Life from the Ashes Book 3
SBS

by Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net

Rating: NC-17

M/Sk/K Slash

Disclaimer: The X-Files characters Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Alex Krycek, Walter Skinner, Jeffrey Spender, CSM, WMM, the Lone Gunmen, Kimberly Cook, Senator Matheson, Bill Scully, Tom Colton, the morph etc. are the property Chris Carter, 1013 productions and Fox Broadcasting. All other characters in the series are mine.

Summary: This is an Alternative Universe Story. It takes place after an alien virus has killed off most of the world's females and caused mutations in forty-five percent of the remaining males.

Authors Notes: This is the third book in my AU series "Life from the Ashes - SBS." You might want to read the prequel and first two books of the series to understand this one.

I would like to thank my beta-readers Laurie, BRS, and Kiyoko for all their hard work and patience in editing this story and plot suggestions.

Feedback is always welcome. Any constructive suggestions are appreciated.

WARNING! This story contains explicit Sex/Romance between two or more men. Turn back now, if the subject matter offends you.

WARNING! This story contains a violent rape scene.

Okay to Archive: please ask first.

***

Chapter 1
Miami

Foxfire Glenn Estate
Thursday, January 6
9:30 p.m.

The flames dancing in the fireplace illuminated the two men coupling in front of it, casting their long entwined shadows onto the walls and ceiling. Bathed in golden firelight Walter Skinner's body glistened with sweat, he grunted loudly each time that his lover slammed into him. Having Mulder's cock buried deeply inside him made him feel blissfully full. It was exquisite. He couldn't believe that he had denied himself this pleasure for so long. His legs slid off Mulder's shoulders, and wrapped around the younger man's waist, pulling him in deeper with each thrust.

"That's it, Walter, come for me," Mulder murmured, his hand flying smoothly over Skinner's swollen organ, squeezing and caressing it.

Skinner arched his back, slamming up harder on the stiff rod impaling him, crying out as his seed shot out of him. "Damn! Oh god, oh god," he gasped breathlessly.

Mulder continued thrusting against the constricting sphincter muscle as Skinner's damp heat spread between their bodies. One final thrust and he was joining his lover in ecstasy, collapsing on the larger man's chest, still buried deeply within him. Mulder rested his head against Skinner's chest, smiling softly as his lover's hand rubbed soothing circles on his back. With a sigh, he slipped out and crawled up the larger man's body. Capturing Skinner's face between his hands, he stared lovingly down into his warm brown eyes, which were filled with love for him alone.

"Sometimes I miss having you all to myself, Walter," he purred, kissing pliant, enthusiastic lips, caressing Skinner's scalp, thumbs stroking around each ear.

Skinner sucked Mulder's tongue into his mouth; he couldn't get enough of how Mulder tasted or of having his warm, pleasant smelling body wrapped tightly around his own. He squeezed his younger lover tighter against his chest, nuzzling against his neck, licking and tasting the salty sweat. "Are you proposing going back to two bedrooms?" Skinner asked, his hands caressing down Mulder's long back then cupping and caressing his ass.

"Never," Mulder chuckled, stealing a quick kiss. "I like being sandwiched between both of your bodies, but it does make the few times that we're all by ourselves even more pleasurable."

Skinner gazed up into his beautiful hazel eyes, seeing the emotional pain that his lover was trying to conceal from him. "Fox, how are you feeling?"

"Anxious and scared," he replied honestly, rolling off the larger man and snuggling against his chest, he relished the warmth coming from the fireplace on his back.

"Don't worry, Fox, I won't touch you until you're ready. I have the sedatives, just tell me when you need them," Skinner murmured, kissing the top of the silky head that was tucked under his chin.

"I know you wouldn't, Walter, it's my own self-control that worries me," he sighed. "Justin and the others seem to be taking their pregnancies in stride, except that incident over the beer . . . I was sure Justin was going to deck you," Mulder snickered.

"I'm just trying to look out for his unborn child, he should have known better than to try to sneak a beer in his condition," the older man grumbled.

"Walter Skinner, defender of innocent life everywhere," Mulder quipped, feeling Skinner stiffen against him. "Sorry, Walter, I didn't mean to make light of the situation. You're welcome to your concerns, but Justin is a grown man and it's not your place to force him to comply with your rules or morals."

"Fox, what about the rights of his unborn child? I really hate seeing such thoughtless disregard for life. The sheer stupidity of the man surprised me! I thought he had more sense than that," Skinner complained.

"Walter, this isn't easy for Justin. Try putting yourself in his shoes for a change. He was a Texas Ranger for Gods sake! To go from that to being cloistered here, then evolving finally into a hermaphrodite, and to top it all off by becoming pregnant. That is just one too many changes for any one man to have to deal with!"

"That's no excuse for drinking during pregnancy," Skinner growled.

"Walter, you know I love you, but sometimes you can be so pigheaded," Mulder muttered against his chest, playfully nipping the large man's nipple.

"Takes one to know one," the larger man chuckled, swatting Mulder on the ass then massaging the cheek.

"Fox, do you think it would be okay if I made love to you through your navel? You still have a day before your cycle begins," he asked softly as his cock swelled at the thought.

"No way, Walter, I don't want to chance going nine months without a beer, that would be too hard," Mulder smiled.

"Brat," Skinner grumbled, hugging him closer.

"Love you," Mulder mumbled tiredly, closing his eyes he snuggled deeper into Skinner's arms.

"Love you, too, babe," Skinner whispered, listening to his lover's breathing even out as he fell asleep.

***

Miami
Saturday, January 8
10:30 a.m.

"Walter, how's Fox doing?" Krycek asked, pacing around the waiting room in a Miami hospital.

"Fox has opted to be sedated again. Alex, how's the case going?" Skinner asked.

"We're making slow progress. I just wish Fox were here, I really could use his intuitive leaps right about now," he murmured.

"Alex, when Fox is through with this cycle he'll be heading down to join the investigation. He felt really bad that he couldn't go with you when you left, but he has been keeping up with all of the reports and evidence you've gathered down there. How's everything else going?"

"Walter, I've stumbled upon something interesting while I've been down here, which I'm checking out as we speak. It seems that a large number of sorcerers living in the area have started falling into comas over the last four days. The doctors have no idea why," Krycek informed him.

"What's your feeling, Alex? Do you think a rival sorcerer could be responsible?" Skinner inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"I don't think so; all the men's backgrounds are completely different. Besides, it would take someone with tremendous power to strike down this many sorcerers and keep them in a coma." Krycek glanced over at the emergency room doors as a gurney was wheeled out with a still figure on it. "Gotta go, Walter, kiss the girls and Fox for me," he said, disconnecting and pocketing the cell-phone. He chased after the doctor who was accompanying the gurney down the hallway.

"Doctor Peterson, how is he?" Krycek asked, catching up, he looked down at the handsome man lying unconscious on the gurney.

Doctor Peterson's brother was the city's coroner and he was the one who had steered Krycek toward this mysterious case.

"Agent Krycek, he's comatose, exactly like the other twenty-five men brought in here. His companion stated that he was fine one minute then he just seemed to fall asleep, when he couldn't wake him he called for an ambulance," the doctor replied. "I sent a complete medical workup on each of the stricken men to the CDC, I think we may have a new epidemic on our hands."

"Doctor, do you think it might spread beyond this area?" Krycek asked, nervously.

"Agent Krycek, we first have to determine just what we're dealing with here," the doctor replied. "I'm hoping to get the results back from the CDC immediately. Is Agent Mulder going to be coming down to Miami?" the doctor asked.

"Why do you want to know?" Krycek asked hesitantly.

"I was wondering if he could attempt to heal one of the men," Peterson replied. The large room he led Krycek into had ten beds, each bed had a man sleeping in it, next to each bed were monitors recording their vitals. The men were all very good looking and totally still, the only movement was the rise and fall of their chests. They appeared to be sleeping.

"You'll have to ask him when he gets here, but it won't be for at least three days," Krycek replied gruffly. He hated it every time Mulder was asked to perform a healing; it always left his lover bedridden afterward, anywhere from hours to days depending on the severity of the patient.

The immortals' ability to heal had become public knowledge a month earlier much to the displeasure of the residents of Foxfire Glenn Estate. They received daily pleas from people desperate for cures to theirs or their family's illnesses. As much as Mulder and the others wanted to help they couldn't physically handle the sheer volume of the requests, and they finally agreed to each heal one person a month. To remove any guilt from the selection process the government had set up a lottery and only the most terminally ill patients were placed in it.

"Doctor, did you find any type of injury on them? Maybe a bite mark or needle mark?" Krycek inquired.

"No, nothing. We did a thorough search of their bodies and a complete toxicology on each victim. Since each man is a mutant it's hard for me to make a proper diagnosis, I'm depending on the CDC's experts to do that."

"Doctor, can you keep me updated?" Krycek asked, handing the doctor his business card.

"Sure, Agent Krycek," Peterson replied, pocketing the card and watching the agent as he left the room.

***

Foxfire Glenn Estate
Wednesday, January 12
11:50 a.m.

Rory MacIver carried a tray down through the dimly lit hallway on the lowest level of the mansion. The floor and walls were stone; it reminded the Scotsman of an ancient castle. The hallway was just past the wine cellar, the rooms that were off it were primarily used for storage, but Mulder and Shinji had turned one of the rooms into a laboratory.

"Shin, I brought you your lunch," MacIver replied. As he entered the lab, he carried the tray over to Takeda's small desk that was up against the far wall, well away from the lab table with its beakers, test tubes, Bunsen burners, and chemicals.

"Thanks," Takeda mumbled quietly, not looking up from what he was doing. He was wearing goggles and gloves, bending over the lab table as he adjusted the valve on a tube that was tripping into a beaker.

"How's it going, Shin?" the Scotsman asked, as he transferred the items from the tray onto the desk.

"Fine," he murmured still not looking up.

"Food's going to get cold."

"Mm."

"Shin, come and eat," MacIver commanded forcefully.

"Rory." Takeda looked up startled. "Sorry," he murmured, setting aside what he was working on he peeled off his gloves and removed his goggles.

"I'm going to have a drug ready to test on Duffy by this afternoon, we can drive to his home tomorrow and test it," Takeda said. Stepping over to his desk he kissed his lover on the cheek then sat at the desk and hungrily dug into the soup and sandwich his lover had made him.

"You are not going anywhere, my love," MacIver informed him. "I'll take Jeff with me, he's an attractive man, if your drug works Duffy shouldn't be sexually aroused by him."

"I'm the scientist, I need to be there to monitor the results of the test," Takeda huffed.

"Shin, not when you're pregnant with our son, I'll allow you to go as long as he stays safely here," the Scottish sorcerer offered.

Takeda glared up at him. "God, Rory, you're as bad as Walter!" the Japanese immortal grumbled.

"I'm not that bad! Haven't I allowed you to have an occasional ale?" he replied, kneeling down next to the desk he placed a hand over his lover's belly.

"Poor Mulder, I can only imagine what a hard time he'll have if he ever does decide to have Walter's child," Takeda sighed, resting a hand over MacIver's on his belly.

"Shin, when do you suppose you're going to start showing?" the Scotsman asked, gently massaging the younger man's stomach.

"It's only been five weeks, Rory, give it time," he admonished. "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"

"I'm leaving with Jeff at nine o'clock, and I expect you to sleep in. Shin, you've been working too many long hours over the past week, it's not healthy," MacIver complained.

"Okay, old man, let's compromise. If I stay here, then I want you to take Kyle Pendrell with you. He'll be able to monitor how Duffy reacts to the drug, and if anything goes wrong he can render emergency medical aid."

"Okay, deal. Can you call him, and have him out to the estate by 8:30 tomorrow morning?"

"Sure, I'll call him now," Takeda said, looking wistfully at his empty plate, he glanced over at his lover. "Rory, do you suppose you could fix me another sandwich?"

"You're still hungry?"

"Yeah, but this time can you make me a peanut butter, potato chip, and banana sandwich?"

"Mm . . . that sounds interesting, I think I'll fix myself one, too," MacIver said, standing and heading for the door.

Takeda smiled softly at his retreating back and reached for the telephone on the desk to call Doctor Pendrell.

***

Miami Airport
Wednesday, January 12
6:30 p.m.

Krycek smiled broadly as Mulder stepped through the gate surrounded by Agents Johnson, Austin, and Jones. The sorcerers and clairvoyant had become Mulder's personal security detail anytime he went out into the field.

"Fox, how are you feeling?" Krycek asked, warmly hugging his partner and lover, they exchanged a lingering kiss that promised more for later.

"I'm fine, Alex," he replied as they headed down to the baggage claim area. "I've compiled a profile, which narrows your list of possible suspects down by eighty-five percent. The man is definitely a clairvoyant; he's between the ages thirty-five and forty-five with peppered brown hair, and he owns an auto body repair shop. He's been playing off people's hatred and fear of n'thrals by trying to shift the blame solely on them. While an n'thral is physically strong enough to rip a man's head off, there would tend to be some variation to the wound. All ten victims had identical wounds right down to their collarbones being broken, which was a clear indication that something mechanical had been used to remove their heads. Also the heads were pulled straight off, not twisted, most n'thrals aren't strong enough to accomplish that." Mulder brushed off his lover's attempts to take his suitcases as they made their way out of the airport.

"Fox, what about the semen and the damage done to their rectums and bowels. The semen was from three n'thrals not a clairvoyant. In addition, how do you determine the man is a clairvoyant and not a human? You're right about the perp's connection to an auto body shop, but I fail to see how you came by the assumption that he was the owner. The analysis we've done showed traces of metal shavings, paint chips, and motor-oil found on each victim, the paint chips were from a Ford, Toyota, and Chrysler we haven't pinpointed the exact model or year of each vehicle, yet."

"Alex, it's my gut instinct that tells me the man is a clairvoyant. N'thrals are involved, but they aren't directly responsible for the victims' deaths, although three of the victims would have died eventually from the damage done to their bowels if they hadn't been decapitated first. I think the perp gets off sexually by watching as n'thrals rape his victims. After the victim is damaged, the thrill is gone, so the perp kills his victim making it look like it was done by an n'thral did it. All of the victims are held, molested, and killed at the perp's auto body shop, he'd have to be the owner to do that. We need to check all of the auto body shops in the area and look for ones that only employee n'thrals," Mulder replied, climbing into the backseat of the rental between Krycek and Johnson.

"So, you think the owner is abducting these men for his employees to rape?" Krycek asked.

"Yeah, it gives a whole new meaning to an employee benefits package," Mulder quipped. He leaned over Krycek so he could see out the car window as they rode toward their hotel. The sandy beaches looked so inviting, it'd been years since he had gone swimming in the ocean or sunbathed on a public beach. "It's pretty here, it sure beats D.C. in January," he sighed wistfully.

"Did you bring your swimsuit?" Krycek asked, noticing his lover's wistful look.

"No, it wouldn't be smart," Mulder replied, sitting back against the car seat.

"You've been around Walter too long, Fox, he's starting to rub off on you. C'mon, let's live dangerously. I'll swing by a clothing store tomorrow and pick you up a Speedo. As soon as we wrap this case up, we'll spend a day on the beach. I'm sure the guys wouldn't mind. Would you, guys?" Krycek asked the other agents.

Dakota Jones turned around in the front seat looking back at Lars Johnson. "I don't know . . . what do you think, Lars, Jared, a day of sun and fun on the beach or flying straight back to D.C.?" he asked.

"Tough choice, we'd have to spend the day looking at Mulder in a Speedo. Oh, the sacrifices we have to make for the job," Austin quipped.

"Hey, if you want to live really dangerously, we could skip the swimsuits and go to a nude beach," Johnson offered.

Mulder level him with a cold stare. "I don't think so. Alex, I don't want a Speedo, instead pick me up a pair of swim trunks. On second thought, I'll go with you and pick out my own swimsuit," he replied as they pulled into the hotel's parking lot.

Krycek gave him a sly look as he climbed out of the car. "Fox, whatever you want is fine with me. C'mon, let's get your bags up to the room, I have a surprise for you."

"What?" Mulder asked, following Krycek into the lobby they stopped at the front desk so the other agents could pick up their passkeys.

"You'll see. Guys, Fox and I are going to be eating in our room tonight, we'll meet you down here for breakfast at 7:30 tomorrow morning before we head out to the field office." Krycek took the carry-on and laptop, grabbed Mulder's hand and pulled him toward the elevator.

A man was just leaving their hotel room as Mulder and Krycek reached it.

"Is everything all set?" Krycek asked, handing the man a ten-dollar tip.

"Everything is just as you requested," the man replied, staring appreciatively at Mulder.

Mulder stepped by him and entered the room. There was a table covered in white linen with a short bouquet of flowers and two lit candlesticks in the center. Two silver lids covered the plates at each place setting, and a breadbasket was off to the side. Soft music was playing on the radio. He glanced around the rest of the suite, looking into the bedroom a grin lit up his face upon seeing the heart-shaped bed. "Alex, the honeymoon suite? I thought we settled on Las Vegas."

Krycek walked over to the table and took the opened bottle of wine out of the ice bucket. "Consider this a practice honeymoon," he replied, filling the two wineglasses on the table.

Mulder came over and lifted the lid off the plate. "Mm, seafood stew," he murmured, breathing in deeply he could easily make out the aromas of garlic and white wine that were part of the broth.

"I thought something light tonight would be best, we can have a large breakfast tomorrow," Krycek replied, handing Mulder a glass of wine.

"Because you want us to be wide awake to make love all night," Mulder said, smiling saucily at him.

"Am I that transparent?"

"Yes."

"Fox, it's been almost five days, and you know how much I miss you when we're apart," Krycek answered, leaning across the table he kissed Mulder. "Let's eat; I'm dying to move on to dessert."

"Alex, I missed you, too." Mulder sat and picked up his spoon, digging a mussel out of its shell, he savored its flavor. He then reached for a chunk of crusty bread to sop up the broth.

"What?" Krycek asked, noticing a smile spreading across Mulder's face.

"I was just thinking. Walter is becoming less controlling, last night he was so romantic he even asked me to top him twice. I think our sessions with Doctor Vettelman have really helped."

"Yeah, we're both beginning to realize how we've been treating you, and we're sorry. Mostly we did it out of fear for your safety, but I'll admit that some of it was due to us being physically stronger to you."

"Alex, at least you and I have always been equals in bed, Walter had always wanted to be in control," Mulder sighed.

Krycek chuckled. "Fox, you've always been in control during sex even when Walter was topping you, he was always at your mercy. You *permitted* him in your bed, and you *allowed* him to receive pleasure from your body. We're both helpless where you're concerned, with just one word *no* you can crush both of our hearts."

"Alex, you could do the same to me," Mulder countered.

"No, I sure as hell couldn't! It's impossible for me to ever turn you down during sex and you know it, Fox," Krycek grumbled.

Mulder glanced up at him through thick lashes with minx of a smile on his full lips. "So you're saying I'm in control?"

"Always, Fox," Krycek sighed.

Mulder put his napkin down, stood, and walked around to Krycek's side of the table, he leaned down and passionately kissed his lover. "No, we both are. Alex, I love you with all of my heart and I could never tell you *no*, ever." A reflective look crossed Mulder's features. "That is, of course, unless it involves me ending up pregnant."

"You've already promised Walter that he'd get to be first if you ever changed your mind," Krycek replied bitterly, holding Mulder's hand.

"I'm sorry, Alex, we should have discussed it first, but it was Christmas. Walter wanted a son so badly, I just wanted to make him happy," Mulder murmured, squeezing the younger man's hand.

Krycek pulled his hand free and wrapped both arms around Mulder's waist, resting his head on his lover's stomach. "Fox, sometimes I think that you love him more. It's not that I'm jealous of Walter . . . I love him too, but I would like to be first in your thoughts for once."

Alex's response shocked Mulder. "Alex, you know I love you, how can you say that? I admit that after you took me away, told me he was dead, and I found out he wasn't I wanted to return to him. Nevertheless, I wouldn't be with you now if I didn't love you so incredibly. Your brother is needier than you, he needs constant reminders of my love, but that doesn't mean that I don't love you equally!"

"I know that, Fox. It's just that sometimes I feel a little insecure, too."

"I'm sorry, Alex, I didn't realize that. I promise in the future that I'll stop and think first," Mulder soothed, raking his fingers through Krycek's thick hair.

Krycek leaned back and smiled up at him. "Thanks . . . c'mon, let's finish eating, I have another surprise for you in the bathroom."

"More surprises, you're spoiling me," Mulder purred, kissing him hotly before returning to his seat.

"How's Faith doing?" Krycek asked.

"She's getting into everything . . . I allowed her to crawl around the kitchen and the second I wasn't watching she's racing for the back staircase. We're going to our hands full when she starts walking. Well, at least Hope is easy to take care of."

"Faith's not that difficult she's just curious and inquisitive."

"Like I said, we're going to have our hands full! I bet when she's older that she'll figure out how much faster sliding down the banister is to get downstairs," Mulder replied.

"Nah, she'll figure out that it's even faster to tie a rope from the balcony and rappel down," Krycek chuckled. "Fox, stop worrying everything is going to be fine."

"I can't help myself. What if she gets seriously hurt or killed because I wasn't watching her closely enough?" Mulder sighed, taking a sip of wine.

Krycek figured out what the real issue was. "Fox, you have to let go of the past, Samantha wasn't your fault, she was your father and mother's responsibility. Nothing you could have done would have prevented her from being abducted. You need to focus on the future. Faith isn't Samantha and you're not your father. Our family is going to be fine, we won't allow anything to happen to our children," he soothed.

Mulder gave him a weak smile. "Am I really that transparent?"

"Yeah, but it's one of the things I love about you. C'mon, I want to ravish you in the bathroom." Krycek stood offering Mulder his hand, and the two men walked arm-in-arm into the large bathroom.

Mulder started chuckling. "God, they even have a heart-shaped Jacuzzi bathtub."

The bathtub was already filled with fragrant hot water; lit candles were around it, and a bowl of strawberries soaking in champagne sat on the ledge.

"I'll admit it's tacky, but it's big enough for two, that's all that matters," Krycek replied, undoing Mulder's tie he let it drop to the floor.

Mulder started removing Krycek's clothing, kissing and licking the younger man's skin as he exposed it. He spent a couple minutes on each of his lover's nipples until they were hard little nubs and Krycek was squirming. They each quickly shed the rest of their clothing, pressing their bodies together in a long passionate kiss that left both men breathless.

Mulder ended the kiss first. "We'd better get in the tub before the water is too cold," he murmured.

"Don't worry, Fox, I'm using my powers to keep the water hot and the strawberries cold," he grinned.

"Have I ever mentioned how much I love being married to a sorcerer?" Mulder said, dragging his lover over to the bathtub. They stepped in and sank slowly into the almost too hot water. Mulder leaned up against the side and pulled Krycek into his lap.

"Nope, never. Why don't you show me," Krycek purred, turning so he was sitting sideways on Mulder's lap.

"I'd love to," Mulder replied, pulling the younger man's head down for another kiss. His tongue explored every nook and cranny, he moaned as Krycek sucked him in deeper. He pulled free and gazed longingly into his lover's green eyes.

"I really do miss you a lot when we're apart," he purred, kissing the top of Krycek's nose. He moved lower and sucked the sensitive skin at the nape of Krycek's neck. His hand found and stroked the younger man's cock until it was fully erect. "Turn around, I want you in me," he moaned.

Krycek quickly positioned himself until he was straddling Mulder's lap with his cock positioned against his lover's navel. "Are you sure, Fox? Your cycle only ended a day ago," he asked, looking into Mulder's aroused face for any doubt or hesitation.

"I'm sure. Let's live dangerously for a change," he said, repeating Krycek's earlier statement.

"Good." Krycek pushed in quickly with one powerful stroke; he had learned that if he wanted to get his entire length in, he couldn't go slowly. Mulder's internal muscles clenched too tightly around any object penetrating him, and getting any deeper was almost impossible once they started to constrict. He had made that mistake the second time he had sex with him and much to their disappointment he was only able to get half his cock in.

Krycek wrapped his arms around Mulder's body and held him close as his lover's internal muscles squeezed and jerked his cock in the most exquisite way.

Mulder again found himself back in the land of crystals and flowers.

"Xofox, my love, you have come back to me again," King Xowolfe said. He floated down to him, his large wings spread behind him as he landed. The King wanted to make love to this beautiful human, but he discovered the third time he had met the young man that Fox wasn't physically there, his hand passed through him when he attempted to hug him. Fox was solid enough that he could touch him as long as he didn't apply too much pressure.

"Why do you call me that?" Mulder asked, bewildered. He was beginning to think that this wasn't just a mere hallucination brought on by having sex through his new orifice. However, he wasn't really sure what it was or who this beautiful winged being was, so he hadn't told his lovers about it.

"It is your name when you become my life mate, which you are destined to be," Xowolfe replied lovingly.

Before Mulder could ask him what he meant, he was crashing back into his body as an earth shattering orgasm claimed him. He arched up crying out his nails digging into Krycek's back as his come shot beneath his lover's ass. He felt the warm heat of his lover's orgasm spurting into his body, causing a physical reaction of total peace and euphoria to spread through him. As final shudders passed through Krycek's muscular body and he slipped out collapsing into his lover's embrace, Mulder's hands smoothed over Krycek's back healing the wounds caused by his nails.

"God, Fox, I'll never get enough of you," he purred, cuddling closer he turned his head and kissed the smooth, wet shoulder he was resting on. He smiled as Mulder's hand combed through his hair and he felt the softness of his lips kissing the top of his head. He had never felt so happy or loved, only Mulder could bring those feelings out in him.

Mulder reached over and pulled a strawberry out of the bowl, licking off the champagne before popping it into his mouth. "Mm, here, you have to try one," he murmured, holding a berry to Krycek's lips as the younger man opened his mouth for it.

Krycek turned sideways and slipped off his lover's lap so only their legs overlapped. He munched happily on the berry while leaning up against Mulder. "This is the life," he sighed.

They stayed luxuriating in the hot swirling water until all of the chilled strawberries were gone.

"Let's go try out the bed, it has silk sheets on it," Krycek informed his lover. Standing, he helped Mulder to his feet.

"It's been awhile since we've slept on silk sheets. I think the last time was in St. Petersburg," Mulder smiled dreamily, reminiscing about the feel of silk on his skin as they dried each other's bodies. He paused as he knelt drying his lover's legs; his eyes were even with the angel tattoo beside Krycek's groin.

"Alex, you never told me why you and Walter got angel tattoos? I would have thought you'd get something more masculine," he asked softly, wondering if his lover's tattoos had anything to do with the strange hallucinations he was having during sex.

"Fox, you know it's weird, but when we were both looking at that tattoo book, nothing appealed to us until we turned to the page that had the angels on it. There was something about those images that felt so right," Krycek replied. "I know it's not much of a reason." He took Mulder's hand and led him into the bedroom.

"No, it a good enough reason for me. I've been having some pretty vivid hallucinations whenever we have sex through my navel. I think your tattoos might have something to do with them, since they have always involved winged beings," Mulder replied, pulling the covers down on the bed.

"Those must be pretty wild hallucinations, do you want to tell me about them?" Krycek asked, pulling the other man into his arms.

"There's not much to tell. They don't last long -- usually less than a minute. It's just that they've seemed so real," he murmured.

"Fox, are you sure they're only hallucinations?"

"Yeah, I'm sure, especially now that I've made the connection with yours and Walter's tattoos."

After they slipped under the covers they cuddled closer, each too exhausted to do more than hold one another. "Alex, tell me about this other case you're checking into?"

"You mean SBS?" Krycek asked.

"SBS? What does that stand for?"

"It stands for 'Sleeping Beauty Syndrome' because the primary symptom of the disease is that the victims fall into deep comas. The CDC hasn't found anything else physically wrong with them, and haven't been able to determine what is causing the comas," Krycek replied. His hand stroked Mulder's soft skin, feeling the delicate shape of ribs underneath.

"Walter said that it was only affecting the area's sorcerers, has the CDC determined why some sorcerers are not affected?" Mulder asked, he felt a gnawing sense of worry.

"Not yet. Fox, Doctor Peterson would like for you to try to heal one of the men," Krycek informed him. He was not particularly fond of his lover encountering another sorcerer, or the effect the healing would have on him.

"Good, I was going to suggest that I be allowed to try. I'll admit that I'm concerned for your safety, Alex. You may have been exposed to whatever is infecting these men."

"I've had my own concerns, but I think that I would already be in a coma if it were contagious. Fox, before you try to heal one of those men, I want us to wrap up our case first." Krycek yawned; snuggling closer, he closed his eyes.

"With the new profile it shouldn't take long for a team of clairvoyants to locate the perp. They should be easily able to scan the n'thrals thoughts. I think it would be better if I spent my time helping Doctor Peterson," Mulder replied, waiting for his lover to protest, instead he heard soft snores coming from him. Raising himself on his elbow he looked down at Krycek's peacefully sleeping face, his lover had a little grin on his lips. Mulder bent down and gently kissed his lips, wrapped his arms around his lover's warm body, and soon joined him in sleep.

***

Jason Duffy's Cave
Thursday, January 13
1:30 p.m.

Jeffrey Spender and Doctor Kyle Pendrell stood nervously behind Rory MacIver for protection as the Scotsman gave Jason Duffy the drug to take. The nine-foot tall n'thral swallowed the liquid in the vial, and the feelings of arousal he had when the two young men came into his home immediately started to subside.

"Rory, my friend, I think it's working!" he exclaimed.

Doctor Pendrell tentatively stepped forward. "Mr. Duffy, can you describe what you're feeling?" he asked, placing his doctor's bag on the large wooden table. He pulled out a syringe to collect a sample of the giant's blood.

"It's what I'm not feeling that you should be asking me about; I no longer feel the urge to fuck any of you. This is remarkable, Rory, tell your immortal that I really appreciate his help. Maybe soon I'll be able to meet him in person without being afraid of assaulting him," Duffy blurted out excitedly.

"I'm sure Shinji will welcome the opportunity to meet you, Duffy," MacIver stated.

Spender had spent the time scanning the n'thrals thoughts for any deception; he was relieved to find that the giant was telling the truth. "Rory, did Shinji say how long the drug was suppose to last?" he asked, still keeping his distance from the n'thral.

"No, he didn't. I think Shinji was more interested in whether it would work or not," the Scottish sorcerer replied, watching as Pendrell took a blood sample from Duffy, then recorded his blood pressure and heart rate.

"I want to take a blood sample every hour in addition to recording your blood pressure and heart rate, Mr. Duffy. If you start to feel aroused by our presence at any point, please tell us immediately." Pendrell put his notebook aside and looked around the cave with interest for the first time since they arrived.

"I will, Doctor, and thank you for coming out here with Rory. Do not be afraid, I have more self-control than most n'thrals," Duffy replied, staring down at the much smaller man.

"Mr. Duffy, Rory couldn't have kept me away. The new drug Shinji has developed will have a great benefit on our whole society," Pendrell stated, hopping up on the three-foot high bench to sit.

"Ah, Doctor, how long are you planning for us to be here?" Spender asked, stepping cautiously up to his side.

"I thought we'd stay until the drug wears off. Don't worry, Jeff, I checked the weather forecast before we left and there's no chance of us getting snowed in up here for at least another three days," Pendrell replied, straight-faced.

"Three days! You're not suggesting that we're going to stay up here for *three* days?" Spender stammered.

Pendrell hid his grin. "I could only hope that the drug would last that long, but we'll be lucky if it lasts a few hours," he sighed, turning to the n'thral who was listening sadly to their conversation. "Mr. Duffy, now that we know it works, we'll have to make arrangements to move you closer to the lab so we can work on making the dosage stronger."

"Do you think that would be wise, Doctor?" He didn't want to take the chance of sexually assaulting any of these nice people when the drug wore off.

"You said yourself that you have more self-control than most n'thrals, I'm sure with Rory's help we should be able to prevent you from injuring anyone."

MacIver walked over and placed a comforting hand on the giant's arm. "Don't worry, Duffy, my friend, I'll see to it that you don't hurt anyone. Just think of everything you have to gain. I'll talk to Walter; we might be able to put you in the room next door to Shinji's lab. It's more than large enough to handle your size, and with the drug we shouldn't have to worry about you becoming sexually aroused. Besides, down there the female babies' scent wouldn't bother you."

"Rory, you'd allow me to move onto the estate, and in such a close proximity to your lover?" Duffy sniveled, overcome by his friend's trust in him.

"Yes, but the ultimate decision rests with Walter, Mulder, and Alex," the Scotsman said softly. He didn't know how he'd be able to convince the three men that there would be no danger from having Duffy at the mansion, but he was going to give it his best shot.

"Thank you, Rory. I'm going to fix us something to eat while we wait for this drug to wear off." Duffy rose and lumbered off in the direction of his larder.

Spender held his tongue as he watched the immense n'thral leave. He couldn't see Skinner agreeing to have that creature under his roof. He climbed up on the tall bench next to Pendrell and settled in to wait.

***

Miami
Thursday, January 13
4:30 p.m.

Police cars surrounded the auto body shop. A swat team had been called in after the shop's owner and his sons had taken an FBI clairvoyant hostage.

"What's the situation?" Krycek asked after leaping out of his car and running over to Special Agent Hank Carlton, who had a large bruise on his cheek and a split lip.

"Those bastards have Colton, we didn't sense anything when we went into the shop then one of those large n'thrals grabbed him. It was wearing one of those anti-telepathy helmets on its head. I barely made it out of there to call for backup," Carlton replied, shuddering.

Tom Colton and Hank Carlton were both FBI clairvoyants assigned to the Sorcerer and Clairvoyant Division under the supervision of A.D. Skinner. The division consisted of twenty-five sorcerers and one hundred and sixty clairvoyants.

"Are you able to make telepathic contact with anyone in the shop?" Krycek asked after trying himself and failing.

"No, I can't even reach Tom. I should be able to sense his presence even if he were unconscious unless they've put one of those fucking helmets on him!" Carlton replied, frustrated.

"Damn! Then we won't be able to raid the place without putting Colton's life at risk," Krycek growled.

The commander of the swat team rushed over to fill them in on the current situation. "Agent Krycek, we're bringing in a helicopter equipped with a heat sensitive infrared scanner. We'll then be able to determine how many people are in the building, and where they're located."

"Very good, Douglas, keep me appraised. If you can get a fix on Colton's position I should be able to teleport him out of there," Krycek replied.

"That would be a really neat trick if you could do that," Douglas commented thoughtfully. He had never met a sorcerer with the ability to teleport a human being before, and the potential use in future hostage situations were mind blowing.

"You locate him and I'll get him out," Krycek promised.

Inside the building in a small windowless room in the buildings center were five men. One man was naked and tied draped over a steel rod that hung suspended from the ceiling by two chains attached to each end of the rod. The man's arms were stretched out and cuffed to each end of the chains holding the rod; his feet were spread and chained to sturdy steel bolts in the concrete floor. Below the man's spread legs were rust-colored stains, from his bent position Colton had a clear view of the stains and knew exactly where they had come from, he shivered in fear.

There was a rapping on the helmet covering his head. Colton glanced up at the small man standing in front of him.

"It's a pity that you found me, I was having so much fun, but at least you should give me some additional entertainment before I surrender. It's only too bad you won't live to see my trial," Grossman commented.

"You're guaranteeing yourself a death sentence if you kill me," Colton argued anxiously as a cold sweat broke out on his body. He felt his ass cheeks being spread and a nozzle being inserted into his anus.

"Maybe so, but I do plan on enjoying myself while I'm in jail. Me and my boys will have so much fun ruling over the other prisoners," Grossman mused, watching the FBI man's body stiffen as axle grease was pumped into his rectum. "The grease isn't for your comfort, FBI, but for my boys', it isn't very pleasant for them when their cocks get stuck in a too tight hole, and they do so love getting their whole cock inside."

Colton gasped in pain as the grease was pumped deep inside his bowels until it overflowed leaking back out his anus. He sighed when the nozzle was removed from his anus, and he tried to force the grease out of his painfully cramping bowels.

"They also love making sure their toys are properly lubed," the perp joked at the look of pain on the other man's face. He frowned as he noticed the grease running down the FBI man's legs. "Now look what you done! They are going to have to refill you until you stay properly lubed!" the little man shrieked, slapping Colton across the face.

Colton felt the nozzle being forced back up his anus and more thick grease pumped back inside his body. He hung his head as pain gripped him. Two pairs of naked legs came into view, he cautiously raised his head and looked. The two n'thrals were standing in front of him stroking their immense cocks excitedly, as the one behind him continued to fill him with grease until he thought his bowels would rupture. The nozzle was pulled back out and a large blunt object was quickly inserted between his ass cheeks before he had the opportunity to force the grease out of his body. The FBI man screamed as the n'thral forced the tip of his cock into him; it felt as wide as two baseball bats and he felt the burning pain as his anal muscles tore. The n'thral's fingers tug into his hips as it strained to get more of its length inside the smaller man.

Grossman pulled Colton's head up and smiled into his pain filled eyes. "That's just ten inches of my boy; he has another seven to get up into you yet. You should see how beautiful your ass looks skewered on my boy's magnificent shaft. It's too bad I'm forced to keep this helmet on you, I'd love to read your thoughts right now."

The n'thral managed to slide another three inches in, before he ran up against an obstruction. He strained, pushing forward with his cock while pulling back on the smaller man's hips, but was unable to force his way in any deeper. The FBI man clenched his teeth against the pain as the n'thral pulled out slightly and slammed back in, attempting to get pass the barrier that was obstructing his entry. Finally after several attempts there was a popping sound and the giant slid in the final four inches.

Colton bellowed in pain then passed out; coming to a few minutes later as the shop's owner waved smelling salts under his nose. The perp's pants were undone and his puny three-inch cock peaked out. "You're going to miss all of the fun; you wouldn't want to sleep through my boys fucking you, now would you?" the small man said, patting the side of the helmet.

The FBI man was in extreme pain; the enormous shaft up his ass had entered his bowels. The grease filling his intestines had him feeling like his guts were going to burst. He gasped as the n'thral pulled out and rammed back into him, it seemed to go on forever until he felt the organ inside him grow even thicker and the creature's hot release was pumped into him.

When the n'thral pulled his seventeen-inch cock out, grease, semen, shit, and blood ran down Colton's quivering legs. Grossman watched with an evil smile on his face and his pants stained by his own come. "Don't worry about the grease, FBI, my boy opened you up really nicely there's not a chance that my other boys' cocks will get stuck in your hole now."

Outside Krycek paced anxiously, he was getting to the point where he was tempted to charge the building despite not knowing what was going on inside.

"Agent Krycek, charging the place wouldn't be wise, they may have something other than anti-telepathy helmets inside," Carlton warned reading his intentions.

A car pulled up next to them, Agent Mulder and his security detail climbed out. "Alex, what's the situation?"

"Fox, we're waiting for the heli . . . " His voice trailed off as the helicopter with the advanced infrared heat scanning equipment flew into view heading for their location.

"About time," he hissed, running over to the swat team's truck, he climbed in and rushed over to the monitors that showed what the infrared scanner was picking up inside the building. "There! Have them get a close up of this area," Krycek ordered, pointing the shapes moving on the screen.

The agent at the monitoring equipment relayed Krycek's request to the helicopter pilot and he zoomed in closer. It was clear by the image that one shape was bound and the other four shapes were assaulting him.

"I'm going to teleport him out," Krycek replied, concentrating on the bound shape on the monitor, it soon vanished off the screen. There was a startled cry outside the truck as Tom Colton's unconscious battered body appeared on the pavement.

Agent Hank Carlton rushed over to him and gently removed the helmet from his partner's head. Krycek stepped out of the truck and joined the assault team as they charged the building. He glanced briefly down at Tom Colton's body, and anger filled him, someone was going to pay.

Mulder ran over to help Colton, when he touched the naked man's body, he felt how critically injured Colton was, and he quickly flagged over his security detail. "Guys, he's not going to make it unless I heal him," Mulder informed them.

"Don't worry, Mulder, we'll take care of you afterwards, just don't let him die," Jones replied, kneeling next to Mulder, he felt nauseated when he got a good look at Colton's injuries.

Mulder placed both hands on Colton's body and felt the energy flow through them and a golden glow spread slowly covering both of their bodies. Dakota Jones felt himself leaning into the light illuminating Mulder's body, and discovered a serenity and peace as the light touched him. He watched in utter fascination as the bruises on Colton's body disappeared.

The immortal sighed and leaned exhausted against Jones as the light vanished. Tom Colton opened his eyes and stared questioningly up at Mulder, he hadn't been this close to the agent since the Tooms case. A look of horror crossed Colton's features as he remembered being raped by the n'thrals. His face crumpled and he started crying, to his surprise Mulder pulled him into his arms.

"Ssh, don't worry, Tom, it is going to all right," Mulder soothed tiredly, mindless of the mess covering the other man's body. "The paramedics are here to take you to the hospital," he murmured, allowing the paramedics to take Colton from him.

"Mulder, thanks." Colton smiled weakly as he was transferred onto a gurney. He wasn't in any pain and briefly wondered about that as he was placed into the ambulance, and Hank Carlton climbed in next to him.

"Mulder, c'mon let's get you back to the hotel," Jones said, helping the agent up. Mulder sagged against him too exhausted to stand on his own. Jones on the other hand was feeling invigorated, and he effortlessly scooped Mulder into his arms as the agent lost his battle to stay awake.

Lars Johnson held the back door to the car open as he eased Mulder's sleeping body inside. The younger man raised his eyebrows in surprise as he got a good look at Jones' face. "Ah, Dakota, remember the pockmarks you had on your face?"

"Yeah, what do you mean had?" Jones asked, bending to look into the rearview mirror. "Damn, they're gone! What happened?" he asked in amazement. He had had the pockmarks since he was a child after suffering smallpox. They had been a source of low self-esteem and ridicule for him as a boy, and later as an adult.

"I think you got too close to Mulder when he was healing Colton," Austin grinned.

Their conversation was interrupted as the FBI led their prisoners out of the auto body repair shop. The three n'thrals were still naked and covered with slime; their father was cursing at the FBI men and bragging about how good it felt to fuck one of them.

"Are all FBI men virgins?" he asked, chuckling sadistically.

Krycek quickly put an end to his fun. "Mr. Grossman, I know you think that you'll be sent to the same prison that your three sons are going to, but let me assure you that is not about to happen." Then Krycek leveled him with a broad grin. "Being a virgin yourself, you'll soon learn how much fun it really is being raped."

"You can't do that! I have rights! I'm an American, I demand to speak to an attorney!" the deranged little man shrieked.

"Take them away," Krycek ordered, then hurried over to the car where Mulder lay sleeping.

"I take it that Tom Colton is physically okay now?" Krycek asked, easing in beside his lover, he pulled Mulder's body into his arms and tossed Jones the keys to his rental car. Jones smiled and headed over to Krycek's car.

"Yeah, physically he's fine," Austin replied, starting the car he drove them back to their hotel.

***

Foxfire Glenn Estate
Thursday, January 13
7:30 p.m.

"Alex, when are you and Fox planning on coming home?" Skinner asked. Placing an animal cracker on Hope's highchair tray, he held Faith balanced on his hip as he spoke to her father on the telephone.

"In a few days, Fox is sleeping off a healing right now, and I want to find out more about this SBS disease. Walter, I'm afraid it may be spreading. Reports out of Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Houston state that sorcerers in those areas have been falling into comas. The CDC still hasn't been able to find a cause," he sighed, sitting next to Mulder on the bed.

Skinner shivered looking at his daughter and niece, he felt a sense of dread, what would happen to his family if this disease struck them? "Alex, has Fox attempted to heal one of the sorcerers? Is that why he is sleeping?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes, and no. I haven't talked to Fox, yet. We were at the hospital together and Fox was going to attempt to heal one of the sorcerers when I got a call from Hank Carlton that Tom Colton had been taken hostage by our perp. I left Fox at the hospital with his security detail as I went to oversee the hostage situation at the auto body shop. Fox showed up forty-five minutes later, and he healed Tom Colton who had been critically injured by the perp's n'thral sons. Walter, Lars Johnson said he wasn't able to heal the sorcerer at the hospital, but Fox didn't tell them why. This scares me shitless, what happens if we're affected by this disease?" Krycek's hand massaged Mulder's back while he talked on the telephone.

"Alex, I don't know, it scares me, too. I'm going to explain the situation to the others here after we find out what happened at the hospital from Fox. I don't want to worry them prematurely if Fox has a logical explanation." Skinner sighed, hugging Faith closer against his body.

She looked up at him and held out her hands toward the telephone. "Dada."

"Yes, cutie, its your daddy. Do you want to talk to him?" Skinner smiled, putting the telephone up against her ear.

"Faith, how's my precious little girl doing?" Krycek cooed gently.

Faith squealed with delight as she heard her daddy's voice. "Gee!"

Skinner smiled, pulling the telephone away. "She misses you, Alex. Fox taped your photograph inside her crib before he left, and she does seem to sleep better."

"I miss her and the mouse, too. Believe me, I sleep better with both their photos nearby, too," the young man replied, looking longingly at his daughter and niece's photograph on the night stand.

"Alex, call me as soon as Fox wakes up. I'm gong to see if Melvin knows anything about what is happening involving SBS," Skinner replied saying his farewells.

Krycek placed the phone back on the hook and climbed into bed next to his lover, wrapping his body around Mulder's, he held him tightly.

***

Continued in Chapter 2