Part IV Mulder stood between Alex and the door, the agent's hip
against the
small sink. The placement of the toilet forced Alex into an awkward
position as he tried to stay on his feet. He braced his hands on the
walls on either side, stubbornly refusing to retreat into the tiny
shower stall in the back of the room.
They heard the voices just outside the trailer. Alex tensed at the
sound of the outer door of the trailer being rattled. A pause, and the
voices moved away. The two men stood quiet, waiting and listening.
Alex fought the feeling of the air compressing around him.
Breathing was an effort. He trembled from a tangle of undefinable
emotions: not really fear or anger—maybe a reaction to escaping one
prison only to be trapped in another. He swallowed dryly, tried to
slow his breathing.
Mulder heard the change in breathing. It didn't sound like a man out
of breath from running or a fight. Alex was upset. At least, he was
pretty certain it was Alex and not the alien. He'd sensed the
difference after the fight. It was in Krycek's face in the parking lot
and as they broke into the trailer, in the way the man moved. He'd
seen that hard, dangerous edge back in the man's features. The
alien's gentle curiosity was gone. Mulder wasn't sure how Alex had
regained control, but he knew that the younger man had to be
shaken.
"Are you all right, Alex?"
The soft question startled Alex and he sucked in a deep breath.
Mulder. The reminder that the agent was here with him, that they
were both relatively safe, helped push away the rising fear. His
breathing slowed and returned to normal.
"It is Alex, isn't it?" Mulder
asked quietly.
"Yeah. I'm back. Disappointed?"
"Are you all right?" The
monotone voice gave nothing away.
Alex's jaw tightened at the evasion. He
fought the urge to pursue
the issue. He'd seen Mulder interact with the alien, almost friendly.
But pushing Mulder, even to find out whose side he was on, never
worked.
"I'm just ducky," the sarcastic tone was pure Krycek. "Especially
considering I'm fighting off alcohol poisoning." He shook his head.
"'Go ahead and drink, I won't let you get in trouble'? Jesus,
Mulder!"
Mulder's rich laugh came out of the darkness to him. The sound was
welcome, even if it was at his expense.
Alex shifted uncomfortably in the
cramped space, forcing Mulder to
move to accommodate him. They stood with less than an inch
between their bodies. If Mulder stood against the door they should
have more room. Not much, but a little. But the older man stood
farther into the room. Alex wouldn't complain. It felt good to feel
the other man's solid presence.
The trailer jerked into motion, jarring them.
The vehicle rocked
slowly as they pulled out of the gas station. After a few minutes they
picked up speed and were soon moving smoothly. Both men
relaxed, adjusting to the rocking movement.
"We just need to give them time
to get on the highway." Mulder's
calming voice came out of the dark.
Alex nodded, then realized Mulder
couldn't see him. "Great." A few
minutes in the dark wasn't beyond him.
A sudden jerk as the trailer went over
a bump in the road threw him
against Mulder, forcing the agent against the door with a muffled
grunt. Alex braced his hands on either side of Mulder's shoulders,
leaning into the agent. Mulder's arms automatically went around
Alex's waist. Both stood still, regaining their balance.
Alex stifled a moan as his body responded to the solid warmth
against him. What the hell, why not? He'd seen how Mulder
responded to the alien using his body. It was worth the risk. He
considered moving them out into the main cabin. Getting out of the
cramped space. But making Mulder move would be a mistake. Here,
the darkness gave an illusion of safety, of anonymity. There were no
distractions, and no-one else around. He could put up with the dark
and a tight space for a chance with Mulder.
Alex brought his left hand inward
until it rested against the side of
Mulder's face. Finding his landmark, he bent his head forward and
gently feathered his lips against Mulder's, barely there, almost
chaste, asking permission.
Mulder tightened at the gentle kiss. His fists clenched automatically
at the soft touch. Alex was his enemy, he had betrayed Mulder over
and over... and had also risked everything to save his life. The alien
had said Alex had feelings for him. Had to help him. Krycek
wouldn't hurt him. Mulder's body relaxed. His fists opened.
Alex smiled in pleasure as Mulder accepted the touch, as his lips
reluctantly parted. Alex deepened the kiss, keeping it gentle, moving
his hand to cradle Mulder's face, his fingers splayed out over the
smooth planes. His tongue traced Mulder's lips before returning to
explore the recesses of his mouth.
Alex felt a lurch inside as he relished
the sweet confirmation of life
he found in Mulder's mouth. He'd come so close to losing not only
himself but worse, losing Mulder. Alex needed this taste, this one
moment when he could push all the ugliness of his life aside and
feel alive.
He barely realized Mulder's slow participation until soft lips
mirrored his own lightly, parting more with each sampling. Until
at last, their mouths were wide open, barely touching at times, but
ever tempting and tasting.
Mulder pressed his mouth to Alex's and deepened
the kiss.
Surprised, but delighted, Alex opened to him, letting Mulder have
his mouth. Mulder's lips were warm and moist, his tongue a
welcome interloper. Alex surged with the kiss, surrendering to its
lure, feeling lazy and lavish and light. There was too much tangled
up in that kiss for him to sort it out, so he didn't try. In a rare
instance in his life, he simply closed his eyes and enjoyed the
feelings. And the darkness—the darkness seemed to heighten every
sensation.
Alex's left hand drifted down the side of Mulder's face to lightly
caress the smooth neck a moment before continuing to the front of
his shirt. His right hand came up to join in the exploration, and he
deftly pulled Mulder's shirt open. Alex slid his hands inside the soft
material to the solid chest.
His touch started whisper-light and
tantalizing. His finger breathed
over the sensitive skin sending fire through Mulder's groin. His
nipples firming instantly at Alex's touch. Slowly Alex's hands drew
teasing circles around the aureoles of his nipples, deliberately not
seeking the aching, throbbing centers. Mulder moaned and arched
his back, demanding more.
Alex pressed the pads of his thumbs against the
taut peaks eliciting
another sigh as Mulder relished the sensual pressure. Then Alex
raised Mulder's pleasure to a higher level by squeezing the tight
little buds between his thumbs and forefingers with exquisite care.
He absorbed Mulder's moan of desire into his own mouth eagerly.
Mulder
tightened his arms around Alex's waist, hauling him against
his body with a fierceness that surprised the younger man. Alex
groaned as Mulder's hands moved to grip his hips and brought him
tight against his hard front.
Alex pulled his mouth away for a split second,
and Mulder growled
a protest. Alex kissed him at the pulsing hollow at the base of
his throat, lingered a moment, and moved upward to the line of his
jaw before toying with an earlobe. He nipped the lobe gently,
making Mulder shiver, then worked his way back down the side of
his neck.
Alex moved his mouth to the pulse point of Mulder's neck, pausing
to bathe the skin with his tongue. His tongue moved in counterpoint
to the strong pulse beat, increasing the wild tempo before moving
on. He traced a leisurely path down Mulder's body, lingering over
his nipples before licking his way down again. Alex's mouth
followed the faint line of downy hair that bisected Mulder's flat
abdomen. He began placing hot, open mouth kisses against the
quivering belly as his hands moved to the front of Mulder's jeans
eliciting an animal sound of need from the agent.
Alex wouldn't hurry. He
couldn't. There was no telling how Mulder
would feel tomorrow. No guarantee Alex would even have his own
body after tonight. If he'd ever be able to touch another human
again. This night might have to last him forever.
Eyes closed, he savored
Mulder's smell, breathing deeply, losing
himself. This sensual delirium was heaven. Alex actually welcomed
the utter blackness of the room. There was no sight here, the sound
of heavy breathing the only sound, everything was touch, delicious
sensation. The sense of touch, taste, smell that he had been
desperate for, and he was losing himself in it, mindless of his fierce
grip on Mulder's body and of the soft sounds of satisfaction that
escaped his own throat.
He pulled back from the intoxicating body when he
couldn't wait
any longer. Ignoring the small noise of distress from his lover, Alex
knelt before him. His hands fumbled as he opened Mulder's jeans,
as he strained to control his own desire and not rip the zipper apart.
He
slid a hand into the opening, seeking the heat there. His fingers
tangled in a coarse thatch of hair, feeling beneath it a softness, a
hardness, a throbbing. He slid the underpants and jeans down,
stroking the muscles of Mulder's thighs as he did.
He could feel Mulder
trembling with the effort of holding still. Alex
stroked him in airy strokes of silk, measuring his length, exploring
the hot flesh. A tiny sound came from Mulder's throat as he bucked
forward, urging Alex into a tighter, more erotic grasp.
Alex ran his fingers
over the thick shaft and sensitive underside
before leaning his face in closer. He opened his mouth and let warm
breath brush over the head of Mulder's cock like dandelion fluff.
Mulder convulsed helplessly, biting back a moan as he arched
forward. Alex's hand closed firmly over his hip, holding him back.
Alex spoke
for the first time. "Mulder, what do you want?" he
whispered. He needed Mulder to hear his voice. To be sure that
Mulder was aware of who he was with, no hiding in the dark.
"God, Alex!"
Mulder's voice was as taut as a wire, as frustrated as if
he'd been bound by one with no hope of escape.
It was enough answer for Alex.
He delicately licked the end of
Mulder's cock with just the tip of his tongue quickly, almost too fast
for Mulder to feel. He grinned at the groan that brought from the
frustrated agent.
If Alex's own body cried out for release-which it did
vociferously-he
had only to think of tomorrow night and the night after that, and he
was in control once again. This night he'd remember, every tiny,
tormentingly beautiful moment of it. Now he wished for light. For
the chance to see the beautiful man above him, desperate, wanting
him.
Mulder brought his hand to Alex's face. His long fingers explored
the carved features, drifted over his eyes momentarily, then down to
trace the fine sensual shape of his lips. Catching Mulder's fingers,
Alex drew them to his lips, taking one after another into his mouth,
sucking gently on each. Rather than a gesture of studied seduction, it
was one of need, a need that he knew Mulder was more than willing
to meet. Mulder pulled his hands away from the hot mouth and
gently bracketed Alex's head with them.
Alex finally took Mulder's cock into
his mouth. He chuckled low in
his throat as Mulder cried out in relief. The vibrations in his throat
dragged a long groan from the agent. Deciding the older man wasn't
going to hold out much longer, Alex began working on the rigid
shaft. His tongue danced over the head and the sensitive area just
below its flare, gently and sensuously. Each stroke over his flesh
grew more intimate, more prolonged until Mulder was so close to
coming that Alex could feel the energy radiating from his body.
The air was
nearly vibrating with the energy when Mulder's back
arched. Time suspended for a long, pulsing moment before finally
exploding into a series of rapturous spasms that left Mulder gasping
for air, crying out Alex's name. Mulder's hands clutched at Alex's
shoulders, seeking an anchor, something to keep him on earth.
As Mulder's
shuddering eased, Alex sat back, reluctantly letting the
spent penis slide from his mouth. He straightened and leaned into
Mulder's sweat covered body. His mouth closed over Mulder's. His
lips were hard and searching, almost brutal as he forced his tongue
inside. The kiss was urgent and hot, full of need, and he could feel
Mulder responding to that need.
Alex felt his own control slipping away, then breaking up
completely, but he didn't care. Control didn't matter; nothing
mattered but this burning, sensuous force that consumed him. The
slow smoldering gave way to sizzling, the sense of imminent
explosion, this undercurrent of suspense that seemed to surge from
Mulder's body to his and back.
Their hunger was mutual and explosive. Greedy
lips slanted and
grasped. Heated breath mingled, producing urgent moans. All the
while frantic hands clutched shoulders, backs, hips, in avaricious
re-acquaintance. The vibrant caresses provided Alex only brief
solace. Aroused to a state of near oblivion, he strained against
Mulder.
Mulder's hands slid between their bodies. He fumbled Alex's jeans
open, releasing the painful erection from its prison. He stroked the
rigid shaft slowly, exploring it. Alex could feel Mulder smile against
his mouth in pleasure at the heft and rigidity of the hot flesh in his
hand. Alex gave a tormented groan and leaned against him harder.
Mulder's
mouth moved to Alex's neck, seared across the elegant
curves. Alex sucked in the cool air of the room, his breathing
uneven as the warm mouth moved over him. When the empty air
made Alex miss the feel of Mulder's mouth on his he dipped his
head to nip at the exposed flesh of the agent's neck and shoulder.
Mulder
began stroking Alex's shaft roughly. He tightened his fist
around the rigid shaft almost to the point of pain. Alex welcomed
the force. He needed it, if for no other reason than to assure himself
he wasn't dreaming. He craved it, rose to meet it, found the fireball
inside himself growing, consuming him, bursting. Mulder's name
flowed from Alex in a deep breath, carrying a bit of the younger
man's soul along with it.
It was a long time before either spoke, before
either could catch his
breath to produce so much as a whimper. Mulder pressed his lips to
the soft flesh of Alex's neck, left them there while he inhaled
shakily. Alex settled his head back in the crook of Mulder's shoulder
and neck, his arms tightly around the older man. Mulder's hands ran
under Alex's shirt and over his back soothingly.
His arms around Mulder's waist, their cheeks touching, Alex spoke
with his lips against Mulder's skin. "Let's get out of here."
Mulder nodded
and shifted so they weren't up against the door. They
readjusted their clothes silently. Without turning, Mulder reached
back to turn the door knob. Cool air rushed into the cramped space
and helped clear their heads. Alex followed him out into the trailer's
living space. The dizzying lights of cars passed through the windows
into the dark trailer. The two men made their way to the bunk beds
at the rear of the trailer.
Mulder turned toward Alex, his mouth opening.
Before he could say
anything, Alex stepped around him and sat on the floor with his
back to the lower bunk. He wrapped his arms around his raised
knees and rested his head on them with a deep sigh.
"We need to talk," Mulder
told him quietly.
"No. We don't." The flat monotone was muffled by Alex's
face
resting on his arms. It seemed wrong to try and analyze what had
happened, just as it would be a travesty to apologize for it. It was
one bright moment, over now but leaving in its wake a vibrant
memory. Alex did not want to talk about it.
"Alex, we need to talk about this thing between us." Alex sighed at
the beginning annoyance he heard in Mulder's voice.
Mulder took a deep
breath. "Alexei told me about what you did. I
know..."
"You know nothing!" Krycek's snarl took Mulder by surprise. Alex
sat up straighter. "I know what it told you. You have no idea what I
did, Mulder."
Mulder braced his hand against the wall and stared down at him,
accepting the anger silently. He adjusted to the trailer's rocking with
unconscious grace.
Alex forced his face to smooth. The implacable mask
returning. "I
couldn't let you die, Mulder. I need you. I can't do this without your
help. That's all."
Krycek turned his face from Mulder's stare. "This tonight... I just
wanted human contact. I needed to feel human. To feel anything.
Just for awhile."
Mulder's voice was soft. "It was more than that,
Alex."
Alex's head snapped back around toward him. "Turning into the
psychologist on me, Mulder?" He grinned without humor. "Going to
tell me what I really meant by blowing you till you screamed?" He
turned his face to look out a side window at the passing car lights.
"It was just sex, Mulder."
"I don't believe you."
Krycek snorted. "There's
a surprise." He looked at the agent from
the corners of his eyes. His voice softly mocking. "You calling me a
liar, Mulder?"
Mulder crouched down in front of the younger man, putting his
hand
on the edge of the lower bed for balance. "Alex," He paused, took a
deep breath. "Alex, I am on your side. I want to help you."
Alex looked at
him doubtfully. Mulder shifted, loosening the
tightness in his shoulders. "There's something between us, Alex. I
think we need to work it out."
Alex shook his head. "Mulder, I'm tired. I've
only had two hours
sleep. My little parasite woke me up when it got hungry. Then the
two of you decided to play games in that bar," he threw the agent a
dirty look before continuing. "Between what they did in that lab," he
swallowed dryly even mentioning it. "Healing you, and the damned
alcohol-" Mulder grinned at the sharp look Alex gave him. "Not to
mention a bar fight, and running for my life..."
"Not to mention having hot
sex in the bathroom just so you could
make me scream," Mulder offered helpfully.
Alex sighed in exasperation. "I'm
tired, Mulder. I need to sleep."
Mulder studied him quietly. Had it really been only this afternoon
when Alex had been in that lab fighting for his life? When he had
risked everything to save Mulder from that sniper's bullet? It
seemed longer. He looked at his watch, pushing it to get the soft
blue glow. Actually, it was yesterday, since it was now after
midnight. They'd been on the move almost constantly since getting
up yesterday morning. Mulder shifted his position, fatigue creeping
up on him on little cat feet.
"I'll keep watch."
Alex looked over at the
quiet offer. His head inclined slightly, and
he pulled himself up and onto the lower bunk. Alex sprawled on his
back, his arm resting over his eyes.
"Wake me up if we start to slow
down."
Just like that, Alex was willing to leave their safety to him. Mulder
shook his head and let himself sink down onto the floor, leaning
against the edge of the bed. He speared both hands back through his
hair as he dragged in a deep, cleansing breath. Arguing with Alex
wouldn't do any good. It would be like shadowboxing—all effort and
no satisfaction.
Mulder yawned and stretched his arms over his head before
settling
back down. He hadn't had any more sleep than Alex, and it had
been a busy day. He should have been tired. Paradoxically, all his
senses seemed to be alert yet sated at the same time. Mulder sat
beside the bed, going over all the problems facing them. He
struggled to make sense of the things he'd learned. After awhile he
found his mind drifting through the maze of emotions having sex
with Alex Krycek had resurrected.
As the highway spun out beneath them,
Mulder's mind wrestled with
the conflicting facets of the man beside him and with the strange
situations Alex seemed to always be getting him into. Again, and
again, he poked and examined every word, every smile, every touch,
all the times they had been together. Alex Krycek lived in a different
world than he did, and yet, he touched something in Mulder as
no-one else ever had.
This is wrong, wrong, wrong, his inner censor scolded
him. But his
body wasn't listening. It begged instead to feel Alex against him
again. Under him. He tried to remind it of all the betrayals, all the
reasons he couldn't trust him. He told himself that Alex Krycek was
a man who wouldn't know a scruple if it bit him on his handsome
butt. But his body and his heart refused to listen.
He looked over to see
Alex was sound asleep, his arm having fallen
to the side. Mulder laid the arm back onto the bed and stared at his
companion. He lightly traced one finger over the delicate facial
features of the sleeping man. You are going to break my heart,
Alex. And there's not a damn thing I can do about it.
They had less
trouble than they expected getting out of the trailer
unseen. Two hours after leaving the gas station they pulled into a
truck stop and both occupants of the truck headed for the rest rooms.
Mulder and Krycek slipped out of the trailer and went toward the
building.
A small grassy park sat just off to one side of the building with
covered picnic table areas. There was a pair of young men leaning
against one of the tables talking quietly. Alex studied them
suspiciously. Both men appeared to be in their early twenties. Both
wore tight, faded denim jeans and tee-shirts. As the red haired man
turned, Alex saw the cartoon character on his shirt. It looked like
one of the gray aliens, only it was wearing a baseball cap backwards
on its head, its skinny butt covered in baggy jeans and affecting a
tough guy stance. The second man was taller and had long black
hair hanging down onto his shoulders. He wore a dark shirt bearing
the Greek symbols fraternities used to identify themselves.
As Alex watched,
the red head threw his head back and laughed in
delight at something his friend said. The laugh was clear and honest,
making the corner of Alex's mouth quirk up in response.
The sound of the two
men's voices carried to them easily. The dark
haired young man put his hands on his hips and glared at his friend.
"Stop it," he commanded, "I'm trying to extricate myself
gracefully."
His companion continued to chuckle. "Sounds painful."
"You
don't know the half of it. And you're not making it any
easier." Laughter threatened in his own tone.
The red head leaned forward and
gently kissed the taller man,
wrapping his arms around him. "Sorry," he said as they broke apart.
His face and tone said that he was utterly unrepentant. His dark
haired friend sighed and pressed into him. Both men leaned back
harder against the picnic table, wrapped up in each other. Neither
paid any attention to Mulder or Alex.
Alex saw Mulder look at and dismiss the
two, walking on without
pause. Given Mulder's paranoia, and his own gut feeling, Alex
relaxed his guard. The type of men that might be after them weren't
this devious. They wouldn't act like lovers just to gain a few
seconds surprise. The two men hadn't even looked at Mulder in his
tight jeans. Since they were obviously gay, this told Alex the men
were either blind, or they had to be in love with each other.
The lower level of the two story building held a booth of travel
information, a bank of phones, vending machines, an ATM bank
machine and the restrooms. A concrete staircase led up to the upper
level. A sign by the staircase stated that the restaurant upstairs was
open twenty-four hours for their convenience.
Alex followed Mulder into the
restaurant. This late at night, there
were only two other couples sitting at tables. Mulder slumped into a
corner booth, settling against the cheap vinyl seat. Alex stood beside
the table. "Mulder, I'm going to recycle this alcohol and call Jaak.
Order me a double breakfast platter, okay?" Mulder nodded, his
head resting against the paneling behind him.
Alex went downstairs to use the
facilities and make his phone call.
From the phones Alex could easily watch the parking lot and picnic
tables through the glass walls. Standing in the bright light
surrounded by glass had his nerves tense. He twisted his back
against the phones and kept scanning the area carefully.
Alex grinned
slightly at the low, sleepy voice that answered on the
third ring. Looking at his watch, he decided that Bailey couldn't
have been in bed more than an hour or so.
"Bailey, I remembered that
Pennsylvania has a working phone
system."
"Oh, bully for you, Alex. Have you mastered telling time
yet?"
"Bailey! You're surly in bed."
"Oh, Alex, I am many things in bed,
surly is not one of them." He
heard the faint click of a light switching on. "Jaak called earlier.
What happened Alex?"
"It's a long story. We had to leave in a hurry. Could
you get in
contact with Jaak?"
"Of course. What do you need Alex?"
"We need a ride,
and Jaak has some gear we need. We also need a
place to hide for awhile."
"I think we can arrange something, Alex. Where are
you?"
Alex read off the location to her from a map of the area that covered
the wall behind the information booth. As they talked he continued
to scan the lobby and the parking lot. He idly watched the two lovers
outside as they sat on the picnic table kissing and enjoying the mild
night air. The dark haired young man still fussing over his friend a
little.
Alex was gratified when Bailey refused offer of compensation for
her help as unnecessary. She and Jaak would help because they
wanted to. Bailey was going to let him and Mulder stay at one of her
safe houses, an option very few were allowed. She had a cabin not
too far away that she'd recently acquired. No-one had used it yet and
she assured him nobody could track him there. Jaak would give
Spectre money to get home and Alex could repay him later.
Warmth went
through Alex as she talked to him. Jaak had already
risked his life for Alex without comment and Bailey was willing to
give him anything he needed. In his line of business, and hers for
that matter, being able to count on someone, trust them, was a rarity
to be treasured. You learned quickly that everyone was an enemy
and a liar, with very rare exceptions. Bailey and Jaak were just those
exceptions for Alex, as he was for them.
Bailey was telling him that it would
take Jaak several hours to get
what was needed and to pick them up when Alex noticed a pair of
rough looking men on heavy motorcycles park near the picnic
tables.
The bikers noticed the two young men at the table. The glare they
sent towards the pair was malevolent, full of homophobic hate. The
young lovers at the table were too wrapped up in each other to
notice the bikers climbing off their machines and heading toward
them. The bikers wore denim and leather, heavy tattoos covering
their bare arms, their feet covered in heavy black leather boots. Alex
would bet that those boots were steel-toed, all the better to kick the
shit out of someone. One of the bikers had an ugly swastika tattooed
on the side of his shaved skull.
"Hold off, Bailey," Alex interrupted her.
"We can't wait that long.
Tell Jaak to bring everything and meet us at the safe house instead."
"Are
you sure, Alex?"
The bikers were walking toward the harmless college men.
Alex felt
anger surge through him, his voice dropped to a low growl. "Yeah, I
think we have transportation. Give me directions."
Alex's fist tightened on
the phone as he watched the two bikers start
harassing the harmless couple. Part of him automatically memorized
the directions Bailey gave him as a darker part studied the biker's
movements for weaknesses.
"Uh huh, thanks Bailey," he murmured into the
phone, missing her
last sentence, something about meeting him. "I'll call you later." He
hung up without giving her a chance to reply.
Alex took a quick look at the
top of the stairs, then back out at the
struggle going on outside. No sign of Mulder. The agent wouldn't be
able to see from where he was in the restaurant. Alex stared back
outside.
"All right parasite," Alex kept it a soft whisper, knowing the alien
would hear. "Front and center."
Yes? He could sense Alexei suddenly
paying attention, as if the
alien had been distracted.
"What are you up to?"
Alexei sent him a mental
image of the alien kicked back in a
recliner in a dark room, a bowl of popcorn in his lap, a large movie
screen on the wall in front of him showing what looked like home
movies. Alex recognized a close up of his mother's face on the
screen. She was looking into the "camera" and making silly faces,
her mouth moving in a way that hinted she was talking to a small
child.
Alex shook his head, clearing the image. "Stop that!" Silent laughter
came to him. Great. Why did he have to get stuck with the only alien
on the planet with a sense of humor?
"Pay attention! You want to prove we
can work together?"
I would like that.
"Can you control that virus of
yours? Keep it from getting out to
hurt people?"
Yes, if I know ahead of time, and if the damage isn't too
bad. Not
if we're shot. Why?
"I need you to put me in combat mode. Hype my reflexes,
give me a
little added strength. I can't afford to have your virus kill anyone if
they cut me. That would bring the hounds down on us in droves."
Why...
Oh, wait, what are those men doing out there? Alex! Why
are they hurting those other men?
The two young men were on the ground,
bloody and trying to get
away as the bikers continued to taunt and kick at them. Alex saw the
red haired college man try to pull a biker off his friend, only to be
grabbed from behind by the other biker. Alex started forward.
"I don't have
time for this, just do it!" he hissed.
A rush of adrenaline and endorphins
flooded him so suddenly he
staggered. His perceptions obtained an astonishing clarity, all his
senses heightened. The blood coursed rapidly through his veins.
He straightened, regaining his balance, and almost ran out the front
door. His face was a cold mask as he ran to close with the bikers
before they seriously hurt the men on the ground.
Mulder sat his coffee down impatiently. What the hell was keeping
Krycek? Mulder had fallen into a light doze, interrupted when the
waitress finally decided to wake him. Bored, she tried to engage him
in conversation, introducing herself as Barbie.
She sat down next to him,
pinning him between herself and the wall.
He almost gagged at the heavy perfume she wore. Up close, he
could see the dark roots of her bleached ash-blonde hair. She had a
irritating, nasal voice, a Bronx accent, and overly high confidence in
her desirability. Mulder tried to politely get rid of her but the hints
just bounced off the shield of her stupidity. She proceeded to regal
him with stories of the interesting people she'd seen in the course of
working the restaurant for three years. He was finally freed when
three truckers across the room called her over.
Mulder had eaten as Barbie
talked. He frowned as he realized how
long Alex had been gone. Mulder threw bills on the table and got
up to find his wayward companion. As he started down the stairs he
saw Alex coming through the front doors carrying a pair of leather
jackets.
Alex smiled as he looked up and saw Mulder standing on the stairs.
As he approached Alex held up the leather jackets in one arm and a
set of keys in the other hand. A self satisfied smile tipped the
corners of his mouth. "Let's saddle up, Mulder."
Mulder frowned. "What are
you talking about, Krycek?"
"I persuaded a biker to sell us his hog. Let's
go."
Mulder's eyes narrowed. "Persuaded?"
Alex's eyes glittered at him as
he leaned toward him, his voice low
and throaty. "Yeah, persuaded."
Mulder's eyes darkened as he held his gaze,
possibilities racing
through his mind. He glanced out the front windows and could just
make out the two young men from the picnic table running to their
car and scrambling into it.
Alex saw Mulder's face starting to tighten in
anger and looked over
his shoulder. "Guess their break is over."
"Alex..." Mulder's voice lowered
ominously.
"The biker's fine, Mulder. His buddy will give him a ride. They're
in the restroom. I had money on me. The guy can buy a new bike
when he gets to town."
Mulder's face relaxed slightly, not entirely
convinced. "I doubt you
had that kind of money on you."
Alex's face tightened in frustration. "I got
it at a bargain price. I'm a
hell of a negotiator, Mulder."
He turned up his smile a notch. "Come on,
Bailey has a place we
can crash in for awhile." Alex indicated the door with his head. "We
need to get going."
Not entirely convinced, Mulder followed Alex outside. As
they
approached the parking lot Mulder idly noted the grass around the
picnic table was crushed and had ragged gouges in it. Mulder
dismissed the dark wet area he saw on the table as a spilled drink.
Krycek led him to a massive-looking machine of black and chrome
with a faded Harley Davidson symbol on the gas tank. The bike had
obviously seen hard use, but still appeared to be in good condition.
Alex threw one jacket to Mulder and slipped into the other.
Mulder stared at
the worn, heavy saddle bags and pack on the bike.
"Krycek..."
Alex sighed and looked at him from under lowered brows. "I gave
him an unsigned bank debit card with the access code. I ran it
through the machine inside and confirmed the cash in the account,
Mulder. It was more than this thing cost new. I over-heard the guy
complaining that he needed the money to his pal, I just had to
convince him I was legit. I spun a tale of how I got stranded out here
and I had to have a ride right now. He agreed, and when he hits
the bank tomorrow he'll have more money than he probably earns in
two years."
The deception came easy to Krycek. He had a lot of experience,
and
it was automatic now... a reflex like breathing. They both kept him
alive. Sometimes he surprised even himself with his ability to
effortlessly create a lie, in perfect context, consistent with a whole
world of other lies.
Mulder stared into the inscrutable green eyes, trying without success
to detect the lie. Giving up, he slipped into the over-large leather
jacket. His arms barely in the jacket, Mulder fumbled but caught the
glossy black helmet that Alex tossed him. He frowned as Alex
swung one long leg over to straddle the big machine.
"Put it on, Mulder. I
don't want to see if my parasite can put your
brains back in that thick skull of yours or not." Alex pulled a pair of
goggles off the handle of the bike and slipped them over his eyes
before shifting the bike off its stand. He kick-started the engine and
the bike roared into life, vibrating like something alive.
Jacket and helmet
adjusted to his satisfaction, Mulder slid onto the
bike behind Krycek. He slipped his fingers between their bodies and
located the leather strap on the seat. His knuckles dug into the
pockets of Alex's jeans. An amused Krycek waited patiently as
Mulder tried to situate himself on the bike without holding onto
Krycek's body.
"Ready?" Alex called out.
"Yes," Mulder yelled to make
himself heard over the rumbling
engine.
The bike lurched forward like a lion that spotted its prey, and
Mulder was thrown back against the seat rest. His hands tightened
around the leather strap, hanging on for dear life. Alex took the
curves leading from the truck stop at a breakneck speed that forced
the bike to lean dangerously to one side. Mulder automatically
leaned to the other.
"Don't do that," Alex shouted back. "You'll throw us off
balance.
Move with me, lean into the curves."
Mulder felt a flash of annoyance, but
he scooted closer to Alex and
tried not to struggle against the next curve as they moved into miles
of road construction.
They threaded their way along the outskirts of
Philadelphia, a thin
mist of rain now falling as they scooted among the semis making
their late night runs. As they maneuvered through the huge trucks,
Mulder gave up his grip on the relatively thin seat strap and
wrapped his arms around Alex's waist. After an initial stiffness,
Mulder adjusted quickly. He fell into the rhythm of the bike—his
body flowing easily with Alex's as they took to the road.
"All right!" Alex
called out. "You've got the hang of it."
Mulder's fists tightened in the
leather of Alex's jacket. He didn't try
to make himself heard over the wind.
The piercing wail of a siren caused all
the traffic to pull over to the
side, trying to leave room for the ambulance to pass them through
the construction barricades. Alex pulled the bike in between two of
the bright yellow drums. The shrieking siren drowned out all other
sound, made conversation impossible. Alex was turned slightly on
the seat, his profile to Mulder.
In the misty rain the revolving emergency
beacon seemed to have a
preternatural substance: it splashed like blood across the road,
washed over the two men on the bike, and briefly transformed
Alex's face into a mask that might have been that of any bloodied
victim. The goggles made Alex's eyes look wide but sightless and
darkened by a glimpse of Death's own cold face. Mulder shuddered
and wrapped his arms tighter around Alex's waist. Alex looked back
over his shoulder in question. Mulder just shook his head. With a
shrug, Alex started the bike forward again.
They emerged on the south side of
the city and then the highway
stretched out, wide and mostly empty in front of them. The rain
stopped as quickly as it began. The Harley was a good one. It
purred smoothly, hugging the road, bringing the sense of
exhilaration that came with freedom and speed. By then, Mulder
rode like a pro, like he'd been sitting behind a man in leather, on the
back of a Harley, all his life. No problem on his part.
Alex was the one with the problem. It had nothing to do with
Mulder's ability to go with the motion of the bike, and everything to
do with the way Mulder's thighs felt pressed against his, and the feel
of Mulder's arms around his waist, hugging him. He restrained
himself and kept their speed just slightly over the speed limit.
Getting stopped for speeding was not an option. He'd have Mulder
in a safe place soon enough.
After an hour they left the highway for a side street. They left that
road after a half hour and went up a long, private drive. Stones
popped under the tires and trees flashed silver in the glare of their
headlight. Mulder's head throbbed from fatigue, his eyes were raw
as if sand had been thrown into them and his butt was sore from the
bike's vibration. All in all, he wanted to cheer when he saw the two
story building standing in the clearing ahead.
The Harley growled its way up
the drive, its headlight illuminating
a white Toyota parked to the side of the drive. A porch light cast a
warm golden light in a small circle across the grass.
As the bike came to a
stop the front door to the cabin opened. A tiny
figure tottered out the door to meet them. Mulder felt Alex relax as
he saw the figure. Alex called out something in a language that
Mulder vaguely recognized as Japanese.
The tiny woman, dressed in leggings
and an oversized sweat shirt,
approached gabbling rapidly in a high, shrill voice. Alex laughed.
"Slowly, Mariko-san, slowly, I'm rusty." He put the kickstand down
as he shut off the engine.
Alex's greeting loosed another spate of staccato
syllables. The gray
haired lady stood by the bike apparently scolding Alex, albeit
without any real anger. Alex took the dressing down with good
grace, nodding and agreeing with the small woman. He threw a leg
over the bike and dismounted, talking to her slowly, hesitating as he
tried to translate the long unused language.
As the two talked, Mulder
removed his helmet and climbed stiffly
off the bike. He stretched luxuriously, releasing kinks he hadn't
even been aware of. He took a deep breath and caught a whiff of the
lovely forest fragrance-damp earth, fresh water, the soft rot under
logs. Other than the two people talking softly in front of him, it was
quiet. No traffic noises, just the soft patter of rain falling from the
leaves of the trees.
Mulder saw Alex gesturing toward him and stepped
forward. He
heard his name and the tiny Japanese lady smiled at him. Her head
bobbed energetically as she took Mulder's hand between her tiny
hands and pumped it.
"Say hello," Alex whispered to him.
"Ohayo," Proudly,
Mulder produced one of the gems of his very
limited Japanese vocabulary.
"A lovely state," Krycek muttered from behind
him.
Mulder turned to glare over his shoulder at Alex, and was surprised
as always by the brilliance of the smile Alex gave him. A squeeze
on his hand turned him back around to face the smiling elderly
woman.
Mulder regretted his polite attempt to greet her in Japanese as the
woman continued to hold his hand while rattling off a string of
incomprehensible syllables, smiling broadly.
Mulder shot Alex a pleading
look. Alex shrugged.
"I'm sorry," Mulder said gently when the older lady
paused
expectantly. "I don't understand Japanese."
She dropped his hand like a hot
potato, turned, and shuffled to her
car in a huff. Mulder held his hands out, palms up, fingers spread
beseechingly. He looked over at Alex as she climbed in the car.
"What did I say?"
"You insulted her," Alex said. "She was speaking
English."
The two men jumped out of the way as the car leaped into reverse
and left in a spray of gravel. Mulder stared after the receding tail
lights in confusion. Alex laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about
it. Mariko was already upset about having to
come out here this time of night." He looked after the disappearing
car. "She used to be a hell of a chemist. But now her eyesight is too
bad and her hands too unsteady." He looked back at Mulder. The car
out of sight. "Bailey keeps her on the payroll anyway. She takes care
of the cabin and a few small things for Bailey now. Sometimes she
just gets a little cranky."
Mulder sighed and started up the crushed shell
path to the front door
as Alex pulled the packs off the bike. The house sat serenely, the
natural wood siding and shingles combining to create a distinctly
natural effect sitting among the trees.
Even before he entered the large
open living room Mulder had
guessed what he'd find. The entire back wall of the room was glass.
The sliding glass door was open, allowing a large screen to admit
the breeze and the sounds of the country at night.
The only lights left on
were in the kitchen off to the other side of the
entry, but a cheery fire crackled in a stone fire place in the living
room. Mulder wandered away from the heat of the fire, across the
hard wood floors to the cool air near the French doors.
The doors opened onto
a wooden deck that faced a large, tree
rimmed lake. The full moon created streaming silver ribbons of
light and deep purple shadows on the placid water of the lake. He
could hear water gently lapping against a dock.
Mulder was barely aware of
his surroundings as he struggled to
understand just what he was doing here. He tried to tell himself that
what happened in the trailer had been a fluke, nothing more than a
reaction to stress. But he knew that was a lie. He wanted Alex and it
confounded him. He was too smart to fall into the trap of wanting a
man who could never stay with him, even if he lived through this; a
man who would always be running. But he wanted him. He wanted
his touch, his kiss. Alex had awakened an instinct in him that had
lain dormant. Now it roared with life, with hunger. It unnerved him
and thrilled him.
Alex came in the front door, annoyed that Mulder had left him to
carry the gear in alone. The sharp comment on his tongue died as he
saw Mulder standing in the living room.
Mulder had shucked his jacket and
stood bathed in firelight. The
flickering light from the fire cast his face in an amber halo, it
caressed the sensual planes of his face, glistened off the vulnerable
curve of his lower lip. Alex was entranced.
Out of a sense of
self-preservation, Alex tried to deny the feelings
running through him. What he felt for Mulder was desire and
nothing more, he told himself. A desire that seemed to be insatiable.
It stirred in his gut again as he watched him standing there, looking
more beautiful than any man had a right to. The desire for him was like
glowing coals of a fire that could be banked but not extinguished.
Fighting the surge of desire down, Alex dropped the packs in the
entryway and closed the door quietly. He moved off into the
kitchen.
Mulder turned from his contemplation as he heard a soft sound
behind him. Alex stood in the doorway to the living room in his
shirt and tight jeans. He held a pair of cut crystal glasses in his
hands. He walked over and pressed a glass into Mulder's hand
without a word.
Mulder stared down at the liquid in his glass. Firelight
glinted off
the exquisite etching in the glass and made the golden liquid inside
glow. He took a cautious sniff, his eyes still on Alex. Alex took a
drink from his own goblet.
"Beerinauslese," he informed Mulder. "Late harvest
German white
wine."
Mulder took a sip, approved, and took a deeper drink. He raised his
eyes to see Alex standing only a few inches from him, his eyes
burning into Mulder's with a curious longing. What Mulder saw in
those green eyes was a mirror of his own bewilderment, need, and
wariness of that need.
Mulder had put away that need for a long time, but now
he felt the
strange stirrings in his chest, foreign fingers of emotion touching
him in a way that was intrusive and seductive, and ultimately
disturbing.
Seemingly of its own volition, Alex's hand rose toward Mulder's
face. Like a man trying to touch a dream, Alex's fingers reached out
hesitantly to whisper across warm skin. There was something
incredibly sensual in the act, something strongly erotic, though Alex
barely touched him. Mulder inhaled sharply as desire streaked
through him, tingling through his nerve endings.
Alex's fingers explored his
features one by one, as if to memorize
the feel of them. Then, not satisfied with feel and suddenly
frustrated by the sheen of firelight alone, he reached behind him,
groping for the lamp.
"What are you doing?" Mulder asked softly, then closed
his eyes
against the light.
"I want to see you," Alex whispered. "I want to look at
you and
know that you're really here."
"I'm here."
"You are," Alex breathed, as
though believing it only now. "J'aime
te faire l'amour avec toi, ma amie."
He might have been saying anything. He
might have been saying
that Mulder was a swamp toad. But the words, spoken in his smoky
voice and combined with the earnest expression on his face, had
their desired effect just the same. Mulder raised his hand to touch
Alex's stubbled cheek.
Alex caught his hand as it dreamily stroked his face
and carried it to
his mouth. His lips were warm on Mulder's palm. Mulder felt the
sweep of Alex's tongue against his skin and his mouth curled in a
lazy smile. He knew that tongue, knew what it could do for him.
"French?
Would you mind only fucking with my mind in one
language, Alex?"
Alex's teasing smile flickered, and the glint in his eyes
brightened
them to the color of peridots as he spoke with his lips still against
Mulder's palm. "Mais oui, mon coeur." He licked Mulder's palm
again before lowering his hand. "Of course, Mulder."
The molten heat in
Alex's eyes as he straightened stirred an
answering warmth inside Mulder. He found himself staring at
Alex's mouth, that incredibly sensuous, well formed mouth, then
back to meet his eyes. With an effort Mulder found his voice, but it
was soft and smoky and he barely recognized it when he spoke.
"How can I think straight when you look at me like that?"
Alex released
Mulder's hand and leaned in closer to him. "You don't
have to think straight. That's my job. You can close your eyes-" he
did it for him with a kiss on each lid—"and let yourself go. Let me
take care of everything, Mulder." He planted a row of kisses across
Mulder's cheekbone to his ear then ran his tongue around its
sculpted edge. His tongue moved in warm, soft ways along the
sensitive skin just under the ear and Mulder could feel his sex grow
warm and heavy.
Mulder leaned into Alex, his exhaustion, and the alcohol he
had
consumed in the bar with Alexei, finally catching up with him. The
long, stressful day weighed heavy on his shoulders. It felt strange,
feeling safe in Krycek's arms. He wasn't stupid, he knew Alex could
and had killed. He knew Alex would do whatever it took to survive.
Underneath that cool facade was someone life had kicked in the
teeth more than once and who was willing to fight back. But not
tonight. Not with Mulder. Krycek wouldn't hurt him. Not anymore.
He'd shown that.
Mulder wrapped his arms around Alex, pulling tight against
him. In
response, Alex's hand ran up his back, sliding up to cup the back of
his head. He tilted Mulder's face to a better angle and brushed his
mouth gently across the satin of his lips. Mulder tasted of sweetness
and wine and need, a need that called out to his own lonely soul.
Alex drew
back a little, planting tiny kisses along the line of
Mulder's jaw, then drew back a little farther so he could look in his
face. Fresh air rushed in and out of his lungs, bringing with it a
measure of sanity. It seemed an eternity since he cared about the
person he was with. His hormones were screaming for him to press
his advantage and take Mulder right here and now, but as he looked
into the hazel eyes he saw not only desire, but vulnerability and
uncertainty. Mulder might want him, but he wasn't clear on the
reasons why or if it was something he would regret for the rest of his
life.
What do you see in me that scares you, Mulder? You see in me
what you're afraid to feel. You think if you go that deep you might
drown, lose yourself... like me. Like me, you're in over your head,
but we know how to swim, Mulder. You just suck in a breath and
start kicking, and you never give up.
Mulder looked up blearily as Alex
pulled back from him. The
glimmer of a smile quivered at the corners of Alex's mouth as he
looked into the confusion in Mulder's eyes. Alex's fingers curled
under Mulder's chin. "You're wiped out, Mulder. Let's get you to
bed."
Mulder nodded. He could deal with things better in the morning. His
tongue drifted over his lips momentarily. His lips were hot and
sensitive and still tasted of wine and Alex. Longing ribboned
through him again, and he squelched it, wincing as he ground out
the fragile emotion.
Alex guided the sleepy man up the stairway to the second floor loft,
the moon sending a silver ribbon of light onto the stairs from a
skylight. Mulder automatically started pulling his clothes off, glad to
be rid of the dirty material, as he sat on the side of the bed. He sank
gratefully into the mattress and sprawled on his back as his muscles
began to relax. Physically, he was tired, emotionally he was
exhausted from the constant war between feeling and trying not to
feel. He was too tired to even comment as Alex pulled the blanket
up to cover him. He allowed sleep to overtake him, pulling him into
unconsciousness.
Alex stood beside the bed, gazing down on him. Desire gripped him,
despite the release he had obtained in the trailer. His need felt
stronger now, maybe because the speculation had ended; now he
knew the ecstasy of sex with Mulder. And he wanted it again. He
wanted him again and again; he needed Mulder in a way he had
never needed anybody in his life. Seeing the man succumb to
exhaustion, the beautiful face easing into needed sleep, he curbed
the fire within himself with an effort.
Alex turned and went back down the
stairs. Jaak would be arriving
in a couple of hours. If he wanted either of them to get any sleep he
would have to sleep on the couch, away from temptation. But first a
cold shower was in order. Alex went back to the packs by the door
and carried them into the kitchen. He dumped the sacks onto the
table, sorting through them carefully, wary of finding a needle.
He was
pleased to find no drugs in the meager luggage. Even more
pleased to see that the clothes were still clean and close to his size.
He carried a set of clothes and the shaving kit into the bathroom.
One chilly
shower later, Alex was sprawled on the leather-covered
camel-back couch reading a book he'd pulled from the built in
shelves. He'd already made his rounds of the building, assuring
himself that everything was locked up and that it was as secure as he
could make it. Now he had to wait for Jaak Danko to arrive with the
supplies he had asked Bailey to send along. He yawned and fought
falling asleep, and tried to keep from thinking about how good it
would feel to go upstairs and climb into bed beside Mulder.
Alex's thick blue
blanket fell to the floor as he got up off the couch
and opened the French doors. He stepped out, bare foot on the cool
wet planks of the deck. A soft, rustling night spread around him.
The air was ripe with the smell of green growth, full of the smell of
grass and wet earth. Night sounds whispered as the sweet air traced
his cheek.
He swept rain water off the deck railing, pushed up his sleeves
and
rested his forearms on the damp wood. He felt himself relax as he
let the peace of the area settle around him. The quiet murmur of the
wind, the humming insects, the subtle noises of small animals living
their lives, all served to relax him. Something broke the surface of
the lake with a pop and a splash. A fish snatching a late snack.
The sound of
tires on gravel made him spin around. He could see
the vague outlines of trees and bushes across the grounds tipped in
silver as headlights reflected back onto them from the curve of the
driveway. Alex moved around the corner of the house cautiously.
As he peered
around the side of the cabin he saw a dark sedan stop
in front of the house. He relaxed as he saw Jaak Danko step out
from the driver's side. Seeing no-one else, Alex walked around to
meet his friend.
Alex could see the big Russian was tired as he approached
him. He
also knew Jaak would never complain about it. The two men picked
up the bags of supplies with minimal conversation. Alex was
delighted to see his battered and torn leather jacket laying on top of
Mulder's laptop computer. He reached into the inner pocket and felt
a sudden fierce thrill of need race through him as his fingers found
the glass vial of green nutrient fluid he had placed there so long ago.
Alex fought the feeling down viciously, forcing his fingers to leave
the fluid where it was. He scooped up the computer, a pair of flight
bags and the jacket. After a quick scan of the area again, he
followed Jaak into the house.
As Alex sat the computer up on the dining room
table Jaak settled
himself onto the couch. The big Russian was sound asleep by the
time Alex made a preliminary run through the computer to see what
files it contained. A tension he hadn't even been aware of eased as
Alex saw that Mulder had copies of the files he had obtained from
Sarcus and Alex's Russian files. Combine those with the data tape
copy he would get from Bailey and Alex would give the smoker and
his allies some problems to deal with instead of going after one lone
rogue agent.
Alex's first job was to release the information Spectre had
hidden
for him on the web. In minutes the data was sent to carefully
selected individuals and groups chosen for their ability to cause
trouble for the Consortium and/or his previous employers in Russia.
Normally, Alex would use this information for trading or to sell to
the highest bidders. Now, he just wanted to sow chaos and difficulty
for his pursuers. He was hoping that suppressing the security
breaches would keep them too busy to pursue him, at least for a
while. After he had one of his copies of the DAT tape again he
could really stir things up. He grinned as he imagined Mulder's
reaction when Alex handed him his own copy of the tape. Talk
about someone who could cause trouble...
Alex looked up to see the eastern
sky beginning to lighten. The
midnight blue velvet of the sky was coming alive with glorious
pinwheels of deep pink, crimson, yellow and orange. Alex shut
down the computer, his eyes were beginning to burn anyway. He
stretched stiffly as he got up from the chair. Looking over, he saw
Jaak dead to the world on the couch, and smiled.
Stifling a yawn, he trudged
up the stair case to the loft. Not my
fault, Mulder. Jaak took the couch. I had no choice but climb into
bed with you. You wouldn't really expect me to sleep on the cold,
hard floor would you?
Mulder was laying on his side in the bed. Alex looked
down on him,
something twisting painfully in his chest as he reached out to touch
him. Alex stopped himself, his fingers a scant inch above Mulder's
face. The man was beautiful, but he needed to sleep. Alex sighed
and stripped, tossing his clothes casually into the corner. He slid
into the bed, back to back with Mulder, and pulled the covers over
both of them.
The warm body behind him was comforting, and it didn't take
long
for Alex's body to relax. He drifted slowly into sleep, visions of a
unlikely future with Mulder lulling him in deeper.
Alex lay flat on his
back on the lounge chair. His eyes were closed
as he reveled in the healing warmth of the sun. The background
sounds, the sound of sea gulls overhead, and the feel of the ocean air
washing over him, it was all soothing. He took it all in, letting his
body relax and his mind free itself of thought. He didn't know why
they hadn't done this a long time ago. A cruise, especially a cruise
booked exclusively for men, was exactly what he and Mulder
needed.
A slow smile spread over his face as he thought of his lover. He
raised his head, pulling his sunglasses down onto his nose and
searching for the man he loved by the pool. His smile grew as he
spotted him.
Mulder had recently emerged from the water. He sat on the edge
of
the pool. His back was arched, he was leaning back on his elbows,
his head thrown back, face turned to the hot sun. Alex watched as he
spread his hands and flattened his dark, shiny hair against his skull,
smiling happily.
With a smooth move, Mulder was on his feet. Alex's eyes
took in the
tensile strength and beauty of the long thighs, the flex of muscles as
Mulder moved across the deck toward him.
Mulder's smile was eager and alive
with affection and delight. For a
moment Alex couldn't pull any air in through the tightness in his
chest. That smile warmed him more than the Caribbean sun in his
bare back ever could. Coming up beside him, Mulder offered a hand
and pulled Alex up onto his feet.
As Alex stood, Mulder moved in against him.
"Hi."
"Hi," Alex exhaled a long breath of contentment. For the first time
in years he felt blissfully happy, fully alive. The shadows that had
covered his heart for so much of his life were far away.
Mulder brushed his
lips against Alex's, teasing them open with the
tip of his tongue, tasting faintly of chlorine and sun. It was warm, it
was delicious, a moist caress that seared a fiery path through his
bloodstream. It was increasingly hungry, caused increasing hunger.
Alex
moaned as Mulder pulled away. Mulder smiled at him, his
eyes dancing in mischief. He leaned in and nipped at Alex's earlobe.
"I want you, Alex."
The soft words caused an intense reaction in Alex's
already aroused
body. His cock came to immediate and painful attention, dragging
another groan from the back of Alex's throat.
To his confusion, Mulder led
him past the cabin level down into the
working areas of the luxury liner. Laughing, Mulder ignored his
protests, pushing him into a doorway once to avoid being seen by a
pair of crewmen going through the hallway. That was Mulder, eager
and as erratic as a summer storm.
"Mulder," Alex started to complain. Mulder
shut him up with the
simple expedient of kissing him senseless. Dazed, Alex followed as
he led him farther down the hallway.
Mulder finally stopped in front of a
plain metal door. He cracked it
open, then turned back to Alex. The look on his face when he turned
back made Alex suck in a deep breath. The playfulness was gone.
Mulder's gaze was intent and loving, yet somehow tinged with a
deep sadness. A wave of compassion, mixed with fear, welled up
inside Alex. He trembled with the need to erase every vestige of
unhappiness shadowing Mulder's face while at the same time part
of him wanted to run.
Mulder pressed his lips to Alex's, the kiss desperate,
full of need
and sorrow. Alex was lost in confusion. His senses were full of
Mulder while his mind cried at him that something was wrong.
Mulder broke off the kiss, his lips still against Alex's.
"I don't think I
can tease and play anymore, I want you too much,
Alex."
Mulder's voice was low, seductive. That, plus his body pressed up
against Alex caused Alex's mind to overload. He couldn't think. He
didn't want to think. He let himself be led through the door into the
dark room.
Mulder continued kissing him, one hand sliding up his back to
caress the back of his neck. His other hand ran up Alex's back and
up and over his left shoulder. Tingles went through Alex as
Mulder's hand ran down his left arm to his wrist, gently circling it
with his fingers. Alex sighed into the warmth of Mulder's mouth as
Mulder moved against his body rhythmically, rubbing him with
excruciating sureness.
His pleasant haze abruptly ended as he felt the cold
kiss of metal
around his left wrist and heard the sound of handcuffs being locked
onto a metal object. Alex jerked away frantically, gasping as the
handcuff held his left arm still.
Mulder moved quickly out of reach. He
backed toward the door, the
light from the hall back lighting him and letting Alex see that the
room he was in was all featureless gray metal. He was handcuffed to
a thick metal pipe running floor to ceiling.
"Mulder, what the fuck?" Alex
strained to gather his scattered wits,
watching in horror as Mulder shook his head sadly.
"I'm sorry, Alex," Mulder
told him softly. "I didn't see any other
way."
"Other way for what?" Alex heard the whine and fear in his own
voice and fought for control.
Mulder's face held infinite sorrow. "You've
gone too long without
the nutrients I need, Alex. I need to take control until I can locate
what I need."
Understanding came at the same time as anger. "Alexei!" Alex
hissed the name with pure hatred.
Mulder shimmered and his form blurred. Alex
found himself
starring at his own face and form. He snarled and lunged forward,
intent on destroying the doppleganger. The cuff rattled and jerked
him to an abrupt halt. Alexei shook his head.
"I need those nutrients, Alex.
I'm starting to feel withdrawal. Much
longer and I'll start getting sick." He shook his head sadly. "I
picked up your intention. Refusing to find or take the fluid isn't a
solution, Alex. You can't get rid of me by denying me the nutrients.
You'll just end up killing us both. I'm sorry, but I have to take over
for a short time."
Alex's reply was a string of vulgarity in four different
languages.
Alexei flushed. "I don't want to erase you. I promise, Alex. I
will
let you out as soon as I can."
"Kurite mojo trubku!"
Alexei smiled faintly.
"Suck your dick? I think that would be a little
difficult given our situation. Maybe in your next dream."
Alex snarled and
Alexei stepped through the doorway. He started
shutting the door, removing the last of the light from the room.
Alex lunged
forward again, this time in panic. "Wait! DON'T!"
The door clanged shut,
shutting him away from all sensation.
Translations:
Victim of the Game
by CKing
Alex could feel Mulder's warm, firm body up against him.
Normally, this would be welcome. Now, though, Mulder was
trapping him in the dark, closet-like space that echoed with their
ragged breathing.
J'aimerais faire l'amour avec toi, ma amie = I'd love to
make love with you, my
love.
Mais oui, mon coeur = But yes, my heart
Kurite mojo trubku = Suck my
dick.
