Title: Conundrum
Author: Chad
E-mail: Chad_Skywalker@webtv.net
Feedback: Always welcome!
Date: August 30th, 2001
Archive: Yes please
Category: M/O
Rating: PG13
Series/Sequel: This story is a sequel to "Dangerous
Undercurrents"
Spoilers: Set after "Existence"
Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to CC, 1013
and Fox Television; and others were conceived in my
warped imagination. Azathoth is a creation of HP
Lovecraft and is now the property of Arkham House.

Beta Thanks: Bertina

Chapter Eleven: Surprise

"No," Mulder insisted, holding Jamie's quivering
shoulders, "there has to be
another way." He had to believe that. Somehow, there
had to be another way of releasing Azathoth's toxic
essence from Jamie's dying body.

Jamie shook his head, fighting to keep control.
"Mulder, there is no other way. Nothing is more
important to me than you. My being here is putting you
and everyone else's lives at risk."

Mulder's eyes were alert with determination. "I won't
let this keep us apart any longer."

"You know what will happen," replied Jamie, quietly.
"I'm sorry, I..."

"Hey, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I let you
down. I should have never stopped looking for you."

"It's not your fault, this is..." Jamie groaned and
doubled over in pain.

"Jamie!" Taking him by the arms, Mulder gently leaned
him against a wall. A thick sheen of sweat had broken
out across his brow and his breathing was more labored
and shallow than before.

Mulder caressed his face, speaking soothingly. "You
just have to stay strong a little while longer. I'm
gonna find a way to help you." Jamie started to
protest, but Mulder swiftly hushed him. "Then we'll
have plenty of time to talk when you're better."

"Mulder, I'm not going to get better," Jamie told him
simply, his blond hair falling across his forehead and
into his eyes.

Mulder pulled back from him and held him by the
shoulders. "No, I don't accept that. You are not going
to die!"

Holding Jamie in a long, tight embrace, Mulder leaned
his face in close, brushing his lips against Jamie's
trembling ones. Mulder was surprised as Jamie reached
out and held his face. Jamie opened his mouth slightly
and their kiss became white hot with intensity.
Mulder's expression turned from contented to dismayed.
His eyes opened wide with alarm, and he became
frightened by his own doubt.

As he broke the fierce embrace, Jamie -- or rather the
Great Old One inside him -- smiled, a cold, triumphant
smile. Azathoth was in control. He straightened and
slowly regained his feet.

"That I didn't expect," purred the evil entity.
"Jamie's much stronger than I ever gave him credit
for."

"Shut up!" Mulder shouted, desperate now. "Jamie, you
are stronger than him! Azathoth hasn't completely
beaten you, otherwise we'd all be dead."

"No!" Azathoth cried as Jamie drew on his last
reserves of strength and regained control. The harsh
statement changed before Mulder's eyes. Sad, tired and
disheveled, Jamie dropped to his knees and into
Mulder's arms. "You have to let me go," he whispered,
weakly. "It's the only way to stop this..."

"And kill you? It won't happen," he growled, gentle
eyes searching his. Jamie's beautiful green eyes were
lit and full of fear. "Jamie, we're going to get
through this together," promised Mulder. "What I've
lived through this past year, believe me, anything is
possible."

"You make me want to believe."

Mulder held Jamie tightly. The feeling came back -- a
mystical glow, a romantic haze that seemed
otherworldly. Jamie had fought to win his love and
Mulder was determined to fight to keep him.

Jamie rested his head against Mulder's chest. "What
are we gonna do?" he whispered.

"I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

~*~*~*~*~

Richard Frazer exited the cab and stepped out into the
parking lot of the gleaming airport. A light rain had
caused a mist to waft around the tall terminal
building. His mission for Brother Gordon Stratton had
been a complete failure. The traitor Krycek had
escaped with help, leaving him the worse for wear. He'd 
made a promise to keep the execution attempt a secret. 
In the back of his mind, he wondered why the High Priest 
had not ordered it himself.

Walking through a pair of sliding glass doors, Richard
scanned the bustling reception area for Augustus.
Soon, he spotted the older man waiting beside a
Chameleon Tours kiosk. "Where have you been?" Brother
Thascales demanded.

"Like I told you earlier, keeping an eye on our
target." He decided to swiftly change the subject.
"Has the High Priest arrived?"

"Keep your voice down!" Augustus warned, casting
nervous glances at the milling strangers disembarking
from various flights. Taking Richard by the arm, he
hissed, "Mr. Blair phoned from his private jet. All he
asked was for us to acquire a van and to meet him
here."

"To what purpose?" Richard inquired.

"Why, to fulfill destiny," a voice said from behind
them.

Both men turned to find their High Priest, Matthew
Blair, had arrived. They gave curt little bows with
their heads, but Blair seemed not to notice.

"Are all things prepared?" he asked, his eyes wide
with fanatical glee.

"Yes, sir," Augustus answered.

"Let us proceed," Blair said, half to himself. Taking
the lead, he moved on through the terminal with the
two brethren following close behind.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Helping Jamie back to his feet, Mulder wrapped his
arms under Jamie's and stood holding him tightly to
his chest. "Come on," he said. "I've got some friends
that can help us."

His head turned with a start as the front door
abruptly opened, slamming hard against the wall.
Mulder felt his mouth drop open in shock at the sight
of Krycek, a slightly crazed look gleaming in his
eyes, standing in the frame.

"Get away from him, Mulder!" he commanded, stalking
forward. Enraged, Mulder could not believe this. He
exhaled as Skinner came bounding in behind Krycek,
appearing flushed.

With both arms wrapped around Jamie's shoulders,
Mulder ignored Krycek and helped Jamie's weak body
over to the sofa. Laying him down, Jamie instantly
closed his eyes. Making sure that he was alright,
Mulder reluctantly left his side. Pulling Krycek as
far from Jamie as possible, Mulder wrenched him
around.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he
demanded, angrily.

Walter interceded, he could feel they were in for a
fight. Back at his apartment, Krycek had insisted that
they get to Mulder immediately. Learning that Jamie
was somehow possessed by what Avatar were searching
for confirmed his suspicions and only heightened his
concern for Mulder.

"Mulder, take it easy," he advised. "You really need
to listen." Walter took Mulder aside. "I don't fully
understand what's going on here, but I believe Jamie
had some sort of influence over him."

Mulder's eyes flashed toward Alex. "You knew about
Jamie?" he accused, his tone sharp. The air felt thick
with deception. As far as Mulder was concerned, Krycek
was a dead man. "You son of a bitch!" he shrieked,
lunging at him.

"He's possessed by evil," Krycek gasped.

Mulder swiftly punched him and grabbed him roughly.
"And you're as pure as the driven snow? It is NOT his
fault!"

Krycek rubbed his cheek and swore under his breath. He
gazed at Skinner for assistance.

Looking between the two men, Walter visibly tensed.
"Mulder, I know it's hard to believe but Krycek wants 
to help. He knows exactly what's going on."

And he did. Alex felt dirty, used in a way far worse
than how Spender had manipulated his every move.
Looking at Jamie's fragile form, his anger evaporated
into a profound sadness. Something was different about
him. Alex no longer felt a presence in his mind,
telling him what to do. He realized that Mulder was
right, Jamie was the victim.

Mulder stared at Walter, incredulity filling his eyes.
"You're suggesting that this homicidal maniac is going
to..."

Walter sighed heavily, understanding all too well
Mulder's valid distrust. "Mulder, he was stupid enough
to enter their cult."

A light exploded in Mulder's mind. Anger seethed and
bubbled through his blood stream. It all made sense
now. "Oh, now I understand. The only reason he brought
Jamie back was to get his hands on that damn box."

Krycek actually laughed. "You're so naive, it's almost
cute."

"That's pretty taxing for someone who's supposed to be
dead," Mulder snarled.

"Look who's talking," Krycek sarcastically shot back.

Mulder shook his head stubbornly. "Look at him!" he
exclaimed. "Walter, this is what he wants. Don't you
see?"

"It's not as simple as that," Skinner told him gently.

"No, wait!" Krycek shouted, stepping forward. "Let him
talk. I want to hear how I was gonna pull off this
brilliant scheme. I must be a fuckin' genius!"

"No, you're just a fuckin' lunatic who's gone out of
his way to make my life a living hell," Mulder spat.
"If you think I'm just going to stand back while you
take Jamie like..."

Alex blew up. "I swear if you accuse me of killing
your father one more time, I'll smash your face in!"

"That's enough!" Walter's angry voice froze them both.
He shot daggers at both men who were poised to pounce
on each other at any moment. "Both of you!" he
growled.

"Why are you defending him?" Mulder gestured with his
hands toward the green-eyed assassin. "How could he
not know?"

Krycek shook his head apologetically. "I didn't know
at first, I swear it," he explained. "I never wanted
this to happen. But something compelled me, like it
was all pre-arranged. Trust no one, isn't that right,
Mulder? He used me to find you. It was all a trap!"

"You're saying that..." Mulder began slowly, then
turned to Walter. "Why do you believe him? It's not as
if he's ever told the truth before."

"Listen, damn it!" Walter exclaimed, losing patience
with both of them. "Avatar sent someone to my
apartment to kill him."

"What?" Mulder pursed his lips and glanced nervously
between them.

Alex added, "And that means they're probably on their
way here right now."

On the other side of the room, Jamie felt as if he
were pulled down into an undertow. An invisible
current dragged him into a cold, swirling vortex. A
malevolent dark shape rose up before his eyes. He
struggled to breathe, he struggled to escape.

*Give me freedom!* Azathoth demanded.

"I'm so tired." Jamie rubbed a hand over his eyes,
trying to force the image to go away. "Why am I so
confused?"

*Just borrow my strength.*

"No," he muttered weakly.

*Why not? What are you afraid of?*

"Let me go!" Jamie screamed.

A burst of laughter echoed in his mind like booming
thunder. *Your life is nearly over. Give me control.*

Jamie turned for help. He reached out for Mulder, but
he seemed too far away. The huge shadow swept over him
like an overwhelming veil.

"Let me go," Jamie whispered.

The shadow reared above him.

Meantime, three men remained oblivious of Jamie's
struggle.

"Mulder, I can help you," Alex continued. "Unless your
pig-headed pride wants to get both you and Jamie
killed."

"Alright," he said after a long pause. "I'm
listening." This is crazy, Mulder thought.

"The naga box is the key. They'll need it and Jamie to
recreate the ceremony. There's only one way to prevent
it from happening."

"No!" Mulder cried, furiously.

"It's the only way," Krycek wearily said, staring into
the living room at Jamie.

Mulder slammed Krycek against a wall, forcing his arm
against his throat. "Look at him like that again and
it will be the last thing you ever see!"

"What is he talking about?" Walter asked, confused. A
soft gasp caused Walter to turn his attention to
Mulder's couch. His eyes opened wide in shock at the
sight of Jamie clutching at his chest and struggling
for breath. "Mulder!" he shouted.

Whirling round, Mulder's anger was completely
forgotten in an instant. "Jamie? Jamie!" Jamie lay on
the sofa, white as a sheet and gasping for air. "Call
Scully!" he roared. "Get on the phone and call Scully
-- now!"

As Walter brushed by him, Alex took tentative steps,
and gazed down at Jamie with sympathy and concern. He
appeared so fragile that he might break. His will
astounded Krycek. Jamie was fighting the evil inside,
fighting to be with Mulder.

Skinner searched the room for Mulder's telephone. He
turned a corner and found it lying discarded on the
kitchen floor. After a few moments, he returned to
find Mulder kneeling beside Jamie.

"She's on her way," he announced.

Mulder turned with worry set in his eyes. "There's no
time, we've got to get him to a hospital." Lifting
Jamie into his arms, he headed for the door.

Without warning, the door exploded, sending everyone
scattering across the floor. Three small, oval shapes
rushed through the air and burst apart with a loud
crack. Apartment 42 quickly filled with a thick gas.
Unable to breathe, the hissing of the cannisters
became drowned out by the sound of coughing. Soon
Mulder, Jamie, Krycek and Skinner were all overcome by
the noxious fumes.

Now the only sound was the regular breathing of four
unconscious men. Mulder, at full stretch, lay near
Jamie, a protective arm thrown over him. Walter, lying
on his front, lay against a wall. Alex, curled up, was
partly concealed by the coffee table.

Two nightmarish masked figures entered the apartment,
followed by a third. As the gas began to dissipate,
Matthew Blair arrogantly strode forward and cast
careful eyes over the four prone figures. He pointed
silently at a blond face-down on the floor.

"This is the one," he muttered beneath the mask.

Augustus and Richard carefully lifted Jamie and
started to back away. Prodding another body with the
toe of his shoe, Blair nodded. "This one, too," he
continued.

Leaving the long sought after Deliverer in the hands
of Augustus, Richard tugged roughly at Alex Krycek's
shoulder and dragged him to his feet, not daring to
protest.

"What of the naga box?" Augustus asked.

Blair sneered down at Mulder's sleeping face. "He will
bring it to us. We have something he wants."

[Next Episode: Should I Laugh Or Cry?]