Life from the Ashes Book 4 - Yours, Mine, & Ours
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 fourth book in my AU series "Life from the Ashes - Yours, Mine, and Ours." You might want to read the prequel and the first three books of the series to understand this one.
I would like to thank my beta-readers Nicole, Laurie, Tarlan, Dawn, Cerulean Blue, Kiyoko, Michael, Bee Lan, and Susan for all their hard work and patience in editing this story and plot suggestions.
Feedback is always welcome. Any constructive suggestions are appreciated.
WARNING! This story contains explicit Sex/Romance between two or more men. Turn back now, if the subject matter offends you.
Okay to Archive: please ask first.
Chapter 1
Outside Menace
Crystal Palace
Thursday, July 20
7:00 p.m.Skinner lifted the towel, letting out some vapor, and peered under it at Mulder's miserable face. "How are you feeling?"
"Better, but not by much," Mulder grumbled. His sinuses were stuffy and he was feeling extremely worn-out. It was only seven o'clock at night and all he wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for the rest of the night.
"Oh poor, baby."
Skinner chuckled at the pissed off look Mulder shot him. "Come out from under there. Jacques has sent up a nice and healthy meal for us. Alex, the girls, and our nannies are in the dining room waiting for us. You know how grumpy Faith gets when she's made to wait."
Mulder sighed and turned off the vaporizer then laid the towel over the back of the chair. "What's the point of eating? I'm only going to throw it all up again."
"You're not just eating for you, Fox, think of the babies," Skinner said as they walked down the long hallway to their private dining room.
"I know, I know, why do you think I'm even going to the dining room at all?" Mulder forced a smile onto his face as he entered the room. "Sorry to keep everyone waiting," he said, nodding to Alex, then at their six nannies, four women and two men. Skinner had wanted to get the nannies situated early, well before the babies were born.
"How are you feeling, Fox?" Alex asked.
"Fine." Mulder sat down at the head of the oblong table with Walter to his right and Alex to his left. He much preferred the round dining room tables downstairs without an obvious head. Their nannies had been surprised to find that he was the supposed head of the family, and not the King or Prince Alex. They looked at him in a new light after that first dinner together three days ago and he didn't even try to correct their mistaken assumption. In reality, there was no head of their household; they were all equal partners. They had established the seating arrangement during the early days of their relationship when Walter and Alex weren't too enamoured with each other. In the months that followed, it had just become routine. Deep down Mulder got a secret pleasure from being at the head of the table, but he would never admit that bit of vanity to his lovers.
Two men from the kitchen served the meal to the family. Skinner took the time to feed his daughter. With his busy schedule, he tried to fit in as much time for Hope as possible. He envied Alex and Fox who had more free time to spend with both girls.
Mulder spent a moment pushing around the mashed rutabagas on his plate; he hated rutabagas, maybe some extra salt would help.
Skinner's hand met his on the saltshaker. "Everything is already nicely seasoned, Fox. Too much sodium isn't good for you. You already have more than your daily requirements in that slice of baked ham."
"I'm not eating the rutabagas then!" Mulder growled, irritated.
"How about sweet potatoes, Fox?" Alex asked, and the rutabagas vanished to be replaced with mashed sweet potatoes with a marshmallow melted on top.
Mulder smiled over at him. "Thanks, Alex."
Skinner shook his head in disgust. "Alex, substituting other foods sort of defeats the purpose of our Chef planning Fox's daily meals for their nutritional content."
"So is serving food we hate, Walter."
"There's nothing wrong with rutabagas. Look, Hope enjoys them."
"Faith hates them and so do I. Our staff gets to order what they want off the menu from the main dining room. We should get the same privilege," Krycek complained, looking down the table at their six nannies that were trying to pretend they weren't listening intently to the conversation at the other end of the table.
"Okay, Alex, I'll have Jacques prepare alternatives," Skinner grudgingly agreed, and glanced over at Fox who had been unusually quiet throughout their discussion. Fox had his eyes closed and he was breathing through his mouth.
"Fox, are you okay?"
Mulder didn't bother to open his eyes. "I'm just feeling a little dizzy...it should pass. One good thing about having stuffy sinuses is at least I don't have to smell those rutabagas," he said, opening one eye to peer at Walter.
"Okay, okay, no more rutabagas."
"Good. So, Bear, when are Uncle Kostya and your three lunatic cousins going to invade us?" Mulder asked opening his eyes as the discomfort finally passed.
"My cousins are not crazy. They and Uncle Kostya have agreed to move to the island next month. Yori and Lev are very concerned about you, and they're hell bent on seeing that you are taken care of properly," Skinner grinned.
"Oh great. You did say that they wanted to move into a cottage in the village didn't you?"
"Nope. Only Uncle Kostya, Anton, and Andrei want to move into the village. Yori and Lev will be moving with their sons, into part of our floor to look after you until the babies are born."
"No, Walter. Please, don't let them. I don't think I could stand the two of them ganging up on me," Mulder whined.
"Fox, you and Alex love Lev's cooking. I'm sure Lev and Jacques can work together in preparing us some meals we'd all love."
Mulder sighed, giving up, he knew certain fights he'd never win with Walter. "Yeah, I'd even settle for some of Yori's borsch ..." He stopped and licked his lips. "Hmm, in fact that does sound really good, with a dollop of sour cream," Mulder said. He shoved his untouched meal away and looked pleadingly at his beautiful lover. "Alex, I want some now, please."
Krycek looked sadly back. "Fox, you know that I can only..." He waved his hand around in the air. "...Every four hours. I'm not as strong as I used to be."
"Walter?" Mulder said, turning to face his other lover.
"Fox, you know that I am not any good at matter transformation."
"Okay, fine, just forget I even asked." Mulder pouted, then muttered under his breath, "If you loved me you'd have gotten it for me." He picked up his fork and started slowly pushing his food around on the plate.
"Okay, okay, Fox. I'll call the kitchen and have someone there make you a bowl." Skinner quickly jumped up and headed for the nearest phone. It didn't even occur to him to teleport the phone to him; he was so intent on making his lover happy, that all logical thoughts vanished.
"Smooth, Fox," Alex said approvingly.
Mulder shrugged his shoulders and started eating the sweet potatoes and ham, while he waited for Walter to get back with his borsch.
***
Seraphim Home World
King Xowolfe looked down at the Bounty Hunter from his throne. They had used the portal to convey him back from the Earth where he had been stranded since the botched invasion. "Do you have a recommendation?"
"Master, if you move with enough force you should be able to liberate four of the lesser protected immortals from their sorcerer captors," the morph said without any emotion.
"But not Xofox." The King didn't need to state it out loud, it was clear to him that his mate was protected by one of the Earth's most powerful sorcerers. "Very well, I will assemble my warriors to rescue the immortals who are within our reach. Give my General the coordinates for each of these immortals. We will need to take them all in one night or risk losing the opportunity all together."
"Master, the one you refer to as Xofox is strong-willed. His pride will eventually lead him into your hands."
"Maybe. You will go back to Earth and keep watch."
"Yes, Master."
***
Crystal Palace
Thursday, July 27
1:00 p.m."Scully, why don't you take the rest of the day off?" Mulder asked as he looked over at his partner whose face was etched with exhaustion and discomfort. She had been unusually grumpy today.
"I'm fine, Mulder."
"No offense, Scully, but you really look like crap."
Scully glared at him and snapped, "Mulder, I said that I was fin ... Oh dear." Her eyes widened as she looked down at a puddle quickly forming under her chair. "My water just broke," she muttered.
Mulder jumped to his feet. "Okay, don't panic," he said, heading over to her. "We'll take the horizontal lift to the hospital ... I better call Jonathan first." He spun around and headed back toward his desk. Scully cried out in pain and he spun back to face her, completely forgetting what he was about to do. His eyes grew wide with panic.
"The phone, Mulder, call Jonathan," she groaned, holding onto the desk, she pulled herself up and stood on shaky legs.
"Oh, right." Mulder grabbed the phone and quickly called Scully's husband.
Jonathan told Mulder he'd meet them at the hospital. Mulder nodded only half hearing Jonathan; his attention was focused on Scully who was bent over her desk in pain. As she straightened, he hung up and went to help her to the door.
Scully took tiny steps; she was barefoot, having removed her uncomfortable, damp shoes. Her panties were soaked and halfway to the door she wished she had removed those, too. Mulder put his arm around her back to help support her as they left the office, stepping out into the new X-Files offices. All the other agents stopped their work as they passed their cubicles on their way to the service corridor that led to the horizontal lift. Scully doubled over in pain as an intense contraction struck her. It was less than a minute from the last one.
Agent Sullivan rushed over to them. "Do you need any help?" He noticed that the back of Scully's dress was wet, and knew immediately what was happening.
"No, Jack. I'm taking Scully to the hospital. Can you tell Alex to meet me there when he gets back?" Mulder held Scully until the contraction ended, they then started walking down the hallway to the lift.
"Sure, Mulder. Hey, Dana, good luck," Sullivan called after them.
The doors to the lift opened, revealing a plush interior with six upholstered seats, three seats side-by-side faced the other three seats with a three-foot aisle between them. The horizontal lift consisted of thirty individual cars that ran on air inside a tunnel system throughout the immense palace. Mulder guided Scully to sit, she cried out again in pain. "It hurts, I can't sit!"
"Okay, don't panic, just lay down on the seat." He eased her into a reclining position. She moaned, as the lift doors closed and the car started moving.
"Mulder, I don't think I'm going to make it to the hospital," she said as another contraction ended.
"What!" Mulder squeaked. "You can't! You only just started having labor pains!" He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and started wiping the sweat from her face.
"I know, but they are already too close together!" She wasn't about to tell him about having what she thought were gas pain last night. Jonathan had suggested that they might be labor pains, but she had stubbornly refused to believe him, telling her husband that she'd know the difference between gas pains and labor pains. God, Mulder would never let her live it down if he found out.
"Just try to hold it in, okay? Squeeze your legs together. We should be there in five minutes."
"Mulder, having my baby here is not really something I want to do..." The lift came to an abrupt stop.
Mulder looked up at the lift's security camera. "ARTY! What's wrong with the lift?"
The metallic voice sounded in the small compartment. "Foxy, didn't you read my memo? The lift was schedule for its monthly routine systems check and will be down for the next twenty minutes."
Scully cried out again, her hand painfully clutching Mulder's arm.
"Arty, get this tin can moving NOW!" Mulder snarled.
"What's wrong with the female?" the metallic voice had a note of real concern to it.
"Arty! She having a baby!"
"Oh dear me. Sweetie, I'll get the lift restarted, but it will take at least ten minutes for all systems to get back on line."
"Oh God, Mulder," Scully screamed.
"Scully, I should probably remove your ah...panties," Mulder said, blushing. He then helped her out of her wet underpants and swallowed when he noticed the crown of the baby's head. "Okay, breathe. Do you have a focus point?"
"My cross."
Mulder was removing it when Scully's husband's voice sounded over the intercom. "Dana, honey, how are you doing?"
"I'M FINE!" She yelled up at the camera, and grumbled under her breath, "I always planned to have my partner deliver our baby!"
Mulder shrugged his shoulders and held her cross up for her to focus on, then looked back up at the camera. "Jonathan, she's a little busy right now."
"We'll have the lift moving in a few minutes, tell Dana to try to hold on until then."
"I don't think she has a few minutes. The baby's head has crowned."
"Damn." Jonathan paused. "Mulder, you are going to have to make sure the cord isn't wrapped around his neck. I want you to reach your hand..." his voice was interrupted as Scully cried out again.
"Auuuggghhh!" she groaned and pushed with the contraction.
Mulder eyes widened in fascination as the baby was being delivered in a rush of fluids, he instinctually reached out and supported the infant's head and body on the way out of its mother. He felt a wave of nausea at the messy birth. "...Oh, wow...this is so cool," Mulder mumbled nervously, scooping up the slippery infant with trembling hands, unmindful of the fluids that were staining his suit and shirt. He used his finger to clean out the infant's mouth. The baby started crying. Although, he already knew the baby would be a boy, he double-checked anyway. "Too late, Jonathan. Congratulations, you just became a Dad." He placed infant on Scully's chest and kept his hand on the infant's back, until his partner was able to wrap her arms around her newborn son. "And, Dad, I'll save the cutting of the umbilical cord for you," Mulder said, smirking back up at the security camera.
"Mulder, you'll need to tie off the umbilical cord," Jonathan said.
"With what?"
"Use your shoelace."
Mulder removed a shoelace from his shoe. He made a face as he tied it tightly around the umbilical cord. He then took off his suit coat and covered Scully and the baby. He leaned forward and kissed his partner on her forehead. "Not bad, Scully, but the next time would ya give me a little more warning."
"Shut up, Mulder," she sighed, and smiled up at him as the lift started moving again. "I did it, didn't I? I finally have my own baby." She looked down at the tiny head cradled on her bosom.
"Yeah, you really did." Mulder wiped at a tear that ran down his cheek as he leaned forward again to kiss her. He was overjoyed to finally see his partner and best friend with a look of pure bliss and contentment on her tired face. It was the first time since the virus. The lift stopped again and the doors opened. Mulder stepped out of the way, as Jonathan rushed in and knelt beside his wife and son.
"Dana, I love you," Jonathan said.
The paramedics held back, waiting outside the lift with a stretcher.
Mulder stepped off the lift and met Walter who had come down upon hearing the news. "How is she?"
"Fine. She still has to deliver the placenta, but I'll leave that to the professionals." Mulder smiled, shaking his head and grinning foolishly. "It was so cool, Walter. I can't believe I actually helped deliver Scully's baby! God, I feel so...wired."
"You did good, Fox." Skinner pulled his lover into a hug.
Mulder rested his head on Walter's shoulder, and watched as the paramedics carried Scully and her new son off the lift, they headed down the corridor toward the hospital he sighed, "Walter, what's your schedule like for the rest of the afternoon?"
Skinner felt the hardness of his lover's groin pressing against his. "I have a meeting with the Governor from Illinois, but I can reschedule it for tomorrow afternoon, if you have something more important in mind?" He was mindful of the men watching them, it was important to Walter that they knew how much Fox and he loved each other.
Mulder nipped at his earlobe. "I have something very important in mind," he purred, holding his breath to keep the nausea at bay. The smell of Walter's after-shave was making him sick to his stomach, and it wouldn't do to throw up on his lover in public.
Skinner pulled back and noticed that Mulder didn't look well. "Fox, are you okay?"
"Walter, did you change after-shaves?"
"No. Why?"
Mulder made a sour face. "It smells different, Walter. It's making me ill. When we get home, I want you to take a shower." He grabbed Skinner's hand and pulled him in the direction of their home.
"I don't see how the smell could make you ill, Fox. You've had stuffy sinuses for the past week, I'm surprised you can even smell it at all," Skinner complained.
"Believe me, that toxic brew you have splashed on your skin has gotten through my clogged sinuses. If you love me you'll dump the bottle down the drain."
"Fox, if it is making you sick, I have no intention of using it again. But you are going to have to go shopping with me to find an after-shave that we both like."
Mulder smiled at him. "Deal, Walter. Does this mean that we are going to leave the island?"
"I don't see why, the palace and the village have stores we could go to."
"I want to go to New York City." Mulder looked over at him and beamed with enthusiasm. "We could make an entire weekend of it. Maybe take in one of the new shows on Broadway. Walter, you haven't had a whole day off since becoming King."
Skinner was hesitant; he was concerned about leaving the protection of the island with his pregnant lover. He didn't want to put their unborn babies in harms way. He knew that eventually he'd have to stand aside and watch as Fox and Alex went back on field assignments, but he had hoped that it would be after the birth of their children, when Fox would have the power to render himself invisible. "What about Alex and the girls?"
"We hired the nannies for a reason, Walter. If it will make you feel better, Alex can stay behind and supervise them. Besides he still owes me a honeymoon, so this time, it will just be me and you on a long romantic weekend alone." They stopped in front of the elevator.
Skinner reached out and brushed the backs of his fingers over Mulder's smooth cheek, since becoming pregnant, his lover's facial hair was growing slower and was less coarse. "Okay, Fox, as you know I haven't been able to say no to you lately." As they stepped inside the elevator Skinner pulled him into a kiss.
Mulder gagged and pushed him away, holding his hand over his mouth he rushed off the elevator. He turned back to face his exasperated lover with a slightly green complexion. "Sorry, Walter, I'm going to take another elevator. Please, take a shower."
Skinner tilted his head toward the ceiling and closed his eyes; he frowned as the elevator doors closed. "Fuck."
"He did inform you about how badly you smelled, Your Majesty. You shouldn't have tried to kiss him."
"Arty, you're already in enough trouble. Don't press your luck further."
"The lift incident wasn't my fault. Prince Fox should have read my memo."
"Arty, if you cause one more incident that puts someone's life in danger or causes Fox any undo stress, I will personally pull your plug!" He was going to have to get that computer reprogrammed, he thought darkly as he exited the elevator on his floor, and headed for his and his lovers' bedroom. Skinner called his assistant to have her reschedule his appointment with the Illinois Governor for tomorrow.
Mulder stopped in his daughters' bedrooms first. A large archway connected the two rooms, and Mulder still marveled at the fairytale quality of the décor. They had duplicated the bedrooms from those at their former estate with Hope's room resembling a summer garden and Faith's room a winter wonderland. Vicky and Sean were reading to them on a window bench. Mulder stood in the doorway, smiling at the animated way Sean read his part of book that had both girls giggling with delight. The two nannies finally noticed his presence.
"Mulder, you're home from work early," Vicky said, her eyes taking in his stained clothing.
"My partner went into labor and delivered her baby about twenty minutes ago." Mulder bent down and hugged his daughters as they came running to him. "How are my two little terrors behaving?"
"Be good, Daadee," Faith said, touching his face.
"They are both behaving well enough. How is Dana doing?" Vicky stood and stretched.
"She was a little shocked, but other than that she's fine. It all happened so quickly."
"That would explain your shirt," Vicky said, touching the pinkish stain on his sleeve. "I'll have to stop and visit Dana tomorrow."
"Scully will like that. So what do you two have planned for the rest of the afternoon?"
"We were going to take the girls down to the gardens," Sean said.
Mulder smiled. "That's a good idea. King Walter is home and I would like to spend some uninterrupted time alone with him," he said, hugging Hope and passing her over to Sean.
"We'll keep them busy for at least two hours," Sean promised.
"Thanks. Have fun, Cutie," Mulder said, kissing Faith goodbye and handing her to Vicky. He left the bedroom and headed next door to his own room. He heard the shower running and quickly removed his soiled clothes, making a face at the stains on his white shirt and light gray slacks. "Yuck." He didn't realize how stained his clothes had gotten. He dumped them in the laundry hamper.
Mulder ascended the steps to the bathroom and stopped at the top, taking in Walter's magnificent body as the large man soaped himself. Their eyes locked, and Mulder suddenly became self-conscious as his lover's eyes roved hungrily over his body and stopped at the slight swell of his belly. Mulder realized that at nearly twelve weeks of pregnancy he was already showing, where the other immortals had still been as flat as boards. He blushed feeling all of a sudden humiliated by his appearance, he turned to go back down the steps for his robe.
Skinner rushed out of the shower to stop his lover from leaving. "Oh no, you don't." His arms wrapped around Mulder's waist from behind and pulled him backward up the steps, and against his soap-slicked chest.
"Walter, let go...I'm cold...I was just going to get my robe."
"Oh no, you're not. If you're cold, come into the shower with me," he said, dragging the younger man across cool, clay-tiled floor toward the shower. "You really have nothing to be embarrassed about, Fox, you're still unbelievably sexy, even more so." Skinner's hand cupped the slight bulge of Mulder's belly as they stood under the shower spray. His mouth latched onto the side of Mulder's throat nipping and sucking. "So, very fucking sexy," he purred.
Mulder moaned and pushed back, his ass grinding it into the hard bulge of Skinner's erection. "You almost have me believing you, Bear." The hot water pelting his skin felt almost as wonderful as being held in Walter's embrace.
"I'd never lie to you, Fox. If I ever do, may lightening strike me," Skinner's fingers moved up to brush and pinch Mulder's nipples.
Mulder bucked and cried out in pain. "Oh fuck! Don't touch me there, it hurts."
"What? Fox, I'm sorry, I didn't know."
Mulder turned around in Skinner's arms and buried his head in the crook of the bigger man's shoulder. "Oh great, how embarrassing. I have sore nipples."
Skinner couldn't help chuckling and hugging him tighter. "Fox, I love your nipples, but I guess for your comfort I'll make a ultimate sacrifice and not touch them. It does seem unusually cruel. You will tell me the moment your nipples aren't sore, won't you?"
"Asshole."
"Yes, it is..." Skinner's fingers raked down Mulder's crease and over the tight, rosebud opening. "... Another part of your body that I love."
Mulder raised his head off Skinner's shoulder and looked into his amused brown eyes and smirked back. "Thanks, Walter, you do know what to say to make me feel better." He kissed him gently on the lips. "Now I want you to fuck me, but not there," Mulder said, pulling Skinner's hand away from his ass he placed it over his navel. "Here."
"Fox, I don't think that would be safe...I might hurt you and the babies."
"Doctor Pendrell told Shinji that it was okay when he was pregnant."
"Yeah, but Rory and Kazuo refused to have intercourse with him there, and besides you're pregnant with three babies, not one."
Mulder sulked; he was feeling incredibly horny and longed for the ultimate sensation of Walter's large cock inside his navel orifice. "We have our appointment with Doctor Pendrell tomorrow morning for the ultrasound. Walter, if he says it is okay then would you?"
"Fox, if he can assure me that it would be a hundred percent safe, then okay."
"Walter, nothing is ever a hundred percent safe."
Skinner caressed Mulder's cheek. "Fox, I love you, but I won't be put in a position of jeopardizing your health or that of our unborn babies. There is nothing wrong with continuing to make love the way we always have," he said as he reached down and started stroking Mulder's cock and with his other hand he turned Mulder's face so he could capture his lips in a sweet kiss.
Mulder pulled away, and looked deeply into Walter's eyes as his hand reached down to stop his lover from stroking his cock. "So, is that a promise?"
"What?"
"That when I'm as big as a house, you'd still have sex with me?"
"Yeah, it's a promise. Fox, I love you, and I'll always want to make love to you."
"Duffy never had sex with Ari while he was pregnant. He was too afraid of hurting him," Mulder challenged, hoping to convince Walter that since he was being overly cautious now that his lover was really going to be impossible when he was nearing the end of his pregnancy.
"Fox, Duffy still hasn't had sex with Ari, he's too afraid of hurting him."
Mulder sighed; he had hoped that Walter didn't know about that. Ari was complaining to him only yesterday about how Duffy was still treating him like he was a piece of fine porcelain, and how he wanted to have sex with his giant lover in the worst way. "How did you know that?"
Skinner smirked. "Duffy told me. Fox, we aren't in the same situation as Duffy and Ari. I plan on making love to you throughout your pregnancy, just not through your navel."
Mulder took his hand in a firm grip and smiled seductively, pulling him out from under the pulsating spray of the showerhead. "I'm going to hold you to that, Bear. Let's get out of the shower, before we're too shriveled up to have sex," he quipped. "I want to make love outside in the sunshine."
They made their way down the steps and out onto the veranda. Mulder stretched and turned, enjoying the feel of the hot, afternoon sun on his wet flesh.
Walter stood silently watching him. Admiring the well-toned body from the perfect round buttocks to the long legs capped by well-proportioned feet. The dusky-rose nipples looked darker today and stood out more pronounced against the tan flesh of Fox's chest. Delicious. Walter was longing to take them into his mouth and bring his lover to orgasm just by the sensation of his lips and teeth sucking and teasing those perfect nubs. Fox had no obvious tan lines, Walter smiled at that, watching Fox turn once more in the bright sunlight with his eyes closed and his face tilted up toward the sun. Fox and Alex both preferred sunbathing in the nude. Neither man had any shame over displaying their bodies openly on the private portion of beach they shared with their friends. He only hoped that Fox wouldn't start becoming self-conscious about his appearance, as his body started to show his pregnancy more and more. Even the slight swell of Fox's belly didn't diminish his overall beauty; it only made him more erotic looking in Walter's eyes. Walter finally rested his eyes on Fox's erect cock, standing proud against the tanned flesh of his belly.
"Are you just going to stand there staring all day?" Mulder's voice teased.
"I'm only taking a mental snapshot to help get me through the rest of my week," Skinner said, walking over to his lover. "You are so beautiful, Fox." He held Fox's head between his hands then leaned in to kiss those full lips. "So, so very beautiful..." he purred.
Mulder wrapped his arms around Walter's neck and pulled their bodies closer together as he sucked hungrily on his lover's probing tongue. He felt the ground suddenly drop out from under him as Walter lowered him onto a canvas mat they had spread out on the tiled floor of the veranda. Walter's muscular body covered his, while Walter's knee spread his thighs further apart and nudged at his scrotum. They continued to kiss for several minutes as the sun made their bodies slick with sweat.
"How do you want it?" Skinner finally asked, licking a path down Mulder's jaw line. He needed to relieve the throbbing pressure in his balls soon or he would explode.
"On my back, with my legs over your shoulders. I like watching your face, Walter. You're so incredibly sexy when you come."
Skinner knelt between his lover's parted thighs and grabbed a bottle of coconut suntan oil and slicked up his cock and prepared his lover. "Nothing's going to change, Fox. You don't have to worry about me not wanting to stuff that gorgeous ass of yours," Skinner said, stretching Mulder with two fingers, he nudged playfully against the younger man's prostate, and Mulder moaned and clenched down on his fingers. Skinner chuckled. "So deliciously tight, who in their right mind would ever turn down the opportunity to have their cock sheathed in such a wonderfully snug hole."
"Walter, I hope you don't consider my asshole to be my best feature."
"No, babe, it's one of many. I love your penis and balls, too," Skinner murmured, rubbing some of the suntan oil onto Mulder's hard organ while his other hand continued to stretch him. "Your nipples look so delectable I'm dying to devour them. Are you sure they're too sore?"
Mulder sighed contentedly over his lover's dual manipulation of his ass and cock. "Yeah, I wish they weren't. I'd like nothing better than to feel your mouth on me there. You know how sensitive my nipples are."
Skinner watched Mulder's face as he positioned his cockhead at his tight anus, and pushed the head inside with a slight pop. "Yeah, they've always been one of your biggest erogenous zones. Have you ever thought about what it will be like nursing our babies?"
Mulder moaned as his lover sank all the way into his body filling him and stretching him to the limit. "Oh God, you don't think I'll get turned on sexually do you? That would be horrifying," he gasped, staring up at his lover's face.
Skinner smiled reassuringly. "I wouldn't view it as horrifying, Fox. It's not as if you'd be having sexual thoughts toward our children. It would be your body's normal response to the stimulation. Something you would have no control over. Besides, maybe the stimulation from nursing would be different than when I play with you there." He pulled out and pushed slowly back in, watching his lover's face intently.
"It would still be disturbing if I got a hard on while nursing our baby. God, the whole idea of nursing is too weird," Mulder pushed his hips up to meet Walter's downward thrust. He looked down at his nipples, which looked puffier. At least he knew what to expect, and knew that his nipples wouldn't look any different than they currently did, and he would remain flat-chested. The milk sacks were internal and not very large, they replenished with milk as fast as the baby nursed; the wonders of being an immortal. He had watched Duffy use the new pump designed for immortals on Ari; the giant filled three bottles with Ari's milk. Mulder smirked up at Walter as he reached down to stroke his cock in time with his lover's thrusts.
"What?"
"I know I'll get sexually aroused when you use that pump on me."
Walter felt himself become harder and he pushed into Fox faster, thinking about using that device on his lover had him extremely aroused. "You do realize how many bottles we are going to need to feed three babies."
"Two. I have no intention of nursing that creature's offspring, we can turn it over to your scientists to study."
Skinner kept his mouth shut, and thrust harder into his lover, his heavy sacks slapped against Fox's buttocks. He had no intention of turning the baby Seraphim over to anyone, if need be, he'd raise her himself. But Skinner knew he wouldn't have to, knowing Fox as he did, once his lover laid his hazel eyes on the baby, the cold barrier Fox had erected around his heart would melt like ice cream left out in the hot sun. It wasn't worth agitating Fox by arguing over it now.
Mulder didn't miss the dark shadow that passed over Walter's features; he couldn't understand his lover's feelings for the alien monster that was growing inside his body. It wasn't worth arguing with Walter over it now; his lover would have to accept his decision once the creature was born. He dropped his legs from Walter's shoulders and wrapped them around his waist, and pumped his cock faster seeking release. It pulsed once then shot its milky come over his belly and chest.
Skinner moaned as his lover's anal muscles bore down on his cock squeezing it in a viselike grip. He strained as he continued thrusting against the tight pressure surrounding his organ. "God, so good," he groaned. The feel of Fox's legs wrapped python-like around him and Fox's ankles digging into his ass as the young man opened himself wide to Walter, had the large man thrusting faster and harder seeking his own release. It came minutes later as the liquid heat from his loins pumped out its seed into Fox. He collapsed on his lover breathing heavily then rolled them both onto their sides on the sweat soaked canvas.
"We need another shower," Mulder chuckled. Feeling completely spent and wonderfully sated. He turned in Walter's arms and lowered his head to kiss the larger man's lips chastely, then rested his head on Walter's shoulder. "Have I mentioned how much I love you lately?" His fingers combed through Walter's chest hairs and caressed his muscular pecs.
"You know I can never hear those words enough from you, Fox."
"I love you, Bear."
Skinner smiled and kissed the top of his head. "I love you too, Fox."
"Good, now that we have been suitably sappy, do you want to take another shower? I want to go to the hospital to visit Scully and her baby," Mulder said, not making any attempt to get up.
"Let's rest for a few more minutes, babe," Skinner said, firmly holding Mulder in his arms. Mulder only sighed and closed his eyes listening to the soothing sound of Skinner's heart beating under his ear. The two men quickly fell to sleep, with the hot sun blazing down on them.
Krycek stepped out on the veranda a few minutes later. Taking in his lovers' vulnerability to the afternoon sun, he shook his head and looked over at the umbrella on the outdoor table, it moved, casting its shadow protectively over the two men.
Krycek turned and headed back out of the apartment, he wanted to talk to MacIver about their import/export business. MacIver wanted to take Ari on as a third partner and Alex wasn't too sure he wanted to be part of that arrangement.
Krycek took the stairs one level down to MacIver's floor.
He didn't have to search far, he found his friend and business partner in the nursery feeding his infant son.MacIver looked up at Alex from the rocker and grinned. "Alex, I suppose you're here to discuss Ari."
"Yeah, I'd thought we should get it settle once and for all."
"Let me put Duncan to bed first, then we can go grab a beer and talk in the entertainment room." He set the bottle down, spread a white cloth over his shoulder and positioned his son's head over the cloth; then he gently rubbed Duncan's back. After a few moments, the infant let out a loud burp, getting a big grin from MacIver. "A chip off the old block." He wiped the baby's mouth and placed him in the bassinet.
"Where's Shinji? Do you want to take Duncan and Ayako into the entertainment room with us?"
"Shin is swimming in the pool downstairs with Kazuo. I'm on babysitting duty." MacIver walked over and looked inside a crib on the other side of the nursery, where Shinji and Kazuo's eight-month old daughter Ayako was sleeping. "They should be fine, Alex, I've been using my powers to keep an eagle eye on them. Come on, let's try to work out this problem you seem to have with Ari."
Alex followed MacIver out of the nursery and down a hallway to the spacious entertainment room. The Scotsman made a beeline for the bar.
Krycek took a seat on a barstool. "Rory, I don't have a problem with Ari. I just don't trust him. He admitted himself that he and his gang were into extortion, kidnapping, robbery, and assassinations. That isn't someone I'd want as a business partner."
"Alex, if you haven't noticed, our business isn't exactly on the up and up. Most of our profits are made from smuggling. Besides neither of us led the most law-abiding lives either."
"Rory, I worked for the United Nations and everything I did was for the good of mankind."
MacIver rolled his eyes as he filled a mug with beer from the tap. "Oh pleeaase, Alex, you've done things while working for the United Nations that I'm sure you aren't too proud of. I wouldn't have taken you on as a business partner if you were completely honest and ethical. The same goes for Ari. The lad has lost his entire gang except for Paul, Alex, and he needs this opportunity to rebuild his life almost as much as we need him. He has connections in Australia and that part of the world that we could use. Don't let your personal jealousy get in the way of a good business decision."
Krycek picked up the beer mug and took a sip. He'd have to brush his teeth later so Fox wouldn't know he'd been drinking. He and Walter had promised Fox that they would observe the same diet restrictions that he had to while he was pregnant. "I'm not jealous, Rory."
MacIver looked at Alex's pouty face. How someone with Alex's beauty could be jealous of anyone was beyond MacIver. "You are too, lad. And you have no reason to be. You have a lot more going for you than Ari does. Just because Fox has become friends with Ari that doesn't mean he's interested in him sexually. Fox is friends with Shinji and you don't seem to have a problem with that."
"Rory, it is not the same. Ari happens to be sexually interested in both Fox and Walter, he told Fox that he wanted either him or Walter to father his next child."
MacIver started to laugh. "Christ, lad, all that proves is that Ari has good taste. He's in love with Duffy and we both know that n'thrals are sterile. All Ari wants is for Fox or Walter to get him pregnant that doesn't mean he wants an ongoing relationship with them."
"Shove it, Rory, I don't want Fox or Walter getting another man pregnant!"
"That's something you'll have to talk to them about, Alex. Now as the *senior* business partner I want you to talk to Ari and try to work out your differences. You may find you have more in common with him than you thought."
Alex drained the rest of his beer. "Rory, I'll think about it, okay?"
"Alex, don't think, do it!" MacIver warned.
Krycek's eyes narrowed, he had never been intimidated by MacIver before, but there was just enough of a threat in the older man's voice to give him pause. "Rory, just because you are the senior partner doesn't make you the fucking boss! I'll talk to Ari, but *only* because I want to set a few things straight with that bastard."
MacIver ignored Krycek's outburst. "Good, lad. Now if you'll excuse me, Ayako is awake."
"Sure, I'll see you tomorrow, Rory."
Krycek stomped back upstairs. He hated being forced into doing something that he didn't want to. Rory did have a point though; Ari would be a benefit to their business. He would talk to the Aussie, if nothing else he could at least lay down the law about keeping his claws off Fox and Walter. If they came to some understanding then he'd discuss Ari becoming a full partner in his and Rory's business. Alex smiled it felt good to make a decision.
***
Crystal Palace
Friday, July 28
10:00 a.m.Mulder lay on his back on the padded exam table. He was stripped down to his boxers, which were pulled down, below his belly. Mulder visibly shivered as Doctor Pendrell applied a cold jellylike substance to his belly.
"This will improve the transmission of sound from the transducer," Pendrell explained.
Krycek stood at the side of the exam table and reached down and took a hold of Mulder's hand, while Skinner stood at the head of the table combing his fingers through his lover's hair. Both men's faces were filled with concern.
The Doctor found their nervousness amusing. "This isn't going to hurt and, unfortunately, it also isn't going to tell us too much about the fetuses. We haven't found a safe device that can scan through the dense, opaque, outer layer of the pouch. We should; however, be able to compare the size, shape, and color of the fetal pouches against the ultrasound images done on other immortals at this stage of their pregnancy. The color of the pouches will give us an idea of the sexes of the babies, since we haven't had any luck doing an amniocentesis." The Doctor smiled reassuringly at his patient. "Waiting this long to become pregnant seems to have benefited you, Mulder, we now know what to expect throughout your seven months."
Pendrell placed the surface of the transducer against Mulder's belly and slowly moved it across -- an image appeared on the monitors. He pressed a button and a color print was made of the image, he moved the transducer some more until all three pouches appeared on the monitor.
Skinner leaned forward and watched as the image changed on the monitor. "Doctor, those dark, oval shapes are they...?"
"Yes, they're the fetal pouches, but this is strange...the one on the left is twice the size of the other two," he frowned with concern.
"What's wrong?" Krycek asked, squeezing Mulder's hand reassuringly.
"At this stage of development the fetal pouches should be the size of the two smaller pouches. The larger one must be the pouch containing the alien's offspring," he reasoned.
Mulder's nails dug into Alex's hand. "Could this...alien be a danger to the other two babies?"
"I won't lie to you, Mulder. It is possible that this life form could interfere with the development of the other two fetuses."
"How, Doctor? I thought the pouches were self-contained," Skinner asked, looking at the monitor, for the first time his concern over his own child took priority over that of the baby Seraphim.
"At the rate it appears to be growing, its birth cycle may be much shorter than seven months. I'm concerned that the other two babies will be born premature."
"Kyle, now that you know which one is the alien, couldn't you just operate and remove it?" Mulder asked, looking at the large shape on the monitor in disgust.
"Mulder..." Pendrell hesitated, he was about to tell him no, it was too risky, then changed his mind. "Okay, maybe that would be for the best. I'll schedule you for an exploratory surgery on Monday. I will not abort this fetus, unless I am sure that I don't endanger the other two fetuses by doing so. I want to get some more printouts of the pouches."
Mulder release a relieved breath. He was positive that the Doctor would be able to abort the alien fetus without harming the other fetuses. He looked up at Walter. "Sorry, Walter."
"Why, Fox? It isn't your fault that this life form has become a risk to our children."
Krycek looked at Pendrell. "You said, we'd be able to determine the sex of the babies by the color of their pouches."
"We should have been able to, but there appears to be some discrepancy in the colors. This one on the right is definitely a female, you can tell by the pouch's deep burgundy color. Now the middle pouch is burgundy, but there is the slightest tint of pink in it, if either pouch contained a male it would have been a pale pink. I think the alien's baby is interfering with the color of the middle pouch. You see how its pouch is a fifty-fifty mix of burgundy and pink?" the Doctor continued to make prints of the images on the monitor as he talked.
"So, Doc, your guess would be that both our babies are female?" Krycek questioned.
"That would be my guess, there is far more burgundy in the middle pouch than pink," the Doctor assured him. "Do you have anymore questions?"
"I do, Kyle, but would you mind if I got dressed first?" Mulder asked, looking up at him.
"No, let me get something to clean the jelly off your belly first."
Mulder sat up with Krycek's help as Skinner walked over and picked up the prints. Well, he wasn't going to get a son this go around, but now he'd be happy if the baby was healthy. It concerned him that the infant closest to the alien's offspring was causing a discrepancy in her pouch. He studied the prints. Then turned back to his lovers and their Doctor as Mulder put down the washcloth and started to dress.
"Doctor Pendrell, isn't there a test you can do to determine if the fetuses are healthy?" Skinner asked.
"Sorry, Your Majesty, but the pouches are impenetrable. If we were able to get a needle through the outer skin, I could have determined the sex that way," Pendrell replied.
"But wasn't that how you determined the sex of the other immortal's babies?" Krycek asked.
"No, we were able to do an amniocentesis from the gel inside the womb that is surrounding the pouches. Unfortunately, for some reason in Mulder's case, we weren't able to get a dependable reading. We might as well assume that it is the alien life form interfering again. Okay, Mulder what questions do you have?"
"I'm still getting morning sickness, I've been having a bad reaction to certain smells, my sinuses are congested, and my nipples are painfully sore."
"Mulder, the morning sickness should disappear shortly, if it doesn't I'll prescribe you some medicine to stop the vomiting. On the immortal timetable, you are already a couple weeks into your second trimester. You will start experiencing other changes in your body. For one, your heart will be pumping about twenty-percent more blood to increase the output of oxygen for the babies. You'll feel light-headed and dizzy at times. In a few weeks, you should start to feel your baby's first movements. You will have to urinate more frequently, and I expect you to have symptoms that the other immortals didn't go through, like backache and swelling of your ankles and hands..."
"Oh joy," Mulder muttered.
"Your sinuses probably won't clear up until after you give birth. Let me get you a copy of the report I've been putting together chronicling the other immortals' pregnancies. You can use it as a reference. I'll revise it to include Doctor Harolds' notes on Cory Greene's pregnancy. As you know Greene was pregnant with two babies and had some problems the other immortals didn't experience," Pendrell said, pulling out a GBC-bound document.
"Thanks, Kyle." Mulder took the document and scanned through it with his lovers looking over his shoulder. "This should come in handy. We'll see you on Monday."
"Mulder, be sure not to eat or drink anything after seven o'clock Sunday night. I'm scheduling you for a morning surgery. Please be here at seven o'clock Monday morning."
Mulder smiled nervously. It was just sinking in that he was going under the knife on Monday, and hopefully would finally be free of the unwanted parasite growing inside of him.
As they left the office, Skinner turned to Mulder. "Fox, do you still want to go to New York tomorrow?"
"Yes. It will help take my mind off the surgery on Monday. You don't mind supervising the nannies do you, Alex?"
"Nope. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them unsupervised. Once they have a little more experience the three of us can take a trip together, and leave them watching the children." Krycek wrapped his arm around Fox's waist. "I want you to have fun this weekend and don't worry about a thing."
"Thanks, Alex." Mulder relaxed against his body, he didn't want to think about anything, especially that thing growing inside him.
Skinner looked over at Krycek. "I'll see that he does."
They exited the elevator at the bottom of the hospital turret. "We'll see you after work tonight, Walter," Mulder said, taking Alex's hand he pulled his lover in the direction of the nearest horizontal lift.
"Don't work too hard, Fox. I want to see you both home on time tonight."
"Don't worry, Walter. Neither Fox nor I want to work late on a Friday night."
After Skinner was out of hearing, Mulder turned to Krycek. "Alex, I wish you wouldn't make promises for me. I have a pile of paperwork I have to get through today, and with Scully out on maternity leave it will take me well past eight o'clock tonight to get through it all."
"It can wait until..." He was going to say Monday, but Fox would be in the hospital that day and maybe Tuesday, too. "I'll help you with it, and what we don't finish by quitting time I'll take home and do it this weekend."
"Alex, you have your own work to do, and I don't expect or want any special favors." Mulder climbed on board the lift and sat in the furthest seat from the door, Alex sat next time him.
"It's hardly a special favor, we're partners after all. Besides, I'm not doing your work, I'm helping you with Scully's."
Mulder raised a speculative eyebrow as he studied his lover. Then he smiled softly. "Well, since you put it that way, thanks." He reached down and grasped Alex's hand in his as the lift slowed upon reaching the FBI section. "One of these days we're going to have to get around to planning our honeymoon again."
Krycek squeezed his hand. "Hmm, we don't need to plan, Fox. Just tell me where and when you want to go." The doors to the lift opened and Alex stood, pulling Fox to his feet.
Mulder smiled wistfully. "Really? Well, the NBA is finally starting up again. I wouldn't mind going to see a Knicks game," he said, following Alex down the hallway to the X-Files offices. "It's been almost four years since I've been to a game."
Krycek tried to keep the disappointment from showing on his face. He smiled nervously, as his heart beat frantically. "If that is what you want, then we'll go to the Knicks first home game." Of all the places to choose, he didn't expect Fox to choose a crowded basketball auditorium. Krycek knew he couldn't take Fox by himself and that he'd have to arrange for a full security team to accompany them. God, talk about romantic.
They entered their office and Mulder walked over to his desk, he groaned loudly at his full in basket. He plopped down behind his desk and started going through the pile. Most were reports that only required his signature, there were a couple new 302 requests submitted by his agents. He picked up an envelope from the Justice Department. The U.S. legal system was the only element of the former U.S. government that Walter had kept relatively intact. Mulder scanned the contents of the document and his temper rose. "Dammit!"
"What's wrong, Fox?" Krycek asked, looking up from a field report he was reviewing.
"All the evidence and documents from Beiran Havock's serial murder case that I worked on in 1988 have vanished, even the documents from his trial and conviction are missing. In addition, all of the original witnesses are dead and they need me to testify at his re-sentencing hearing in September or else he may walk."
Krycek's face darkened, and his eyes smoldered like green embers. "He's not going to walk. That man raped and tortured me for Christ's sake!"
Mulder sighed and walked over to his lover. "Alex, I won't let him get off. My testimony should be enough to put him away for life." His finger's feathered soothingly through Alex's sable locks.
Alex turned in his chair and wrapped his arms around Fox's waist and buried his face in his lover's shirt. Havock still frightened him; he'd never been more helpless than when he was in that man's sadistic hands. "If he gets off, I'll hunt him down and kill him myself," Krycek said.
"He's not getting off," Mulder promised. "C'mon, let's get this paperwork done, so we won't break *your* promise to Walter."
***
New York City
Saturday, July 29
5:00 p.m.Mulder held the square piece of note card under his nose and sniffed it. It had an after-shave sample splashed on it. Skinner stood watching him intently. They had been sniffing fragrances for over an hour now. The ones that didn't make Mulder nauseous, Skinner didn't like the smell of.
"I like this one," Mulder said, handing the note card over to Skinner to sniff.
"Hmm, not bad. What is it?"
The salesman perked up. "Your Majesty, it's call Grey Flannel, it's a fresh and green fragrance."
"Okay, we'll take it."
"Your Majesty, would you like the deodorant and talc in addition to the after-shave?"
"Yes, might as well," Skinner said off handily, glancing at his watch. "What do you want for dinner, Fox?"
"Pizza with anchovies."
"Fox, we can get pizza back home, wouldn't you rather have something we don't have available on the island?"
"We don't have authentic *New York City* style pizza on the island."
"Okay, whatever."
"Your Majesty, I know a place that serves the best pizza in the city," General Kline offered. He had taken personal charge of the King's security team. The thirty-member team was spread out in a circle around Mulder and Skinner, keeping the throngs of curious people at bay.
"Lead the way, Clay," Skinner said as Mulder took the bag from the salesman. Skinner put his hand protectively on the small of Mulder's back as they headed out of the store.
Fifty-five minutes later, Mulder closed his eyes as he savored the pizza, breathing in the aroma of garlic, basil, and tomato sauce. For once his sinuses weren't blocked. He opened his eyes slowly and licked the sauce from his full lips then grinned over at Walter who was watching him with undisguised lust. He turned to General Kline who was also watching him. "Clay, you were right this place has the best pizza I've ever tasted."
"I grew up in this neighborhood, Prince Fox. This pizzeria has been here since the fifties," the General said.
General Kline's cell-phone rang. "Excuse me, Gentlemen." He pulled it out of his pocket and rose from the table and crossed the room to answer it.
Mulder took another bite of pizza, the cheese stretched in thin strands breaking and sticking to his chin, he wiped it off with a napkin as he slowly chewed, gazing into Walter's eyes. He swallowed, and took a sip of Pepsi. "I'm looking forward to tonight...just you and me."
"Me too, Fox. Don't count on getting too much sleep," Skinner growled lustfully, his leg brushing against Fox's under the table.
"Your Majesty, we have a situation and need to get back to the island," General Kline said, rushing back to the table.
"What's wrong, Clay?"
"The Seraphim have attacked Egypt, Somalia, Kuwait, and Nepal, and made off with their immortals."
"Damn!" Skinner jumped to his feet and protectively grabbed a hold of Mulder's hand as the younger man rose in stunned silence from his chair. Skinner scanned the area for any immediate threat.
"I have our helicopters waiting for us at the airport," the General said, ushering them out of the restaurant where they were ringed by the sorcerer security team. Kline had filled the men in telepathically. All thirty were more than willing to die to protect Mulder if need be.
Mulder's hand felt sweaty inside of Walter's big paw as his lover held onto him tightly, as if Walter were afraid by letting go he would vanish. "Walter, those four countries didn't have the best security. I'm sure that is why the Seraphim targeted them," he said, climbing into the back of the limousine, Skinner clambered in beside him, still holding on tightly to his hand.
Skinner pulled Mulder firmly against his body. "It doesn't matter why they were taken, Fox. It only proves that the Seraphim can easily access our planet, we need to find a means to stop them. I won't risk losing you, not now, not ever. I'm sorry, Fox, but until we can find away to prevent them from coming to Earth through their portal your freedom and that of the other immortals will have to be limited."
"Walter, please..."
"No. I won't argue with you over this, Fox."
General Kline interrupted. "The King is right, Prince Fox. If they take you, we have no means of getting you back. Your freedom is only temporarily limited, but it will be forever lost if the Seraphim got their hands on you."
"Okay, fine," Mulder sighed as he looked out the window of the limo as it quickly sped toward the airport.
***
End of chapter 1 - Outside Menace
Chapter 2 - Pregnancy Blues