Life from the Ashes Book 3 - SBS
Chapter 11
The Rescueby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, March 24
4:30 a.m.Mulder snuggled closer to the warmth of his lover's naked body. Lying here, beside his Walter, he felt the most at peace. Walter hadn't put any demands on him, like Alex did. He treated him with respect and equality -- like Alex used to do. However, he realized that the way Alex treated him now was his own fault, if only he could go back in time and fix it. He would instantly. Mulder drifted deeper into sleep, the sound of the alarm going off breached his peaceful slumber and he muttered sleepily, rolling over he snuggled into Alex's side as Walter moved away to shut off the alarm.
Skinner lay on his back for several minutes and contemplated quitting the FBI for the umpteenth time that week. He'd been going in early and getting home late every night this week. However, it was necessary, they were setting up interim FBI offices around D.C. and in Baltimore. He felt guilty; he didn't like leaving Fox alone with Alex for that length of time. Fox seemed to be becoming more withdrawn and depressed. Skinner didn't like to see the spirit driven out of his lover, he wanted to be here to soothe and assure Fox that he hadn't done anything wrong and that he was still the same intelligent and brave man that he had fallen in love with. He just hadn't had the time. Now the government wanted to hold an awards ceremony *Sunday* at the Capital to celebrate their victory, he had been really looking forward to spending that day alone with Fox, since he had to work Saturday. He really wanted to just quit. Skinner sighed dejectedly and leaned over to kiss Fox softly on the side of his mouth before climbing out of bed and heading for the bathroom.
Skinner came out of the bathroom thirty minutes later freshly showered and dressed in his bureau garb and went straight to the nursery. As usual Hope was sitting up in her crib waiting for him like she had for the past four mornings. The kid was becoming a morning person like her father. "Morning, angel," Skinner said softly.
"Dada wup," Hope babbled, holding out her arms to be picked up.
"Do you want to have breakfast with Daddy this morning, precious?" he whispered, lifting her from the crib. "Hmm, but first someone needs to have her diaper changed." He glanced inside the next crib at Faith who was still out like a light as he carried her sister into the bathroom to change her.
The two finally made their way into the kitchen. Jeffrey Spender was sitting at the counter drinking a mug of coffee.
"Morning, Walter," he said.
"You're up early," Skinner observed. Placing Hope in her highchair he went to get her some juice.
"I'm helping out at the hospital this morning," Spender answered, looking hesitantly at Skinner. "Walter, what's going on between Alex and Mulder?"
"They're trying to work out some personal problems. Fox has asked me not to interfere, and I'm trying to respect his wishes, but it is as hard as hell doing so," Skinner sighed.
"Yeah, I can imagine it would be," Spender said, not realizing that Skinner was unaware of just how poorly Krycek was treating Mulder. Spender debated bringing up what he had witnessed involving Alex, but he didn't want to worry Skinner unnecessarily, instead he said, "Alex seems different somehow, I . . . I was thinking that it might be a good idea to have him checked out medically."
"Why? Jeff, have you had a vision involving Alex? If you have I want to know about it, no matter how insignificant," Skinner said sternly.
"No, I haven't had any visions. It's probably nothing, but I saw Alex trying to use his powers yesterday, and he seemed to be having some difficulty," Spender replied.
Skinner felt a headache coming on. They had already gone through so much that the mere thought that something could be wrong with Alex made him anxious. "It could be that Alex is feeling a lot of stress lately, and it's affecting his powers. I'll ask Alex to contact Dr. Harris or Dr. Pendrell and set up an appointment," he said, pouring himself a bowl of cereal and fixing Hope one, too.
"Walter, getting Dr. Pendrell to come out may be rather hard; he was one of the doctors kidnapped."
"Damn! I haven't had time to check on all of our friends, yet," Skinner groaned, sitting tiredly on the kitchen stool, the bowls of cereal forgotten.
"Walter, you can't do everything. You're busy rebuilding the FBI headquarters, which at the moment takes precedence over everything else," Spender replied. Getting up he poured milk into the two bowls of cereal, setting Skinner's bowl in front of him and pulling a chair next to Hope's highchair he started feeding her.
She looked at him appreciatively, glancing sideways at her father to see why he wasn't feeding her.
"No, Jeff, family and friends take precedence over my job. I'm going to have a talk with the Director when I get in today. I need to cut back the number of hours I'm putting in or quit altogether."
"Walter, the FBI needs your honest leadership. You can't just quit. The position you hold could be greatly abused by the wrong person," Spender said, knowing all too well the corruption that had once been inside the FBI.
"I realize that! It's one of the reasons I haven't quit, yet," Skinner growled. He was also afraid to give up his position because it gave him the ability to better protect his family that he wouldn't have had without it.
Spender held his tongue not wanting to make Skinner any angrier, he still felt awkward around the big man. Instead he just focused on feeding his niece.
***
Cairo
Friday, March 24
1:30 p.m.Frohike and Hunter were disguised in local garb as they stood in the sweltering heat, waiting and watching. They had been casing Pharaoh Menes' palace for the last five days, and had discovered a way inside through the ghoul-infested catacombs that honeycombed the earth below the palace and city. The coalition had just arrived yesterday giving Frohike and Hunter their first glimpse of Hans in nearly a month as he was led into the palace, however there was no sign of Duffy.
Frohike sighed with relief as his mind found his young lover inside the palace. He didn't dare risk making telepathic contact. "Hans hasn't been touched since he was taken from Argentina. They seem to be treating him with reverence." It disturb Frohike the abuse Hans had suffered at the hands of Cardoso, he wished he could go back in time and kill that fucking n'thral himself.
"It is hardly out of reverence, they don't want each other to touch him," Hunter stated.
"Gabriel, it doesn't matter why they're treating him that way, only that they are. Do you have a plan?" Frohike groused, stepping under the overhang of a building to get out of the blazing sun.
"Oh yeah, we get him out during their competition for him. They are planning to combat each other using their sorcerer powers, and the last one standing gets Hans," Hunter smiled. It was their good fortune to be up against morons who would take each other out, making it so much easier for him and Melvin. "We just have to figure out how to get by the ghouls." Hunter frowned. He couldn't use his powers, which would alert any other sorcerer in the area, besides he wanted to conserve his powers for the coming fight.
Frohike pulled a vial from his pocket, holding it up for Hunter to see.
"What's that?"
"Anti-ghoul virus. I acquired the vial back in D.C. before we left for Miami. I figured it might come in handy," Melvin smirked. "We just have to release it into the catacombs at sunrise and by dusk all of the little ghoulies will be dead. Then we can just stroll in and collect Hans, as easy as pie."
"Melvin, it is hardly going to be that easy. There are six of the world's most powerful sorcerers inside," Hunter frowned.
"You said yourself that most of them will be in no shape to fight you, and besides we have the element of surprise on our side. Where's your faith?"
"C'mon, let's find something to eat and lay low until tomorrow morning," Hunter said, ignoring the little man's question.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, March 24
1:30 p.m.Alex silently closed the nursery door. The babies were down for their afternoon nap and that left a little over an hour for he and Fox to enjoy themselves.
Mulder stood anxiously next to the bed, he did not look forward to his times alone with Alex, not like he used to, before. Alex had been treating him like an object to be used for his personal pleasure and did not seem to care what he wanted or needed.
"Why are you still dressed? Shake a leg, Fox," Krycek growled impatiently. He waited until Fox started to undress before heading into the bathroom to retrieve a couple of toys to help in Fox's enjoyment of their coupling. Krycek had noticed that Fox wasn't enjoying himself lately. He went into the closest and retrieved a box from the top shelf. If he wasn't having some weird problems with his powers he would have stayed in the bedroom and teleported it to him.
When Krycek came out of the bathroom, Fox was sitting sadly on the edge of the bed with his head bowed. He had done as he had been told, and Alex noted that he had folded his clothes neatly and placed them on a chair. Krycek dropped the two dildos and lubricant on the middle of the bed. "Fox, you do know that I love you, don't you?" he asked, kneeling at his lover's feet and taking his hands.
"Yes, Alex," Mulder murmured, not meeting his eyes.
Krycek sighed. He was certain that Fox would eventually see things his way. "C'mon, I want you to give me a blow job at the same time I give you one. Get on the center of the bed."
Mulder complied with Alex's orders, frowning sadly at the dildos as he positioned his body on its side. He watched as Alex quickly stripped and climbed opposite him. Mulder sighed forlornly and took Alex's cock into his mouth; he tried to make it feel good for his lover although his heart wasn't in it.
Krycek moaned and lapped at the generous head of Fox's cock, sucking at the delicious flesh as his fingers rubbed up and down its thick length trying to entice a response from his lover, which was getting harder and harder to do. He became frustrated after five minutes when Fox was only partially erect. So he opened the tube of lubricant coated one of the dildos, and slid it slowly between the firm, ivory buttocks and into Fox's tight anus.
Mulder wiggled as the hard piece of plastic slid up inside him and he couldn't help himself as he started to feel arousal from the penetration, his cock slowly filled with blood, swelling, and lengthening.
"That's, my baby," Krycek hummed with his lips pressed against the now ripe cock-head as he manipulated the dildo, turning and pushing it further into his lover. Krycek really wanted Fox's pleasure above all else. His initial reasons for wanting to dominate and control him were warring with his need to comfort and soothe him.
Mulder felt tears spring to his eyes as his body betrayed him. He sniveled and continued to suck on Alex's cock.
Krycek shifted so he could reach the other dildo, this one he didn't need to lubricate, his lover's body made its own. He pushed it against Fox's navel, sliding it inside.
"No, Alex. Please, ttttake it out," Mulder moaned, his body quaking with pleasure.
"What's it like, Fox? Tell me what it feels like to have an orifice like a female? It must feel sooo good to be able to have multiple orgasms," Krycek asked, pushing the dildo in to the hilt, he felt the vibrations through its base as the internal muscles squeezed and contracted around it. "Hmmm? How many orgasms do you think you can achieve in a half-hour, baby? Shall we find out?" Krycek asked, grasping both dildos he proceeded to slowly fuck his lover.
Mulder writhed on the bed, completely forgetting Alex's cock. It only took Alex a minute to force the first orgasm from Fox's body. Krycek's mouth clamped over the head of Fox's cock and he swallowed the semen as it pumped out. He pulled the dildo out of Mulder's ass and tossed it on the floor.
Krycek climbed behind Fox who was still quaking from the force of his orgasm. He stroked his lover's sweat dampened body, kissing the side of Fox's throat. Krycek pulled away and coated his cock. He positioned it against the tight hole and slammed it home deep inside his lover's languishing body. Krycek ground his hips until his cock was in as deep as it would get, then he reached for the dildo in Fox's navel and found that it had slipped out and only the tip was still inside. He slipped his other arm under Fox's body and wrapped it around his chest holding their two bodies firmly meshed. He wanted to feel every sweet vibration of pleasure that coursed through Fox's body. Krycek had a hard time getting the dildo back into his lover's navel; Fox's internal muscles were still contracting.
Mulder wanted Alex to stop. He never liked dildos and he particularly didn't like the piece of plastic invading his new orifice. It was degrading and humiliating to have pleasure forced out of his body, so similar to what Slava had done to him.
"You like that don't you, baby," Krycek purred into his ear, nipping at its lobe. "I can feel your body quivering every time I shove this dildo back in. Mm, so good. I can feel your ass squeezing my cock, Fox, and look at how hard you are again," he said, pumping the dildo in harder and faster. He held still inside Fox, he was so near the edge that the slightest movement would send him over.
Mulder bit his lip to stop himself from moaning as his body was lit from within, blazes of the purest pleasure burned through him. He hated himself for feeling it, and he hated what he had become -- an object to be used by men. He arched back against Alex's chest as another orgasm was forcefully pulled from his body.
As Fox's muscles bore down on his cock, Alex couldn't hold back any longer and he erupted deep inside Fox's writhing body. Krycek lay panting wrapped around his lover's body, still deeply sheathed inside of his Fox when he noticed the tears for the first time pouring down his beautiful lover's face.
"Fox, I didn't hurt you did I?" he asked deeply concerned.
Mulder couldn't talk; he was too upset, so he just shook his head no and placed his hand over Alex's that still held the dildo imbedded in his navel and pulled it free.
"Fox?" Krycek said again, wanting to know what had upset him.
The babies started crying in the nursery and Mulder took that as an opportunity to focus his mind off his own sadness and onto his daughters' needs. "You didn't hurt me, Alex. Let me get up. I have to attend to the babies," he said, waiting for Alex to pull out of him, and release him from his tight embrace.
"I just wanted to make sure, Fox. The last thing I ever want to do is harm you during sex," Krycek said, leaning over he kissed Fox passionately. He was a little taken aback by the unresponsiveness of Fox's lips.
"The babies need me, Alex. Would you please let me go?"
Krycek pulled out and released his hold on Fox. He watched sadly as Fox climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Did Fox hate him now? He had to protect him, why couldn't he just understand and accept it?
"Would you mind putting your toys away, Alex. I don't want my daughters seeing them," Mulder called out from the nursery.
Krycek grudgingly got up and picked up the dildos and carried them back into the bathroom. He had to take a shower anyway.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, March 24
7:00 p.m.Skinner walked tiredly into the family room and smiled at the sight before him. Fox was curled up on the sofa with Hope peacefully drinking a bottle in his arms, while his head rested on Alex's lap. Faith sat on the other side of Alex and was playing with Fox's hair. The sight alleviated some of the worries he had about how Fox and Alex were getting along while he was at work.
The TV was on in the background, but no one was watching it. Skinner walked over to the sofa and knelt down, kissing Alex first then Fox who looked up at him and smiled softly. "Walter, you're home early. We didn't expect you for at least two hours."
"Yeah, Walter, what gives? Is the Director getting soft?" Krycek joked.
"No, I had a talk with him about my hours and we came to an agreement to cut them back," Skinner said, smiling, he picked up Hope and hugged her against his chest. "I've missed you both and our daughters too much."
"There's some leftover lasagna in the refrigerator … I'll heat it up for you," Mulder said, starting to rise.
Skinner pushed him back down. "No, you stay there. I'll get it myself."
Skinner placed Hope back in Fox's arm then wandered into the kitchen. He greeted Izumi who was making himself a cup of tea. He had had very little contact with the older man since they returned from London. "Masa, are you enjoying your stay here?"
"Yes, very much so. But when my nephew's father arrives for his visit, I will be going back to Japan with him. I really miss my homeland," the old man said.
"Shinji has been looking forward to meeting Kazuo's father, but he will be disappointed to see you go back home with him. Shin lost his entire family to the alien virus and he seems to enjoy being part of your family," Skinner said, opening the refrigerator he pulled out the large pan of leftover lasagna and a loaf of garlic bread. Half the pan of lasagna remained and Walter's thoughts immediately turned to their missing family members. When Izumi started speaking, he forced his attention back to him.
"Kazuo told me about Shinji's mother and sisters. It must have been really hard on him to lose his family, then have his body go through such a drastic change," Izumi replied, taking a seat at the kitchen counter.
"I can't imagine what it would have been like for him. It was really hard on Fox; he was always so independent," Skinner said quietly. He had never told Alex about the time he had found Fox's body in his old apartment on Hegal, after Fox had blown a hole through his head.
"For all their beauty and immortality I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. Life would be too hard to deal with, and I personally couldn't handle it," Izumi said reflectively.
"No, neither could I. I'm not mentally strong enough to go through what they do on a day-to-day basis," Skinner said sadly. He was quickly losing his appetite as he stood in front of the microwave watching his plate of food spin around. He was thinking that he'd just dump it down the sink when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist and Fox's chin came to rest on his shoulder.
"Walter, I'll make you sit in front of that plate until it is licked clean. I didn't spend an hour cooking just so you can dump it down the garbage disposal," Mulder scolded teasingly.
It always amazed Skinner how Fox would know what he was thinking without the ability to read minds. "Yes, sir," Skinner mumbled. "If you would keep me company while I eat, I promise to finish every last bite."
"I'd love to," Mulder replied.
Izumi smiled at the two men. It was good to see Mulder happy, when most of the time he seemed so downhearted. "I'm going to take my tea up to my room and catch up on some reading. I'll see everyone in the morning," he said heading toward the back staircase with a small serving tray.
"Goodnight, Masa," Skinner and Mulder said simultaneously.
Krycek strolled into the kitchen and silently watched the two of them interact. Fox seemed more comfortable around Walter than him. Okay, so he'd been playing the heavy, but he was doing it for Fox's own good. He just wished Walter wouldn't sabotage all of his hard work.
Skinner glanced over at him and smiled softly. "Where are the babies?"
"Baby jail," Krycek replied, walking over to take a seat at the breakfast table.
Skinner frowned, and reached out with his mind, he saw the babies in the playpen. "I suppose that's why they call it a play *pen,*" he chuckled.
Mulder groaned and rolled his eyes, "Don't quit your day job, Walter, a comedian you're not."
Skinner grinned at Fox. His appetite had returned and he dug hungrily into the lasagna. "Mmm, I love your lasagna, Fox, but wasn't it Justin's turn to cook?"
"Justin and Joe have been busy with Pyetr. Alex and I even had to take them a tray up to their room or else they wouldn't have bothered with eating," Mulder replied.
"They're still … " Skinner interlaced his fingers together, making an in and out motion with them. "After five days?"
"Yeah, you'd think they never had sex before the way their going at it," Krycek smirked.
Mulder looked tentatively at Walter, he was almost afraid to ask. "Walter, are you going to work very long tomorrow?"
"No, Fox. I told the Director that I won't be working Saturdays any longer. I plan to spend the whole day with you," Skinner said, squeezing Mulder's hand reassuringly. The look of relief on Fox's face made Skinner's heart melt, he knew then that he had made the right decision.
Krycek spoke up, "Good, I need to run into town and pick up a few things tomorrow. You can take care of him while I'm gone."
"Fox is not a child, Alex, he can take care of himself. Did you call Doctor Harris today to schedule your appointment?" Skinner asked gruffly.
"Walter, there is really no need. I'm fine. It's just stress and nerves," Krycek said.
"I think you should see him anyway."
"If it keeps up I will," Krycek replied.
Mulder looked at Alex with deep concern. "What are you two talking about? Is there something wrong with you, Alex?"
"Fox, it's nothing for you to worry about … I'm just having a little problem with my powers," Krycek said.
"How little?" Mulder asked.
"It is nothing, really. I haven't been able to teleport anything from one room to the next. I'm still able to change matter," he said. To prove his point he changed Walter's glass of milk into a stein of beer.
"Alex, I think you should listen to Walter and see a doctor. This isn't normal, there could be something seriously wrong with you," Mulder said worriedly. He had sensed a change in Alex besides him tasting and smelling differently, there was also his strange behavior.
"Fox, don't worry your pretty little head about me, I'm fine. If I weren't I'd be the first to admit it," Krycek replied callously.
"Yes, of course, Alex. What was I thinking to even question your judgement, you are the man after all," Mulder scoffed sarcastically.
"Well at least we are in agreement then, Fox," Krycek said, ignoring the sarcasm in his lover's voice.
Skinner snarled angrily, "Alex, I don't agree! I think you should see Harris, and while you're at it stop by and have a talk with Doctor Vettelman."
Krycek gave him a puzzled look; he really didn't understand why Walter was getting so bent out of shape. "Walter, while I respect your judgement, the decision rests with me, not you."
"Alex, as your older brother, not to mention your lover, your health is very much mine and Fox's concern. Now I want you to apologize to Fox for being such a bastard!" Skinner growled, slamming down his fork.
Krycek's eyes widened in disbelief, it had been over a year since Walter had spoken to him in such a manner and he didn't like it. "Walter, I don't want to discuss this any longer," he snapped, standing abruptly he fled the kitchen.
He rushed passed the babies, going down the hallway to their bedroom. His heart was beating a mile a minute; he couldn't explain why he was being so emotional. Walter's comment shouldn't have brought out this kind of reaction in him. He swiped at the tears leaking out of his eyes, what the hell was happening to him?
***
Mulder rose to go after Alex, he didn't like the desolate look on his lover's face, no matter what their current differences were he was still deeply in love with Alex and he wanted to make sure he was all right. However, Skinner grabbed his wrist, forcing him to sit back in the chair.
"Give him some time, Fox."
"Walter, he's hurting."
"He needs to be alone right now. I'll go talk to him in a bit," Skinner replied and returned to eating his dinner.
Mulder wanted to say he'd talk to him, but he realized that Alex would never listen to him. His lover had no respect for him as an equal any longer.
***
Cairo
Friday, March 24
10:00 p.m.King Gullbrand could not take his eyes off Hans who looked radiant dressed in all white silk with his hair braided with bits of silk woven through it. Hans was sitting on several satin cushions sipping on a glass of juice. The coalition had all agreed to keep the beauty in their presence; they did not trust each other around him.
Gullbrand rose from the council table and walked over to him, kneeling at his feet. "Hans, is there anything else you need? We never asked, but are you suppose to take any special vitamins for the baby you're carrying?" The King found it so easy to forget that the young man was pregnant. Hans wasn't showing outwardly, yet.
"No, thank you for asking. Doctor Pendrell said that my body was producing enough nutrients for the baby -- more so than a pregnant woman would produce." Hans placed his hand over his flat stomach, looking down frowning.
"Are you able to feel her inside you?" Gullbrand asked, reaching out he laid his hand over Hans'.
"I can sense her, but she's still too small to feel. She is going to be a clairvoyant like her father," Schatz said sadly, missing Melvin.
"Tell me about this man whose baby you are carrying?"
Hans could hear the bitterness in the King's voice and was afraid the man would go after Melvin out of jealousy. "Melvin was safe. I needed someone who I could have sex with that wasn't a sorcerer. I didn't want to chance going through the sexual withdrawal pains again that taking a sorcerer for a lover would expose me to."
"You don't sound like you're in love with this man? I heard reports that you were?"
Schatz laughed, "In love with Melvin? Have you ever seen a picture of him?"
"Yes, you're right I should have known that someone like you could never love a pitiful dotard like that," Gullbrand laughed. "Oh, my sweet Hans, as soon as I win you I will shower you with jewels and make love to you night and day."
"You're making broad assumptions, Gullbrand," Pharaoh Menes II said, stepping up to the two men. "It is time for our priceless slave to be bathed and bedded for the night," he said, motioning for his personal eunuchs to assist the immortal.
"You mean put to bed, don't you, Menes?" King Gullbrand snarled.
"That is what I said!" Menes snapped.
Gullbrand turned to the nervous eunuchs that surround his future mate. "If anything happens to him, I will rip your hearts out and feed them to you!"
"They're eunuchs, Gullbrand, no one is going to touch the immortal until tomorrow evening after the contest that is."
"Anyone that does before then I will kill! Is that understood, Menes?"
The Pharaoh shot daggers at the larger man, he had been planning on taking some pleasure from the sexy immortal's body tonight while the others slept. However, he couldn't do it with the blond bastard being so watchful over the immortal. He would just have to make sure he won tomorrow.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, March 24
10:30 p.m."Alex, I think we should talk now," Skinner said, stepping onto the patio outside their bedroom. The air was crisp and in the moonless darkness, he could barely see the young man's face just the outline of his shape in the light coming from the bedroom windows was visible.
Krycek didn't turn around to look at him, but remained standing stiffly against the rail looking out into the darkness. "Walter, I wish you wouldn't talk to me like that in front of Fox. You're ruining my authority with him."
Skinner was stunned by those words. What was going on with Alex? He realized he had to approach the subject carefully, he crossed over to him and said softly, "Alex, you don't have any authority over Fox, neither of us do. We are all equals in this relationship that's what being married to someone is all about."
"No, you're wrong, Walter. My father always protected our mother she was so delicate. She needed someone like my father to look after her. There was never a question that he was the authority of our household," Krycek said with a sad look in his eyes.
"Alex, you told me how much our mother hated your father. Is that the kind of relationship you want with Fox?"
"Sometimes what I want isn't important. It is more important that Fox is protected, so he will always be here for our daughters. Their happiness is more important to me than whether or not Fox loves me," Krycek's voice caught slightly.
Skinner knew that wasn't true, Alex wanted Fox's love badly. "You can have both, Alex. Open your eyes for God's sake! Making Fox miserable isn't going to make our children happy! Were you happy growing up with the way your father treated our mother?" Skinner asked.
"This is different. My father never liked me, I love our daughters," Krycek sighed. "Fox will be fine once he accepts that everything is being done for his protection."
"Alex, please just ease up on him a little. Neither one of you is happy with the way things are, and I'm sure Fox will be more careful in the future."
Krycek thought for a few minutes, he really wasn't happy. He weighed that against the look on Faith's face when he couldn't pick her up when he was suffering from SBS. If Fox had been there for her she wouldn't have been so upset. However, Walter did have a point, growing up in a household without love was almost as bad. "Okay, Walter, I'll try as long as he doesn't do anything to put his life at risk. I'm not a total jerk after all."
Skinner hugged him. "No you're not, Alex, just a pain in the butt sometimes."
"*Sometimes* is right, you hardly ever let me top you. Maybe you should go and see Doctor Vettelman to work out your need for being in control, too," Krycek quipped as the two men stepped back inside the bedroom.
Mulder was standing nervously next to the nursery doorway. Krycek smiled warmly at him and walked over, hugging him, he whispered into his ear, "I'm sorry that I've been such an asshole to you, my love. I promise to ease up."
Mulder relaxed in his embrace, it felt like the old Alex was back with him, and not the prick that had been using his body for the past week. "You'll go see Doctor Harris then?"
"For you, Fox, anything that will make you happy," Krycek purred, gently massaging his lover's ass.
Mulder's smile faded slightly at his lover's exploring touch, he looked over and met Walter's reassuring eyes. "Let's go to bed, Alex," he said softly.
"Fox, wait," Krycek said nervously, taking his hand. "I know you haven't been enjoying having sex with me lately, so if you would like me to leave, to give you and Walter some privacy, I will."
Mulder looked deeply into his sad green eyes and felt his heart melt. "Alex, I … you were treating me just like Slava did and it was too hard for me to deal with … please don't leave. I want to work it out … I love you," he murmured softly.
"Fox, why didn't you say something? Slava is the last person I'd ever want to be compared to." Krycek wrapped his arms around Mulder, hugging him tightly. "Please, forgive me?"
"There is nothing to forgive, Alex. It was my fault for going to Slava in the first place, you had every right to treat me the way you did," Mulder whispered into the side of Alex's neck. "Come to bed with us."
"I promise to make it up to you, Fox," Krycek replied, allowing Mulder to lead him over to the bed. //Maybe we still have a chance after all,// he mused.
***
Cairo
Saturday, March 25
10:30 p.m.Frohike held the torch in front of him, carefully stepping around the bodies of the dead ghouls. The smell of decomposing flesh was almost unbearable, he knew it would only get worse the longer the bodies lay rotting. "Yuck! Tell me again whose idea it was to sneak into the palace through the catacombs?" he complained.
"I think it was your idea, Melvin," Hunter chuckled contentedly. He was feeling an inner peace spread throughout his body and soul. Hunter had been conserving his strength all day for the upcoming fight, he was even looking forward to it. Finally, they were taking some real action and with any luck they should have Hans and be on their way back to the U.S. within the next few hours. "How is the competition going above, Melvin?"
"King Raschan is out of commission, he has a broken arm and his powers have been completely drained. Sultan Casmiri and Beiran Havock powers are completely drained. It will take them at least several days to regain full use of their powers. Pharaoh Menes and King Gullbrand are getting ready to fight; their powers have been drained by half from fighting Havock and Raschan. It looks like they will be using conventional weapons. Kong Woo Long is going to be your real obstacle though, he hasn't been participating in the contest," Frohike replied.
"Where is Hans?" he asked, swinging his torch at some rats that were feeding on one of the ghouls that were blocking their way.
"He's sitting on some cushions in the arena next to Kong's immortal."
They came upon the door that led into the dungeons of the palace. Time had caused the door to warp shut, and it took Hunter using his powers to open it. Frohike used his clairvoyant abilities to conceal the power that Hunter used; it wouldn't do them any good to come this far only to be discovered by opening a door.
They cautiously made their way through a narrow tunnel and up some steps. The sounds of men crying and moaning reached their ears. The smell hit them almost immediately, it was even worse than the catacombs.
"Slaves," Frohike whispered.
"No, Americans," Hunter corrected. "We can free them on our way out, but I don't know how they will get back to the states, there isn't enough room aboard the plane for more than ten," he said softly. "Unless we can steal a larger one, but I don't know how to fly, do you?"
"Nope. I hope General Perez's pilot is still waiting for us."
"He said he'd wait until sunrise, we should have Hans to the plane long before then," Hunter replied.
They made their way past a locked cell door, and Frohike glanced through the small door window into the cell. "Gabriel, stop!" he hissed.
Hunter crept back. "Melvin, keep your voice down. What is it?"
"Gabriel, Frohike, is that really you?" Doctor Kyle Pendrell asked hoarsely, his face peering out the small bar covered window on the cell door. He looked weak and malnourished. The other men in the cell tried to push their way forward so they could see out.
"Kyle, are you all right?" Hunter asked shocked to see the young doctor.
"I will be once you let me out of here," Pendrell said, relieved. The other men behind him all started begging Hunter to help them.
"Ssh, quiet. You'll alert the guards," Hunter warned. "Kyle, we can't let you out just yet, we need to rescue Hans first. We'll be back for you and the others as soon as possible."
"No, please, don't leave us locked up down here. What if you don't succeed? Free us first," Pendrell begged.
Hunter sighed; he couldn't bring himself to desert these men. Hell, they needed a diversion anyway. "Okay, but you have to help me take out the guards. I can't risk using my powers yet." He turned to Frohike, who had been keeping him up-to-date on the location of the guards. "Melvin, are most of the guards still in the break room?"
"Nope, two are making their rounds they should be heading down this hallway in about five minutes."
Hunter calculated his options; it would take at least seven minutes to open the cell door without using his powers. "Okay, I'll go get the keys from them. Wait here, Melvin," he said, heading off down the corridor.
At the end, he could hear the guards footsteps and voices as they rattled the cell doors to make sure they were securely locked. He pulled his gun from its holster and checked that the silencer was attached. It was another of Frohike's suggestions; silencers weren't standard FBI issued. By the noise he judged what position the guards were in the hallway, he could have pinpointed them in the dark. He was so used to being blind, and relying on his hearing. Hunter cocked the gun and jumped out from behind the wall, the two guards were dead before it even registered that they had been shot.
Hunter walked over to the bodies and bent to retrieve the keys. The noise of the guards bodies hitting the stone floor alerted the men in the nearest cell.
"Hey, who are you? Let us out," one man shouted, pounding on the door.
"Keep your voice down," Hunter hissed. This was turning quickly into a fiasco. "I'll be back in a minute, stay put." He rushed back down the corridor, tossing Frohike the keys. "I'm going to take out the guards in the break room, and open the cell doors," he said and was off dashing down the corridor. He needed to think of a way to get this many men to safety. //This was definitely going to hell in a hand basket.//
Hunter stopped against the wall just outside the break room, Melvin had said there were five guards on duty this evening. The ones that weren't on duty down here or on duty elsewhere in the palace were sleeping in their quarters one level up from the dungeon. He would first take out these three, which should buy them time to arm the released men who could take out the two hundred sleeping guards above, while he and Melvin rescued Hans. Hunter focused until he could hear each of the guards' heartbeats; his senses had become even more acute since his mutation. He had to take them out quickly; he couldn't chance them sending out a telepathic message. Hunter jumped into the doorway firing three shots each hitting their mark in under three seconds as quickly as he had dispatched the other two guards early.
Hunter found Frohike, in a large open room of the dungeon. The little man was surround by at least three hundred men and n'thrals and was trying in vain to get them to be quiet.
"Quiet!" Hunter snarled, and all eyes turned to him. "Do you want to get us killed?" He waited for a reply, but was happy when the released prisoners remained quiet. "Good, now this is what we are going to do." He went on to explain his plans for disabling the palace security and their escape.
Hunter discovered that three of the prisoners were pilots, and one was even a commercial airline pilot and had flown the size aircraft they would need to transport this many men. They would escape out the main entrance and seize a jumbo jet at the nearby airport, while Hunter and Frohike rescued Hans. Several men in the group had advanced military training and Hunter placed them in charge of the operation.
"There is an armory next to the guard's break room. I expect the guards sleeping on the next level up to be taken out quietly. Use silencers or knives. Melvin, are you ready?" Hunter asked, turning to the small man.
"Yeah, I am. We shouldn't have a problem rescuing Hans now, Gullbrand is currently winning the match against Menes, but they are both almost drained of power," Frohike informed Hunter as they made their way up the stone staircase.
"Don't get over confidant, a lot can go wrong between here and there." Hunter was worried; he still hadn't seen or felt Duffy's presence. He hated to leave this place without the giant, but they had no other choice.
There were half a dozen guards milling around outside the open arena doorway watching the fight. Hunter checked his watch. The men had ten minutes to kill the guards sleeping below. Once that was accomplished he would go into the arena and retrieve Hans.
After nearly ten minutes had passed, he received a nod from Frohike and they calmly walked down the hallway toward the arena. The guards turned and gave them a curious look as the small, harmless looking man in thick glasses led a blind man who was holding onto his arm toward them. Suddenly the door flew opened behind the two men and out streamed hundreds of prisoners into the hallway. Hunter dropped Frohike's arm and drew his gun, shooting the surprised guards before it could register that the danger was not from the three hundred men rushing toward the exit, but from the blind man.
Hunter took them out in quick succession then calmly stepped over their bodies and entered the arena. All those present turned to face the handsome blond-haired man with steely blue, sightless eyes.
King Gullbrand who was drenched in sweat from fighting Menes barked, "How dare you interrupt our match! Who are you, and what do you want?" he asked, staring into the sightless eyes, he felt a prickling sensation of fear race up his spine.
Hunter sneered maliciously, then turned to Hans who was staring at him in disbelief. "Hans, we've come to take you home," he said, smiling softly.
"Gabriel! Melvin!" Schatz shouted excitedly, leaping to his feet he attempted to run to them, but found himself unable to move.
"Sit down, boy," Kong ordered, standing.
Schatz face fell as the sorcerer used mind control to get him to comply, and he slowly sank back down next to the other immortal who took his hand to comfort him.
Hunter snarled at the sorcerer and dropped the shields he always held firmly around his powers so the man could see just what type of sorcerer he was up against. "I suggest you back off, he's coming with me!"
Kong's eyes widened, he had never seen one man with so much power. Even Frohike backed away surprised by the blue glow he saw around Hunter's body. He was even more powerful than Skinner, the little man thought. Hunter had always disguised the true extent of his sorcerer abilities, the only one who knew just how powerful he was, was Skinner.
Kong looked over to his fellow coalition partners for help and found none. He saw no wisdom in fighting the more powerful sorcerer over a slave that didn't even belong to him. "I choose not to fight you, take him and leave," the Emperor said.
"NO! He's mine! Kong, do something! You can't just let him take Hans!" Gullbrand bellowed. He was far too weak to lift a finger to prevent the American sorcerer from taking his beautiful immortal from him.
"Blonde, I will not risk my life for your personal property. If you want to keep him then fight for him yourself," Kong said as he released his hold on Hans who immediately jumped to his feet and ran into Frohike's waiting arms.
"You!" the Nordic King growled, staring at Frohike. "Hans, you said you had no love for this man. Come with me and you will never want for anything, I will place the world at your feet."
"I lied, I love Melvin," Schatz said, hanging onto his lover for dear life as he stared lovingly at Hunter's glowing blue body.
King Gullbrand stood tall and proud as he faced Hunter. "He is not your lover, why do you help this man steal him from me? Join me and I will make you the General of my armies. You shall have money, power, and your choice of many lovely slaves to warm your bed."
Hunter glared at him. "The only reason I do not kill you where you stand, is that you have not touched Hans. Come, Melvin, we need to leave now," Hunter said, pushing out with his mind and causing everyone in the arena to crumple to the floor and into a deep sleep.
The three men dashed out of the palace and headed in the direction of the airport. They stumbled across a few bodies of soldiers that the released prisoners had taken out. The escapees were lucky that the darkness had covered their flight, and that they had not run into any sorcerers. Doctor Pendrell was waiting at the airport gate along with three other men.
"Gabriel, you've rescued him. Thank God," Pendrell said. "We've captured a plane. There isn't any civilian traffic at this airport, they seem to mainly use it for military transport now."
"Kyle, what are you doing here?" Schatz asked, smiling at the handsome red-haired doctor as they headed for a large commercial jetliner then he looked around excitedly. "Where's Duffy?"
"I ... don't know, Hans," Pendrell said, looking at Hunter to fill them both in about Duffy.
Hunter who had just silently taken out a couple sorcerers, who were coming to defend the airport, turned to the two men. "Sorry, Hans, we couldn't locate him," he answered.
Schatz stopped climbing the steps up to the airplane as tears sprung to his eyes. "We have to find him, Gabriel," he cried. "He needs us."
"I will search for him after we get you and the other prisoners safely back home. I give you my word, Hans," Hunter said, lightly brushing the tears away from the young man's cheeks with his thumb. He longed to kiss those sweet, rosy lips, but he glanced down and saw that Hans was tightly holding Frohike's hand as the smaller man led him the rest of the way up the steps.
The n'thrals had all claimed the seats in first class, and they leered lustfully at the beautiful immortal, only Hunter's glowing, menacing form kept them in their seats.
Pendrell walked behind Hunter as the other men went to tell the pilot to take off. "Gabriel, most of the other prisoners have already been transferred to the different countries that had claimed them for slaves. Jonathan Carter was sent to Norway along with at least four hundred other men. I'm sure that Duffy has been sent to whatever country had claimed him."
"China, it was Kong that claimed him," Schatz said excitedly, his nails digging into Frohike's hand.
"Ouch! Honey, you need to trim your nails," Frohike said, raising the hand to his lips and kissing it. "By the way, nice threads."
Hunter looked over at the white silk clinging to Hans' perfect body. "Yes, very nice. Hans, you are breathtaking."
The young immortal blushed and smiled softly at the sorcerer. It meant a lot to him what Gabriel thought.
Pendrell slipped into an empty seat in the center of the plane and Hunter took the aisle seat next to him. Frohike sat next to the window while Hans sat next to him across the aisle from Hunter. Hunter glanced around the plane and noticed that Hans' presence was arousing the men. He needed to do something at once.
"Hans, I'm afraid that I need to place a shield around your body, but I will have to touch you to do so," Hunter said, blushing slightly, he held out his hand across the aisle for Hans to take. Just the idea of touching the beautiful young man made his heart beat faster. His face fell as Hans only stared at his hand then turned quickly to look at Frohike.
*Melvin, I love you and will do whatever you think is best,* Hans said telepathically.
Frohike patted his hand, and telepathically answered him, *I understand, Hans. I know you're in love with Gabriel and I consider him one of my best friends. Hell, if Rory and Kazuo can get along I think the three of us will have no problems.*
Hunter looked sadly away from the two men when Hans threw himself on Frohike hugging and kissing him. He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and met Hans' sparkling blue eyes.
"Stand up, Gabriel," the young man ordered.
Hunter looked baffled but complied with the order, and Hans dragged him over to his empty seat next to Frohike.
"Sit down," Schatz said.
"Why? Hans, where are you going to sit? I don't think it's a good idea for you to be too far away from Melvin," Hunter protested.
"Sit," Schatz ordered, pushing gently on Hunter's chest until the larger man sat, he knelt and fastened the seatbelt around Hunter's waist.
"You better get used to it, Gabriel, he enjoys being bossy at times," Frohike muttered, looking out the window as the plane maneuvered down the runway.
Hunter was going to ask Frohike what he meant and why wasn't he concerned ... when Hans sat on his lap and wrapped his arms around his neck.
"You said we had to touch for this shield to work, didn't you, Gabriel?" Schatz purred. "By the way, I haven't thanked you yet for rescuing me." He held Hunter's head between his two hands and leaned down and captured the older man's mouth in a long deep kiss, conveying all the love and affection he had for him.
Hunter opened his mouth allowing Hans' tongue to explore as he tightened his arms around the lean silky body. He made sure that the shield was tightly in place, he didn't want to be interrupted by sex crazed passengers after waiting so long to feel those scrumptious lips on his. God, Hans smelled and tasted so good.
Hans pulled back smiling sweetly. "Now, Gabriel, I think you should concentrate on getting us home, we'll continue this there. I'm not too heavy for you, am I?" he asked, wiggling slightly.
"No, you feel perfect," Hunter croaked out. Even if Hans were he'd never admit it, no not ever, he wanted Hans to stay just where he was.
"Good, I wouldn't want your legs to fall asleep. It is going to be a long flight, later maybe it would be a good idea for Melvin to sit next to Doctor Pendrell."
"See what did I tell you, bossy isn't he?" Frohike muttered.
Hunter remembered Frohike's presence. "Melvin, are you all right with this?"
"Gabriel, you wouldn't be sitting there with my lover on your lap if I weren't," Frohike said.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Sunday, March 26
4:30 a.m.Silent tears ran down Mulder's cheeks as he looked at the computer monitor, he had snuck upstairs to his office to check his email and had found one from Slava. He repeatedly flipped through the individual photographs of his daughters that had been attached to the email message. Slava had included their names along with each photograph.
Mulder had put it off too long. He needed to tell Walter and Alex about his other daughters before they found out accidentally. He hit the printer icon on his computer and started printing the document. Alex and Walter had been so gentle with him last night as they made love that he'd felt like his life was finally returning to normal. Now he was overcome by guilt over the pain he felt at the loss of his and Slava's daughters.
***