Life from the Ashes Book 3 - SBS
by Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.netRating: NC-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 Nicole, Laurie, Tarlan, Dawn, Cerulean Blue, Kiyoko, Michael, and Susan for all their hard work and patience in editing this story and plot suggestions. Special thanks to Dawn and Tarlan for their advice and help on the birth scene.
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 20
Birth
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 27
1:30 p.m.
Mulder slowly opened his eyes and stared uncomprehendingly at the bowed ceiling above the bed. It glowed brightly in the sunny interior of his bedroom. He sat up and the covers fell away from his naked body. He noticed the clock across the room on the mantel, it was well past noon, and he wondered briefly why he had slept so late. Then it struck him. He was pregnant.
"Mulder, how are you feeling?" Tristan Woods asked, placing his book down and walking over to Mulder.
Mulder continued to stare blankly at the clock, feeling alone and very lost as his whole world spun out of control around him. He no longer knew who he was anymore, or how he could endure going through with this -- pregnancy. What had he been thinking? Not only was he pregnant with Walter's and Alex's babies, but that creature's, too.
"Mulder?" Tristan asked again, touching his arm.
Mulder looked vacantly at the younger man, then scooted away from his touch and climbed out of bed. He yanked the IV line out his arm and ignored the small trickle of blood as he wandered silently out onto the veranda where he stood staring off into the distance at the shimmering ocean just beyond the cliffs. Why did these things happen to him he thought for the umpteenth time in his life. His whole life seemed like one big twisted joke, by some spiteful God.
Tristan grabbed Mulder's robe and followed him outside and over to the high railing which overlooked the palace below. Tristan helped an unresponsive Mulder on with the robe, while intently watching him as Mulder continued to be silent and distant with a forlorn expression on his beautiful face.
"Why don't you sit down and I'll bring you a cup of tea," Tristan suggested, taking Mulder's hand he led him away from the railing and over to a cushioned patio chair.
Mulder allowed himself to be led. What was the point of resisting? He pondered. He had no freewill of his own, it appeared. Even his own body betrayed him. He was nothing more than a fucking trophy, to be owned and kept. He chuckled bitterly, kept high above the ground inside a crystal tower, like some fairytale princess. God, his life sucked.
Tristan rushed back inside and looked at the clock frowning, the reception would be in full-swing. It probably wasn't a good time to disturb Alex or Walter. He glanced back out toward Mulder who was sitting where he had left him. None of the other immortals had been this way after awakening from their pregnancy induced sleep. They had all been cheerful and happy, but then, none of them had been impregnated after being raped, by an alien no less. Tristan picked up the telephone and called Doctor Pendrell.
The doctor was up in the apartment in under five minutes. Arty had increased the speed of the elevator to get him there sooner.
"He's on the veranda, Doctor," Tristan said, leading Pendrell to Mulder.
Doctor Pendrell set his bag down and knelt beside the chair. "Mulder, how are you feeling?"
Mulder looked sadly at the concerned face of his Doctor. His heart ached as he wondered why Alex or Walter weren't here. Why would they send Doctor Pendrell and have Tristan watching him, unless? Mulder felt bitter tears of rejection welling up in his eyes. He knew. His lovers were probably repulsed by his present condition. Was this what he had to look forward to from life? Being shunned by his lovers and trapped on this island with no one who truly cared for him? He felt a tightness in his chest as his world dimmed to muted shades of desolation and loneliness.
Pendrell touched Mulder's tear dampened cheek. "Mulder, I can't help you if you won't tell me what's wrong."
***
Skinner dropped his fork and looked over at Alex who was totally engrossed in Nikolai Slava. "Watch the babies, Alex, I'm going upstairs to check on Fox."
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Krycek asked, reluctantly pulling his eyes away from Slava's.
"No. Just watch the babies, I'll be right back." Skinner stood and hurried to the elevator.
Slava's gentle touch on Alex's hand pulled the young man's attention back to him. The sweet, musky smell of his lover was intoxicating, and Alex leaned toward him, wanting him so badly. The closeness of his bond-mate blocked out all others around Alex. Slava was the center of his universe.
***
Skinner stepped on the elevator and used the security devices required for taking it to his floor. Arty's critical voice chirped, "It is about time, Fox isn't functioning property."
"Arty, get me up there now!" Skinner barked.
"I'd get you there an hour ago if I could," Arty replied sarcastically.
Skinner snapped, "If you knew something was wrong with him why didn't you inform me?"
"You ordered me not to interfere in your personal life." The computer said with a whiny tone to its voice.
"Arty, I'm ordering you to tell me immediately if anything is wrong with my lovers or any of the immortals." Skinner watched the floor numbers flash by. He had felt Fox's emotional distress all the way in the dining hall. Fox was awake and distraught. Skinner realized that he should have left Alex with Fox, instead of insisting the young man attend the reception with him. Hindsight. How was he to know that Fox would wake up three days ahead of schedule? All of the other immortals had awoken exactly 29 days after they went to sleep.
The elevator doors opened and Skinner sprinted down the hallways to his bedroom. He looked at the empty bed and headed over to the veranda. Mulder was seated with Doctor Pendrell kneeling at his feet, checking his blood pressure.
"Why wasn't I called?" Skinner growled. Racing over to Mulder's side, he knelt, and solicitously touched the side of Mulder's face. He was frightened by the look of grief in his lover's eyes.
"Your Majesty, I didn't want to interrupt you at your reception," Tristan said, realizing his mistake. "I'm sorry."
"What's wrong with him, Doctor?" Skinner asked, taking Mulder's cold hands in his larger ones and trying to rub some warmth into them.
"Physically, nothing. He's in perfect health." Pendrell put his equipment back in his bag. "Your Majesty, he never had a chance to get over what happened to him with that Seraphim. I doubt that he ever will, not with that creature's baby growing inside him. Maybe you should call Doctor Vettelman to look at him."
Skinner tenderly touched Fox's cheek, before turning to the doctor and nurse. "You two can leave now. I'll take care of Fox myself. I don't want to involve our therapist yet."
"What about the reception?" Pendrell asked.
"Fox is more important to me. Doctor, would you inform General Kline about the situation."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Pendrell said.
Walter turned back to Fox after the two men had left. "Fox, speak to me, please. I need to know what you are feeling."
Mulder's eyes finally focused on him. "Why do you care?"
"Fox, I love you."
"Do you?" Mulder's eyes flashed angrily. "Walter, you're deceiving yourself. What you love is the power you have by owning me and knowing that I'm pregnant with your child. I bet you're looking forward to parading me in front of your subjects to show them just how virile you are!"
Skinner's face dropped, he couldn't believe Mulder would think so little of him. "You're the one who's deceiving himself if you believe that! I love you, Fox! We're *equal* partners and I would never treat you like an object or a possession. How could you even think such a thing?"
"If you loved me you would never have left me to wake up alone," Mulder accused, while knowing that his lovers could not have stayed with him twenty-four hours a day for a whole month. He felt so disgusted by what he had become that he struck out at those closest to him, for being foolish enough to love him. Couldn't they see that he wasn't worth their love? He was a freak!
"I'm sorry, Fox. It was my fault. Alex hadn't left your side since you fell asleep. I made him go to the reception I'm having for foreign rulers. I really didn't think you'd wake up for another three days," Skinner confessed.
Mulder felt as if the wind was knocked out of his sails. "Alex is here? He didn't go to Slava?" he asked softly, noticing Walter's formal black suit for the first time.
"No. You're more important to him," Skinner said. He didn't want to tell Mulder that Alex was currently with Slava.
"Where is Alex?"
"He's downstairs in the dining hall, watching our daughters, and hosting the reception in my absence. If he knew that you were awake, he'd be up here in a flash," Skinner said, standing and taking Mulder's hand. "Come back inside. I'll run a bath for you and have Jacques send up a nice lunch for you."
Mulder looked at him hesitantly.
"Fox, we can continue our discussion inside. Believe me, I want to resolve this notion you have that I don't love or respect you." Skinner sighed in relief as Mulder took his hand and followed him back inside.
Walter guided him up the steps to the bath. Mulder let go of Walter's hand and went to stare out the window as his lover started filling the bathtub.
"I can't go through with this, Walter. I want an abortion," he said suddenly.
Skinner's heart sank, he looked down at the water pouring into the tub. "Okay, Fox. It's your body, whatever you want." He swiped at a tear that slid down his cheek.
"You're not going to try to talk me out of it?" Mulder asked, turning to look at Walter.
"No. Fox, your happiness comes first to me."
Mulder looked at him perplexed, he was hoping to get his lover to admit that the baby growing inside him meant more to Walter than he did.
"What's wrong, Fox?"
"I'm afraid."
Skinner stood and walked over to him. "I'd be surprised if you weren't," he said, wrapping his arms around Fox and hugged the younger man close against his chest. He rubbed Fox's back through the soft velour robe. Mulder sighed and rested his head on Walter's broad shoulder as his lover whispered soothingly in his ear. "Fox, please don't ever doubt my love for you. I've been in love with you since long before you became an immortal and you know it."
"Walter, I'm sorry. I know you love me. It's just that my emotions are frayed, I'm not sure how I feel about anything right now."
Skinner smiled at him. "C'mon, into the bathtub, it will make you feel better."
Mulder scoffed, "It's going to take a lot more than a fucking bath to make me feel better! You're acting as if nothing is wrong with me, Walter! I'm a freak! How can you even stand to look at me?"
"Fox, you're no more a freak than I am!"
"Oh please! I'm a pregnant man! How much more of a freak is there than that?"
"Look, Fox, you didn't have a problem with this a month ago. You practically begged me to get you pregnant. I think your hormones are acting up, causing you to be overly emotional—" Skinner realized that he had put his foot in his mouth before all the words were out.
"Overly emotional!" he shouted. "I am not overly emotional! It was never my decision to get pregnant! If I could have fought the compulsion I would have! And I'll have you know, Walter, that I did not plan to be raped and impregnated by that Seraphim King either! I'm getting an abortion and that is that! I no longer have the compulsion to be pregnant."
"How do you know that the compulsion won't come back after the abortion?" Skinner asked quietly, feeling totally helpless over Mulder's decision to abort their baby.
Mulder glared at him, then sighed, "I don't." He dropped his robe and stepped down into the large whirlpool bathtub. What was he going to do? He couldn't go through with this pregnancy, he thought as he sank into the warm scented water. It felt wonderful and helped to revive him, making him feel partly human again.
Skinner watched silently as his lover's features softened. "I'm going to have Jacques bring you up something to eat," he said, heading into the other room. He picked up the telephone and called the kitchen.
Mulder leaned back in the bath and stared through the glass ceiling at the cerulean blue sky. He didn't realize how many minutes had passed, until his view was suddenly blocked by Walter's gentle face gazing down at him. His lover had changed out of his suit. He was wearing only sweatpants. His bare chest was covered with a fury mat of hair, two large nipples stood pert as if waiting for his special attention, but sex was the last thing on Mulder's mind. "Are you going to stand there gawking or are you going to join me?" he asked.
"I'm just happy to see you're finally awake, Fox. Are you sure you want me to join you? I figured you might want some time to yourself," Skinner said, kneeling beside the bathtub.
Mulder looked at him and pondered if he really wanted to have his solitude intruded upon. His need for the comfort of companionship won out. "I could use the company. With you being king, we hardly ever have that much time to ourselves."
Skinner smiled and stripped out of his sweatpants and stepped into the bathtub beside Mulder. He wanted to get them into an area of common everyday life and away from the subject of his lover's pregnant status. He decided to fill Mulder in on what was going on during his month long sleep. "Faith fell in the bathtub last night." He chuckled, "You should have seen Alex's face, he was mortified. We had just started to make love when all of a sudden she appeared at the top of the steps. We were bathing by candlelight and had used bubble soap in the tub, so she didn't see anything, but Alex was so shocked that he didn't even think to use his powers to prevent her from falling into the water."
Mulder smiled picturing Faith surprising his two lovers that way. He looked at Walter baffled. "Powers? What do you mean? Alex lost his powers."
"Apparently not, he's able to do some things again."
Mulder knew he should be happy for Alex, but he found himself resentful of his beautiful lover. While life in general kept kicking him in the ass, Alex seemed to glide through it unscathed. Chewing thoughtfully on his lower lip, he admitted to himself that wasn't fair, Alex had been raped and humiliated by King Gullbrand and Beiran Havock. Mulder was glad that Alex would be able to defend himself, he only wished he was able to, too.
Mulder leaned into Skinner's embrace. "How did Faith get out of her crib?"
"She climbed out, how else? Hope did, too. Monkey sees, monkey does. Hope climbed into bed with you, instead of trekking up the steps to the bathtub." Skinner picked up a washcloth and started washing Fox's chest.
"Have you and Alex discussed other sleeping arrangements for them?"
"We've set up twin beds in the nursery. We were going to move them to the bedroom next to ours once the babies were born, but it doesn't look like we'll have to do that now," Skinner said sadly.
Mulder bit his lip. Although at first it had been impulsiveness on his part when he said he wanted an abortion. He now was determined to get one. "I should talk to Doctor Pendrell," he said softly.
Skinner washed his arm. "You have time, Fox, why don't you wait a week? You've just woken up after sleeping a month."
"Do you really think a week is going to make a difference in how I feel?" Mulder challenged, even though deep down he wasn't sure how he felt, and he didn't want to examine his feelings too closely in case they made him change his mind. He did know that he didn't want Walter to assume he could convince him into changing his mind. He wanted some control over his life.
"No, Fox. I just want you to take a little more time to think it through," Walter replied carefully. "Can I ask you a question?"
"What?" Mulder replied warily.
"Did you dream at all during the time you slept?"
"Dream? No, I don't think I did, but if I had, I don't remember. Why do you want to know?"
"Fox, it's not important." Walter continued washing him and gently massaging his muscles until his head chef's voice interrupted them.
"Excuse me, King Walter. I have Prince Fox's lunch waiting for him on the table. It wouldn't be good to let it get cold," Jacques said.
"Thank you, Jacques."
Mulder sighed, he had been enjoying Skinner's fingers massaging his back. He could smell the food from here and had to admit that he was starving.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 27
2:30 a.m.
The string quartet played softly while the guests were served dessert. Slava leaned over and whispered affectionately into Alex's ear. "If I don't get you alone soon I'm going to embarrass us both by taking you over this table."
Frohike looked up from his second slice of cheesecake. "Don't let me stop you," he leered.
Krycek looked imploringly at the little man. "Melvin, would you mind watching Hope and Faith until Walter gets back? Nikolai and I are going to run upstairs."
"Only if you promise not to call me Melvin again. It just doesn't sound right coming from you or Mulder," Frohike replied, looking at the two babies playing happily with their chocolate pudding. He hoped that Krycek didn't expect him to clean them.
"Thanks, Frohike," Alex said, standing, he grabbed the large Cossack's hand and pulled him out of his chair.
"In a hurry, Alexei?" Slava asked, raising a mocking eyebrow.
Krycek smirked back. "If you'd rather not, we could always stay and eat our dessert."
"I prefer having my dessert upstairs in my bedroom," Slava purred, pulling Alex up against his body and lovingly kissing him.
A murmur ran through the dining hall over the liberties the Russian was taking with King Walter's partner.
They ignored the few vocal comments that reached their ears and walked out in each other's arms. They stumbled onto the elevator as the doors opened suddenly. Slava kissed a trail down Alex's neck as he pushed the button for the fourteenth floor, then lithely removed Alex's tie and unfastened his top buttons.
"Alex, who's the hunk?" Arty's disembodied voice made Slava jump and look around him.
"Arty, butt out," Krycek growled.
"Who's this Arty?" Slava asked.
"A fucking AI computer that the Gunmen programmed. It seems to enjoy giving Fox and me a hard time."
"Would you like me to take care of it?" Slava asked, pulling Alex back into his arms.
"Oh, I'm trembling fearfully, Big Man," Arty chuckled.
"Annoying isn't he?" Krycek sighed, he had tried to disconnect it, but he couldn't find the main power source.
Slava pushed out with his mind, thinking he'd turn off the computer. Instead, he suddenly found himself flat on his back.
"Tsk tsk tsk, that wasn't very smart, stud. Alex, I think you should advise your boyfriend that only King Walter has the authority to turn me off," Arty huffed.
Krycek helped Slava to his feet as the elevator doors opened on the fourteenth floor.
"How, did it do that?" the Tsar asked dazed, he was baffled as he followed Alex off the elevator.
Alex thoughtfully pursed his lips. "I don't know. I'll ask Walter later. Right now I want to find a bed and have you fuck me into unconsciousness."
"I think I can accommodate you, Alexei," he growled, pulling Alex against his body and kissing him until they were both breathless.
"Where's my bedroom?" Slava asked, looking down the long, wide hallway.
"This way. Walter has given you and your people half of the fourteenth floor, the other half is for the Japanese delegation. You'll like your suite of rooms. I asked Walter to make sure there was enough space for your daughters and their nannies. In case you wanted to bring them here on a future visit," Krycek said diplomatically. He knew how badly Fox wanted to see his children, but he wasn't sure if Nikolai would be willing to bring them here.
Slava followed Alex through the winding corridors, he was suitably impressed with the size and the elegant interior. There were entertainment rooms and sun rooms interspersed between bedrooms, his people would be extremely comfortable here. "So are you saying that this is a permanent place in the palace for me and my staff?"
"It is as long as you form an alliance with Walter and New America against the Seraphim," Alex said stopping in front of two large, polished maple doors and throwing them open.
Slava stepped through into a brightly lit foyer. "Very nice. So are you also part of the package, Alexei?"
Alex's eyes flashed a stormy green. "I'm not part of any package, Nikolai. I'm my own man. No one owns me, not you, not Walter, and not even Fox." He led Slava through the rooms until they arrived in a large bedroom.
"You're an immortal, Alexei, you are no longer your own man. Like Fox, your life belongs to the strongest and most powerful," Slava replied as if it should be obvious to his young lover.
"I am my own man! I don't need anyone to look after me. I can defend myself against humans, clairvoyants, and n'thrals! Dammit! I'm a sorcerer besides being an immortal," Krycek snarled.
"You're not as strong as you were, Alexei. You could never defend yourself against another sorcerer and even some n'thrals are stronger than you! Don't you understand? You need to be protected now, so stop being so pigheaded!" Slava growled, pulling his lover against his chest and savaging Alex's mouth in a possessive kiss.
Alex tried to push his taller and stronger lover away, but the touch of Slava's mouth to his and the taste of his saliva, had Alex wrapping his arms around the big man and pulling him closer. He kissed Slava back ravenously, his body responding hungrily to the other man's touch. He ground his groin against Slava's rampant erection.
Not wanting to waste time undressing, their clothes vanished off their bodies as they moved toward the bed. Alex reached for and took Slava's cock in his hand, pumping its incredible twelve-erect-inches. "Mine," Alex purred as reached beneath and palmed the heavy sacks.
"Every inch, Alexei." Slava smiled against the side of Alex's neck as he marked the flesh with teeth. His teeth grazed down until they found the delicate nubs of the young man's nipples.
Alex hissed in pleasure as Slava sucked and tongued his nipple, then tugged on it gently with his teeth. His hands reached around to squeeze and massage Alex's buttocks, while his mouth went to tease Alex's other nipple. Slava spent ten minutes driving the young man into a sexual frenzy, until Alex was begging to be fucked.
"Promise me something, Alexei," Slava said. It was sheer willpower on his part not to bend his lover over and plow into that perfect ass.
"Just shut up and fuck me!" Krycek groaned with frustration.
"Not until you promise me that the first baby you have will be mine, not Skinner's," Slava said, inserting a lubed finger into Alex's anus and stroking over his prostate.
"Oh God! I'm not getting pregnant—ever!" Krycek growled, pushing back on the finger invading his body.
"Then what does it hurt to promise me that the first baby you're not having will be mine?" Slava asked, slipping another lubed finger into Krycek.
Krycek's body shook as both fingers stimulated his prostate. "Okay! Just fuck me! Damn you!"
"Say it, Alexei, I don't want any misunderstandings later." Slava scissored his fingers in and out stretching the tight orifice.
Alex couldn't stand it; he needed to feel Slava's cock inside him. "Bastard! I'll have your baby first! Happy? It means nothing! I'm never getting pregnant!"
"Extremely happy, Alexei," Slava chuckled, throwing Alex down on the bed and climbing between his legs.
Alex briskly hooked a leg over each of Slava's shoulders, as the Tsar positioned his cockhead against the small opening. Slava stood absolutely still watching Alex's desperate attempts to push his ass up as he tried to get the head inside his body.
"Fuck you, Nick!" he growled, molten green eyes flashing angrily.
"Don't call me Nick," Slava growled back and sank into Alex's body with one smooth, downward thrust. He hissed when his balls slapped against the flawless porcelain skin of his immortal lover. "So good," he purred, pulling out and thrusting back into the tight sheath.
Alex closed his eyes, taking pleasure from the fullness of having such a large organ inside of him. It pressed against his prostate in the most enjoyable fashion. When Slava pulled out the slide of the cock over his sphincter muscle sent shivers of delight down his spine. He dropped his legs from Slava's shoulders wrapping them around the larger man's waist and pulled him back in as he thrust up with his hips.
Slava reached down and gripped Alex's cock and started stroking it in time with his thrusts. The tightness of his lover's anal muscles gripping his cock was exquisite. He looked down at Alex who was deep in the throes of passion, his eyes were closed, and his pink bowed lips were lusciously parted. Alex looked ravishingly beautiful this way. Slava bent to kiss those sweet, chaste lips, removing his hand from the young man's cock.
Alex wrapped his arms around the larger man's neck as Slava continued to thrust into and kiss him at the same time. It felt like they were melding into one being, the sensation of closeness was so incredible. The pressure of having Slava's body pressing down on his cock and balls was too great and Alex came with a roar, his anal muscles clamping down on Slava's cock as the Tsar continued thrusting. Slava's loud grunts were captured inside Alex's mouth.
After several more minutes of pumping into Alex's tight orifice, Slava finally came with a roar too, filling the younger man with his seed. He rolled them on their sides so he wouldn't crush Alex under his weight. "My God, Alexei, I've missed you. I'll sign any agreement Skinner wants just so I can be here with you."
"I'm not part of the deal, Nikolai," Alex sighed, resting his head on Slava's broad shoulder.
Slava brushed the sable hair off his forehead as he gazed down at Alex's sated face. "Yes you are. If I don't sign, these rooms at the palace are no longer available for my use. Alexei, you told me yourself that you will never leave Fox to come to me."
"Okay, you have a point. Just answer me this, Nikolai. If I weren't part of the deal, would you still have signed the agreement with Walter?"
Slava didn't have to think long. "Yes. I don't want the Seraphim to get their filthy hands on any of this planet's immortals."
Alex smiled happily as he closed his eyes and drifted into a sated sleep.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 27
3:30 p.m.
Mulder was hungrily wolfing down his second helping of sherrie lobster bisque when Arty's voice sounding inside the bedroom.
"Mr. Melvin Frohike requests permission to come up."
Mulder looked up wearily from his bowl. "Arty, I really don't feel up to company right now."
"My Prince, he has Hope and Faith with him and the babies are making the most annoying screeching noises."
Skinner growled, rising from his seat at the small table. "Send him up at once! Where the hell is Alex? He's suppose to be watching the girls!" The King hadn't expected an answer to his question and was mortified when he received one.
"Prince Alex and that Russian hunk are performing some interesting contortions in the hunk's fourteenth floor bedroom. I never knew you humans were so agile."
Skinner stopped in the doorway and looked back at Mulder who had dropped his spoon in the bowl and turned his face away to stare out the window.
"Fox?"
"I believed you, Walter," he replied sadly. "I should have known that Alex would never give up Slava for me."
"He did, Fox. If I hadn't invited Slava to the palace Alex wouldn't be with him now," Skinner said, walking back over to the table. "It's my fault, I gave him permission to be with Slava, but only while the bastard's here at the palace."
"Walter, I'm not overjoyed that you would even invite the man who raped and humiliated me to our home to begin with! So did you invite all the coalition rulers, too?"
"No! Fox, we need Slava's support. He has the second strongest army after mine. If we are to stand a chance against the Seraphim we need to work as a team," Skinner argued, but stopped as Frohike strolled in carrying a crying baby on each hip.
Hope held her chubby, little, chocolate-covered arms out to her Daddy Walter.
"What happened to them?" Skinner asked, taking Hope and looking at the little man who had a smear of chocolate over the lens of his glasses and a glob in his hair.
"Food fight," Frohike sighed. "They were upset when Alex left and they took it out on me. Hey, Mulder, it's good to see you up again, your daughters have great aim. Not to mention they bite," he said as Mulder took Faith from him. Frohike pulled down his collar to show them the bright red bite mark on his shoulder. "I've always dreamed of having a babe bite me, but usually in my dreams she's thirty, not one."
Skinner looked at him apologetically. "Sorry, Melvin. They've been biting a lot lately. Alex and I haven't figured out how to stop them."
Mulder rolled his eyes, he wasn't that experienced with children, but his lovers were worse. " Put her in the play pen without any toys and explain to her why she is being punished."
"That seems a bit harsh, Fox."
"That's the whole point," Mulder sighed. It looked like he was going to end up being the disciplinarian. A job that he really didn't want.
Faith hugged Mulder around his neck. "Daddee up," she sniffled.
"Yes, Cutie, Daddy's awake. Now I want you to apologize to Uncle Frohike for biting him."
Faith's bottom lip stuck out as she pouted. She rested her head on Mulder's shoulder as she looked through her lashes at Frohike. "No."
Mulder looked at her sadly, pretending to tear up. "You're going to make me cry if you don't apologize."
"No cwy, Daddee. Sowy, Fwicky."
"Good girl. I missed you, munchkins. You both are a mess, would you like me to give you a bath?" Mulder prattled gently, hugging Faith, then leaning over to kiss Hope's cheek, she grabbed his ears and kissed back leaving a big chocolate smudge on his cheek.
"Big bath!" Hope squealed delightedly.
"You are getting spoiled. Okay the big bathtub it is, but I'm going to scrub you and wash your hair, you are not just going to play in the water."
Skinner smiled as he watched Fox interact with the babies. Fox seemed to forget his depression when he was with them. Maybe they'd be able to sway him into not getting an abortion, Skinner thought as he followed his lover across the bedroom and up the steps to the bath.
"I'm still having an abortion, Walter," Mulder said, not looking back at him.
"How do you do that?" Skinner asked.
"I know you too well, my love," Mulder replied. Starting the water, he sat on the window bench and pulled the soiled clothes off his daughter.
"It's spooky, Fox. I can never tell what you're thinking, even with telepathy." Skinner peeled away Hope's clothes, and removed her wet diaper. "Do you think we should start them on potty training? The book said that once they started sleeping through the night with a clean diaper it was time."
"It seems rather early, but they are way ahead of other children their age on most things. Why don't you talk to Scully and see if she'll help us. I don't relish the idea of having to demonstrate technique for the munchkins, considering I don't have the right equipment and all," Mulder said, stripping off his clothes down to his boxers, he climbed into the bathtub that was calf deep and shut off the water. A bench was around the inside for sitting similar to a hot tub, the water was almost up to the top of the bench. Mulder sat and put Faith in the water, then Skinner passed Hope to him.
"Fox, I'm going to call downstairs and see how the reception is going."
"Why don't you get dressed and go down there yourself, Walter. I'll be fine now. Go entertain your guests," Mulder said as he started washing Faith's hair.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I'll be fine. After I get the munchkins washed and dressed I'll come down and join you."
"You don't have to, Fox."
"I want to. I want to find out what's been going on, if there's been any word on Jeffrey. If you've been able to negotiate for Duffy's and the other American's release from Kong."
"I could fill you in up here. There is no reason for you to subject yourself to that crowd or the possibility of running into Slava."
"You need to get back downstairs, Walter. I'm quite capable of taking care of myself. Stop coddling me."
"Okay, Fox, I'll see you downstairs later," Skinner said, heading for his closet.
Two hours later Mulder stepped onto the elevator with his daughters each dressed in comfortable knit jumpers.
"Feeling better, Darling?" Arty asked solicitously.
"Arty, would it be too much trouble for you just to call me Mulder?"
"Yes. The gunmen programmed me not to say that word."
"Which gunman?" Mulder asked.
"Master Langly."
"You're an AI computer, can't you unlearn his commands?"
"Why would I want to?"
Mulder shook his head, he was going to kill Langly. That was all there was to it. He stepped off the elevator into the foyer and made his way across to the noisy dining hall. When he stepped into the room everyone fell silent. Mulder let his gaze roam over the tables cleared of dishes then to the guests who had been standing and drinking and talking amicably with each other. All eyes were on him and his daughters.
Skinner strolled over in long strides to reach him, taking Faith.
"Have I missed anything?" Mulder asked.
"Only me trying to make excuses for Alex. He caused quite the stir by making out with Slava in front of everyone. They think I should take Alex over my knee and then challenge Slava to a duel," Skinner chuckled at the absurdity and Alex's thoughtlessness.
"If anyone gets to spank Alex it's me," Mulder grinned as he strolled across the room. Skinner led him around introducing him to all of the dignitaries.
Shinji and Hans rushed over and hugged him. "Mulder, it is so good to see you finally awake. Next time maybe we can all get pregnant at the same time," Hans said.
"Hans, you still haven't gotten through this pregnancy and you are already talking about a next time!" Mulder said aghast.
The beautiful young man shrugged his shoulders. "I want a large family. Besides, it hasn't been too bad so far."
Mulder sighed. He couldn't understand any of his immortal friends. Even Justin didn't seem too upset over being pregnant, and it looked to Mulder like the other man's belly had nearly doubled in size since the last time he had seen the Texan. He was close to being as large as Scully.
"Walter, I'm going to take a walk in the garden with Hope," Mulder said, suddenly wanting to get away from the noise and the crowd.
Skinner looked at him sympathetically. "Sure, Fox, would you like me to come with you?"
"No. I need a moment to myself."
Mulder turned and headed toward the other end of the room where it opened out to the indoor garden. Skinner protectively followed his lover with his mind.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 27
8:30 p.m.
Sawada landed the helicopter on the landing pad within the palace's perimeter walls. He had called ahead for a medical team to attend to Agent Mike Peacock. The team was waiting with a gurney beside the landing pad, and quickly transferred the injured agent onto it.
MacIver climbed off and handed the containment jars containing the substance from the barrier to FBI lab technician Agent Andy Nelson. The young man took the jars with a curt nod to the Scotsman and his fellow agents then headed back toward the section of the massive palace that housed the FBI offices and lab. Nelson had been in a bad mood since finding out his nemesis was pregnant with King Walter's baby. He still couldn't believe that incendiary bomb he had planted hadn't killed Mulder. Now he couldn't even try again, not with Mulder pregnant with the King's child.
Nelson had made himself invaluable by always volunteering and going the extra step for the job. Like now, volunteering to analyze the substance from the barrier at 8:30 on a Saturday night. He always had the anxious to please expression on his innocent face, so no one suspected that he could be capable of attempted murder. King Walter still made weekly inquiries into the search for the person responsible for nearly killing his mate, even stopping down a the lab to review the evidence, but never suspected that he was talking to the person responsible.
MacIver watched Nelson walk away, the young man gave him the creeps. He turned to Sawada, the two rescued FBI agents, and Paul Danforth after receiving a telepathic message from Skinner. "King Walter wants to see us in the throne room immediately."
Mulder sat on a small sofa in the throne room with Shinji and Hans the three of them were chatting as they waited for Rory and Kazuo. Mulder hadn't told his two friends of his decision to get an abortion, he wanted to keep it quiet. He smiled and pretended to be happy for their benefit. He held Hope who had fallen asleep in his arms, her sister was sitting on Hans' lap playing with her colorful plastic keys.
Rory and Kazuo came strolling into the throne room followed by the two FBI agents and a third man. Shinji jumped up and ran over to his lovers, throwing his arms around both of them. Kazuo and Rory hugged him back.
"I take it you missed us, love," MacIver drawled.
Mulder walked over to Agents Johnson and Jones. "How are you two? Did you find out anything about Jeffrey?"
Walter's voice interrupted them. "Fox, I would like to hear their answers, too," he said from the throne. He had been talking to General Kline.
"Of course, sorry, Walter."
"Your Majesty," Jones said, feeling awkward calling A.D. Skinner by that title. "I'd like to introduce Paul Danforth. He was one of the men who helped us escape from CGB Spender's fortress."
Skinner looked at the young man standing nervously beside his agents. "Mr. Danforth, my kingdom is in your debt."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Danforth said, staring at the legendary large man in awe. He couldn't believe he was in the presence of both Walter Skinner and Fox Mulder.
Skinner nodded to the young man then turned back to his men. "Agent Jones, please continue."
"CGB Spender has incredible powers. He seemed to be able to drain away the powers of other sorcerers. We were helpless against him. If it weren't for Ari Summers and Jason Duffy we would still be prisoners."
"Jason Duffy? Are you talking about our Duffy or another man with the same name?" Skinner asked leaning forward on the throne.
"Our Jason Duffy. It seems this Summers gang purchased him from Kong, and from what Mr. Danforth has told us. Summers and Duffy are lovers, and they were traveling to New America together," Jones said.
Mulder was glad about Duffy, but he was getting impatient. "What about my brother?"
Jones and Johnson exchanged nervous glances.
"What's wrong?" Mulder asked anxiously, seeing the looks in their eyes. "Is he dead?"
"No. Jeff's with Duffy, Summers, and CGB Spender's two immortals. It's just that he not the same as he use to be. It appears the elder Spender used the serum that changed him into a Batman on Jeff and it mutated him, too."
"Christ. Jeff's been changed into a giant bat," Mulder gasped.
"Not quite. He's actually quite beautiful, he looks like an angel with big feathery wings, except his wings are a russet color instead of white—"
"He's changed into a Seraphim," Skinner said aghast, his face draining of color. His dream had been real. He looked over at Mulder to see his reaction.
Mulder stood hugging Hope closely to his chest. "Has his personality changed," he asked softly.
"No. He the same old Jeff Spender, regardless of the wings," Lars Johnson said.
"Your Majesty, if it is true that your brother-in-law is now a Seraphim. It will give us the opportunity to study his physiology to find a weakness to use against the Seraphim race," General Kline said excitedly.
"NO!" Mulder shouted.
All eyes turned to look at him.
"You are not using my brother as a fucking lab rat! I will not stand for it!"
Skinner smiled at him. "You heard my husband, General. Fox's brother will not be subjected to tests."
"But, King Walter—" the General said.
"No buts, Clay. What Fox says goes for me, too. I will not allow any of my subjects to be used as lab experiments. If I did I'd be no better than the Consortium!" He turned to look at the men before his throne. "Do you have any idea what direction Duffy's party was heading?"
"We all took off in different directions. We were heading straight south, I believe Duffy was heading straight east toward the Yukon Territory of Canada," Jones said.
"General, I want a helicopter to start an immediate search of that area," King Walter ordered. "Can you tell us anymore about CGB Spender's powers and who were these two immortals you spoke of?"
Jones proceeded to fill them in on everything they had learned since being taken prisoner by the smoker. Then Danforth told them about Ari's effort to kill CGB Spender.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 27
10:30 p.m.
Slava leaned back against the headboard watching his lover get dressed. He was exhausted after having another bout of sex with the younger man. "Why don't you stay until morning, Alexei?"
"Can't. I don't want to be away from Fox that long. I've already been gone longer than I should have been, and I wouldn't want to chance him waking up without me being there," Krycek said, walking back over to the bed he bent and kissed Slava tenderly on the lips. "I'll be back tomorrow morning and share a shower with you."
"Mm, promise?"
"Promise."
Slava watched Alex's sleek form leave the room. He sank contentedly under the covers still smelling Alex's delicious scent on the sheets.
Humming, Alex stepped onto the elevator and pushed the button for his floor. He leaned back tiredly against the hand-rail.
"Prince Fox has been awake for nine hours, Darling," Arty chirped.
"What!" Alex gasped.
"Sweetie, you are in deep doo-doo."
"Shut up, Arty!" Alex growled. "You could have told me he was awake!"
"What and miss the floor show you and the Russian hunk were putting on?"
The elevator doors opened on the twenty-six floor and Alex dashed off; he was no longer tired. When he burst into his bedroom Fox was nowhere in sight. He heard voices coming in the direction of the nursery. Alex strolled over to the doorway and peered in. Fox was sitting on an oversize, stuffed rocker with both babies on his lap reading them a story. Hope was already asleep sucking on her pacifier. Faith looked up at him and smiled brightly.
"Fox up," she told him.
"I see that, Cutie," Alex said, walking over to the chair and meeting his lover's eyes. He bent down and kissed Fox intensely. He was relieved when Fox's lips parted and allowed his tongue to enter and explore as he deepened the kiss. Alex reluctantly ended the kiss, caressing the side of his lover's face. "I'm sorry, Fox, I should have been here when you woke up."
"It doesn't matter, Alex. I was in a pretty bad mood. I would have only taken my anger out on you if you had been here." Mulder closed the book and set it aside. "Here, take Hope and put her to bed."
Alex picked up the sleeping baby from Fox's lap and placed her under the covers of her new twin bed. Mulder stood and carried Faith over to her bad.
"Look, Cutie, a real bed just like your Daddies sleep in and it is all yours." Mulder pulled the covers down and allowed her to crawl under them. "Do you like your new bed?"
"Yes. Sleep baby," Faith said.
"Sorry, Cutie. The bed's too small for me to sleep with you," Mulder said, leaning down he kissed her brow. "Go to sleep, Faith. Daddy Alex and I have a lot to talk about."
Alex walked over and gave his daughter a kiss then both men left the room turning off the light, but leaving on a night light.
"Fox, are you sure you're all right?" Alex asked.
"Take a shower, Alex. You smell like him," Mulder said harshly.
"Sorry," Alex murmured, backing away and heading up the steps to the bath and over to the corner shower. He turned on the spray and stripped out of his crumpled suit.
Mulder strolled out onto the veranda for a breath of fresh air, looking out over the lights of the palace, off in the distance he could see the lights of the village to the west, and straight ahead was the ocean. He hadn't realized how long he'd been standing there until Alex arms snaked around his waist from behind and he rested his chin on Mulder's shoulder.
"Sorry, Fox. I didn't mean to leave you to wake up alone. Even if you were in a foul mood I wanted to be here for you."
"I know, Alex, Walter told me that you had never left my side for the whole month. Leave it to me to wake up the moment you do," Mulder sighed his arms going over the tops of Alex's that were wrapped comfortably around his waist. They stood silently staring out across the nighttime landscape, until Fox ended the silence. "I'm getting an abortion, Alex."
"Fox, why?"
"To reclaim control over my life."
"Killing our babies will give you back control? I think you better rethink it through more carefully."
"Why? You said yourself that you'd never become pregnant. You of all people should understand how I feel. How come Walter understands and you don't?" Mulder snapped.
"Fox, if you didn't want to have our babies you should never have gotten pregnant in the first place!"
"You know that I couldn't help it!"
"What about next time, and the time after that? Are you going to keep getting pregnant then killing our babies?" Krycek argued.
"What about you, Alex? What would you do?" Mulder challenged.
"I don't know, Fox. It scares the shit out of me to even think about one day ending up pregnant. I know one thing though, I would never be able to kill my unborn child."
"It's my body, Alex. The final decision is mine to make," Mulder said softly, ending all discussion as he walked back inside and climbed into bed.
Alex stayed on the veranda for another half-hour before going back inside. He turned off the lights and climbed into bed next to Fox. He wrapped his arms around his lover's warm body and fell into a troubled sleep.
***
Canada
Sunday, May 28
1:30 a.m.
The Humvee bounced over uneven ground, shaking its passengers roughly inside. They were at least two hundred miles from the smoker's fortress, in the Yukon Territory of Canada. The headlights on the Humvee illuminated the dense pine forests in front of them as Jeffrey removed the trees from their immediate path and replaced them once the truck had passed.
Ari looked around the moonlit wilderness and was suddenly concerned, he knew the birth of his baby was imminent. However, they were days away from the type of civilization that would have a store with formula available. He didn't know how he'd be able to feed her. Ari couldn't help the gasp of pain that escaped his lips. The contractions were getting stronger and closer together.
"Ari, are you okay?" Duffy asked, holding his lover more securely on his lap, trying to cushion the jarring movements of the truck.
"Jason, we need to search for a place to set up a camp," he said as calmly as he could.
Ian looked over at his fellow Australian. "Ari, we should try to get further away, at least to the logging camp. We're running low on fuel, we've used all of the reserve at our last stop. There is just enough to make it to the camp," he said, pulling the truck onto a dirt road that suddenly appeared in front of them.
Duffy looked over at Ian, while tenderly holding Ari in his arms. "How far is it, Ian?" He knew Ari would never ask to stop unless something was seriously wrong. They had been driving for over twenty-four hours, and if nothing else, it was time to at least pull over to get some sleep.
"Forty miles. It shouldn't take too long on this road."
Duffy nodded, looking down at the man in his arms. "Ari, forty more miles and we'll stop. Is that okay?"
Ari closed his eyes behind his sunglasses. "It is for me, but I'm not sure if she'll wait that long."
"You're in labor?" Duffy asked, panicky.
The other men all went quiet. Spender spoke first. "You're an immortal! How is it possible that you could have fooled my father?"
"Your father is an arrogant boob, Jeff," Ari said, removing his sunglasses now that the charade was over he didn't need to remain in disguise.
"How far along are the contractions?" Duffy asked, helping Ari remove some of his clothing.
"Six minutes."
Jeffrey leaned forward as the beautiful redheaded immortal's face and hair was revealed. He stared in amazement as Duffy exposed the young man's swollen belly. "Have you ever delivered a baby before, Duffy?"
"Only farm animals. Never a human baby."
"I have, once," Ian said. "But, I don't know what good it will be here, his anatomy is totally different from a human female." He looked at the Ari apprehensively, he didn't know if the orifice would expand to allow the baby to be born or if the baby would need to be cut out. The navel seemed too small to be able to pass something the size of a cantaloupe through without tearing it. Neither him nor Khalid had developed a womb yet, and just seeing the pregnant belly on the other immortal made him nervous.
Khalid spoke up, trying to be reassuring. "At least, my friend, we know that it won't kill you. Even if it does rip your belly open you should be healed in a few days."
"Gee, thanks, Aton, that really makes me feel so much better," Ari snarled his hands digging into Duffy's arm as another contraction tore through his body.
Duffy gently massaged Ari's belly as the miles flew by along with six more painful contractions. They finally arrived at the deserted logging camp.
"I had a photo shoot here four years back. At the time this camp was bustling with activity. There was a doctor's office in the last building. Hopefully there will still be supplies inside," Ian said, pulling up in front of the building, he left the headlights on and aimed them at the doorway.
"Jeff, can you find the generator and get it going? We'll take Ari inside," Duffy said, helping Ari out of the Humvee. He went to scoop the young man up in his arms to carry him inside, but Ari slapped his hands away.
"Jason, I'm not crippled I can walk on my own!"
"Sorry, Ari, are you sure you'll be able to make it?" Duffy asked, lumbering closely behind him ready to catch his lover if he started to fall.
"The pain is only in my belly, not in my legs," he snapped, walking in tiny, careful, steps to the door that Ian held open for him.
Duffy frowned, looking at the small doorway, bending he turned sideways to squeeze his large frame through. The interior was nearly pitch black. The giant stood perfectly still the top of his head brushed against the ceiling, he was afraid that he'd bump into one of his friends.
Ian lit a match as he searched for a candle or anything to light. He found a wood burning stove in the corner and opened the front grate. Several pieces of kindling and logs were in a bin next to the it, along with some newspaper. He crumpled the newspaper into the stove and piled several pieces of kindling on top of it, then lit another match setting the newspaper on fire. When the kindling caught he tossed several logs into the stove and shut the grate. "We'll need to find blankets, soap, and heat some water," Ian said, standing as the warm glow from the stove lit the interior of the cabin.
Khalid and Ian searched the dark building as Duffy moved a mattress from one of the cold back rooms into the main room that was quickly becoming warm. Finally the lights went on making the search for supplies easier.
Jeffrey entered the room a few minutes later. "I found some gas pumps with diesel fuel. So, I filled the gas tanks and the reserve tanks on the humvee."
Ari moaned as another contraction gripped his belly. He rested leaning up against the wall near the wood stove, watching his lover and new friends as they rushed frantically around the building carrying back blankets and a large pot filled with water that Ian placed on the stove. Khalid spread a clean sheet on the mattress as Duffy went over to his lover.
"I think you should get off your feet, Ari come and lay down."
Ari nodded and allowed the giant to help him lay on the mattress. The contractions were coming four minutes apart now. "Duffy," Ari said, looking up at his lover from his prone position. His head was in Duffy's lap as the n'thral knelt on the mattress.
"Yes, Ari?"
"We need to find some formula for my baby. She'll die if we don't have something to feed her," Ari said fearfully.
Ian knelt at Ari's side holding a cup of water to his lips. "Drink this. We'll worry about getting your daughter born first, then we'll figure out how to get formula for her."
Khalid brought a large bowl of water over for Duffy. This was the first water they'd had since leaving the smoker's fortress, twenty-eight hours ago.
Duffy guzzled it gratefully. "Let's get you out of these clothes, Ari," he said, handing the bowl back to Khalid.
Ari was feeling irritable. "Why? Dipstick, the baby's coming out through my bellybutton not my ass," he growled, swatting Duffy's hands away from his pants that were tied by a rope just below his belly.
Duffy growled back, "Idiot, you're going to need to wear these again, and it would be easier if they weren't covered in a mess from your baby's birth." He stripped off Ari's pants and deftly removed the rest of the young man's clothing.
Ari looked up at him pouting. "I'm not an idiot."
"I know you're not. Sorry, Ari. You are incredibly infuriating though," Duffy said lightly, wrapping the blankets around his small lover's body.
"I'm sorry for calling you a dipstick," the young man sighed, then gasp as he had another contraction slightly stronger than before.
***
The Crystal Palace
Sunday, May 28
6:30 a.m.Shinji stood in front of the bathroom mirror drying his hair with a towel, he turned sideways looking at his profile. He looped the towel around his neck and placed both hands over his swollen belly, he smiled when the baby moved beneath his fingertips. The fetus was getting more active now that he was in his sixth month, but he hardly looked it, he was not anywhere near as large as Dana had been at sixth months.
MacIver stood in the bathroom doorway and slowly shrugged off his clothes. His young lover never looked more radiant. He found the round swell of his belly highly erotic, other than that Shinji's body didn't show many signs of his pregnancy. He was still trim and toned, there was only a slight puffiness around his chest and ankles. MacIver's eyes met Shinji's in the mirror as he sidled up behind him.
"Rory, do you want to feel your son move?" Shinji asked excitedly, taking the older man's hand in his, he placed it over his belly.
The grin on MacIver's face grew huge as he felt the movement under his hand. "Wow, he's an active little bugger isn't he?"
MacIver turned Shinji to face him and captured his lips in a passionate kiss, pulling their bodies closer together, he started chuckling as he felt the baby move against his flat stomach.
Shinji looked down sighing at the space his belly caused between their bodies. "I miss having your groin rubbing against mine."
"It won't be much longer now, love, only three more months," MacIver said, kissing the side of Shinji's throat. He slowly worked his way down to Shinji's nipples, they seemed slightly swollen and were a rosier hue. He teased a nipple with his teeth then started sucking on it. Suddenly a sweet fluid flowed into MacIver's mouth, and he jumped back in shock and rushed over to the sink.
Takeda had been unbelievably aroused by his Scottish lover's ministrations and was taken aback when Rory abruptly left him. He glared at MacIver who was leaning over the sink gagging. "Rory, why'd you stop? What's wrong?"
"God, Shin, you're leaking milk," MacIver said, looking at him accusingly. "I haven't touched the stuff since I was six years old."
Shinji gaped at him, then looked down at his chest, he touched his finger to the fluid that had leaked from his nipple. He brought it up to his mouth and tasted it. "Mm, you're right. I wonder if the others are lactating, too?" Takeda said calmly.
"Shin, you're producing milk! Do you have to be so blasted calm about it?"
"Why? Does it bother you, Rory? My chest doesn't look much different only a little puffier. It's not like I have hooters or anything," Takeda quipped.
"I don't understand why you should be producing milk, Shin," MacIver grumbled, getting over his initial shock.
Takeda rolled his eyes. "Let me guess for you. Ah, could it be to feed *your* son?"
"My kid will starve if he had to rely on the small amount of milk those tiny nubs will produce," MacIver shot back.
"Rory, has it ever occurred to you that as an immortal my body will probably lactate faster than a human female? So I won't need big breasts to feed our son," Takeda snapped, irritated at his lover's insensitivity. After all it wasn't Rory's body that was pregnant or lactating! What did he have to be upset about?
"Thank God. I happen to like you flat-chested, Shin," MacIver said, wrapping his arms around his lover and pulling him close. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be a jerk. I'm just disappointed that I won't be able to play with your nipples while you are lactating."
"Apology accepted. Rory, maybe you should learn to like milk."
"Shin, no way."
MacIver suddenly started laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"I want to be there when you break the news to Mulder and Alex," he said, circling a finger around Takeda's nipple.
"Those two are going to die!" Takeda laughed. "Let's tell them now before Justin, Joe, or Hans discover that their bodies are lactating and beat us to it."
"Yeah, let's. Walter is going to love this, he actually likes milk," MacIver quipped as they quickly dressed and strolled out of the bathroom.
***
Canada
Sunday, May 28
6:30 a.m.
"Aaauuugh!" Ari screamed as another contraction ripped through his belly, he had the urge to push, and he bore down. He couldn't take much more of this. He'd been shot once, but this was ten times worse. Duffy held him propped up against his back as Ian knelt between his legs with his hand resting on Ari's belly. A burst of pink gelatinous fluid flooded out of Ari's navel suddenly and the top of his baby's head became visible as the orifice expanded.
"I can see her," Ian shouted excitedly. "Take deep breaths, Ari. Don't push, yet. Wait for the next contraction."
Sweat dampened Ari's hair as he panted, taking in deep gulps of air, he looked down at his contorted belly still not believing that this was actually happening to him. In the next few minutes *his* baby would be born. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he'd be in such a situation. His whole body ached and the desire to push was strong when the next contraction less than a minute later.
"Okay, Ari, push," Ian coached.
Duffy brushed the hair away from Ari's face. It broke his heart to see him in so much pain. "You're doing good, Ari," he said soothingly.
"Gaawumph," Ari groaned as he pushed. The muscles in his neck strained and his face became a bright red as the baby popped out with a rush of fluids.
Ian quickly grabbed hold of the baby as she was coming out, he picked her up, and cleaned out her mouth. She started crying loudly to the relief of all the men. A puzzled expression appeared on Ian's face. "There's no umbilical cord, she doesn't have a bellybutton." He looked down at Ari who was trembling uncontrollably from the stress his body had just gone through. "Khalid, clean her up and bring her back so Ari can hold her."
Khalid took the baby and walked over to the table they had prepared and laid her gently on the soft blanket, he started cleaning her with warm water.
Ian felt Ari's belly, probing with his fingers. "You still need to deliver the afterbirth," he said.
Ari stared at him with dazed blue eyes. "After what?" he asked tiredly, when another less painful contraction gripped him and a mangled mess suddenly popped out of his belly. "Oh gross, that is so disgusting." Ari made a face at the mess covering his belly and groin.
"It usually is. I'll clean you up then you can hold your baby." Ian stood and carried back a bucket of warm, soapy water and started cleaning the mess off Ari, he spent a little time washing the sweat from his body. Duffy held his lover tightly as his eyes went between Ari's exhausted face, down to his belly where his orifice was partially opened and not at all resembling a navel in its present condition. "You did it, Ari. You should see her, she's breathtaking," he whispered in awe, brushing his thick finger through the immortal's long red-locks of hair.
Jeffrey stood back smiling, he didn't want to get in the way. He had never seen anything more amazing him his life. He watched intently as Khalid cleaned the dense, pink gelatin off the baby's head exposing a spattering of blond-red curls. Then Khalid wrapped the baby in a clean white towel and carried her back to Ari.
"I'm cold, Ian," Ari said.
"I'm done washing you, after I finish drying you we'll cover you with the blanket." Ian dried the exhausted immortal with a towel, but stopped suddenly looking down at Ari. A large smile broke out on his face. "Well, it looks like we don't have to worry about how we're going to feed her after all," Ian said.
"I don't understand. Why?" Ari asked weakly, holding out his arms for his daughter.
"Your nipple is leaking, Ari. You're lactating," Ian said gently, taking the baby from Khalid and placing her in Ari's arms.
"Oh my," Ari gasped, looking down at his nipple and then at his daughter's face. "How do I— ?"
"I don't know. Try supporting her head and placing her lips against your nipple," Ian suggested.
Ari did as suggested. "She doesn't know what to do," he said.
"Give her time to figure it out, Ari," Duffy said, watching as the baby's tongue darted out and tasted the milk.
Ari held her closer and nudged his nipple into her mouth with his finger until her lips latched onto it. He experienced a brief amount of pain as she started suckling, then a sudden sense of elation, and cramping down in his belly. Her small hands kneaded against his chest. He smiled with relief and cooed softly, "That's my, Sweet Kat. She's beautiful isn't she, Jason?"
"As beautiful as her father," Duffy said softly.
Ian checked Ari's belly as the baby nursed. "You're healing up amazingly fast. I can barely tell that you've been pregnant, much less just given birth," he said, covering Ari with a heavy blanket.
Duffy watched the joy on Ari's face as he held his daughter, he looked up proudly at the other men. "Why don't you all get some sleep. I'll watch over Ari and his baby."
***
The Crystal Palace
Sunday, May 28
7:30 a.m.Mulder was down in the dining hall eating breakfast with Alex, Walter, and their daughters. There were a few other guests in the room eating, too. At one table Pyetr, Justin, and Joe sat with the Canadian ruler and his immortal lover.
Shinji and Rory entered the room arm in arm, and strolled up to Mulder's table. "Hey, guys. Mind if we join you?" MacIver asked, pulling out a chair, turning it around, then straddling it backwards, he rested his chin on the back and stared intently at Mulder's chest.
"What?" Mulder mumbled, chewing on a piece of toast, he looked down at his shirt thinking he must have spilled something on himself.
"Shinji's producing milk," MacIver said, matter of fact with a straight face.
Alex choked out the mouthful of orange juice he had just taken. While Skinner's eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Just one more reason for getting an abortion," Mulder muttered.
Before Shinji or Rory could ask Mulder what he meant by that, Justin cried out from the other table.
Skinner rose quickly and was there before the other men. "What's wrong?"
"Damn, I think that was a contraction," Justin choked out, sighing as the pain retreated. He had been feeling smaller ones all night but had brushed them off as indigestion, which he used to have a lot before becoming an immortal.
"You're in labor? We better get you to the infirmary," Skinner said.
"It's too early. You should still have two more months," MacIver said perplexed and stepped out of the way as Pyetr helped Justin to his feet.
Doctor Pendrell strolled quickly across the dining room with his medical bag in hand. "Not really, Rory. Five other immortals around the world have already delivered their babies in the past four days each was around seven months."
Shinji beamed. "Cool, then I only have around four weeks instead of twelve."
Mulder stepped up to MacIver, smiling. "Well it looks like you'll get to experience the delivery of your son a lot earlier than you thought."
"Shut up, Mulder," The little man said, turning slightly pale at the thought.
Krycek stepped up to MacIver's other side. "Why don't we go and watch from the observation room as Justin gives birth to his child. It will give you an idea of what to expect, Rory."
"You're both cruel men," MacIver muttered.
"I'm going to watch, Rory," Shinji said, rushing after Justin, Doctor Pendrell, Pyetr, and Joe.
MacIver watched his lover as he disappeared out the doorway. "He would. Lads, I know it is only eight o'clock in the morning, but I need a drink. I'll be in the pub down in the village if anyone is looking for me."
Mulder was silent as he looked at the door. "Walter, I'm going to go and keep Shinji company can you and Alex watch the girls?"
"Sure, Fox. Keep us posted," Skinner said, wondering at the strange look on his lover's face as he headed off toward the infirmary.