Life from the Ashes Book 3 - SBS
by Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.netNC-17
Disclaimer: The X-Files characters Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Alex Krycek, Walter Skinner, Jeffrey Spender, CSM, the Lone Gunmen, Kimberly Cook, Senator Matheson, Bill Scully, 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 the first two books of the series to understand this one.
I would like to thank my beta-readers Laurie, Cerulean Blue, Kiyoko, Nicole, Michael, and Susan 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.
Okay to Archive: please ask first.
***
Chapter 14
BondedSecret Consortium Base
Thursday, April 6
2:30 p.m.A rat nudged its pointed nose into the freshly turned earth that filled in a deep trench, and it came up with a bloody strip meat and scurried off with it. Beneath the dirt a man regained consciousness. He discovered that he couldn't move his limbs, and his mind sluggishly determined that something was pressing down on his body from all sides. When he forced his eyes open loose dirt stung his eyeballs, the dirt was loose enough that he was still able to breathe. If he could have screamed his outrage at what had happened to him he would have, but he was lying face up and to do so would have filled his mouth with earth. Those fools had buried him alive, and from the smell of death around him, they had disposed of his body in the pit used to discard the bodies of their animal and human lab experiments.
He franticly struggled, trying to claw his way to the surface, and in his desperation and terror to become free, he triggered his as of yet untapped powers and found himself suddenly above ground lying naked on the hot soil. The sun blazed down on his flesh as he tried to rise. He felt weird, there was a weight on his back and try as he might he couldn't shake it off. He reached back and to his horror discovered the object was an extension of his body. He then noticed his skin, it was a pale shade of translucent white with blue veins marbling its smooth surface and it was cold to the touch. His fingers had sharp claws that came out of their tips, and his feet were no longer remotely human. They resemble something from the bird kingdom, clawed and hooked for gripping and ripping.
The smoker staggered to his feet and made his way to a nearby, stagnant pool. He gazed at his reflection in the murky water, and cried out in horror. His face was still recognizable even with the whitish blue skin. He also appeared to be decades younger and his hair was still there, but darker and thicker. However, it was the massive leathery wings on his back that shocked him most of all. He looked like a bat. Then he noticed his manhood. His long wailing cry could be heard for miles in all directions.
***
St. Petersburg
Thursday, April 6
7:30 p.m.Slava looked down at the beautiful young man sleeping in his bed. Upon closer inspection, once they arrived back in St. Petersburg, it was discovered that only the outer layer of skin on Alexei's body had been burnt. It took two days for the most severe burns to heal and the soft flawless flesh to appear. On the second day he had Alexei transferred to his room, to share his bed. The young beauty hadn't regained consciousness yet, but Slava thought it was only a matter of hours now. He placed a cool hand on Krycek's hot, sweat dampened forehead. Krycek seemed to be burning from within as his body went through the final stages of its change. When the change was complete, Russia would have their very own immortal, or more precisely, he would.
Slava marveled at his sheer loveliness. Alexei had always been beautiful, now there was an otherworldliness to his appearance. He was too perfect for this world. Slava ran his fingers through Alexei's thick, silky tresses, their color was a remarkable deep, rich shade of brown. The softness and color reminded him of a wild mink. So different in color from his Fox's multicolor shades of chestnut, but similar in texture and feel.
He smiled at the thought of mating his two beauties with each other, what perfect females would come from such a coupling. Not that the daughters he and Fox had weren't perfect, but they were only human females. The world's doctors overseeing the immortal's pregnancies had discovered that the fetus inside their wombs had picked up the mutation of its father whether sorcerer, clairvoyant, or immortal. Since the immortal's sperm only cared the female gene all babies born from an immortal/immortal coupling would always be an immortal female. While a sorcerer/immortal pairing would produce either a sorcerer male or sorcerer female. He would have sons with both his immortals.
He frowned sadly as his thoughts turned to Fox. He had been informed that someone had tried to kill his wayward lover and that Fox was in far worse condition than Alexei had been in. He had his agents searching for the person responsible. It was beyond his comprehension why someone would wish to destroy something so precious and beautiful as his Fox.
He bent and gently kissed Alexei's pert mouth, before rising to attend to his daughters.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Thursday, April 6
10:30 p.m.Skinner sat beside the glass-enclosed cylinder that held Fox's body. He finally saw a minute amount of improvement, confirming that Fox was still alive. Silent tears ran down Skinner's cheeks as he remembered how parts of Fox's body had crumbled to ash when he transferred him to the cylinder. He had both the wedding rings that Alex and he had given Fox on a chain around his neck. Doctor Pendrell determined that at the rate of tissue growth it would be weeks, possibly months before Mulder's body fully regenerated.
Skinner buried his head in his hands and sobbed. He had no way to reach Alex to tell him about Fox and ask him to come home, he needed him here. Skinner had thought for sure that Rory and Alex would have been back by now. He couldn't bear going through this alone. The FBI lab had made little progress on finding any evidence that would lead to a possible suspect to this atrocious act. Skinner cursed himself for being careless. The interim offices were hardly secure, anyone could have gained access during the weekend. He should never have agreed to Fox's request to come back to work until they had a more secure facility available.
He looked toward the window surprised to find that it was pitch black outside. Where had the last five hours gone?
"Walter," Scully said softly from the doorway. When Skinner turned to face her she went on. "Come say goodnight to your daughter and niece."
"They're still up?"
"Yes, they're refusing to go to sleep. Walter, I think you could use some sleep yourself."
Skinner sighed. "Dana, I can't leave him. What if he's aware?"
"He wasn't aware the last time he died, only after he was fully healed," Scully reminded him.
The large man gave her a surprised look. "Fox told you about that?"
"Walter, Mulder is my best friend. He's been confiding in me a lot lately."
"I wasn't aware of that, Dana. What else do you talk about?" Skinner asked, wanting any snippet that would bring his lover closer.
Scully smiled, holding out her hand to him. "C'mon, Walter, I'll tell you as we walk to my room."
They were quiet as they walked down the long hallway while Scully pulled her thoughts together and she finally offered, "Mulder asked me all sorts of questions about my pregnancy. He wanted to know what it felt like to have a life growing inside of me, what I thought were good names for boys."
Skinner had a goofy expression on his face as he realized Fox's inquiry into boys names was for their son. He almost didn't hear the rest of what Scully was saying.
"We discussed the world in general. Did you know that Mulder is worried about Hope and Faith? He's afraid that when they are of childbearing age there will be outside pressure for them to get married whether they want to or not."
"Dana, Fox has nothing to be afraid of. Alex and I will never allow anything to happen to our daughters."
"Walter, the country is slowly starting to fragment around us. The national and local governments are losing control as more and more citizens form into clans headed by sorcerers. The human controlled governments cannot stand up against these new clans. The clans are refusing to follow the laws of the United States. In addition, humans are being reduced to second class citizens and in some cases slaves within our own country. Walter, whether you like it or not, Hope and Faith will be considered prizes among these clans," she said, pausing at the door to her room.
"Fox and you discussed this? Christ," Skinner sighed, he was hoping that the problems happening in the southwest would be brought under control, but they seemed to be spreading and getting worse. He knew how much Fox worried lately and wanted to shield him from this latest downward spiral of their society.
"It is a concern to me, Walter. My brothers, nephews, son, and husband are all humans we don't have the protection of a sorcerer or clan. If the government falls then we are at an extreme disadvantage, as are all humans," Scully replied, stepping into her room. Spender sat by the fireplace with both babies on his lap reading them a story. Both pairs of tiny eyes lit up when they saw Walter.
Skinner went over to his daughter and niece and lifted them off Spender's lap. The young man took the opportunity to set the book down and quietly leave. "Dana, if it comes down to that you have my protection and the protection of all the other sorcerers here at the estate and the FBI." Skinner didn't say it but he thought that it might be time to establish his own clan. He would need to build one strong enough that it would stand up to any outside threats to his family. He cuddled his daughter and niece against his chest, and placed a kiss on each of their tiny heads, using his powers he eased them into sleep. No one would dare threaten his family.
"Thanks, Walter," Scully said, watching as the large man placed each of the babies in their cribs. Scully had volunteered to watch them for Skinner until Mulder recovered or Krycek returned.
"They should be fine now, Dana, I'm going back to Fox. I'll see you in the morning," Skinner said, hurrying out of the room and back to his lover's side.
***
Secret Consortium Base
Friday, April 7
1:30 a.m.The smoker watched with satisfaction as the last scientist clawed pathetically at his throat trying to get air down his crushed windpipe before turning blue and collapsing to the floor dead. The lab was dead-quiet now except for the fearful whimpers coming from inside the cell where his two immortals clung to each other. All the other occupants of the base were dead and their research into creating the sorcerer mutation destroyed. He had retrieved the secret location to all the back up data from the minds of the scientists before killing them. He would take care of destroying that data and the upper echelon in the consortium who had knowledge of this experiment. He gleefully held up the only existing vial of the formula that had changed him into a sorcerer. The smoker had a pleasant surprise in store for his son Jeffrey, he smiled, "Like father like son."
He walked over to a mirror and admired his new body. After the initial shock had worn off he realized how perfect this body was, it was not old and feeble like his previous body, but indestructible. He had realized that the moment the bullets fired by the guards bounced painfully off him, but didn't penetrate the skin. The smoker wanted to further test how tough his flesh was, so he picked up a scalpel from a tray next to an examination table and placed it against the white, cold flesh of his arm. He bore down until the blade snapped, it hadn't even scratch his skin. He tossed the blade away and spread his wings and marveled at their twelve foot span, he would try to fly with them later. He turned sideways still looking in the mirror, he was taller by a good seven inches. He reached down and stroked his hard cock, it had been erect all the while he was killing the inhabitants here. The smell of the two immortals was making him hornier than he had been in years.
The smoker's hand smoothed over the bristles covering his long shaft, he was able to make them move up and down and go from soft to hard with his mind. He knew their purpose was to stimulate his mate and hold him inside after he released his seed. He wanted to fuck. He looked over at the cell and his two beauties inside, his only problem was deciding on which one of the lovelies to fuck first.
He couldn't wait to breed with them, to impregnate them with his seed. Unfortunately they hadn't developed a womb like the other immortals yet. The scientists had estimated that it would be several months for the orifice and womb to develop. Oh well, he would enjoy their bodies until they were ripe for his seed. He walked over to the cell and used his new powers to open the door.
"Please, don't touch us. Let us go," the beautiful blond-haired Australian begged, shielding his younger cell mate with his body from the monstrosity that stalked toward them. Ian Drew Hennesey was thirty-two, he had been a wildlife photographer before his change, selling his photographs to several top magazines and newspapers worldwide. Being a prisoner of the consortium had been particularly hard on him, he had spent his whole life outdoors amongst nature. At times his confinement was more painful than the tests the consortium doctors and scientists performed on him.
"No, my pet, through you both a whole new race will be born. Our children will be superior to all other life forms on this planet," the smoker purred, his clawed hand tightened around Ian's upper arm and pulled him off the small cot.
"Get your filthy hands off me," Hennesey shouted struggling to free himself.
"Aton, prepare your brother's opening for me," the creature growled as he bent the Australian immortal effortlessly over his hip and spread his thighs apart. His sharp clawed finger teased at the young man's opening, but he didn't attempt to push inside as he did not want to cut him.
The young Egyptian jumped as a tube of lubricant appeared in his hand. "I won't help you rape my friend, and my name is Khalid Kirah! Not Aton!" the immortal hissed. He thought it was blasphemous that the creature would name him after his people's ancient Sun God.
"Your name is whatever I decide it to be, Aton, and you will do exactly what I tell you! I will punish you later for your disobedience," the smoker snapped, using mind control he forced the young Egyptian to comply.
Hennesey stared at the floor bent over this creature hip his head bumped against the large leathery wings. It's skin felt as cold and hard as a block of ice. He felt a gentle, warm touch at his anus, then a slim greased finger slipped inside him, Hennesey knew the touch belonged to Khalid. They had turned to each other for comfort against the long, lonely nights.
Khalid knelt at the smoker's clawed feet, his body's movements were jerky as he slipped another bronzed finger inside his lover's pale ass. A tear ran down his smooth cheek as he continued to stretch and prepare Ian for the monster holding him. They had only been fully healed from their ordeal of being incinerated for three weeks, but during those weeks Khalid had become closer to Ian than anyone else in his life. As the young Immortal prepared his best friend and lover he tried to avoid looking at the nightmare that hung between the creature's legs. After he worked three fingers into Ian, he spent long minutes loosening him before the creature growled.
"Enough, pretty one, moisten my cock."
The smoker again had to seize control of the young immortal's mind to force Khalid's lips to his cock.
Khalid couldn't get his mouth around the monster's enormous cockhead. Instead he used his tongue to lap around the head, he cringed slightly at the dark, smoky tasting precum. As he licked up the shaft he encountered the bristles and couldn't prevent himself from gagging.
The smoker sighed, watching the young man empty his stomach on the floor between his feet. After Khalid was finished, he growled impatiently, "Just lube it with your hands, boy." His arm was still holding the Australian bent over his hip. He didn't have to use physical force to restrain his immortal, he could have held Ian still with mind control, but he enjoyed his body's new strength.
When his cock was slick, he hauled Ian to his feet and positioned him against the wall. Kicking his feet apart, he placed the large head of his cock against the young man's entrance and thrust the head in through the tight ring of muscles.
Ian shrieked in pain and tried to get away as the creature pushed more of his cock inside. He whimpered, the pain was too much, and his muscles clenched trying to keep the intruder out.
When the smoker wasn't watching the young Egyptian as he reached under the mattress of his cot and pulled out a metal rod three feet long. Ian had disassembled part of his cot the previous night, they had been planning on using it to escape. Khalid crept up behind the six foot ten inch creature, it was a full foot taller than he was, and he knew that he would have to split its skull if they were to escape. The Egyptian brought the steel pipe down with as much force as he could. The sound of the impact echoed across the lab. Khalid suddenly found himself thrown back against the bars and held two feet off the ground with his hands and legs spread out against the cold steel. He couldn't move a muscle and was forced to watch his friend and lover getting mercilessly raped.
The smoker's arms were wrapped around the young, muscled body beneath him helping the young immortal to remain on his feet. He kissed the golden locks on Ian's head, enjoying the anguished whimpers elicited from the young man's lips. CSM couldn't remember sex ever being so good, the tight heat of the young muscular body felt so much better than any woman he'd ever had.
Ian moaned as he felt the bristles teasing his anus and rectum, soon pleasure overcame pain his cock filled with blood and jutted out away from his body. No, he did not want to feel this way. A hideous creature was raping him; he tried to focus on the feel of the too-cold flesh against his back and the frigid breath on the back of his head. That helped his erection ease up slightly until the creatures clawed hand wrapped around it, bringing it back to life.
"You cannot deny that you are enjoying our coupling, my pretty Azure," the smoker purred. "My blue-eyed, golden-haired beauty. I shall dress you and Aton in the finest silks, and adorn you both in gold and jewels. You will make me the envy of all the other world leaders." CSM pushed harder and faster into the heat of his immortal, he felt his orgasm cresting and moved his hand along his immortal's cock wanting to bring him over the edge with him.
Ian shrieked as the creature came, its bristles hardened almost painfully, locking their two bodies together. Ian's seed shot out in milky spurts hitting the wall of the cell, his muscles clenched down on the bristles, shooting pain and pleasure up his spine. He slumped unconscious in the smoker's arms.
Cancerman gently pulled out, and scooped the unconscious immortal up in his arms and laid him on the cot. He then focused his attention on his pretty Aton still held spread eagle against the bars, and the creatures penis swelled and lengthened as he walked toward the frightened young man.
***
St. Petersburg
The Winter Palace
Friday, April 7
9:30 a.m.The first thing that Alex became aware of was the sweet fragrance of flowers. The second was that his body felt different, lighter, less weighed down by the pains of life. He slowly opened his eyes and was amazed by the colors that danced before them. The high arched ceiling over the bed had an exquisite, erotic mural painted on it. Alex gasped when he realized it was of his Fox. He didn't look as lovely as he did in real life, but it was a good likeness nonetheless, right down to the size and shape of his erect penis. The colors were remarkable and he stared at it mesmerized. He was too overcome by sensations to question where he was or what he was doing there.
Alex sat up and glanced around the rest of the bedroom. The sunlight pouring in through the high windows reflected off the crystals on the chandelier and cast an array of rainbows across one of the walls. Alex sat stunned over the vivid colors, he had never seen anything so amazing. His eyes drifted to the large bouquet of flowers as a sense of surrealism washed over him, he felt like he had awoken in a dream world. The colors and details his eyes were picking up were like none he'd ever beheld before.
"Alexei, I see you have finally rejoined us," Slava said, smiling as he stepped into the room carrying one of his infant daughters.
Krycek's heart fluttered as he stared at Slava and he found himself becoming aroused by the large man's presence. He shook himself suddenly, what was he thinking? He hated Slava. "What happened to me? I can't remember how I got here?"
Slava's nostrils flared slightly as the scent of the immortal excited him, and he almost dropped his baby. His heart leapt to his throat in dismay and he tightened his hold on her, then walked stiffly over to the bed and sat on the edge next to Alexei. "You were struck by lightening, and have spent the past four days recovering and changing."
The wonderful scent of the baby was too much for Alex to resist, he held out his arms for her. Slava transferred the infant into them along with her bottle. The baby had soft brown hair and peered up at him with coal black eyes, through thick lashes. "She's Fox's?" Alex bent and kissed the little baby's forehead as he cuddled her against his bare chest.
Slava smiled, Alexei looked absolutely radiant with the child held lovingly in his arms. "Yes, her name is Anatasja," he murmured, studying the sable-haired beauty and realizing suddenly that he was in love with Alexei. The young man had stolen his heart over the past few days. Only Fox had claimed his undying love so quickly, but there seemed to be a deeper connection between him and Alexei that he couldn't explain.
Krycek watched as the baby suckled from the bottle, worried, he looked up at Slava. "What did you mean, changing?"
"You're an immortal now, Alexei."
"No, that's not possible. I'm a sorcerer! It's impossible to change mutations," Krycek said fearfully.
Slava telepathically called to his daughter's nanny and within seconds the young woman appeared at the bedroom doorway. "My Tsar," Anna said curtseying.
"Anna, please take Anatasja back to the nursery."
After the young woman had left, Slava stood and held out his hand to Krycek. "Come, Alexei."
Krycek ignored his hand and climbed out of bed, trying to avoid contact with Slava's body.
Slava respected Krycek's wish and kept his hands to himself as he gestured for the obviously nervousness young man to precede him into the bathing room.
Krycek was at first baffled why Slava motioned him in here until he saw the full length mirror. He gasped at the image the mirror reflected back at him. "No, that isn't me. Slava, this is some sort of sick trick you're playing on me!"
"Nikolai," Slava corrected. He walked up behind Krycek and placed his hands on the smaller man's bare shoulders. "This is no trick, Alexei. Somehow God had decided to grace Russia with her own Russian-borne immortal. I've been present throughout your change. It was the most remarkable sight." Slava's hands trailed down as he talked and Krycek stared spellbound into the large man's black eyes, he unconsciously licked his lips with desire. The Cossack's hands splayed across Alexei's belly and pressed the immortal's body back against his. "When your womb is developed we shall have a brood of children together," he purred licking the side of Krycek's throat.
Krycek shot back suddenly with his elbow, catching Slava by surprise. The large man staggered back clutching his sternum.
"Never! Are you out of your fucking mind! I will never have children by you! Or anyone else for that matter! I have no intention of ever being pregnant," Krycek shouted, trembling with fury as the implication of what had happened to him sunk in like a lead weight around his neck.
Slava regained his breath and straightened. "Alexei, you will have no choice when the time comes. You will bear my children for Russia, and when Fox returns to us you will bear each other's children, in addition to mine."
Krycek looked around for a weapon, anything he could use to escape from this place. He needed to get back to Fox and Walter.
"There is no escape, my pretty pet. I will not be as careless with you as I was with Fox," Slava said stalking toward Krycek.
Krycek tried for a spinning kick, but Slava was ready for him and swiftly dodged the foot and caught Alex against his body. Krycek fought like a wildcat as he tried to free himself from the larger man's tight hold. Clawing uselessly at Slava's face as the larger Russian ruler held his wrists away from his body.
Slava chuckled and pushed him up against the tiled wall with a resounding thud and covered Krycek's smaller frame with his larger one. His finger trailed from his possession's delicate ear, across his high cheekbones and down to circle the pink, bowed lips, he bent and captured them with his own. The Tsar's hand kneaded and caressed Krycek's buttocks, pulling him closer against his body.
Krycek stopped struggling as an uncontrollable desire flowed through him, he tried to fight it, but found it impossible. He started kissing Slava back hungrily, rubbing his raging erection against the taller man's fabric-covered thigh.
Slava was taken aback by the younger man's suddenly wanton behavior, his first thought was that it was a trick until he read Alexei's mind and saw the desire there. He quickly unzipped his pants and toed off his shoes, shedding his pants, socks and underwear in one smooth motion, while never breaking contact with Alexei's lips. A tube of lubricant appeared in his hand and he quickly slicked himself up, at the same time he willed Alexei to relax his anal muscles for him.
Krycek wrapped his arms around Slava's neck as his mouth sucked eagerly, hungrily on the larger man's tongue. Slava steered him backward toward the counter and effortlessly lifted the young immortal onto it. Krycek leaned back against the cool surface of the mirror and wrapped his long legs around Slava's hips as he scooted his butt to the counter's edge and shamelessly spread himself open for the larger man.
Slava was being driven wild by the immortal's scent and his sluttish behavior. He tore off his remaining clothing careful not to disturb the long legs wrapped around his waist. His hand shook as he positioned his cock against the tight bud and pushed in with ease. He drove his cock in all the way until his balls rested against the cool edge of the counter. Slava then went back to kissing Alexei's sweet, pink lips.
"Oh God, Alexei, I love you," he purred, raining kisses all over the young man's beautiful face. "Feel my love filling you," Slava purred huskily, his hand sliding between their bodies and grasping Krycek's erection.
"Yes, fuck me, fill me, take me, love me," Krycek chanted, his legs tightened around Slava's waist. He loved the feeling of the large organ filling and stretching him. He was light-headed with desire, the feeling was better than any high he'd ever had from heroin.
"Anything you want, my beautiful Alexei," Slava said, sliding his cock out then thrusting it back into the tight heat. His heart soared at Alexei's moan of pleasure. Slava's hand found purchase on the younger man's buttocks as he pulled him closer to the counter's edge and drove his cock in deeper and harder. He was encouraged further by Krycek's cries and watched as the younger man closed his eyes, tossing his head back and losing himself in the sensation of his flesh. "God, you are absolutely beautiful, Alexei."
Krycek smiled at Slava's compliment. For some reason it pleased him that this man found him beautiful. His hands clutched the edge of the counter for leverage as he pushed up to meet Slava's downward thrust. He had never been entered so deeply or filled so tightly in his life, and he gave himself up to the sensations. Never before had he known such naked pleasure, it was different somehow, his rectum seemed to have nerve endings that heightened the sensations of being penetrated, and his entire body was tingling, not just his ass. It felt as if all of his whole being was one big erogenous zone. "Harder, Nikolai."
Alexei's use of his first name pushed Slava over the edge into ecstasy as he thrust one final time and came, filling his younger lover's body with his essence.
Krycek shuddered as the warm fluid flowed into him. He realized that he could actually feel its warmth as it filled his bowels. He had never truly felt, only imagined, the heat of Walter and Fox's semen. Was this due to his change, too? Fox never mentioned it, but then how would Fox know? He'd never had anal sex before his change. None of the immortals at the estate had either, he needed to find one that had and ask him.
Krycek whimpered as Slava withdrew, then he giggled as Slava's tongue tickled his belly. He looked down at the Tsar's full head of black hair as he lapped the semen from his chest and belly. Krycek hadn't even realized he had come, so focused was he on the feeling of the larger man's come spurting into his body. He felt a strange calm wash over him, love, he was in love with Slava. How was that possible?
"Come, my love. I want to bathe you then make love to you again. Slower this time," Slava said, pulling Alex off the counter. Krycek slumped against him, his legs too shaky to hold him upright. Slava tightened his hold around his lover's waist to keep him from falling. The Tsar stood with Alexei's head resting on his shoulder and Alexei's arms wrapped around his middle. Slava's new lover was slightly taller and more muscular than his Fox, and he weighed about twenty pounds more. Slava easily supported Alexei's weight as he waited for him to recover. By the time they made it to the spacious bathing pool it was already filled with warm, fragrant water.
Krycek sank appreciatively down into the soothing water. He rested his head on Slava's chest and traced patterns on the warm flesh with the tip of his finger. He had never experienced such an inner feeling of peace and tranquility. "I can't explain my feelings for you, Nikolai. I should hate you for what you've done to Fox. However, I'm finding that impossible to do. I don't know why I'm suddenly so attracted to you. I can't explain why I want to feel your arms around me or the need I have for you to love me."
"Alexei, you hated me until we kissed. Maybe it's nothing more than a strange chemical reaction between our two bodies," Slava sighed, hoping that it went deeper than that, he wanted Alexei's love, the type of love that Fox had never given him.
Krycek was startled by the sadness in the larger man's voice. Could this be what it was like to be genetically bonded? "It doesn't matter, Nikolai, what matters is how I feel for you now."
Slava bent and kissed Alexei's head, his hand trailed down to cup one firm buttock. He wondered how long it would take for Alexei to come to his senses and realize that he still hated him.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, April 7
1:30 p.m.Hans Schatz's lips quivered as he read the letter from King Gullbrand. He looked up at Marat Fyodorov angrily. "You're part of this, aren't you?"
"No, Hans, I'm only the messenger. King Gullbrand's lead clairvoyant is a distant cousin of mine. I'm going back to Russia and my Tsar. I will take you with me and drop you off in Norway, if you would like?" Fyodorov offered uncomfortably. He didn't like doing his cousin's dirty work. He should have been on his way back to Russia by now, not risking his life bringing the young immortal a ransom note.
"No. I am not going with you, but neither are you going back to Russia," Schatz replied calmly.
Fyodorov was a bit taken a back when he saw the look of strength and determination in the young immortal's blue eyes. He realized that he and his cousin had misread this immortal's innocence as naiveté, and now he was about to pay for that mistake.
"Ah, look, Hans, if you do not wish to go that is fine. I need to be leaving now," he said, realizing it was already too late, that Hans had been in telepathic communication with his lovers.
When he turned to flee out the door he ran smack dab into Frohike's fist and crumbled to the floor.
"Ouch! Dammit! I think I broke my hand," Frohike cried out, bouncing around Fyodorov's unconscious body, he held his hand cradled against his chest.
"Come here, Melvin, let me see." Schatz held out his hand to his lover, just as Hunter came rushing into the library.
Fyodorov had started to come around and Hunter hauled him roughly to his feet.
"Hans, what is going on?" Hunter asked, watching as Hans healed Frohike's bruised hand.
Schatz placed a kiss on the older man's knuckles. "Gabriel, Rory and Alex were captured by Gullbrand's men a week ago. Alex is now in Russia with Slava. Gullbrand is holding Rory and Jonathan hostage. He will free them if I turn myself over to him," he said, handing Hunter the letter from Gullbrand.
Frohike glared at Fyodorov. The Russian had his hand over his eye and was clearly afraid.
"You've been blocking Jeff and I so we couldn't see that Alex and Rory were captured or in danger. Why? You can't go back to Russia, if you do Slava will kill you. What did you have to gain by betraying the hospitality we've shown you?" Frohike asked, having a hard time controlling his temper.
"You are wrong. Slava has forgiven me and has guaranteed me my old position back," Fyodorov said defiantly.
Hunter shook the small man. "Why would Slava forgive you? What did you give him?"
Fyodorov peered up at him smugly. The little man's left eye was swelling shut. "I gave him what is rightly Russia's to begin with, our own immortal."
The three men were clearly baffled. "What to you mean, Marat? Russia doesn't have an immortal," Schatz said.
"It does now. Alexei Krycek is her immortal."
"WHAT!"
Fyodorov went on, there was no longer any need for secrecy. "The change Alexei had been going through would have eventually left him human again. Only he suffered a freak accident while in the midst of the change. He was wearing an anti-power cuff on his ankle and when Alexei tried to escape the cuff was struck by lightening causing a reaction to take place within his body. Instead of being killed, he was mutated into an immortal." The Russian clairvoyant tried to appease his captors and said, "My friends, there is no need to worry, Alexei is safely in the Tsar's hands where he belongs. The Tsar will never allow anything to happen to him. Now if you don't mind I think that I'll be leaving."
"The only place you're going is to jail," Frohike growled.
"On what charge? I have done nothing legally wrong. My misleading you and young Jeffrey isn't a crime," the Russian replied indignantly.
Hunter pushed the little man into a chair. "We cannot legally arrest you, but you are not leaving here. We can't take the chance that you will tip off Gullbrand or Slava to our intentions for getting our family members back."
"King Gullbrand will know immediately if Hans does not make contact with him. Then he will kill Mr. MacIver … " Fyodorov stopped speaking when he spotted Shinji Takeda standing in the doorway.
Takeda felt the world around him dim as he shakily walked into the room; he had been deathly worried about his lover. Rory and Alex should have been back with Jonathan days ago. "Hans, what's going on? What's happened to Rory?"
Hans rose and wrapped his arms around the smaller man and guided Takeda over to his chair and helped him to sit. He took Takeda's smaller hand in his as he knelt next to the chair. "Shinji, he's going to be okay. King Gullbrand is holding him hostage, but he won't hurt Rory as long as I turn myself over to him."
"Hans, you can't do that. There has to be another way," Takeda said, looking pleadingly at Hunter. "Have you talked to Walter?"
"No, Shinji, we just found out." Hunter sighed, "I hate to bother him with this, but we're going to need his help to rescue our friends," Hunter looked at Fyodorov then Frohike. "We'll lock him up in the storage room off the wine cellar. Then we'll call a family meeting."
***
Alex turned around in Slava's arms and cuddled against his broad chest. He playfully nipped at Slava's nipple, delighting in the taste of the salty flesh. He had never felt this way toward anyone other than Fox. Even Walter didn't touch his heart the way his Nikolai had. Nikolai, Alex smiled, he hadn't questioned too deeply why the man he had hated with a passion a few hours ago he now loved with all of his heart. Fox should be here with them, he wanted to feel the warmth of both men against his body.
Slava smiled down at the head resting against his chest and ran his fingers through the tousled, silky hair. He was beside himself with happiness, Alexei had told him that he loved him. Slava couldn't believe his luck, he thought he'd have to work for months before Alexei would even accept being in his bed. He had never won Fox's love, but in a few short hours he had Alexei swearing his undying love for him. Slava still loved Fox, but his love for Alexei was different, they had a connection that he and Fox never shared.
Krycek sighed contentedly and closed his eyes falling into an exhausted sleep.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, April 7
3:30 p.m.Skinner ran his hand over his scalp as he paced over to the window. He couldn't leave Fox, not now, not ever. He was pissed, no one messed with his family. No more. He had enough. He'd followed the rules his whole life, but the game had been change. To win he needed to make up his own rules. Skinner turned back to Scully and the men in the room. "King Gullbrand's men are spread out around Scandinavia putting down resistance to his reign, and he also has an active campaign going against Denmark. His forces are spread thin. I think it is time that we retrieve our citizens from the coalition countries. I'm going to assemble teams of sorcerers and clairvoyants from the FBI, CIA, NSA, and the Special Forces. Gabriel, Kazuo, I want you to accompany the team in rescuing our people from Gullbrand."
Worried, Scully looked at him. "Walter, Congress is still debating how they want to get our people back, they're talking trade sanctions. They'll never approve your request to send in teams of sorcerers to those countries," she said.
"Screw Congress," Skinner growled. "I don't plan on requesting approval, not when my family's and friends' lives are in danger. I won't stand by any longer and watch our countrymen wither in slavery, not when I can do something about it!"
Hunter smiled at the fire he saw blazing in the depths of Skinner's eyes. "How many sorcerers are you talking about, Walter?" he asked. If anyone could assemble a large fighting force it was Skinner. The A.D. had garnered a lot of support amongst the different government agencies and military during the invasion. It was his leadership that had eventually turned the tide against the invaders.
"Five or six thousand should do it," Skinner replied.
"Thousand!" Frohike whistled. "Gullbrand will wet his pants when he sees a force that size on his border."
"That's the idea, Melvin. If I sent in five hundred sorcerers, Gullbrand would put up a fight. However, he would never dare fight against five thousand of America's best sorcerers. He's too smart for that. Gullbrand will turn over our people, including Rory and Jonathan," Skinner said.
"Then it's on to Russia to rescue Alex?" Frohike questioned.
Skinner frowned. "No. Slava's forces are forty times as large as Gullbrand's. I would need a lot more than five thousand sorcerers to go up against him on his own soil."
"How do you plan to rescue Alex then?" Schatz asked.
"I plan to go to Russia myself and bring Alex home once Fox is better," Skinner replied, he had no idea how he'd do that but he would. He was still having a hard time grasping that his half-brother was now an immortal.
"Walter, it could be weeks or months before Mulder is well. You can't leave Alexei in Slava's hands for that long!" Pyetr Yermolov snapped.
"I have no choice! Don't you think I want Alex back? But I can't risk thousands of men's lives to rescue him. Pyetr, he's an immortal now! A Russian immortal. You know that Slava and the Russian people are not going to give him up without a fight," Skinner growled.
Yermolov suddenly looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Walter. Of course you are right. Russia will never give up Alexei."
"Melvin, can you sit with Fox? I need to start organizing our forces." Skinner had several sorcerers in mind to lead his army against Gullbrand and the rest of the coalition. He needed to convene a meeting with them. The operation had to get underway in the next forty-eight hours.
"Sure, Walter. Hans and I will both sit with him until you get back," Frohike said.
"Melvin, I'm going to need Hans with me. I want him to go with Gabriel and our forces to Germany."
"No. He could call Gullbrand from the estate he doesn't have to leave the country!" Frohike growled.
"That wouldn't work. Gullbrand will only believe Hans is on his way to him if he receives the message in flight over the Atlantic. I want Gullbrand to be taken totally by surprise when five thousand sorcerers surround his country. I don't want to give him time to call the other coalition countries for reinforcements."
Hunter looked over at Frohike. "Don't worry, Melvin, I won't let any harm come to him."
"See that you don't, Gabriel," Frohike said, accepting reluctantly that it was important for the mission's success to have Hans along.
***
The Winter Palace
Monday, April 10
6:30 a.m.Krycek stood at the edge of the roof and leaned against the gold railing overlooking St. Petersburg and watched the sunrise. The roof garden was only assessable from the Tsar's private apartments. Krycek looked around the roof at the statues and flower pots, it must be beautiful up here in the summer. The stone pots were still full of snow, but most of the roof and benches were snow free. Krycek took a deep breath relishing the crisp freshness of the early morning air, spring was in the air. He walked over to a stone bench and sat to think about the strange twist his life had taken.
He had been with Slava for four days now and didn't regret for an instant the love he felt for Slava. The man was interesting, highly intelligent, and handsome. The callous mobster that he knew from years ago seemed to have been replaced by a firm but compassionate leader. Krycek wondered if the babies hadn't helped in changing Slava's disposition. Children had a way of mellowing people. He frowned sadly, he missed his daughter and niece. He missed Fox and Walter, too. Krycek frowned something wasn't right about his feelings for Slava, he tried to put his finger on it. However, he was unable to think past his desire and love for Nikolai.
Slava stood in the open doorway that led down to his apartments and watched Krycek. The sunlight was shining off Alexei's rich sable hair, framing his angelic face. He glanced around the roof at the frozen garden he had built for Fox. Fox. His Fox. He still wanted him as much as he wanted Alexei.
Alex felt Slava's presence, he turned and smiled up at him, and as if he were reading the Tsar's mind he said, "Fox should be here with us, Nikolai, we can both protect and love him. I'm sure in time he will learn to love you as much as I do. I want to phone him and ask him to come. However, Walter would never understand, he'll never allow Fox to leave him," Krycek sighed. "I should at least call Fox to tell him I'm okay. I don't want him to worry. I need to check on my daughter, too," he said, chewing thoughtfully on his bottom lip. He didn't like being separated from Fox and Faith. He'd work at convincing Fox that Nikolai wasn't the monster they'd thought him to be, and maybe he could convince Walter to share Fox with them. Allow Fox to come live here with them every other month. He frowned sadly; he wanted to be with Walter too, so that wouldn't work. A foursome was definitely out.
Slava frowned, he hadn't wanted to tell Alexei about Fox's accident, but there was no way he could avoid it now. "Alexei, I need to tell you something about Fox, but I want you to promise me that you'll remain calm."
"What? Don't you want him here with us?"
Slava sat next to Alex on the bench taking his hand. "That's not it, my love. I want Fox to be with us. I love him as much as I love you. Someone in your FBI tried to kill Fox. From what my agents have discovered about his condition, it will be quite some time before Fox will be well enough to join us here."
All color drained from Krycek's face. "I must go to him," he said, standing up.
Slava grabbed his wrist and hauled him back down. "Alexei, as much as it pains me to deny you anything, I cannot allow you to leave. Fox will be fine, you can do nothing for him."
Krycek pulled away and stood straight, he eyes locked with Slava's. "I'm an immortal. That means I have the ability to heal, so you see, Nikolai, there is something I can do for Fox."
"Alexei, there are four immortals at Foxfire Glenn Estate. They can heal Fox, you don't have to go. I don't want to lose you, not so soon after we've finally found each other. Please, stay," Slava pleaded for the first time in his life, he didn't have it in him to force Alexei to stay with him. He knew if he did, he'd likely lose the love that his beautiful lover had for him.
Krycek sat on the bench and pulled the handsome Russian ruler into his arms. "Nikolai, all the immortals at Foxfire Glenn are pregnant, they wouldn't be able to heal Fox, not without taking the chance that they may harm their unborn babies. I promise that I'll come back to you, but I must go to him."
"Very well, Alexei, I will go with you. We will take my private jet," Slava said standing, helping his lover to his feet.
***
Amaranthine Temple
New Orleans
Monday, April 10
9:30 a.m.Reverend Xsavior knelt on the stone floor within the temple room of his church. The projection of the large Seraphim stood before him. "My Lord, the gateway will be ready within the month."
"Very good, Xsavior, you have served me well. I shall see that you are amply rewarded for your loyalty," King Xowolfe purred, gazing down with contempt at the other humans supplicating themselves before him. He would see that they were all amply rewarded indeed.
"Is there anything else, my Lord, requires?" Xsavior asked, staring up at the beautiful, sable winged being.
"I will need to know Fox Mulder's precise location when I arrive on your world. See that you have the information ready for me."
"Yes, my Lord." Xsavior could almost taste the powers that the Seraphim would be rewarding him with for his loyal service. He would be elevated above the sorcerers with the powers he would gain.
King Xowolfe stepped off the communication portal ending the contact with the humans. Xobonoa stood waiting for him. "My King, do you think it is wise to kill these creatures once you gain access to the gateway?"
"They are insects, Xobonoa. They betray their own people, what use do I have for their kind?"
"They are loyal to you. They may prove useful once we gain access to Earth."
"I will take your advise to heart, my brother. Tell Xochipilli that I would like to see him and Xoric for the evening meal," the King commanded as he left the portal room.
***
Alaska
Monday, April 10
9:30 a.m.The consortium assassins stood trembling, from both cold and fear, on the frozen tundra as the terrifying creature they knew was their boss gave them orders. They jumped as he tapped a hooked claw against the chest of their fellow assassin. A claw that could disembowel a man in a heartbeat.
"I want my castle built here," the smoker said, pointing with a clawed finger to the top of the mountain that looked over the Alaskan countryside. His other hand held two gold leashes that were attached to gold collars around his beautiful immortals' throats. Both his beauties were swathed in furs from head to toe to protect them from the cold Alaskan climate. The cold did not bother the smoker, it felt soothing against his flesh. "See that the n'thral slaves are purchased and brought here immediately. I want the construction to begin at once," he said, puffing a cigarette.
"Ah, sir, what do we use for building materials?"
Cancerman waved his hand and tall piles of cut timber, stone, and marble appeared on the snow cover ground. "You can start with this. Send men down to the states to their Builder's Depot for whatever else you need. Here is the floor plan I expect you to follow," the smoker said, handing the assassin a several tubes of rolled blueprints and a briefcase. "There is two million U.S. dollars inside, if you need more ask." Tugging on the leashes he clicked his tongue, "Come, my beauties, I will show you our temporary home until the castle is built." He pulled them in the direction of a large log cabin.
Ian gazed around the rough Alaskan terrain. He had come here twice on photo shoots. If he and Khalid could escape, he was sure that he'd be able to get them safely through the Alaskan wilderness and eventually across the ocean and back to Australia.
***
St. Petersburg
Monday, April 10
11:30 a.m.The Tsar's personal secretary came running down the palace steps stopping in front of the Tsar's limousine. Slava stood beside it giving final instructions to two of his Generals. As Sidorov waited, he glanced into the back of the limo at Krycek. The young immortal appeared agitated and upset.
Slava's voice interrupted his thoughts. "What is it, Sidorov?"
"Tsar Nikolai, you have an urgent call from King Gullbrand," he said, handing Slava the cell phone he was carrying.
"Thor, make it quick I'm on my way to America," Slava said, sliding into the back of his limousine and motioning for the driver to go.
"Nikolai, I need your help. My country is under attack by the Americans."
Slava pulled Krycek next to him and turned the phone so his lover could listen into the conversation. "What did you expect? You attacked them first and you have enslaved their citizens. Although, I'll admit that I'm surprised they're attacking you so soon. I would have expected them to wait a few more months, until they had exhausted all diplomatic avenues first."
"It's that American sorcerer Walter Skinner, he went against his government and launched this attack himself," Gullbrand said indignantly. "He's going to go after you next, Nikolai. You are holding his brother against his will, so it would benefit you to help me now."
"I don't think so, Thor. Alexei is with me willingly. In fact, we are on our way to see Walter Skinner in America. Take my advice, my friend, give the Americans what they are after and hope that they don't decide to avenge themselves upon you."
Krycek leaned back and turned his head away, he looked out the tinted windows as the car drove through the city. He was angry with himself. Since he started sharing Slava's bed he hadn't given a second thought to Rory or Jonathan. They could have been killed for all his selfishness. What was happening to him? He hadn't even thought about calling Fox until today. Here Walter was stoically fighting to rescue Rory and the captured Americans all while he was probably going out of his mind with worry over Fox. Krycek remotely heard Slava end the call with Gullbrand.
Slava chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Krycek. "That brother of yours is a true Russian. He'd have made me a great General. He somehow managed to pull together a force of over five thousand sorcerers. He … " Slava stopped talking when he sensed that something was wrong with his lover. "Alexei, what is it?"
"Nikolai, don't take this wrong, but there is something seriously wrong with the feelings we are having for each other. I think you were right when you said it might be a chemical reaction. Shinji had found a link between immortals and some of their lovers that connects them genetically. I think we may be genetically bonded."
"What does it matter, Alexei? We love each other, is that wrong?"
"Yes. The feelings that I have for you are so strong that they have caused me to forget about my family and friends. I've put you before Walter. I was willing to steal Fox from him, not even thinking about what that would do to him."
"What are you saying, Alexei?" Slava's heart ached, he was afraid that Alexei was going to walk out of his life.
"What I am saying, Nikolai, is that when we get to America I will be going to Foxfire Glenn alone. I don't want you near Fox. He cannot be part of what we have together. Fox belongs with Walter." Krycek watched Slava's face closely.
"Then you will be coming back to Russia with me?"
"Yes. However, I won't be living with you on a permanent basis. I will be dividing my time between you and Fox and Walter," Krycek replied.
"So, Walter Skinner gets you and Fox," Slava was having a hard time keeping his temper. He didn't like this arrangement at all.
Krycek expected this reaction and knew he had to defuse it quickly or else Slava would refuse to allow him to leave at all. He turned around in his seat and straddled Slava's lap, holding the larger man's head between his hands, Alex kissed him for all he was worth. He was trying to assure Slava that he wasn't losing him, it would all be worth it to share him and forget about Fox. He pulled back and looked into the Cossack's lust-filled, ebony pools. "If you don't agree to this, Nikolai, you will lose everything that we have found together."
"You're a sneaky bastard, Alexei. You leave me no choice but to agree. Come, our plane awaits," Slava said gruffly, and waited for the driver to open their door. He would eventually find a way to get both Fox and Alexei, but for now he couldn't risk losing Alexei's love.
***