"... the possibilities that the tribal spirits of the Mohawk have parallels
in... "
Gabrielle dropped back from the couple a few more paces as Fox's rambling
drifted even further into obscurity. It was more fun to watch the pair
interact than it was to actually listen to the man talk.
Dana's head was tipped his way and a shy smile played over her lips. She
watched his face with an expression of pleasure that suggested his tone of
voice, rather than his words, held her primary interest.
Pleased that they were getting along so well, Gabrielle decided to keep her
distance for a while. They're going to work. Gabrielle thought with a
decidedly self-satisfied smile. I can see a happy ending. If only she could
be so sure of Xena and herself. Gods, she missed her lover's mindvoice.
Their last contact held such sadness and anger. How much worse had Xena's
mood grown during the long silence? Gabrielle shook her head. She couldn't
visualise any circumstances that could be so bad that her influence couldn't
draw Xena back into the light. A stray thought from the night before came
back to haunt her. Maybe it was a little arrogant to assume she knew what
was best. Admittedly, she hadn't actually participated in the events leading
up to this situation but Gabrielle had seen it all through Xena's eyes. The
Bard couldn't think of anything extreme enough to overpower her cool
reasoning once she'd had the chance to sit down and talk things over with
Xena. Her lover had stayed on the side of the greater good for two thousand
years now, that was a lot longer than she had walked the dark path. Personal
retribution for injuries was one thing, but the mindless, blanketing revenge
that last had clouded Xena's thoughts was beyond her understanding. Xena's
long ago cry of 'kill them all' echoed through Gabrielle's mind. She
realised that this might become the purpose behind the warrior's actions,
replacing the sentiment of 'the greater good'.
Gabrielle ran an appraising gaze over their surroundings, not so wrapped up
in her own thoughts that danger could approach.
Maybe she could convince her lover to retreat up into the mountains for a
time. After so long apart they would need time to get reacquainted with one
another. Last nights dreams and frustrations had been evidence enough that
their reunion promised to be physically as well as emotionally explosive.
An odd shift in the wind brought Fox's voice clear again. "... tried to get
closer but Skinner said we didn't have time. I meant to go back but with one
thing and another... "
Gabrielle had to admire the fluid motion of Fox's shrug. The man certainly
moved smoothly enough. He had that in common with Xena. Maybe it was their
shared height or the experience of constant travel and battle-readiness. The
blonde recalled running massaging hands over muscles and skin after her
lover had fought hard or walked too far. There was a certain heady power to
knowing you could soothe such a magnificent body. Gabrielle absently slid a
hand down her own waist and hip, pleased by the strong, clean line. I will
never be the tower of strength you are, lover, but I think I still cut a
fair figure. At least it never failed to turn your head.
"Gabrielle?" Dana's pace had slowed. She was gazing expectantly back at her
companion. "You look a million miles away."
"Sorry. My mind drifted. What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong."
Most of Dana's careful curls had turned to frizz or hung limply. "You just
had a strange look on your face." The Irish woman commented.
"How close are we to where that kid said to go?" Fox joined the conversation
by stopping until they came abreast of him.
"Very close." Gabrielle looked about the cultivated fields that currently
surrounded them. "I expect to run across some signs anytime now."
"Who do you think we'll find first?" Dana asked. "Xena or Major Sharpe and
his men?"
"Sharpe isn't actively hiding from us." Mulder reasoned. "But he's not
actually doing anything either. Xena will be leaving more evidence of her
proximity."
Gabrielle didn't want to think too hard about that. She had certain
trepidations about how Dana was going to react to Xena's warlike manner.
"That's a politician's answer." The blonde teasingly commented on Mulder's
waffling. "You're going to fit in just fine with the nobility, Fox. A simple
'I don't know' would have done the duty, but no... you had to elaborate."
He turned a flat expression on the storyteller. "I'm seriously considering
taking that as an insult."
"You're going to absolutely dazzle Irish society, Fox." Dana pacified.
"There's not a man among them who's your equal." She shot a tight smile at
Gabrielle as she spoke. "There's a good number of men born to the gentry
that don't have the brains of a sheep."
Mulder shrugged off the compliment. "I never put much stock into the idea of
being born into a position in life. Your place should be earned, not a
thrust upon you." He turned his attention onto the Bard. "Were you born into
anything, Gabrielle?"
The question caught Gabrielle off guard. She had expected them to be more
wrapped up in each other. Curiosity about her wasn't something she had
planned on. "I was raised in a village... in the middle of farmland." It took a
few seconds to edit the story. "One sister. Father was a farmer. The place
was as plain and quiet as any I've come across."
"So how is it that you're not happily married to a blacksmith... with children
hanging off your apron as you bake bread?" Fox asked, using a playful tone
to offset the implied rudeness of the query.
"I WAS betrothed." Gabrielle swung her staff absently as she walked. "But I
kept putting him off... stalling for time. I knew it wasn't what I wanted." She
sighed. "Unfortunately, I couldn't see any other options. Until Xena came
along I'd never seen women outside of the narrow roles they filled at home.
Xena was a revelation in more ways than one."
Dana coughed, a nervous little sound.
A curious expression flitted across Fox's face. His hazel-blue eyes narrowed
slightly. "In what ways?"
The Amazon chuckled. "I didn't know that women could be warriors or think
for themselves... or that other people would even take them seriously as
individuals." She unhooked her waterskin and took a sip. "Xena showed me I
could be whatever I wanted to be... that my wildest dreams were attainable. I
wanted to learn. I wanted to tell stories... meet interesting people. I wanted
to see everything. You, of all people, must understand that desire Fox.
You've seen so many places."
Dana couldn't help but feel a brief flash of envy for their experiences but
hard on the heels of that came the knowledge that she wasn't really much of
a world traveller. The Irish woman enjoyed the people she met along the way,
but she missed her home too much. Dana couldn't see Gabrielle as a domestic
and knew that the storyteller wouldn't be happy in that role. Travel and
adventure might be what fulfilled her friend but the redhead was fairly
certain that the life Gabrielle had given up would suit her just fine.
The storyteller continued on. "It was a bit odd getting used to the
practical side of things... cooking over an open fire, sleeping outside... doing
without a lot of possessions because you have to haul everything you own
around with you." Gabrielle sighed. "We had one frypan, just one decent
frying pan." The sun burnished her blonde hair to gold. "And Xena used it to
bash some bandit... when she has perfectly good weapons near at hand. I was
absolutely furious and when I complained she stood there with this look of
complete disinterest on her face." Gabrielle glanced over at her friends.
"THAT!" She pointed at Fox. "Gods, just like that."
The Canadian startled back a step as she gestured. "What? So She dented a
frypan? Big deal. There's other ways to cook food."
"It's the principal of the thing." The Bard responded. "Here she is... a
walking armoury and instead of using her sword she demolishes an essential
piece of cookware. I know. I know. If I wanted to worry about crockery, pots
and pans I could have stayed home." Her grin was rueful. "I have to
admit... the people I've met, the places I've seen. Adventuring with Xena is
worth every inconvenience. I can't imagine what my life would have been like
if I hadn't left Potadeia."
"You're a storyteller. I should think you live for adventures." Dana's voice
was coloured with admiration.
Fox was laughing quietly to himself. Two sets of raised brows made him speak
up. "I'm just trying to picture you milking goats and feeding pigs,
Gabrielle. It's not working."
"HAH!" The Bard smirked. "You think that's funny? We spent one winter
working for Xena's mother at the inn she ran. You should have seen La
Princesa Guerrera barefoot and elbow deep in a tub full of dirty dishes... with
soap bubbles in her hair. I laughed so hard that she refused to do it again
for nearly a month. The practicalities of domestic life didn't really suit
Xena. She's a hunter-gatherer by choice." A giggle bubbled up. "You should
see Xena catch fish. She turned it into an art. She can grab an eel in her
bare hands quicker and easier than I could nab one with a net." Gabrielle
grinned.
"Ick." Dana's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Eels... I delivered babies and that
still sounds disgusting to me."
"It's an acquired taste." The bard admitted.
"Heads up." Fox shifted his rifle into a more comfortable position. Two
adults and a small group of children were just coming into view.
"They don't look dangerous." Dana observed.
The gap between them had to close a little more before Gabrielle chose to
comment. "They look tired." She glanced across at Mulder. "Don't scare the
kids, Fox."
"Refugees?" He proposed.
"I think so." Gabrielle agreed. "Look how loaded down they are... and the
packing looks badly done." She increased the length of her stride so she
would reach the oncoming family before Fox. "Ol." The storyteller offered
up a smile. {How far have you come?} She queried in Spanish.
The man tossed a suspicious glance at Dana and Mulder before answering her.
{We've been travelling since early afternoon. There's French back there. How
are the roads ahead?}
{Clear.} Gabrielle supplied. {The English supposedly have a small patrol
hereabouts but we haven't seen it. The army is still a fair distance back.}
She edged a bit to one side and casually let her staff drop one side,
barring Fox from a close approach. {We ran into some bandits last night but
they're in custody now.}
The man nodded. {That's good.}
{What are you running from? The French?}
The question provoked a shudder from the woman traveller. {They attacked our
farm this morning. They had already robbed and killed our neighbours.}
{Are any of you hurt? My friend is a healer.} The bard pointed to Dana.
{No, we're fine but they destroyed our home. The partisan who saved us from
those beasts told us to go south. She said there was a larger force in the
area.}
{A partisan?} Fox interrupted, having recognised that Spanish word. "Ask
them if they've seen 'La Princesa Guerrera'" He instructed unnecessarily.
The woman shrank back, crossing herself. Her quick stream of emphatic
Spanish had Fox grimacing as he tried to pick out some words he recognised.
"What's she saying, Gabrielle?" He demanded.
"Shut up Fox." The bard shouted. "You're upsetting them. Back off and let me
talk to them."
Mulder's shoulders squared up and his chin raised.
Fox took a reflexive step backwards from the steely gaze Gabrielle had fixed
on him.
Dana moved closer and dared to lay a steadying hand on her fiancee's arm.
"Can you catch any of it?"
"French soldiers... three, I think... something dead or killing." Fox's brow was
furrowed. "Something about running away." He shook his head, fidgeting as
Gabrielle continued to talk.
Finally, after some head nods and gestures, the couple and their children
continued on down the road. "Let's go." Gabrielle threw back as she headed
off at a brisk walk.
Fox and Dana exchanged a confused glance then hurried to catch up with the
angry storyteller. The Irish woman dared to call out. "Gabrielle, what's
wrong? What did they tell you?"
The Amazon wanted to ignore the questions but was beginning to feel guilty
for her abrupt manner with Fox. You put up with this from me, didn't you
love? I never realised how hard it was for you. Gabrielle was reminded of
the time when she first travelled with Xena. The warrior was always so quiet
and the bard hadn't yet learned to read the subtle signs of her moods. I
don't know how you kept your temper so well controlled. You never snapped at
me like I just did to Fox.
The bard turned back to her companions. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't like
what I was hearing and it set me off. I shouldn't have yelled at you." She
tried to pull her emotions under control and then started to pass on the
news. "Xena stopped some French soldiers from killing that family."
Gabrielle began walking again, picking up the pace as Fox and Dana moved to
join her. "She killed all three of them." The blonde informed them. "Xena
told those people that the soldiers had already killed and burned the
neighbouring farm... also that more French would be coming so they should take
off. Odds are that she'll be ghosting somewhere about the area."
"How far?" Fox questioned quietly, not wanting to upset the volatile woman.
"We're moving faster than those refugees." She reasoned. "If we eat dinner
out of our packs as we walk we can be at their farm before it gets dark."
Both Gabrielle and Mulder looked at Dana but neither gaze held scorn.
Dana returned the look and realised that they were wondering if she could
keep up to them. "I can manage." The Irish woman assured them. "Let's get
moving." She began walking faster, head high.
"Xena took out three soldiers?" Fox sought to convey his interest by fishing
for details.
"The soldiers were wreaking mindless havoc. They would have killed the
family. That farmer said as much." Gabrielle justified.
"Good." Fox validated.
He's a soldier. The bard reminded herself. Of course he understands. She
shot a worried look backward. Gabrielle hoped that Dana understood the
situation as well. It sounded as if Xena's dispatching of her enemies was on
the bloody side. It certainly had disturbed the farmwife, although the woman
admitted her gratitude now that the shock had worn off.
"Xena can be a bit... enthusiastic... when it comes to fighting." Gabrielle said
softly to Fox. "We might want to keep Dana back from the scene of the
battle... it's pretty messy according to the farmer." She wasn't sure if she
should have said that. Dana might not appreciate being shielded.
Mulder nodded. "No problem." He agreed. "I'll go in and run through evidence
if you want... find us a trail. You could keep Dana back if you think it's
needful... although... " He temporised. "Dana's been doing healer's work back
home. I doubt anything your Princesa could do would disturb her that much."
Mulder supposed aloud. "She must have seen some fairly gruesome sights in
her time, Gabrielle." He grimaced. "I'm used to what weapons and fighting
can do to a body... but the aftermath, the attempts to mend the damage... and then
there are diseases." A shiver ran up his back. "That end of things scares
the crap out of me because fighting back doesn't help, you have to rely on
potions and surgeons instead of your own strength." The tone of voice he
used on the 'surgeons' almost turned it into a curse.
Gabrielle's stare was appraising. "You don't think much of the healing arts,
do you Fox?"
"I'm sure Dana does fine birthing babies and cleaning up after farm
accidents but most... healers... " Mulder shook his head. "I just don't trust
them." He laughed grimly at some stray thought. "I find it hard to trust
anyone lately. I've slammed into far too many walls in my life. The people I
expect to do right by me are usually the ones doing the slamming... but then I
meet you on the road and you don't know me from Adam but we mentally click.
You remind me of Skinner in that way. Maybe I should keep all the
friendships that I really care about at the 'look but don't touch' level.
That way I won't hurt them and they won't hurt me." Fox stared sideways into
her face a moment. A distant expression crossed his face and his tone
dropped into a distracted whisper. "Christ but you've got eyes to tear a
man's soul apart, Gabrielle. Green eyes drive me absolutely insane. They
completely destroy any reason I possess."
The blonde almost stopped walking. "What exactly are you talking about Fox?"
She squinted at him. "I thought you and Dana were working it out. Don't... "
Gabrielle warned. "Don't even think about messing around with me."
" I just... I'm sorry. I didn't mean that to... " Mulder shook his head abruptly,
clearing it. "We are. We will." He smiled as he glanced back at Dana.
"Sometimes peculiar ideas just smack me out of nowhere. Sorry."
"No damage." Gabrielle said as Dana picked up her pace so they were all
even.
Digging food out and passing it around made for a complete change in
conversation. As far as Gabrielle could tell Fox had dismissed the odd
exchange a moment after it ended. He chewed his way through a hunk of dry
meat and gazed about them. Gabrielle used the time to try and find out if
Dana had any post-battle experience. No surprise. She hadn't.
The closer they got to the site, the more nervous the blonde grew. Just as
their goal came into view, Gabrielle came to a halt. "Maybe you and I should
look around the area while Fox goes over the scene, Dana?" The Amazon
tested, sweeping her eyes across the landscape.
The red-head pursed her lips. "I understand... but you don't have to protect me
from a few dead bodies." Dana assured her companions. "I'm not a child."
"I doubt it will sit easy on a full stomach." Gabrielle warned. "Xena can be
messy when she's fighting."
"I've had time to digest." Dana resumed their march towards the distant
farm. It wasn't until she got close enough for the intense smell to reach
her that the Irish woman's steps slowed down.
When the fly-infested display became discernible Fox caught at her arm,
halting her. "Dana, I want you to stay back here, please, as a favour to
me." He caught her gaze with his. "Please." He repeated, wanting to give her
a graceful way out of approaching the carnage.
For a moment it appeared as if Dana would continue to protest, then she
nodded. "All right. If it means that much to you."
"Thank you." Mulder stepped around his fiancee, heading for the wagon
wheels. His head was bent to one side and his eyes darted, taking in the
wealth of information the scene had to offer.
Gabrielle hesitated at Dana's side. They watched Mulder begin his
investigation in silence for a moment before the storyteller asked. "Are you
okay? Or are we coddling you too much?"
"It's all right. I'm fine here." Still, the redhead ventured just a bit
closer, unable to completely believe what her eyes were suggesting. "If
you're alright why don't you go help Fox sort out what happened."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine." Dana repeated. "Go ahead."
Gabrielle sighed and headed in to the heart of destruction. She noted the
burned out house first. The fact that the ground was stained rusty red-brown
hit her next. The bard came to stop at Mulder's side. One hand lifted to
shield her mouth and nose.
He didn't even acknowledge her arrival visually. Every scrap of attention he
possessed was devoted to the dead man before him. "God-damn, Gabrielle,
these are so fucking impressive." Fox murmured as he rose from a crouch
beside the nearest suspended body.
The bard, appalled at the spectacle before her, barely flinched at the
sudden shift in Mulder's speech patterns.
"Your Princesa is an artist." Fox carefully peeled back a bit of crusty blue
uniform. His concentration fixed on the body before him. "Can you see this?
Look at the precision behind her slices." He wished he could convey his
admiration straight to Xena, but her companion had to be the next best
thing. "No hesitation cuts." Fox couldn't help but compare the work to some
of the tortures he had seen performed back in Canada. Eyota was an expert at
extracting information from reluctant captives but the approach here was
completely different. This was done with the objective of panicking other
French soldiers, a hardened lot at the best of times. Diverted by his
fascination Fox never even realised that Gabrielle was shaking her head in
shock. He walked a circle around the wagon wheel. "The presentation wasn't
done until after death... but they didn't go quietly. You can see... most of their
blood closer to the barn." The soldiers' backs and heels were smeared with
bloody soil. A trail marked where the bodies had been dragged through the
foul dirt.
"Gods! What has she done?" Gabrielle whispered.
"Not a musket ball anywhere." He continued. "The strength behind these
slices is incredible. It looks like she cut through his ribcage on a
downstroke... that's why this one's innards are scattered over there." Fox
gestured absently.
Gabrielle looked from one corpse to the other with an expression of complete
horror twisting her pretty features out of shape. "She's... this is too much."
Her voice was an almost breathless whisper. She and Xena used to hunt down
warlords who used these kind of tactics in order to bring them to justice.
To be confronted with the sight of her lover employing those very same
methods was staggering.
"There's more." Mulder announced with a fierce grin, still overlooking his
friend's distress. "Turn around and check out the barn door." He left the
two wheels, with their grisly burdens, to stride across the wide yard. "The
birds have started at this one as well as the flies." Fox observed, lifting
his arm to muffle the assault on his nose and to keep from inhaling a part
of the swarm. Still he bent forward to examine the suspended Sergeant. "When
your Princesa sets up a scarecrow she goes all out." His voice was muffled
by his sleeve.
Gabrielle wrapped her arms around herself. A distressed squeak escaped as
she looked from one gruesome spectacle to the other.
Gabrielle closed her eyes but that only super-imposed shadows of similar
deaths on top of this one... other bodies pinned and rotting away. This mode of
killing suggested that Xena's descent into darkness was spiralling faster
than she had feared. A part of her heart was already whispering 'too late'.
Xena had lost it.
Dana's touch on her shoulder was a shock. Gabrielle hadn't realised the
other woman had joined them in the yard. Dana shifted, wrapping her arm
around the blonde and leaning.
"I'm here, me darlin'. It's going to be all right." The delicately accented
voice was a comfort.
"I'm sorry you have to see this." Gabrielle mumbled.
"I wish I could say I've seen worse." Dana's expression was pinched.
"I have." Mulder stood up. "But not by much." His own work had never
approached this level of artistry. Usually time constraints or his own
inhibitions halted the process before he could use every trick he'd been
taught. Fox left the women so he could look over the trampled ground for
more clues.
"You didn't expect this?" Dana had to turn away from the corpse. "Her
behaviour surprises you?"
"I knew that Xena was upset... that she had lost perspective, but this kind
of... savagery... on the dead... . " The bard's golden hair shook back and forth.
"It was a heat of the moment thing. I'm sure she had her reasons."
"Yes, I know." Gabrielle admitted. "I'm positive she had rational
justification for killing these men. She was saving lives." Emerald eyes
swept the area. "But can you honestly think of any circumstances that would
provoke you to do anything like this to someone?"
"No, I can't." Dana admitted. "But I'm not that kind of a person. Look at
Fox. He doesn't seem to be bothered by Xena's... burst of creativity. In fact
he looks fascinated."
They stood together in silence for a while, both of them trying not to stare
at the nearby tableaux. Finally Gabrielle pulled out of the loose embrace.
Her head still shaking in mute denial.
"More soldiers?" Dana asked.
"That would be the sensible conclusion." He frowned down at the bloody dirt,
gradually shifting his gaze up the road. "They've been gone a while. It
should be safe to follow them without risking an encounter."
"Shouldn't we be chasing Xena?" The Irish woman questioned.
"I'll bet she's shadowing the soldiers from above." Fox reasoned. "She'll be
stalking them." His gaze traced the line of the ridge. "If we track these
soldiers we'll probably find Xena's path crossing theirs as soon as the rise
fades down to level. It's what I'd do in her place. Does that sound about
right, Gabrielle? You know your friend."
"Yeah, sure." The blonde agreed in a distracted voice. Furrows marked her
brow.
"Great." He took in another encompassing look. "Let's go then."
"Shouldn't we take these men down and bury them?" Dana turned a pity filled
gaze on the suspended bodies.
"If their own people couldn't be bothered, why should we?" Fox forestalled
Gabrielle's possible agreement with an immediate refusal. "I'm sure they
earned this fate. Besides, we haven't got the time to spare. Evening is
rushing in on us. I need a certain amount of light to track and I'm afraid
it's going to be a dark night." His fingers flicked toward the sky. "Lots of
cloud cover."
Gabrielle nodded. "He's right Dana." Her voice was hollow. "We don't really
have the time to spare or the equipment. No shovels." She turned away.
"Let's see where everyone was heading in such a hurry, Fox."
The pair of them started down the rutted track. With a wince of regret Dana
followed along. They travelled in absolute silence. Gabrielle seemed to be
struggling with some internal dilemma. Fox's eyes were never still, watching
before, behind, and to either side of them. He shifted his hands absently
over the rifle he held ready. Both their moods pressed at Dana, keeping her
uncomfortably quiet. Her relief almost made her giddy when, after what felt
like forever, the road widened indicating another farm. The trio separated.
"Stay where I can see you Dana." Fox cautioned, heading into the farmyard.
Once again the only noise was the heavy thrum of scores of flies.
Gabrielle surged forward. The hard knot in her stomach twisted into yet
another bend. Once could be dismissed as anger run amok but if Xena had
repeated the atrocities after riding between farms... The bard bit down on her
bottom lip and walked into the centre of the destruction.
"Two large graves... both of them are freshly made. One is marked with a pair
of French names. The other is anonymous." Fox observed loudly from far off
to the left.
Gabrielle took another step closer, noticing smudged writing on the side of
a shed. Someone had gone to the trouble of eradicating part of the charcoal
scribbling, the first two words of it anyway. The rest of it was a bit
smeared but legible. Gabrielle didn't have too much trouble deciphering the
threatening French words. The message made it plain that Xena was planning
to hunt down and kill the soldiers like rabid dogs.
"What is it?" Dana's whisper was right at the blonde's ear, surprising her
yet again.
"A declaration of war." Gabrielle looked away.
Mulder joined the women as soon as he finished poking about near the dirt
piles. "They were caught by surprise." Fox decided from his examination of
the evidence. "Not much of a fight. She took them down pretty quickly... over
there... near the grave." He clarified, his eyes swept the fence noting some
odd smears of blood. "It looks like she... " Fox paused, glancing to the ground
then back up again. "I'd guess she had a pair of heads or some body part
mounted on these pickets at one point. Look at the way the blood has
trickled down the paint all the way around.
Gabrielle flinched.
"It's too bad the French took the time to clean up here or it would be as
impressive as the last farm, I expect." Mulder finally paused to read the
writing on the shed. He stared up at the note, eyes narrowed. "Her strategy
is classic."
The admiration in Fox's voice made Gabrielle's stomach pinch yet again.
"This wasn't done in defence of anyone. This is... "
"This is war, Gabrielle. There are no good choices here... only lesser degrees
of evil. You may disapprove, but these are valid tactics in the face of a
superior force." Fox stated in a perfectly serious voice.
"Gods!" Her green eyes went painfully wide at his devestating choice of
words. She backed away from him with an expression of disgust, clamping down
on the response that automatically leap to her lips. "Just... don't talk to me
right now." Gabrielle turned her back on the Canadian and paced to the edge
of the farmyard.
Dana frowned. "Civilised people don't fight like this. Even war has rules,
Fox." She announced firmly. "A code of conduct applies."
"Maybe in nice orderly battles where Generals sit astride their horses and
supervise... " He countered. "But on the edge of the conflict where it's just
me and one or two others... " Fox stared her down. "Winning and surviving
matter more than some text-book set of ideals and conduct. This... " He pointed
to the stained fencing. "... may be messy but if even one soldier deserted in
fear then it was worth the Princesa's effort. She's fighting a column of
twenty-odd men, alone. I can't help but admire her rather ruthless
practicality."
Dana stared at Fox. "I don't understand." She admitted. "What's the message
say? What is Xena trying to do?"
Mulder's mouth crooked into a slight smile. "The message is from La Princesa
Guerrera, basically it says that these farmers didn't deserve their fate and
calls the men who did it butchers. She's holding the officers responsible
and warning the soldiers that they had better not get in her way." Fox
summarised. "Her tactics are classic." He reiterated his admiration yet
again. "She's trying to get the men to desert or even turn on their
officers. That way she has better odds. The bodies are warnings too. The
Princesa attempts to provoke the same response... as well as to fluster the
French so they aren't thinking clearly."
Dana's upper lip curled. "And why did they bury their losses here... but not at
the other farm? Has Xena disturbed them that much?"
"She must have panicked them into rushing back here, possibly to collect
whoever all this blood belongs to. So in a matter of hours she's already
whittled at least five men off. This is the kind of thing I had to do back
home a few times but I usually had a bit of help. Her efficiency is... " He
trailed off, finally realising that Dana didn't share his enthusiasm.
"What?" Fox questioned the expression of annoyance she aimed at him.
"You honestly don't even realise what you're doing." The small woman
decided. "You're actually excited by all this." Her tone was amazed. "Fox,
look at what you've done to Gabrielle. Think about what you've been saying."
He hesitated, then did as Dana instructed, only to see the blonde still
ignoring him. The bard's shoulders trembled and her head was bowed. "But,
Gabrielle is as much a warrior as I am. She's travelled with the Princesa.
She must have seen the woman in action before this."
Dana shook her dusty red hair. "You don't understand. What we saw at the
other farm... what appears to have happened here... Gabrielle cares deeply for
Xena, more deeply than you realise and all this... " She waved her hand over
the stained earth. "It's a sign of someone who's loosing their grasp on
civilisation. Gabrielle is worried about her friend." Dana gazed over at the
still woman.
"In other words... " Fox's voice had lost it's edge of excitement and fallen
into a dull monotone. "It would take a pretty sick mind to commit... or
appreciate what the Princesa has done. Is that what you mean?"
Dana pressed her hands into her tired eyes to beat back the headache
currently threatening. Her feet took a few random steps while she decided
what to do next. Just as she decided to try her luck talking to Gabrielle a
splash of burgundy amid some broken crockery caught her eye. Dana picked up
the small volume and flipped it open to confirm what she suspected. "Fox!"
Her shout was strong enough to turn Gabrielle around and bring Mulder
running back. At his questioning glare Dana held out the burgundy covered
book. "It's my diary. I found it on the ground."
"Bloody hell." Fox hissed. "Then he's already hooked up with the French.
We're going." He stated. "Now! We've got no time to piss around here."
Gabrielle's chin raised. "I agree." The bard didn't even bother attempting
to wipe away the marks that her tears had made. "Find her for me Fox. I want
to catch up with her... tonight."
"But Alex is with the French!" He protested in unthinking rage. "Besides
it's a damned sight easier to trail a column of twenty than to locate the
steps of a single partisan... even if they do cross paths at some point down
the road." He reminded the blonde in a slightly more controlled tone.
"Then it's a good thing that you're the best." Gabrielle challenged. "Start
with one, find the other. She needs me... she's teetering on the edge. I got
you this far Fox. You owe me. Find Xena." The Amazon queen ordered in her
most regal tone.
They could see his throat working to hold back a responding bellow.
Mulder finally responded to her cool authority after a few jaw clenches and
toe scuffs. "As long as the light holds." He walked off, eyes to the ground.
His mumble was almost lost to the distance he put between them. "Come on.
They went this way."
XENA: "I've got that answer to your question. Are you who you are..or are
you who I made you. Nobody made you who you are, it was already
there. The question is, who would I be without you?"
It didn't surprise Etienne that as soon as his tent was pitched the Colonel
excused himself and crawled inside. The younger man's yawns had been almost
continuous since they had stopped to make camp. It was altogether too early
in the evening for the Major to turn in however. Navarre stalled, growing
more apprehensive about entering the enclosed space as the time passed.
Considering the subtle encouragement that the Englishman had been sending
Etienne's way over the course of the day there was little doubt in the
Major's mind that Alexander would welcome a sexual encounter with his
captor. There was no use denying it to himself. Etienne was attracted to the
younger man, but so many dangers were inherent into giving in to that
desire. An impropriety with another man was the cause of most of the
problems that plagued Navarre's life and career right now. That the Colonel
was an English prisoner would magnify the harm the situation could do to
Etienne's already shaky standing with his superiors in the army.
The camp should have been fairly still. Every off duty man should have
either settled onto his bedroll or be eating quietly. The movement near his
tent that caught Navarre's eye was completely unexpected. Etienne crept up
cautiously and peered inside. He wasn't sure which surprised him more... that
someone was attempting to harm their prisoner, or that the someone was
Sergeant Moncrieff.
"I know what you're thinking, Brit." Moncrieff had the Colonel by the front
of his shirt and was shaking him hard enough to rattle the younger man's
teeth. "You think your ally is going to pull you out of this no worse for
wear by picking us off one at a time." Moncrieff landed a hard backhand.
"Are you leaving a trail for her, boy? Those last two were fine men. If they
died because of you... "
Still disoriented from being dragged out of exhausted sleep and dreams of
Malais' death, Aleksandr's defense wasn't up to the challenge. He had rolled
up all but one of his knives in his green jacket for fear of Navarre coming
across them later in the night. His responses were just a little too slow.
An attempt to dig into his attacker's eyes was effortlessly batted away. The
shaking got worse and Alek felt his shirt tear away. Moncrieff was just
shifting his grip to a hank of heavy hair when they were interrupted.
"Sergeant Moncrieff. Unhand the prisoner at once." Etienne ordered.
"You've not seen the looks he's been aiming at your back all day." Alek's
assailant protested. "He's in on it with the Princesa, Sir. He must have led
her to us."
"Sergeant Malais' behaviour was what drew the Princesa's attention,
Sergeant. Colonel Alexander has nothing to do with it... and he gave his
parole." Navarre caught at his burly man's arm. "Let him go and step outside
immediately."
"Sir, yes Sir." Still, Moncrieff couldn't resist one last shot. He attempted
to crack the Englishman's head, throwing him to the ground with every bit of
strength he possessed.
Aleksandr rolled with the toss, sparing himself worse damage. He was well
practised in taking a fall. {Filthy, God-damned bastard. Don't you touch me
again or I'll fucking slit your throat!} He spat out the threat in English,
not wanting to completely destroy his credibility with Navarre. The tone was
more important than the words.
"Traitorous English whelp!" Moncrieff snarled back.
"ENOUGH!" The Major shoved his subordinate outside. "See to your duties,
Moncrieff. I'll deal with your conduct soon enough." Navarre turned back to
his prisoner. "How badly did he hurt you, Colonel?"
"I've had worse." Alek admitted in a rather off-hand manner. He shoved his
suspenders off his shoulders and pulled off his nearly ruined shirt with a
put-upon sigh. The sleeve was put to use, blotting at the blood that ran
down the side of his mouth. "I don't have a spare." The spy complained.
"You can use one of mine. Moncrieff will repair and wash your's tomorrow. My
pack is in the corner, help yourself." Navarre offered.
"Thank you." Aleksandr ran his tongue over his teeth as he turned and
squatted beside the Major's gear. No loose teeth, luckily enough. Moncrieff
was a good-sized oaf but his blows were no match for some Alek had taken
from Malais. The spy bent slightly to open the pack in front of him, well
aware that Navarre was watching closely and that the fabric of his trousers
would tighten over his ass.
A brief bit of moonlight was currently illuminating the inside of the tent
and Etienne used the glow to run an appreciative glance at the view the
Colonel was offering him, but what really caught his eye was the younger
man's right shoulder blade. Navarre frowned at the two letters he could see
shaped into the pale flesh and made a leap of reasoning. The Major recalled
one of the nastier stories he had overheard amid the Sergeant's constant
bragging, one about marking his property with his initals to proclaim
ownership.
"Not so good as I could be." Navarre tried to decide how to approach the
puzzle that had been presented to him. "Else I wouldn't have had the likes
of Sergeant Malais in my company." He tested, watching the younger man's
face carefully for clues.
"But the Princesa has removed that problem."
"A good man would have tended to Malais himself." Navarre knelt down,
shrugging his shoulders. "Unfortunately he was thrust upon me by someone I
didn't dare to refuse. I should warn you... " He sat. "The man who controlled
Sergeant Malais is the same man who will eventually question you. Major
Ducos." There it was, Etienne saw the evidence of a cringe although it was
carefully controlled.
"The name means nothing to me." Aleksandr lied. He shifted closer, hoping to
end this uncomfortable conversation by distracting the Major with his
physical proximity.
"It should." Navarre backed up. "It's important you realise what you're up
against, Alex. He's an underhanded, snake of a man with no honour and little
respect for the rules. He's going to be the one interrogating you."
Aleksandr's bottom lip protruded. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Ducos... " The Major hesitated. "Ducos is responsible for the ruin of my
career. He's blocked every possiblity of promotion that's come my way so
that he can continue to enlist me in his black schemes." Etienne rubbed his
forehead. "I got involved in a less than acceptable situation with another
man some time back... I promoted him inappropriately, taking my affection into
greater account than his skills. That man turned out to be less than
ethical. He told Ducos... gave over some embarrassing details in exchange for
forwarding his own career."
"Perhaps you overestimate the damage it would do if people knew of your
preferences." The spy suggested.
"It would kill my parents." Navarre stated flatly. "Perhaps everything else
could be endured. This is a war. I'm a good soldier. It wouldn't help my
position but I might not be ruined, still... my mother and father would be
destroyed if they ever found out that their chance of becoming grandparents
was slim to naught... that I... " His head shook. "Ducos threatens them whenever I
attempt to refuse any of his requests... not just their lack of knowledge about
my tastes... but their very lives. I'm their only child and Father isn't as
young as he used to be. There is no one at home to protect them if Ducos
turned his malice in their direction."
That was a situation Aleksandr could sympathise with. "You can trust that
this... Ducos person... will get nothing out of me, Etienne." He closed the
distance separating them. Between Alek's need to settle the Major down and
his honest attraction seducing the man was the only path he wished to
consider. The signals that Navarre had been giving off all day had convinced
Alek that the desire was mutual. The confession just now had proved Etienne
was no innocent in regards to sex between two men. The Russian lifted his
hand to skim his fingers across the swell of the older man's chest.
"Don't." Etienne caught at the other's wrist. "The men might hear." His
muted protest sounded token even to his own ears. Still, he didn't dare
indulge, not knowing who Krycek really was.
"I can be quiet. No one will ever know. Your men won't realise." Alek
promised. As if the men cared whether their commander fucked about with the
prisoner. Aleksandr had noticed two of those same soldiers sizing him up for
the blankets over the course of the day. He dropped his hand to cup
Etienne's cloth covered erection. "I know you want me." The spy stated
plainly.
Navarre decided. There was no way he could flat out refuse such a
temptation. He needed to know if the spy could be turned. "Not like this,
Alex." He caught at the younger man and eased them down until they lay
alongside one another. "I've been wanting to do THIS all day." Etienne stole
one kiss after another, each one a little longer and more searching than the
one before it. His fingers petted, attempting to settle the younger man, as
well as enjoying the luxurious contact.
Aleksandr relaxed into the sensual assault after a brief startle of
surprise. Simple kissing was a rare treat. The men he usually seduced seldom
cared for Alek's enjoyment of the act, preferring the spy to see to their
pleasure first. Fox's life had been spared partially because the Canadian
had paid attention to Aleksandr's needs as well as his own. To find another
lover so soon who seemed to care was a pleasant shock. Lost in the
delightful stimulation of the moment, the Russian didn't pay any mind as
eager hands began sliding up his bare spine. It wasn't until one fingertip
brushed back and forth across the pattern of scars on his right shoulder
blade that Aleksandr realised a possible danger. He tried to casually shift
away from the touch but Etienne's arms tightened, holding him still.
"What is this?" Navarre ran his finger over the damaged skin, tracing out
the letters. He needed to get the younger man talking.
Alek laughed. "A youthful indiscretion... attempting to impress a girl named
Felisa Margell, rather unsuccessfully I must add." That was the lie he
customarily told about the initials carved into him.
Etienne forced the other's hand. "You're Malais' spy." He said calmly.
Navarre's grip tightened, although he was careful not to hurt. Strangely
enough Alex didn't struggle against the restraint. "Aren't you?"
"Etienne." Aleksandr rocked his hips. "Do you really care one way or the
other right now?" He murmured against the Major's ear. His mouth brushed
warm skin. Most of his knives were out of reach but he wasn't unarmed. It
was just a matter of staying calm and keeping the older man docile until the
right moment.
"You work for Ducos. Your name is Krycek." Etienne announced in a level
tone.
"Alex." He reiterated. "My name really is Alex." Close to it anyway. "Let go
of my arms, Etienne. I wasn't lying about this, about what I want from you.
I want to touch you. Please. I won't tell Ducos. I won't tell anyone. I
swear." His tongue flicked out, tasting sweat and dust.
"What kind of man are you?" Navarre sucked in a deep breath and his grip
eased slightly. "I can't trust you. You didn't even flinch when we found
Malais. You weren't going to tell me." Etienne needed reasons. He needed to
know exactly where the other stood.
"Christ. That's not important right now." Aleksandr complained from deep in
his throat. "Are you made of stone?" He writhed, nipping at the other's jaw.
"Part of me feels like it, right now." Etienne admitted, almost laughing.
Damn but the spy was an intoxicating handful. "What the hell are you up to?
I need the truth from you, Alex." His expression grew more serious.
"The truth... the truth... there is no truth. It just doesn't matter. This
matters. This is all that ever matters." Alek squirmed seductively and the
chain of the heavy silver cross he wore around his neck jingled .
Etienne released one of his captive's arms and caught at the necklace, using
it like a leash to pull Alex tight against him. "Talk to me, damn it!"
"Calm down." The Russian gently extracted the ornament from Navarre's
fingers. "I'm not going anywhere. I can explain everything." He assured the
other, pulling the cross over to one side as he dropped his mouth requesting
another kiss.
Etienne cursed himself for an idiot but that didn't stop him from taking
pleasure in the soft lips that Alex offered.
A tiny slide of the Russian's thumb released the catch holding the cross
together and the tiny razor-like blade slid free. Just one more death.
Aleksandr promised. This is the last one, Mama. I know what I said earlier,
but...
"Alex... I wish I could trust you." Navarre began, his hands seemed to have
developed a mind of their own, forgeting that he was supposed to be holding
the younger man still. His fingers ran reverently across warm skin. "I can't
believe how beautiful you are... you're almost pretty. I thought that as soon
as I saw you this morning. So gorgeous. How could you bear to let Malais
touch you? How can you work for those animals?"
"Hush." The Russian pressed the knife against the older man's throat,
prepared to slice as soon as Navarre drew breath in to shout for help.
Instead the Major went completely still underneath him.
"You don't have to do that, Alex." Etienne realised instantly what the
stinging sensation at his throat was.
"I suspect if I was your only problem I'd already be dead. Please, Alec.
Why?" Etienne continued to use the smoother sounding name since he felt an
obvious reaction in the tense body holding him down at each vocalisation. "I
thought you meant to gather more blackmail material. Ducos can't blackmail a
dead man."
"I really am tired." Aleksandr finally divulged. "I told you that before."
"And lost." Navarre reminded him of his earlier words. "On my honour, Alec,
I'm not about to call out. Look at the position we're in, for God's sake.
Take the knife away and tell me what's really going on." He requested.
Inspiration hit like a lightening strike. "Pazhaluysta." Navarre had picked
up only a few bits and pieces of other languages over the years but that
single Russian word for 'please' boded to save his life.
The spy drew back as if burned.
"Alec, talk to me." Etienne coaxed.
"Aleksandr." The whisper was painfully faint. He wasn't really certain what
possessed him to give away the name he was born to. "Aleksandr Viktorvich
Krycek." His Russian accent emerged as he spoke that name for the first time
in years.
"Aleksandr Viktorvich Krycek." Etienne repeated carefully, a bit louder. "A
fine old name."
Gods, but it was seductive to hear his formal name aloud. No one but his
brother and sister had pronounced even part of it properly in years. Not
that he had gone about offering the name up.
"I'm so fucking tired of this shit. I want out." Alek declared.
"I understand." Etienne soothed. "I told you. I've trouble with the son of a
bitch as well."
"Don't patronise me, Major. No one UNDERSTANDS. Not one living soul
UNDERSTANDS." Alek contradicted. His voice was quiet, yet forceful. "He's
got little of real value to hold over your head. Ducos demands trifles from
you... concessions that barely upset your perfect little life."
"So tell me about it, Aleksandr. I'm not doing much at the moment... and you
could always kill me afterwards."
That earned a hissing exhale from the spy that might have been a choked off
laugh.
"Tell me what happened to drag YOU into this." Navarre repeated the request.
Why the hell not? Alek sighed. "I had a big family... four sisters and a
brother, Mama and Papa... lots of friends. We were members of the nobility." He
explained in a hushed tone. "Then Malais and his men came." He shivered.
"Malais... the man was a devil. I saw him in action. They came... " His voice
caught. "Instead of burning everything and running away as we were told to
do... Papa made the foolish mistake of thinking he could bargain with Sergeant
Malais and his lot. He died fast, riddled with musket balls." Almost unseen
in the darkness, Aleksandr rocked slightly. He had never actually recited
the story aloud before. It surprised him, not so much that it hurt, he had
expected that. What amazed him was that a certain amount of relief also came
from telling of the tale aloud. "Mother and three of my sisters were
raped... then murdered within sight of each other. Malais smashed Zhenya's head
open. He cracked it against the floor while he was still inside her. Pavel,
he was my... friend. He saw it all. He told me afterwards." A heavy, shaking
breath interrupted the monologue. "Some of the servants were sliced open and
hung up while the men laid bets on how long it would take for them to die.
Pavel... He shouldn't have spoken to me, not where Malais could see him."
Etienne winced, suspecting there was even more to the tale that the young
man couldn't bring himself to expound on.
"I tried to protect Tati and Dima. I tried to take them and run but we got
caught near the stables. The three of us were all that... " Alek's head shook.
"Malais beat me to a bloody mess to get me to tell him where our valuables
were hidden. I held off for as long as I could, but then when he grabbed
Tati I caved. I told him the location of every single thing of value on the
estate. She was only ten, just a baby."
Navarre's upper lip curled. Threatening children was a tactic for cowards.
"He turned us into pets... slaves. I tried to spare the kids, to save them from
the worst of Malais'... amusements. Afterwards I watched him rape and pillage
his way across my homeland." Alek's brows were together, forming a small
crease. "I've seen the things nightmares are made of, Major." He faltered.
"Malais committed them in the beginning, now I do."
Etienne frowned. The description of Malais' activities was certainly in line
with the evidence he had come across over the last little while. Still, the
last few words Aleksandr had uttered were the ones that disturbed him the
most. "So why do you continue? Why continue to take Ducos' orders?"
The Russian's tone was overlain with a complex pattern of emotions. "I still
have Tatyana and Dimitri. They're all I have left in the world. Absolutely
nothing matters more than their safety." The anger threatened again at
mention of his siblings but he kept it forced down. "I've been working for
Malais... for Ducos... so he would keep them in safety."
"Now Malais is dead." Etienne prompted.
"And for all Ducos knows... so am I. Malais was the one who actually held my
leash. Ducos may give me another fortnight before he decides I'm a lost
cause... maybe less once he receives news of Malais' death." The Russian's back
twisted slightly, attempting to prevent a cramp. "I have to get to Paris
before he sends someone to deal with Tati and Dima."
"You say you've done all this for your brother and sister." The Major said.
"You must care very deeply for them, Aleksandr." Navarre wasn't prepared for
the reaction to his words. The spy lunged without warning, flattening
Etienne with his full body weight and that wicked little blade threatened
his jugular once more.
"Don't." Alek warned. "Don't you dare underrate what I feel with some
frivolous, incidental platitude. I have spent the last six years crawling
through shit deep enough to drown the likes of you just to keep them safe
and clean." He hissed. "I have to get them out. I can't continue to let
their fates ride on the possibility of me surviving more of these missions."
"Aleksandr." Etienne pacified. "I can help you. Honestly. I've no respect
for Ducos or his methods. The man is a viper. I told you what he's done to
me. He ruined my career. He's threatened my parents. He treats me like some
sort of servant. We have a mutual enemy, Aleksandr." He bargained. "You say
your brother and sister are in Paris. I have connections there. I know
people who would take them in... good people."
"That's not enough." Alek's head shook. "I have to get them far away from
Paris, away to somewhere safe."
"Back to Russia?"
That provoked a curt snort of amusement. "If the Czar ever got his hands on
a living member of my family... after what I've done there." His voice was
gritty with strain. "You really have no idea, do you Major? There are more
people who want my head on a platter than there are beggars in France."
"It seems you've set yourself quite the task then... to find somewhere secure
and inviting for your siblings." Etienne smiled, not sure if the younger man
would see the gesture, but wanting to make it regardless. "I'm thinking a
quiet, prosperous winery in Bordeaux might be just the thing." The body
stretched out across him went so still it was frightening. Etienne couldn't
even feel the other breathing. "Aleksandr?"
"Why would you?" He asked suspiciously. "I want to believe but... once this
knife is away from your throat, why would you bother?" Alek demanded in a
cracked whisper.
"I've several reasons actually." Etienne began. "Malais was a monster. Ducos
is no better. I can only guess at the extent of the damage they have
inflicted on you."
One of the Russian's shoulders lifted in an aborted shrug. "Why should you
care?"
"I care about my own parents... and the estate they're holding. You say you've
done horrible things to protect your brother and sister. Would you consider
expanding your protection to include my family? Would you turn your talents
to keeping my parents secure from threats of damage, physical harm as well
as... more intangible dangers? I need you to make sure that no
disturbing... revelations... intrude on their lives."
"You want to hire me as a watchdog." Aleksandr clarified. "I can do that."
He decided with a considering frown. "Easily." Alek qualified. "But what
does this earn for Tati, Dima and I?"
"A safe haven until the war ends and I can come home myself. Perhaps more if
my parents take a fancy to your brother. Perhaps a job for your brother and
less... lethal... training for you. What do you intend to do with the rest of your
life, Aleksandr?"
The Russsian hovered, considering all he had learned over the last day. The
Major seemed to be an honourable man and the offer was a bargain. "I'd make
a lousy vintner." He announced. "But the rest of it sounds good. It's a
deal." At least it was a deal until something better came along, or Etienne
proved himself untrustworthy. The Lord knew he could use help slipping Tati
and Dima out of Paris.
Navarre dared to touch, reaching to smooth his palm down Alek's ribcage.
"And this?" When no objection was made to the contact Etienne rose slightly
and brush his mouth across the other's soft black hair. "I want you... to trust
me. I want to trust you. This could work out for both of us."
Aleksandr relaxed. His body was one of the least valuable things he was
willing and able to sell. If the Major wanted sex to seal the deal he was
welcome to it. "And your parents?" A faint click signalled the sheathing of
his hidden blade. "How will they take to your sending three Russian refugees
their way?"
"I will write and tell them of it as soon as I return to base. If you don't
object, I will tell them your sister is my fiancee and the pair of you... as
her brothers are there to see to her comfort and safety until the war is
over and things between us can be made legal."
"My SISTER is not... and will never... be a bargaining chip." Aleksandr tensed
once more.
Etienne nodded. "I know. I understand." He acknowledged. "It's just
something to tell my parents. It will secure your welcome and help alleviate
any suspicions that might have arised about my preferences. I won't lay a
hand on her. I swear it, Aleksandr." Navarre continued to carress the
younger man. "It's not your sister I'm interested in."
"You'd best mean that, Etienne." Alek warned. "Anything you want from me... you
can have, but touch Tatyana and I'll turn you into a eunuch, then I'll kill
you."
"Nice pillow talk." Navarre shivered as the spy slid up his body to their
faces were even once more. His arousal, which had eased off during their
confrontation slammed back with a vengeance. Etienne gulped a few breaths of
air. "I will give you the names of some people who can help you get your
brother and sister out of Paris. I assume you can see them safely to
Bordeaux if I provide some funds for transportation." Speech was beginning
to fail him. Navarre felt soft lips trace a path from his ear, down his jaw,
and a damp tongue lapped at the fading sting from the spy's threats. "When
Father gets my letter... that I'm engaged... that you're bringing a bride home for
me... my parents will fall all over themselves to make you welcome... Oh god,
Alek!" Etienne squirmed as his clothing was efficiently unfastened, trying
hard not to think of how the other's skill had been perfected. "You just
keep my parents safe... and when I get home... maybe we'll re-negotiate the
deal... if you're willing. Maybe you'll want to stay. We might be able to work
something out." The opportunity to actually marry the girl for show while
keeping the brother for a lover would make for an ideal situation, Etienne
thought, but now wasn't the time to press his luck with the volatile young
man.
"Why would you want to to keep us there?" Aleksandr asked, pushing Navarre's
clothes away to expose more skin. "Why? Because I can do this?"
Etienne bit his own lip to keep a shout from escaping.
"Or this?" the Russian's mouth teased. "Or is it because... " His tone
thickened. "I'll do things... let you do things to me that would make a
dockside whore blush?"
{Fils de pute, Alek!} Etienne growled. "It could be about more than sex." He
touched a gentle finger to one high cheekbone.
{Liar.} Aleksandr accused in German, before lowering his mouth back down to
fragrant skin. "But... " He switched back to French. "... you don't object to the
sex, do you, Etienne? Because I intend to devour every inch of you tonight."
Navarre let out a quiet little moan. "No. No problem. You run with that
plan. I like it." His voice was strained.
Note: Don't worry, this is an equal opportunity fic. A couple of ladies get
a go at things in the next chapter and so does a straight couple. It's going
to be a long night.
La Princesa Guerrera VII
by Carl Jane and Jim
MULDER: "No one can predict human behavior. No one can tell you what another
person's going to do. "
CarlaJane
