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, 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 9
For Love of Alex
White Mountain
Sunday, February 7th 2001
1:20 p.m.*Alex, are you okay?* Skinner asked telepathically.
*N-no. Walter...I'm scared. Please, help me...* Hot tears flowed freely down Alex's cheeks as he leaned up against the shower wall for support. The first time he'd heard Walter's voice inside his head a week ago, he had been comforted by his presence. The only time they could secretly communicate was when CGB Spender was soundly asleep.
Skinner had never heard such total despair and fear coming from Alex. *Alex, I'm doing everything that I can to rescue you, but that cancer-ridden SOB is just too powerful.*
*W-Walter...I don't want to have his ba-babies...please do something. Can't you kill me from there? Make my heart stop beating...p-please. I-I-I...* Alex choked down tears and sank to the floor of the shower stall. He couldn't stop shaking and wrapped his arms around his knees as he huddled in the corner. *I've changed. I'm a hermaphrodite now. Please, Walter, help me...kill me...*
Skinner's stomach lurched with panic, their time had run out. He couldn't bear the prospect that the Batman might impregnate Alex! It was just too dreadful for him to imagine. *Alex, are you having your cycle?* he asked anxiously.
*How the hell should I know! I've never been a fucking hermaphrodite before!*
"Do you have an uncontrollable desire to become pregnant?*
*HELL NO!*
*Good, that means that you're not going through a cycle yet. I think when you do you'll know it.* Skinner paced, back and forth in the command tent.
*Okay,* Alex murmured weakly.
*Alexei?*
*Nikolai?* Alex gasped.
*I'm here for you, Beloved.*
*Get me out of here, Nikolai!*
*Slava, stay out of my conversation with Alex!* Skinner growled.
*No. I've tried for weeks to make contact with Alexei and the only way I seem to be able to get through to him is over your telepathic link! I do not intend to stay out of this conversation! He's my lover!* Slava snapped back.
*Walter, please let him talk to me,* Alex begged.
Skinner sighed. He hated Slava and saw only bad things happening with the Russian's presence in the area. Lord Oda had the good sense to leave as soon as Shinji's son was rescued. *Okay, Alex, if he makes you feel better.*
The smoker's sudden angry voice stopped them all cold. *Neither of you is allowed to talk to my LOVER!* he barked. *So this is what you get up to while I'm asleep, Alex! You shall be punished severely for talking to them!*
Skinner was about to respond when their communication link was cut off abruptly. *Slava! This is your fault! He'd never would have detected our conversation if you hadn't intruded!* Skinner growled!
*Go fuck yourself, Skinner!* Slava snarled and broke off communication with the large American, knowing that Skinner was right. His interference might have caused Alex further suffering.
Skinner clenched his teeth angrily. He picked up the radio. He needed to talk to Fox. His lover was the only one who could soothe his frayed nerves. "God, Alex, if he hurts you, I'll make him pay severely!" Skinner growled, waiting for Mulder to pick up.
"Mulder."
"Fox, it's me," Skinner said, calming slightly at the sound of his lover's husky voice.
"Walter, what's wrong?"
"It's Alex...he's gone through the final change."
Mulder collapsed into the chair next to the radio. He clutched his hands together to stop them from shaking. He was unable to speak -- time had run out for Alex and them.
"Fox?" Skinner could hear his lover panicked breathing. "Alex hasn't started his first cycle yet. Can you remember how long it was until your first cycle?"
Mulder tried to concentrate on Walter's question. "No. I-I thinks it might have been a week, but I'm not really sure since I was too freaked out at the time. But, Walter, afterward they've always occurred during a new moon." Mulder clearly remembered his second cycle; Walter and Alex had tried to rape him. They had lost all control.
"When is the next new moon?" Skinner asked.
"Does it matter? My first cycle might not have occurred during a new moon."
"You don't know that. Fox, you aren't even sure that the second cycle wasn't your first cycle." Skinner sighed, "Oh, shit this is too confusing."
"Walter, how's Alex holding up?" Mulder asked softly.
"He's fine, Fox. Don't worry...you know how tough Alex is." Skinner couldn't bring himself to tell his lover the truth, that Alex was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. What good would it do to worry Fox further? He had enough to worry about with their children and running the kingdom in his absence.
Mulder relaxed slightly. "Yeah, Alex is tougher than both of us combined. Walter, *we* need to get to him before that smoking bastard has the opportunity to impregnate him!"
"Don't worry, Fox, I will," Skinner said, without the slightest clue as to how he would be able to do it.
Mulder frowned. Hearing the *I* will instead of *we* will he knew he could never tell Walter his plans for rescuing Alex. He wished that Walter had confidence in him, but since becoming an immortal his lover had a hard time looking beyond his exterior to the man he once was. Mulder was on his own in rescuing Alex, such as he had been on his own for most of his life. "Walter, I love you...never forget that," he murmured.
"Fox, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Walter, I just wanted to make sure you knew that I loved you."
Skinner didn't like the nervous feeling he got from Fox's words. "Fox, what are you up to?"
"Walter, I'm not up to anything...just take care of yourself," Mulder said, disconnecting before his lover could probe him further for information. He rose and walked back into the room with his children.
"Mulder, what's wrong?" Jeff asked.
"Alex has completed his change," Mulder said quietly, picking up Sasha and cuddling the infant to his chest.
"Oh God, Mulder, I'm sorry."
"Me, too."
***
Krycek woke in a haze of pain and pleasure. Pleasure coming from his belly and pain coming from his back, butt and thighs. When he opened his eyes he was staring up at the pockmarked ceiling then he fearfully looked down his body to where the smoker sat with a finger fully inserted inside his navel. Krycek tried to pull away but found he couldn't move more than a few inches, he was chained to the bed.
CGB Spender leered down at him. "It's remarkable how your new orifice is milking my finger. I can only imagine how wonderful that sensation will be on my dick. Shall we commence with making babies, my dear?" he purred.
Krycek turned his face away from that hideous leering mask. It didn't matter; he wasn't going through his cycle yet...that meant he couldn't get pregnant, at least he hoped that he couldn't. He swallowed hard as the bed creaked and the smoker straddled his hips. He closed his eyes tightly as he felt the wide cockhead press against his bellybutton. When the smoker slammed into him, Krycek's body arched off the bed as far as the chains would allow. At first he couldn't see past the blinding pleasure he was feeling. Then he found himself floating up through the heavens and finally coming to rest on the cool, moist grass along the bank of a sparkling pond. He sat up and watched a rainbow form across water cascading down the rocks from a forty-foot waterfall -- it was so beautiful.
Krycek took a deep breath. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the scent of the fresh green grass he was sitting upon. The grass felt soothing against his naked and abused bottom. The sound of splashing coming from the other side of the pond drew his attention in that direction. His eyes fell upon another immortal who smiled and waved at him then started swimming across the shallow pond, coming out in front of Krycek. Krycek gaped at the slight swell of the immortal's pregnant belly.
"Hello, I am Khalid. Who are you?" the immortal asked, lowering himself with a little difficulty to the ground next to Krycek. Khalid didn't appear disturbed by the presence of a naked immortal sitting in his private gardens.
"Alex. Where am I?"
"You're on Empyrean. How did you get here?"
"I don't know. You're pregnant," Alex stated the obvious.
"Yeah. It's hard to miss isn't it, and I'm only four months along? I have three Seraph mates and I'm carrying each of their babies. One of my immortal brothers is also pregnant, but you could hardly tell since he only has one Seraph mate," Khalid said.
Krycek became curious. "Couldn't this single Seraph have been impregnated your immortal brother with several babies if he wanted to?"
"No." Khalid chuckled at the strange question. "Only one. Unless he is pregnant with twins."
"So, it isn't possible to become pregnant with multiple babies by one partner at one time?"
Khalid laughed, "No, you'd need several partners to get into the state I'm in! Why? Did you and your lover want to have multiple babies at once?" The Egyptian immortal saw the mixture of relief and anxiety flash in Alex's eyes. The green-eyed immortal's strange questions told Khalid that Alex had not yet become pregnant.
"The creature that I'm with is not my lover! He's my abuser, kidnapper, rapist, take your pick. CGB Spender said that he would get me pregnant with six of his brats during my first cycle," Krycek's voice trembled, tears of anguish and rage formed in his eyes.
Khalid gasped when he recognized Spender's name. He reached out and touched Alex's arm reassuringly. "You're being held by the Batman? Well, Alex, if it is any comfort, it is not possible for him to get you pregnant with more than one baby," he said, shuddering. Thinking one would be too many but not voicing his thoughts.
Krycek's eyes widened as it finally sunk in just whom he was talking to. "You're Khalid Kirah. Ian told us about his and your imprisonment by Spender."
"How is Ian doing?" Khalid asked eagerly.
"He's fine. He is getting married to Jeffrey Spender in May."
"Ah, that is good, Jeff is a nice man. I am happy for Ian..." Khalid's eyes widened as Alex's body began to fade away. He didn't know how he knew it, but he knew that Alex was being drawn back to his real body on Earth. Earth. Khalid hadn't thought about Earth in months, he could barely recall what his home world looked like.
When Alex came back to himself, CGB Spender was covering him up with a blanket.
"That was absolutely the most incredible fuck I've ever had!" Spender said as he stretched and stroked his cock that was covered in a thick pinkish fluid. He brought his hand to his mouth and licked the sticky fluid off. "Mm, I didn't even need any lube. You rest up, darling. I'm going to have our chef prepare you something nutritious. We want our baby to have only the best, don't we?" the smoker said, leaving the bedroom.
After Spender left, Krycek tried to get out of bed and found that his ankle was chained to the bedpost. He laid back down, staring up at the ceiling as he went over what had just happened to him. He took some satisfaction in knowing that he wasn't pregnant. No matter what Spender thought.
***
Crystal City
Saturday, February 13th 2001
8:00 a.m.Mulder allowed his robe to fall back into place as MacIver tucked himself back into his pants. "Thanks, Rory," he said, walking over to the bedroom door and unlocking it.
"My pleasure, Mulder," MacIver said. "Shin wanted me to invite you and your children downstairs for lunch today."
Mulder smiled sadly. "Tell Shin thanks but I've already made plans for today. I'll call him later this morning." His plans were to be flown to White Mountain, Alaska.
"Okay, Mulder. But if you should change your mind I'm grilling steaks and hamburgers on the veranda," MacIver said, standing in the bedroom doorway then turning to leave.
"Wait a second, Rory," Mulder said, stepping out into the hallway. "River loves your barbecued hamburgers. Would you mind taking care of him for me? Maybe he could spend the night? I could really use the relief." Mulder thought this might be the ideal solution. If River was with Shinji, Rory, and Kazuo, he wouldn't know that Mulder had left him, and Mulder would be back with Alex and Walter before he found out.
"Hey, no problem, we 'd love to have the lad! And if it helps you out, Mulder, we both benefit," MacIver drawled.
"Thanks, Rory. Just go easy on teaching him how to cheat at poker," Mulder smiled, he knew that River loved Rory. The Scotsman definitely had a way with kids. Mulder hoped that Rory would be able to keep River occupied during his absence.
"Mulder, I only try to depart skills that I think our children will need later in life."
Mulder chuckled, "Yeah, like never hit when the dealer is holding a sixteen."
"Exactly!"
"I'll have River to your apartment by noon," Mulder said, standing in the hallway.
"See you then," Rory said, ambling down the hallway.
Mulder would confide in Shinji later, he knew his friend would take good care of River for him. Suddenly Rex darted down the hallway past him on his tail were his daughters' two kittens. They had grown quite a bit in the seven weeks since Christmas. He bent and stopped Hope and Faith as they tried to run by him chasing the kittens. Vicky was right behind them.
"Thank you, Prince Fox. They really are quick," Vicky said breathlessly.
Mulder hugged his two daughters as he lifted them off their feet and supported one on each hip. "No problem, Vicky. So are my beautiful little girls hungry? Would you like Daddy to make you a special breakfast?"
"Yes, Daddy!" Hope said, looking at him bashfully.
"Yes, Daddy!" Faith parroted giggling.
"What would you like?"
"Waffles and berries!" Hope shouted.
"Boo Berry!" Faith shouted.
"Count Chocula!" River said, running down the hallway carrying the two kittens.
"Okay, Waffles for Hope and me, and cold cereal for you two," Mulder said, setting his daughters on the floor. "I'm going to take a shower and get dressed first."
"Me shower too, Daddy," Hope said.
"Me too!" Faith mimicked.
Me three!" River shouted.
Mulder grinned down at his kids. "Okay, everyone can take a shower with me." He looked at Vicky who was watching them with amusement. "Vicky, can you help Sean and Maggie with the four little terrors?" he joked.
"Sure, Prince Fox," she giggled, following them into Mulder's bedroom. She crossed over to the nursery where the other two nannies were feeding babies. Vicky opened the door and stepped into the room, closing the door behind her to give the family some privacy.
River set the kittens down and shut door after Rex entered. He stripped and ran naked up the steps to the bathroom. Mulder chuckled watching him and knelt to remove his daughters' pajamas and training pants. Hope and Faith then ran up the steps after River. Mulder followed and took off his robe in the bathroom and turned on the shower.
He stepped into the shower with his kids and took his time shampooing their hair and washing them before taking care of himself. They enjoyed splashing around in the water and just being with their Daddy. Mulder hated himself for having to leave them today. It wasn't right, but he had no other way to bring Alex home.
"Daddy, do you want to help me make Valentines today?" River asked as they stepped out of the shower and Mulder dried them each with a large, white, cotton towel.
Mulder closed his eyes. He had forgotten that tomorrow was Valentine's Day. "I'm sorry, River. I can't today. Uncle Rory is going to be taking care of you today and tomorrow. I'm sure Uncle Rory and Shinji will help you."
"Where are you going?" River pouted with a look of anxiety in his big, sapphire eyes.
Mulder found he couldn't lie to him. "Let's get dressed and I'll tell you and your sisters over breakfast."
Mulder dressed, then carried his daughters to their room and dressed them. River came in dressed for the day and carrying his rag doll rabbit Peter. Mulder sighed. River only needed the doll at night. He hated to see River dependent on it during the day. "River, you really don't have anything to be afraid of. I'll always be here for you, and your Daddy Walter and Alex will be back soon."
"You're leaving me, too. That's why you're sending me to Uncle Rory's!"
"Champ, it will only for three days at the most. I'll come right back to you even if I'm not able to rescue your Daddy Alex. But I have to try to save him."
"I don't want you to leave me. I love you, Daddy, please stay."
Mulder knelt and pulled the little boy into his arms. "River, I love you and your sisters and brothers, but I love Daddy Alex, too. He needs me more than you do right now. You'd like to see him back home with us wouldn't you?"
"I don't want to lose you. Please, don't go," River cried, tears streaming from his eyes.
Hope and Faith started crying, too. "Please, don't go bye bye, Daddy!"
Mulder eyes misted over. He hated causing of his children to cry. No one had ever needed or wanted him as much as his children and lovers. "Let's go eat breakfast then I want to show the three of you something. If you want me to stay afterwards then I will."
"Promise?" River sniffed.
"Promise," Mulder said, taking their hands and walking them to the kitchen. He realized that Hope and Faith had started to forget Alex. Over the last three days they hadn't asked about him at all. River was still broken-hearted and missing Alex, and he hoped to use his son's love to get River to understand why he had to go.
Mulder smiled at their personal chef who was already in the process of making the waffles. Vicky must have told him what they wanted. "Hi, Jacques."
"Good morning, Your Highness. So are my little River and Faith going to break Jacques' heart by choosing cold cereal over my delicious waffles?" the chef said, feigning sadness and setting the boxes of sweet cereal on the table.
"Don't be sad, Jacques, I'll eat both Count Chocula and -- Boo Berry," River giggled, thinking that was a good joke.
The chef grunted shaking his head.
Mulder set his daughters in their booster seats at the table and sat in the chair between them. "Hope and I get to have real blueberries on our waffles," he said as he filled Faith's cereal bowl with the purplish-blue colored cereal.
"Put real booberries in my cereal, Daddy," Faith ordered.
"Say the magic word, Cutie."
"Please," she grinned sweetly.
Mulder ruffled her hair then spooned some blueberries on her cereal and added milk. Jacques in the meantime set a plate with a large waffle top with blueberries and whip cream in front of Hope. He had cut it into bite-sized pieces. Mulder realized that the kids will be on a sugar high for the rest of the morning.
After they had finished breakfast he brought them into the family room and sat them down in front of the television. He selected a tape and popped it in. It was of Christmas morning. Alex had set up a video camera on tripod and had it recording them throughout the morning.
Faith got up and ran to the television her tiny hands slapping at Alex's image. "Daddy!" she cried.
River started crying, burying his face into Mulder's shirt.
"Shh, River," Mulder said, pulling the little boy onto his lap and hugging him reassuringly. "River, I need your permission to go and bring your Daddy Alex home to us."
"I-I-I don't want to lose you, too!" River sobbed.
"You won't, champ. You know that Daddy Fox can make himself invisible. The Batman will never see me or your Daddy Alex when I rescue him."
"Really?" River lifted his face and looked at Mulder.
"Really."
"Are you more powerful than Daddy Walter?" River asked.
"Much more powerful at some things. Your Daddy Walter isn't able to become invisible or walk through solid objects like I am," Mulder said, feeling confident with his new abilities, although he didn't have offensive powers. His defensive powers were better than anything Walter or Alex was capable of. "I can walk into the Batman's castle and out with your Daddy Alex without him even knowing it."
River hugged him around the neck and gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek. "Okay, Daddy. Please bring Daddy Alex back to us. I miss him and Daddy Walter a lot."
Mulder hugged and kissed him back. "I will, son. We'll all be one big happy family again really soon. Now you have to promise me that you won't tell Uncle Rory where I'm going. Uncle Shinji knows, but your Uncle Rory and Kazuo are sorcerers they tend to think they know what's best for non-sorcerers."
"Okay, I won't tell them," River said.
"Me, too," Hope said, climbing onto Mulder's lap. She wasn't sure what was going on but wanted to be part of it.
"Do you want to go spend the afternoon and night with your uncles downstairs?" Mulder asked.
"Uncle Shin?" Hope asked wistfully.
"Yes, mouse, your Uncle Shin."
"Me wuv Uncle Shin, Daddy," Hope said.
"I want Auntie Dana," Faith shouted.
"What? Doesn't anyone want to stay with me!" Frohike bellowed as he walked into the room.
Hope giggled and snuggled closer to Mulder. "No stay wiff, Melvin!" she said, looking sheepishly up at Frohike from the protection of her daddy's arms.
"What! What! You don't love me!" Frohike cried, advancing on the sofa he started tickling Hope. She squealed with delight.
"Wuv you," Hope laughed.
"Frohike, if you make Hope wet her training pants. Then you're changing her," Mulder scolded.
"Spoilsport." Frohike stopped, tickling her. He sat on the sofa and pulled Hope onto his lap. "I wouldn't want to cause the mouse to wet herself. Don't worry about your kids, Mulder. Hans and I will help take care of them until you get back."
"You know then?" Mulder asked cautiously.
"Yes. I've known for quite a while. Don't worry I'm not going to try and stop you."
"You've had a vision, didn't you?"
"Yes. But, Mulder, it's not only Alex who needs you...it's Walter."
"What do you mean?"
Frohike looked at the children listening to their conversation. "Why don't we get the munchkins downstairs to Shinji, then I'll tell you as much as I can about my vision."
Mulder couldn't imagine why Walter would need him as much as Alex. Unless the smoker had tricked his lover into going on the other side of the barrier. Walter wasn't that stupid though, so it had to be something else.
***
White Mountain
Saturday, February 13th 2001
2:00 p.m.Krycek stared absently up at the ceiling not really seeing it. He had been chained to the bed for almost a week. The chain wasn't even long enough to reach the bathroom, so he was forced relieve himself in a bucket the smoker had left by the bed. He felt totally degraded and humiliated.
His only freedom had come when he was being raped through his navel and subsequently transported to another dimension within his mind. At least he assumed it was within his mind since his real body had remained behind. To make a worse situation even worse he was on the verge of his first cycle. Unlike Fox who had no idea what to expect, Krycek had been waiting for the symptoms. Walter had mentioned that he'd know when his cycle began, and it turned out that Walter was right. He was physically having symptoms, he knew that it would be only a day or two before his first cycle began. He had so hoped that Walter would have been able to rescue him before then.
Sitting up against the headboard Krycek spread a hand over his navel. The compulsion to have a baby filling his belly was there but still faint. He could easily fight such a compulsion as he had fought and overcame his addition to heroin in his teens. Fox had fought the compulsion for many months before giving in, and Krycek was sure that he was stronger than Fox, but he'd never get the chance to find out. He sank back down on the bed and tried to lose himself to sleep.
***
White Mountain
Saturday, February 13th 2001
5:00 p.m."Mulder, good luck," Agent Jack Sullivan said, extending his hand for Mulder to shake.
"Thanks, Jack. Noah, I really appreciate you guys flying me here," Mulder said.
Noah Logan was in the pilot's seat and he turned to watch Mulder as his friend pulled on his backpack and climbed out of the helicopter. Logan had landed the helicopter over thirty miles from the barrier so as not to alert Skinner or any of the other sorcerers in the area to their presence. Mulder had saved his life over a year ago when he had been thrown into a pit filled with decaying corpses at the Amaranthine compound outside of Utica New York. Logan owed his childhood friend a lot more than he could ever hope to repay.
"Be careful, Mulder," Logan said.
"Don't worry, Noah. I have no plans to allow myself to be captured, there's too much at stake." Mulder turned and headed out into the woods.
The two men watched him for several minutes until the dense forest swallowed him up.
"I hope you don't mind living in exile, Noah," Sullivan said. "Skinner is going to toss us both out of the country on our asses for bringing Mulder here."
"Yeah, but someone had to. The King is too blinded by love to see that Mulder is the best man for the job." Logan glanced at his watch. "Well, Mulder should be through the barrier in around fifteen hours. So, do you want to split or go find our King and throw ourselves on his mercy?" Logan asked.
"We'll need to wait until Mulder is on the other side of the barrier first. So let's give him fifteen hours then we can go find Skinner. Besides, Skinner needs to know so he can be there to help Mulder when he brings Krycek back out through the barrier."
"Okay, so what do you want to do in the meantime?"
"Ever make it in a helicopter," Sullivan asked, climbing into the back. His lover smiled at him and joined him.
***
Sunday, February 14th 2001
1:00 a.m.Mulder licked his lips nervously as he stood one hundred feet away from the barrier. It loomed darkly in front of him as far as his eyes could see. Fear tore at every fiber of his existence as he took an involuntary step backwards. He shook the fear off with images of Alex being raped by his hated nemesis. Concentrating on Alex needing him gave Mulder the courage to step forward. Tentacles arched out of the barrier toward him and passed through his ethereal body. He had become invisible twenty miles back. Mulder couldn't chance Walter discovering his presence in the area. His lover would have tried to stop him.
Closing his eyes, Mulder entered the twisting and withering mass of terror that made up the barrier. Loud shrieks and moans filled his ears and a foul stench of death wafted through and around his body. It took him nearly a half-hour before he finally exited the barrier on the other side. He heaved a sigh of relief. His whole frame was trembling with fear, he didn't think, he'd have the courage to pass through the barrier again.
The fortress towered in front of him. He started over the frozen terrain toward it. It was built into the side of the mountain. Mulder couldn't see how to get inside without arousing the smoker's notice. The only way up appeared to be an elevator. No other doors or windows were at the base of the fortress. According to Jeff and Ian there were rooms at the tower's base. Mulder took a deep breath, he hated walking through stone walls but he saw no other way to get inside. He stepped through the wall, experiencing a moment of claustrophobia before coming out inside a cell. He started as his gaze settled upon several bodies left there to rot and he hurried out of the cell through the iron bars then went in search of a way up to the living quarters.
***
The moment Krycek had dreaded since becoming an immortal was upon him. He was feeling incredibly horny and he had a strong desire to bear a child. It repulsed him to think that not only would he become pregnant, but it would be with the hideous Batman's baby. He tugged uselessly at the chains holding him bound to the bed frame.
"Well, my dear, you smell differently than you have ever smelled before. Do you think that might mean it's the start of your three-day cycle? How nice if our first child was conceived on Valentine's Day." The smoker purred as he hurriedly undressed and walked up to the bed. He removed the chains holding Krycek's ankles spread between the bedposts so he'd be able to comfortably straddle the young man hips. The smoker climbed onto the bed and straddled Krycek's body as he positioned his cockhead against the immortal's bellybutton and thrust in hard. Spender bellowed in pain as his penis suddenly finding no resistance slammed into the hard mattress. Krycek had disappeared.
Krycek stood dazed as he stared into Mulder's hazel eyes. One moment he was on the bed, and the next moment, he was being held in his beautiful lover's arms. Chains no longer bound his wrists. "F-Fox?" Krycek voice trembled and his eyes filled with tears.
"Shh," Mulder said, hugging him.
"FOX!" CGB Spender's head shot up and he looked around the empty bedroom. He had clearly heard Alex say Fox. "Show yourself, Son!" he growled. His body was still doubled over in pain.
Mulder rolled his eyes as he supported Alex who was having trouble standing, and helped him walk out of the bedroom and toward the staircase.
"Alex, we must be very quiet, he can hear us when we talk," he whispered. While being invisible silenced the sound of their hearts beating, and the sounds of their footsteps, it didn't silence the sound of their voices.
Krycek clung to Mulder for warmth and support as they descended the steep, stone staircase to the subterranean pond. Krycek couldn't believe Fox had come for him. He was half afraid that he might only be hallucinating his lover. Could he still be upstairs chained to the bed and being impregnated by that creature? It felt real, but then so had Khalid and Empyrean. He whimpered and clung on tighter, praying to any God who would listen for this to be real.
Keeping one hand on Alex at all times Mulder shrugged out of his winter parka and helped Alex into it. He clenched his teeth to keep an outraged scream from passing his lips as his eyes beheld the hand-shaped bruises that were on Alex thighs and hips. Alex had lost a lot of weight, too. Mulder could clearly see each of his ribs. He wished he knew how to kill the Batman! He opened the backpack and pulled out two pairs of thick wool socks and put both pairs on Alex's bare feet. Next he pulled out a pair of sweatpants and helped Alex into them. After he had the pants on Alex, Mulder removed his hiking boots and put them on his lover's feet. He hoped that it would be adequate to keep Alex warm. He hadn't counted on Alex being naked when he rescued him.
Mulder dressed only in a sweater, jeans and socks, had decided to try to get out through the caves that Havock had spoken of. He knew from experience that a sorcerer wouldn't be able to detect their presence through layers of rock and ore. Mulder was hoping that would hold true for the Batman. He was about to help Alex to his feet when the smoker suddenly came rushing into the cavern like a bat out of hell, sniffing and looking around frantically. Mulder pulled Alex closer and huddled unseen against the stone wall.
"FOX! SON! How dare you steal from me!" Spender spun around his eyes scanning the cavern they traveled briefly over Mulder and Krycek moving on. "I'd be willing to share him with you!" He growled continuing to look around the quiet cavern. Empty. He reasoned that Mulder must be making for the barrier with Krycek. He still had a chance to head them off if he increased the strength of the barrier. He turned and flew back up the staircase.
Alex was trembling violently in Mulder's arms. Mulder kissed his brow and held him until the trembling quieted. He wanted to whisper soothing words to his lover, but he didn't dare make a sound. He pulled Alex to his feet and held him as they made their way along the ledge to the caves on the other side of the pond.
***
Crystal Palace
Sunday, February 14th 2001
7:00 a.m.Shinji stood tiredly out on the veranda watching the sunrise. Last night had been hard. He had his first cycle since giving birth to Duncan and with it came the compulsion for another baby. He ended up leaving his lovers' bed and going in to sleep in the guestroom. Shinji didn't want another baby so soon after his last disastrous pregnancy. However, unlike Mulder he didn't think he could resist the urge for long.
"Shin, what's wrong?" Kazuo asked, stepping out on the veranda.
"I'm having my cycle."
"Already?"
"Yes. I think it's because I'm no longer lactating. My body assumes it is ready for another baby," he sighed.
"Oh, Shin, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make this easier for you?" Kazuo asked, hugging him from behind. He stood holding him as they watched the sun crest the horizon.
"Maybe we could try sedating me like Walter and Alex did with Mulder during his cycles."
"I'll go call Doctor Pendrell, Shin." Kazuo kissed the side of his throat and went back inside.
Shinji sighed and turned to follow, then he suddenly stopped and started laughing.
Kazuo rushed back to him. "Shin?" Concerned Kazuo led his lover over to the sofa and helped him to sit.
MacIver and River came into the room with the three little toddlers.
Ayako climbed onto the sofa next to her fathers. "Daddy, laugh?" she said, touching Shinji who had tears of laughter running down his cheeks.
"What's going on?" MacIver asked Kazuo who was holding Shinji as the young immortal laughter turned into hiccups.
"He's started his cycle again," the Japanese Major whispered.
"Yeah, I was sure by his scent that he did," MacIver said softly.
"Rory, you don't seem very surprised."
"No. We knew that he'd start his cycle again someday, and it has been eight months since he gave birth to Duncan."
"But, none of the other immortals have started their cycles again. Shin thinks it is because he is no longer lactating..." That started Shinji into another fit of giggles.
"Shin, what is so blasted funny?" MacIver asked.
Shinji wiped the tears from his eyes and got himself back under control. "It's not really funny, and I shouldn't be laughing. But you see, Mulder stopped nursing his babies so he could go and rescue Alex. If his milk dries up then he'll be in the same boat I'm in and he's only given birth two months ago."
"No shit! Poor Mulder that will be a real blow!" Then MacIver's eyes twinkled with mischief. He had been pissed when he found out that Mulder had left without telling him. "But it would serve Mulder right for not trusting us to help him. I would have gone with him to rescue, Alex, and the other immortals would have helped nurse his babies until he got back."
Shinji looked at MacIver suspiciously. "So what are you saying, Rory? That we shouldn't tell Mulder that I believe our cycles are tied to our bodies lactating?"
"No. We can tell him in a month or so."
"You're a cruel man, Rory." Shinji grinned. At least he wouldn't be going through another pregnancy alone.
River tugged at MacIver's pant leg to get his attention. "Uncle Rory, what's lactating and what are cycles?"
MacIver knelt next to River. "Lactating is when an immortal or a female produces milk to feed their baby. Cycles are when an immortal's body is ready to have another baby."
"So does that mean my Daddy Fox is going to have another baby?"
"Yes, but your Daddy Fox is a stubborn man, so it might be a while before he is pregnant again," MacIver said.
"Cool, I want another brother and sister."
"I'm sure your Daddies would all like another baby, too."
***
White Mountain
Sunday, February 14th 2001
8:00 a.m.Skinner gazed in stunned amazement at the barrier. For the past six hours it had grown in size and intensity. He and his men had to pull back forty additional miles to keep out of its range. Something was happening inside the barrier and he needed to find out what that was. Skinner's attention was diverted from watching the barrier by a palace helicopter landing on the main road just beyond their camp. His curiosity was piqued when Sullivan and Logan climbed out, looking nervously at him.
Dread clutched at Skinner's belly. "NO! Dammit! NO! Tell me he didn't! Tell me you didn't bring him here!" he bellowed. All heads turned to their leader and the two men approaching him.
"He did and we did," Sullivan said, finding the courage to face his former boss' angry scowl.
"Fuck! Have you loss all common sense! How could you be stupid enough to bring Fox here!"
"From the look of that," Sullivan said, nodding toward the barrier. "I'd say Mulder has been successful in getting Krycek away from the Batman."
"Do you have any idea how Fox is going to get Alex through that?" Skinner growled.
"I don't, but I'm sure Mulder will think of something."
"You better hope he does!" Skinner barked, getting in the other man's face.
Sullivan didn't back down, instead he got angry. "Sir, stop selling Mulder short! He's more than capable of rescuing Krycek, and making it out in one piece!"
Skinner was about to argue when his face suddenly lost all color. "Damn! Who's taking care of our children?" He rushed for his tent and got on the radio to the palace, muttering about how incompetent his lover was for leaving their babies in someone else's care.
"Spender," Jeff answered, holding Angélique cradled in the crook of his arm.
"Jeff, how are my children?" Skinner asked.
"They're fine, Walter. River, Hope and Faith are staying with Shinji, Rory and Kazuo. They are spoiling them rotten. Scully, Frohike, Hans, and I are helping the nannies with the babies..."
"Did Fox leave any milk for them?" Skinner interrupted.
"Uh, he uh, he weaned them off his milk and onto formula..."
"HE WHAT!" Skinner was fuming. He couldn't believe how selfish Fox could be! They had discussed the importance of using Fox's milk to feed the babies for the first six months. Fox hadn't been keen on the idea and wanted to start them right off on formula. However, after much discussion he had reluctantly agreed. All of the other immortals didn't have a problem with nursing their infants and it proved what a remarkable difference there was in their infants' development over infants on formula. Skinner wanted only the best for his children.
"Walter, Mulder only did what he thought was best. He thought he stood the best chance of rescuing Alex. Is he okay?" Jeff asked.
"I don't know. He's on the other side of the barrier." Skinner looked through the flap of the tent toward the twisting, angry black mass. If Fox had been captured, the smoker wouldn't have needed to increase its strength. He prayed that his lovers were okay and Fox was successful. Maybe, Sullivan was right. Maybe, he wasn't giving his lover enough credit. Fox deserved more faith than Skinner had been able to give him since his change. Fox had been a highly successful FBI agent. It was just at times Skinner couldn't see past his looks. It took a moment for Skinner to realize that Jeffrey had been calling his name.
"Walter? Walter?"
"Sorry, Jeff, my mind drifted," Skinner sighed. "Please take care of the children. I'll call you as soon as I hear anything from Fox or Alex."
"Okay."
***
They had been traveling through the tunnels for miles. Mulder hated to admit that he might be lost. His flashlight landed on the boulder. "Alex, I think we should rest."
"Shh, don't talk! He might find us!" Krycek hissed.
"No, Alex. We're too deep within the mountain for him to hear our voices." Mulder helped Krycek over to a boulder and eased him down on it. Alex's scent had been driving Mulder crazy with lust. It took all of his willpower to fight the urge to lower his lover onto the sandy ground and take him. "How are you holding up?" Mulder asked, pulling a bottle of water from the backpack and holding it up to his lover's lips.
Krycek drank greedily. Then he looked Mulder in the eye. "Fox, I want you to impregnate me."
"No, Alex. Not here! Not now! It's only your first cycle..."
"Yes, here. Fox, please!"
"Why?" Mulder asked, taking his lover's cold hands in his and blowing on them, trying to warm them.
"The smoker will if you don't. Fox, if we could stay out of his hands for two more days then he won't be able to impregnate me even if he captures us. At least not for seven months. Not while I'm pregnant with your baby. If he captures us and I'm not pregnant, then he'll be sure that I am at my next cycle in a month. Please do this for me...for us. If I must become pregnant, I want it to be with your baby."
"We'll get out of this. I didn't rescue you just to be recaptured by that bastard!"
Krycek started shaking again. He had to make Fox see how important this was to him. "Fox, please...please do it. If you love me, you'd do this for me. Please..." He collapsed into Mulder's arms and started crying as worry and anxiety frayed his nerves.
Mulder had never seen Alex this broken or emotional. "Shh, Alex. Okay, if it will help ease your mind then I'll do it. I just didn't want to take advantage of you when you're clearly hurting."
"I won't hold it against you, Fox. I-I am able to make decisions and I want this...please." Krycek leaned forward and captured Mulder's lips in a kiss.
Mulder kissed him back and licked the salty tears from his lover's lips as he deepened the kiss. His hands went inside the parka and caressed the smooth flesh of Alex's back, pulling him closer. They spent several minutes kissing and caressing before Mulder touched Alex's navel and played with the opening.
Alex moaned against his lips and his hands went for the zipper on Mulder's jeans. "Fuck me, Fox."
Mulder pulled Alex's hands away and lowered him down to the cold sandy ground. He had often wondered what it would feel like to fuck a fellow immortal through their navel. The pleasure he had being fucked there was beyond anything he had ever experienced before. He hoped that he was doing the right thing. Mulder didn't want Alex to hate him later for taking advantage of him when he was clearly vulnerable.
As if reading his mind Alex touched Mulder's face and looked him in the eye. "I want this, Fox. Do it for us. For our family."
Mulder kissed him one final time then positioned his cock against Alex's opening and pushed in. He looked down at Alex's face and watched as his lover's eyes glazed over with pleasure...the same pleasure he felt as the orifice started milking his cock in a tight, loving grip.
Krycek was amazed by the sheer pleasure he felt, and that he had stayed within his body this time -- with Fox. He smiled blissfully arching his head back so he could look up at his lover's beautiful face, and watched in wonder as Fox quickly orgasmed, his release flowing into him. Krycek achieved his own orgasm moments later.
Mulder pulled out of Alex panting. He'd never experienced anything like it before, and to think that his lover might be pregnant with his child made the experience all the more intense. Mulder rolled onto his back and pulled Alex on top of him off the cold ground. Mulder's temper flared once again at Spender over how much less Alex weighed.
Krycek head rested against his lover's chest. He nuzzled his nose into the crook of Fox's throat and breathed in the delicious soothing scent that was uniquely Fox. "God, I love you, Fox. Thank you," he sighed, feeling safe and protected for the first time since Christmas.
Mulder turned off the flashlight and kissed the top of Alex's head, which was nestled under his chin. "Get some sleep, Alex," he murmured, hugging him close. He knew they should keep moving, but he couldn't deny Alex a much needed rest.
***
Skinner kept his powers focused on the land surrounding the barrier. He was prepared to go to his lovers' aid the moment he felt their presence.
"Walter, I need to talk to you," Gabriel Hunter said, walking up to stand beside Skinner.
"Gabriel. Do you sense them yet?"
"No. I only sense anger and hate...but that is coming from the CGB Spender. I cannot feel Mulder's or Alex's presence at all." He cleared his throat. "Walter, we need to pull back further...the men aren't able to control their fear of the barrier. I'm worried that some are ready to flee."
Skinner looked thoughtfully at his men. The fear and anxiety was clearly visible on their faces. "Gabriel, pull them back another twenty miles. I'm staying here. I can't be that far away from the barrier." Skinner was feeling fear himself, but only the love and need to protect his lovers kept him firmly focused on the task at hand.
"I'll come back to help you as soon as I have them situated around the outer perimeter," Gabriel said.
Skinner nodded dismissing him as he turned back toward the barrier.
***
Krycek slowly opened his eyes, he was lying on a soft but lumpy bed, it took him a moment to realize he was sprawled out on top of Fox. It was pitch black in the cave so he fumbled around for the flashlight, but it went on before he could locate it.
"Looking for this?" Mulder asked, smiling up at him.
"Yeah, how long have I been asleep?" Krycek ask, laying his head back on Mulder's chest, he was reluctant to leave the protective warmth of his lover's arms.
"About six hours. How are you feeling?"
"Much better...I-I don't have the compulsion to have a baby any longer. Do you think that means I'm pregnant?"
"Yes. That's usually how it works. If you're feeling up to eating? I brought you a treat," Mulder said.
"I'm starving. What did you bring me?" Alex asked, reluctantly climbing off Fox's body to sit beside him on the sandy ground.
Mulder pulled out several containers from his backpack. "Cold fried chicken, bread, cheese, and baklava."
Krycek's eyes lit up at the mention of his favorite dessert. "Give it here."
"Don't you want to eat the chicken first?"
"No." Krycek took the small container with the sticky, honey-laden dessert and pulled out a piece of the pastry. "Mm, you're too good to me, Fox," he said, munching on it and scooting closer to Mulder. He looped one leg of the top of his lover's thigh as he leaned up against his side.
Mulder grinned this was the first real spark of life he'd seen in Alex since rescuing him. He wrapped an arm around Alex's waist and held him close. "We should get moving as soon as you're done eating."
"You're not eating?"
Mulder picked up his knife and cut a slice of cheese and ate it with a chunk of sourdough bread. They ate quietly taking turns sipping from the second bottle of water Mulder had produced from the backpack.
"Our kids really missed you. River was making a Valentine for you when I left. I promised that I'd have you home so he can give it to you," Mulder said.
"God, I miss them so much. How's Duncan doing?"
"Fine. You should have seen the joy on Shinji's face when Rory handed Duncan to him." Mulder rested his head against Krycek's. "I've missed you, Alex. I wanted to come for you since Christmas, but I couldn't because of the babies."
"What changed? They're all right aren't they?"
"They're perfect, Alex. They started sleeping through the night and I-uh, I switched them to formula." Mulder felt guilty, he had promised his lovers that he'd nurse their children for six months.
Krycek leaned in and kissed him. "Fox, thank you. I know how hard breaking your word must have been. I'm sure they'll be fine on formula."
"Thanks for understanding, Alex. I hope they'll be okay. It's just that they're healthier and more alert than Hope and Faith were at this age." Mulder smiled. "Look at us, talking about our kids when we could be planning that long overdue honeymoon."
"I thought you wanted to go to a Knick's game for our honeymoon?"
"I've changed my mind. Frohike's cousin has an Inn in Vermont. It's a really beautiful place out in the country. I like the idea of just the two of us spending a relaxing week together away from family and friends."
Krycek smiled. "Me, too. Arrange it with Frohike. We'll go as soon as I sleep through my first month of pregnancy."
Mulder leaned in and licked some honey off Krycek's chin. "Okay. Do you want a piece of chicken yet?"
"Sure."
When they were done eating they left the empty containers in the cave and headed out in the direction Mulder hoped would take them beyond the barrier. Mulder made them invisible again. He found it helped against the cold. In addition, the sharp stones on the tunnel floors didn't dig into the soles his feet.
After another five hours of walking they came out into a small cavern that opened to the outside. They found Fyodorov's frozen corpse lying near the wall, but that didn't faze Mulder because the sight beyond the cavern had him frozen with fear. The cavern's exit was block by twisting mass of the barrier. Mulder turned to Alex and placed his finger in front of his lips. They were too near the surface now and couldn't chance talking. He then took Alex's arm and wrapped it around his waist, while he encircled his arm around Alex's body. They were both trembling with fear as Mulder reached up and placed his hand over Alex's eyes, silently telling his lover that it would be easier if he didn't see where they were going. They held on tightly to each other as they stepped out of the cave into the barrier.
It was more difficult going through the barrier this time than it had been the first time Mulder had gone through it. He felt his strength ebbing and he feared that he might not be able to remain invisible much longer. It was like walking through molasses, the movement within the barrier kept trying to yank Alex from his arms. Mulder held on tighter, he'd die before being separated from him again. It took much longer from them to make it through this time. They stumbled out of the twisting mass and walked up a hill several hundred feet away before collapsing in a heap in a snow bank.
Mulder was too exhausted to remain invisible. He just needed a half-hour of rest, to regain his strength. The two men hugged each other and laid on the cold ground.
"Son, you were a fool thinking you'd be able to steal Alex from me!"
Both men started at the sound of Spender's voice. Krycek held onto Mulder tightly as the smoker landed on the ground before them.
Mulder tried to become invisible, but he just didn't have the strength to do it, and he felt something within him was changing.
CGB Spender smirked at the two men huddling together. "Fox, I'll allow you the privilege of watching as I plant my seed inside our beautiful Alex. Just imagine you'll get to see your new sister or brother being conceived."
Mulder pulled a knife. He knew that it was useless, but he had to do something. "Keep away from him, bat breath!"
"Ha! That puny knife couldn't even give me a scratch!"
"It might not be able to, but I can, asshole!" Skinner growled.
All three of them spun toward the sound of Skinner's voice. The large man stood there with a look of absolute rage on his handsome face. He struck out at the smoker, hitting him squarely in chest with a lightening bolt. Spender was thrown back and slammed into a tree, toppling it. He regained his feet and struck out at Skinner, knocking the enraged King back. At that point Slava joined the fight coming to Skinner's aid. The two sorcerers took turns attacking and retreating.
The fight went on for more than an hour. Mulder moved Krycek behind some boulders. His strength was returning. It was more difficult this time, but he managed to make them invisible. They heard a loud explosion and a wail of pain, then silence.
"Fox? Alexei? It is safe. Show yourselves."
Slava's voice carried to their hiding place. Mulder placed his hand over his lover's mouth when Krycek tried to call to Slava. Where was Walter? Why wasn't Walter calling to them?
"Fox! He's dead!"
Mulder's heart stopped beating, until Slava's voice continued.
"The Batman is dead! If you don't want your precious Walter to die too, you'd better give Alexei to me! Skinner has been mortally wounded, only you can heal him..." Slava stood and waited.
Mulder was sure that Slava was telling the truth as he replayed his conversation with Frohike. His friend had told him that Walter would be mortally injured and would need Mulder to heal him. Mulder was about to take Alex with him to find Walter. When Alex suddenly hit him.
"LET GO! Dammit, Fox! I want to be with Nikolai...I love him more than you!" Krycek had been worried that Fox would put his life ahead of Walter's. He had to force Fox to leave him and go to Walter.
Mulder felt like he'd been slapped. He let go of Alex and rushed blindly down the hill past Slava to search for Walter. He found his lover's body lying crumpled beneath a fallen tree. Walter was barely breathing.
Slava smirked at Mulder as he passed with his arm around Alex's waist. "Fox, it was so nice seeing you again. Too bad I cannot stay and chat."
"No. Slava, please, you have to help me! Please, just remove the tree!" Mulder had tried to make them invisible so he could pull Walter out from beneath the tree, but he was no longer able to.
"Sorry, Fox, you're on your own," Slava said, using mind control to keep Alex from rushing to Mulder's and Skinner's side.
"Nikolai, you have to help them!" Alex hissed.
They were too far away for Mulder to make out what they were saying.
"No, I don't, Alexei! They've gotten between us far too often. If Skinner dies, I have no doubt that Fox will easily find another lover to take his place, and if he beg nicely I might even take him back." Slava forced Alex to follow him quietly.
Mulder watched in disbelief as Alex, holding Slava's hand, followed him up the hill without showing the slightest concern for Walter's life. Mulder kept one hand on Walter keeping his heart beating. As his numbed mind replayed Alex's words in his mind. 'I love him more than you.' Tears ran down his cheeks, he had lost one lover and was on the verge of losing another.
It was nearly two hours before Gabriel's voice reached him. The blond sorcerer knelt beside him and made the tree vanish off Skinner's limp body. Mulder was exhausted from keeping Walter alive for two hours, but he used the last of his reserve to heal his lover. He then collapsed into blissful oblivion.
***
St. Petersburg
Monday, February 15th 2001
4:00 p.m.Alex stood with his hand on over his belly, looking out the window. He didn't know if Walter was still alive. All he knew was that he was pregnant with Fox's baby and now Nikolai's baby. His Russian lover had raped him on the plane on their way to Russia. It didn't matter how much he had protested. Nikolai's only concern was impregnating him with his child. He thought back to the airplane. His lover strong-arming him into the bedroom compartment and ripping his clothes off his body, then the press of the cockhead against his navel.
'Please, don't, Nikolai!' he had shouted, struggling violently.
'You promised me, Alexei! You promised that you would have my baby first!' the Russian Tsar growled, before slamming into him.
'I'm having Fox's baby first!' he had shouted, spitting into his Russian lover's face. However, Slava didn't seem to notice the saliva running down his face, he was too deeply enjoying fucking his lover.
Alex sighed, tears flowing freely from his eyes. It didn't matter. Nothing matter now, except Walter's life, and the look of pain and desolation on Fox's face, when he told Fox that he didn't love him as much as he loved Nikolai. It had been a lie. He'd never loved anyone as much as he loved Fox. It wasn't possible to love anyone more. He said it to save Walter's life. Alex had been worried that Fox would chose to protect him over going to Walter. He regretted his choice of words. He should have told Fox that he loved him, but Walter needed him more.
He looked out the window at the canals. Only an ocean separated him from his lovers, and Alex was determined to get back to Fox and Walter -- one way or another.
***
Crystal Palace
Friday, February 19th 2001
6:00 p.m.Mulder sat in front of the fireplace curled up in his bathrobe. He hadn't felt like getting dressed today. He hadn't felt like doing much of anything, since Alex told him that he didn't love him. It had been five long days since he had lost Alex to Slava, with no hope of ever getting him back. Mulder glanced at the calendar on the wall. Alex would have started his month's long sleep. He wished his former lover and husband only happiness in the life he had chosen. If anyone deserved to be happy it was Alex, who had suffered so much because of him.
"Fox," Skinner said softly, coming into the room. He crossed the room and knelt at Mulder's feet. "Fox, Alex loves you. You know deep down in your heart that he does. I'm sure he had a good reason for what he said and did. Don't forget how much he suffered at the hands of the smoker...he wasn't himself."
"Walter, I want to believe but..." Mulder sighed, "I need to talk to Alex alone without Slava around. Maybe he did something to Alex to turn him against us." He didn't have a clue on how he'd be able to accomplish getting Alex away from Slava long enough to talk to him.
As if reading his mind Skinner said, "I'll find a way, Fox."
***
End of chapter 9 - For Love of Alex