Part V
"Wow!" he whispered, just as impressed by Baines' handiwork.
Alex glared at his clone, and experimentally tried to take in air
through his abused nostrils. He moaned in pain, and decided that he
needed to take a couple of painkillers right about now. He glanced round
at Alexei, and found that the clone had disappeared again. Probably
wise. Alex was more than a little irritated with the clone. He certainly
knew how to get into trouble; he was indirectly responsible for wrecking
Alex's relationship with Mulder and Baines. And he had put Baines at
risk, when he had messed with the car's brakes. Then why the hell did
Alex find himself liking the clone so much?
The prodigal Alexei appeared again, carrying something carefully in a
mug. "Here!" He smiled sweetly at Alex. "I brought you some chicken
soup. The lady on t.v. said it was great for when you're sick!"
Alex found it very hard not to throw the stuff at his clone. But the way
Alexei's eyes fell, as he took in Alex's annoyance made the ex-assassin
pause. Deliberately, he forced himself to smile and take a gulp of the
long hated drink. Alexei was pathetically keen to help. Alexei smiled
back adoringly, then suddenly Alex Krycek's arms, real and artificial,
were full of a warm, affectionate body pressed tightly against his, as
his clone hugged him closely. Alexei showed no inclination to let go,
but clasped him lovingly, snuggling against him. Alex found himself
strangely reluctant to let go. Shit! Wasn't this how his latest round of
troubles had started?
Alexei didn't understand the sudden tension in his protector's body, and
lifted his head to stare into his double's face. Two tears were tracking
down Alex's cheeks, but at the same time, Alexei felt a new hardness
pressing against his body.
"I'm no good for you 'Lexy," Alex said softly. "I can't love you the way
you deserve. I'm never going to stop loving Mulder. And it's dangerous
to be with me!" It was his turn to give a tortured plea.
Alexei angled his leg so that it edged between Alex Krycek's. He gently
brushed away Alex's tears with his fingers. "S'okay Alex. Just want to
take care of you!" He began to rub his thigh against Alex's rapidly
hardening cock. Krycek started to moan, and flung his head back in
rapture, as the young man intensified the friction between his legs,
rubbing his firm thigh against the cloth covered bulge in Alex's pants.
Alexei found himself getting quite aroused himself, and angled his body
forward slightly, so that his own erection was thrusting against his
lover's body. He felt Alex begin to counter his moves, matching his
sensuous actions, pulling him closer with his one arm. Both of them were
panting hard, eagerly driving their bodies together. Alexei flung his
arms around Alex's neck, pulling his head down for a passionate kiss,
his tongue plunging expertly into his lover's mouth, plundering the
parted lips. Alex yelped, as his sore nose got in the way, which set
Alexei off giggling. He heard Alex laugh softly in his neck. Then the
two of them were moving against each other again, with redoubled
passion. Before long, Alexei felt his lover jerk uncontrollably against
him, arching up hard against his body, as he cried out wildly. That was
enough to bring Alexei to his own shattering climax.
They sagged against each other, still entwined.
"We must be crazy," Alex murmured hoarsely in his clone's ear.
"Yeah! Sticky!" Alexei said and giggled again helplessly. That did it
for Alex, he joined in, resting his forehead against Alexei's, only
stopping when his laughter threatened to start his nose throbbing again.
"Shower?" he purred suggestively. The clone's green eyes lit up
unnervingly, and he all but dragged Alex by the hand towards the
bathroom. "Oh yeah! Fun!" The look of tenderness in his eyes warmed Alex
in some lonely place in his heart.
Their plans would have to be changed, Mulder thought regretfully. A.D.
Skinner had been called to the State Department to deal with a big
counterfeiting case that involved several prominent business men. In the
meantime, he had called Mulder and instructed him to keep Krycek under
wraps. Something big was going down in the corridors of power, and the
last thing Skinner needed was the added distraction of a wanted criminal
to deal with. So at the moment, Mulder was stuck with Baines. He
couldn't let the clone go, or Skinner would live up to his name, and he
didn't feel comfortable leaving Baines unsupervised. Mulder finally
decided to go and check on the clone.
He actually timed his arrival at the Lone Gunmen's place quite well, in
a manner of speaking. As he walked through the door, he was hit in the
stomach by a very large flying book and sat down hard, in the middle of
the floor, gasping for breath. As he tried to breathe, he lifted his
head and saw four shocked faces staring at him. Baines was standing
beside the bookshelf, and had another book poised for throwing in his
hand, and the Gunmen were cowering at the other side of the room. Baines
took in the expression on Mulder's face, and slowly let the book fall to
the floor.
"Fucking idiots!" he muttered, then tried to look innocent when Mulder's
expression darkened.
"Gentle!" Frohike whined. "Harmless! He's lethal! All we wanted to do
was take a blood sample. We didn't think he'd mind too much!?"
"Yeah, well you might have asked first, instead of sticking a needle
into me out of the blue! Oh and by the way, I hate fucking ice cream!"
Mulder got to his feet, and grabbed Baines by the arm. He hustled the
clone away from the irate Gunmen and shook his arm warningly. "You want
to get us all in trouble, you fool." he whispered angrily. "Alexei
isn't aggressive, ever! And he would be more likely to cry if someone
hurt him, not get even!"
"Yeah, well I know he throws things!" Baines muttered. Mulder gave him a
warning look. Green eyes gleamed dangerously for a moment, then suddenly
looked thoughtful. Mulder turned back to the Gunmen who were united in
glaring at Mulder and his companion
"He promises he'll be no more trouble. He was just scared, that's all."
Frohike looked doubtful.
Then Baines flung his arms around Mulder and buried his face in the
agent's shoulder. He gave a very convincing wail of misery and tightened
his grip. "Oh Foxy, don't leave me. I'm so scared without you. Stay with
me, please..... You make me feel so good....." All spoken at the top of
his voice in a pleading tone. He laughed very softly in Mulder's ear,
and Mulder hastily tried to push him away. Langly and Frohike were
staring at Mulder as if he had grown a new head, and not for the first
time, the agent felt a wave of crimson sweep across his face. Baines
tightened his grip, and before the fascinated eyes of the Gunmen, kissed
Mulder full on the lips. His mouth tasted sweet from the ice cream he
had unwillingly eaten, and his body was pressed so tightly against
Mulder, that the clone couldn't fail to sense the effect he was having
on Mulder. Hands wound round his neck, and then he was kissing Baines
back fiercely, hearing the other man moan deep in his throat as he began
to rub himself like a cat against Mulder's hardness.
It was the astonished exclamation that Byers made when he came into the
room, that finally brought Mulder to his senses. Had he really just been
making out with Baines in public? He broke away from the clone, gasping.
"Stop it! Get the hell away from me!" Too little protest, too late.
"Alexei" wailed again before dropping to his knees and wrapping his
hands round Mulder's legs. "I'll do the thing you like Foxy...." Mulder
sensed three jaws hit the floor, as their owners' mouths gaped in shock.
That did it. Mulder blushed bright red, and grabbed Baines, pushing him
hastily out of the door.
He slammed Baines up against the wall. "Don't you ever do that to me
again, you son of a bitch!" And felt something cool pressing against his
neck. Baines gently prodded Mulder over the jugular, with a knife he had
somehow liberated from the Gunmen. "Let me go, Mulder. I don't want to
hurt you.... " Mulder did as he was told and very slowly stepped back.
Baines had gone very pale. The clone slipped the knife back into
concealment, down his back pocket, and smiled at Mulder. As beautiful
and deadly as a snake. Then he clutched at his side, where Mulder had
knocked into him when they were struggling. "Oh shit! I think you bust
something!" He moaned, and fell forward into Mulder's arms, his young
body going limp.
Mulder had immediately panicked slightly, and lowered Baines gently to
the floor. He dashed back inside to get help, and ring Scully the
doctor, to beg her to come and treat him.
Sap!
Baines watched from under lowered eyelids, as his one time lover and
protector dashed inside. The expression of worry on his face was really
quite endearing, since Baines hadn't really expected him to give a damn.
But his little gamble was paying off unexpectedly. Whilst Mulder had
indeed hurt him when they had struggled together, as a Government Super-
weapon, one thing he had been taught was how to endure physical pain and
discomfort. He gave a slight shiver, remembering how that lesson had
been reinforced. Then, knowing he had only a short time, he pushed his
aching body up from its prone position, and hurried down the stairs.
When Mulder had grabbed him to stop him falling, Baines had deftly
picked the agent's pocket. The car keys would prove quite useful. Lets
hope he would have more success with this vehicle.
Mulder was furious. The damned clone had ruined his reputation with the
Gunmen forever, embarrassed him by escaping, and stolen his car. Not to
mention Scully's annoyance at being called half way over the city for
nothing. Out thought at every turn. He sat, head in hands and groaned.
"Anybody got any aspirin? I think I've got a monster headache
developing!"
Where else had Baines to go, but back to Alex's hideout. He knew that he
needed somewhere to lie up and recover properly, while his injuries
healed. Alex would feel guilty about the way they had parted, and Baines
hoped he wouldn't be turned away. The comment he had made about all
three of them belonging together had turned out to be more true than he
had imagined, because somehow, he was beginning to think dangerous
thoughts. He was starting to imagine that the place where his duplicates
were, was the closest thing he had to home. Alex was so challenging, so
flawed and tormented, yet there had been a moment when they were
together, that Baines had seen joy in those emerald eyes. And it had
felt so good to chase away the haunted look in the wearied face.
Another reason he was drawn back, though he hardly dared admit it to
himself, was a pair of identical green eyes and their sweet owner.
Something had started to blossom between them, that Baines was reluctant
to think about, in case he made it disappear into the mists. A smile
that made him feel protective, and comforted, teased and aroused in
equal measure.
Alexei.
When Baines entered the old warehouse, he took precautions to make sure
he wasn't followed, and slipped silently through the door. Lock picking
was another one of his skills. He wasn't sure where the two objects of
his search would be, mid morning. And coming to the bedroom, set in one
of the former little offices, he found them. Quietly entering the room,
when he heard the soft sounds of someone sleeping, he caught his breath
at the sight before him. They were so beautiful together. Limbs tangled
together, one lying in the protective embrace of the other, both
sleeping the exhausted sleep that passion brings in its wake. Of course
Alex would seek comfort from Alexei, and the clone would give Alex
whatever he needed, out of unconditional love. Baines felt a twinge of
envy. Then irresistibly, he undressed, his clothes pooling around his
feet, and he slid under the sheets next to them. Alex didn't even wake,
but Alexei stirred, lifting his head from its comfortable pillow on his
lover's chest. He smiled sleepily in welcome.
"Knew you would be okay!" he whispered. "Alex was worried, but I knew
you'd come back."
Baines reached out, and stroked Alexei's hair affectionately. Then,
yielding to temptation, he rested his head on the pillow and gazed into
Alexei's wonderful eyes, as the young man drowsed. Alex murmured
something uneasily in his sleep and whimpered softly. The two clones
looked at each other. Then, in complete accord, Baines drew close behind
Alex and wrapped his arms around him, whilst Alexei cuddled him from the
other side. With a small sigh, Alex Krycek relaxed into the embrace, and
the lines of tension on his face eased. And soon, all three were asleep
again.
Alex stirred, then opened his eyes. He felt better this morning, than he
had in a long time. Something last night had driven away the bad dreams.
Though life still had its desolate moments. He turned to look at the
figure lying next to him in the bed. Green eyes were watching him
intently. Their owner smiled gently, and a finger reached up to trace
across Alex's cheekbone. The clone frowned at the still vivid bruising
that still marred Alex's face.
"That must have hurt a lot!"
"Not as much as it did last night!" Alex smiled warmly at his companion,
then leaned forward and kissed him. Last night's sweet affection had
made Alex realise how much he longed for someone to hold him every
night..... The clone drew back eventually, as the kiss threatened to
develop into something more intense.
"Sorry, Alex. Not now. Time for breakfast!"
"Huh?" Alex looked confused.
"Breakfast! You like your eggs sunny side up?" Alexei emerged through
the bedroom door, carrying a tray of food.
"What the....?" Alex's gaze swung between the clone in his bed and the
one who'd been cooking. Alexei sank down onto the bed next to him,
balancing the tray of food carefully on the bed. Alex turned and his
gaze impaled Baines indignantly. The soldier shrugged apologetically.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway Alex, don't you realise
how careless you've been lately. I came in last night, and you didn't
even wake up! And you slept through Alexei cooking, too!"
"You cross at Baines?" Alexei whispered.
Alex sighed. "No. But can't you get your names tattooed across your
foreheads or something?"
Two sets of emerald eyes met, then responded with identical headshakes.
"Nah!" Baines grinned.
"No fun that way!" Alexei giggled. "Now eat!" Alex glanced at Baines in
mute appeal. Alexei's attempts at cooking, while slowly improving, still
were worse than Mulders' in many ways. Baines snagged a piece of toast
and leaned against Alex's shoulder. And Krycek let him, seemed to crave
the contact. Baines felt a slight tremor run through the body that
rested close to his, and he wondered quite when Alex Krycek had started
to fall apart.
"You're too thin Alex. Shut up, relax and enjoy it. We're going to look
after you, whether you like it or not!" Baines saw the single glistening
tear that tracked its way down Alex's cheek and gently reached out to
brush it away. Both clones hugged Alex then, in tandem, and for the
first time in an eternity, the tormented man let down his guard, and
pulled them both closer, a sob choking him.
"I can't be alone any more," he whispered. "Not now. Now that we have
each other...." Baines kissed Alex's forehead gently, and Krycek closed
his eyes, letting himself enjoy the warm strength and protectiveness of
Baines' arms.
Alexei rested his head on Alex's chest and sighed contentedly. His
family was nearly complete. A sudden thought made him lift his head
again.
"Say! Is my last name Krycek, Baines or what?" He pouted at the two men.
"I guess you'll have to choose," Alex smiled tenderly at him. Alexei's
innocent delight in life was one of the few things that lifted Alex out
of his bleak moods these days. Alexei considered the problem for a
moment. Then a radical solution occurred to him.
"Pillow fight! Best name wins!" he yelled and attacked the others
vigorously.
"Alexei!" Twin protests had no effect whatsoever. But then, with Alexei,
they never did.
Mulder rubbed tiredly at his eyes and read over the report once again.
However he tried to phrase it, his account still sounded the same. A
mixture of ill luck and ill judgement on his part, leading to "Krycek's"
escape. Skinner was going to crucify him. If he was lucky.
The beep on his computer terminal told him e-mail had arrived. Desperate
for a distraction, to take his mind off the depressing events of the
day, he moved over to the screen. He knew almost at once, who it was
from.
Fox. Your two friends are safe with me, the bruised one and the cute
one. They're giving me a hard time about you, so I promised I'd make
contact. I was wrong to leave you the last time without talking things
over. I'm sorry. Meet me in three days where we spent our first night
together. A.
Mulder closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the computer
screen. A sound at the door warned him as Scully came in, but he didn't
lift his head. An expression of concern flickered across her face.
"Mulder. Are you alright?" When he finally looked her way, she wondered
why he was smiling brilliantly at her, despite the tears streaming down
his face.
"Oh yes Scully. Believe it or not, I'm fine. For the first time that I
can remember, lately, I'm just fine!"
Mulder had taken some time off, so he could sort his life out. And so,
he found himself sitting in a slightly scruffy but oh so memorable motel
room. There had been no problem getting the same room as his last visit,
because this was the sort of place that never had more than a quarter of
its rooms occupied at one time. The same bed with its metal headboard,
and the stupid dark red decor. Not exactly top of the range. And no
cable t.v. Then why was he smiling in fond reminiscence, not at all
bothered by the shabby surroundings.
In truth, he did feel more than a little apprehensive about this
meeting. But Alex had initiated this, so that at least argued that he
wanted something from Mulder. And how often did Alex Krycek apologise?
Not frequently, in his experience! Mulder leaned back in the worn
armchair, and settled down to wait. Predictably, he was far too early
for the meeting, but that didn't bother him. Better that, than risking
another misunderstanding if he were late. And yes, it did mean so much
to him, that such petty things should worry him.
About ten minutes before nine, the lights of an approaching car woke
Mulder from a light doze, and he stretched his stiff muscles, feeling
the tension across his neck and shoulders. The sound of a car door
slamming immediately made him leap to his feet. Suddenly, he felt
incredibly nervous. He didn't want this to go wrong, not now, when there
was hope at last. The thought of not being alone any more, of being
close to Alex again......
The door opened and Alex Krycek walked in. He looked tired, and thinner,
those were Mulder's first thoughts. Then Alex moved forward into the
room and Mulder looked into those green eyes again.
Alex hadn't intended to ever speak to Fox Mulder again. His former lover
had broken his heart, and after that, it had been so hard to motivate
himself to do anything. Only Alexei's patent need had given him a reason
to keep on living, though he hadn't been aware of it at the time. He
smiled in reminiscence. The clone was good for him. Alexei loved
unconditionally, wanted nothing except affection in return, and his
innocent view of life so lightened the lives of those around him. Alex
sometimes wondered if Alexei was far more intelligent than he seemed at
first, because he knew, with an unerring accuracy, how to get what he
wanted out of life. How to cheer Alex when he was sunk in desperate
misery. How to wind Baines round his little finger. And how to get Alex
and Mulder back together. Alex had seen the two clones talking in low,
urgent tones more than once since Baines had returned, their dark heads
close together. Both had quickly shut up when he had approached, and
Alexei had been unable to keep that slightly guilty look from his face.
Baines, of course, could rival the most marble of statues for the
inscrutability of his expressions.
So the two of them had ambushed Alex one day. Baines had slid his arms
round Alex, pinning his good arm to his side, and Alexei had wrapped his
arms round Alex's neck, so that he couldn't pull away. Green eyes
laughingly teased him, and Alexei had leaned in for a kiss. Baines had
begun to do something utterly erotic and moist with his tongue below
Alex's ear.
Baines had spoken first.
"We're not going to let you up for air......"
And Alexei had purred softly, "until you make us a promise to call
Foxy....."
Baines had rubbed his body against Alex until he began to moan
helplessly in arousal, one leg slipping between Alex's legs and
pressuring the inside of his thighs gently.
"....and meet him, to talk about the two of you."
"No!" Alex had begun to protest, but Alexei had other ideas, and dropped
to his knees before his original. When Alex felt the zipper on his jeans
go down, and Alexei's talented fingers reach inside, he had tried to
pull away, but Baines was far stronger than he was and had held him
still.
Alexei had spent the first few years of his adult life with nothing to
do but perfect this particular skill. From the moment his lips closed
around Alex Krycek's betraying erection, he knew he was lost. Alexei
knew exactly how to arouse a man, how to torment him with movement of
throat and lips and tongue. And it was down to Alex that his clone had
learned how to use that skill to his own advantage. He would never have
had the self-confidence before, to bring his lover to the brink, and
hold him there, tantalisingly on the edge of orgasm, for as long as he
wanted. It didn't take long for Alex Krycek's resistance to break down,
and for him to start begging Alexei for satisfaction. He held out for
almost ten minutes, but when Baines fingers worked their way between his
legs and started to circle his tight opening, he lost whatever control
he had managed to hang onto, and screamed his assent to anything, if
only they would let him come. It had been worth it. Alex came so hard he
fainted, and woke, wrapped in two sets of arms, warm and protected, more
than a little dazed at their adept manipulation of their archetype.
So Alex had sent the message, both of them standing at his shoulder,
relentless and merciless. Yes, Alexei too. And the sense of relief he
had felt afterwards had stunned him further. Had he really wanted this
so much then?
Mulder was predictably there already, the man was punctual at least. As
well as being a betraying, confusing son of a bitch, and an incredible
lover. Momentarily Alex hesitated. Did he really want to do this? Well,
the two clones would never let him alone until he had at least tried.
They hadn't come with him this time, not wanting to get in the way.
Decisively, he flung away his doubts and opened the motel door.
Mulder stood inside the room, looking uncharacteristically anxious. His
face lit up when he saw Alex, and a hesitant smile appeared. He looked
endearingly dishevelled and just a little sad. They stared at each other
uncertainly. Then before Alex could even think of what to say to his ex-
lover, Mulder moved forward and kissed him
YES
This was what he needed, had missed so much. The feel of Alex in his
arms
Mulder's arms around him filled an emptiness within him that he hadn't
known existed
They were kissing each other fiercely, forgetting their argument.
Nothing else was important, not the world around them, the noise of the
t.v. or the lights of passing cars. Nothing but this. Alex felt himself
shudder as he felt himself melting into those strong arms. He was crying
soundlessly. Mulder gently drew back and cupped Alex's face between his
hands, tenderly stroking away his tears.
"I love you. I've always loved you. I'm yours. Don't ever leave me
again, please, you may as well shoot me first....."
The door burst open, and half a dozen black clad Consortium goons
charged in. Both men swung round in shock, far too late to make a
difference. Alex tried to move towards the door but something struck him
in the chest, then there was the most horrendous pain he had ever felt.
His body convulsed helplessly, and he fell powerlessly, his body
paralysed. Distantly he heard Mulder scream in desperate denial, then
there was an ugly thud, and a low whimpering moan from somewhere close
to his head. The odd thing was that he was perfectly aware and
conscious, despite his incapacity, and his vision wasn't impaired,
although his only view was of the grey carpet.
His body was turned over by a rough pair of hands, and he found himself
looking into a familiar, despised face. The Smoker.
"Well, well Krycek. This is an unexpected pleasure. I knew we would turn
you up sooner or later, if we tracked Mulder. We just missed you on your
last visit to Washington, we thought it was that stupid little clone."
He smiled grimly. "I never knew you were so.... wanton, Alex. Secret
assignations with Fox Mulder in a motel room, I'll have to thoroughly
research that trait." The smile deepened, became more malevolent.
"When we get you back to the labs!" The Smoker licked his lips
suggestively. "Wonderful what the latest taser technology can do, isn't
it. Deliver you up to me, totally helpless and unmarked..... as yet."
And as Alex was lifted by his captors, he caught a glimpse of Mulder
sprawled on the floor, blood seeping from a gash across his forehead.
They hadn't been gentle in their treatment of him. The Smoker dashed his
hopes that at least one of them would escape this.
"Bring Mulder too. I have a score to settle with him. And besides, I
think he might be just the leverage we need to make our little research
subject here co-operative." That was the last thing Alex remembered,
before something sharp sank into his good arm and the world faded away.
Alex wasn't back and it had been two days since their meeting had been
arranged. Baines was worried. While he could imagine Alex spending at
least a day in bed with Fox Mulder, he should surely have surfaced by
now, at least enough to give them a call on his mobile. Alex knew,
though he pretended not to, how important both of his clones considered
his mental well-being. He would have let them out of their misery, one
way or the other, and Baines couldn't imagine Alex wanting to harm
himself, even if Mulder would risk it, which Baines doubted. No.
Something was badly wrong. Even Alexei was uneasy now, casting his eyes
towards the phone every few minutes.
"I'm going to the motel, you want to come?"
Alexei nodded, and silently reached out to grip his hand for a moment.
He knew Baines wasn't the sort of man to panic, but if he was
worried..... It took them less than an hour to reach the motel. The
first inkling that something was wrong, was the sight of the two cars
parked outside the motel. Alex's and Mulder's. Then when Baines picked
the lock of the door, and went inside, Alexei heard him hiss in shock.
He dashed after his double, and before Baines could stop him, he stared
at the bloodstain on the carpet.
"Do you think they killed each other?" he whispered.
"If they fought, why are their cars still outside, and their bags still
here?" Baines shook his head. "I don't believe that! Look around. Maybe
there are some other clues here."
But it was Alexei who found what they were looking for, on the floor of
the room, kicked carelessly under the bed. The distinctive cigarette
stub, with the word "Morleys" written across it. The young clone
whimpered in distress, and Baines hurriedly came towards him. He stared
desolately at the evidence his clone had found, and pulled Alexei in
close to him, soothing away the trembling that had overtaken his double.
"We have to get them back!" Alexei sobbed. Then he slowly straightened,
and swiped angrily at the tears that were trickling down his cheeks.
"Baines...... teach me how to shoot!"
Double Trouble
by Megaera
Alex Krycek winced in pain as Alexei gently eased the dressing off his
broken nose. He stared in the mirror at his spectacularly bruised face,
its purple discolourations spreading out from his nose, and even
extending its shadows beneath his eyes. He began a round of colourful
curses that made Alexei's eyes widen in surprise and secret admiration.
