Life from the Ashes Book 1 - A New Beginning
Chapter 13
Lover's Agreementby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
St. Petersburg
Monday, January 4
9:10 a.m.Skinner ran a washcloth over his lover's lithe, smooth body. It had been far too long since they had shared a shower. He remembered clearly the pain he had felt standing in the shower alone after Fox had left him. Now his lover was leaning up against his strong chest as he slowly washed Mulder's lean body.
He nipped and sucked at the side of Mulder's throat, leaving red hickeys and small teeth marks wherever his mouth traveled. He lowered the washcloth to the agent's groin, bringing it under his balls and up around his hard cock. Mulder purred constantly, sounding like a contented cat as he pushed forward into his lover's stroking hand.
"Fox, I love the way your body feels . . . shaved. It's very erotic and sensual. I'd like to keep you this way . . . forever," Skinner murmured.
"Ah, don't get your hopes up, Walter. I feel like a fucking eunuch . . . it's embarrassing. I almost hesitated coming to you this morning because of it."
"Why? You're beautiful. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I love being able to lick and suck you here," he said as he caressed his hand just above the agent's groin, feeling the delicate soft skin.
Mulder smiled shyly and turned around in Skinner's arms. He kissed the side of his lover's face. "You do? Maybe I'd like to lick you there as well. How about it . . . I'll grab a razor. No, better yet . . . I'll run down to Yori's room and see if he has any of his hair removal lotion with him."
Skinner stared at him incredulously. "You're not serious? Are you?"
"Very. If you want me to remain shaved . . . then you have to also . . . fair play and all, lover." Mulder nipped the A.D.'s shoulder while trailing his hands down his lover's back, only stopping when they cradled the older man's buttocks and pressed their groins together.
This wasn't going as the A.D. had intended, and he didn't want to admit defeat. He really was turned on by Mulder's shaved body, but he didn't want lose his own lush bush. It would be humiliating taking a shower at the FBI's exercise facility. "Fine." He could live with a little humiliation.
"Fine! You're serious?" Mulder squeaked.
"Yes . . . when we get home we'll purchase some of that hair removal lotion. Fox . . . I agree fair play is fair play . . . I want to be able to play with every inch of your body. However, I'll only shave my groin area . . . I'm not about to shave my legs or chest," Skinner smirked, knowing he had just outwitted his lover, something that was usually impossible to do.
Mulder lowered his head resting it the older man's shoulder, sighing. He had never expected Walter to agree to something that outrageous. He felt the older man's arms tighten around his body and the gentle kisses on top of his head. The shower was beginning to turn cold so the agent pushed himself away and turned off the spray. "Okay, you win. C'mon, Walter, I'm hungry. Let's dress and you can make me breakfast." Mulder smiled at him as he stepped out of the bathtub.
"So, does that mean you'll be cooking lunch and dinner for me today?"
"Walter, anything you want. But we do have a large number of people to feed. I'll get Frohike to help me."
*Shouldn't you ask me first?*
*FROHIKE! Keep out of our bedroom!* Skinner shouted telepathically to the little man as Mulder fell on the bed laughing hysterically.
Skinner looked over at his beautiful naked lover, who had tears streaming down his face from laughing so hard.
"God, it's good to be back. Frohike, don't change . . . you're the only person I can still predict," Mulder gasped out breathlessly.
*Thanks, Mulder. So, what are we going to be cooking?*
*I don't know, I'll have to see what Alex has in his kitchen.*
Skinner interrupted their telepathic conversation. "C'mon, Fox, put some clothes on. I'd prefer that little pervert doesn't see anymore of your body -- it belongs to me and only me!"
*Spoils Sport.*
*Fuckoff, Frohike!* Skinner hissed.
*Ouch! Okay, Walter, sir, FUCK! Stop with the hot foot already. I promise . . . I won't spy.* Frohike had his fingers crossed as he hopped around on one foot, he just wouldn't let them know he was spying.
Mulder started dressing in the clothes from last night, he looked up at Skinner's smug look. "What did you do?"
"I taught, Melvin, a lesson."
"What?"
"Remember those old Three Stooges movies where one of them puts a lit match on the other's foot?"
"Oh, you gave Frohike a hot foot." Mulder shook his head at the juvenile antic his lover had just committed.
"Yeah, it felt so good . . . I have to admit, at first finding out I had this fucking alien mutation was horrifying, but now it feels great to be able to do things just by thinking them."
"Speak for yourself . . . I still hate it. You don't know what it's like to lose your freedom. I hate being dependent on other people for my day-to-day safety. Sometimes I just want to find a place where I can be all alone . . . and not have to worry about being attacked or raped!"
Seeing Skinner's sad expression, Mulder sighed, "But, I couldn't live without you in my life. I'm sorry, Walter, it's just that I feel like I've lost so much lately . . . I sometimes forget what I've gained."
"It's okay, Fox, I've forgotten how difficult this has been for you. I should be more sensitive to your feelings." Skinner walked over and hugged him tightly. "C'mon, I'll make you whatever you want for breakfast."
They walked out of the room into the hallway and ran into Krycek at the top of the stairs. He gave them a sad look, realizing what he had given up for his lover's welfare.
Mulder broke away from Skinner's embrace and walked purposefully up to Krycek, wrapped his arms around the younger man's body and kissed him hard, long, and deep. He poured in all of his love and commitment for the younger man into that kiss. Mulder had decided before going to Skinner's bed last night that he was not going to give up either man . . . they were just going to have to live with his decision. He was no longer willing to hide the way he felt about one in front of the other.
"C'mon, Alex, your big brother is going to make us breakfast." Mulder grinned knowing he would irritate Walter. He held out his hand to the older man who very reluctantly took it. Skinner gave him a stern expression, which Mulder ignored completely.
Both brothers saw the look of determination in their lover's eyes and allowed him to lead them downstairs toward the kitchen. "Walter, we'll have pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs," Mulder requested smiling at Skinner who looked at him with chagrin.
"Don't worry about it, Alex can fix us lunch, then I'll make us dinner. Seems perfectly fair to me." Mulder smiled sweetly.
"You've already made up your mind . . . haven't you? You had no intention of discussing this with either of us, did you, Fox?" Skinner hissed grabbing Mulder's arm and leading them into the parlor instead of the kitchen.
When Mulder sat down in the first available chair, he answered, "Yes, I have made up my mind . . . I'm sorry, Walter. I'm not giving either of you up. When we leave here Alex is coming with us."
Krycek gasped, surprised at the force behind the words, Fox was serious and he made sure by the tone of his voice that he was taken that way.
"So, what I want and need doesn't matter to you?" Skinner asked.
"I . . . this is difficult," Mulder said, looking up at Skinner who hovered over his chair. He glanced over at Krycek meeting his dark green eyes, and seeing the pain deep inside, he steeled himself. He didn't want to hurt Skinner's feelings, but it was his turn to make his own demands.
Mulder stood up, brushed past Skinner, and walked over to the fireplace staring up at Aleksandra -- he felt strengthened and determined. He had his back to them as he started to speak. "In the past year I've lost my independence . . . I can no longer go out by myself. I can't go running, to the store, or even to drive myself to work. I'm dependent others for my day-to-day survival."
Mulder turned to face them and looked sadly at both men. He had been hurting inside for so long and never wanted to burden either of them. However, he had to make them understand that he needed both of them, just as he needed air to breathe and water to drink.
"Do you have any idea what it's like to lose your freedom? To be dependent on someone else for your protection? To be so fucking needy? It sucks! I hate being this way! I didn't ask for it." Mulder blushed as he felt a tear make it's way down his cheek, he didn't want to break down in front of these two men.
"Fox." Skinner reached out for him; it was breaking his heart to see his lover's distress.
"Don't, Walter," Mulder sighed and backed away, he closed his eyes to regain his composure, taking a deep breath. Skinner reluctantly drew back, giving his lover his space.
"I've accepted the fact that I'll never be able to go out safely in public alone, that I'm dependent on others for my basic everyday needs. Fuck, even my body can't go longer than forty-eight hours without having sex." Mulder breathed in and looked at both men, saw sympathy and sadness in their eyes. "I've lost too much in my life and I refuse to lose anymore. Please, try to understand that I love you both deeply and I need you both." Mulder walked back over to his chair and sank into it exhausted.
Skinner didn't know what to do . . . he was lost in both his pain and his lover's.
Krycek looked at his despondent lover and then at his half-brother. They were all hurting and in pain. The emotions were too close to the surface. "Maybe we should eat breakfast and then finish this. I think we all need a little space."
*****
As they walked into the kitchen, Skinner said, "I'll fix breakfast like I promised. You two sit down."
As they sat, Krycek took Mulder's hand in his. It was finally sinking in . . . Fox wanted him to come back to the U.S. with them. For a moment, his jealousy was overpowering . . . he hated the thought of Fox with Skinner, but if sharing was the only way to keep him, he'd overcome his jealousy.
As he started mixing the batter for the pancakes together, Skinner's anger started to overcome his pain. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, though, he saw Krycek holding Mulder's hand and the pain burst through again.
Scully came up and started helping him; she didn't like the devastated expression on the A.D.'s face. She and Skinner had their differences, but Mulder was acting insensitive and selfish. How could he sit there holding Krycek's hand knowing how Skinner felt about him? She took the pancake batter and scooped four perfect circles of batter into the greased frying pan.
Not being able to keep quiet, Skinner asked, "How would you feel, Fox? How would you feel if you loved me the way that I love you and I decided to take another lover?" He slammed the frying pan down, turning to his anger to drown out his pain. "Somehow I don't think you'd be so thrilled about it."
"I hope I would try to understand. Walter, you are the most important person in my life. But, I also love Alex . . . and I won't leave him behind. We have to work this out! I knew you'd have a problem with this . . . but I'll do anything to make you agree. Tell me what you want . . . I'll do anything for you."
"Anything?" Skinner looked at him questioningly, he knew Fox would never agree to what he had in mind under any other circumstance.
"Anything," Mulder answered confidently.
"Okay, Fox, after breakfast . . . I'll tell you what I want for agreeing to share you with my half-brother." Skinner looked sternly at him making Mulder nervous, there was something behind that look that made his stomach clench. He wasn't hungry any longer.
***
After breakfast, Skinner had headed to his room to think. He was having second thoughts about holding Fox to his 'I'll do anything' agreement. In fact, he was having second thoughts about everything. He knew that he loved Fox with his entire body and soul, but he was having doubts about Mulder's love for him. How could he totally disregard both his and Krycek's feelings like this? If Fox really loved him, he wouldn't need Krycek.
He went to the closet and pulled his suitcase out and threw it on the bed. He didn't know how he was going to live without Fox, but he knew he had to try. He wouldn't force the younger man into a relationship he obviously didn't want. He would go to his uncle's house and stay until the transportation to the U.S. was arranged.
***
Krycek had gone to his room to take a shower after breakfast. He was coming to terms with Mulder's decision to have relationships with both him and his brother. The jealousy was still there, but it was tempered because of the memories he had of Mulder's grief when he thought Skinner was dead. He truly wanted him to be happy and he was thrilled that Fox had decided that he was necessary to that happiness, too.
As he finished dressing, he suddenly felt sadness and pain that was almost overwhelming. At first, he thought it was Fox, but after closing his eyes and focusing, he realized it was coming from his brother. Skinner's shields were lowered and Krycek was able to slip into his mind easily. It only took a few seconds to see what Walter had decided to do. He withdrew and quickly headed to his brother's room.
Opening the door, he asked, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Skinner whirled around. "Krycek, get the hell out of here. What I do is none of your business."
"It sure the hell is! What do you think this is going to do to him? He loves you and you're walking away."
"This should make you happy, Krycek. You'll have him all to yourself. It doesn't matter, anyway. He obviously doesn't love me or need me. He's made his choice. I won't stick around and force him to stay with me out of obligation."
"Is that what you think it is? God, you really are stupid! He loves BOTH of us. Is that really so hard for you to believe?" Krycek shook his head. He was starting to realize that emotionally his brother was weaker than he was.
He stared into Skinner's eyes and projected the scenes of Mulder's grief that he had so recently remembered. The scenes were brief, but poignant . . . Mulder's pain and tears.
Skinner turned away, tears in his eyes. He whispered, "He really does love me."
Krycek shook his head; that should have been evident to him already. "Yes, he does, and he's waiting for us down in the parlor. Let's go see him."
Skinner wiped his eyes and nodded, following Krycek out of the room.
***
Mulder had excused himself from breakfast early; he wasn't able to force down a couple of pancakes. He came into the parlor to mediate. This was the only room in the whole apartment that he felt completely at ease. There was always a pleasant scent of Lily of the Valley in the air and he felt a soothing calm staring at the portrait of his lovers' mother. His own mother had never given him the nurturing and love he needed, but looking up at this woman's serene face he felt an odd sense -- love and acceptance.
*I do love you, Fox.*
Mulder startled at the unexpected female voice in his head. He looked around expecting to find an intruder. But there was no one, he slowly turned and stared back at the portrait. "Aleksandra?" he whispered.
*Such a bright boy.*
"What do you want from me?"
*Take care of my boys, Fox. They both love you and need you. Give Vladimir what he wants . . . it will make him happy. In time, he will come to accept and love Alexei.*
"Aleksandra, what does he want? I would do anything for him."
*A child, Fox. He wants a child . . . yours and his. Don't deny him this precious gift.*
"No, it's not a good idea to bring a child into this world now! It will only lead to heartache and sorrow. Please, don't ask me to agree to this . . . it's wrong!"
*Oh, Fox, yours and Vladimir's child is destined to change the world. There can be no heartache in such a gift.*
"Aleksandra, I love your son with all of my heart, I'd give him whatever he wants, but this . . . "
She dismissed his objections. *Thank you, precious one. I love you as if you were my own son. I will try to protect your children from harm.*
Mulder felt overwhelmed and distressed, he didn't want the responsibility for a child's life . . . he didn't even have control over his own life anymore. Before he could ask her what she'd meant by children, Walter and Alex came strolling into the room, taking in his sad expression, they both approached with concern.
"Fox, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Alex, just a bit melancholy." Mulder turned and stared back up at the portrait, taking a deep breath, he turned back to face his lovers.
"Can we sit down? We may be here awhile," Mulder murmured, taking a seat in the chair leaving the sofa for Alex and Walter to share.
"Walter, tell me what you want in exchange for allowing your brother and me to remain lovers," Mulder stated bluntly. He didn't even attempt to soften his question, he already knew what the older man wanted and he was feeling backed into a corner.
Walter Skinner closed his eyes looking for guidance . . . what he wanted wasn't easy for him to voice. It was too personal and painful, he and Sharon had tried throughout their marriage to have children, but they were never able to.
"Fox, I would like to have a child with you . . . I know it is still early in our relationship, but I love you and would like for us to start a family. The new techniques are promising. The baby will share both of our genetic traits . . . hopefully the better parts." Skinner grinned weakly and looked at Fox waiting for the inevitable rebuff.
"Okay, fine, whatever you want, Walter. I'm not particularly happy about bringing a child into this world, but if this is what you need . . . I will do it for you." Mulder glanced up at the portrait as he was speaking. *Happy?*
*Very, precious one.*
"Thanks, Fox," Skinner replied surprised. "I'll handle the majority of our child's care . . . I don't expect you to." Skinner had gotten up and was pacing excitedly.
"Walter, I'm agreeing to have this child with you . . . we will raise him together fifty-fifty."
Krycek looked on with a broken heart. Although, he would never admit it, he had always had a deep fantasy of starting a family with Fox. He was happy the agent was fighting his brother to keep him as his lover. That had been a shock and surprise to him. He would be going back to the U.S. with Fox . . . as his lover. He didn't know how his beautiful lover was planning on handling living arrangements, but he was willing to wait and see.
"Are you sure, Fox? I know this isn't what you want . . . and for the life of me, I can't believe you aren't arguing with me. Are you sure that you want to have a baby with me?" Skinner asked hesitantly.
"I'd rather adopt a couple of kittens, but I don't think that would satisfy your parental needs," Mulder quipped.
"No, it wouldn't." The older man walked up to his chair and bent down kissing him softly. "Fox, thank you."
Mulder looked up at Skinner with a slight smile on his face. "You're welcome." He couldn't stop the tear from sliding down his cheek.
Skinner was surprised. He thought his lover would be happy now that the agreement had been made. "Fox . . . I've already agreed to share you with Alex." Skinner knelt down in front of his chair, taking Mulder's long, graceful hands into his much larger, meatier ones. "Fox, I want to make you happy . . . tell me what you need?"
"Walter, I want you to accept my love for your brother with your heart. I don't want to live with your jealousy when you see Alex and me together. You have to accept that I need and love him as much as I need and love you."
"What about Alex, Fox? Shouldn't you be asking the same of him?"
Mulder looked over at Krycek. "Alex, are you going to have a problem with this?"
"No, Fox, as long as you're still in my life." Krycek eyes were filled with sorrow over the pain his lover still was in. But, Fox needed him -- loved him.
"Well, if he can accept sharing you with me . . . then I will accept it, too. It will be hard for me to see you in the arms of another man, but if it's what you need . . . I'll learn to live with it. Just promise me one thing?" Skinner asked trying to make the younger man smile.
"What?" Mulder face lit up with relief.
"It will just be Alex and me . . . you're not trying to build a harem," he grinned softly and pulled Mulder into his arms, kissing him.
"I promise, no harem." Mulder returned the kiss passionately.
Krycek watched them contentedly, earlier he would have been jealous of Mulder's affection for Skinner. Now, it didn't bother him as much to share Fox with Skinner. His older brother wasn't that bad once he'd gotten to know him. He did still wonder what Fox had in mind for living arrangements. He couldn't see them all sharing the same apartment.
***
St. Petersburg
Monday, January 4
3:00 p.m.Mulder couldn't remember ever being this happy as he sat on the floor of Dana's and Bill's rooms playing with Matthew. The thought of having a child still terrified him, but if his son turned out as good-natured as Matthew, then it would be worth it.
"Okay, Mulder, tell me . . . how are you going to handle having both men as lovers? I can't see you sharing the same apartment. Skinner and Krycek will be at each others throats in no time." Scully smiled down at him from where she sat curled up on the sofa with her legs under her, sipping a cup of tea.
"I haven't worked out all of the logistics, yet. However, you're right, it wouldn't be a wise idea to all live together . . . but they have promised to get along." Mulder grinned at her; it felt good to be on friendly terms again, he had missed having her there to talk to. "Although, I do kind of like the idea of two bedrooms with a connecting door," he joked, making Scully groan.
"Mulder," she sighed, shaking her head, raising one of her perfect eyebrows, and looking at him with amusement. Scully was overjoyed to see him happy after everything that had happened to him in the past two weeks. She deeply regretted the role she had played in deceiving him, she still didn't fully trust Skinner, but she had to admit some of his arguments made sense.
Matthew had crawled onto Mulder's lap and fallen fast asleep. The agent cradled his small body in his arms against his chest.
"Walter wants me to have a baby with him," he murmured softly.
Scully who had just taken a sip of tea choked, spitting it out very unladylike, blushing. She grabbed a napkin and started cleaning up the spill then set the teacup down on the table. She scooted off the sofa and sat on the floor next to Mulder.
"Isn't it a bit early in your relationship to even consider having a baby? Frankly, Mulder, I really don't think it's a good idea to bring a new life into this world yet . . . how much thought have you given this? You do tend to be impulsive at times." Scully was shocked that she was even having this conversation with Mulder. The idea of two men having a child together . . . a year ago it would have been ludicrous.
"I know it's weird . . . I'm still shocked over it. But, it's not too early in our relationship . . . Scully, I really do love him. However, I agree with you . . . I don't want to bring a baby into this fucked up world." Mulder sighed and hugged Matthew closer, the little boy buried his face in the soft flannel shirt the agent was wearing.
"Then tell him . . . I'm sure he'd understand."
"It's not as easy as that, Scully. I'd have talked Walter out of the whole ridiculous idea if his mother hadn't interfered."
"Mulder, his mother's dead . . . are you saying that her ghost told you to have his baby or else?" She gave him her patented look of disbelief that she had used countless times over their years together.
"Aleksandra, didn't issue an or else, but she did sway me. When I was talking to her I felt a real sense of love and belonging. She said she'd try to protect my children. When Walter asked me . . . I was unable to tell him anything but yes."
"What process was he suggesting you use?"
"Scully, I'm not sure. He mentioned the kid would have both of our traits, so I'd guess splicing our DNA together and producing a high-breed clone. Or genetically altering one of our sperm with DNA from the other and in vitro fertilizing one of the stolen ovum that the government is using in their new procreation clinics." Mulder quickly clamped his mouth shut as he realized he had inadvertently put his foot in it.
"I'm sorry, Scully, that was really insensitive of me."
"Mulder, it's not your fault. You didn't violate my body and steal my ova." She sighed, it was a whole new world and she was going to have to get used to it.
"Mulder, do you think there's a chance that you may be able to use mine? I'd be honored if you did." Scully liked the idea, if someone should benefit from her lost it would be nice if it were Mulder.
"I'd like that . . . I'll talk to Walter and see what process he was considering."
"You know, Mulder, it's weird, after fighting those bastards for all these years you're going to benefit from one of their illegal projects. It seems like justice in a way."
"It feels dirty to me . . . just having anything to do with any of their projects. Damnit, Scully, just the thought makes me sick."
"Get over it, Mulder! We won and to the victor goes the spoils, why shouldn't you benefit. What about Alex . . . are you planning on starting a family with him, too?"
"Alex . . . no . . . he'd never want to have children, he's too independent -- he'd feel tied down." Mulder was too busy looking at Matthew's sleeping face -- he didn't notice the look of disbelief that crossed Scully's face. She had seen how Krycek was around Matthew and had a hard time believing that he wouldn't want children, especially if Skinner was having one with Mulder.
"Mulder, Charlie has found us a place to live in Canada. Canada has just reopened its airspace to foreign flights and Bill was able to make us reservations on a flight going to Toronto. We'll be leaving on Wednesday," Scully told him sadly.
"Scully, I don't think it's safe for you to travel alone with only your brother. Alex was able to shield your true identity from any clairvoyant or sorcerer that was in the area. If it's okay with you, I'd feel better if Alex went with you to Canada until you get settled in. He could check the area that Charlie found and make sure there's not a threat to your safety nearby."
"Thanks, Mulder, I'd appreciate that . . . if Alex wouldn't mind."
"No, he likes you. He'd be just as concerned about your safety as I am. I better go check with Walter, he was talking to the military about our flight out of here." Mulder gently handed Matthew over to her. He stood up, stretched, and headed out the door. Scully watched him sadly; they'd had such a short time together. She hoped that one day they could be together as partners again.
***
Mulder headed down the hall, he knew Skinner was in the library making phone calls. Before going down to talk to him, he decided to find Alex and ask him to accompany the Scullys on Wednesday. The agent headed into the large master bedroom and found Krycek standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom.
The younger man was turning his head in different directions and running his hand over his short-cropped hair.
"Alex, what are you doing?"
"Trying to imagine myself bald. You know, it's inevitable," he sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"Skinner . . . our mother's father was bald, Skinner said he started losing his hair in his thirties."
"Alex, you're not going to lose your hair. You can't." Mulder smiled, wondering when Alex was going to realize how stupid he was acting.
"Fox, I don't understand, what do you mean, I can't."
"You've told me yourself that you're immortal . . . if that's true, then you have stopped aging. So . . . you are always going to be as you are now." Mulder reached out and ran his hand affectionately over Krycek's head. "Besides, Walter was just yanking your chain . . . he told me he started to losing his hair when he was in his early twenties. By the way, you never told me how you know you're immortal."
"Oh, that's right, I can't believe I've forgotten," Krycek grinned sheepishly. "When I was working undercover for the consortium, I found out they had retrieved a sample of the alien virus from a crashed UFO in the early fifties. They tested it on a small town of two hundred people in a remote area of Alaska. All the women and girls died and most of the men had remained unaffected. However, thirty of the men mutated. Twenty into the n'thrals, six into ghouls, three into clairvoyants, and one sorcerer." Krycek took a breath and looked at Fox.
"Alex, we found the consortium's documents about that town, but most of the papers had been destroyed. There was no information on the man with the sorcerer mutation. They used the surviving men and boys in countless experiments." Mulder shivered at the thought of what they had done to those men. "The documents said that six of the boys turned into mutants once they reached puberty."
"Yeah, four more n'thrals and two more ghouls. The consortium was working on a way to determine what caused the alien virus to produce the different mutations and why some men were immune to it altogether." Krycek looked at Mulder with concern. "Your strain of mutation never occurred in any of their test subjects."
"You seem worried, Alex."
"I am . . . Fox, you saw yourself that the consortium is still active. Even in hiding they are still experimenting on helpless victims. Fox, you would be a prime target for their experiments. I checked with some of my remaining contacts in the UN and four of the men known to have your type of the mutation are missing."
"You think they were kidnaped by the consortium?"
"Yes, like you, most of them had been under tight protection from their governments. The immortal abducted in England had his guards murdered it was the same with the immortal from Japan and Australia. The immortal from Egypt just disappeared from his apartment -- no one heard or saw anything."
"I should consider myself lucky that I have you and Walter to protect me. Not to mention scores of FBI agents," Mulder replied.
Krycek wrapped his arms around Mulder's slim waist pulling him into a quick hug and a kiss. "If those bastards get within a mile of you, my love, I'll flame their asses."
"Thanks, Alex. You were going to tell me about how you know your immortal?"
"That sorcerer from the town in Alaska, where they tested the virus in 1955, he never aged. They finally killed him during one of their experiments in 1989. Fifty-six years old and he still looked like he was Twenty-two. How do you think the government got access so quickly to a device that dampens a sorcerer's powers?"
"I was wondering about that. The government's been trying to make them wear the devices around their ankles and they've placed anyone with the sorcerer mutation into custody. Frohike said that the ACLU has gotten them released in the past two weeks on grounds that it is unconstitutional. Walter and I had been worried that he might have been forcefully detained. Hey, that means that Skinner's an immortal, too." Mulder grinned, realizing his good fortune; the two men that he loved were always going to be there with him.
"Yeah, I guess you're stuck with both of us forever."
"Alex, how was that sorcerer killed?"
"The bastards shot him as he was trying to escape."
"You mean that gunshot wounds can kill you? I thought by healing you I was only helping you to recover faster. You mean you would have really died?"
"Fox, unlike you, our immortality is mainly against aging, we can still be killed in the conventional sense. If you hadn't been there to heal me and bring me back, I would have remained dead."
"Then there is always the possibility that I can lose you forever," Mulder sighed sadly.
"Fox, if I wasn't so careless I never would have gotten shot. I promise for your sake that I'll be more alert from now on."
Mulder smiled, relieved and ran his hands up under Krycek's shirt and rubbed his thumbs over of the younger man's nipples. "I have a favor to ask you, Alex."
"Mm, what?" Krycek leaned into his warm caress.
"Can you escort the Scullys to Canada on Wednesday? The thought of them making the trip unprotected has me worried." Mulder pressed his lips over of Krycek's ear and traced the shape with his tongue.
"Yeah, I agree, it's not wise for them to go alone. Let me arrange with Boris to close up the apartment. When are you leaving with Walter?" Krycek had his fingers laced through Mulder's hair as the agent licked the inside of his ear.
Mulder broke away briefly and whispered his response into the triple agent's ear. "Don't know . . . I was heading downstairs to ask," he murmured breathlessly, rubbing his hard erection against Krycek's even harder one. "Bed?"
Both men started stripping each other's clothes off as they hurried out of the bathroom in the direction of the bed. They fell on it naked, locked in each other arms. Their aroused bodies grinding together as they explored licked, sucked, and kissed every inch of each other. Mulder pulled back, reaching under the pillow he pulled out the tube of lubricant. He quickly and thoroughly prepared his lover and plunged into his tight heat.
Krycek shifted his legs over Mulder's shoulders pushing up to open himself wider to each welcome thrust from the agent's large cock. "Harder!" he gasped.
Mulder drilled in forcefully, he enjoyed being in control of the other man's pleasure. He grunted each time he drove his cock home, he was still amazed at how tight and hot Krycek was it was so different than the sex he had had with countless women.
All too soon both men's orgasms hit simultaneously. Mulder grunted one last time and fell exhausted over Krycek's trembling, sweaty body. "Fuck . . . nothing like quick, hard sex in the afternoon," he murmured into the younger man's smooth chest.
Krycek was smoothing his hand over Mulder's damp hair. "Yeah . . . shower?"
"Sure . . . give me a second."
***
Downstairs, Skinner had just finished making all the arrangements. They would leave here Wednesday afternoon with the families of the FSB men who had helped to rescue Fox. The U.S. Air Force was sending a large passenger plane and a cargo plane to pickup the Russians and their possessions. He had talked to Anton; his men had already started packing, going about it as quietly as possible. The permission for the U.S. Air Force planes to land was received through Krycek's contacts. No one in the government knew that it was landing to assist some of its citizens in leaving.
Skinner stood up and stretched, he had spent the last three hours on the phone. He wondered what Mulder was doing and reached out his mind trying to track him down. He blushed when he stumbled across Fox having sex with Krycek. He pulled his mind away quickly, but to his surprise he didn't feel jealous.
After their discussion this morning and Mulder's promise to have a child with him, he felt a warm sense of contentment and was looking forward to the future. The only thing that still bothered him was that Fox hadn't told him what he intended for living arrangements.
Skinner wandered into the parlor and stood in front of the fireplace. He enjoyed looking up at the portrait of his mother. She looked just as he had remembered her from his childhood. He briefly thought about asking Krycek for it, but he knew from the way his younger brother looked at it, that it was one of his most valued possessions.
He hadn't realized how long he stood there staring up at her portrait lost in thought until a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, a firm chest pressed against his back, and a soft kiss was placed on his cheek. He felt the dampness of Mulder's hair against the side of his face it was still wet from the shower he shared with Krycek.
"Have I mentioned lately how much I love you, Walter?"
"Mm, not within the past few hours." Skinner leaned back in his embrace enjoying the warmth and the clean smell of the agent's freshly showered skin.
"I love you, Walter. Did you finish making arrangements? I'd like to get out of this country as soon as possible."
Skinner felt the shiver of fear race through the agent's body. Mulder would never admit it out loud, but he was deathly afraid of falling back into Nikolai Slava's hands. "Don't worry, I won't let him get his hands on you again, Fox. You're safe here with me."
"Walter, not that I'm questioning your abilities . . . I'd still feel better when I have an ocean between me and Slava." Mulder pulled away. "I have to start helping Frohike prepare dinner."
"I'll keep you company, Fox." He circled his arm around the younger man's waist and accompanied him into the large kitchen.
Frohike and Mulder spent twenty minutes arguing over what to cook, before Skinner interrupted them, settling their disagreement. He didn't want to hurt the little man's feelings, but he really didn't like pigs knuckles.
Scully came downstairs to see if she could assist the two men, but thought better of it and instead joined Skinner at the large kitchen table to watch. They were soon joined by Krycek who poured them each a glass of wine leaving the carafe on the table. Boris and Yori showed up telling some off colored jokes in Russian that had Krycek and Skinner laughing and the Americans just staring at them without a clue.
Boris pulled out a bottle of vodka that he shared with Yori.
Mulder had been surprised at the selection of food Krycek had in his kitchen. Boris had made sure it was well stocked before they had arrived. He had pulled out sixteen lamb chops; he planned on grilling them on the large stove top gas grill and he started to prepare smoked garlic sage sauce. Frohike was busying himself preparing vegetables for the grill: he had zucchini, peppers, eggplant, and large portabella mushrooms that he brushed with olive oil. They kept up a telepathic conversation as they cooked and worked around each other. Frohike confiscated half of the grill for his vegetables.
*So then Byers tells us we'd might as well go back to the hotel, because he wasn't budging until we convince him of Skinner's innocence.* Frohike informs Mulder who laughs out loud at the picture of Byers saying that to Assistant Director Skinner.
The people at the table stopped talking and looked over at them, wondering what was so funny. Frohike and Mulder ignored them and continued on with their silent conversation.
The savory smells of lamb being grilled wafted through the kitchen. Bill strolled in carrying a grumpy Matthew who had just woken up from his nap, the little boy calmed down as soon as he saw all the people laughing and talking. Bill sat down in the last empty chair at the table with Matthew in his lap.
Mulder transferred the crusty baked bread into a basket and brought it over to the table, placing it on the lazy Susan in the center of the large round table. He then walked back and turned the six lamb chops he was grilling. Frohike grabbed three plates and transferred a serving of the grilled vegetables into each, he passed the plates to Mulder who put two lamb chops a piece on them and spooned over some sauce. He then put six more lamb chops on the grill to cook and took the full plates over to the table, placing one each in front of Yori, Boris, and Dana. He smirked at the hungry looks that Walter and Alex shot him.
He walked back to the grill and turned the lamb chops, then went to the refrigerator to remove the special treat he made for Matthew, knowing the one-year old wouldn't appreciate lamb chops. He had prepared him a banana yogurt crunch, the agent brought it and a spoon over to Matthew, placing it in front of him and handing Bill the spoon.
*You should have seen how angry Walter was when we waited in Miami and it became clear that you weren't going to show up. I convinced him not to turn Byers into a toad,* Frohike said. Mulder chuckled at the image of a toad in a three-piece suit.
They prepared three more plates of food, which Mulder brought over to the table setting them in front of his lovers and Bill. The basket of bread was empty so he grabbed it and refilled it with the second loaf he left warming in the oven.
They transferred the remaining lamb chops vegetable onto their own plates. Frohike tucked a bottle of wine under his arm and the six people at the table watched at they walked out of the room, heading for the dining room. Mulder paused and shouted back, "There's a Coffee-Brandy cake for dessert in the refrigerator, help yourselves."
They set their plates down at the large dining room table and Frohike lit the candles. The little man had taken the time to set the table that sat ten, Mulder sat across from him, and Frohike opened and poured them each a glass of wine.
"Alone at last, honey," Frohike quipped.
They raised their glasses of wine and clicked them together. "You can say that again." They ate in peaceful silence, which was broken, when the fireplace lit by itself and soft music started playing on the stereo.
Mulder looked around and grinned, smelling Lily of the Valley Perfume. "Thanks, Aleksandra."
Frohike stared at him questioningly, until he heard the soft lilting voice. *You're welcome, precious. Please, call me mom.*
"Cool, so you're in tight with your mother-in-law," Frohike smirked.
"Hey, show some respect. I'm living with her sons and she's going to become a grandmother shortly."
"Do her sons know that you've been talking to her?" Frohike wasn't aware that Walter and Alex had walked into the dining room just as he was asking the question.
"Thanks a lot, Frohike," Mulder moaned.
Walter carried a tray of desserts and Krycek followed carrying their wineglasses and a new carafe of Merlot. They sat down on either side of Mulder, staring questioningly at him. Mulder concentrated on finishing his meal, feeling uncomfortable under his lovers' questioning looks. They waited for him to finish, sipping their wine patiently.
Frohike watched them, fascinated by their unspoken words. Mulder finished his glass of wine, and before Alex or Walter could refill it, the wine bottle in front of Frohike lifted up and its contents poured into the agent's glass filling it to the brim.
"Thanks, Mom," Mulder said, as he cautiously picked up the overly full glass of wine, sipping it trying not to spill any.
*You're welcome, precious.* Aleksandra lilting voice surprised Walter and Alex.
"Mom?" they both asked simultaneously.
After they received no answer, they looked pleadingly at Mulder. "She's gone . . . it's hard for her to communicate for too long on this plane," he informed them.
"How long have you been having these casual conversations with our mother, Fox?" Skinner asked him.
"Only since this morning . . . she wanted me know how important it was to agree to have a child with you." Mulder looked at his hands, he probably should have mentioned it earlier, but he was afraid Walter would not believe him.
"And you waited until now to tell me?"
"Walter, I'm sorry, I was afraid you wouldn't believe me," Mulder sighed, pushing himself away from the table in an attempt to leave. Both men grabbed his arms and bringing him back into his chair.
"Fox, Walter believed me when I told him about her communicating with me. He would have believed you, please don't keep secrets from us," Krycek murmured soothingly.
"Alex is right, Fox, but what I don't understand is even if you thought I wouldn't believed you . . . it never prevented you from telling me things in the past."
Mulder gaped at them. They were double-teaming him -- this wasn't what he had in mind when he thought of sharing. When did he lose control?
"I'm sorry, Walter, it won't happen again. Alex, I wasn't aware that your mother spoke to you . . . what did she say?"
"It was after Slava kidnaped you, she told me to find my brother."
"Oh, that's how you and Walter found out about each other."
"Yeah, but she hasn't spoken to me since. Why is she talking to you?" There was a hint of envy behind Krycek's voice.
"I don't know, Alex. She said she wanted me to take care of you and Walter. Maybe she was checking me out to make sure I was good enough for you."
"What exactly did she say to you, Fox?" Skinner leaned forward so he could look into his lover's eyes.
"That she wanted me to agree to have a child with you . . . that our child was destined to change the world. Your mother wants you to be happy, Walter. We really didn't have that lengthy of a conversation." Mulder reached for his glass of wine.
"What did she mean by that comment about our child?" Skinner asked.
"Maybe your son will discover a vaccine against the alien virus." Krycek volunteered. Downing his glass of wine, he reached for a piece of cake from the tray Skinner had set down.
"Maybe he'll be the first president of the world." Skinner liked that idea -- his son a leader of men.
"I've always hated those vague prophecies -- it could mean almost anything," Mulder complained.
Frohike looked admiringly at the three men as the answer they were seeking sprang into his head. He had hated these brief glimpses of the future he received, they usually never told him anything of importance. Normally they only frighten him with their vagueness, until now. He decided to keep this jewel of information to himself. He didn't want to spoil the surprise, they would find out soon enough anyway.
The little man helped himself to a piece of cake off the tray, humming happily to himself. Byers and Langly were going to love hearing about this.
Mulder looked over at his friend, he knew something was up, Frohike had a look of mischief on his face. "Okay, Frohike, spill it!"
"Spill what, Mulder?"
"Frohike, I've known you for almost ten years and I can tell when you're hiding something."
"I was only thinking what a cute threesome you guys make. So, does this sharing include a ménage à trois?" Frohike leered, taking a forkful of cake.
Krycek and Skinner glared at him while Mulder seriously considered that picture, smiling -- they'd never go for it.
They left Frohike alone after that . . . not wanting to hear anymore thoughtful suggestions from the little pervert.
***
St. Petersburg - Airport
Wednesday, January 6
4:00 p.m.Krycek watched Mulder's plane vanish into the horizon. He was standing next to Dana and Bill. Dana put a comforting hand on his arm. "Don't worry, Alex, Skinner will protect him. Not to mention all of those FSB agents on the plane, he'll be fine."
"We're talking about Fox Mulder, Dana, when has he ever been able to stay out of trouble?"
"You have a point, but as long as Skinner's with him I wouldn't worry."
Boris walked up to them. "Everything is taken care of at your apartment, Alexei. I've made arrangement's to ship those items we discussed to your temporary address in D.C."
"Thank you, Boris. Are you sure you're going to be okay here?"
"Alexei, this is my home . . . I was born here and I will die here."
They embraced and said their farewells as the boarding for their flight was announced.
***
Moscow
Thursday, January 7
8:00 a.m.Captain Mikhin sat behind the small steel desk in his cluttered office. Nikolai Slava hadn't woken up from his coma, yet. The captain thought angrily, dreaming of the type of revenge he would like to take against that exotic creature that had injured his Tsar.
There was a knock on his door. "Enter."
"Captain, I've been able to track down the Tsar's slave and that mysterious sorcerer." Fedor Tammo announced breathlessly after running up the six flights of stairs to get there.
"Good work, comrade! Where is he?"
"In Washington, D.C., the sorcerer who stole him from us is a very powerful man in the United States. He is an Assistant Director of their FBI, his name is Walter Skinner."
"It won't be easy to retrieve the Tsar's pet for him. I'll go to America to personally oversee his capture."
"There's more, Captain. Alexei Krycek isn't dead. He was spotted at the airport yesterday, accompanying a man and his sons to Toronto, Canada. I had a clairvoyant in our Canadian syndicate meet the plane. He followed them to a large farm forty miles from the city."
"Perfect . . . have the private jet readied, I want to leave within the hour for Toronto. Have our Canadian operative meet my flight. I have a special surprise planned for Alexei Krycek, he will make the perfect bait to lure the Tsar's pet out into the open."
Fedor hurried out to arrange the flight. He knew that if the plane wasn't ready when the massive n'thral captain arrived at the airport, he would be held responsible.
Mikhin opened his desk drawer, pulling out a heavy steel cuff. It was a stolen American device they used to control sorcerers. He set it on the desk, then pulled out a large steel case, lifting the lid to check on its contents, counting a dozen syringes and twenty-four vials of heroin. Yes, he was going to have a lot of fun with Alexei Krycek.
***