Life from the Ashes Book 3 - SBS
by Jo B
purplefox@usfamily.netNC-17
Keywords: M/Sk/K SLASH
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, Susan, and Dawn 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 19
Escape from White Mountain
Mulder stared out over the tranquil ocean, watching the sunset in the west dance across the gentle waves. The colors were magnificent reds, yellows, and purples. He curled his toes into the warm, wet sand feeling wonderful, he had never been happier in his life. He rested his hand contentedly over the slight swell of his belly. A shadow passed over head and he glanced up at two beautiful Seraphim gliding effortlessly in the sky. The sunset cast its brilliant hues on the white wings of the young female who smiled down on him before alighting gracefully at his side.
"Father, did you see me? Uncle Jeff has taught me how to fly backwards," she said with breathless excitement as she smiled gleefully and hugged him around waist, looking up at him with big violet eyes.
"I saw you, Angélique, you did very well," Mulder said, leaning down and kissing her nose. His heart was bursting with pride over his pixie of a daughter, she held a special place in his heart.
Angélique beamed and her wings fluttered excitedly over her father's praise, she was eight years old and she worshiped all of her fathers, but her Daddy Fox most of all.
"She is getting really strong, Fox, I think in a few months she might be able to fly as far as the mainland," Spender said as he landed next to them and petted Angélique's golden locks, smiling down at her.
"Jeff, don't go putting ideas into my baby's head. She is not allowed anywhere near the mainland," Mulder scolded.
"Father, I am not a baby," Angélique pouted, stomping her foot on the sand.
"You are always going to be my baby even when you are ninety years old," he informed her tweaking her nose. He took her hand and smiled at Jeffrey. "C'mon you two, it is dinner time and you both know how grumpy Jacques gets if we are late."
***
Walter awoke suddenly and sat up in bed, he stared down at Fox who was bathed in moonlight. A blissful smile graced his young lover's full lips. Walter wondered if he had just shared a dream with Fox, he wanted to wake Fox and ask him, but his lover was still under the affects of his first month of pregnancy and it would be impossible to awaken him.
"Angélique," Skinner whispered, laying a hand over Fox's stomach, he prayed that this alien baby would be as sweet as the little girl in his dream. His sudden chuckle woke Alex who was curled against Fox's left side.
"What, Walter?" Alex asked tiredly, his green eyes glowing in the moonlight.
"It's nothing, Alex. I just had a weird dream that Jeff had wings and he was teaching Fox's daughter to fly," Skinner said. "It was too strange."
"You shouldn't have had those anchovies on the pizza, they always give you strange dreams," Krycek said, resting his head back on the pillow next to Fox's. His hand found Walter's on Fox's stomach and he laced his fingers with the older man.
"You're probably right, but it seemed so real, and I hardly ever dream in color," Skinner replied, squeezing Alex's hand and they both soon drifted back to sleep.
***
White Mountain
Wednesday, May 24
4:30 p.m.
The smoker rested his hands on the cold plaster encased hips of the FBI agent. He looked with pride at the well-used anus, puffy from being taken by himself and his guests. CSM snickered inwardly at their reluctance to fuck the entrapped FBI man. He had to actually bully them by threatening to encase one of them in a similar fashion for insulting his hospitality.
He licked his lips, tasting the fear wafting off the agent, it was a solid form of nourishment for him, as solid as the food he ate and the wine he drank. It fed him and made him stronger. "Azure! You are remise, my dear, this statue isn't properly lubed. You know how I like to bury my cock all the way in without any resistance."
"Sorry, sir, I was just preparing his meal," Ian said, carrying a bucket full of supplies. He knew to protest or hesitate would only get the FBI agent hurt further. Ian pulled a tube of lubricant from the bucket and proceeded to prepare the trembling man.
Mike Peacock closed his eyes hoping that he would pass out and wouldn't have to feel the slide of that monster's prickly cock enter him. It was to no avail as he felt the knobbed head against his anus and the sudden burning as it popped painfully into him. The thick cock with its soft bristles slid slowly up into his bowels. He was intimately familiar with the bristles, which could be made to tickle his insides like a thousand feathers, arousing and stroking his tender flesh pleasurably, or become painful like a porcupine's quills.
The smoker held on tighter to the plaster hips as he plowed in and out of the offered flesh that was pleasurably tight around his cock. He reached under and pulled and squeezed on the agent's limp cock. "Azure, I want my artwork to come when I do, if it doesn't I will have Ari's n'thral fuck its ass next."
Ian scrambled under the FBI man's body and knelt at his feet. He took Peacock's penis in his mouth and licked and sucked it until he was rewarded with a response and the organ started to grow and lengthen.
The immortal's pheromones and saliva were assaulting the FBI agent's senses. Peacock found himself wanting to push into Ian's mouth. It was maddening not being able to move a muscle. He was driven higher and higher into blissful arousal despite being raped and the intentional painful scrape of the creature's cock against his rectum. It was obvious to him that the Batman didn't want him to come. The smoker wanted the immortal to be forced to watch as he was raped by that giant n'thral. Peacock felt the creature stiffen and come deep within his bowels. He sighed with relief as he came simultaneously from Ian's expert oral stimulation.
Ari Summers stood silently in the doorway watching the whole scene. He had a hard time controlling his anger, but it would have been pure folly to show any emotions around CGB Spender. The Batman seemed to feed off negative feelings. He turned and went off to explore the fortress and talk to Jeffrey Spender. The beautiful winged man fascinated him, especially since Duffy had told him that Jeffrey was Fox Mulder's half-brother. Finding out the sinister CGB Spender was Mulder's father was an equal shock, but it didn't lower his opinion of the intelligent FBI agent, only furthered to heighten it.
"You are playing a dangerous game, Mr. Summers," Marat Fyodorov said softly.
Ari turned and looked at the small man. "I don't play games," he said and started walking away.
"You taunt Mr. Spender and call him names to his face. One day he will make you pay dearly for your disrespect." Fyodorov had not been able to read this man. Ari's was mind was covered beneath more layers than the fabric concealing his features. Fyodorov knew one thing: that this man was dangerous and couldn't be trusted.
"Oh, I'm quaking with fear, toady," Ari snarled, shoving the little man up against the wall. "A word of advice. If you don't want to pay *dearly* for annoying the hell out of me, then I suggest you make yourself scarce for the next few days."
Ari let the man go, and Fyodorov scurried fearfully off down the hallway.
Ari let out a breath. He would have never dared to do that a month ago. Such close contact might have alerted the man to the fact that he was dealing with an immortal, but since Ari was in his seventh month of pregnancy, the pheromones that had brought such havoc on his life were gone. At least according to Duffy, his n'thral lover was an expert at detecting that odorless substance. Two more days, Ari thought, they only had two more days before they would be leaving this hell hole.
***
The Crystal Palace
Thursday, May 25
4:30 p.m.
Skinner looked sternly at the assembled men before his throne. "Why wasn't this brought to my attention sooner?" he barked.
"Your majesty, we thought the situation wasn't worthy of your immediate attention. We wanted to get a handle on what was going on," FBI Director Hazel said.
"NOT WORTHY OF MY ATTENTION!" Skinner roared. "You're talking about men under my command, not to mention my brother-in-law!"
"King Walter, we're doing everything in our powers to find out what happened to our agents! Collecting information out of that area has become next to impossible," the Director said.
"This barrier that you mentioned earlier, do you know what it is made of?" Skinner asked, reining in his temper.
"No, Your Majesty, we are unable to get close enough to collect a sample."
"Why is that? You said this black cloud ran for miles encircling White Mountain and the surrounding valley. Surely someone could have collected a sample somewhere along its circumference?" Skinner asked.
"We couldn't find anyone brave enough to get anywhere near the barrier. It seems to be emitting some sort of a malevolent aura that is making our men tremble with fear the closer they come to it until they are unable to stand it any longer and flee. If Agent Mulder were available I'm sure he'd be able to get near enough to collect a sample," Director Hazel said.
Skinner frowned. No doubt Fox would jump at the chance to investigate this phenomena. "Agent Mulder will not be going on any field assignments for the foreseeable future, Director."
"No, of course not. I didn't mean to imply that he would be, not in his present condition. It is just that he is known for being fearless considering all the strange cases he and his partner investigated."
Fools rush in where brave men fear to tread, Skinner thought, shaking his head sadly, that was unfair, Fox was not a fool. Reckless and impassioned, but not a fool. He needed someone to gather information from within the barrier. Someone experienced in traversing dangerous situations. Skinner couldn't go himself and Scully was out for the same reason Fox was. He turned to his guard, "Send for Major Kazuo Sawada." The major was renowned in Japan for being able to infiltrating behind enemy lines, and Skinner trusted him.
King Walter had another reason for sending Sawada. He wanted the major out of the way the next few days. Since Japan was taken over by Lord Yoshinobu Oda, Sawada had been forced to break off all ties with his country and military unit. He had refused a direct order by Lord Oda for him and Shinji to return to Japan. Lord Oda had made it quite clear that as the new ruler of Japan, by right Shinji Takeda should be his lover. The Japanese ruler had even tried to pressure Skinner into returning Shinji, but Skinner had informed Lord Oda that the decision rested entirely with Shinji and no one else.
Now with Lord Oda coming to meet with King Walter and many of the other world leaders to strategize against the Seraphim threat, the King couldn't afford a confrontation between Oda and Sawada. Skinner would have to look after Shinji himself, just in case the Japanese ruler planned on using his time here to pursue the young immortal. Maybe he should send MacIver with Sawada just to be safe, the two men had a better chance at success at any rate. As if hearing his thoughts, MacIver swaggered into the throne room with Sawada.
"Your Majesty," MacIver said with an exaggerated bow.
"Rory," Skinner grumbled. Yes, he definitely needed to send MacIver.
"You sent for us?" MacIver asked, smiling sweetly.
"I sent for Kazuo, but as long as you're here, I have a mission for the two of you," Skinner said.
"A mission. Your Majesty, with all due respect, one of us needs to be with Shinji," Sawada said.
"Shinji is still three months away from his due date, and the mission will only take three days tops. Besides, Kazuo, your father, and uncles are living with you now they should be able to take care of Shinji during those three days. Plus, I'll be watching over him, too," Skinner said diplomatically.
"Yes, Your Majesty, what is the mission?" Sawada relented, glancing sideways at MacIver.
"Three of our agents have disappeared in the vicinity of White Mountain, Alaska. There is now a barrier encompassing the entire mountain range and the surrounding valleys. I need you to get in close enough to collect a sample from the barrier, we need to find out its composition," Skinner said.
"Is that all?" MacIver asked surprised.
"Yes. Once you have the sample, I need you to bring it back here immediately." Skinner leaned forward. "And, gentleman, for your information, no one has been able to get any closer than two miles to the barrier before they fled in terror. If you'd like to back out no one would think the worse of you," Skinner added, and got the desired response back.
MacIver scoffed, "I do not scare easily. We'll be back here in two days tops with your bloody sample." He then turned to Sawada. "C'mon, Kazuo, it's your turn to fly,"
"It's always my turn to fly, Rory, you don't know how," Sawada grumbled, following MacIver out of the throne room.
"You can teach me on the way, then I can fly us back," MacIver drawled.
"I'm not that brave, Rory," Sawada quipped.
Director Hazel looked at the King after the two voices had faded in the distance. "Your Majesty, do you honestly believe that those two can collect the sample?"
"Maybe not alone, but together, yes. Neither one is going to admit to being afraid in front of the other; they will egg each other on and their male egos will not allow them to fail." Skinner smiled.
***
The Winter Palace
Friday, May 25
4:30 p.m.
Slava sat in the rocking chair bottle feeding his daughter Anatasja. He found holding his daughters tended to soothe his nerves and temper. He had been in a foul mood since Alexei had refused to come back to him. Tomorrow he was going to the New America under invitation from King Walter Skinner. He was determined to see Alexei while he was at the palace, one way or another.
The Tsar stared at the photograph of himself and Fox, it helped him to understand why Alexei would not come to him. Fox needed Alexei with him, he wouldn't begrudge Fox that need, and neither would he force Alexei to choose between him and Fox. A choice he had no chance of winning. Slava would try to be patient with his lover, eventually Alexei would come back to him.
***
Crystal Palace
Friday, May 26
9:00 p.m.
Skinner held Alex against his chest as he stroked a soapy washcloth over his chest and belly. The candles that they had lit around the bathtub illuminated them both in a golden glow.
"This is nice," Alex purred, taking a sip of whiskey and then holding glass to Walter's lips to share the warm amber liquid.
"Thanks," Skinner said. "Alex, you've been quiet lately. Is there something wrong?"
"Besides my allowing that alien to get its hands on Fox?" Krycek grumbled.
"You saved Fox from that creature, Alex."
"Maybe, but I wasn't able to protect him."
"You have some of your powers back now, that should count for something." Skinner took another sip from the glass for fortitude before asking, "You miss Slava don't you?"
"Yes," Alex said softly. He turned and straddled Skinner's lap. "I didn't think it would be so hard. God I love him so much. It feels like a part of me is missing." Alex rested his head on Walter's broad shoulder. "Walter, I love you and Fox more though, and I will never leave you and Fox, I'd rather die first."
Skinner sighed, he had never seen Alex looking so miserable as he had been since they returned with Fox. He ran his hand over his beautiful lover's long back and massaged his knotted muscles. "I'm going to be convening a conference at the palace with many of the world leaders to discuss this Seraphim threat. I've invited Slava, he and his delegation will be housed in half of the fourteenth floor. If you want to see him, I won't interfere."
Alex pulled back and looked deeply into his eyes. "You mean it, Walter?" he asked somewhat perplexed. He wanted so badly to see Nikolai again, but he was worried about leaving Fox even for a few hours.
"Alex, as long as you promise to always be here for Fox. He is my main concern, I don't want him subjected to anymore pain especially now that he's pregnant. Fox needs both of our support over the next nine months."
"I intend to give Fox a lot more than only my support, Walter." Alex smiled and kissed Skinner gently. "Thank you for being so understanding."
Skinner kissed him back hotly and cupped his firm buttocks. His fingers delved into the crease and found the tight opening. He slipped in a finger and slowly fucked Alex, capturing the young man's moans against his lips as he slipped a second and third slicked finger into him. The bath water swirled around them, and Alex wiggled driving the fingers in deeper.
"Come on, Walter, do me," Alex growled.
"Patience, baby," Skinner soothed.
"Dadda," Faith said as she crawled up the final step to the bathtub.
"Shit!" Krycek cried, jumping off Walter's lap, the fingers were roughly yanked out of his anus. "Cutie, how did you get out of your crib?" he asked, exasperated, scrambling across the large bathtub to reach his daughter, but he wasn't quick enough and she toppled in pajamas and all.
Walter was laughing as Alex came over holding a soaked baby who was squealing with delight, and had bubbles clinging to her hair.
"Bath!" she said, slapping Alex's wet chest.
"Oh God, you should see your face, Alex," Skinner chuckled. "Why didn't you use your powers to stop her from falling in?"
"I was too flustered that she might have seen us … you know," Alex said as he handed the baby to Walter.
"Don't worry it is too dark and there are too many bubbles in the tub for her to have seen anything," Skinner said and started to remove the soaked pajamas and soggy diaper. "You want to take a bath with us, do you, Cutie?"
"Eeek!" the baby giggled.
Alex sat down next to them. "She must have climbed out of her crib. We're going to have to make sure all of the doors are shut and that she can't get into anything. Where's Hope?" he asked suddenly scanning the nursery then the bedroom, chuckling when he found her in bed with Fox. "It figures that both of them would learn how to escape at the same time."
"Yeah, while we were too preoccupied to notice," Skinner said, caressing the side of Alex's face. He was so beautiful, the older man thought, disappointed over the interruption. "Your timing was really poor, Cutie."
"So what do you want to do?"*I want to fuck you blind,* Skinner answered telepathically.
"I meant about the babies. We can't have them climbing out of their cribs, they might get hurt."
"We can start letting them sleep in twin beds with sidebars. We'll have to teach them to stay in their beds at night, and lock our door when we're intimately occupied." Skinner's hand found Alex's cock under the soapy water and squeezed.
Krycek slapped his hand away. "Walter, not in front of the munchkin!"
"She can't see anything," Skinner said, holding Faith with his other arm.
"She can see more than you think," Alex replied, taking his daughter from Walter, he stood and grabbed a towel. "I'm going to turn in. We'll work on their sleeping arrangement tomorrow."
Skinner sighed; he wasn't getting any tonight that was for sure.
***
White Mountain
Friday, May 26
10:30 p.m.
The dining hall was medieval in appearance, the floors and walls were stone. A large stone fireplace took up one wall with a heavy oak mantel. Inside the fireplace a deer carcass turned on a spit. A human attended it. A long oak table was centered in the middle of the room with three pewter chandeliers over it. At the table was an oddly assembled group. A giant winged creature, two beautiful immortals, a mysterious figure covered head to toe in fabric, and an enormous n'thral.
Ari raised his scarf enough so he could slip the fork underneath and take a bite of the venison steak. He watched the smoker intently as the creature waved the fork around in its clawed fingers talking animatedly to his guests.
"You could come and work for me again, Ari. I could use a man of your skills and expertise. You do want to be on a winning team, don't you?" CGB Spender rambled.
"Smoky, you know that I'm not much of a team player," Ari said, glancing at the clock on the mantel. Why wasn't that poison working yet? He'd slipped enough of it into the smoker's wine to kill an elephant. He looked over at the two immortals sitting on either side of the smoker. They kept their eyes down and ate without any real enjoyment.
Ari smiled under his scarf, they would enjoy their next meal, he would see to that himself. He looked back at the smoker as he heard a gasp and the creature stood up suddenly clutching at its throat. The smoker's eyes rolled back in his head as he toppled over backward landing on the hard stone floor.
"Well, it is about fucking time," Ari growled, throwing down his napkin he stood and walked over to CGB Spender's body.
Ian looked at him with big, blue eyes. "What did you do?"
"I poisoned the bastard," Summers said, kneeling. He checked the smoker's throat for a pulse and frowned when he found a faint one. "Shit, he's not dead." Ari pulled his gun from its holster, and aimed it at the smoker's head and pulled the trigger, he startled in shocked amazement as the bullet bounced off the hard skin, then ricochet off the wall and broke a vase on the table.
Duffy shook his head, realizing they were in deep trouble if bullets and poison wouldn't kill the creature. It was possible that nothing would. "Forget it, Ari, we need to move quickly before he recovers. Have Paul free the FBI man from the plaster and I'll get Jeff and the other two FBI agents. Azure, Aton, go collect your stuff we are leaving now," Duffy ordered, heading out the door.
*Paul, free Agent Peacock! All of you move it! We need to be on the road in ten minutes tops!* Ari yelled telepathically. His other gang members were taking out the smoker's men.
"Come on you two, we need to find you something warm to wear," he said, grabbing the two smaller immortals under their elbows he rushed them out of the dining room.
Ian came out of his daze and stared up at the man who was at least five inches taller than himself. "Why are you saving us?"
Ari rummaged through their closets and tossed the immortal their heavy, hooded, fur coats. "I hate CGB Spender."
"When he recovers he will kill you. Aren't you afraid?" Khalid asked, pulling on the coat and stepping into the fur-lined mukluks.
"No. He'd have to find me first, besides I'm not that easy to kill," Ari said, smiling knowingly under the layers of scarves. He gasped aloud as he felt the baby kick and touched his belly.
"Are you okay?" Ian asked, worried.
"Fine," Ari choked out in a stained voice. "Let's go."
He guided the two immortals through the corridors and past the bodies of the dead guards. They stepped on the lift and started their descent off the mountain. "We're going to split up. You two will be going with me and Jason."
"To where?" Ian asked.
"Azure, the less you know the better. At least until I am sure you are able to conceal your thoughts."
"Call me Ian, and this is Khalid not Aton. Is it really possible for me to hide my thoughts?"
The lift opened at the bottom of the mountain and Ari quickly shot the two guards standing outside. "Sure it is, but it requires training and concentration," he said casually stepping over the dead bodies.
The lift started back up as Ari led them to the motor pool. They wouldn't be able to take the horses because they needed to move quickly. He scanned for a vehicle large enough for Duffy. He spotted a humvee, if they removed the passenger side seat Duffy should be able to fit, and they'd be able to drive this off road. He started working on removing the seat.
Duffy and the other men raced into the motor pool a minute later. Ari's eyes widened behind his sunglasses as he stared at Jeffrey Spender who looked even more magnificent without the bars of the cell door interfering with his view. Ari licked his lips lustfully as he gazed upon the Seraphim's finely sculpted body, it was tall and powerfully built. The russet wings were so beautiful. "Wow."
"Jeff, are you okay?" Ian asked, rushing to Spender's side.
"I'm fine, Ian. Thanks to Duffy." He stood shivering in the nighttime air with only a fur blanket wrapped around his waist and his hands pulled it up against his chest as far as his wings would allow. "I just need to get clothes that will fit me," he joked.
Duffy hurriedly helped Ari remove the seat. "You shouldn't be doing this, Ari, not in your condition," he scolded.
"I'm fine, Jason," Ari assured the giant and turned to his gang. "Paul, split the team into three groups, we'll meet up in a month at our planned destination point."
"Ari, can't Jeff come with us?" Ian asked, holding Spender's hand.
"No. There's no room in the humvee for him."
Duffy watched the two men's faces drop. "There is if you sit on my lap, Ari," he said, climbing into the humvee. "Ian, you can drive."
Ian beamed happily as Jeffrey and Khalid climbed into the backseat. Jeffrey found it difficult to sit with his wings in the way, but he finally found a comfortable position. Ian got behind the steering wheel as Ari climbed on Duffy's lap, the giant held him securely.
"You're a softy, Jason," Ari said, snuggling in his lover's arms.
"There's nothing wrong with that," Duffy replied.
"Ian, I want us as far away from here and as quickly as possible. We'll leave the road in an hours time," Ari ordered as Ian put the truck in gear and they sped off down the dark road toward the unseen towering black barrier.
"You don't have to tell me to move quickly, Ari. I plan on setting a new world speed record," Ian growled.
***
"Kazuo, maybe we should go back and wait at the car until daylight. I swear we're being followed," MacIver said nervously looking around at the dark forest. The gnarly branches on the trees seemed to be reaching for them. Their rental car was parked five miles back. They had landed at the airport in Anchorage that morning and had driven a rental car to get out to the site. The barrier was clearly visible as they had flown into Alaska, it could be seen off in the distance from the Anchorage's airport over a hundred miles away.
"Rory, we are sneaking into enemy territory! You cannot sneak in broad daylight," Sawada hissed. He found yelling at his friend was helpful in taking his mind off his fears, and it helped drown out the sound of his teeth clattering together. He had never been more afraid in his life, which was strange since he'd been in a lot more dangerous situations than this.
"Real men would sneak in broad daylight, it's more of a challenge," MacIver said.
"Admit it, Rory, you're scared shitless!" Sawada growled as they walked another dozen steps closer to their destination.
"Am not! What was that?" he asked, grabbing onto Kazuo's arm as loud moaning and bodiless screams floated around them.
It was becoming harder to move forward with each step closer to the barrier. Sweat ran down Sawada's back and he swabbed at his damp brow with a handkerchief. He stopped suddenly. Before him on the path was his mother. "Kaasan," he whispered.
~ Modori nasai! ~ she wailed.
Rory stopped when he realized Sawada wasn't moving. "What's wrong?"
"Can't you see her?" he asked, staring at his mother.
"See who? There's no one there," MacIver said, walking back to his friend and straight through the apparition who shattered as if she was made out of glass, sparkling shards flittered to the ground then vanished..
"My mother, Ayako," he said sadly, staring at the ground beneath MacIver's feet.
"What did she want?" MacIver fearfully scanned the surrounding area.
"She said to go back." Sawada shook his head clearing it. He was being deceived; his mother would never be in such an evil place. He could see the barrier pulsating a hundred feet in front of them. "Rory, I bet you a month's worth of old fashion diaper changing and bottle feedings that I can collect a sample before you can." He pulled out a vacuum with a collection jar attached from his backpack.
MacIver looked him in the eye. "You're on," he growled, willing himself to calm down as he pulled an identical vacuum from his backpack.
Both men looked at each other challengingly, then turned, screaming as they raced toward the barrier. MacIver almost dropped the vacuum when he got a good look at what the thing was made up of. The translucent shapes of humans and creatures from his worse nightmares were shrieking and twisting, their bodies contorted, as they performed hideous sexual maneuvers, then dissolved into one another and re-flowed into new horrifying forms. The two men had to use their powers to prevent from being grabbed as arms reached out trying to claim them. MacIver quickly filled his jar with the thick black substance.
~ Rory, help me? ~
MacIver turned toward the familiar voice and stared in shock as his older brother Duncan held his arms out toward him. "Duncan," he said and took a step toward the apparition.
Sawada grabbed MacIver quickly from behind and threw him roughly to the ground just as the wall surged forward to claim him.
"Kazuo, get your fucking hands off me! That thing has my brother!" the Scotsman growled, trying desperately to throw the heavier man off.
Sawada slapped him hard across the face. "Get a fucking grip! That thing is not your brother! It is a trickster. Your brother is dead!"
There was a loud roar and a humvee came flying through the barrier, sending fragments of black muck flying in all directions. The humvee veered out of control and crashed into a tree a couple of hundred feet from the barrier.
"Fuck." MacIver said as his thoughts cleared and he realized how close he had come to a fate worse than death.
"Come on, Rory," Sawada said, pulling his friend to his feet, they ran over to the smoking humvee.
Three men came staggering out coughing, and one reached back in and helped a fourth man out.
"Agent Johnson!" MacIver shouted, racing toward the four men.
"Mr. MacIver, what are you and the Major doing here?" Lars Johnson asked, eyes bewildered. Blood ran down his face from a gash in his scalp.
MacIver pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against the wound. "Collecting a sample from that thing," he answered, pointing at the barrier. "The King was worried about you three." MacIver nodded in greeting to Agents Jones and Peacock, the forth man he didn't recognize.
"Please, say you have a car nearby?" Paul Danforth asked anxiously, helping Peacock stay on his feet. "Dammit! We need to get out of here before it awakens or we'll never get away!"
"We have a car five miles from here," MacIver said, helping the Australian sorcerer with Agent Peacock who was barely able to stand. "Who are you talking about?"
"The Batman. Do you think you could have gotten this close if he was conscious? That shield is in a weakened state, you would never have gotten near it if he was awake," Danforth said his voice quivering. He hurried his steps to keep up with the Scotsman as they dragged Peacock off in the direction of the rental car.
"It seemed pretty strong to me," MacIver grumbled, looking nervously around the darkened forest.
"By Batman, do you mean CGB Spender?" Sawada asked, guarding the rear.
"Yeah, Spender." Danforth nodded.
They walked the next three miles in silence. Only their heavy breathing and the crunching of twigs and dried leaves under foot could be heard above the fading echoes of moans and shrieks coming from the barrier. MacIver finally broke the silence, asking, "Agent Johnson, was there any sign of Jeffrey Spender?"
"Ah, yeah, he's with Jason Duffy, and the Batman's two immortal prisoners, and this tall Aussie dude. They took off in the opposite direction from us. You see, we split into four groups to make it harder for the Batman to catch us when he wakes up."
"Duffy! How did he get here?" MacIver asked excitedly.
Lars shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, ask him," he said nodding over to Danforth. "Duffy came with them Aussies, and their leader seemed well acquainted with CGB Spender."
Paul looked from Lars Johnson over to the Scotsman confused. "You know that giant n'thral?"
"Duffy is a very good friend of mine. How did he come to be with your group, and what is your connection to CGB Spender?" MacIver asked distrustfully.
"We purchased Duffy from Emperor Kong. Ari had taken a fancy to the giant. We hardly know CGB Spender, we only did a few jobs for him before the virus. We didn't know anything about the Consortium or their dealings with the aliens at the time. If we did, we never would have taken the jobs," Danforth hurriedly assured the other sorcerers as they arrived at the car.
"Who is this Ari?" MacIver asked, helping Peacock into the backseat.
"Ari Summers is our leader."
"If he's harmed Duffy I will whip his sorry ass," MacIver growled.
Danforth started chuckling. "You'd have to go through Duffy to do it. He and Ari are lovers."
"Lovers!" MacIver looked back at the man from over the front seat as Sawada started the car. He couldn't imagine his giant friend as anyone's lover.
"They say love is blind," Sawada murmured.
***
The Crystal Palace
Saturday, May 27
noon
Tristan Woods picked up his paperback and sat on the sofa in front of the veranda. He was watching over Mulder while Alex and Walter were downstairs greeting their guests. The reception for the foreign royalty was being held in the palace's magnificent dining hall.
Downstairs, Skinner and Krycek were dressed in identical black suits that Fox had purchased for them as a Christmas present. They each held their daughters in their arms as they stood in the reception line greeting the foreign dignitaries. Shinji stood next to Alex holding his daughter Ayako, he was nervous about meeting Japan's new ruler. Canada's leader had been the first to arrive; he came with his immortal lover. The Canadian leader had requested a private meeting with King Walter to discuss the growing menace in Alaska.
The three Kings from African arrived together and again each had an immortal lover with them. Skinner tensed as Tsar Nikolai Slava entered the room and made his way down the reception line, pausing to talk with Major Pyetr Yermolov who stood with both his pregnant immortal lovers.
"Major Yermolov, if you ever wish to return to Russia the door is open. I have dropped all charges against you," the Tsar said.
"Thank you, Tsar Nikolai," Pyetr said surprised. He didn't detect any malice or anger toward him from the Tsar, in fact he had never seen Slava looking so relaxed and friendly.
Slava moved down the line shaking hands with Justin Blaise and Joseph Shadow Hawk, he inquired about their pregnancies and how they were feeling. Then he moved down to meet Hans Schatz, Gabriel Hunter, and Melvin Frohike.
Shaking Hunter's hand he said, "I heard the two of you single handedly took on the coalition and won. I would have loved to have been there to see the looks on their faces."
"It wasn't much to defeat them, they were weakened from fighting each other," Hunter replied.
Slava smiled charmingly. "Agent Hunter, don't sell yourself short. I heard that Kong hadn't participated in the fights, but he was too afraid to take you on. You conceal your powers well. However, I can feel that you are even more powerful than I."
Alex watched his Russian lover and licked his lips in anticipation as Nikolai move closer, he was mesmerized by the sound of his deep, sexy voice as it drifted through the room. Nikolai's eyes met Alex's as he stopped in front of Shinji. Slava pulled his eyes away from his love and focused on the Japanese immortal, lightly touching his baby's check. "She's beautiful, Mr. Takeda," the Tsar said softly, then looked Shinji in the eye. "I would personally like to thank you for my people, the drug you invented that suppresses a n'thral's sex drive has become invaluable to us." He turned to his advisor who was standing behind him and the man handed him a small, silver, gilded box. "Please accept this as a token of my appreciation."
Shinji opened the box and blushed, closing it quickly. "Thank you." He shyly peered up at the tall Russian through thick lashes.
Slava smiled slyly. "Fox mentioned that you wanted one. It's not as good as Mr. Izumi could have carved, but I think that I did a good job."
Alex was curious to see what was inside the box. His stomach fluttered with nervous butterflies as Nikolai moved over to him and focused his entire attention on him and Faith.
"May I hold her, Alexei?" he asked gently.
"Sure," Alex said, passing the baby to him.
Faith looked at Slava curiously and touched his face.
"You are a beauty just like your daddies, aren't you, Faith?"
"Baby purty," Faith cooed.
"Yes you are," Slava chuckled, handing her back to Alex, he leaned in and kissed the young man deeply. A murmur ran through the crowd and all eyes turned to King Walter who was watching unemotionally.
Slava reluctantly ended the kiss. "You will meet me in private later, Alexei?"
"Yes. We need to talk," Alex said breathlessly, his knees felt weak and he wanted to sit down.
"Good." Slava smiled and moved down to meet his rival.
"Are you done molesting my lover in public?" Skinner asked calmly.
Slava chuckled. "You don't seem too upset. May I?" He held out his hands for Hope.
"Alex and I have an understanding." Skinner handed his daughter to Slava.
Hope stared at the strange man uncertainly. "She's pretty and has Alexei's distrustful expression," Slava said softly. "How's Fox doing?"
Skinner was going to tell him it was none of his business, but he paused at the genuine concern he saw in Slava's eyes. "He's sleeping through his first month of pregnancy."
"Is it true? Did that … creature … " Slava's voice was strangled with rage and he couldn't get the rest of his question out.
"Yes. We're going to deal with it on a day-by-day basis," Skinner answered, taking Hope back.
"If there is anything I can … "
"Just stay away from Fox, you've hurt him enough," Skinner growled softly, too low for anyone other than Alex to hear.
"Take care of him properly and I might," Slava said with a touch of a threat. He turned and headed toward the dining room, followed closely by his Generals.
Skinner gritted his teeth, this was tough, but he knew it would be. He needed to work with Slava. The Tsar's armed forces were nearly as large as his own, and if it came to a war with the Seraphim they needed to work as a team.
"Walter, don't worry. I'll keep him away from Fox," Alex said, touching his sleeve.
"See that you do, Alex," Skinner growled.
Shinji suddenly insinuated himself between Walter and Alex, holding tightly to his daughter.
Skinner glanced down the line of guests to find what had caused the young man's sudden nervousness. The Japanese delegation had arrived, headed by Lord Oda who was dressed in the traditional Japanese attire. The man cut an impressive figure, tall, lean, and devastatingly handsome. His eyes were focused only on Shinji as he made his way straight across the foyer to the young man, ignoring the reception line.
Lord Oda stopped in front of Shinji, looking at the immortal in undisguised admiration. He reached out and his fingers lightly brushed Shinji's cheek. "You are even more beautiful than I'd imagined," he murmured softly in Japanese.
Skinner was glad that Sawada and MacIver weren't back yet. Lord Oda would have found himself on his ass for sure.
Shinji stepped away from the man's touch, blushing brightly as Lord Oda eyes focused from his daughter then hungrily stared at his swollen belly. Shinji finally found his voice saying, "Lord Oda, welcome to New America. May I introduce King Walter and Prince Alex."
The Shogun focused on the other two men, bowing respectfully to each then speaking to Skinner. "King Walter, it is an honor to meet you. We have many issues to discuss during my visit."
"I will make time for you after tomorrow's meeting, Lord Oda. Hopefully we can come to an understanding on the more sensitive issues," Skinner replied, glancing at Takeda, it was clear he was referring to Lord Oda's demand that Shinji be returned to Japan.
"That is what I'm hoping for, Your Majesty," he replied, bowing then turning back to Takeda. "Shinji, please do me the honor of dining with me." The Shogun held out his hand to the young man.
Shinji stared at the hand hesitantly, he didn't want to cause a scene, but he felt uncomfortable being alone with this man.
Skinner saw Shinji's dilemma and motioned for Agent Hunter. "Agent Hunter is Mr. Takeda's chaperon whenever Mr. Takeda's life partners are out of town," he explained.
Lord Oda scowled over the words *life partners* then looked the handsome, fair-haired sorcerer over disapprovingly. "Who's to protect Shinji from him?"
"Me," Hans said brightly, coming up behind Hunter and taking his hand.
Lord Oda was taken aback by the beautiful, blond immortal, and even more so when Shinji handed Hunter the baby and wrapped his arm around Hans' waist.
Shinji giggled, relaxing considerably with his friend's closeness. "Hans is very good at protecting me from his lovers, especially Melvin," he said, hugging Hans appreciatively. "Let's eat I'm starving." Shinji and Hans headed off toward dining hall with Lord Oda and Hunter following behind.
The Japanese delegation had been the last to arrive, so Skinner and Krycek and the others from the reception line went to join their guests in the large dining hall.
A hundred round tables with seating for six at each filled the room. The tables were covered in white linen and bedecked with spring flowers. A small cascading waterfall emptied into a fountain on one end of the room. Beneath their feet the floor was made up of large, glass tiles that covered an aquarium teaming with sea life from the waters surrounding the island. The far side of the dining hall was opened to the indoor garden. Waiters roamed the room with appetizers and wine.
"Very impressive," Slava said, strolling over to Skinner and Krycek. The room had a soothing effect on him, and he wanted to duplicate something similar inside the Winter Palace.
"Thank you. The architects wanted to interweave as much nature as they could into all the rooms," Krycek replied, smiling and putting Faith in a booster seat at their table. He took Hope from Skinner and strapped her into a similar seat. "Would you care to join us, Nikolai?"
"I'd love to, Alexei."
Skinner sighed, sitting next to his daughter and scooting close so he could feed her. He only had two days that he'd have to tolerate Slava's presence. Frohike suddenly plopped down in the empty chair at the table with a small plate brimming with appetizers. "Hey, Walter, Alex, nice soiree."
"Melvin, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Skinner replied, looking at his friend with amusement.
"Yeah, I'm having a great time. I've never seen so many pregnant men in one room before. Gives you something to look forward to right, Alex?" he smiled mockingly, there were twelve pregnant immortals at the reception.
"Shut up, Frohike," Krycek grumbled.
Slava and Skinner both stared at Alex with similar looks of desire. Slava looked across the table at Skinner. "Too bad Alexei's your brother. That sort of rules out you ever having children with him."
"Not necessarily, he's only my half-brother and his recent change into an immortal has altered his DNA sufficiently, making it possible for us to have children without having to worry about genetic mutations," Skinner answered smugly.
"Guys, can we change the subject," Krycek snarled.
Frohike snickered. He glanced across the dining room to his lover who was leaning over whispering to Shinji.
Shinji pulled the gilded box from his pocket and handed it to Hans.
The blond opened it and giggled. "Shin, this is as good as Mulder's netsukes." Hans was careful so the other men at the table couldn't see the small carving. It depicted Shinji standing with his legs spread apart while Kazuo fucked him from behind and Rory knelt at his feet orally pleasuring him.
"May I see?" Lord Oda asked.
"It is a carving of me and my lovers that Tsar Nikolai made for me," Shinji said, deciding it might convince the Shogun that he was already in love with two wonderful men, and that he wouldn't stand a chance.
Lord Oda looked at it briefly, then handed it back to Shinji. "It is very good," he said with a sly smile on his lips.
Shinji looked down at the carving, which now depicted Lord Oda fucking him while jacking him off. His lover's were gone. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Change it back or I'll tell the Tsar that you ruined his gift!"
"What and ruin King Walter's reception? Shinji, the carving is so much better now," Lord Oda said in Japanese, he could not understand why the young immortal was so upset. He was a much better catch than the two men Shinji was temporarily involved with.
Tears ran down Shinji's cheeks, he had been looking forward to showing the netsuke to his lovers when they returned. He was mortified over crying in public, but couldn't help himself. His emotions had been fragile lately.
"That's a bit childish," Hunter said calmly, looking into the Shogun's dark eyes. "Shinji, form a mental picture of what your gift looked like before and I'll fix it for you."
Lord Oda scoffed. "You would need to be more powerful than I to be able to undo … " he stopped as the netsuke returned to normal, and he looked at the blind sorcerer in amazement.
"Yeah, I know I'd have to be a more powerful sorcerer than you to change it back, but then I am. Lord Oda, you don't think King Walter would choose me to protect Shinji if I weren't, do you?" Hunter replied pleasantly. "Now I suggest you enjoy your meal and don't cause anymore mischief."
"Thanks, Gabriel," Shinji said, drying his eyes and putting the box back in his pocket. He hoped that Rory and Kazuo returned soon.
"My apologies, Shinji. I wasn't aware that the object meant so much to you," Lord Oda said tactfully.
Shinji ignored him and instead looked down at his daughter sleeping in a bassinet at his feet, then went back to his meal.
***
Alaska
Saturday, May 27
10:30 a.m.
They had been driving off road for the past ten hours. It was slow going at first. However, the further away from White Mountain they got the stronger Jeffrey Spender became, and he was finally able to use his newly discovered powers. He made the trees and shrubs vanish out of their path then replaced them to conceal their tracks.
"We should be crossing into Canada soon," Ian said. He was familiar with this part of the country.
Ari closed his eyes as a mild contraction throbbed in his belly. That was the fourth one in the past ten hours. He knew instinctively that he was in labor. Seven months seemed too early, but maybe that was how long immortal pregnancies lasted. Ari couldn't tell Duffy or the others yet. They were still too close to CGB Spender's territory. They needed to get at least several hundred miles away before they could even consider stopping. He laid his head back against Duffy's chest and listened to his lover's gentle snoring. For someone so large Duffy was a quiet sleeper.
Jeffrey was staring at Ari frowning; he could hear two heartbeats coming from the man. He wondered if there was something he could poke Ari with to see if he bled green, the last thing he wanted to do was bring an alien home with him. If he didn't bleed green then Duffy would probably kill him for stabbing his lover, so he decided to closely watch Ari for any outward signs.
***