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, 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 2
Pregnancy Blues
Crystal City
Sunday, July 30
1:30 a.m.Mulder leaned against the railing on the veranda staring off into the darkness. He was standing barefoot and dressed only in cotton pajama bottoms. His flesh was covered in goosebumps as a cool wind had blown in off the ocean, dropping the temperature into the low sixties. The day had started out so promising, with Walter and him enjoying the sights of New York City. He had been surprised by how clean the city was, but Walter had informed him that it was mostly due to the mayor who controlled the police and the sanitation departments with an iron fist. Vagrants and bums were forbidden within the city limits and criminals were dealt with severely.
He gazed up at the crescent moon trying to find some tranquility to vanquish the fear deep inside, but his guts twisted in dread over the thought of what was happening to his fellow immortals at the hands of the Seraphim. He only met Khalid once, but he was a good friend of Ian's who had been Khalid's lover for a short time. Mulder felt sadness for the blond, Australian immortal who had lost so much in his life. But then, they had all lost so much because of the Seraphim. Nothing would ever be normal until they could destroy those creatures. Mulder's thoughts were interrupted as Alex wrapped a blanket around his bare shoulders, then got under it with him and held him close.
"Fox, we'll be okay. Come back to bed," he whispered, kissing Mulder's cheek reassuringly.
"Alex, I didn’t tell you or Walter about everything that happened to me when I was abducted by that Seraphim," Mulder said. His shivering quieted as he leaned into Alex's warm embrace.
"You don't have to talk about it, Fox, not if it's too painful." Krycek circled his arm securely around Mulder's waist.
"I need to talk about it." Mulder gazed up at the clear, starlit sky and spoke softly. "I was lost, Alex. I was no longer my own person but a part of him. The short time I was in his arms made me forget all about my life with you and Walter. No one else existed to me except Xowolfe. Maybe this is how it feels to be genetically bonded to someone, I don't know. I was mortified when my memories started to return...I could have been totally happy with Xowolfe and never have known that I had another life...another purpose."
"Do you think that is what will happen to the other immortals? That they will forget about Earth and fall totally under the spell of the Seraphim?"
"Maybe, in a way I hope so, but I have no doubt that their memories will eventually resurface and they'll have to face what's become of them, and what they've lost," Mulder said sadly. All of the immortals with the exception of Khalid had infant daughters who were left behind sleeping in their cribs when the Seraphim abducted their fathers.
Alex held Fox closer, breathing in his sweet scent; it was different than before he was pregnant, but nevertheless, intoxicating. "We'll have to be more careful in the future, Fox. The Seraphim had prior knowledge about which immortals were the most vulnerable. That means that someone or something is on our planet watching us."
"I've already deduced as much, and with this portal device they can materialize within a few feet of any immortal and snatch him before anyone is the wiser." He shuddered at the thought and Alex's arms tightened.
Alex shook his head. "No. That's not true. I have no doubt that Walter would have been able to feel the vibrations of the portal before it could fully materialize and destroy it. The Seraphim's fear of sorcerers seems to keep them from going after the immortals suitably protected. Pharaoh Menes probably didn't know what was happening until it was too late and Khalid was gone."
"What about you, Alex? Would you have been able to destroy that portal?"
"I don't think so, Fox. C'mon, let's go back inside to bed, it's freezing out here."
Mulder allowed Alex to guide him indoors and over to the bed. He frowned at it being empty. Walter would probably be up for the rest of the night dealing with this latest Seraphim crisis. "It never ends, does it?"
Alex closed the French doors to the veranda. "One of these days we'll catch a break."
"I wish I could believe that, Alex." They crawled under the covers and into each other arms. Mulder shifted, trying to find a comfortable position. If he was this uncomfortable at only three months pregnant, he couldn't imagine how he'd be at five or six months. He rolled on his back, but that didn't help. He had a stiffness in his lower back.
Krycek sighed, as Mulder moved again, he turned on side and pulled Mulder's body back against him, until they were lying spooned with Mulder's back against his chest. "Better?"
"Yeah...much better...sorry."
Krycek kissed that back of his head. "Don't be."
Mulder felt secure in Alex's arms, he lay there listening to his lover's breathing as it evened out signaling the moment Alex passed into sleep. If he ever lost either of his lovers, he'd be devastated, but he was even more fearful of the possibility of losing all of the memories he had of their time together.
***
Seraphim's Home Planet
Khalid huddled fearfully with his immortal brothers as they looked upon the winged beings surrounding them. They stood in the center of a raised, circular, platform that was lit from below and above. The light lit up every detail on their naked bodies. An immortal stepped around the Seraphim and stepped up onto the platform, he was carrying a winged infant in his arms.
"Welcome to Empyrean. I am Xoric. You have nothing to fear," the young Brazilian said.
"What do they want from us?" Khalid asked in a hushed voice. He was surprised that he could understand the strange language the other immortal was speaking, and equally surprised that he could speak it.
"They need our help in reviving their dying race -- to have their children. We are the chosen ones, you should feel honored," Xoric said.
"We want to be returned to Earth! We don't want to be here!" Khalid shouted.
Xoric frowned. Earth? It felt like someone had just walked across his grave. He looked questioningly over at his mate.
Xochipilli drifted onto the platform and wrapped his arms around Xoric's body from behind. "Our baby is hungry. Go feed him, beloved." Xochipilli had finally purged Xoric of all memories from his former life and he did not want to risk these immortals bringing those memories back to the surface. Xoric was happy and content with his life now, and Xochipilli did not want the nightmares or the sudden tears to return to his mate.
King Xowolfe stepped down from his throne as Xoric left the throne room. The fifty Seraphim looked at him for his decision. The King intuitively matched up the Seraphim with their immortal bond mates. Two of the immortals were genetically bonded to one Seraph each. One immortal was bonded to two Seraphim, and Khalid was genetically bonded to three Seraphim.
"This one is still going through the change," the King said, touching Khalid's face. "It will be four month's before his womb is ready. However, you can still take pleasure from his body. Enjoy, my brothers."
Khalid's knees trembled and he nearly fainted as he was led out of the room by three of the Seraphim who were petting and touching him. Long fingers stroked down his naked flesh, playfully touching his sex. When his steps faltered, the largest of the Seraphim scooped him up and carried him like a small child.
The remaining Seraphim grumbled as seven of their brothers left with the immortals. "My King, when will we get the rest of our property back from the Earthlings?"
The King sighed. "As soon as our forces are strong enough we will claim the rest of the immortals."
Down the corridor in a distant room, Xochipilli stood watching his immortal lover nurse their child. Xoric had a puzzled look on his face that Xochipilli wanted to kiss away. "My love, what is puzzling you?" he asked, sinking gracefully to his knees in front of his lover and child.
Xoric looked at the winged being with magenta hair and wings. He saw flashes of his home where colorful parrots fluttered around, and his mother and father sat with him on a sunny veranda discussing the job he had been offered since graduating college. Suddenly the images dissolved and he was standing at the precipice between two worlds. "I do not know...who am I, Xochipilli?"
"You are my mate, my lover," the Seraph said gently.
"No. Before that..." He shook his head to clear his thoughts and shifted his son to his other nipple. "This isn't my home. I want to go home...I want to see my parents again."
"Your parents are dead...don't you remember?"
"No. I'd remember if they were dead...I think." Another image came to him of his mother falling to the ground...of him kneeling over her body as blood seeped out of every orifice, even her pores bled. He closed his eyes trying to block the images out.
Xochipilli reached out and brushed the tears off his lover's cheeks with his thumbs. "Forget, my love, our son and I are your family now. You will never feel pain as long as you are here with us." The Seraph took the baby from Xoric and carried him over to the cradle and laid him gently inside. Then he came back over to his lover. "I will help you forget, Xoric."
Xoric found himself being pulled to his feet. The gold, jewel-encrusted fabric he wore fastened around his waist, that draped down to the floor covering his groin and ass was removed. The delicate woven collar that formed a wide circle across his collarbones and over his shoulder was also removed and allowed to drop carelessly to the floor in a twisted heap. Last, the jeweled headpiece he had on was removed and his braided hair freed.
Xochipilli's long fingers caressed the side of Xoric's tanned face. "So beautiful. You are the most exquisite creature. Too beautiful for such sadness...forget them. Think of only your happiness with me." The Seraph leaned down and kissed Xoric's pink lips, probing between them with his tongue.
Xoric was feeling light-headed as the kiss continued and deepened. Then his lover pulled back and slowly disrobed. Xoric's hand reached out lustfully for Xochipilli's fat cock and stroked up and down its length feeling the soft bristles covering the organ harden with arousal at his touch. They moved against his palm, tickling and coating it with a thin film of oil as the organ produced its own lubricant. Desire. Need. Pushed all other thoughts from the Brazilian immortal's mind as the Seraph lowered him to the bed. Xoric spread his thighs wantonly arching up as Xochipilli entered him with a smooth, slick thrust. He wrapped his legs around Xochipilli's hips skewing himself deeper on the hard cock. He mind was spinning as the bristles moved against the inner walls of his rectum brushing against his prostate, shooting electrical waves of pleasure from his toes up to his scalp.
Xochipilli thrust in and out of the tight heat of his lover, moving faster and harder as he tried to drive all thoughts from Xoric's mind. Xoric was making cooing noises of pleasure as Xochipilli slammed into him again and again. The Seraph reached between their bodies and started pumping his lover's cock, until a wet warmth erupted between their two bodies.
Xoric screamed as he came, his body trembling as he spilled his seed. He collapsed back against the mattress as Xochipilli continued to fuck him. His legs were quivering, but he kept them wrapped around Xochipilli's hips. Xoric stared into his lover's amber lust-filled eyes as his body was awakened once again by the relentless pounding it was taking.
Twenty-minutes later they were both covered in sweat and coming as Xochipilli drove his cock as deep as it would go, filling his lover with his hot passion. Xoric's legs fell to the bed as his lover pulled out of him. Xochipilli watched as Xoric's eyes closed and he drifted into a sated sleep. The Seraph stood and arranged Xoric's body in a more comfortable position on the bed, covering him, he leaned down and kissed those pink lips softly. "Forget, my love," he whispered against them.
***
Crystal City
Sunday, July 30
4:30 a.m.Duffy felt his cock surrounded by a tight sheath. It was a wonderful sensation, one he hadn't experienced in years. He fought to stay in the deep cocoon of slumber, he did not want to wake up and end this dream too soon, but Ari's voice was calling to him.
Ari straddled Duffy's hips looking down into his lover's stunned eyes as awareness finally took hold. Ari's ass was on fire as the large organ stretched and filled him far too tightly, but he'd be damned if he'd allow his lover to see his discomfort. Instead, he chose to endure, knowing that it would only get better with time. "If I had waited for you to act, Jason, I'd have been a virgin for the rest of my life," Ari said smugly.
"God, Ari, are you nuts? My size could seriously hurt you!"
"God, Jason, are you an idiot? I'm an immortal!" Ari leaned back as the initial painful burn became a gentle throbbing; his hand was wrapped around the base of Duffy's cock to prevent it from going too deep too soon. He closed his eyes getting his temper under control. "Jason, any damage done will be healed within twenty-four hours. Don't you understand that I love you? I want you to make love to me."
Duffy clenched the sheets with his fingers, he was so afraid of losing control and hurting his lover. "God." Being sheathed inside such an exquisite hot space was going to unravel him. "Ari, I make love to you every day," he growled through clenched teeth.
"Jason, I want more than a simple finger fucking and oral sex."
"Ari, if you haven't noticed, my fingers are larger than most men's dicks!"
"I want more...I want this," he said, removing his hand he sunk down on the final five inches of Duffy's massive cock. Ari swallowed and bit down on his bottom lip to keep from crying out in pain.
"Jesus, Ari, I'm hurting you," Duffy said, reaching for his lover to pull him off his cock.
"I'll kick your ass if you touch me," Ari gasped, swatting at his hand. "I just need a moment."
Duffy dropped his hand and held his breath as he watched his beautiful lover's face contort in pain. "Ari, come-on...please, I can't stand to see you in pain."
Ari was determined to handle his lover's size. He had spent part of the night preparing and lubing his body. He took a deep breath and willed his body to relax, after long minutes the sharp, painful burn started to vanish and a wonderful sensation of fullness replaced it. He tentatively pulled a few inches off then sank back down. Ari smiled with relief when there wasn't as much pain and his stomach fluttered with excitement. He started moving slowly up and down on Duffy's cock, watching as his lover's eyes glazed over in pleasure. The burn had dulled and all that he felt was the wonderful sensation of being opened and filled. The tremendous pressure against his prostate was causing an electric prickling sensation to race up his spine; his straining erection was a lovely shade of purple against his belly and his balls felt bloated and heavy.
Duffy's hips pushed up involuntarily seeking more of that delicious heat surrounding his cock. He wanted to go deeper. He growled, gripping his lover's hips and moved Ari up and down on his cock faster.
Ari reached back and grabbed Duffy's balls and squeezed.
Duffy let go and howled out in pain.
"Jason, I'm in control you just lay back and enjoy."
"Bastard."
Ari smirked and continued to ride the giant's cock. "You know me too well, MacDuff."
Duffy had it with Ari's attitude, he'd learned that sometimes Ari needed to be shown that this was an equal relationship of give and take...and he was going to do a little taking of his own now. He sat up and flipped them so Ari was on his back with his legs wrapped around Duffy's hips, then grabbing the young man's hands he held them pinned above Ari's head as he started to plow in and out of that tight space.
"Asshole!" Ari gasped.
"No, Ari, I think that would be you," Duffy quipped and slammed harder and faster into Ari's tight hole.
Ari started making cooing sounds of pleasure and suddenly his cock started spurting milky come over his belly and chest, and he gasped, "God, Jason."
Duffy grinned down at him, as he continued to thrust into Ari's body. Ten minutes later, he was crying out and coming into that tight heat.
Ari moaned again, as he was filled with his lover's essence, it pushed him over the abyss for a second time and he came again screaming. He whimpered as Duffy withdrew leaving him empty. The giant pulled him into his arms and kissed Ari until he was light-headed.
"Okay, Ari, I will stop treating you as if you're made of glass, but you have to let up on the bully routine."
"Jason, you don't ask for much do you? Okay, I'll try not to be so bossy," he promised. "I love you, even though you are the most infuriating man I've ever met!"
***
Crystal City
Monday, July 31
9:30 a.m.Skinner stood beside Krycek looking through the window of observation room into the airtight operating room. Their lover was on the operating table, his body draped with sheets; only his head and belly were exposed. Skinner watched the gentle rise and fall of Fox's chest, as he lay anesthetized. He glanced over at the heart monitor. The surgeons and nurses were all dressed in biohazard suits, against the off chance that the alien fetus would contain some unknown virus.
Doctor Bradford inserted a spreader bar through Mulder's navel. Next, he inserted a small fiber-optic video camera. On a video monitor positioned at the foot of the operating table, Skinner watched the progress of the camera; he found it difficult to discern objects within the pink gelatin inside the womb. The camera stopped in front of a large dark object. The doctor held out his hand and another tube was passed to him this one was connected to a pump.
They had discussed this procedure ahead of time and it was decided to try to extract the alien fetus with a vacuum through Mulder's navel. Skinner's eyes kept flicking back and forth between the doctor feeding the vacuum tube through the spreader into his lover's body and the camera showing the pouch. The pouch was about the size of an orange. On the monitor, the tubular shape of the vacuum appeared, it was about one inch in diameter. Skinner held his breath as the tube made contact with the pouch -- then all hell broke loose. The video monitor exploded splattering the room with glass. Mulder's body arched up off the table and he let out an unearthly wail as the bulbs in the lights surrounding the operating table started popping. Skinner and Krycek jumped as the overhead light exploded showering them with glass, and they had no time to think or react as the observation window blew out.
Several moments later, Skinner helped a bloody and battered Krycek to his feet. He was in no better shape than the younger man. The operating room was dead quiet; not even the beeping of the heart monitor could be heard -- it sat smoking, the glass front broken. They hurried past the still forms of the operating room staff and over to the table where Mulder lay unmoving. Krycek stepped on the mangled shape of the spreader bar; it had been melted along with the camera and vacuum tube into an unrecognizable blob. How it got from Fox's navel and onto the floor, he had no idea.
Krycek touched Mulder's pale cheek as Skinner checked for a pulse.
"What the hell just happened?" Krycek asked.
Skinner closed his eyes and issued a silent pray of thanks when he found a strong pulse. "You want me to guess? Because otherwise I have no idea." He was relieved to note that Fox had been uncut by the flying glass and exploding equipment.
The staff and Doctor Bradford started to stir around them. Groaning, Doctor Pendrell sat up, the hood on the biohazard suit was missing the facemask and there were bright red bloodstains on the white fabric of the suit. He climbed shakily to his feet and went to check his patient first, before offering assistance to the other staff members who were coming around.
"What happened, Kyle?" Krycek asked, holding onto Mulder's cold hand.
Pendrell shook his head then removed the useless hood. "I don't know. If I had to guess I'd say that immortals have a built in defensive mechanism that prevents harm from coming to their unborn child." He looked around at the destroyed operating room. "A really good defensive mechanism."
"It seems that's all we've been doing is guessing!" Skinner growled. "This debacle might have cost us the lives of the our unborn babies!" His face paled suddenly, what if it already had killed them? "Can you do an ultrasound to make sure the fetuses are still all right?"
"I was going to suggest that, but we need to get Prince Fox moved out of this room first." He plucked a small, shiver of glass out of his side. "And we need to treat our injuries."
"Doctor, Alex and I will move Fox to the exam room down the hall, while you take care of your injuries," Skinner said, removing the useless sensors pasted to Mulder's chest.
"You and Alex need to be treated for your wounds, too," Pendrell said.
Krycek interrupted, "Later. After we're certain Fox and our babies are okay. I'll take care of healing Walter." He pulled off the sheet still draping his lover's naked body and stood back as Walter scooped Fox up into his strong arms, Walter used his powers to help him handle Fox's weight as he carried him out of the operating room. Krycek followed them to the examination room; he spread a clean white cloth on the leather exam table. Then he helped Walter arrange their lover into a comfortable position on the table.
***
Mulder opened his eyes as he felt a cold gel being spread on his belly. He looked at his redheaded doctor questioningly. What was he doing here? The last thing he remembered was counting backwards in the operating room. Alex was holding his hand. "Alex, what's going on?" he whispered, his voice too dry to talk any louder. Walter stepped into his field of vision, looking down at him with obvious concern. Mulder's eyes widened when he saw the cuts and blood on his lover's body and clothes. He looked quickly up at Alex who also had cuts, but his wounds were already healing.
Krycek leaned in close to his ear to explain. "Fox, there was a problem during the procedure. When the vacuum made contact with the fetal pouch all the glass and equipment in the operating room suddenly exploded. The doctors aren't exactly sure what caused it, other than it appears that your body has some sort of built in defense protecting the fetuses. Kyle is checking to make sure that our babies are still okay."
"Damn. The transducer just short-circuited. I'll need to bring in another one," Pendrell said.
"It's not necessary. The babies are fine...all of them," Mulder said quietly.
"Fox, how can you be sure?" Skinner asked, taking his other hand.
"I just know. I want to go home now, Walter." Mulder was all at once feeling sad and agitated; he had tried to kill their baby. Why had he done that?
"Fox, we need to be sure."
"The equipment isn't going to work...and I don't want him touching me," Mulder said, sitting up he turned sideways to climb off on the table.
"Fox."
"Walter, they're okay. I never should have done such a thing, it was wrong." He looked around for his clothes; not finding them, he pulled the sheet off the table and wrapped it around his body like a toga then headed for the door. His hand was shaking as he reached for the doorknob.
Krycek grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving. "You can't walk around the palace like that, Fox. You'll cause all sorts of accidents," he quipped lightly.
Skinner teleported Mulder's clothing into the exam room. "Here, Fox, get dressed then we'll go home." He was willing to believe that Fox knew the babies were all right.
Mulder had a lost expression on his face as he took the clothes and started to get dressed. "Walter, why did I want to kill our baby?"
"Fox, don't you remember? We were worried that the alien fetus would harm our babies," Skinner said softly, kneeing next to the chair where Fox was sitting to tie his shoes.
"Oh."
"Fox, are you going to be all right?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"You're acting like you don't have any memory of..."
"Walter, I just tried to have our baby murdered."
"Fox, it was the alien fetus, you tried to save our babies' lives." Skinner sighed as he helped Mulder to his feet, his lover looked so confused and sad.
Mulder felt like he was walking in a tunnel as they made their way out of the hospital wing. Walter's and Alex's voices sounded distant. He reached down and rested his hand on his abdomen and felt a warmth wash through him. Everything was going to be all right.
Skinner exchanged worried glances with Krycek over the soft smile suddenly on Fox's lips. They rode the lift back to their portion of the palace and the elevator up to their floor.
"Fox, why don't you go lie down and I'll bring you a cup of tea?" Skinner suggested.
Mulder turned to him and touched his bloodstained cheek. "I think you and Alex need to lie down more than I do. Alex, why don't you take Walter to the bedroom and heal his cuts, I'll go to the kitchen and fix us a pot of tea." Mulder didn't wait for an answer; he was already heading in the direction of their kitchen.
Krycek grabbed Skinner's arm, as he was about to follow Mulder. "Let him go, Walter, he seems to be doing better. If you must, keep an eye on him telepathically, but give him a little space right now."
"How can he be doing better? He feels guilty, Alex, you heard him -- he thinks that he tried to kill our babies. Fox didn't even remember that it was the alien fetus that the doctors were trying to abort, not ours." Skinner stepped into the bedroom and shrugged off the bloody shirt and slacks, then headed up the steps to the bathroom.
"He's only confused, Walter. He'll get over it in time." Krycek touched Walter's face and chest, sending out healing impulses and the cuts and bruises started to disappear. He yawned tiredly when he finished. "Fox, is right I could use a nap," he said, stepping into the shower with Walter to wash the bloodstains away.
"I have no intention of napping, I'm going to stay up and keep an eye on Fox just in case."
***
Mulder stepped into the kitchen. He smiled at Yori and Lev who was fixing lunch for their five-year-old adopted son. Their other six sons were in school.
"Mulder, what are you doing here? Where are Walter and Alex?" Lev asked.
"I'm fixing a pot of tea for Walter and Alex. They're in the bedroom," Mulder said, filling a teakettle with water and placing it on the stove.
Yori placed an arm on Lev's arm to silence his lover from asking any more questions. "Mulder, let me help you," Yori said, getting a tray out of the pantry. He started filling it with teacups and biscuits. "How are you feeling?" he asked carefully.
"I'm fine...never better," Mulder replied, dropping four teabags into a china teapot, he leaned back against the counter and waited for the water in the kettle to boil.
"You look good, how did your visit to the hospital go?"
Mulder's lip trembled and he looked away.
Yori stepped over to him and pulled Mulder into his arms. Mulder broke down crying, all of his pent-up emotions breaking free.
"Yori, I don't know how I could have done something like that...I almost killed Walter's baby."
"Ssh, it's going to be all right," Yori soothed. "I thought you were trying to abort the alien fetus."
Mulder wrapped his arms around Yori's broad body. The Russian was built like a large bear. Mulder had missed his friend; he'd always found Yori's presence comforting. Mulder's sobs quieted and he whispered, "Don't ask me how I know but that wasn't the alien baby it was Walter's. Yori, promise me you won't tell him, I don't want Walter to find out how close we came to almost losing our baby. He doesn't need that kind of anxiety in his life right now."
Yori rubbed his back. "Okay, Mulder, but I still don't understand how the doctors could have made such a mistake."
Mulder didn't understand either. It was beyond him why Walter's baby would be so much bigger than the other two. "Thanks, Yori. I better take the tea into them. I wouldn't want them to come searching for me." He wiped at his eyes as he pulled away from Yori, and went to turn off the stove. He then filled the teapot with the hot water from the kettle. Mulder picked up the tray and headed for the door.
"Don't forget the honey," Lev said as he set the jar down on the tray. "You know Walter and Alex both like honey in their tea."
Mulder smiled at the skinny Russian. "Thanks, Lev. I can't believe I forgot it." He chuckled. "Alex loves honey on just about everything."
Mulder walked through the corridors and finally arrived back at his and his lover's bedroom. Walter and Alex were sitting on the bed wearing their robes talking quietly; they both looked up at him as he entered.
Walter stood and took the tray while giving Mulder an appraising look. "You've been crying," he said, setting the tray on the small breakfast table.
"I've just gone through a traumatic experience. So, excuse me if I shed a few tears!" Mulder snapped, pouring the tea into the three cups.
"That's not what I meant, Fox. You didn't seem to know what happened to you earlier, you weren't acting rationally. All that I want to know is why were you crying? Do you remember what happened to you?" Skinner asked.
Mulder drizzled a little honey into two of the teacups and added a little milk; then he handed one cup to Walter and carried the other one over to Alex who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, looking totally exhausted. "I remember everything that happened, Walter. We were attempting to abort the alien fetus, it failed and now we are sharing a cup of tea together, licking our wounds and counting our blessings."
Skinner sighed. "Sorry, Fox, I was concerned that you had..."
"Totally lost it," Krycek finished. He sipped the tea and wished for just a splash of vodka in it.
"I was a little disoriented earlier. Sorry, I didn't mean to make either of you worry about me," Mulder replied.
"That's okay, Fox. We're just glad that you're doing better now. Come, sit with me by the fire," Skinner said as he sat on a loveseat in front of the fireplace and flames magically sprung to life inside the hearth.
Mulder sat next to him and they sipped their tea in silence while staring reflectively into the flames. Alex watched them for a few moments then set his teacup on the floor and crawled under the blankets, falling to sleep almost instantly.
"Slava is coming next week with several of the other world leaders. We need to figure out how to locate the portal, if we can capture it, there might be a chance of getting our immortals back from the Seraphim," Skinner said.
"If we capture it, we can take the battle to them," Mulder said. "We'll never be free until we destroy every last Seraphim."
"You'd be willing to destroy an entire race?" Skinner asked.
"They've destroyed countless races, it's about time someone gives them a taste of their own medicine."
"I agree, Fox. If we capture the portal we will use it to destroy them."
Mulder leaned back against Skinner's body, more relaxed than he had been all day. It felt good to have some sort of plan against their enemies. If only they could capture the portal...then there was only that little problem about it being programmed on the Seraphim's side not to allow sorcerers to pass through. They'd have to deal with that if, and when they got their hands on it.
***
Crystal City
Saturday, August 5
11:30 a.m.Mulder flipped in the water and started swimming another lap across the pool. He had the lap pool all to himself; his friends were over in the diving and wading pools. He reached the other end and looked up to find Alex and Ari staring down at him. Ari had his daughter Kat strapped into a carrier on his chest.
"Fox, Ari and I are going to lunch, would you care to join us?"
"Sure," Mulder said, climbing up the ladder and out of the pool, Alex handed him a towel while holding onto Mulder's shorts and T-shirt. Mulder was looking forward to lunch, his stomach had finally settled down and he was no longer getting morning sickness. So, he was trying to make up for lost time by eating three square meals a day. Mulder finished towel drying his hair, and pulled the shorts on over his swimsuit, then stepped into his sandals.
"We thought we'd try out the new bistro, they're suppose to have some really good soup and sandwich combos," Ari said.
Mulder nodded in agreement. He was glad because he didn't feel like going up to his room to change, which he would have had to do if they ate in the main dining hall. Besides, Slava was at the palace and would probably be eating in the main dining hall. "So, you two seem to be getting along better," Mulder commented as he followed them out of the swimming area toward the vertical lift.
"We've reached an agreement, Fox," Krycek said, allowing Mulder to step onto the lift first then took the seat next to him.
"What sort of an agreement?"
"I have to keep my hooks off you and King Walter," Ari said, shrugging his shoulders. It was an easy promise to make, since he never had his hooks in the two men to begin with. Maybe if he wasn't in love with Duffy he'd be interested in exploring a relationship with them.
"Alex!" Mulder gaped at his lover.
"I wasn't taking chances, Fox."
"You know that I only love you and Walter. I can't see why you would make Ari promise such a thing?"
"I'd prefer that you or Walter didn't have his children."
"And I'd prefer that you didn't have Slava's children," Mulder snapped.
"No problem, Fox. I don't intend to get pregnant."
"Alex, you might not have much choice. Besides which, Slava already told me that you promised to have his baby first."
"Oh, come on, Fox, it was during the heat of sex! I can't be held to such a promise."
"Oh brother!" Ari rolled his eyes. "Alex, you're upset about Mulder and me being friends while you're cheating on him with the man who raped him?"
"It's really none of your business, Ari."
"Well, I'm entitled to an opinion, and I think it stinks."
Mulder rested his hand against Alex's chest, to keep him in his seat. "Ari, I gave Alex my permission for him to see Slava. So, please drop it."
"Fine, he's your husband...I'm just surprised you're okay with it." Ari's voice softened as Kat started whimpering.
The lift stopped at the south end of the palace and they climbed out and walked silently down the corridor to the bistro. The place was packed with teenage boys and palace workers.
"We can get it to go, and eat out in the gardens," Ari suggested as their search for a table proved futile.
"Okay," Mulder said. He looked up at the chalkboard that had the soup and sandwich of the day written on it, then his attention shifted to the main board and his eyes lit up as he stepped up to place his order. "I'll have the French dip, and a bowl of the French onion soup, oh and an extra pickle."
"What would you like to drink?" the manager asked eager to serve the pregnant immortal.
"Ice tea, oh and add some fries to the order," Mulder said. "This is to go."
"Prince Fox, if you would like we can clear a table for you, Prince Alex and Mr. Summers." It wasn't everyday that he had three of the palace's immortals in his establishment.
"No, we'd prefer not to have special treatment," Mulder said.
Randy Scully came walking up to them. "We're just leaving, you guys can have our table," he said.
Mulder hadn't even noticed Charlie Scully's son in the crowded restaurant. "Where are you sitting?"
"We're in the corner behind the plant." He pointed.
"Alex, I'm going to hold the table for us. Would you bring my food when it is up?" Mulder said over his shoulder as he followed Randy to the table.
"Sure, Fox." Alex was at the counter ordering the special, tomato basil soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. Ari was staring up at the board trying to make up his mind.
Mulder smiled warmly at the four boys at the table: Scully's adopted son Scott, and three of Lev's and Yori's adopted sons. Scott stood and offered Mulder his chair.
"Are you boys enjoying your Saturday?" Mulder asked.
"Yep, we're going to head down to the beach later and go crabbing," Chris said.
Mulder licked his lips hungrily. "So does that mean Lev will be making crab legs for dinner tonight?"
"If we catch enough. But we promise to save the biggest crab for you, Mulder," Calvin replied, standing as Alex and Ari approached the table. "We'll be seeing you and Alex tonight."
"Bye, Guys," Mulder said.
Alex set the overloaded tray on the table, and Mulder grabbed the pickles straight away.
"You know, Fox, that is really stereotypical and people are staring," Alex said.
"I don't care, besides men stare at us regardless. I have a craving for something vinegary and salty," he said pulling the bowl of French onion soup in front of him. His spoon broke through the layer of melted cheese and scooped up a broth-soaked chunk of bread and a few onions, he literally purred contentedly as he savored it.
Alex watched as several of the men closest to them shifted in their chairs and spread their thighs apart as they watched Fox's face. "Fox, would you try to enjoy your soup a little less graphically?"
"Why? It's not as if I'm sending out pheromones...not in my present condition anyway...which is the only benefit of my present condition, I might add," Mulder said, picking up his sandwich and dipping it into the au jus sauce.
Krycek snorted. "You are still drop dead gorgeous if you haven't noticed, and a lot of men find your present condition unbelievably hot."
Mulder took a moment from his sandwich to glance around the crowded restaurant; he noted that all eyes were on their table. "Alex, what about you and Ari? Those men don't necessarily have to be looking at me...if you *haven't* noticed you both are far more beautiful than I."
Ari and Alex snorted. Ari was holding his daughter cradled in one arm as he ate a messy Rueben sandwich with the other hand, he leaned over the tray as the juices from sauerkraut dripped off the sandwich. "Mulder, you're so blind," he mumbled around a full mouth.
MacIver had entered the restaurant moments before and had been listening in to their conversation from the counter. He walked up to their table and set his tray at the open chair between Alex and Ari. "We could always hold an immortal beauty contest."
"Stick it, Rory," Krycek said.
"Just think of the money we could make if we put it on Pay-Per-View," MacIver went on warming to the idea. "We could hold another contest before hand to choose the twelve impartial judges."
"Shut up, Rory!" the three men shouted.
"I'd pay money to watch it," said a man from the table next to theirs.
"Me, too," piped up several more, until the whole restaurant stated their agreement.
"No way! We are not holding a beauty contest. End of story!" Mulder growled, glaring across the table at MacIver for having such a preposterous idea.
"Well, Mulder, if you are worried about your present condition, we can hold it on New Year's Day. That will give you plenty of time to recover from giving birth," MacIver replied.
Krycek rolled his eyes. "Rory, read my lips...we are not participating in a beauty contest. Not in this life time...not in any life time."
MacIver wasn't deterred; he figured that if Alex and Ari knew the amount of money such an event would generate they'd change their minds and convince Mulder to go along with it. Shinji might be the tougher sell, though.
Mulder looked over at Ari who had a distant look on his face. "Is something wrong?"
"Hmm, I was just thinking about my friends. When Kat is old enough to leave alone with Jason, I'm going to go back to White Mountain and find out what happened to them," Ari said, setting down his sandwich and wiping his hand.
"You can't go alone, Ari. It would be too dangerous," Mulder said.
"They were my gang, Mulder, and their lives are my responsibility. I won't put anyone else's life in danger. I'd go now if it weren't for Kat."
"Let's at least talk to Walter. He's been trying to establish some sort of direct communication with CBG Spender. If he succeeds then maybe we'll be able to find out what happened to your men."
"No, the smoking bastard is a deceiver, we cannot believe anything he says. I'm going next spring...alone." He met Mulder's concern hazel eyes. "Mulder, I need to find out what happened to them."
"Okay, Ari, it's not like I can stop you, but at least take a team with you."
"No. I'll be able to move better alone."
"Sure, fine, whatever," Mulder sighed, giving up.
Krycek kept his mouth shut. He did not intend to let the arrogant Aussie get himself killed. This spring he intended go with Ari to White Mountain, besides he had wanted to kill the smoking bastard for years and this might be his only opportunity. They went back to eating quietly each lost in their own private thoughts.
***
Six weeks later
Philadelphia
Wednesday, September 21
3:30 p.m.Skinner climbed out of the limousine and held the door opened while Mulder scooted across the seat, he reached in and helped his lover out of the car. Mulder gave him a wary, tired smile as he stepped out into the sunshine. Skinner smiled back sympathetically and squeezed Mulder's hand reassuringly. At nearly five months pregnant, Mulder was already twice the size that the other immortals had been when they had given birth. He wasn't as large as Scully had been, but he was getting there -- fast. At least it was the fall season now, and Mulder didn't have to endure the hot, muggy weather any longer.
Skinner kept one eye focused on Mulder's face as the younger man chewed nervously on his bottom lip. He was looking anxiously at the noisy crowd that was kept back behind the rope barriers, they were shouting Mulder's name and tossing flowers. Most of the men and boys were dressed in threadbare clothing that had the look of being patched dozens of times. Skinner was saddened by the poverty he'd seen as they drove through Philadelphia. The influx of immigrants over the past year had over stressed the country's resources. As they walked up the steps to the courthouse Skinner kept his arm protectively around Mulder's back.
Mulder plucked a flower petal out of his hair and whispered into Skinner's ear. "Next time I want to land by helicopter on the roof." He stopped suddenly and stared back at the crowd below, then he motioned for General Kline. Skinner gave him a puzzled look.
"What is it, Prince Fox?" the General asked.
Mulder spoke quietly, "In the crowd there is a little boy with a rope tied around his waist. He is in the custody of his uncle who is very abusive toward him. I want him brought to me."
"Fox, how do you know this?" Skinner asked glancing down at the crowd, trying to find the little boy Fox was talking about.
Mulder shook his head; he didn't know how he knew he just did. He watched as the general took four of royal guardsmen into the crowd, there was a brief scuffle then the general emerged carrying a tiny boy no older than five. The little boy had frightened sapphire eyes framed by raven black hair. A purple bruise stood out against his pale white cheek even under the layers of dirt. The child's clothes were filthy and oversized, hanging off his slight frame.
As the General climbed the steps toward them, Skinner turned back to Mulder. "What are you planning, Fox? We can't save every street urchin."
"We can save a few, Walter. Take the boy from Clay would you? I'd do it myself, but I'm not it the best shape for carrying little boys even his slight size." Mulder reasoned that Walter's heart would turn to mush once he held the little boy.
The little boy's eyes were huge as he gazed at Mulder. He had heard all the stories from his uncle's neighbors about the beautiful immortals. He had even chanced a beating when he asked his uncle if he could come with him today to see Prince Fox. The boy's fear started to ebb as he was held gently by the large bald man who spoke softly to him as they climbed the rest of the way up the steps and entered the courthouse.
"No one is going to hurt you, do you have a name?" Skinner asked, softening toward the boy. His temper rose as he noticed the bruises and cigarette burns on the boy's arm that was just visible under the cuff. He wanted to order a public whipping of the boy's uncle.
"River," the boy said timidly, looking past Skinner and over to Mulder again, he whispered, "is that really Prince Fox? He's so beautiful."
"Yes he is, River. Would you like me to introduce you?" Skinner chuckled, enjoying the awe in the little boy's voice.
Mulder was keeping an eye on them, but remained quiet, wanting Walter to warm up to the boy.
"Fox, may I introduce you to River. River, this is Prince Fox." Skinner's eyes gleamed as he looked at his lover.
Mulder held out his hand and shook the little boy's hand. The contact made him pause; he felt a connection to the boy. Was it possible? Maybe that was the reason he had been able to feel River's plight. "It is a pleasure to meet you, River."
The little boy looked at him timidly. "You're so pretty...is there really a baby in your tummy?"
Mulder's mouth curled up. "Yes, there really is!"
"Wow. Does it hurt? How does the baby breathe? How does it come out?"
"So many questions. I'll answer them later, River." Mulder lightly touched the bruise on the side of the little boy's face and it slowly disappeared, he couldn't afford to dispense any more energy to heal the other visible bruises and burns on the rest of the boy's body. When they got River home he'd have Alex heal him. Mulder could tell that under all that dirt and grime there was a beautiful child. "River, would you like to come and live with me, King Walter, and Prince Alex?"
River's eyes grew fearful as he looked at the bald man holding him. "Are...are y-y-you King Walter?"
"Yes, River, but there's no reason for you to be afraid," Skinner said as the bailiffs opened the courtroom doors for them.
The boy was close to tears and his bottom lip quivered. "Uncle Seth said that you'd have me beheaded if I looked at you. P-p-please, don't behead me."
Skinner hugged the little boy reassuringly as they took a seat in the front of the courtroom behind the prosecutor's table. "Ssh, I'm not going to behead you. I've never beheaded anyone in my life." He kissed the top of the boy's tangled mop of hair. "Now, Prince Fox asked you a question, River, would you like to come and live with us?"
The boy wiped at his eyes as he sat on the large man's lap, he asked nervously, "What about Uncle Seth?" He knew his uncle would beat him for talking to the King.
Skinner pulled out a handkerchief and held it over the boy's runny nose. "Blow," he ordered and waited until River did, before answering his question. "If you come to live with us you won't be seeing your uncle again unless you want to."
Skinner was startled when the little boy leapt up on his lap and threw his arms around his neck and hugged him. "Yes, yes, yes! I want to live with you and Prince Fox."
Mulder smiled at Walter and River. "Don't I get a hug, too?"
The boy's face broke out in a huge smile and he threw himself into Mulder's arms, being careful of Mulder's belly, not wanting to hurt the baby. "Thank you, thank you, thank you..."
Mulder hugged the boy back.
"Well, isn't that sweet?" The snarling voice brought Mulder's attention to the front of the courtroom where Beiran Havock was being led in, in handcuffs and shackles.
"Shut up," the guard ordered, shoving Havock with his baton.
Havock continued to leer at Mulder, but kept his mouth shut as he took his seat at the table with his lawyer.
The bailiff stood by the chamber door as the judge stepped out. "All rise for the honorable Judge Ernest P. Strickland, presiding."
"Please be seated," the judge said as he took his seat.
The twelve-member jury was led into the room after the judge was seated.
Mulder's eyes shifted off Havock and the proceedings to River who was standing on the bench, leaning up against his side. River's fingers were clutching the sleeve on Mulder's suit coat. Mulder ignored the drone of the judge's voice as he began the trial; instead, he focused on reassuring the boy that he was safe now. "River, you'll like living at the Crystal Palace," he whispered, wrapping his arm around the small child and holding him close.
"Will I have a bed?" River whispered back. His uncle slept in a bed, while he slept on the floor next to the heater. He had never slept in a bed before.
"Yes. A big bed and your own bedroom," Mulder said. "Would you like that?"
"Yes, a lot." River couldn't imagine what it would be like. He wondered if he'd get to eat more than once a day. "Could I have pancakes for breakfast?" He'd had them once, when his uncle was feeling generous and took him to an actual restaurant for his birthday. His uncle ordered something called a grand slam for himself.
"You can have anything to eat that you want." Mulder shifted uncomfortably. Damn, not again. "Excuse me, River." Mulder leaned over and tapped Walter on the thigh, pulling his attention away from the trial.
"What?"
"I need to take a leak," Mulder said. The weight of the babies pressing down on his bladder had him needing to urinate frequently.
Skinner stood and ushered Mulder and River out of the courtroom. He had learned never to say *not again* to Mulder, after the first time the words had slipped through his lips. His ears were still ringing from the tongue-lashing his lover had inflicted on him. He held River's hand as they walked down the hallway and into the restroom. Mulder made a beeline for the urinals. "Do you have to go, River?" Skinner asked.
"No. Do those men always follow you?" River asked, referring to the thirty men patrolling the corridor.
"Yes. They are part of the royal guard, and every one of them is a highly trained sorcerer," Skinner replied.
"I'm going to be a sorcerer when I'm older."
"Have you been tested?" Skinner asked curiously. Somehow, he doubted it. It was required under law to have the boys tested before they were ten, but he had a hard time believing that River's uncle would have taken the time to have the boy tested.
"Tested? What's that?"
"It's a test they do to see if you have any mutant genes from the virus. The genes are what determines if you are going to turn into a sorcerer, clairvoyant, n'thral, a ghoul, or remain human."
"I don't wanna be a ghoul!" River cried, frightened. He knew that boys who turned into ghouls all died instantly.
Mulder finished washing his hands and came over. "Don't worry, River, you are not going to be a ghoul or any of the other mutants that King Walter mentioned." Not if what he sensed was correct.
"Fox," Skinner cautioned, he didn't approve of lying. "I'm sure River won't be a ghoul, but we still need to get him tested."
"Of course, he needs to be tested." Mulder looked critically at the little five-year-old boy. "We are going to have to get you into a tub of soapy water and scrub all that dirt away." He smoothed his hand over the boy's tangled hair; it was going to be a job getting all the knots out. Mulder took the boy's hand and headed for the door. Skinner caught him before he could open it.
*Fox, you're acting as if you know something, what is it?* Skinner asked telepathically.
*Walter, I have a feeling about River.*
*You don't think he's going to be a...*
*An immortal,* Mulder finished his thought for him.
River looked back and forth at the two silent men. He wondered why they were just standing there looking at each other and not saying anything.
*How, Fox?*
*I don't know...I can just sense it. Walter, we'll have Pendrell do a genetic test on him so we'll know for sure.*
*Okay, Fox.* He opened the door and followed them out of the restroom.
When they entered the courtroom, the prosecution was just calling Mulder to the witness stand. Mulder walked to the front of the courtroom and climbed the step to the witness box. He placed his hand on the bible the bailiff held out to him.
"Agent Mulder, do you promise to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" the judge asked.
"Yes."
"Please be seated."
The prosecutor leaned against the rail. "Agent Mulder, when was the last time you saw the defendant?"
"At his murder trial on August 29, 1988."
"You were working for the FBI at the time, were you not?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell the court what your duties were for the FBI in 1988, Agent Mulder?"
"I worked for the Behavior Sciences Unit as a criminal profiler."
"You were considered the top profiler for that unit, were you not?"
"Objection, Your Honor!"
"What grounds, Counselor?"
"It is irrelevant to the case, Your Honor."
Attorney Haze interrupted, "I beg to differ. Agent Mulder's skills as a profiler was what led to Beiran Havock's arrest."
The judge considered their arguments for a few moments. "Overruled. You may answer the question, Agent Mulder."
Mulder looked over at the jury as he answered. "I was considered the top profiler working for the BSU at the time. My solve rate was ninety-four percent."
Attorney Haze had a smug look on his face. "Which was the *highest* ever obtained by any individual agent working for the FBI. Isn't that correct, Agent Mulder?"
"Yes."
"You did the profile that led to the capture of Mr. Havock, did you not?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Havock is claiming that there was no such trial in 1988, that he was never convicted of killing five college students. Can you inform the court of the details of the trial, Agent Mulder?"
"Objection, your honor!" Attorney Jarvis shouted.
"On what grounds, Counselor?"
"On the grounds that my client's freedom all hinges on the twelve year old memories of a single FBI agent. There is no evidence, no records, no witnesses, other than what is inside Agent Mulder's head."
"Your Honor, Agent Mulder has an eidetic memory and can account precisely for what happened twelve years ago, more assuredly than you could tell us what you had for lunch three days ago," Attorney Haze countered.
The judge looked with displeasure at the two attorneys. "I want to see both counselors in my chambers. Bailiff, show the jury to the jury room, and Agent Mulder you may resume your seat in the courtroom," he said, rising from his chair he was followed out of the courtroom by the two attorneys.
Havock stared at and was surprised at the lust he felt for the man who had been responsible for his many years of suffering and humiliation at the hands of the U.S. prison system. He had wanted to kill and torture Mulder over and over again, now all that he could think about was fucking the delicious looking young man. He smiled at Mulder as the agent stepped down from the witness stand, he reached down and squeezed the growing bulge in his pants, smoothing the fabric taut so Mulder could get an idea of his impressive size. Havock chuckled as Mulder adverted his eyes in disgust and hurried to sit next to Walter again.
Mulder's eyes kept wandering up to the clock. If they didn't hurry up he'd have to use the restroom again. Ten minutes later the judge and the attorneys re-entered the courtroom.
"You may show the jury back into the courtroom," the Judge said.
The judge took a deep breath as he sat behind his bench, he waited until the jury was seated before he began. "As much as it aggrieves me to do so, we cannot put a man away without some solid evidence other than one man's memories, no matter how perfect they may be. If you could have presented some evidence that Mr. Havock spent anytime in any U.S. prison on the charges of murder...any witnesses, a prisoner or a prison guard, then I would have been more than willing to accept Agent Mulder's testimony."
Mulder stumbled to his feet and walked up to the front of the courtroom. "Your Honor, with all do respect...that man violently tortured five men to death. There is no telling how many men he has killed since his escape...not to mention that he attacked the United States and..."
"Agent Mulder, the United States no longer exists and everything else is conjecture. Case dismissed!" the judge said, slamming his gavel down. The Judge dismissed the jury and rose to leave the courtroom.
The guard stepped forward and unlocked Havock's handcuffs and shackles; then he removed the anti-power cuff.
Havock smiled broadly at Mulder as the young man turned and started back to Walter and River. "Foxy, it is so good to see you again. Even with the bun in the oven, you're hot, so sweetly fuckable."
Skinner was livid, and in Havock's face instantly. "You are not to talk to or look at Agent Mulder, Scum! Regardless of what the judge said, you will pay for what you did to my brother!"
Havock vanished suddenly. He reappeared several blocks from the courthouse looking around, he vanished again and skipped around until he was sure he had eluded any pursuit.
Skinner was about to go after Havock when Mulder grabbed his arm. "Don't. Walter, you wanted to maintain the old U.S. legal system. You can't overrule the judge's ruling, if you still want that."
"Forget it, Fox. I won't let him get away with what he's done!" Skinner growled.
"I don't want him to get away with his crimes, or what he's done to Alex, either, but this isn't the way..."
"DAMN IT, FOX! BUT NOTHING!" Skinner yelled and vanished, leaving Mulder alone in the courtroom.
Mulder met the eyes of the bailiff who was visibly sweating, he gave a weak smile and walked back to the bench where River was sitting hugging his legs with his forehead resting on his knees. He sat next to the boy and rubbed his back. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"
"Why did he yell at you?" River asked fearfully.
"He wasn't yelling at me. Walter was only upset that a bad man was being set free. He doesn't like to see injustice being done."
"Is he going to behead that man?" River leaned up against Mulder's side looking up at his face.
Mulder smiled down at him. He needed to assure the little boy that he didn't need to be afraid of Walter. "No. Walter would never kill anyone, even someone as bad as Havock. Unless it was in self-defense." He knew that was a lie, but it seemed to relax River who rested his head against Mulder's arm while his arms looped around Mulder's upper arm.
"Am I still coming to live with you?"
"Yes."
Mulder looked back up as Skinner reappeared. Skinner had a frustrated look on his face that he directed at Mulder. "Thanks, Fox. If you hadn't hindered me, I would have caught the bastard. You can tell Alex!"
Mulder glared at him. "I'm sorry, Walter. Next time you want to go off in a blind rage, I won't get in your way," he replied bitterly. He stood and helped River off the bench. "C'mon, River, it's time to go home."
"Fox, I'm not through talking to you."
"Is that a command, Your Majesty?"
"Stop being such a prick."
"Then stop being such a jerk."
"Fox..."
"Walter, I'd prefer that we discuss this at home," he said, then telepathically added, *you're scaring River.*
Skinner looked down at the little boy who was fearfully clinging to Mulder's leg while sucking on his thumb. Skinner felt his anger drain away. "Okay, Fox." He bent down and scooped the little boy up in his arms. "I'm sorry, River, I didn't mean to yell."
"Are you going to spank, Prince Fox?" River asked, removing his thumb from his mouth.
"No. I'd never hit, Fox, I love him too much," Skinner assured.
"Good." River's stomach growled.
"Are you hungry?" Skinner asked, as he carried the boy down the courthouse steps to the waiting limousine.
River didn't want to admit to being hungry; his uncle always punished him if he complained, and he wasn't sure what King Walter would do. "No, I had an apple and peanut butter sandwich today," the boy replied, looking around the limousine in awe.
Again, Skinner felt his temper rise toward the boy's uncle. It was dinnertime. "Do you mean to tell me that is all you've eaten all day?"
"Yes, sir. I'm not really hungry. Yesterday, I had breakfast and lunch. Mr. Thomas gave me beans and franks for sweeping the hallways."
Skinner was appalled that a grown man would make a small child work for food. He made a note that he was going to have a word with this Mr. Thomas. "Clay, I would like to stop for pizza before we go to the airport. You do like pizza, don't you, River?"
"I don't know, I never had it?"
Mulder looked at the little boy. "You've never had pizza? How old are you, River?"
River perked up; although he had no idea how pizza tasted he did know his age. "I'm four. I'm going to be five October 15."
"That's less than a month from now, and only two days after my birthday." Mulder smiled.
Skinner was perplexed as he watched the little boy who was sitting pressed close to Mulder's side with his hand clutching Mulder's sleeve. It worried him that children were living in poverty without proper care. He would appoint a commission to look into the problem once he got back. Then he focused back on River. In the bright sunlight River's eyes had appeared a bright blue, but in the car, Skinner realized they were more of a teal color. It was hard to tell what River looked like under all that grime and the layers of baggy clothing, but what little he could see showed a very cute little boy. If Fox was right and River had the immortal gene, they would have to closely guard the boy. Skinner pulled himself out of his musings as he met Mulder's distant eyes. He forced a smile when he looked at the boy. "You'll like pizza, River. We'll even let you decide what you want on it."
River's eyes widened with worry. "Okay," he said tentatively, then turned to Mulder and whispered, "will you help me choose, please?" He had no idea what one would put on a pizza, and he was afraid of making a mistake. River was worried that if he made the wrong choice then the King wouldn't allow him to live with them.
"Don't worry, River. We'll order several pizzas then you can choose which you like best." Mulder smiled down at him then squirmed uncomfortably, resting his hand on his belly, he sighed, "Damn, I need to use the restroom, again."
Skinner felt suddenly guilty. Looking at his lover's weary face it was clear Fox was feeling miserable. He leaned across the aisle and rested his hands on Mulder's knees then tilted his head as he leaned the rest of the way and kissed Mulder chastely. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was out of line. It wasn't your fault that Havock got away. I shouldn't have agreed to a trial. I had the authority to sentence him, regardless of my wanting to keep our former legal system intact, I could have made an exception."
"Do you still want me to be the one to break the news to Alex?"
"We'll both tell him. I'm going to order a search and a reward for Havock's capture."
"We're here, Your Majesty," General Kline said from the front seat as the limousine pulled into the pizzeria.
When they climbed out of the limousine Mulder rushed straight for the restroom, leaving River in Skinner's care. Several of the palace's guards beat Mulder there, making sure the restroom was clear of men.
Skinner held River's hand as they walked into the restaurant, where the excited owner showed them to a large round table. The General sat at the table with them as did three of the royal guard. The rest took seats at the other tables. Only four didn't sit to eat, they went out front to stand guard. "Let's get your hands washed first, River," Skinner said, leading the young boy into the restroom.
Mulder was at one of the sinks washing his hands. He smiled as Skinner lifted River up so he could wash his hands under the faucet. "Let me help," Mulder said, squirting some liquid soap into his hands, he then rubbed his large hands over River's getting all of the dirt off them. "Definitely the first thing we're going to do when we get you home is give you a bath. River, when was the last time you had a bath?"
"September 1st. We always take a bath on the first day of the month."
"Twenty-one days! Well, you will bathe and wash your hair daily when you live with us, young man," Skinner said.
"Okay," River said quietly. He wasn't sure about the daily thing, maybe once a week.
When they got back to their table, Skinner lifted River into the booster seat. Mulder sat on the other side of the boy and opened the menu. "What do you say, River, if we get one large pizza with only cheese, then one with pepperoni and pineapple, then one sausage and mushroom, then one with the works?"
"That sounds good!" River agreed, smiling at Mulder and looking at the other five men at their table. "What are they going to have?"
That got a chuckle out of the men and Mulder said, "Well, I think we'll share our pizzas with them, if that is all right with you, River?"
"Okay, if you think we'll have enough...if we don't, they can have mine. I don't mind," River replied earnestly.
"Don't worry, River, I think we'll have plenty, if we don't, we'll just order some more," Skinner said.
The General was touched that the little boy was willing to go without so that someone else got to eat. "You don't want to fill up on the pizza, River, you'll need to save room for dessert. They have hot apple pie with ice cream and caramel sauce on the menu."
"Oh, I like apple pie and ice cream!" River's eyes lit up with excitement.
Mulder put in their order and got up to feed some quarters into the jukebox. By the time he got back to the table, three large pitchers of Pepsi had been delivered. River's feet were bouncing off the legs of his chair excitedly as he sipped his pop through the straw eyeing the remaining pitchers of pop. River had gone through two glasses of Pepsi by the time the pizzas arrived. His eyes bugged out when he saw how big each one was.
"Now, it is very hot, so you'll have to be careful when you eat it, River. Here start with a slice of the cheese pizza," Mulder said, placing a slice on his plate, he knew that most little kids preferred cheese pizza. "You can have your choice of any of the remaining pizzas when you finish."
Skinner was tempted to cut up the pizza for River as the little boy struggled to hold the slice, but he seemed to manage without burning himself.
A look of delight passed over River's features as he took his first bite. "Mm, good."
They ate quietly for a while. River took a slice of the sausage, mushroom pizza next. Mulder watched him protectively, leaning over to wipe the oil and sauce off his chin. "Is there anything at your Uncle's place that you want us to retrieve for you, River?"
"What's retrieve?"
"To bring back."
"No. I have everything I need on me." He wiped his greasy hands on his clothes then reached into his pocket and pulled out an old envelope and handed it to Mulder. Inside Mulder found a photograph of a man and a woman. "Those were my parents. My Mommy died of the virus when I was really little, and a ghoul killed my Daddy nine months later. I've been living with Uncle Seth ever since."
Mulder was careful of the photograph, he held it up so Walter could see. Skinner looked down at the boy who had gone back to eating his pizza. "Your mother was very pretty, River."
The boy smiled up at him. "She was pretty, but not as pretty as Prince Fox."
Mulder shook his head sadly, this would be the first generation, which wouldn't remember the significant role women had played in their society. Mulder touched his belly, it would be many centuries before women would play a significant role again. Looking at River, he briefly wondered what Alex would think of their new charge.
When they finished eating, Mulder excused himself to use the restroom again. Then they headed for the airport and home.
***
End of chapter 2 - Pregnancy Blues
chapter 3 - Birth