Dangerous Under Currents 03

Title: Dangerous Undercurrents
Author: Chad Moore
Email: Chad_Skywalker@webtv.net
Feedback: Yes, please
Status: New/WIP
Archive: Yes, please tell me where
Pairing: M/O
Fandom: The X-Files
Rating: R for male to male interaction
Spoilers: None, this is pre-XF
Huge Beta Thanks: Bertina
Disclaimer: Fox Mulder belongs to Chris Carter and ten thirteen. All other
characters are my creations.

Chapter Three: Animal Instincts
by Chad Moore

FROM THE CASE JOURNAL OF INSPECTOR TREVOR WINSTON:

Damn! It's going to be one of those cases, I just know it. Financier Vincent
Tucker's body was discovered early this morning. There were no signs of
violence, though a strange mark was discovered on the back of his neck. The
case was bound to attract every lunatic within a fifty-kilometer radius. There
were strong rumors that Oxford was still a hot spot for the occult. There were
stories of mysterious ceremonies held at midnight, of chanting robed figures
circling secret altars... Double damn!

The post mortem was inconclusive. Cause of death unknown. And the odd thing is
that the body was already decomposing. With no clues, how was he supposed to
solve this case? Plod through those woods looking for witches? Triple damn!
It's going to be one of those cases.

~oo0oo~

Mind-numbing explosions of orange and red burst through Mulder's eyelids.
Turning away from the bright sunlight filtering across the room, he buried his
aching head beneath a feather pillow. He detected another sensation, pleasing
and warm, nearby. Risking the knife-piercing headache he knew would come,
Mulder slowly opened an eye just a fraction. Next to the bedside table his
blurry vision focused in on a tall, silver thermos wafting the aroma of coffee.

Sitting up with a start, Mulder regretted it in an instant. His head hurt
abominably. Holding it in his hands, he took several minutes to wake up.
Blinking rapidly he was quite surprised to find himself in his dorm bed. 'How
did I get in here?' he wondered. His first thought was that he'd gone home with
a stranger.

Throwing back the covers he found himself fully clothed -- sans shoes -- with
a plate of croissants sitting next to the thermos. A handwritten note propped
up on the table caught his attention. 'Now where are my reading glasses?'
Squinting in the painful sunlight, Mulder began to read aloud:

Dear Mulder, Gone to the theatre dept. Sleep in and feel better soon. Enjoy
the coffee. Cheers, Jamie

"Jamie," Mulder grinned. He must have really taken on a bender last night, and
instead of letting him loose, Jamie must've taken care of him. Easing out of
bed Mulder took slow steps toward the bathroom. He felt as if he would bust at
any moment. With one hand on the cool wall for support, Mulder's mouth dropped
open while relief took over. With a soft flush, he moved to stare at his
reflection in the medicine cabinet mirror. "You look like hell," he told
himself. Reaching inside the small shower cubicle, he turned on the water and
stripped out of his clothes -- which reeked of beer and cigarette smoke. The
cold water hit him harder than a punch.

God, he hoped he hadn't embarrassed himself again last night. Truth be told,
he couldn't remember much after Phoebe dragged him away. Stepping back out onto
the tiled floor, Mulder toweled himself down. His head felt a lot clearer and
the memories not so hazy. Last night seemed like a dream; taking Jamie through
town, his new friend saving a man's life, holding Jamie afterwards... Mulder
felt warmth shooting through his groin and up his spine. He looked down to find
that he'd been unconsciously massaging the blue towel around his crotch.

Walking back into the bedroom proper, he slid into a pair of boxer shorts and
sat back down on the rumpled bed. Pouring himself a cup of hot coffee from the
thermos, he savoured the liquid as it coated his throat.

~oo0oo~

Hesitantly pushing open the large, double doors Jamie peered inside Oxford's
theatre department. The cavernous room beyond was empty and bathed in darkness.
Venturing inside he walked down the steep, sloping aisle toward the stage. He
paused to take it all in. Five of his high school's theatre's could've fit
within this one building.

"Hello?" he called timidly. His voice echoed eerily off the curved walls.
"Anyone here?" he tried with a little more confidence.

"Can I help you?"

"Oh!" Jamie whirled around and found a figure emerging from behind a curtain.
"Hi, um, I was looking for the drama class."

"You're in the right place. The classroom's on the other side of the stage."

Jamie focused his eyes as they became accustomed to the gloom. The owner of
the deep British accent moved down the stage's stairs. He was very tall, with
flame red hair and blue eyes so bright they practically glowed.

"I'm Sebastian," he said.

"Jamie."

Holding onto the rows of seats as a guide, Jamie followed Sebastian up to the
stage. He could see a shaft of light backstage leading into a room. "Thanks for
the help," he continued. "It was a little creepy in here."

"No problem." Sebastian regarded the new arrival curiously. His clothes
suggested that he wanted to make a good impression: grey slacks, silk shirt and
a fashionable blazer. "It's easy to get lost in a large place like this."

"You can say that again," laughed Jamie. As they entered the classroom, Jamie
swallowed nervously. You never could shake those first day of school
butterflies. The fears immediately disappeared the moment he thought of Mulder
and if a hangover was as bad as he'd heard.

~oo0oo~

Emerging from the theatre building, Jamie and Sebastian followed after the
excited babble of students. "I can't believe it! Auditions for a play on my
first day of class," Jamie was saying, holding up a thick book.

"There's nothing to it," Sebastian reassured him.

"You should talk! I saw your picture tacked under every theatre program. How
many shows have you starred in?"

Before he could answer, someone waving distracted them.

"Jamie!" Carolyn called, catching sight of him.

He whipped his head up at the sound of a familiar voice. Jamie smiled as
Carolyn jogged over to him. "Hi, Carolyn."

"I'm so glad I caught you between classes. I really need to talk..." She
noticed the rather intense looking man beside him. "Oh, hello."

Jamie playfully smacked himself in the forehead. "Carolyn, Sebastian --
Sebastian, Carolyn."

"Ooo! You're Sebastian Beal!" she cried.

Sebastian nodded curtly and turned back to Jamie. "Listen, I'll see you
tomorrow."

Waving goodbye, Jamie and Carolyn walked over to a stone bench and sat down.
"Well, he's even cuter up close," she observed. "You two seemed to hit off,
huh?"

"Yeah," he replied absently. "Now, what's going on?"

She giggled nervously. "I think your new friend likes you."

"Sebastian?"

"Did he ask you out?"

"Of course not! Carolyn, stop changing the subject."

She looked around for a second then leaned in. "Remember when you told us not
to go to the lake last night?"

Jamie sighed. "Yes, I shouldn't have done that."

"No, Jamie! You were right." The playfulness had left her voice.

"What happened?" he asked slowly.

"Nothing exactly," she shrugged. "I heard ... strange noises in the forest.
Oh, Jamie it's hard to explain. I just had this overwhelming feeling, the
presence of something evil. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

Jamie clicked his tongue. "Nonsense. I'm just glad you're okay." He held her
hand and squeezed gently. "Just do me a favor?"

She nodded.

"Don't go back there again."

"Believe me, you don't have to tell me twice." She sighed, feeling better.
"Are you sure there's not a little magic in you?"

"Me? I wish."

"Hmm, I think there is." Slinging her brown rucksack back across her shoulder,
she smiled. "Thanks for the chat, Jamie. I've got some studying to do."

"How's Mulder today?" he asked suddenly.

"I haven't seen Foxy at all."

He sat bolt upright, alarm in his eyes. "You mean he didn't go to class?" She
shook her head. "Oh no! He must really be sick. I'd better check on him."

She reached out and grabbed his arm. "Hold it, Lone Ranger! As I recall,
you've got another class."

"But," he started to protest.

"But nothing. I tell 'ya what, I'll go check on Mulder, ok?"

Jamie nodded. "Alright."

She stuck her tongue out and thought for a moment. "I think Alison's right."

"About?"

"Phoebe, she makes Foxy party too much."

Jamie's eyes flashed and he slammed the playbook down. "Oh, you mean the
mistake Mulder was with last night? Ooo! She drives me crazy!"

Carolyn watched in stunned amusement as Jamie began flipping through his
playbook absently. 'Yep, he's definitely got it bad,' she thought.

"Did you see the way she hung all over him?" He stopped and stared into her
face. The pair burst into a chorus of laughter. "Oh, help," he sighed.

"Hang in there, sweetie." She stood up, kissed him on the forehead and set off
for the Halls of Residence.

~oo0oo~

Rapping loudly on the door, Carolyn stood in the hallway waiting for an
answer. Foxy missed an important lecture today, which was not like him at all.
Sure he liked to cut loose and have a good time, but miss a class? No way! He
was one of the most dedicated students she knew. She understood why Alison
disliked Phoebe so. Maybe Jamie would be a good influence on him.

After a few moments, Carolyn began to worry. She moved her knuckles to the
door again. Suddenly, it opened before she had a chance to knock. Mulder stood
before her in a T-shirt and sweat pants looking the worse for wear.

"Carolyn, what are you doing here?"

"Looking for you," she replied. "You didn't show in class and you missed..."

Mulder groaned. "Don't tell me."

"Here you can borrow my notes," she passed him a yellow folder from her
rucksack.

Mulder grinned sheepishly. "Thanks, Carrie."

She looked past him into the room. "Is that coffee I smell?"

"Yeah, Jamie left it for me."

She nodded knowingly. "Well, he was very worried about you."

"I don't even remember what happened last night," he confessed.

"One guess?"

"Phoebe," he sighed.

"Right first time! Give this man a prize." She quickly changed the subject
back to Jamie. "I promised him I'd look in on you."

"How is he?"

"Fine, I saw him leaving the theatre with a new friend."

"Really?"

"Yes, that cutie who's been in all the plays. He was certainly being chummy
with Jamie." Her last sentence made Carolyn want to slap a hand across her
mouth. Oh no! What if Mulder didn't know Jamie's gay? Then, the most
extraordinary thing happened. Mulder eyes lit up and he started looking for his
jacket and shoes.

"Where's Jamie now?" he demanded.

"What? Oh, he was on his way over to the archaeology department. Why?"

He shrugged into his jacket. "I, well I want to let him know I'm ok, that's
all."

She smiled slyly. "Fox Mulder, if I didn't know better I'd think you were
jealous."

"Jealous?" he laughed. "I am not!" He rushed toward the door and stumbled.

"Oh no?" she added.

With one breath he tossed the folder toward his desk. "And thanks for the
notes."

Gleefully, Carolyn watched him jog down the hallway. She shook her head, never
ceasing to be amazed. 'Jamie must be magical,' she thought. He's got Mulder all
tangled up in his underwear!

~oo0oo~

The wind carressing his body, Jamie luxuriated in the beautiful Autumn day.
The moment he'd woken up and saw Mulder deep in the arms of Morpheus, he'd had
a feeling that something exciting would happen today. Was it Carolyn's tale,
the prospect of being in a play, or something else entirely? Taking a path, he
couldn't help but smile. Mulder's tour was spot on perfect. He could make it to
his next class with time to spare.

Mulder! He had the feeling he was somewhere near. His presence flooded his
senses. Turning, Jamie began to look for him. He stopped and chewed his lip.
Why were his feelings torturing him so? He nearly exploded at Carolyn's mere
mention of Phoebe. Everything about the girl who'd shamelessly thrown herself
at Mulder was wrong and made him want to scream.

"Stop it, Jamie!" he murmured to himself. Closing his eyes, he breathed
deeply. God, he could almost smell Mulder.

Then, there he was rushing toward him.  "Jamie!" he called.

"Mulder?"

He stopped in front of him, panting. "I was ... hoping... to catch you."

"Is everything alright?" he asked, full of concern.

"I'm really sorry about last night."

"It's okay," he smiled. "Happens all the time."

"You mean you took care of your drunken friends back home, too?"

Jamie laughed. "I'm glad you're feeling better." He wandered on ahead and
passed under the shadow of the next building. "Go back home and rest."

"Wait! I'll walk you to class." Mulder hurried to catch up with him. Entering
the bustling college, he turned to him. "How was drama?"

"Oh, it was ace! I'm going to audition for a play."

"You're amazing."

"What?" Jamie couldn't hear him above the noise.

"I said ... it's amazing you'll be getting involved so quickly," he casually
replied.

He nodded. "I'm a bit scared." Jamie looked up and paused. "Here it is."

"Oh," Mulder said with a hint of disappointment, then his face lit up. "Jamie,
don't plan anything tonight, ok?"

Jamie tried to read his statement. "Why?" he wondered.

"It's a surprise," Mulder told him with a crooked grin.

~oo0oo~

By the time Jamie left the archaeology building, night had fallen over the
university. Class had been interesting, although he found it hard to
concentrate as he pondered over Mulder's "surprise." He was still amazed that
Mulder ran all the way over just to apologize.

Holding a new textbook close to his chest, Jamie thought about Carolyn's tale
as he entered an archway leading home. Her exact words had been "a feeling of
evil." What was going on? He couldn't bear it if anything happened to her. A
sudden eerie moaning in the wind caused him to quicken his pace. "Grams was
right," he whispered. "I've got to start listening to my feelings more."

~oo0oo~

Burning torches illuminated the warren of dark passages. A figure wearing a
black cowl moved with purpose through the damp and chilly air. He entered a
vast chamber where more hooded forms stood in a semi-circle around a central
stone altar.

The High Priest, wearing the ancient ceremonial mask, stood before the
assembled coven. An argument was taking place.

"The Leviathan's kill will bring the authorities close!" a brother protested.

"The deaths are inevitable and fortunate." The Priest's deep voice rumbled
beneath his mask.

"Fortunate?"

"Yes, it means that the Chosen One is nearby and has made contact with others.
Soon the Leviathan shall find him." The Priest spread his arms reverentially.
"Brothers, do not lose faith or the god shall be displeased. It is written that
the Chosen One will not be conscious of his purpose. He is an innocent, as the
Great One foretold. The Deliverer shall pave the way."

~oo0oo~

Mulder jumped up and threw open the door the second he heard a key jangle.
"Jamie!" he exclaimed.

Jamie caught his breath at the handsome vision before him. Mulder had changed
into a sweater and jeans. He was intrigued to see him in a heavy jacket and
carrying a flannel blanket.

With his free hand, Mulder swept Jamie's books out his hands and tossed them
onto the bed. Hustling him back into the hall, he grinned. "Ready for your
surprise?"

Not able to speak from the wild thoughts flowing through his mind ... Mulder,
blanket, Mulder ... Jamie blinked. "Yes, sure!"

He gestured with his head toward a door at the end of the hall. "Come on,
you'll love this."

The door opened up to a flight of stairs that seemed to go on forever. They
always reminded Mulder of an Escher painting. Leading the way, he looked over
his should to find Jamie eagerly following close behind. Reaching the top,
Mulder insisted on covering Jamie's eyes. He felt Jamie tremble when his hand
rested over his eyes.

"Ready?" he teased.

"Yes!"

Jamie shivered as a cold wind hit him. He willingly allowed Mulder to lead him
into it, hearing his shoes scrape on gravel. The door closed behind and
Mulder's warm breath was next to his face.

"Look up."

A bit disappointed by the break in contact, Jamie did as he was told and
gasped. They were standing on the roof and above them, a million twinkling
diamonds. "It's beautiful," he whispered.

Mulder kneeled and laid out the blanket. He smiled at the awe radiating from
Jamie's face. "I thought you'd like it."

"Like it? Mulder, I love it!" He turned round to find Mulder sitting on the
cover, the breeze ruffling his hair. The only thing more beautiful than the
wonders of the universe.

Mulder patted the ground. "Come and warm up."

Jamie had to force his legs to move. No one had ever had this affect on him.
Shuffling forward he sat beside Mulder without looking, afraid that this was
all a dream.

"Thanks for looking after me, Jamie," he said. Jamie slowly turned and their
faces were so close. His heart pounded like a steam engine.

"I-I," he started to say. Mulder whipped his head up and pointed. "Man, I've
never seen the Big Dipper so clearly."

He laid back on the blanket and Jamie joined him. The chill dissipated with
the feeling of Mulder beside him. He proceeded to point out all the
constellations.

"How do you know so much about them?" Jamie wondered, clearly impressed.

"I had a telescope as a kid, me and my sister," Mulder's voice trailed away
sadly.

"I didn't know you had a sister."

Mulder sat up suddenly, startling Jamie. "She's missing."

"Oh, Mulder I'm so sorry. I didn't know," he said in a hushed voice.

"I'm going to find her one day. If it's the last thing I ever do," he told him
determinedly.

Jamie reached over and tentatively squeezed his shoulder. "You will. I know it."

Mulder stared back at him, his eyes glistening. Something in Jamie's voice
made him want to believe. "I've never talked about it. My parents closed
themselves off when Samantha disappeared."

"You've got to trust someone," Jamie said. "I'm always here to listen."

"Jamie, I..." Mulder felt a magnetic pull from his eyes, which seemed to reach
out and embrace him. "I'd better go back and study Carolyn's notes." He stood
up and headed for the door. "Are you coming?"

"No, I'd like to stay up here a little while longer."

Mulder opened the door and stepped through. "Hey, Mulder?" Jamie called.
"Thanks." Mulder smiled briefly and closed the door behind him.

Jamie hugged himself and gazed back up at the stars. A torrent of emotions was
welling inside of him. Crashing with tidal force. At this moment, his world was
made up of waves and stars with Mulder at the eye. A spark caught his eyes and
Jamie quickly closed them to make a silent wish on a shooting star.

~oo0oo~

On the stairs, Mulder gripped the handrail tightly. Everything he'd said was
true. His mom and dad had both shunned any talk of Samantha and Mulder had been
forced to keep his feelings bottled up. As a result, he'd built up a wall
around his emotions. What was Jamie doing to him? The wall felt as if it were
slowly crumbling.

~oo0oo~

The next day, Alison, Ryan and Carolyn hauled off Mulder to lunch beside the
canal. Phoebe had sulked about not being able to join them. Thankfully, she had
another class. Before sitting down to eat, Alison took pictures of them with
her new instamatic.

Now, Mulder stared at the water, then at Carolyn, and back again. She had just
finished relating her strange tale of the haunted woods. "And you say Jamie
warned us not to go?"

"Hmm-mmm," she said through a mouthful of sandwich. "That's why he spirited
you away -- pardon the pun."

"Don't be daft!" Alison admonished. "There's no such things as ghosts. If
you'd attended Professor Barrett's lecture yesterday, you'll have found that
belief in the supernatural relates to psychological abnormalities."

Mulder grinned. "Well then, I'm proud to be abnormal."

"Hey, speak of the devil," Ryan gestured behind them.

"Oh, look it's Jamie!" Carolyn cried.

Hearing his name, Jamie turned and saw several hands waving. He hurried over.
"Hi!"

"Like to join us?" asked Mulder.

"I can't."

"Where are you heading?" Carolyn pressed.

"Auditions."

"Break a leg, kid," Ryan held up his drink in a toast.

"Before you go, let me finish up this roll of film," Alison said.

"Great idea!" Mulder jumped up and moved up behind Jamie. His hands flashed
forward to tickle him. Jamie threw his head back against Mulder's shoulder with
laughter. Alison snapped the image as they all joined in.

Jamie broke away before he could melt on the spot. "See you later!"

Carolyn shook her head as Mulder sat down chuckling. 'For someone so smart, he
certainly was dense!' She just hoped Jamie wouldn't get hurt.

~oo0oo~

Later that evening, Mulder looked up from his desk as the door opened and
Jamie walked in carrying a bag from the student union. He took off his reading
glasses and gave him a curious look. "How were the auditions?"

"Nerve wracking!" he replied, closing the door and dumping the sack and a few
books onto his bed. "Mrs. Bryant is supposed to post the results in a couple of
days."

Sliding out of his jacket, Jamie's blood began to boil and rush through his
body. Mulder sat across from him wearing a cut off grey shirt, and a pair of
shorts sporting a rather large bulge. He breath caught in his throat and he
nearly sprinted for the bathroom.

"Where are you going?" Mulder called.

"Go back to studying," Jamie gulped. "I'm off to take a shower before bed."
Grabbing a few clothes from the dresser, he closed the bathroom door behind
him. "Make that a cold one," he whispered.

Thirty minutes later, Jamie emerged with a towel-dried head and wearing
checked pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt with the slogan PROPERTY OF THE PEACH
STATE written across it. Mulder was still deep in his studies. He took off his
glasses and rubbed his temples. "Feel better?" he asked.

"Much." With a smirk, Jamie marched over to the bed and held up the shopping
bag. "I've got something for you."

Mulder stood up and walked toward him. "What did you do?"

"I thought you needed something to help blow off some steam ... so," he
reached inside the sack, "I got you this." He held up a small, plastic
basketball net and a nerf ball.

Mulder smiled like a kid with a new toy. Taking them from Jamie he affixed the
net to the door and whirled around. "Fancy a game?"

Jamie nodded and soon found himself trying to block Mulder from a shot.
Leaping from the bed, sofa and chairs they whooped and hollered. Quickly
working up a sweat, their bodies glistened in the soft light of the desk lamp.

"Hey, Jamie, look!" Mulder pointed and the distraction allowed him to score
another point.

"Oh yeah?" Jamie ducked, reached up and snatched the ball from his hands.

Mulder gasped. The contact gave him a shock of pure lust. A heavy, thick
desire grew. Turning his eyes hungrily toward Jamie, Mulder felt electric zaps
of surprise and need. He nearly fell over when Jamie brushed against him.

Jamie bounded across the room and prepared to sink another basket. Suddenly,
Mulder leapt. Snatching the ball from his hand, he pinned Jamie against the
door hard. "Mulder," he gasped with surprise.

Pressing his body close, a wolf-like grin spread across Mulder's face. Placing
his hands on either side of Jamie's head he stared into his eyes. Unthinkingly,
his lips found Jamie's. Parting his lips, Mulder slid his tongue inside. Jamie
moaned softly from the irresistible tongue forcefully exploring his mouth.
Overwhelmed by the warmth and strength of his dream man, Jamie's wish comes
true as Mulder pulls him into an embrace.

Holding Jamie tightly, he slowly moved his sensually full lips across his
cheek, then massaged his way down Jamie's neck.

"Incredible," he whispered breathlessly. "You taste... so good."

His body was unlike anything Mulder had experienced. He felt like a starving
man let loose in a sweet shop; unable to get enough of Jamie's flesh. While he
covered Jamie's neck with hot kisses, Jamie ran his fingers through Mulder's
hair.

Jamie's eyes rolled back, the feeling of Mulder's tongue on his neck driving
him over the edge. "Holy moly," he said softly.

Pulling him up, Jamie planted his soft mouth over his, and Mulder kissed him
hard. Their hot breath became one as their tongues probed and twisted. Cupping
Jamie's ass, he pulled their crotches together. Jamie held Mulder's head
gently, feeling his hard cock under his cotton pants. Their mouths remained
fused together, Mulder's long tongue pushing deep down his throat.

Sliding his fingers over his back, Jamie reached under and kneaded the skin.
Mulder, unable to fight the wave pulling him under, began to slowly lower Jamie
to the floor.

Then, an insistent banging resounded from the other side of the door...

[Next Episode: That Old Black Magic]