Chapter Six
Cabins
Alex stopped at the steps of Garren's cabin. It had been Garren's
since the
moment he claimed it. Maggie and the Gunmen hadn't even argued; the
Gunmen
were happy to stay in their trailer and Maggie assured Dana that she
preferred the town anyway. Even Antonio had shrugged off the claim as
unimportant, and so it was Garren's, though Alex would bet anything
that the
man would rather burn the frivolous retreat than actually stay in it.
He
didn't want to see Garren just now, he was too furious. Garren would
ask a
million questions and he was in no mood to explain. He backed away
from the
door and hoped that for once, just once, Garren wouldn't know he was
near.
It was a hope in vain as he backed into Garren's solid frame
Garren steadied Alex with a frown. What had enraged his mate now? Had
the
meeting with the prince not gone well? He bent and kissed the shiny
black
hair before Alex slipped out of his grip and turned with a frustrated
noise.
"Garren, not now! I am..."
"Just about to talk to me," Skinner said smoothly, but there was a
thread of
steel in his tone, one that made Alex jerk away from Garren guiltily
before
he remembered himself.
"I don't think you want to talk to me now, Skinner," he managed through
clenched teeth.
"Oh but I do," Skinner replied.
Garren enfolded Alex in his arms and his eyes glittered a silent
warning.
"If you were a wise man, ascendant, you would do well to leave Alex..."
Skinner's jaw danced as the two men glared. He noted with something
akin to
contempt, how Alex did not throw off the wolf's embrace. He threw
Garren
away from his assassin and grabbed Alex's arm. "I will speak to you.
Now."
He turned to watch as Garren seemed to coil to spring at him and he
smiled.
"Alone."
Garren let out a howl of rage as his mate and the ascendant
disappeared. His
head swiveled about madly looking for what he knew he would not find.
Some
trace of Alex. He felt the rage build and the change in him quickened
like
some eager child, but he controlled it. He thought of the possible
people
that the ascendant would have gone to and he set members of his pack to
watching them. The mother of the changed female was on the outskirts
of the
town, near the northern most river. She was following the burial
committee
and spray painting an orange X on the curb in front of a house that had
been
cleared of the dead. The fear of disease had been a major motivating
factor
for the burning of the dead. He waited, motionless, until Antonio and
Dana
were located on the bank of the lazy river. His pack shied away from
the
ascendant but stayed close enough to watch the two lovers. Garren
grinned
darkly as he saw Skinner and Alex appear at Antonio's side. Satisfied
that
his mate was not far away and under the watchful eyes of many of his
pack, he
let his curiosity of the prince draw him toward the cabin in which he
slept.
He made his way silently to the sleeping form and stared down at the
cause of
Alex's turmoil. His nostrils flared at the intoxicating scent. What
lovely
skin exposed by negligent sheets. He crouched near and listened to the
soft
breathing, tilting his head slightly, considering the bounty before
him.
Skinner was a fool to leave his sweet prize so tenderly alone and
vulnerable.
He reached out a hand and lightly touched the full lips, lips made for
pleasure, for surely there was no other practical use for such
softness.
Alex loved this human, fiercely. That, rather than fear of Skinner,
kept
Garren's touch light and gentle. There was exhaustion painted on the
pretty
face even in sleep and Garren withdrew his hand. A wolf could but take
one
mate, but had he not already claimed his, this male would be more than
satisfactory. As it was he was firmly pledged to Alex and would place
no
other before him, but he could always sample this male at a later date,
when
all was settled. Alex might even enjoy watching this one pant and beg
with
need. Skinner, on the other hand, would not. Garren grinned,
imagining the
big ascendant's reaction to Garren taking Fox. He could scent the
little
prince's sex and he clenched his teeth. How easy to draw back the
sheet,
part the long legs and coax that sex to life with his mouth, his lips,
his
teeth, his tongue all working together to make the pretty beg. With a
sigh
he left the room, once more having cause to wonder at the wisdom of
taking a
human mate. A wolf would have gladly shared, would not have dared to
even
think of refusing to share. Alex, Garren thought. What a troublesome
little
cat. Garren left the cabin and looked to the sky. Even in the
brightness of
day he could sense the moon waxing full. It was calling to him, to
hunt, to
run free, to slaughter. That was one thing Alex could never keep him
from.
Soon he would resist the call no longer and he would run with the moon. Alex wasted no time with looking at Dana or Antonio. He pulled away
from
Skinner and made to leave.
"We have to talk, Alex," Walter sighed.
"Sir?" Dana gasped, drawing close her unbuttoned blouse, the frilly,
sapphire
blue camisole beneath a stark contrast to her ivory flesh. "Skinner?
Is
Mulder... ?"
Skinner looked to his agent and nodded brusquely. "Fox is sleeping
now,
Scully."
"Is he okay?" she asked, standing, leaving Antonio to recline on the
soft,
scented grass alone.
"Oh he's okay all right, Scully!" Alex hissed. "Skinner here just made
sure
he didn't remember that he and I are lovers!"
Skinner sighed. "He doesn't remember any of us, Scully. Try not to
barge in
like a certain bull I know," Skinner drawled.
She raised a brow and then nudged Antonio with her foot. "Antonio,
let's
go," she urged, trying to ignore the heated atmosphere between Skinner
and
Krycek.
Alex waited until the two vanished and he turned on Skinner. "You just
couldn't resist could you? Fox, vulnerable, not remembering anything.
You
couldn't resist putting in his mind that it's you he loves. Why? Are
you
hoping that once he remembers everything, and he will remember
everything,
that he will still feel the same way about you?"
Skinner shook his head. "Alex, it wasn't like that."
"Bull shit!"
"When I spoke of the others, Fox could remember small things about
them, not
what they looked like but little things. With you... and yes I did
speak of
you, with you it was as if it hurt to try and remember you... like he
couldn't
even try."
"Why should I believe you?" Alex sneered. "You kept him for four days,
four
fucking days, Skinner. You could have brought him back immediately,
but you
kept him to yourself, fucking him, with no thought to how the rest of
us were
going out of our minds!"
Skinner shook his head. "If you had seen how he was, wanting to go
back to
Mikhail, the vampire who had taken him, you would understand. He was
scared,
overwhelmed. I didn't want to place him in an environment where
everyone
was..."
"Oh cut the crap, will you? You think you are the only one who could
have
soothed him? He's my lover, Scully is his best friend, the Gunmen even
would
have been a better choice. At least they wouldn't have fucked him when
he
was confused."
Skinner remained stubbornly silent.
"You did this before, Skinner. You got me out of the way, sent me to
help
get Maggie, and you fucked him then, too. We fucking told you we would
accept you! What more do you want?" Alex shook his head. "No, don't
answer
that. I know what you want."
"And what is it that I want, Alex?"
"You want Fox's love!"
"That I already had, assassin. Before all of this, I had it. I don't
want
what you think I do. I didn't like leaving you alone so long." His
face
darkened. "And I can see the fruits of that for myself. Tell me,
Alex, how
long after Fox was abducted did you wait before giving yourself to
Garren?"
His own jealousy burned bright, but he noticed the pained look that
crossed
the pretty face and he wished he could take back the words, no matter
how
true they were.
"I didn't... he just... listen, stop trying to change the conversation,"
Alex
hissed desperately. His own guilt was like a tidal wave. What would
Fox
think?
"This is the conversation, Alex. Fox and you belong to me. I do what
I
think is best. I can't regret going after him and I couldn't have
retrieved
him with you along to slow me down. I would have gone after you as
well had
you been the one taken."
"But I bet you wouldn't have tried to convince me that I wasn't in love
with
Fox!"
"I never told Fox that he didn't love you. In fact I think he is a bit
jealous of you," Skinner sighed. "He knows what I feel for you, but he
doesn't understand the rest."
"The Rest? Oh, yes. The rest being that he loves me," Alex argued.
"Maybe I did want him to love me as much as he loves you, maybe I did
keep
him for that, but I swear to you it wasn't my motivation, Alex. If I
knew
that by leaving you alone for so long that you would cleave to Garren,
I
would have come sooner. I thought you might resist..."
"This isn't about me and Garren," Alex ground out. "Much as you would
like
to make it. This is about you!"
"What would you like me to do, Alex? I want you and Fox to be happy.
I know
he wants to remember you, he has dreams that wake him, crying. I
know he
is trying to remember you. Do you think I want... that I like him to
be
tortured?" Skinner growled. Now furious, but not only with Alex, with
himself as well. It had been partially self-motivation that had kept
him
from Alex's side.
Alex blanched a bit. "You asked me what I wanted you to do. Do you
mean
that you would do what I asked?"
"If it wasn't to let you two go off alone... yes. I don't want to have
anything like what's happened happen again. I am not keeping you
prisoners,
but understand that it isn't safe for you... or Fox anymore."
Alex considered him, weighed the truth of his words. "Not going off
alone,
but being alone. No interference from you, no you trying to make your
claim.
Just Fox and me. He'll sleep alone until he asks me to sleep with
him. You
won't interfere. You won't touch either of us until he remembers.
That's
what I want. That is the only thing that would show to me your
sincerity,"
Alex challenged.
Skinner's eyes flared red for an instant, the urge to crush the
rebellion in
his little assassin, strong. He wanted to take Alex in his arms and
capture
the red lips with his own, bend him to his will. Reclaim him from
Garren's
touch. But the pain in Alex's eyes when he realized that Fox didn't
know him
made him pause. The excitement when Alex realized that Fox was back,
the
four days he had kept Alex from that happiness made him nod. "Fine.
We will
be leaving soon for San Francisco. We will travel by car, slowly.
When we
make camp you and Fox can be left alone, but I will not let Fox think I
don't
love him. That would be cruel."
Alex considered this. Knowing he had received more than he expected
and not
really sure why Skinner was allowing it. "Agreed, but you aren't to
have sex
with him," he clarified.
"And you aren't to have sex with Garren," Skinner added. Raising his
brows
when Alex nearly choked. "Is that a problem, Alex?" he whispered
dangerously. His blood was pounding, Alex was his. He knew that the
change
had made Alex and his kind ready and willing for sex, but there could
be only
one master of this pretty human. Knowing that changed human's lust for
sex
was primarily a self-defense mechanism, to keep them from going stark
raving
mad from the attentions of all those who would die to taste their
embrace,
didn't ease Skinner's mood.
"It is not," Alex whispered. Already wondering how he could ever
expect
Garren to obey that edict. Garren seemed to care little for what
anyone
thought or wanted. Except me, a little voice in his head reminded him.
And
it was true, Garren did seem to want to please him. He shook his head.
What
was important here was his relationship with Fox.
"Fine. If you do, Alex, all bets are off. I will not stand by while
you act
the..."
"Don't say it," Alex warned. "Don't fucking say it."
"Fine, I won't say, but don't act on your impulse to spread your legs.
I
know you can't truly help yourself, but if you need to be taken, there
is
only one person other than Fox who has that right. And don't you
forget it."
Alex stared into the fierce, red eyes and felt himself nodding, dumbly.
"I will put up with a lot from you, Alex, but this is one thing that
you
will obey me in. Garren is not, will never be, your lover."
Alex nodded again, but he knew that it wasn't true. In the same way
that
Skinner was his lover, by right of power and conquest, so too was
Garren his
lover.
"Then let's get back to him," Skinner finally said, his eyes still red
for
want of Alex, but determined to keep his word. Until Fox remembered
Alex,
Skinner would not dally with either of them. But should Alex disobey
him and
slink off to meet Garren, he would be forced to remind the young
assassin
just to whom both he and Fox belonged. Cabins
When Fox opened his eyes it was getting dark in the room. Little
shadows
were creeping along the walls making fluttering images on there. He
stared
at the shadows for a bit until his eyes turned to the source. The
curtains
of the window flapped lazily, the dying sunlight caught in the flapping
folds. His heart started to pound in tandem with the sound of the
distant
surf and he saw that window, darker, the wind moving the curtains then
too... something outside calling to him... others in another room
arguing. It
wasn't the one that called to him that he struggled to remember, but
another
whose voice was just loud enough to hear, angry, no, frustrated. His
heart
thudded desperately, he was close to something, black lashes, gentle
touch,
skin like worn velvet. He could see himself, taking off his
gun... straining
to hear the conversation beyond. The flap of the curtains continued.
He
could almost make out the ghostly words. He pressed his hands to his
head
and cried out in frustration. Why couldn't he remember? He wanted to
scream, but the image was gone.
He got out of bed and could hear people talking just beyond the door.
It was
hushed conversation, an attempt not to waken him he knew. A female
voice
spoke and the familiar tone sent a chill through him. She would have
red
hair, eyes so blue that the sky looked dull. He didn't understand it,
but he
was eager to see her. He hurriedly dressed and rushed out of the
bedroom.
His eyes alighted on first Skinner. Paused for a considerable moment on
Alex,
before searching her out. She was in the small kitchen pouring water
into a
small glass. She was tiny, he thought with a frown. Somehow he had
pictured
her larger. "I heard you talking," he said for want of anything else
to say.
When she turned to him with a little gasp he grinned. "I know your
voice."
He missed the flash of pain in Alex's eyes at his words. The woman
hurried
to his side, hugged him briefly, affectionately, before proceeding to
eye him
clinically, running her hands down his arms.
"Mulder! Are you okay? I've been..." she paused and looked to Alex,
"we've
been worried sick."
"Do you remember her?" Skinner asked hopefully.
"I don't know," Mulder sighed. "I recognized her voice." He beamed.
"I
really did!"
She smiled, "That's understandable, you've been hearing me nag you for
years.
I'd have to wonder if you couldn't recognize it." She led him to the
couch
and he was painfully aware of how close Alex was standing to it. He
risked a
glance at the man, so beautiful that his heart thudded a bit, but the
face
was completely void of expression. If anything he looked utterly
bored.
"What has Skinner told you?" the woman with the wonderful eyes asked.
He heard a small snort come from Alex, but when he looked at him there
was
just that boredom there. "Not a lot. Just that there has been
something,
some event that has changed the world... making it like some nasty
fairytale."
"What about you? What do you know of your past?" She sat next to him
and he
took a breath. "Walter told me I was an FBI agent, but I don't
remember
that. I remember bits and pieces of my childhood. Beyond that I
remember
strange things. Like faceless people, living dolls, and killer
beetles." He
looked embarrassed. "And though this is odd I remember a name, one
that
seems so important to me, Samantha."
"Your sister," the woman stated and smiled gently at his excited gasp.
"My
name?"
"I guess from what Walter has told me that it is either Maggie or Dana
Scully... no it is Dana. I know that." And he did. Alex shifted a bit
and
he was very aware of the coiled strength in that body. He's dangerous,
Fox
thought. It wasn't a matter of memory rather than a matter of
perception.
He had been an FBI agent, that would have been a wonderful training
ground
for learning about dangerous men. He risked yet another glance up at
Alex.
His eyes met the jade green and his mouth went dry.
"Yes, Maggie is my mother. You and I are partners. We have been for a
lot
more years than anyone would have bet on us staying together."
"And they tried to split us up," he added. His eyes widened. "I don't
know
where that came from. But who are they?"
"People who we don't have to worry about anymore," Scully assured him.
"Do
you remember anything else?"
"Images really," he admitted. "Sometimes, when I am waking I think I
might
remember it all, like it is there just on the edge of my perception.
It's
frustrating as hell. I know you're all here, but it's like I'm missing
something! Something that is driving me crazy." He rose abruptly and
ran a
hand through his hair. "What did he do to me?" he whispered, torn. He
felt
a gentle hand on his back and he looked up, startled to find that it
was
Alex, a look of concern and sorrow in his vivid eyes.
"You're going to be okay, Fox," Alex said so softly, Fox had to strain
to
hear him.
"I want to remember." He looked away from Alex. "I was so excited to
recognize Dana's voice, but..."
"But what?" Alex asked, his hand still slowly stroking Fox's back.
"I don't know. I feel like I'm missing more than memories. I can't
explain
it."
"Try," Alex urged.
Fox stared at him again. Black lashes so thick it was hard to tell how
they
could all fit on the lids. He stared in silence for a moment. "I feel
like
I need to do something, be somewhere, but I don't know what. It's like
a
dream." He drew reluctantly away from Alex and went to Skinner's side.
He
wrapped his arms about Skinner's waist and sighed, resting his head on
Skinner's broad shoulder.
"Don't strain yourself, Fox. It'll all come back to you," Skinner
soothed.
"So you keep telling me," Fox grumbled.
"It will. The longer you are separated from Mikhail the easier it will
be,"
Skinner assured him softly.
"Mikhail?" Scully looked at Skinner with confusion. "Was he the
vam... the
one who took Mulder?"
Skinner simply nodded.
"And he caused Mulder to forget who he was? For what purpose?" Scully
rose
and shook her head. "Was it some attempt at control?"
"I think that is partially the reason. The other was to keep me from
finding
him," Skinner replied as he bent to kiss Mulder's cheek. One glance at
Alex's face and he straightened with a frown.
"How did you find him, sir?" Scully asked. She wanted to be left alone
with
Mulder, to talk to him without any interference but she knew that Alex
wouldn't even consider leaving his side.
"It's a long story, but to cut to the chase I gave up tracking Fox and
joined
up with a group of travelers, pretended to be hum..." He stopped
abruptly
and cleared his throat. "Pretended to be just another traveler. I
wanted to
be attacked by other vampires... or be near when they attacked so that I
could
find out everything about them, if there was anything that would help
me
track the one that had Fox. It didn't take long until I got what I
wanted.
After that tracking Mikhail was easier. He had this penchant for
sending me
images of what he was doing to Fox... it was a tactical mistake on his
part,"
Skinner finished grimly.
Fox pulled away from him with an embarrassed scowl. "You never told me
that
you knew what he and I... did... I never knew that. Why would he do
that?" Fox
clenched his fists. Of all the memories he lacked he wished he could
void
himself of the still clear memories of Mikhail and the things they had
done.
Black eyes, soft lips and the blood, always the blood. He felt sick
suddenly. He had been fed upon, fed upon and fucked by something out
of a
nightmare and he had wanted it. "Oh God," he groaned desperately,
feeling
the bile surge in his throat. He ran toward the bathroom and made it
just in
time, voiding what little there was in his stomach. A wet cloth was
pressed
to his lips as his neck was rubbed. He looked up, somehow not
surprised to
see Alex kneeling beside him, though he had not heard the man enter
after him.
"You're safe now, Fox," Alex gritted out. Skinner came to the door but
one
look from Alex and he retreated with a look of concern on his strong
features.
Fox wondered at that. Why would Alex glare at Skinner? He shook his
head
and tried to stop thinking of blood running down his chest as he
watched
himself in the mirror. Heaving again at the memories, he bent forward,
feeling Alex's strong arm wrap around him, his voice pressed to his
ear,
whispering soft unintelligible words of comfort as Fox shuddered. When
he
could, he took a sip of water. "I can't stop thinking about it, Alex.
I
thought... I thought he was my lover... but he fed on me." He raised wet
eyes
to Alex's. "I couldn't tell this to Walter, but when he fuck... had sex
with
me he would always feed... I didn't know that it was wrong... it felt so
good."
He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms about his waist, dropping his
head
down. Alex made an angry noise and Fox found himself drawn to the
muscled
body. "I didn't want Walter to know," he whispered. "When I realized
that
it was wrong, that Mikhail was a monster, I didn't want him to know."
"He, none of us think any differently about you, ba... Fox . If you had
your
memories you could probably recite to me all the ways that vampires can
seduce their victims. You would know that this wasn't your fault."
"I know it isn't, but it doesn't change how I feel."
"And how do you feel?" Alex asked gently, not being able to keep from
kissing
Mulder's lowered head.
"Dirty... but something else too. It's like I know the feeling... like
I've
felt it before."
Alex helped him to his feet. "You'll be fine. You're the strongest
person I
know. You'll be fine."
"I am? Strong?" Fox asked, lifting his head.
Alex grinned a little. "Stubborn might be the word I was looking for,
but
strong is up there too." Alex touched Fox's cheek fleetingly.
"Do you know me? I mean before all this... the change, did you know
me?" His
eyes met Alex's again and he nearly forgot his question. Where had he
gotten
the idea that Alex was dangerous? He was clearly an extremely gentle
and
sweet person. Perhaps it had been the shock of seeing Mulder back in
the
fold that had sent him off on a tirade against Skinner. That still
didn't
make sense really. Alex had been excited to see him, ecstatic even.
He'd
kissed him! It was only after he realized that Mulder was with Skinner
that
he had lost it. Whatever the case, he must not have been a good agent
if he
could have thought for one moment that this gentle, young creature was
dangerous. He was too beautiful to be anything but what he looked, an
angel.
"I knew you." The words were given in a husky voice and Fox frowned.
Alex
gritted his teeth and led Fox to the bedroom. "Do you want to rest?"
Fox shook his head, but sat down on the bed. "I want to do
something... anything. I feel pent up."
Alex bit his upper lip and narrowed his eyes, considering his forgetful
lover. "Maybe you need to run. You haven't done that for awhile. I'm
sure
it would be good for you... exercise always seemed to clear your mind
before."
He was thinking of the best way to give Mulder what he needed without
endangering him. "There's a community center in town, I think it has a
track
behind it."
"Actually that sounds great," Fox answered. "I think I would like
that. Is
the town far?"
"No. A quick trip actually. I was going to go there later today
anyway, but
then you came back and... well I didn't go. It's getting late so if you
want
to go, we should get going." Alex was doing his best to remain normal,
to
not push Mulder back on the bed and kiss him until he remembered
everything... or just to kiss him until he could convince himself that
everything would be okay. More than anything he wanted to lay on the
bed and
hold Mulder tight. So tight that no one could ever take him away
again. He
settled for going to find Mulder something to wear. He sorted through
the
various clothes they had picked up and those that remained from the
previous
occupants while Mulder stared at him. "Hey, look, a sexy sweat suit
that
might fit you."
Mulder frowned at the baby blue sweatsuit and sighed. "Sexy huh? I'll
look
like a Skittle."
Alex laughed, his face transformed into something wonderful, entrancing
Mulder who had to look away guiltily.
"A Skittle? Oh so are you soft and chewy... and fruity?" He wiggled
his
eyebrows at Mulder until Mulder grinned.
"I think I am more a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup kind of guy," Mulder
smiled as
he stood to accept the shiny, blue tracksuit.
"Oh yeah, that's exactly what you are," Alex purred.
Mulder raised a brow and asked, "Why do I get the feeling I should be
careful
what I say around you?" when Alex just chuckled and crossed his arms
over his
muscled chest Mulder sighed. "And why are you agreeing with me?"
"Oh you know... there's no wrong way to eat a Reese's," Alex grinned.
Fox blushed furiously and tried to think of what to say in reply to
that.
"Oh," he rebutted brilliantly before falling into embarrassed silence.
Alex
was... well he was definitely a character. He's young, he told himself,
though he had no clue as to his own age, or even why he could remember
things
like Reese's, Skittles and the Big Mac but not who his parents were or
his
friends.
Alex watched as the flush on Fox's face settled down and he devoured
every
part of the beloved face. "You can get dressed. I'll be good," he
promised
as he made a show of covering his eyes.
Fox hurriedly undressed, keeping a wary eye on the scamp. When he was
properly festooned in the too-large running suit he gave an exasperated
sigh.
"I'm decent, you can open your eyes." He looked a himself in the
mirror and
chuckled. "Walter will love me in this, don't you think, Alex?" He
saw the
smile go off Alex's face as if it had never resided there. And when
the
hands were removed there was only the bored young man he'd glimpsed in
the
living room. He felt guilty then. Alex did love Walter, too. And
despite
his earlier vow to keep Walter to himself, a vow he had made before
meeting
Alex, he had no desire to hurt the beautiful young man. He cleared his
throat. "Maybe I have some running shoes too."
"I think I saw a pair there. Skinner must have gotten them before you
were
taken." Alex stood and went to the door. "I'll go tell him we're
leaving."
A bitter look passed over the fine features. "We need him to start the
car."
Mulder nodded and watched as Alex left. Mercurial didn't even begin to
start
describing Alex, that was for sure. When he had put on socks and the
shoes
he left the room again. Skinner sat on the couch, alone. "Hey, you,"
Mulder
smiled and went to him. "I'm going to run... want to come?" He knelt
at
Skinner's feet and placed his hands on the strong thighs, squeezing
appreciatively.
"No, I think I'll stay here, try to convince the Gunmen to start on
dinner.
You'll be back soon right?"
Mulder nodded. "Yeah. Alex says that there is a community center in
town.
He says that running used to relax me." He grinned then. "I know
something
even better though," he husked out bending to nibble on Skinner's knee.
Skinner smiled. "You are incorrigible, aren't you?"
"Do you mind?"
"Not in the slightest. But, go on. Alex is waiting." Skinner hoped
that
Mulder would remember Alex soon. He wanted to take Mulder in his
arms... to
go out and drag Alex out of the car and make them both beg and scream.
But,
he had promised Alex and in his heart he knew that it was the best
thing for
them all. Mulder wouldn't thank him for anything less once he regained
his
memories. While Mulder loved him he was sure of that, Mulder was in
love
with Alex. Only time could change that, not some mind fuck.
Mulder stood and bent to kiss Walter. "I'll be back. Do you want
anything
while I'm there?"
Skinner smiled. If he wanted anything, he could simply get it. It was
sweet
though. "No, Fox, go on. And don't let Alex keep you out too long."
Mulder smiled and headed out to meet Alex. He found Alex standing
beside a
white Range Rover talking heatedly with the biggest man Mulder was sure
he
had ever seen. From behind the man looked like a giant, silky blond
hair
tied back in a simple ponytail. His shoulders appeared to be five feet
across though Mulder knew that couldn't be possible. "Hello," he said
as he
approached.
Alex's mouth clamped shut and he looked at Mulder with a small smile
before
stepping back from the big man. When the man turned Mulder frowned.
He was
young. Younger than Alex. Surely barely twenty. And beautiful. A
smile
curved the full lips and the man looked him up and down.
"Alex tells me you are going to go running." His voice was deep,
silky,
amused.
Mulder looked to Alex. "That's right. And you are?"
"This is Garren. Ignore him," Alex grumbled.
Fox felt a tightening in his stomach. Images of teeth, of claws
dripping
with blood, motion so fast it blurred... beating sounds above him, fire
illuminating the darkness as things... unknown things... screamed in
pain.
Someone screaming his name... 'baby, we have run... '
"Fox! Fox, are you okay?"
Mulder shook his head to find Alex in front of him shaking him. "I'm
fine... I just..."
"You zoned out," Alex said worriedly. "Maybe you should be in bed."
"Oh he definitely should be in bed," Garren chuckled.
Alex glared at him. "Don't even think about it," he hissed.
Garren simply smiled.
Mulder shrugged off Alex's hands. "Really, I'm okay. I just thought I
remembered something... it's nothing. Please... let's just go. Garren,
it
was... nice to meet you," he managed to say, not knowing why he
immediately
disliked the man.
"I'll see you soon," Garren purred. "Talk to the old man soon," he
added
with a dark smile hovering on his face.
"What old man?" Mulder asked, confused.
"Just get in the car, Fox. He talks too much," Alex urged.
When Alex was closing his door, Garren stopped him and leaned in.
"Tell
Skinner that I'll not follow his little edict, cat."
Alex flushed and remained silent. When Garren pulled back he shut the
door
with a angry slam. He pulled away and sped up the darkening road.
After a
few minutes of silence he turned a quick glance at Mulder. "Don't let
him
get to you, Fox. He isn't important."
"Isn't he your lover?" Fox asked. "The Gunmen said you two were
tight."
Alex frowned. "Some people should learn to keep their mouths shut."
"It's not true then? I didn't get the impression that they were
liars." For
some reason the very idea of someone calling the three goofy men liars,
made
Fox angry and it showed in his tone.
Alex did want to have this conversation. Not now. Not ever if he
could get
away with it. "Garren isn't what he seems, Fox. He's not human."
Fox moved his head back in surprise. "Do I want to know?"
"No," Alex answered tersely. He sighed then. "This isn't exactly how
I
wanted things to go, Fox. I hope you know that." He frowned darkly.
"Just
tell me this. Skinner did kill the fucking bastard that took you
didn't he?"
Fox shook his head. "I don't know. I... he was burning... I don't want
to
talk about it."
Alex turned to look at him, there was no trace of anger or boredom,
just that
solicitous concern. "It's okay. You don't have to."
"I'm sorry," Fox sighed. "I think I am not usually this high-strung.
It's
just been... weird."
Alex nodded and after a moment he said, "But you are always
high-strung,
Fox." When Fox gave him a shocked look, he shrugged. "Sorry, but you
are.
Brilliant, driven, loyal to a fault, tenacious like you wouldn't
fucking
believe, beautiful, paranoid and yes, high-strung."
Mulder flushed again. Every word had sounded like a caress. "Oh," he
said.
Grinning himself he added, "but wordy I ain't!"
Alex smiled, confused. "What?"
"I never know what to say to you, but 'oh'," he explained.
"Yeah, 'oh... oh... oh'," Alex teased, every syllable a sexual gasp.
Mulder flushed even hotter. "You... you are a flirt!" he accused,
disconcerted further when Alex just laughed.
"That is something I can honestly say, no one has accused me of before.
A
Flirt. Hmm. I think I like it."
"Well just concentrate on driving and stop it," Mulder scolded.
"Why, am I bothering you?" Alex teased, enjoying the hot look on Fox's
face.
Even in the dim light he could see the flush. He knew it. Fox was on
the
edge of being turned on. God, he wanted to turn him all the way
on... just
pull the Range Rover over to the side of the road and show Fox just how
he
really gasped and groaned that little word.
Fox shifted uncomfortably in the seat. Hearing Alex gasp out 'oh'
breathlessly, even when he had just been teasing had made him hot,
embarrassed and guilty and hot. Would Alex gasp like that if someone
licked
the little crevice of his throat... the tender spot behind his ear? He
shifted again, trying to ignore the sudden heaviness in his groin.
"No... no
I just think we should just go down... go to town I mean. Go to town
and
run," he said flustered.
Alex was suddenly reminded of that first night as lovers. How
flustered Fox
had been, how his words, every word seemed to connote some sexual
vision. Of
course at the time he had simply thought that Fox was ill, that was
until Fox
had molested him. Oh God, why couldn't Fox molest him again? "Okay.
I'll
be good. I promise," he said huskily, staring at Fox quickly from
beneath
the shelter of inky lashes.
"Somehow I think I should doubt you," Fox muttered, controlling himself
with
an effort. Fort Bragg Community Center
They made it into town quickly, but for Fox it was a long drive. He
couldn't
resist taking long looks at Alex. Alex was so beautiful, the features
almost
too pretty, saved from femininity by the strong jaw and the surprising
ability to look so serious. Too serious for one so young and gentle.
They
reached their destination, the Community Center was sitting dark in the
wake
of the sun's passage. Gone were the days of fluorescent light. Alex
wondered grimly how long it would be before he would stop expecting the
little luxuries of the past civilization.
"Well there certainly is a community center, but there aren't any
lights,"
Fox observed. The sun was nearly completely down only giving off a few
last,
stubborn rays that barely trickled through the high windows of the
community
center gym. Fox had decided to run inside the center when they
arrived,
seeing that the track beyond was completely covered with darkness. "I
should
just run tomorrow," he sighed.
"No. You want to run now, we'll figure out a way. Get lanterns or
something," Alex insisted stubbornly. They both stood in the doorway
to the
gym. Alex didn't like the long shadows that liberally covered the cold
room.
Fox stepped inside and Alex was able to stop his instinctive urge to
drag
Fox back. He frowned and kept right behind him. "It's a bit dark,
Fox,
maybe we should just not explore."
Fox chuckled, the smooth sound going straight to Alex's groin and for a
moment he forgot the shadows and the things that might lurk therein.
"Don't worry, Alex, I'll protect you from the bogeyman," Fox assured as
he
walked to the center of the gym, standing in a beam of pale light. He
stared
up at the dust motes that were barely visible in the light and he shook
his
head. "Tomorrow will be soon enough." He turned to go back to Alex,
only to
find Alex right behind him. He bumped into the other man with a small
exclamation of surprise at his nearness. Alex reached out to steady
him, his
strong hands firm on Fox's upper arms. A moment passed with the two
just
staring at one another until even that luxury vanished into shadow.
Alex breathed in Fox's scent. God it had been an eternity since he had
had
the pleasure of holding his lover, feeling their bodies rub against
each
other... and eternity since he had kissed the fucked-dazed expression
off of
Fox's face. His body strained in protest at the denial of its lover.
Fox stood, very aware that his erection was but millimeters from Alex's
body.
He sucked in air to desperate lungs. His eyes widened in surprise
when he
heard a small groan come from Alex. One that made him want to eat Alex
alive.
"Alex... you... do you think we should just go back"?," Fox asked. The
proximity of the other man was too much of a temptation. He stepped
back and
looked away from the sweet face. He sensed that Alex was moving closer
and
he held up his hand to stop him. "Alex, stop."
"Stop what?" Alex stroked Fox's face. "This?" The feel of Fox's
face,
stubbled and warm beneath his palm was heaven. Fox. Here with him.
Wanting
him, even if he didn't understand it. Alex understood then how someone
would
say they could die happy. That had always seemed, to him, a moronic
sentiment, but now he understood. He smiled as Fox rubbed his face
into his
hand, the soft lips grazing Alex's palm.
"Yes, stop," Fox moaned. He knew he should not let the young man get
under
his skin, but he just wanted to taste those pink lips, to touch the
muscular
body everywhere. He gasped as he was drawn tight to that body. God,
Alex
was so tight, so hot. That thought led to another. How hot, how tight
would
he really be?
"I can't stop, baby, not now that I have you back. I can't... I
can't... I
have to touch you, kiss you. God." Alex was trembling as he bent to
claim
Fox's mouth. "Can't stop, Fox," he sighed. His lips grazed Fox's
lightly.
In seconds he would have to rape him he knew. Throw him down and
reclaim
what was his, but for now there was only butterfly kisses over ripe
lips,
over that tempting mole, all the while the blood throbbing in his
erection an
insistent reminder that this was the man he loved more than life
itself.
Fox's hands, hesitant at first, were suddenly avid in their
exploration.
Alex shuddered as those wonderful hands moved around him to cup his
ass.
"Fox," he moaned. "Fox. My Fox. My beautiful, beautiful, Fox." The
name
became a litany on his lips, carried in the darkening room in a voice
that
was almost tearful.
The emotion in Alex's voice served to break Fox out of his lustful
daze.
Something was wrong here. Alex was too emotional... he was missing
something
important and it made him draw back abruptly. "What's going on?" He
could
barely see Alex now and considering his raging passion that was
definitely a
plus. "This is wrong..."
"No, Fox, this is the only thing that isn't wrong. Can't you see that?
Can't you remember that? Please, baby, remember that," Alex begged.
"I need
to you to remember that."
Fox looked away from the shadowy figure. He saw movement in the
shadows on
the east wall of the gym and he started. Alex reached for him again,
but he
turned so his back was to the young man, shielding him from whatever
lurked
in the darkness. He spread his arms out to further shield Alex and he
moved
backwards. "Something is in here, Alex," he whispered. To the
darkness he
called, "Who's there?" He narrowed his eyes, determined to protect the
angel
behind him, the sweet youngster who confused him more than his lack of
memory. No sooner had he called out than there was a shuffling sound
coming
from the darkest portion of the gym. He had time to gasp before he was
flung
behind Alex. "What in the hell?" he growled.
"I know, I know, you can take care of your fucking self," Alex hissed.
"Just
back toward the door. NOW!"
Fox obeyed, but not before hooking a hand in the waist of Alex's jeans
to
drag him along with him.
"Let go, Fox," Alex demanded.
"No way," Fox growled.
"Hey, uh... we aren't in any trouble are we?"
"Huh?" both Alex and Fox asked at once. The voice had been young and
trembling. Two small figures emerged from the blackness and approached
hesitantly.
"Kids?" Fox chuckled. He made to move in front of Alex again but was
unceremoniously pushed back.
"Don't assume anything in this fucked up world, Fox. Jesus, I can't
believe
you are still alive with how careless you are."
"Oh yeah? Well..."
"Are we?" the little boy asked again as he came to a halt before the
two
bickering men. He looked at his friend and with a little shrug they
both ran
out of the gym. Sneaking a cigarette was getting too complicated
anyway.
The two men watched as the youths were illuminated briefly in the
headlights
of their vehicle, moving like wraiths in the night. Fox rubbed his arm
where
Alex had grabbed him and he followed in the wake of the boys. "You
know,
Alex, I get the distinct impression that you bug me," he growled. "You
might
think that muscle mass is the most important thing in a fight, but I've
got
age and experience on you. Need I remind you that I was an FBI agent?"
He
shook his head at the younger man who had followed him out. The
headlights
illuminated the bright blue of his running suit, the sheen nearly
blinding
him. He must look like some alien in the light. He paused at that
thought
almost missing Alex's chuckle. The sound was pleasant and he looked at
Alex
with a small grin beginning to form in response to the happy sound.
"I tell you, Fox, the more things change, the more things stay the
same."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you always bitch at me for trying to protect you and you
always
bring up the agent crap... like I wasn't one too... to say nothing of
what else
I was... am."
Fox was trying to absorb the words, both the facts and the sense of
history
behind them. "You were an agent? Jesus, you are a kid!"
Alex frowned. "I am most certainly not a kid! I might be younger than
you,
but I am not a kid."
"Well, you might have been an agent, but you couldn't have been a good
one,"
Fox judged.
Alex groaned. "I don't even want to know why you have reached that
conclusion."
"Well, first you didn't even know we weren't alone..."
"You didn't either," Alex barked, though he was, in fact, very
disturbed by
that very same thing. Whatever had happened to change him was making
him so
easily distracted. Usually it was when he was with Fox, so distracted
by his
presence that he was deaf and blind to the things around him. He shook
his
head. Though he would have always been slightly distracted by Fox, his
old
self would never have completely relaxed, tantalizing though Fox was.
"I have just gone through a traumatic experience... I am supposed to
be..." he
snapped his fingers, searching for the word he wanted.
"Ditzy?" Alex offered helpfully.
Fox glared at him and climbed into the driver's seat. He waited until
Alex
clambered in and continued, "distracted. I am supposed to be
distracted.
And, second, you can't even tell a child from a monster."
Alex shook his head. "I don't think it is a safe bet that things are
what
they seem."
"Oh stop talking in that Obiwan Kenobi way, will you?"
Alex chuckled. "You are too much. I am more a Han Solo guy."
"Oh great, now we're onto Star Wars. Have we ever had a normal
conversation?"
"No," Alex grinned. "Normal has never been our strong point."
"Our?" Fox had that feeling again. The feeling that there was
something
important just beyond his cognizance.
"Yeah. Fox?"
"What?"
"What exactly did Skinner tell you about me... about us?"
Fox frowned. "I told you that already. And why do you call him
Skinner? He
said he and you... well you are lovers aren't you?"
Alex glowered. "Is that what he said? Did he happen to mention that
you and
I were lovers?"
Fox flushed and felt his pulse begin a steady thrum straight to his
groin.
"He may have mentioned that," he admitted in an embarrassed voice. "I
didn't
know what to make of that. Why would I... we... be in a relationship
like
that? I guess it is different now. I mean you have Garren."
Alex flinched. "I do not have Garren. Jesus, what a mess. You and
I are
in love. You and I! Not you and Skinner, or me and Garren. Don't you
remember that?"
Fox shook his head and his breathing became harsh. He saw black eyes,
intent
and commanding. His head ached and yet he tried, tried so hard to
remember
that which he could not. He grabbed his head as the pain increased,
but
still he tried. A mural above him, green garments so lovely.
"Fox!" Alex cried as his lover lowered his head to the steering wheel.
He
leaned over to Fox, grabbing his shoulders and bringing Fox to him.
"Fox... I'm sorry, what's wrong? You don't have to remember." When Fox
whimpered in pain, Alex thought he might lose his mind. "Fox! Stop
trying... I'm sorry. We aren't lovers. I was kidding. Just pulling
the old
chain. C'mon, baby, stop, you're scaring me."
Green. Green silk. Green, jade. 'I'm going to want everything,' a
phantom
voice, husky with passion. He shivered with pain. Alex was shaking
him, his
voice cutting through the pain. When he stopped trying to remember the
pain
vanished. He looked into Alex's eyes, noting the fear there. "I don't
understand, Alex. If we love each other, why can't I remember you?"
He
traced one finger over Alex's cheek. "Why, if we love each other are
you
with Garren?"
Alex closed his eyes and shook his head. "Why you can't remember me?
I
don't know. Maybe you... maybe you don't want to... maybe..."
"Why wouldn't I want to?" Fox asked. "Alex, I can tell that you care
for
me... I can even feel that there is a certain... attraction between us.
Please
tell me what is going on! I can't stand this. I can't stand not
knowing.
Can't you see that?"
Alex stroked Fox's face. "I'll tell you anything... everything."
"Thank you," Fox murmured turning to face Alex with his body. He
rubbed his
lower lip. "I want to know about Garren, for some reason that is what
I
can't accept." He paused. "Maybe that is understandable... maybe
despite my
memory lapse, the fact that you have another lover should concern me.
Or am
I wrong? Is this just another twist to an already confusing tale?"
"Garren is not my lover... not in the way you are... more in the way
Skinner
is," Alex began. "You and I are in love. We were together before any
of
this happened... before the world went to shit. Everything
else... Skinner,
Garren everything is part of this craziness."
"Walter is not crazy!" Fox argued. "He loves me... he loves you."
Alex nodded. "I think he does love you, maybe even me, but if this
hadn't
happened, if he hadn't changed somehow we wouldn't be with him. We
agreed to
stay with him, Fox, we did, but only because he could protect us."
Alex
leaned forward. "We are lovers, Fox. Can't you see how it makes me
feel
for you to recognize Scully's voice and not mine?"
Alex looked away then and in the lights from the dash Fox could see
moisture
in those expressive eyes. "And Garren?"
Alex leaned his head back and gave a harsh laugh. "Yeah, Garren. He
is
another story, isn't he? He pretty much just takes what he wants."
Fox felt a surge of anger. "He rapes you?"
Alex looked out the passenger side window. "I... not anymore."
Fox reached out to touch Alex's face but Alex moved away. "Alex?"
"I can't explain it, Fox, I wish to Christ I could."
"You love him." It was a statement that caused Alex to turn to Fox
with a
surprised look.
"No!"
Fox nodded.
"No, Fox! I don't."
"I think you do," Fox rasped.
"I only love you. In all my adult life, I have only loved you. If I
could
get away from Garren, I would. If I could understand what makes
him... what
makes me want him I would change it. If I could leave this whole
fucking
thing behind, I would, if I could take you with me." Alex's voice was
shaking, not with anger but with emotion of a different nature.
Fox had to look away from those eyes or he felt he might burn in their
intensity. "I don't know what to do, Alex. I don't want to leave
Walter. I
do love him." He heard Alex's expulsion of breath and the pain in that
sound
hurt him too. "I want to remember you, Alex. Please don't think I
don't.
If it is true and you and I are in love, how could I not want to?"
"We should get back," Alex rasped.
"I don't want to hurt you," Fox whispered.
"I know you don't." A muscle flexed in Alex's jaw and Fox watched him
for a
moment.
"Maybe you should drive, Alex."
Alex frowned. "Okay. Why? Are you still in pain?"
The worry on his face made Fox feel ashamed that he had hurt him, even
if he
had had no desire to do so. "No," he managed. He got out of the car
and
walked to the passenger side. The night was quiet, too quiet. He felt
like
he was in a ghost town. No streetlights, no traffic noises, no distant
sounds of television. Not even the sound of a barking dog. No insects
buzzing. He stopped and looked around him. Distant windows were lit,
but
with flickering light. Alex put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's eerie isn't it?"
Fox looked at Alex and nodded.
"Let's get you back. I don't want anything else to happen."
"There aren't any sounds," Fox observed. "No birds, no insects..." he
stopped abruptly when he saw several pairs of luminous eyes in the
darkness
around them. Amber lit eyes that winked in and out of the darkness,
moving a
bit. "Alex?"
Alex followed his gaze and frowned. "C'mon, get in."
Fox slid into the seat, but waited until Alex was safely in before he
shut
his own door, not wanting to impede any need to go to Alex's aid. "You
saw
them right?"
"Yeah. I think it's okay, but we need to get back." Alex maneuvered
the
vehicle back onto the street.
The flash of headlights illuminated several large men with glowing eyes
and
Fox stared at them in fascination until Alex sped away. "Alex, I swear
they
had hair growing in and out of their faces. Hairy one second, smooth
the
next."
"They are too afraid of Skinner and Antonio to stay changed."
"You know what they are?"
Alex nodded, "They're werewolves." He saw Mulder nod, not at all
shocked,
and he had to smile a little. Only Fox Mulder would take that
information
with aplomb. "That doesn't surprise you?" he had to ask.
"Werewolves have existed in human folklore for as long as recorded
history... longer than that. In some caves in Malaysia, they even found
depictions of what looked to be, large, hairy men, tearing to pieces
and
eating the flesh of warriors." He stopped. "I remember that! And I
can't
remember that it is my sister whose name is Samantha or who I'm in love
with?
But I remember there are cave drawings in Malaysia?"
Alex shook his head. "They say all memory is simply electrical
impulses tied
together with associations. You have enough associations and you can't
forget. Of course you have an eidetic memory so whatever you read or
see,
you never forget so I don't know how it works with you. Maybe if you
find
enough associations..."
"It's not that, Alex. My memory was taken from me," Fox sighed.
"Fox, I'm no scientist, but memory can't be taken from anyone... it can
only
be suppressed. Believe me, I have seen it tried"
Fox bit his lower lip, sucking on it while he thought. Alex's little
groan
broke him out of his reverie and he looked to the other man with a
questioning, raised brow.
"Stop that, Fox. Stop sucking on your lip, stop looking so fucking
dazed.
Unless you want me to stop this car and... just stop it okay?"
Fox smiled a bit. "Sorry. A little too sexy for you?"
"It isn't funny," Alex growled.
"I know," Fox said in a voice that just barely sounded serious. He was
looking innocently out the window when Alex glared at him.
'I'm serious, Fox."
"Me too," Fox assured.
"Unless you want me to stop this car and show you how serious I am you
just
stop."
"Oh, that serious. Hmmm. Do you want to?" he purred. "Make me
remember? I
wouldn't think that is the best suggestion. I mean there are wolves
out
there."
"They're Garren's. I think it's safe," Alex growled.
Fox looked at the serious, young man. "Garren is a..."
"Yes!" Alex snapped.
"Oh."
This time there was no teasing by Alex. Fox grew serious. "I'm
sorry."
Alex remained silent, a flex of muscle his only indication that he had
heard
Fox at all. "I was teasing. It was supposed to lighten the mood." He
got a
brief glare for that. "You know, ha ha?"
"Fox, I'm warning you. Stop! It isn't funny. You may think this is
no big
deal. But while you have no fucking memory of me, I can remember every
thing
about you. How you taste, how you feel and how you sound when we're
making
love. I can remember how you would look at me... just stop."
"I'm sorry," Fox whispered. "I didn't mean to upset you. I really
didn't."
Alex nodded. And the silence in the car was tangible for the rest of
the
drive. McClellan Air Force Base
He walked down the corridor, he didn't hurry though his news was of
great
importance. The steady sound of his shoes on the tile helped him think.
Fox
Mulder was back in the fold. Back with Krycek. Were they even now
ripping
off one another's clothes? Was Alex fingering him as he had done so
beautifully that morning? Or was the naughty Fox Mulder down on his
knees
sucking Alex's cock? He knew the taste so well himself that he
reflexively
licked his own lips. There were other uses for Krycek that was true.
A man
like that was invaluable... nearly. He was so sweetly deadly, like a
cobra
slithering out of its straw basket. Seemingly tamed to the trainer's
hand,
but viscious and almost certain to strike. Bill's son was lucky to get
so
close, to stroke the deadly thing and come away unscathed. Perhaps
Alex was
indeed tamed for Agent Mulder. What would he do for him? Anything?
Everything? Would that loyalty extend to anyone who looked like the
pretty
agent? Or was it for him alone?
There were plans to be made. Plans that had to be quite clear before
he
reached his destination. That they would take blood from Mulder was a
fait
accompli. He had already sent word for his men to get the blood the
next
day. He had even told them how they might get close to the agent. He
smiled, he had even warned them of his killer, Krycek. But he must be
clever. There had to be a way to keep some little prize for himself.
To
keep Bill from suspecting anything. That was the trick. Bill Mulder
was no
one's fool. The door was before him and he paused, finalizing his
decision.
He entered the room and sat down in a chair near Bill.
"Your wayward child has been returned," he smiled. "But then you must
know
this already."
"I do," Bill nodded. "As I know that you sent our men to retrieve the
samples."
Spender nodded. "Yes."
"So we are in readiness here?"
"We are. As soon as the material is delivered, we can begin. We need
to
decide an age," Spender added.
"As close to the real age as we can get," Bill said impatiently. "I do
not
want young clones of my son to be given away." His tone suggested that
that
would be hideous, while giving away older looking, absolutely innocent
clones
to be used as carnal pets by a monster was highly acceptable.
"Of course. However, how young does your son look now?"
"It doesn't matter. We are trying to please Murdoch, and he wanted my
son as
he is... was."
"There is the time consideration as well," Spender purred.
"What age can we attain in the quickest time? Mind you nothing younger
than,
say twenty-four will be acceptable."
"Such an arbitrary number, Bill. It is all irrelevant in any case.
These
clones will be as knowledgless as any infant. We never age clones in
stasis.
Whatever we produce will be childlike."
Bill frowned. "What are you suggesting?"
"A compromise."
"Yes?"
"We age them to the oldest age possible in a limited time... keep them
for a
week after to expose them to some experience... just enough that we
aren't
handing over blank slates."
"Why? So they can know that there is another reality other than that
of sex
slave? We don't even know if they will be changed."
"As I said, it is irrelevant. And in the end, the decision is yours."
Bill stood and walked to the window. "We'll age them past the age of
twenty-four. If we have the time, we will give them some basic
experiences... how to eat, how to clothe themselves." He stopped. It
was all
necessary, but distasteful. "How long to age them?"
"Not long. Not with our allies' experience with aging their own young,
say
two weeks?"
Bill frowned. It wasn't that long, but their allies were growing
restless.
"You are in charge of this, Spender."
Spender hid a smile. "I think you should be the one to take them to
Murdoch.
He'll know that you are in charge. He might take offense to an
underling
being sent to him." His words were smooth, with just the right level
of
deference.
Bill considered this. "You may be right, old friend."
"And as the father of his obsession, you might even hold some honor in
his
eyes."
Bill raised a brow. "Honor a man who would sell his own son, or part
of him?"
"Murdoch is a man like us. He sees the end beyond the means."
Bill chuckled and poured himself a brandy. "A true end needs no
justification, is that it?"
"It has been said, I think."
The two men chuckled together and for awhile they sat and talked of
inconsequential things. The plans were set in motion. All they had to
do
was sit back and wait. Cabins
The cabin was brightly lit and both men had their own thoughts about
the
difference between it and the town. Fox was happy that Skinner was
able to
provide light and other luxuries, while Alex was resentful of the
reminder of
how dependent they were on Skinner. He slid out of the expensive
vehicle
pausing only briefly to assure himself that Fox was coming and
continued on
toward the cabin. Fox's voice stopped him.
"Alex?"
He sighed, stopped and turned back to Fox. Even in that bright blue
sweatsuit, Fox was beautiful. He clenched his fists to keep from
dragging
Fox to him... to keep from forcing Fox to accept the way things were!
"Don't be angry with me." He reached out and touched Alex's arm. His
eyes
were earnest and worried, slightly wider than normal, searching Alex's
face.
"I shouldn't have teased you. It wasn't fair."
Alex shook his head, "I'm not angry with you, Fox... just the
situation."
"But, I shouldn't have made fun of you. You were right."
Fox looked down at his feet, looking so much like a little, lost boy
who
expected to be yelled at that Alex couldn't resist pulling Fox to him
and
burying his face in Fox's fragrant hair. "I'm the one who should be
sorry,
baby, you've been through enough, you don't need me to make it
worse... to try
and force you to remember. It was selfish."
Fox shook his head, not in the slightest bit interested in pulling
away,
there was something so wonderfully comfortable about being wrapped in
Alex's
arms. Alex smelled nice, soapy... musky. "No it wasn't. I want to
remember.
I need help to remember."
Alex made a strange noise and Fox looked up from the warm chest,
feeling
strangely vulnerable, strangely reluctant to withdraw from the embrace.
"I don't want you to be in pain. If it comes back to you, fine, if
not, I
want you to promise not to force it. Baby, you were in pain... I can't
stand
that. I'd rather anything happen to me or anyone else than you be in
pain."
Fox stared into the serious, face. The eyes that were so wide, so
innocent
of the horrors of the world. He reached out a hand to stroke that
young
face. "I don't want you to worry, Alex. I think I can handle a little
pain." He smiled as a dark frowned marred the angelic look of Alex's
face.
"Don't frown. I think Walter's right. The longer I am away from
Mikhail the
easier it will be... that is if he didn't really take my memories from
me."
Alex didn't look convinced, but the door to the cabin opened and
Skinner
stepped out.
"You two are back so soon. Is everything okay?" Skinner's voice was
worried
as he stepped close to the two.
Fox smiled and nodded his head. "We're fine. It was too dark."
Skinner frowned. "I could have..."
Alex shook his head, "Forget it, Skinner. We don't need to be that
pampered."
"I didn't mean..." Skinner began.
"We know what you meant," Alex growled. "We aren't pets."
"Alex," Fox scolded. "Walter was just being nice."
Alex rolled his eyes, but he didn't continue baiting Skinner. He moved
past
the big man into the cabin pausing in the doorway for Fox to follow.
Fox squeezed Walter's hand and gave him a little smile. "Let's go
inside,"
he suggested.
Skinner smiled back and thumbed Fox's lower lip. "Langly is making a
great
dinner. You won't believe all the food. I'm sorry you couldn't run.
I
didn't even think about the lights."
"Don't worry, Walter. I ended up with something better," Fox smiled in
Alex's direction. "Alex and I talked."
Skinner raised a brow, "Good?"
"Yeah, good."
"Fox, come on," Alex urged.
Fox turned to go in, but paused and looked back into the warm brown
eyes. "I
know why you said I would want to come back, now. Not just for my
friends,
but for him."
Skinner nodded. "Do you remember now?"
"Not a bit," Fox smiled. "But, thank you."
Skinner laughed a bit. "Don't thank me, Fox. I would have brought you
back
with me even if there had been no Alex to come home to."
Fox grinned, and for a minute all he could think of was warm nights and
Skinner above him, the slick slide of Skinner possessing him. He
shivered
with desire and for a moment he seriously thought about leaning in to
capture
the stern mouth, aching to feel the slow burn he knew it could ignite
in him,
but Alex was waiting. Alex. He turned to go to him hoping that Walter
would
follow, that things would work out for them all, but not sure how it
would.
He still felt as if Walter was his, but Alex was so sweet, so gentle,
so
beautiful. How could he not want him?
Inside the three Gunmen were gathered in the kitchen, Scully sat on the
lap
of a man he hadn't yet seen and an older woman sat in a chair near
them. The
older woman got up and went to him, a soft smile on her face. This
must be
Maggie, he thought before the woman gathered him in for a hug.
"I am so glad you're back with us, Fox," she said softly. "Antonio
came and
brought me here to be with you." She gave Antonio a small smile.
"That was
an interesting experience," she smiled. "How are you?"
He tilted his head and shrugged, "I guess I am doing great."
"But, you don't remember anything?"
"He will," Scully assured from the comfort of the darkly handsome man's
lap.
Fox eyed the man with a bit of concern. Somehow he didn't quite think
Scully
was the type to sit on a man's lap. It bothered him for some reason.
"Mulder, Skinner wouldn't let us make burritos," the man with the long,
blond
hair bemoaned from the kitchen.
Fox smiled, but his expression changed to one of contemplation as the
three
men skittered out of Alex's way as he went to inspect the meal in
progress.
They, save for the shortest of the trio, seemed to want to scatter like
a
herd of antelope with a big cat prowling near. It, frankly, stunned
Fox.
They eyed the young man warily, even the short one. Alex was scowling,
but
otherwise not doing anything threatening. What could the men possibly
fear
from his little angel? He frowned at the men, wondering if their
reaction
might somehow hurt Alex. Alex was obviously very sensitive, Fox mused.
In a
show of support he went to Alex's side and put his hand on the small of
his
back, peering over the wide shoulder at the food Alex was inspecting.
"I'm making shrimp linguine," Langly stuttered. The blonde man
actually
squeaked when Alex turned his gaze on him. "Y-you like shrimp don't
you,
Krycek?"
Alex nodded.
"My compadre has taste," the little man approved. "I'm Frohike,
Mulder. Do
you know that?"
Fox shook his head. "It does seem right though."
"This is Byers," Frohike said, pointing to the slight, bearded man.
"And
this is Langly." The blonde bowed a bit, yet his eyes were still
trained on
Alex.
"You prefer burritos," Langly informed him. Alex moved away from the
stove
and the men shifted like that same antelope herd. Fox held on to his
temper,
just glad that Alex hadn't seemed to notice. When Alex was out of ear
shot
Langly moved beside him. "Is Krycek angry? He seems... uh... tense."
"Yeah, and a tense Krycek is a scary Krycek," Byers added.
"Are you guys for real?" Fox whispered. "Alex is just upset that I
can't
remember, but scary? He doesn't even look old enough to shave! C'mon
guys."
Bending into the huddle of odd men felt strangely familiar, as if he
had
spent many an hour in just the same manner, whispering, plotting, and
just
plain theorizing with the three men.
"Mulder, I know you don't remember, but Krycek is scary," Langly
whispered,
his eyes swimming oddly behind incredibly thick frames.
"Yes, Mulder, just because he is soft on you, doesn't change that,"
Byers
added, taking a moment to verify that Krycek was indeed out of earshot.
"We've even seen his handiwork." He looked to Frohike. "Remember
Mulder's
apartment? It looked like a scene out of 'Faces of Death' and that is
going
lightly on the subject."
Frohike turned a little green at the memory. "Oh, I had blocked that
out.
Don't get us wrong, Mulder," he said in a conspiratorial whisper, "he's
cool
and all... but when he is angry... well, it is best to be careful."
"Look at them," Skinner chuckled. He stared at the four men, huddled
together whispering amongst themselves. Scully grinned. "They must
have
some magnetic attraction."
"They do tend to huddle," she agreed. "Amazing. Mulder can't remember
any
of us, but there he is, conferring with his three muses as always."
Alex was staring out the window, seeing nothing but trees shadowed by
the
full moon. In the distance he heard the eerie howls of the wolves
calling to
the moon. He shivered, wondering if one of those howls painting the
night
was Garren's. The wind carried the sound, but he knew the wolves were
far
away. He looked at the moon, it was dominant in the sky, a huge gem
surrounded by a billion stars. Did it enchant the wolves as the
legends
proclaimed? He had seen so little of Garren since Fox's return. While
he
was grateful to have time alone with Fox, he wondered at it. Was
Garren
simply giving him space, or had he lost interest? Neither explanation
rang
true, and he stared at the moon once more. Skinner touched his
shoulder and
he tensed for a moment, but he relaxed as that hand just gently rubbed.
"Are you all right, Alex," Skinner asked.
"I will be."
"He will remember. You'll see."
"I... he tried, but when he did..."
"It hurt him," Skinner finished for him.
"Yes." Alex looked at Skinner then, his eyes softer than Skinner had
seen
them since he'd realized that Skinner had brought Fox back. "I know
that you
were telling the truth about that at least." Alex narrowed his eyes,
thinking. "It doesn't excuse you keeping him from me so long, but at
least
you were telling the truth about that."
Skinner sighed, a tired sound that held no indignation. "I don't have
to
tell you that I want him to remember. You know that I do."
"Yes, but..."
"There are no buts." Skinner traced one hand over the fine line of
Alex's
jaw. "After dinner, you and Fox will be alone. And you, assassin,
will keep
both of you from mischief."
Alex frowned. "Where will you go?"
"I want to leave tomorrow." Skinner moved away from Alex with regret.
"As I
need less sleep than before, I'll see to our transportation, supplies
and
meet with the town leaders to assure them that our departure will not
change
their lives."
Alex nodded. "Garren..."
Skinner's face darkened. "What about him?"
Alex shook his head, "Nothing." It wouldn't do anything to tell
Skinner that
Garren would refuse his edict. What happened beyond he and Fox was
nothing
that he wanted to think of. He and Skinner both looked as one toward
Fox who
was just now emerging from his huddle.
Fox sat on the floor, his warm mug on the coffee table, elbows propped
on the
slick, wooden surface, face cradled in his hands as he listened with
great
amusement while Scully told another "Mulder" story. Alex was sitting
beside
him, knees drawn up and his fingers laced around his knees. Frequently
he
smiled at Mulder, seeming content to just sit next to him and listen to
the
conversation around them. The man sitting next to Scully, Antonio,
stared at
Fox frequently, frank desire on his classical features. Antonio was
like
Skinner, Mulder knew instinctively. The two radiated something almost
tangible, some power that flowed just beneath the surface, electric and
compelling. Maggie was different from the rest. Skinner had explained
to
him some bit of the changes and though Fox couldn't really tell, not
having
been around many normal people since Skinner rescued him, he could tell
that
Maggie was... normal. That was the only thing he could think of. The
others
were more there somehow, though that did not detract from Maggie's
charm.
She was yawning and soon rose, looking to Antonio expectantly.
Scully looked at Mulder and smiled. "I guess it is late. We should
get
going."
Skinner walked everyone to the door and touched Maggie's arm. "I'll
take you
back to town if that is where you'd like to sleep. I wanted to talk to
some
people there about our plans to leave in the morning anyway."
Maggie nodded, waved at Fox and Alex and went outside to wait for
Skinner.
The Gunmen decided to go into town as well and Skinner sighed. He had
hoped
to just take Maggie in the quickest way, just going to the side of any
of the
people in town would have done the trick, but with all the Gunmen along
he
decided to just take the Range Rover.
Fox stood and went to Skinner's side. "Are you coming back late?"
Skinner nodded. "Don't wait up. I may not come back tonight at all."
At
Fox's disappointed look he chuckled, knowing the cause, smelling Fox's
need.
"You will be fine here with Alex."
Fox looked at Alex who had risen as well, but had stayed near the
couch. He
smiled at the young man. "I know I will, I just..."
Skinner bent and kissed Fox's cheek. "Baby, you can do whatever you
like.
Trust me, I rather love you and Alex together."
Fox frowned, confused again. He couldn't understand the relationship
the
three of them had, but he knew that he wanted sex. It was something he
didn't think he'd like to go without much longer. And though Alex was
beautiful, and his lover, he didn't know him really... though when he
thought
about it, he didn't know Walter either. He sighed. Sure that whatever
he
was, he seemed to be a nymphomaniac.
"Alex, take care of him," Walter ordered, with a gleam in his eyes.
Alex raised one brow and said nothing, but his eyes glittered
dangerously.
Walter chuckled at that, enjoying Alex's every expression.
Fox watched everyone leave and then turned to Alex. "So."
Alex smiled, "So."
Fox found his feet interesting, watching one foot rub the other. "I
think
everyone had a good time," he mumbled lamely, watching the way the blue
tracksuit reflected the light.
Alex wanted to go to Fox and tell him not to be so nervous, but instead
he
affected a yawn. "I think I am going to just go to sleep on the couch.
I
know you wouldn't feel right sleeping with me just yet, and you need
your
sleep, baby."
Fox didn't want to sleep, but neither was he sure he wanted to sleep
next to
Alex just yet. Just sitting next to him was enough to rattle every
nerve in
his body. But instead of agreeing he just stared at the picture Alex
made,
standing in the light of the dying fire behind him, built more for
atmosphere
than any need for warmth. A flash of memory assailed, so brief that he
barely had time to make any sound of the pain that accompanied the
memory,
Alex stumbling out of the darkness, the feeling of utter relief at
seeing
him, Frohike's voice shouting something... 'zombie' and then nothing.
Alex
was at his side asking him if he were okay and Fox frowned. He wasn't
some
china doll that would fall apart with any little pain, but Alex seemed
to
think so. He couldn't work up any anger over Alex's concern though,
especially not when he had just remembered something of him.
"I'm fine... I just saw you... you... were drunk I think... stumbling."
"I have never been drunk a day in my life," Alex retorted, sounding
insulted.
"I have pretended to be, but never have actually been."
Fox chuckled. "Give yourself a few years, Alex."
Alex groaned. How young did Fox think he was anyway?
"But you were there, in my memory. Don't you see? I think it will all
come
back." Fox was excited, but his excitement was cut off by a huge yawn.
"I
think maybe if I get some rest..."
Alex smiled, feeling a great deal better about sleeping apart from his
lover.
If Fox was starting to remember then he wouldn't have many nights
alone... maybe just this one. "Let me just take a quick shower and then
I'll
leave you to the bedroom."
Fox nodded and then the image of water sluicing down Alex's body hit
him.
Whether it was a lurid fantasy or a memory, he had to turn away quickly
to
hide the flush on his face. He could see the way the hot water would
trail
down the rounded pecs, flush over the hard stomach, finding little
crevices
to linger in the defined muscled there, gathering in the dark hair
below... he
made a small sound, a desperate sound. He almost begged to be there
with
Alex, kneeling on the shower floor, mouth open to catch the water that
would
wash from the juncture of his muscled legs. Tonguing the hard flesh,
tasting
it, knowing it would taste so good.
"Fox?" Alex inquired, worry in his voice once more.
Fox was able to escape the fantasy at the tone. Alex would get sick of
having to worry about him soon. He was probably more used to Fox
worrying
over him. "Oh nothing, just yawning."
Alex frowned, rubbed Fox's back and nodded. "Okay." He stepped around
Fox,
casting one last look in his direction before going into the bathroom
off the
only bedroom.
Fox followed, eager to take off the tracksuit, grinning a bit at how
polite
everyone but the Gunmen were about it. Langly had asked for sunglasses
while
the other two snickered. He felt good around these people,
comfortable. The
sound of the shower going on made him groan again. The sound of the
shower
door closing made him hard. God he wanted him. Memory or no, he
wanted
Alex. He would be wet now, the black hair slick, everywhere. The
smell of
soap drifted out of the open door. That was his angel, sweet and
clean, wet
and hot. He buried his face in his hands, wanting to remember
everything
about Alex. He could go in there, he knew. Alex would welcome him.
He
could taste him, hold him, but what of Walter? Would he, despite his
words,
be hurt? With resolution he finished undressing and found a pair of
pajamas,
too big, again too blue. What was it with the former owner and blue?
The
shower ended abruptly and a whole new set of erotic images assailed
him.
Alex toweling his body off, would he caress himself? Did he feel the
same
need for sensation that Fox did? Fox ran a hand down his own body,
lightly
touching the rings in his nipples through the thin, cotton fabric,
gasping at
the jolt that touch sent to his groin.
Alex came out of the shower, a towel around his waist. Of course it
seemed
wrong. Alex would have sauntered out nude, proud of his body, or
unconcerned
about its effect. HE was being considerate, Fox supposed. It wasn't
enough.
He looked positively edible. He turned away from the vision, hiding
in the
pillow and hoping his lust wasn't visible. It felt as if anyone with
eyes
could see the strong emotion, but Alex simply bid him goodnight, his
voice
husky with some emotion, and left Fox to his misery. Shower. Cold
shower,
Fox thought. That is what I need. A scene flashed, him pushing Alex
against
a wall, claiming those pretty lips while those green eyes were wide
with
shock, rubbing himself up against the delicious body. It was another
memory,
he knew. He smiled to himself. He would remember everything in time. Shenadoah Valley, California
Garren ran with the night, listened to the distant sound of thunder and
let
his limbs stretched out, finding the rhythm of the chase. Far away
from
Skinner and Antonio, east of them, toward the call of Murdoch, but not
so far
that he couldn't make it to Alex's side in a few hours time. He had
forbidden most of the pack to come with him, ordering them to Alex's
protection. Alex's and the sweet, hot little prince. Alex couldn't
take
losing Fox again, and so the pack would protect Fox as well. The honor
of
protecting Garren's mate was one that would not be for the pack members
in
the area for long. Even now the strongest of the pack worldwide were
making
their way to him, to take their place as his mate's guardians. Even
his
littermates wanted to come, but the bloodline would have to stay spread
round
the world or the pack would grow restless without it. And so his
littermates
stayed where they were, no matter how much they longed for the honor.
The
oldest wolves, some so strong that even an ascendant would take pause,
would
let nothing stop them to get to Garren's side. Garren grinned. Poor
Skinner, he would soon find himself surrounded, not by weak pack
members, but
frightening creatures that would let nothing stand in their way in
their
loyalty to the bloodline, to Garren. Of course Garren had to be
careful for
his cat's sake. No matter what his cat hissed and spat at Skinner, he
cared
for him. The prince was especially fond of the ascendant and would be
hurt
by any trauma to Skinner.
It was difficult for Garren to judge just the best route to take. He
would
prefer to have the pack descend on Skinner. There would be massive
loses on
the side of the pack, but eventually they would tear him limb from
limb,
taking the pieces far apart to prevent Skinner from regaining form, but
Alex
would hate that. Too there was the benefit to the pack if Skinner
could
balance out Murdoch. Murdoch was strong to the east, his hunters
ripping
through the human population without thought. The pack needed humans,
would
not survive without them. They could feed on anything but it was
human's
that they needed, that made life interesting. Of course Skinner would
not
let them hunt humans, but he and his allies would ensure that humans
prospered. For the benefit of the pack, Garren would have to insist
they
roam far from Skinner, but they could hunt Murdoch's humans and around
the
world. He sighed, putting more distance between he and the ascendant
and
consequently, his mate. Still the run, the hunt was exhilarating. He
was in
the valley now, the moon heavy above him. Further east a band of
humans were
making their way toward the safety of Skinner. Maybe he would take
just a
few of them. The lure of hot blood in the moonlight, gasping cries of
pleasure as flesh was ripped from bone made him howl again and race in
the
moon's shadow.
Cabins
In his dream he saw the room as it was, elegant, sumptuous. The bed
beneath
him almost too soft, Mikhail above him, hard. Some terrible feeling,
some
horrible loss as Mikhail stroked him so gently. His words whispered
into
Fox's ear, //I wish I could do the same to your memories of the other,
but I
cannot risk that. But it was Alex you gave your soul to wasn't it,
love? Was
he your little strength? Was he? I have never known such love as that
which
you tried to cling to, but at least it explains your fight. I will
remember
him for you, Fox. I will remember his midnight hair and cat eyes.//
Fox sat
up gasping, sweating, his heart racing. Awake.
"Alex," he gasped. He started to get up, to find Alex in the other
room but
he was there, standing over the bed already. He was standing in the
thread
of moonlight looking for all the world like some fantastic vision; hair
tousled from uneasy sleep; dressed only in unbuttoned jeans, his body
gloriously formed, like some mythical warrior snatched from the pages
of a
fairytale. Surprised to see Alex beside the bed, Fox almost forgot his
strange dream.
"I heard you, you sounded like you were having a nightmare," Alex said
softly, explaining his presence in the bedroom. He sat gently on the
edge of
the bed. "Are you all right?"
Fox could almost see the color of Alex's eyes in the dark. "Green
eyes," he
whispered to himself. "I was dreaming of Mikhail..."
"He can't hurt you anymore, baby," Alex sighed and reached out to
stroke
Fox's face.
"No, I was remembering... he said your name, said he would remember you
for
me." Fox grabbed Alex's hand. "I kept thinking of... seeing green... I
didn't
understand it... but it was you, all the time, your eyes." He pulled
Alex's
hand back to his face, rubbing the long fingers over his cheek. "I was
trying to remember you... and he took it away..."
Alex felt the moisture on Fox's face and he pulled him to him, holding
him
tight. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry."
"I can't... I don't understand why, but I remember feeling like I was
dying."
He held tight to Alex's muscular frame. "He took you away from me. I
don't... I can't..."
"Shhh. You're with me now," Alex sighed warmly into Fox's ear.
"But, I don't remember falling in love, I don't remember loving
you... why
would he do that? I gave him everything he wanted, why would he take
that
from me?"
"I don't know."
"I gave him everything... I didn't fight... I didn't try to get away... I
just
let him do anything, everything," Fox choked out.
Alex was trembling, wanting to cry as he felt Fox shudder, feeling
helpless
in the face of Fox's pain. "Maybe you were fighting him and you didn't
know
it, maybe that is why he had to take all your memories... to make you
think he
really was your lover," he said in a soothing voice. "You're with me
now,
Fox, and I'll love enough for both of us until you remember... remember
me."
He squeezed Fox tighter, almost too tight, but Fox simply returned the
embrace.
Here, smelling Alex's skin, feeling the heat of his body pressed tight
to
him, Fox felt, for the first time since Walter had carried him out of
the
burning house, that he was home. The horrible feeling of loss, of
missing
something important was gone for the moment. He pushed aside his
feelings
for Walter, feeling so right, so very nearly perfect. "Will you stay
with me
tonight?"
Alex tensed, always wary of being given something, especially that
which he
wanted above all else. "I'll stay," he managed to say.
Fox lay back, pulling Alex down beside him, suddenly exhausted. But
the feel
of Alex's body, curled up behind him was sticking a needle full of
speed into
his arm. Every inch of him ached with desire and warred with sadness
inside
him. Alex was stroking his hair, kissing his neck, soothingly, but it
made
Fox moan and arch into the touch. Alex stiffened, realizing that his
comforting touches were having quite the effect on Fox. He groaned
into
Fox's ear and held him tighter, his hardness a sudden pressure on Fox's
buttocks.
Alex wanted to kiss every inch of Fox, the little gasps of desire his
simple
touches had elicited made him burn. When Fox pushed back against his
erection he groaned, "Please, baby, you're driving me crazy. I can't
be like
this with you and not have you."
Those words, spoken in the dark, with such painful desire made Fox come
undone. He turned quickly in Alex's arms, pinning the younger man to
the
bed, surprising Alex. But he didn't pause to admire the surprised look
on the
pretty face, he simply bent and devoured those pink, moist lips.
Groaning as
Alex's mouth opened and an eager tongue slid hotly against his own. He
drank
up the kisses as a starving man might gulp water after stumbling out of
a
burning desert, and like that man, he couldn't get enough, was a little
crazed in the drinking. Sweet, hot, slick, that was Alex. That was
his
little angel. He left the mouth to kiss those eyes, closed with
passion, he
bit gently on the elegant brows, tonguing the fine, black hair. He
slid his
mouth to the sharp cheekbones moaning Alex's name, more a ode to his
beauty
than any attempt at eliciting a response. Alex was running his hands
up and
down Fox's back, moving down to squeeze and part Fox's buttocks, Fox's
name
on his lips, his own ode to love.
Fox wanted more. He slid down to kiss and nibble Alex's neck, feeling
the
erratic pulse beneath the tender skin. Alex was rubbing Fox's cheeks
together, so hot, that Fox wanted to die right then. His flesh ached
as Alex
pulled the two cheeks apart, hard, frantically, but it wasn't that that
Fox
wanted. He would have Alex in that way later, for now he wanted to
devour
him, devour every inch of the soapy, hot skin. Take him into his mouth
and
swallow him whole, then part those muscled legs and reclaim him. He
shook
with his need and moved his mouth to Alex's nipples, worshipping there
until
Alex began to pant, biting them until Alex cried out. Every sound Alex
made,
every restless shift of his beautiful body on the sheets made Fox
crazier.
Such a wanton angel, such a feast for the senses. Alex.
He trailed his mouth down Alex hard stomach tonguing the indentations
of
muscled flesh.
"God, your mouth, baby, it's so soft... oh... F-Fox," Alex whimpered,
tossing
his head back and forth on the pillow.
Fox moved lower, tugging at the unwanted denim until Alex lifted his
hips and
let Fox slide the jeans off. Fox stared at the nude glory in the
moonlight.
All hard. All muscle. All his. He gripped Alex's thighs, pushing
them
apart to make room for his body. He wanted to tease Alex, make him
scream,
but he would be torturing himself. Alex's erection was hard against
his
belly, wetting his navel with his excitement. Fox bent to it, lapped
at the
head, tonguing it in long lapping strokes until Alex did scream. The
sound
made Fox growl, and he held the stiff erection in his hand and fed it
to his
greedy lips, sucking hard, making Alex scream again. Alex's legs were
spread
out, his arms above him holding on to the headboard to keep from
grabbing Fox
and taking him. Fox watched Alex in the moonlight, how he thrashed and
whimpered and screamed, his legs scissoring back and forth in tandem
with his
head. He slid up off Alex's cock, grabbing Alex's thighs and pushing
them up
to his chest, not pausing for a second before nipping gently at the
tight
scrotum, trailing liquid heat down behind it to find the sweet spot
that he
was hungry to claim. His tongue there, swabbing, parting tight muscle,
sliding in and stroking.
Alex was beyond screaming, beyond panting, he just tried to breathe.
Fox,
this was Fox. Fox was doing these wonderful things to him. No one but
Fox.
God, it was all he wanted. He heard cloth sliding over flesh and
realized
that Fox was taking off the pajamas. Fox was naked between his legs.
He
wanted to open his eyes to feast upon the sight, but a finger was
probing
him, gently, shaking with lust and then another. He cried out in
frustration
as Fox moved away, but he returned too soon to complain.
"I figured this would be nearby," Fox moaned.
Alex had no idea what he was talking about. Didn't care, just wanted
Fox
inside him. He had a moment to understand when he felt the slickness
of lube
being rubbed in, but then coherent thought was gone as Fox began to
enter
him. His head so perfect and fat, pushing past the reluctant muscles
and
sinking slowly inside. There was no moment of rest, no calm before the
storm, there was only the storm, the sliding thrusts that that took
Alex's
breath away. "Fox, yes, Fox. Fox," he moaned.
Fox couldn't describe, even to himself, how good Alex felt. How hot,
tight
and slick. A tight sheath of velvet that squeezed him and shuddered
around
his cock. He angled up and heard Alex scream, a sound that made him
thrust
harder, again and again, thrusting just so, making Alex buck and
writhe, his
head hitting the pillow. Fox bent to kiss Alex's mouth, and their
tongues
mated wildly. Fox swallowed Alex's scream as he grabbed Alex's
erection,
pumping it in time to his thrusts. He swallowed the next scream and
the next
until his screams mingled with Alex's in the heat of their mouths.
Their
bodies moved together frantically, the feeling building to such
sensation
that they both grew silent and there was only the sound of their
bodies.
And when they had stilled, and Alex was cuddled up to Fox, his back to
Fox's
belly, Alex whispered. "I love you, baby." When there was no reply,
Alex
chuckled. "Are you back yet?"
Fox couldn't hear him; he had fallen asleep, the smell of his angel's
hair,
the warmth of his body, lulling him into dreamless surrender.
The gentle breathing behind him made Alex sigh with pleasure. He
didn't need
to move he was perfect just as he was, Fox still inside him, soft now,
but
present, his strong arms about him, the smell of him everywhere. As
Alex was
drifting to sleep, pressed back into Fox's chest, he felt what seemed
to be
warm metal rings pushing into his back, yawning tiredly he simply let
the
sensation blend in with the others and he joined Fox in slumber.
J. Edgar Hoover Building
Murdoch walked through the deserted halls of the Hoover building. He
went to
Skinner's office, everything as it was as Skinner had left it. Files
on
cases neatly stacked, coffee mug rinsed out and placed to the side. He
looked around until he found what he was looking for, an address book.
He
flipped through it and smiled. "Mom and Dad's," Murdoch read aloud.
"How
sweet." He would send someone to check to see if Skinner's parents
were
still alive, just as he had sent some of his followers to find and
retrieve
Tina Mulder. She was already ensconced in a penthouse apartment in the
glorious city, catered to and treated like a queen. Skinner's parents
would
not fare so well. They would beg for death, long before it came, if
they
still lived. Tina had not been impressed by the pampering really, just
stared at Murdoch when they had met, stared at him with eyes that
reminded
him so of his sweet foxling. She had asked no questions and had seemed
completely unaffected by the changes around her, until he had mentioned
her
son. Then her eyes had narrowed and she picked up the cup of tea she
had
ignored before, sipping slowly before meeting his eyes without any
fear.
"What have you done with him?" She asked, her voice betraying any
emotion,
but Murdoch could smell her anger, her reluctant fear for her child.
He
sensed to that she was not surprised that he would mention Fox.
Standing now, in Skinner's old office with the trappings of his
meaningless
life about him, he wondered at Fox's mother's response to his
declaration of
love for her son. His plans for her beautiful child.
"He won't love you. He can't love anyone. His father and I saw to
that."
Her words had been, like all the others, emotionless, but he had
smelled her
guilt, her regret so thick in the air. "His father with his lies and
his
scheming and me without anything to give him." She had stood then and
walked
to the window, staring out at the city, lights everywhere people
crowding the
street, kept in order by things out of nightmares. "I am glad he is
alive,"
she finally said, and she resumed sipping her tea.
An odd woman, a cold woman, Murdoch mused. How has one such as she
raised
such an incredible man? Fox was everything she was not, impetuous,
passionate and deeply emotional. Those things were not really
necessary for
Murdoch to enjoy him, Fox need only lay with his legs widely spread,
mouth
obediently open, for Murdoch to enjoy him, but it did make the whole
package
so sweet. The shadows in Skinner's office moved as the Shades crept
about
him, waiting to be of use. He scattered them as he made his way to the
elevator and Fox's basement office.
"I Want to Believe," Murdoch chuckled. What an enchanting sentiment.
Did
his prince still want to believe? And where had the witches gone?
They had
not completed their task, nor had they bothered to make contact since
he had
sent them on it. He went to Fox's desk, fingering the chair that had
cradled
the long, lean body and sat in it himself, feeling close to his prince.
He
looked above him and chuckled darkly. Dozens of pencils were in the
ceiling
as if his pet had been bored many a long day in the office. He looked
through Fox's things, his precious files, until pressing business
called. He
took the elevator back o the main floor and walked toward the front
entrance.
The smell of the dead was lovely but the corpses would bring disease
to his
fine city. He smiled as he stepped over them, most intertwined, nude.
He
ordered that the building be cleared, that every building be cleared,
the
dead would burn in glorious piles for weeks to come. He closed the door
to
Fox's office and bid that no one enter it save himself and in due
course his
prince.
He walked outside, the air was cool, the day ready to be born. A
thousand
humans had been picked already to be allowed to live in the city,
attractive
every one of them. He chuckled. They thought their looks had saved
them,
but his eyes already had fallen on a dozen beauties who would decorate
his
slings, long legs tied and spread, their bounty naked for his toys.
The Mall
had been transformed into a gallery of such sights, his followers
toying with
lovely women and men alike. But in his personal slings they were all
men, of
different races and looks, but all lean and well-formed. Strong enough
to
last long for his pleasure.
He took the leash of his sweet foxling-alike, the one that had become a
permanent fixture to his side. Poor thing looked exhausted, head bowed
so
that a lock of russet hair fell onto his forehead, hazel eyes dazed,
ripe
lips swollen from use. Two changed males stood at the ready as well.
While
they were the focus of attention human and hunter alike, it was his
foxling
alike that would sit on his lap for the ride to his Penthouse, the one
whose
ass he would part and enter on the short drive. He set the two changed
males
to pleasuring each other once the long, black limousine was in motion.
The
smell of them even excited sweet Michael and he rode Murdoch eagerly,
twisting his hips to touch the spot that made him purr. Even when
Foxling
was at his side, he would keep this sweet young one around. He
grinned, of
course it would be Foxling who looked exhausted then, but still he
would play
with this one. He watched the changed males sucking each other, their
scent
intoxicating, their bodies writhing in helpless pleasure. Like
mindless
animals when the need for sex took over. What little treasures. They
were
fingering each other, moaning and pumping their bodies, exciting his
foxling-alike even more. He bent to bite the smooth shoulder, not so
hard as
to cause agony as he would do later with one of his sling-toys, but
enough to
make him cry out, and perfectly trained, to come.
Cabins
Mulder woke first, to find that he was laying atop Alex, head nestled
in
Alex's neck, one hand curled in Alex's dark hair. He grinned a little.
Not
going to let him sneak away, he thought. It made him pause. Why would
he
think Alex would sneak off? Indeed, he had thought in that brief
moment that
Alex might vanish... as if he had done so many times before. His frown
could
not live long on his face as he raised his head to stare down at Alex.
Asleep, he looked so innocent, so damn young. He frowned again,
resolving to
never let anyone hurt this gentle creature. To never let anyone... not
even
the Gunmen do anything that might wound his tender feelings. "I'm
going to
take care of you, Angel," he whispered and received a sleepy sigh in
reply.
What had begun as Alex teasing and tempting him had birthed itself into
a
seduction of his heart as much as his body. He felt so tender now,
staring
down at Alex. If ever a man had been seduced, it had been him.
Seduced by
beauty that was nearly painful to look upon. Seduced by tender
devotion and
concern. Seduced by the ultimate gift of his body, given so wantonly,
so
unselfishly. He would spend the rest of the day finding ways to seduce
Alex.
Bring him gifts, stroke his skin. But, he remembered they were
leaving
today. He smiled. When they stopped for the night, as he and Walter
had
done, then he would make Alex feel special and wanted. He only hoped
that
Walter would understand. Whatever there was between he and Alex was
too
special to let anyone else interfere with it, even someone he loved as
much
as he still loved Walter.
What had the Gunmen said? A tense Krycek was a scary Krycek? "Alex
Krycek,"
he tested the name quietly on his lips. There was nothing remotely
scary
about him. Perhaps he had simply been moody when Fox had been taken.
That
was probably it. But what had they said about his apartment and Alex's
handiwork. There were a lot of things he didn't understand, but the
man who
had given himself so completely to him in the night had been like a
fantasy.
Sex with Walter was wonderful, but Alex had seemed so right in his
arms. It
was obvious that they had loved each other, maybe forever. How long
had they
been lovers? A year? Two? Months? He didn't want to wake Alex to
find
out, but his mind was working too eagerly to stay in bed. So he
gingerly
lifted off the warm body, smiling as a little frown painted itself over
the
pink lips. "Poor baby," he whispered and covered him with a blanket,
before
heading to the closet. He picked out a light, gray sweater, cashmere
by the
feel, but very thin. He grabbed a pair of jeans he hoped would fit him
and
slipped into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
Alex was still sleeping when he emerged, hair still wet, Levi's that
fitted
buttoned up, pulling on the thin sweater. He got socks and several
different
shoes from the closet and tried them on to see which pair would fit. A
pair
of lace-up, black boots fit and he smiled, ready to face the day. The
chill
morning cut through the thin sweater and he shivered a bit, but refused
to go
back inside and risk waking Alex. He saw that the Range Rover was
still
gone, so Walter must still be in town. It hadn't been all that long of
a
drive and he wanted the exercise anyway. Maybe he could pick up
something in
town to bring back to Alex. Coffee and muffins perhaps. So thinking,
he
headed off up the dirt road wishing he had thought before to go into
town, he
could have found some different running gear and made the run.
Regardless,
he was anxious for the exercise. Alex stretched, waking with a strange sensation. Alone, he was alone
in a
bed. Something he hadn't been in quite a while. He sat up quickly,
completely awake in seconds. He didn't need to call out for Fox, he
knew his
lover was no longer in the cabin. He saw the steam still in the shower
and
his panic abated. Fox had taken a shower and left. Why? Why hadn't
he
woken him? Did he regret their making love? Had he gone to Skinner?
These
thoughts were with him as he took a quick, joyless shower. He dressed
and
hurried outside.
Two big men came out of the woods. "Are you all right?" one asked.
Alex stopped looking around for Fox and tilted his head. "What? Oh
no,
don't even tell me! Don't even tell me you are watching me for
Garren!"
The men looked at each other, shrugged and nodded. "Yes, we are. It
is more
of an honor than even to hunt with him." It was obvious to the two,
why
wasn't it to the mate?
"Oh is that where he is, hunting?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'm looking for someone, so you can just go off and fuck
yourselves."
Two pairs of amber eyes grew confused. But the bigger of the two
cleared his
throat. "Are you looking for your pet?"
Alex frowned, utterly lost. "Uh, no."
"Because if you were, he just walked toward town... looked beautiful
too," he
added with a wide grin.
"Fox? You're talking about Fox?"
"Yes."
"He's not my pet, you fuck," Alex growled and turned to follow the
path.
The two wolves shrugged and fell into step behind the mate.
Alex sighed, hearing them following. He stopped. "Do you have to
follow me?
I have to say, I am holding my temper, but just barely." He waited
but
heard no reply. When he looked behind him they were gone, but he knew
the
bastards would be in the trees, following discretely. He was going to
have
to do something about that, but for now he just wanted to catch up to
his
wandering lover. He froze. The wolf had said Fox looked beautiful.
Would
they try to take him? The idea of Fox being attacked made him pick up
speed. The air was even cooler in the shade of the trees but he was filled
with
happiness, filled with lovely thoughts of Alex. How sweetly he had
given
himself. He wanted to hurry back to him, but wanted to bring him
something.
He felt like a teenager. He wanted to bring Alex flowers, bring him a
book
of poetry. He grinned like an idiot, knowing he was being silly, but
he knew
how he had fallen in love with Alex before. Even now he loved him,
without
knowing anything about him, except he had the sweetest smile. He
whistled a
song he made up as he went and let his steady stride carry him toward
town.
The road widened, became paved and he quickened his stride. The town
was
close. He heard a chopping noise in the distance, one he recognized
instantly, a helicopter. He stood, fascinated as it touched down on
the road
ahead of him. The stench of the machine was a surprise, it wasn't just
the
burning oil, but it was the unfamiliarity of it that made him wrinkle
his
nose. How long had it been since he'd smelled these types of fumes.
Surely
not long, but their reappearance in this fragrant wilderness was a
shock.
Soldiers piled out of the helicopter and for the first time he thought
to be
worried. They were running toward him and he began to back away. Two
huge
creatures sped out of the trees and in a flash of fangs and teeth they
took
out three of the soldiers so fast that the others were stunned for a
moment.
Fox dived to the ground as the soldiers still in the helicopter turned
machine guns on the creatures, the hundreds of rounds ripping into the
hairy
bodies and knocking them back in a bloody heap.
He scrambled to his feet when the guns clattered to silence only to be
met
with two soldiers who grabbed him quickly.
"Don't fight, Agent Mulder, we're from your father. We won't hurt you.
Don't
fight," the soldier to his left hissed in his ear.
His father? His father, dying in his arms, the world shifting and
moving
surreally. The memories of that man, his father pounded into him... a
strong
hand on his face, 'Why did you let them take her? Are you such a
weakling
you won't even fight for your own blood?' He shook his head, dimly
aware
that the soldiers were shoving his sweater sleeve up his arm. The gun
clattered again and another beast that came from the woods went down,
even as
the first began to struggle to rise.
"Jesus Christ, hurry up! They're dozens of them coming," a voice
shouted
from the helicopter.
A needle was shoved into his arm and he cried out. He hated needles.
"Don't fight, Agent Mulder. You are helping your father."
"My father is dead," he cried. Another needle. They were taking his
blood.
Why? Another needle, quick, sucking the blood out of him until he felt
dizzy
with it. The large reservoir flooded with dark liquid.
"Hurry the fuck up!" the soldier in the helicopter shouted.
He was released and the soldiers sprinted for the helicopter, lifting
off
just as dozens of monsters came bursting out of the trees. Fox's
thoughts
went to Alex. What would his angel do when he found Fox's body, bloody
and
torn? He looked around for escape and slowly began to back away from
the
furious beasts. So far they hadn't seemed to notice him, seemingly
content
to rip at the dead soldiers in their fury.
He felt sick as he saw the steam coming from the ripped out intestines.
"Oh
God," he whispered, turning to run back the way he came. He cursed
himself
as he stumbled, but he regained his footing and nearly died when he saw
Alex
running toward him. He sped toward him, determined to keep him from
the
beasts. There were two running behind Alex, but they made no move to
overtake him.
"Fox!" Alex shouted. He grabbed at Fox and ignoring the beasts he
looked
over Fox, frantically. "Baby, are you okay? What happened?"
Fox stared at him as if he were mad, but the beasts had stopped ten
yards
behind Alex, just watching them. He looked behind him to see the
wolves
there fading into the trees. "I, they said they were from my father.
They
took... Alex there are werewolves everywhere."
Alex called to Skinner as Fox fell against him. Skinner was there
immediately his face hard.
"What happened?" he asked as he made to take Fox from Alex. He had
been
sitting in the Mayor's home saying goodbye when he'd heard Alex's call
for
help. He didn't even wonder what the woman and her family thought as
he had
just abruptly disappeared.
Alex held tight to Fox and shook his head. "I heard a
helicopter... then
gunfire. Some men came to take Fox..."
"No, they didn't want to take me anywhere, they said they were from my
father
and they took blood from me."
Skinner's face went white with fury. "They what?"
"Soldiers in the helicopter, the wolves attacked them, but they told me
that
they didn't want to hurt me, they took blood, lot's of it," he said
trying to
stop leaning so heavily on Alex.
"Fox, listen to me," Skinner said firmly. "You need to call to me if
you
need me. I can get to your side and protect you."
"I... I wasn't thinking," Mulder admitted. "They said they were from my
father, but he's dead."
Alex stiffened against him.
Fox looked into Alex's eyes. "Are you all right, Alex?"
"He will be when you stop scaring him to death," Walter growled. What
had it
taken to get his assassin to actually call for help? How much had it
cost
the proud man? He wanted to shake Fox. "What were you doing alone
anyway?"
His voice was harsh and Fox frowned at him.
"Leave him alone, Skinner, he's just had a pretty fucked up
experience," Alex
spat out.
Skinner looked to the wolves who still dared to stand close and he sent
out
his displeasure watching them flee into the forest with a frown.
"We're leaving. Is there anything you two want at the cabin?"
"The medallions," Alex answered quickly.
"Fine," Walter sighed and gathered them close. In a moment they were
back at
the cabins, this time in Antonio's cabin. He was staring at them
calmly when
they appeared and Alex assumed that there was some strange
communication
between the two ascendants.
"So we are leaving now," Antonio mused.
"Yes, collect whatever you want. The Gunmen and Maggie are ready to
go,"
Skinner informed his brother.
Scully had a bag slung over her shoulder but she took one look at
Mulder and
dropped it. "Mulder, what happened?"
Fox turned to Alex, "Alex, would you get whatever you think, I'd want?"
Alex
nodded and with one last caress of Fox's face he left.
Fox pulled Scully off to the side, "Scully, I... did Alex kill my
father?"
She looked surprised.
"I have this memory, and in it my father is dead... I think that Alex
killed
him, only that must be crazy because Alex wouldn't do anything like
that."
He sounded desperate and Scully measured her words. "You spent a lot
of
years thinking that he did kill him, Mulder," she said gently. He
looked
like he was going to be sick. "But, you didn't believe that anymore.
You
told me so yourself."
He looked into her eyes, hope burning there again. "I did?"
"Yes, and I didn't believe it at first, but you did. You were quite
convinced that he hadn't done anything to your father."
He pulled her to him in a quick hug. "God! Thank you, Scully... do I
call
you Scully or Dana... somehow Scully seems more normal."
"You do not, call me Dana, at least very rarely." She grinned
suddenly, "Of
course you used to foam at the mouth if anyone called you Fox, but you
rather
seemed to like Alex calling you that." His expression grew serious,
"Now,
tell me what happened. Why do you look so pale?"
"I had some blood stolen from me," he grinned. Now in the aftermath it
seemed a bit ridiculous. Ridiculous and horrible at the same time.
"Yep,
some Black Ops type swung in from the sky in a black helicopter that
wasn't
powered by any magic, by the way, ran at me, got attacked by
werewolves, and
there was a lot of shooting. Meanwhile some soldiers are grabbing me,
telling me they are from my father and they jab me with needles and
take a
bunch of blood."
She shook her head and sighed, but wasn't phased. "So, what you're
saying is
that you had a typical day at the office?"
He threw his head back and laughed. How did he know she would say
something
like that? Just having her near him, so exasperated, made him feel
better,
grounded. As if everything would really work out.
"God, Mulder, you need your own 'phobia' named after you."
"Phobia?"
"Yes, disasteraphobia. Murphy's law-aphobia. Something," she sighed.
"Here, let me disinfect these puncture wounds. Knowing you, they
probably
didn't bother to use antiseptic."
"Well, they were a bit rushed," Mulder admitted.
She raised a brow and said nothing, somehow saying a lot.
"What I want to know, is how they powered the machine," Antonio
drawled, his
accent a delight to Mulder's ears. "There were no other ascendants in
the
area."
Skinner narrowed his eyes. "That is an excellent question. One that I
intend to find the answer to."
"And why did the wolves attack to protect sweet Fox, here?" Antonio
added.
Skinner frowned. He didn't want to admit it, but he was glad that they
had.
Had the men been sent to take Fox, he would have not known, without
Alex's
call to him he had simply been uneasy, not aware of what was happening.
It
illuminated the extent of his ability to protect his family. Unless
they
called to him, he would not always be able to protect them. But the
wolves
were there, and from the corpses of the wolves that the machine guns
had
taken down, they were apparently willing to die to protect even Fox.
He
could understand the wolves protecting Alex, if Garren thought Alex
belonged
to him, but why Fox? He would get the answers from Garren, for he felt
he
would be seeing the man soon.
When Alex returned from the cabin that had been their home for the past
several weeks, Skinner gathered up his family and went to the side for
the
Gunmen. Antonio did the same with Dana. They would begin their
journey to
San Francisco and there they would stay and build a new life. Part VII: Allies
Outstanding Skinner AU
The Alliance
by Czara (Nicole)
Seduction of a Man
"I'm not asking to grow flowers in the desert
But I can feel and hear and see the sun in wintertime
In a big country
Dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice cross the mountainside stay's alive."
—Big Country
Fort Bragg, California
Day Eighteen
Hour 1400
Fort Bragg, California
Day Eighteen
Hour 1930
Fort Bragg, California
Day Eighteen
Hour 2030
Sacramento, CA
Day Eighteen
Hour 1430
Fort Bragg, California
Day Eighteen
Hour 2115
Day Eighteen
Hour 2300
Fort Bragg, California
Day Nineteen
Hour 0300
Washington D.C.
Day Nineteen
Hour 0600
Fort Bragg, California
Day Nineteen
Hour 0700
uvalley@msn.com
Honorable mention
