust in and out of his body. He pulled out slowly, relishing the feel of the hot, smooth muscles clenching his cock, holding him, he thrust back in. He increased the speed and the depth of his cock pounding into his lover's body, grunting each time his balls made contact with the agent's ass. Soon he cried out as his orgasm washed over him and he emptied his heat into his lover's body, he felt Mulder's come pour over his hand.
When Krycek recovered his breath, he gently eased out of Mulder. Helping him roll over onto his side, the younger man laid down facing him. Mulder was still panting, the look of pure bliss was painted clearly on his beautiful face. Krycek moved closer to him until their chests were pressed together and reached down, pulling the blankets over their cooling bodies. He kissed Mulder and wrapped his arm possessively around the agent's slender waist.
"Alex?" Mulder murmured as his eyes were drifting shut, shifting uncomfortably.
"Mm?"
"I'm laying in a wet spot, could you . . .?"
"Sure." Krycek concentrated briefly and the wet spot vanished.
"Thanks," Mulder sighed, falling asleep.
Krycek didn't fall right to sleep, he stayed awake to watch Mulder as he slept. This was his favorite pastime besides having sex with the agent. He was still overcome by their earlier conversation -- after all he had done to him Mulder had forgiven him. It made him feel small and unworthy. Mulder wouldn't admit it, but he knew that the agent was in love with him, he read it deep down in the agent's thoughts and love overcomes all.
Krycek rolled onto his back, bringing Mulder's body against his as he shifted the agent's head to rest on his shoulder. Mulder murmured incoherently in his sleep, shifted, throwing an arm across the younger man's chest and a leg over one of Krycek's legs. Krycek kissed his sleeping lover's head -- he felt total contentment, Mulder would always remember their first night together in his family's home.
The question was what to do about Walter Skinner. He could no longer threaten Mulder with the man's arrest as a conspirator as a means to get the agent to stay with him. Not after the agent had unselfishly forgiven him, but should he permit the Scullys to pursue it alone? Staying out of it wouldn't be advisable; Mulder was very protective of Walter Skinner. To threaten to the A.D. would antagonize Mulder, and that he didn't need. He would have to convince the Scullys not to pursue the charges.
He happily snuggled closer to his lover and let sleep over take him.
***
Miami, Florida
Monday, December 28
9:00 a.m.
Walter Skinner was pacing angrily back and forth; he should have made telepathic contact with his lover yesterday. Something was wrong, and he was going to have long talk with that smug, dapper dweeb. For their sakes, they had better get him Mulder's whereabouts or there will be hell to pay. He briefly wondered if he could turn Byers into a toad.
He left his room and marched purposely down to Byers' room. Frohike dashed out of his room and intercepted him. "Walter, wait! You're going to need our help if you want Mulder back safely, it won't do you any good to antagonize Byers."
Skinner glared angrily at the little man before relaxing and accepting his advice. "Okay, Melvin, I trust your judgment. However, it's clear that they're not coming to Miami. What do you suggest?"
"I'll talk to Byers and we'll have Langly check all flight information leaving Havana for Russia. It's possible they found another way over to Cuba."
"How soon can you have that information?"
"It shouldn't take Langly more than a few hours."
"Good, I'm going to take a walk. I'll be back in a few hours."
Skinner headed downstairs and out the front entrance to the hotel. It was an ocean side resort, so he headed toward the beach. He wanted to clear his thoughts. He had been running on auto-pilot from the moment Fox fled, he needed to start using his brain.
Skinner removed his shoes and rolled up his pants, strolling barefoot through the sand along the waters edge. An occasional cold wave washed over his feet and he finally started to relax.
If the rat-bastard had taken Fox to Russia, he could use his contacts in the FSB to help him. He also had family still over there. Although he hadn't seen his relatives since he was a boy, he had kept in contact with them through letters and recently, email.
As soon as Frohike found out for sure where Fox was he would start arranging to get him back. He would have to return to Washington D.C. and put in for an extended leave from the FBI and pickup his address book.
He was comforted by the fact that Fox would return willingly with him and they could continue where they had left off. He was still going to ask his lover to marry him, but he doubted it would be on News Years Eve as he had planned.
Skinner turned around and headed back toward the hotel in much better spirits than when he had started his walk.
***
Walter Skinner met with Frohike and Byers over lunch. "What have you found out?"
"There was a flight that left Havana yesterday for St. Petersburg, there were only four adults and two children on the plane. The passenger list had their names listed as William O'Brien and his sons Matthew and Daniel, Sasha Mikhailovich, George Hale, and a Nikolai Slava." Frohike read the names off a fax he received from Langly.
"How will we be able to find out if it was them?"
"Oh, it's them. William Scully was visiting Dana when she disappeared from Northridge and he had his son Matthew with him. It's too much of a coincidence that William O'Brien has a son named Matthew and we believe Daniel is Dana traveling in disguise. How else can a woman move around without attracting immediate attention? George Hale is one of Mulder's aliases, he has several you know." Skinner didn't, but Frohike went on anyway. "We speculate that Sasha Mikhailovich is Alex Krycek, because Nikolai Slava is a well-known Russian Gangster."
"Good work, men, I've already booked us on the next flight out to D.C. I need to tie up some loose ends and make arrangements for a military transport to Europe." There still wasn't any U.S. commercial airplanes allowed outside the U.S. airspace, only military airplanes. Something was bothering him about Krycek's alias, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
They finished their lunch and walked back to the hotel, retrieving their luggage, they took a taxi to the airport. They would arrive back in D.C. just ahead of curfew.
***
St. Petersburg
Krycek's apartment
Monday, December 28
1:20 p.m.Matthew played quietly with his blocks in front of the fireplace in the sitting room. Dana sat with Bill on a large comfortable sofa reading the London Times, Boris had arranged for the newspaper to be delivered to the apartment for Krycek's American friends.
There was a tea service sitting on the breakfast table, with empty plates from lunch. Dana had gone down to the kitchen earlier to make tea and sandwiches for her family. That was where she met Boris Gudenko, he introduced himself to her and helped with the preparation of the tea.
Dana was positive that he didn't see through her disguise. Boris had inquired about Krycek and whether he would be up soon. She told him she didn't know, they had not gotten to bed until early this morning and neither Krycek nor Mulder had stirred from their room yet. Boris handed her the English newspaper as she headed back to her rooms, informing her that he would wait for Krycek to come down.
That was an hour ago and Dana wasn't sure if either man had risen yet. She looked over at Bill; they needed to discuss their family's future. They couldn't stay with Krycek indefinitely.
"Bill, when are you going to call Charlie and let him know we're all right?"
"I figure that I'll contact one of my navy buddies and have him pass on a message to Charlie. The government probably has Charlie and the boys under surveillance by now." Bill set the newspaper down and reached for Matthew, he placed the boy on his lap and hugged him. "We have to be careful, Dana, when the heat dies down we can all go live together in Canada, but until then you, me, and Matthew are safer here with Krycek."
"Bill, it won't die down anytime soon if we pursue charges of treason against Walter Skinner. Skinner has a lot of high level friends and allies. And Langly didn't sound too willing to send me the documents, he told me he'd get back to me -- there's something going on that he wasn't telling me." Dana had gotten up and was pacing around the small suite.
"Relax, sis, everything will work out."
"Mulder is never going to forgive me for lying to him. Bill, what am I going to do? I love Mulder . . . he's been my best friend for the past six years. Why can't he see what type of man Walter Skinner is?" Dana was exasperated -- how could her partner be so blind?
"Dana, that's why we need to go forward with these charges against Skinner. When he's on trial and all the evidence is presented, Mulder will see what type of man Skinner is. He'll come around . . . how could he not?"
"Bill, I hope you're right, but Mulder has changed so much since the last time I saw him. Damn, I . . . hardly know him anymore." Dana rose and collected the dishes, putting them back on the tray. "I'm going to take these back to the kitchen, do you want me to bring you back anything?"
"No, I'm fine. If Krycek is up can you ask him about getting a television set in here . . . with cable? Oh, Dana, while you're downstairs see if there's any beer in the fridge."
"Bill, this isn't the U.S., I don't know if they even have cable TV here." At his dejected look she replied, "Okay, I'll ask."
***
Krycek had shaved and showered, allowing Mulder to sleep in. It was the least he could do after giving his lover quite the workout late this morning. He decided to go down to the kitchen and make them both a late brunch. His lover hadn't had much food in the last few days and he was determined to get him to eat. Krycek walked over to the bed to check on him, making sure Mulder was still peacefully sound asleep.
He strolled to the door and smiled happily to himself, it felt good to be back home and with Fox. For once his life was looking up, no more undercover work, no more lies, and no more longing for love -- finally.
Krycek ran into Dana at the staircase and he took the heavy tray from her. "Good morning, Dana."
"Thanks, Krycek. You seem to be in a good mood." She looked at him raising a dainty eyebrow, wondering what he had to be happy about. After all, they were both on Mulder's shit list . . . or were they?
"I'm home and with the man I love. What more is there to life than love and happiness?"
"Alex, you sound as if Mulder's forgiven you."
"Fox . . . loves me." Krycek grinned happily.
"Mulder told you that?" she asked as they entered the large kitchen. Boris was seated at the table reading a magazine he smiled at Krycek when he walked in.
"Boris!" Krycek set the tray down as the large, older Russian rose and they embraced warmly.
"Alexei, it's good to see you again, my friend." Boris stood back and admired his friend. "The work men did a good job in restoring the apartment, didn't they?"
"They did an excellent job. I was worried you wouldn't be able to find a crew to handle the work."
"No problem. Alexei, where is Agent Mulder . . . I've been looking forward to meeting him?" Boris glanced around meeting Scully's eyes.
The two men had been conversing in Russian and she had no idea what they were talking about other than hearing Mulder's name mentioned. But there was a disappointed look on Boris's face as he glanced around the kitchen and saw only her.
"He is still sleeping. Were you able to get his medication reproduced?"
"No problem," Boris stated. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a wooden box, opening it to reveal a glass syringe with replacement needles and several vials of liquid. "I have made arrangements for monthly deliveries of the agent's medication to you."
"Thank you, Boris."
Krycek had become aware of Dana's presence behind him. He had completely forgotten that she was there, he turned to face her and said, "Boris, I would like to introduce one of my American friends . . . this is Dana Scully. Dana I'd like you to meet an old friend of my family's Boris Gudenko, Boris used to work for my father."
Dana stared at him in shock, she couldn't believe that he would give away her identity. "We already met early," Dana replied glaring at Krycek.
"Yes, the young man was making tea and sandwiches for his father and brother." Boris didn't immediately tie in the differences in the names he was given. Until it finally occurred to him. "I thought you said your name was Dan O'Brien. Just one moment, isn't Dana Scully Agent Mulder's female partner?"
"Dana, it's okay, you can trust Boris, he won't betray your identity. Boris, this is Agent Mulder's partner. Her disappearance from the Northridge compound probably won't make the news. I'm sure the Americans want to keep it very quiet."
"It's an honor to meet you, Dr. Scully. Yours and Agent Mulder's exploits are becoming legendary throughout Russia," Boris replied sincerely.
"Thank you, I wasn't aware of that." She looked questioningly at Krycek.
"It's true, Scully, the government declassified all the X-files and writers have been transcribing both yours and Mulder's case notes and reports and publishing them as stories. Just a second," Krycek said, going over to the kitchen table and retrieving the Russian magazine Boris was reading. He opened it and showed her an illustration of her and Mulder battling what appeared to be Eugene Tooms. The artist had exaggerated their bodies, no way were her breasts near that large and Mulder did not have bulging biceps. The type was all in Russian so she was unable to make out what it said.
Krycek laughed at the shocked expression on her pretty face. "They've only published three of your case files so far, The Jersey Devil case, The Tooms case, and the Cecil L'ively case. The writer has embellished the stories quite a bit."
Scully groaned, "I suppose he left out all of my scientific data and detailed autopsy reports?"
"Nope, they actually published all the scientific evidence at the end of the story for anyone who is interested. Oh, by the way, this is an English writer and the stories are published in several different foreign magazines." Krycek was really enjoying the look of disgust on Scully's pretty face.
"Alex, do you suppose you can get me the English magazines with the stories?" she asked, flipping through the magazine studying the illustrations.
"Sure," Krycek answered as he set about taking food out of the refrigerator, he decided to make Mulder and him omelets.
"Let me give you a hand, Alexei," Boris said as he brought out a cutting board and knife and started washing and dicing the vegetables and ham.
Dana sat down at the table, perusing the magazine. "Alex, Bill was wondering if we could get a television in the room and if you had cable access?"
"Yeah, there is a satellite dish on the roof, we can get American television broadcasts with it. I'll see about having a TV set brought up along with the bed for Matthew."
"Thanks." Scully put the magazine down and went over to the refrigerator and removed a couple of bottles of ale. "I'm going back up to my room. Alex, let me know when Mulder's up I really would like to talk to him."
"Dana, I think you should allow him to cool down for a while first before you talk to him. It's not very likely that he is going to listen to anything you have to say to him, yet."
"Okay, Alex, you're probably right."
Boris watched her as she left the room and turned back to Krycek. "She doesn't look much like the illustrations in the magazine, she much smaller."
"Yeah, but she's a lot tougher than she looks."
"It sounded like there is a problem between her and Agent Mulder -- can I ask what it is?"
Krycek explained the past week to Boris as they cooked. He took out a serving tray and placed two plates of food on it and poured some orange juice into two glasses then decided to add a splash of vodka to each glass.
"Agent Mulder seems to have more excitement in a week then most men have in a lifetime, but I'm surprised that he has forgiven you."
"Me too, Boris, me too," Krycek sighed knowing how really lucky he was. "I better get back up to Fox . . . he should be up by now." Krycek picked up the food-laden tray and carried it back up to their bedroom.
When he arrived, Mulder was no longer in bed. Krycek heard the shower running in the bathroom. Setting the tray of food down on the table, he walked into the bathroom. The shower was white marble with an eight inch ridge around the bottom to hold the water in, it was in the corner of the large bathroom and completely open to the room.
Mulder had his back to him when he entered; he was washing his hair. It gave Krycek a nice view of the marks on his lover's body from their rough love making a couple of hours ago. There was a large bite mark on the agent's left buttock, bruises on his hips made by the younger man's hands, and a scratch mark down his graceful back. In a few hours, the marks would be completely gone. Mulder must have sensed him because he glanced over his shoulder and smiled seductively.
Krycek quickly shrugged out of his clothing and joined his lover under the showers hot spray. As the water cascaded off their hard bodies, Mulder picked up a bar of soap and gently started to wash and caress the flesh on Krycek's chest. He moved in circular patterns across the younger man's nipples, he pinched them between his thumb and forefinger then lowered his mouth suck each of them in turn. Krycek moaned and grabbed the agent's head and held it against his chest as his fingers twined through Mulder's thick, wet hair. Mulder bit his left nipple, causing it to rise into a hard pebble. Krycek gasped and pulled his lover back upright. Licking the agent's lips with his tongue, he brought his mouth beside Mulder's ear hugging him tight. "My turn," he whispered.
Krycek was going to make his lover scream from pleasure as his mouth started to explore. The younger man started at Mulder's ear and swirled his tongue in and then raked his teeth over the lobe. Krycek held Mulder's head steady within his firm hands as he licked and bit the side of his throat leaving another mark of ownership on the agent.
The triple agent moved his mouth down to Mulder's collarbone, tasting every soapy inch of him. When he reached the agent's nipples, he mimicked the attention Mulder had shown him moments earlier, causing his lover to dig his fingers into his shoulders and whimper. Krycek knelt on the hard marble surface of the shower, moving his attention to the FBI man's bellybutton. Mulder groaned, he was fully erect and his swollen cock stood straight up, brushing against his belly and Krycek's lips as the younger man continued to torment the agent's oversensitive bellybutton. Krycek stopped and leaned back to admire him, Mulder was already leaking copious amounts of pre-cum, and Krycek grasped his heavy sacks and rolled them in his hand as he licked and tasted the agent's cock. He tasted like heaven -- both salty and sweet. The younger man ran his tongue over the length of him, then took the first few inches into his mouth. Krycek raked his teeth along Mulder's length sucking lightly before relaxing his throat to take almost his whole length in.
Mulder groaned and grasped Krycek's head in his hands and started to thrust into that hot, wet, warmth. The triple agent brought his hand around his lover's hips and between his buttocks, inserting two soap slicked fingers into the tight opening. His other hand cradled and rolled the agent's balls, he felt them creeping up as he finger fucked him stroking unerringly over his prostate. He kept up his torment until Mulder came, shooting his milky white come down his younger lover's throat. Krycek greedily swallowed, he easily kept up with the flow. He allowed the agent's softening penis to slip from his mouth, still keeping his fingers in his lover's ass, he slowly rose. Pulling Mulder's body tightly against his, he twisted and wiggled his fingers, enlisting another gasp and pushed his hard erection into the agent's side.
Krycek slicked up his cock with soap and turned Mulder around to face the shower wall. The agent braced his arms against the white marble surface, spreading his legs and bending over to give his lover the best position to penetrate him. Krycek wrapped one arm around Mulder's slim waist and used the other to guide his cock into position, holding him steady he pushed his thick organ into to the agent's tight hole in one fluid motion.
Krycek leaned against Mulder's back and held him closely to his chest just savoring the feeling of being within that silky, hot body. He latched his mouth onto the agent's shoulder and reached his hand down to Mulder's cock finding him partially erect. He started to stroke him until he was hard again then started thrusting in and out of his lover's body. Krycek felt Mulder's orgasm as he came in the stroking hand. The anal muscles in his lover's ass tightened around the triple agent's thick length, causing his orgasm and he shot his hot release deep into his lover's bowels.
They held each other tightly as they sunk to the floor of the shower still attached. Krycek's thighs were under Mulder's ass supporting him and the agent leaned back against his chest turning his head slightly to capture the younger man's lips. They moaned into each other's mouths. "Food's getting cold," Krycek murmured softly into Mulder's mouth.
"There is no such thing as cold food when you're living with a sorcerer. Just wiggle your nose like Samantha on Bewitched used to do and reheat it." Mulder laughed, running his tongue over Krycek's nose. "You know, your nose is sort of shaped like Samantha Steven's nose."
"Oh, thanks a lot," he muttered, pushing the agent off his lap as his softening penis slipped out of his body. As he stood up, shutting off the water, which had gone cold, he reached back down to help his laughing lover up. Krycek grabbed a towel from the rack and dried them both off. They each pulled on soft sweatpants and T-shirts.
Mulder walked over to the table and removed the metal lids covering the plates of food that were still steaming underneath. He looked up at Krycek and grinned, the triple agent started to pay extra attention to the ceiling because he wasn't about to admit to Mulder that he had used his powers to keep the food hot.
Mulder picked up the glass of orange juice and took a big sip and started coughing. "Damn, what is it with you Russians and vodka?" he wheezed out.
Krycek smiled happily, sitting down at the small table next to Mulder. He removed the plates from the tray and handed the agent a fork. "Shut up and eat."
Mulder took a small taste and grinned satisfied and started to eat the remainder hungrily. "Mm, this is delicious. I didn't know you could cook." he murmured between mouthfuls.
"I had one of my family servants teach me how. I wanted to surprise my mother for her birthday by making breakfast." Krycek smiled at the memory of how touched his mother was. "My mother wasn't in the best of health, she hardly got out of bed after I was born. It used to make me feel good to be able to cook for her -- she was so delicate."
Mulder put a comforting hand on Krycek's arm. "I'm sorry," he murmured seeing a whole new side to his lover.
Krycek put his hand over Mulder's. Wrapping his fingers around the agent's hand, he brought it to his lips kissing each of his lover's long elegant fingers. Fox had beautiful, long, graceful hands.
"There's a portrait of her in the parlor above the fireplace. If you're interested, I'll show you my family's photo album someday?"
"Yes, I would love to see it. What was your mother's name?"
"Aleksandra."
They finished the remainder of the meal in companionable silence. Krycek brought the tray of dirty dishes down to the kitchen.
Mulder curled up in front of the fireplace and closed his eyes picturing Walter Skinner's face. He smiled, soon Walter, he told the image. We'll be back together again -- soon.
***
Viva Towers
Washington D.C.
Thursday, December 31
7:10 p.m.Walter Skinner had finished packing for his long journey, he had arranged for an Air Force plane to fly him and Frohike to Germany. From there, they would drive to Moscow where his contacts and remaining family members were, he had three uncles and a large number of cousins still living there.
Walter walked over to the dresser and gazed at the collection of family photos he had on display. He picked up a very old black and white photo of his mother -- Aleksandra. It was taken forty years ago in 1958 just before she died. After her death, his father had defected with him and his sister to the United States. His mother was very lovely, she had dark black hair and he could still remember her emerald green eyes covered by thick lashes. She looked like a pixy. He hadn't studied her photo in years and was surprised as a sense of déjà vu that washed over him as he stared at her features. Something tugged at the back of his mind, but he shook his head unable to pinpoint it.
He placed the picture back on the dresser, what he wanted was a photo of his lover. He grabbed the photo of Fox he had taken a couple of weeks ago and put it into his suitcase. He'd been carrying an old photo from the agent's personnel file, which he'd had hidden in his wallet for years. He grinned, that was one secret that he had never told Fox.
The buzzer rang from the lobby door and he flicked the intercom switch on. "I'll be right down, Melvin."
He didn't know what he would have done without the little man. Frohike had become a source of strength and comfort to him during his search for Fox. It felt good to have someone who understood and was willing to help with no thought to himself. He felt embarrassed about the first opinion he had of Mulder's weird friends, how wrong he had been.
Skinner slung his carry-on over his shoulder along with his laptop case and pushed his large suitcase and garment case in front of him. He looked back once at the condo. He would either return with his lover or not at all.
***