"Where is he?" Walter asked. "Still on the dock?"
Mulder sat down, as if his bones could no longer support his flesh.
His posture
and the lack of expression on his face spoke clearly of his feelings.
He
slumped and said, "He just sits there staring out over the water. I
thought
that moving here, close to the Sound, would make him content, but
maybe it was
the wrong thing."
"He was even more unhappy in Maryland," Walter said. He said nothing
of the
changes he'd made in his life to accommodate the move to this
waterfront
property across from Seattle. He had few regrets. Here the dark
pines, the
morning mists, the ever-changing weather healed his soul, even as it
matched
his bleak moods.
The armchair creaked as Walter rose and moved to the window seat. He
could look
out and just make out the sleek figure lying belly down on the dock.
The
morning sun had not warmed the water enough for Alex to swim despite
his
tolerance for cold. Although human in most respects, the former Water
Baby had
not entirely lost his sea born differences. He could swim faster and
farther
than even the best long distance marathoner. His tolerance for cold
temperatures had been noticed but, in this area of Washington State,
rural
respect for privacy had mated with the local acceptance of diversity.
No one
said anything or questioned the inhuman grace or the long hours that
Alex spent
swimming.
The three men lived in peace. Washington State had some of the best
laws in the
nation to protect their sexuality. The nearest residents were mostly
Suquamish
Indians; entrepreneurial folk that bore the physical traces of the
races that
had diluted their bloodline without erasing their culture. They took
their time
getting to know the men before deciding to be amused by Mulder,
mystified by
Alex, and comfortable with Walter.
"He wasn't given a real choice," said Mulder. "If I could have lived
as he was
living, free of the pain and trouble of being human, would I have
given it up,
even for love?"
"I have my faith that you would have," Walter said, his voice tender
and firm
with his conviction.
Mulder leaned into him, accepting his strength, as he accepted
Walter's
weakness. So many years of painful yearning before they had tried to
heal
Alex's loss in each other's arms. Now they complemented each other
beautifully.
"I feel guilty that we took him from his innocence and still can't
make him
happy," Mulder said.
"He says he is happy," Walter said.
"He's learned to lie again," Mulder replied.
Just then Alex stood on the deck. He stretched as the sun came over
the water,
creating a halo around his sun-tanned body. As his arms reached out in
yearning, Walter's heart missed a beat. With a glance back at the
house, Alex
shed his trunks and dived into the water. Lord knows, both of his
lovers had
given up on him wearing clothes most of the time at home. Why
imprison him with
constraints he could not understand? Alex had not learned shame, but
he
retained the guilt from the early days when Walter and Mulder sought
to teach
him to behave like a human being.
"He'll probably be out there for hours," Mulder said.
"That's all right," Walter said, "he always comes home."
"So far," Mulder said.
There had been a time when they had both wondered. A pod of killer
whales had
visited from the Vancouver area. Alex appeared to know the language,
although
they were from a different pod than the one that had cherished him
when he was
reborn as a Water Baby. Alex had disappeared for hours, returning
hypothermic
and exhausted yet happier than he had been since becoming human. When
the
whales moved onward, Alex swam after them so long that he had to be
rescued by
his human lovers. The three men had to persuade the mental health
professionals
that it was not a suicide attempt after a new resident witnessed this
event.
The reticent neighbors had unbent enough to let the concerned
investigators
know that Alex swam like a fish and was not trying to kill himself.
After the whales left, Alex grieved. He would not eat for two days.
All he
would do is sit on the dock and sing his sorrow seaward.
In time, love had comforted Alex and drew him back to Mulder and
Walter; yet
the experience reminded them of everything their beautiful love had
lost to be
with them.
Walter grunted as he rose to his feet. "I'm going fishing," he
said. "Want to
come?"
"Just to keep you company," Mulder said, "I'll bring my laptop to
work on that
magazine article."
"Good enough," Walter said. He went to get his gear and the keys to
the
boathouse.
The small commercial fishing boat and his share of the property had
cost Walter
most of his retirement money. He had worried at first and then
decided that it
wasn't every guy who ended up being a kept man at his age. Mulder had
money and
Alex had left him more in the care of the Lone Gunmen, the fruit of
years of
private rebellion against the conspiracy of old men who had ruined
their lives.
After Alex's sea change, he hardly understood or cared about the
money. Mulder
and Walter managed it for him after some futile efforts to involve
Alex in his
own financial affairs.
The Sea Change, as Walter named the boat, provided occasional income
when he
hired his services for daylong fishing and whale watching cruises. It
also
provided a way to keep an eye on Alex during his long hours in the
ocean. Today
though, Walter found no trace of him. He called across to Bob
Charlie, one of
the Suquamish fishermen that he knew well.
"Hey, Bob, have you seen any whales today?" Walter yelled across the
water.
"Nah, they mostly moved on. Headed for Vancouver, I think," the lean
brown man
said. He leaned over the side of his weathered fishing boat, his
narrow hip and
flat ass nearly a straight line. A beaded baseball cap was pulled low
over his
hazel eyes, an odd contrast to his dark skin. His thick black hair
was pulled
into two braids that were wrapped with red yarn. "You're looking for
Alex?"
Walter admitted, "Yes, I am."
The Native American didn't say anything further. Walter knew they had
seen some
of Alex's differences, but they seemed to observe everything without
remarking
on much. Charlie scanned the horizon, lines radiating from his narrow
eyes, set
in epicanthic folds. "I didn't see him today, but my cousin, Steve,
said that
it looked like that pod of whales might have lost one of the young
ones. A
small killer whale swam right up to his boat. It was over north. You
might want
to check there." The man adjusted his cap and briefly smiled. "Don't
you worry.
We keep an eye out for Alex. He always knows where the fish are
running."
"Thanks," Walter said.
Heading north, Walter lost himself in the day. Sunlight glistened off
the
water, kaleidoscopes of light dazzling his eyes. He didn't stop to
fish,
wanting to check on Alex and perhaps catch a glimpse of the orphaned
whale. He
found neither and turned around after he and Mulder enjoyed a picnic
lunch on
the Sound.
When they stopped for lunch, Walter and Mulder didn't make love, but
gave
themselves a dessert of kisses and cuddles, as the fishing boat
bobbed on the
water, creating a comforting, rhythmic movement that lulled them into
a
sensuous daze. Mulder straddled his body, his weight supported by his
wide-
spread knees. The worn Speedo was little more than a latex barrier
and Walter
could feel every considerable inch of his lover's cock. The mouth was
a feast,
the lower lips so soft and the upper lip so sensitive that kissing
Mulder
should have been listed under 'Wonders of the World'. Walter stroked
the silken
skin over the strong back. His fingers found the scar on Mulder's
shoulder...
the mark of Scully's bullet that had saved Alex's life. If only she
had been
there to do the same for Walter...
Yet the reborn Alex was a creature of dazzling beauty and innocence,
a lover
washed free of his terrible past. Walter's guilt would never lessen,
but he was
glad that Alex could remember little of the pain of his past life. He
had been
to hell and back; no one more deserved expiation of all of his sins.
Mulder
smoothed the furrow of frown away and said, "Walter, it's okay. It's
all right
now."
Looking into the hazel eyes, Walter felt his heart nearly burst with
love for
Mulder, his lover at last. He said, "I know."
When they arrived home, Alex still wasn't back. Mulder frowned and
said, "I
hope he didn't follow the whales again."
It was twilight. Both Mulder and Walter sat on the bench by the dock,
pretending that they weren't concerned. Mulder spotted Alex first.
Walter
wasn't sure. All he saw was a white blob against the dark water. It
rose and
fell until the dolphin like thrust of the swimmer came close enough
for Walter
to recognize his beautiful lover. He smiled grabbed the beach towel
he had
brought down hopefully.
Alex's hands gripped the edge of the dock and launched upwards,
springing out
of the water with the power and grace of a dolphin leaping. He shook
himself
off, silver droplets shedding from the white marble of his body.
Light from the
house caught his eyes, making them glow supernaturally. He smiled
widely and
laughed out loud in delight as Walter and Mulder brushed away the
spray that
reached them.
A moment later, Alex pounced upon Mulder, pinning him and devouring
him with
kisses. Mulder kissed back, allowed Alex to peer into his eyes and
then as Alex
licked his face, pushed him toward Walter.
Walter bore the assault with good will then dried Alex with the
towel. He
kissed Alex in the hollow of his shoulder, loving the instant
shuddering
response.
"I want to make love," Alex sang out.
"I'd offer you dinner, but I can taste the fish on your breath,"
Walter teased.
"Yes, I had a good, good day. Guess what I found?" Alex said. "Look,"
he added,
pointing outward to the Sound.
A whale's head breached the water and its tail slapped the
water. "It's a
baby," Alex said. "I helped her hunt today. She's very young and
didn't follow
her pod because she was playing."
Green eyes darker, Alex said, "She's an orphan. Her mother was
chasing a seal
and stranded in shallow water. Springer doesn't really understand
that her
mother died. "
Just then the killer whale uttered a lonely sound. Alex frowned and
glanced
back over the water. Mulder captured his arm and said, "You can't
stay with
her. She's a whale and you are human."
"She wishes she were human," Alex said. "Tomorrow, swim out with me,
Mulder.
Springer likes people a lot. Please?"
"I never can resist that big eyed look," Mulder said.
Walter knew that Alex realized that he wasn't as strong as swimmer as
Mulder.
Truthfully since his near drowning, Walter didn't like to swim. He
sometimes
still woke gasping for air or with tears flowing so copiously they
clogged his
nose and mouth with the memory of Alex's still body lying on the deck
of that
fishing ship. Still, curious about the orphaned whale, Walter
asked, "Would she
be afraid of the boat?"
"I don't think so. She's a little confused as to the difference
between people
and boats. She knows that people are entertaining, but the boats are
more her
size. She wants to play with them," Alex said.
"That could be dangerous," Mulder replied with a frown.
"I know, I'll work with her and try to make her understand," Alex
said. He
waved to the whale and uttered a series of liquid trills to let her
know they
were going inside.
Inside the house, Walter led his lovers to the bathroom. They had a
large
Jacuzzi tub. It took time to fill, but that gave time for Alex to
brush his
teeth and for his lovers to sponge him down. Mulder plastered himself
to Alex
and took the toothbrush from him to add his own efforts to Alex's.
Walter
smiled. For a long time after Alex was reborn, the two of them always
brushed
Alex's teeth for him, combed out his long hair, and bathed him.
Becoming human
again had been a long road for Alex.
After Walter and Mulder had sponged Alex from head to foot, removing
the grit
of a day spent in the sound, they slid into the Jacuzzi to enjoy a
long soak.
Their limbs tangled in the middle. Walter leaned over to nuzzle
Alex's neck as
Mulder's toes slid up his leg in a sensuous tease. Words muffled
against the
peachy flesh of Alex's neck, Walter said, "I love you, Alex."
The wordless answer was a passionate kiss. Alex's tongue darted
between
Walter's lips and tickled over his gums. Walter pulled his lover over
his lap
so he could stroke Alex's round ass. The skin was smooth over the
plump bottom
until Alex moved, then the strong muscles rippled beneath. Mulder
sandwiched
Alex, pressing close so he could explore the riches of both of his
lovers. His
hands kneaded Walter's shoulders, his mouth caught Walter's. Alex
leaned back
to kiss Mulder, his erection pressing hard into Walter's torso.
Clean bodies vibrating in lust, hearts heated with love for each
other, the
passion was always like the first time but each new lovemaking added
to the
delight as they learned an alchemy of sex and tenderness. At first,
they
tumbled about each other, prolonging the pleasure and teasing the
flames
higher. Walter didn't usually offer to bottom, but Alex seemed to be
asking for
him by his touches.
"Yes," Walter said, trusting that Alex and Mulder would take the time
to make
it good.
Mulder said, "Save this for me though." His hand surrounded Walter's
cock in a
restricting but gentle grip.
"Really?" Walter asked.
"Absolutely Mister Skinner," Mulder said. He reached over to get the
lube from
the desk drawer.
Walter's lovers kissed each other over his prone body before moving
their
attentions to him. He shuddered as his lovers licked and sucked their
way down
his body. His hands dug into the bed, flexing like a cat's as he
concentrated
on the joy he felt. A growl of eagerness resounded from his body as
Alex
finally nuzzled his way to between his legs. He felt Alex's strong
hands part
his ass and then the probe of tongue. He felt as if he was full of
molten lava,
about to erupt. Mulder's sexy grin intruded as he formed a cock ring
of his
fingers.
"That was naughty," Mulder said, "I told you that was mine."
"It's not going to do you a lot of good by the time Alex is done with
me,"
Walter said. "I don't think I'd last long enough to get the condom
on."
Alex laughed, a liquid sound like the ripple of a woodland stream.
Walter lay
flat, his body relaxed except for the insistent nagging of his cock.
He gasped
as some of Alex's weight straddled him. The slow breach felt odd, no
longer
painful as when he first tried this in Vietnam. He took a deep breath
and
released it as Alex nudged his way inside him. For a moment, Walter
felt dizzy
and over-heated, his senses on fire from all the sensations
conflicting. He
looked over at Mulder's grinning face and blushed, feeling shy and
vulnerable
in this moment. Mulder turned his face back and offered his mouth.
Walter
groaned into the kiss as Alex rode him harder. He pushed back,
feeling the
surge of his passion grow.
"I want to come," Walter said as Mulder moved to hold him back. A
shrug
answered him, but Mulder respected his wishes.
Orgasm was an internal sunburst, sending sparks radiating through his
eyes. His
cry of pleasure still echoed when Alex collapsed over him. He felt
Alex slide
off him to lie gasping on his back nearby, a possessive hand still
spread over
Walter's body. Walter was happy, happier than he'd ever believed
himself
capable of being. Exhausted from his passion, Walter watched Mulder
tease and
seduce Alex into bottoming for him. The two of them together were as
sexy as
any dream that he could have fantasized. Golden tan of Mulder's body,
narrowly
striped by the Speedo's lines and white alabaster of Alex's other-
worldly body
moved in a dolphin dance with each other until both cried out and
moved side to
side to rest.
The bed was ravaged beyond a simple tidying. Walter grumbled, "Next
time we
should remember to put down towels.
Mulder's eyes crinkled in amusement and said, "Do I hear the romance
wearing
thin?"
"Just being practical," Walter said, "I'll never stop loving the both
of you."
"I'm tired now," Alex said, "Hurry up and finish making the bed."
His two lovers laughed at him as they complied. Alex fitted himself
into the
middle before anyone could discuss who would get that cherished
position. Wound
together like the roots of a single tree, the three men slept.
Walter watched Mulder lower himself into the water. He was outfitted
with a
facemask, insulating suit and rebreather. Alex dove freely and
fearlessly off
the deck, emerging smoothly from his dive to tug at Mulder. Walter
leaned over
the side, shielding his eyes as he saw a shape in the distance. The
figure
crested revealing itself as a young killer whale. He heard the
excited whistle
followed by an equally wild call from Alex.
Moments later the whale peered quizzically with one eye out of the
water.
Walter smiled at the huge eye blinking at him. Mulder petted the
whale's tough
skin, but Alex said, "Pet her tongue. She likes that."
It made Walter nervous to see Mulder reach his hand into the vast
mouth. He
knew that these creatures ate entire seals for a meal and thought
that killing
sharks was a great game. However there was something innocent about
the whale.
He could tell it wasn't a mature orca. Still, it was one hell of a
big baby, he
hoped that Alex could control the creature.
Shortly, Mulder was grinning around his mask so widely that dimples
appeared
that Walter had never realized were there. The whale was careful,
cautioned by
Alex not to drag Mulder under and to keep her leaps away from Mulder
and the
boat. Alex dove again and again, catching fish to thrust into the
baby whale's
hungry mouth.
Walter felt a sting of envy until Mulder returned to the boat and
said, "Alex
really wants you to meet her."
"I'm not Spock you know," Walter replied, but he looked longingly at
the water.
"Brought you a suit just in case," Mulder said.
"You are too cocky," Walter replied.
"I thought you liked that?" Mulder said.
Walter mustered his old glare and folded arms until he smiled. "All
right, it's
once in a lifetime. I've spent too much of the last part of my life
not taking
chances."
Alex kept near to reassure him, not as playful as he had been with
Mulder. He
dove to catch fish for the whale but always returned swiftly to
Walter, showing
him how to move in the protective gear. Walter petted Springer's
tongue as
Mulder had done, at first nervous, but then more confidently. Alex
handed him a
struggling fish and Walter fed the orca what to her was a morsel.
Part Two
Springer nudged Walter beseechingly and Walter found himself reacting
as he
always did with kids. He couldn't resist the little beggars even
although
Springer wasn't little! He said, "Alex, can you catch another one?"
Alex grinned at him, as happy as Walter had ever seen him. He planted
a kiss on
Walter's cheek before disappearing in pursuit of another fish. It
didn't take
him long even with his bare hands. Walter fed the fish to Springer
again and
was bowled over by an affectionate nuzzle. He wasn't afraid. After a
while,
Mulder left the boat at sea anchor to join them.
Hours later, cold and hungry, Mulder and Walter waited on the deck
for Alex to
say goodbye. He finally trilled his goodbye and came aboard, looking
glorious
and beautiful, nearly the miracle of inhuman beauty that he had been
when they
had first seen him swimming with the whales that watched over the
Water Baby
that he had become.
"Can we come tomorrow?" Alex asked.
Walter could think of a million things to do, but he realized that
Alex wanted
them to share this, as near his former life as mere humans could
come. He said,
"Sure, Alex, I can make the time to come here with you if you really
want us
here."
"I want you to be here. Today was the best day that I can remember
and since we
have been together, each day is good," Alex said.
Alex hardly knew how to lie since his transformation. Walter knew he
could
trust what his lover said. Alex was happy. Even confined to a life
mostly set
by the boundaries of earth, he still felt joy.
Drawing the strong, pale fingers upward, Walter kissed his lover's
left hand as
both he and Alex gripped Mulder's hands. Together...always together
now.
Over the next week, Walter enjoyed the time spent with his lovers. It
was
surreal, as if they all had become part of the sea. Still despite the
efforts
they all were making, Walter could see that something was wrong with
Springer.
The baby seemed happy but her skin was dull and discolored. She was
also not as
big as she should be for the age Alex said that she was.
They all spent time looking up as much information as they could to
try to help
her, but Alex said that she needed her pod, needed an older female
relative to
mother her.
Mulder dawdled over a last cup of coffee and frowned as if he had his
own
thoughts. Alex glared at him, an expression that reminded Walter of
the bad old
days. "What?" Alex demanded.
"She's sick, Alex," Mulder said. "I think we should involve whale
experts in
her care."
Slamming down his tea, Alex said, "No, no, they'll lock her up. She's
never
been in a cage. Never been where she can't escape. No!"
Storming out, Alex left the door wide open. He ran to the dock as
Mulder
followed. Walter barely made it in time to see Alex dive into the
water and
swiftly disappear.
Mulder unhappily gazed after him. He said, "I know what the right
thing to do
is. The only thing is if it is the right thing for Alex? What should
I do,
Walter?"
Walter was surprised that his lover asked his opinion. Mulder had
never been
shy at making decisions that affected the people he loved. Even when
his
decisions could affect the fate of humanity, he had faced his role
with
courage. His doubts might torment him, but he had looked for the
chance to be a
man who made a difference. Now, his eyes showed his uncertainty and
his
pain.
"I can't lose any more people," Mulder admitted. "I can't lose him
again."
"We'll wait," Walter said, "Either the whale will get better or Alex
will see
that he needs more help than we can give."
The next day, Walter cursed as he picked up the morning paper. It was
damp as
always, but that wasn't the problem. The front page had a blurry
picture of a
blob that was labeled Springer. They even had her name right. Some of
the local
children had heard Alex calling her that and told the reporters who
readily
picked up the name.
Alex stormed in and grabbed the paper, throwing it to the floor. "You
just
couldn't wait, Mulder. The sound is full of scientists observing her.
Soon they
will start poking and prodding. How could you? You know how that
feels! You
know!"
Turning gray, Alex charged from the room. Walter could hear him
retching and
then Mulder's voice arguing with Alex. Alex wasn't listening.
Pale and angry, Alex sat at the table and said, "If they take her
captive, I'm
going to get her loose. She won't be a subject. She won't be their
slave the
way I was to the bastards."
"Not all scientists are bad," Walter said. "And she is sick. They're
concerned
about her."
"So they say," Alex said, "They made me promises too. They had all
the best
lies. At times, I really believed I was the chosen one. I thought my
suffering
was because I was one of the elite. I was ready to be a martyr, I
thought. I
let go of you and Mulder. I gave up the men I loved because I thought
I was
going to save the world. I believe them right up to the time they
tried to kill
me the first time."
"I know, Alex, they used me too," Mulder said. "I was strapped to one
of those
tables too. I was just a specimen to that evil old man who was my
father...to
both of them."
So much pain, a world of pain, Walter bowed his head. Was this going
to be the
end of them?
Alex crept back late that night. Mulder and Walter had finally gone
to sleep.
Walter woke when cold damp flesh pressed against him. Alex whispered
huskily,
"I'm sorry. I was wrong. I didn't listen. I didn't give you a chance."
In the darkness, Walter heard Mulder say, "It's all right. I
understand."
Mulder laughed ruefully and added, "Listening was never one of my
skills
either. Come here. It must be love if I don't mind your cold feet."
Walter grumbled, "I love him and I mind." He pulled Alex close
despite his
words. "Did you manage to see Springer?"
"Yes, I swam underwater for a long way so they didn't notice me. She
is sick
and she thinks the new people are very nice to feed her so many fish.
Springer
asked me how she might be human like me," Alex said. "She thinks if
she dies
she will be a Earth Baby like I am a Water Baby. I told her that she
should be
happy to be an Orca."
"That was very wise," Mulder said tenderly. Walter saw his hand
stroking Alex's
long hair as moonlight caught the golden highlights of his skin.
Mulder looked
in Walter's direction and Walter shook his head. Now was not the time
to push
the obvious conclusion.
"I wouldn't have you if I stayed in the sea. Even when I was happy in
the
ocean, there was a hunger in me that I could not fill. It was like
the call of
a whale that cannot find his pod, a very sad song. I knew from the
first that I
had to go with you," Alex said. "We have to help Springer find her
family."
Over the next week, Walter and Mulder read the headlines, watched the
news, and
worried. Alex still went out to talk to Springer, although he kept to
the
darkness and promised to stay out of the sight of the whale watchers.
No one was sleeping well during the night or day. At night, Mulder
and Walter
worried for their lover. During the day, they all napped, but Alex
woke
screaming. His lost memories of the silo and of his mutilation were
coming
back.
A noise penetrated the exhausted sleep into which Walter had fallen.
Walter
moaned in complaint, dreaming that he still worked for the FBI and it
was time
to start another frustrating day. His hand found no alarm to throw to
the wall.
Finally, Walter realized that the doorbell was ringing.
It was too early, way too early. Mulder was heavily asleep for once.
Walter
slid out from under Mulder's arm and grabbed for his robe. A single
glance
showed him that Alex was not where he had slept last night.
"Crap," Walter said as his knee found the coffee table. He peered out
the door
and recognized Jim Paul, one of the tribal policemen. Alex stood
sullenly with
the wiry law enforcement agent.
"Hi, Jim, what's up?" Walter asked. "Is Alex in trouble?"
"Yeah, Alex is in hot water again. The coast guard was really mad,"
Jim said.
Dark eyes in near Asian folds stared from his leathery brown face. His
pronounced overbite was typical of his tribe.
"The coast guard?" Walter asked.
"They saw Alex with his whale," Jim said. "They wanted to arrest him
for
harassing it."
"Did they?" Walter asked, heart skipping a beat. He didn't want any
law
enforcement agent taking a close look at Alex nor did he want a
hospital
talking to Alex at length. The swift examination at the emergency
room when
Alex and Walter had nearly drowned was one thing. Walter had the
feeling that
Alex wouldn't look as normal under prolonged examination.
"No, me and Jackie lied," Jim said. "We told them Alex was one of our
own and
that he was doing medicine with that whale." The Native American
laughed, "That
medicine angle almost always works. They released him to us, but said
that he
better keep away from the whale."
"Thank you," Walter said.
"Hey, everyone knows that those kids would have died if Alex hadn't
seen their
canoe overturn. When that house burned down, you and Mulder got those
old
ladies out. No one else could have found them hiding in that closet
that
quickly. You guys do belong to us. We'll watch out for you," Jim
said. "But you
have to keep Alex away from Springer. There are too many button-eyes
watching."
Walter winced at the careless use of a term used locally for round-
eyed
Europeans. He said, "I'll try to keep him away. It's tough. He's
afraid that
they might hurt Springer or keep her captive."
"I know," Jim said. He adjusted the heavy weight of his gun and
said, "It might
work out. We were talking about doing something if they sounded like
they were
going to take her out of the wild permanently. They said that they
wouldn't do
that. Course Wasichu promises aren't often much good, pardon me for
saying. You
and the other guys being the exception. I think they mean well this
time. These
people seem to care about Springer."
"I hope so," Walter said. He hugged Alex and said, "Thank you for
keeping your
eye out for him."
The stubborn look hadn't left Alex's face. He didn't trust authority.
He didn't
trust scientists. The fear and pain tortured Alex even if there was no
conscious memory. He and Mulder both shared those nightmares. Walter
would wake
to see them outside on the patio, clinging to each other as they
tried not to
disturb him. He never quite knew what to do, should he try to comfort
them or
was it better to let them work it out by themselves? He never could
decide so
he lay awake and worried until they returned to bed.
The haunted look in Alex's face evoked memories that Walter had
shoved far
away. He had his own nightmares, so many about the man he had loved,
hated,
lost, and now loved again. He could not tell his lovers about what
troubled his
sleep. He didn't want to reproach the innocence that veiled Alex from
the guilt
of his past life or to evoke the anger toward Alex that Mulder had
struggled to
put aside forever.
And now Alex stood at the edge of the sea as dawn rose silver and
faintly gold.
The glints of waves kissed Alex's white feet. Every line of Alex's
long, lean
body was tense, as if with one sound he would flee into the Sound
never to
return. Mulder came to stand with him, his strong, scarred hand
gripping
Walter's.
Regret tinged Mulder's voice. "We shouldn't have done it. We should
have left
him alone. He was happy."
At the sound of Mulder's voice, Alex turned back toward them. In a
moment, he
was running to them, light catching ruby highlights in the dark of
his hair and
igniting his eyes into preternatural green fire.
Walter went down as Alex tackled him, aggressively seeking his
mouth. "Mine,
mine," Alex sang out musically. There was no discussion as hands flew
about,
removing clothing to strip the lovers naked.
Old enough to let the fleeting image of their comfortable bed
contrast with the
grit of the sand; Walter dismissed the practical thought when
Mulder's mouth
found his cock. His own mouth fed on the hot iron of Alex's erection.
He felt
his hand tangle with Alex as both of them kept pace with the rhythm of
lovemaking as they teased and pleased Mulder. Walter's mind felt as
if it was
burning in the fire of their passion. Mulder's come scorched his
fingers as
Walter pumped into his lover's mouth. A moment later, Alex cried out
like an
eagle as he dissolved into his pleasure.
Mulder's head pillowed on his stomach, heated breath tickling the
hair that
strayed upward and downward. Alex groaned and moved around to spoon
around
Mulder. Walter rested his hand on both of them. A rock dug into his
back and
his leg itched, but he was too sated to seek comfort right now. The
sun was
streaming through the thin morning clouds, the light fracturing into
streaks of
platinum.
Finally, when the rock became unbearable, Walter stood up and dusted
the sand
off his body. All of them looked like sea otters, head and body hair
spiked,
grit sticking where semen had marked them, and satiated grins
bedecking their
faces. Alex even had a bit of seaweed in his hair. Walter plucked it
out and
said, "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that about?"
"I thought what it would be like to be alone and I was very glad that
I was
with my lovers instead," Alex said.
"I'm glad to hear that," Walter said.
"I'm human," Alex said wistfully. "I understand now what Mulder meant
when he
talked to me about Springer. She's a whale that wants to be a person.
I'm a man
that wanted to be a whale, but I don't know if I want that anymore.
You think
that I'm sad because I can't be free in the ocean. I'm not. You are
my freedom.
You are all that I desire."
Mulder's eyes met Walter, an infinity of tenderness in the hazel
orbs. "I hope
so, Alex. Because we couldn't lose you again. You have to know that."
Alex's left hand caressed Mulder's cheek. He leaned forward to kiss
his
brilliant, frustrating man. His right hand cupped the back of
Walter's head,
holding onto him as if he would never let go.
"I met a whale that knows Springer's pod. She has a cousin who lost
her first
baby," Alex said in muffled tones.
"Where?" Mulder asked.
"Around Vancouver," Alex replied. "Will you take me? I want to talk
to her.
Then if they do as they promise and let her go, she will have someone
to take
care of her. I told her that she shouldn't trust people, but she only
laughs at
me."
"We'll take you," Mulder promised. He met Walter's eyes and Walter
nodded
agreement.
"Whatever it take," Walter promised. He grinned. "Hey, we can do
anything. I
realized that when I saw Alex come back to life."
Walter slapped Alex's ass and said, "But first you get dressed."
The Sea Change was always kept seaworthy, but Walter went over it
anyway in
preparation for the trip. He made sure that the inflatable lifeboats
were in
good repair and properly hung for easy launch. He checked the life
jackets, the
first aid kit, and the navigation equipment. Alex was not much use at
any of
the technological chores. He hadn't picked back up most of his former
skills
although he was willing to try anything that Walter asked of him.
Mulder was faxing a magazine article he had procrastinated about
finishing. It
was a well paying assignment so he felt obligated to get it to the
editor. He
finished and confirmed that it was received just as Walter was ready
to pull
out.
The neighbors would check on the house from time to time. They didn't
even ask
where they were going. They just gave Walter a huckleberry pie, some
dried
fish, and a loaf of fresh baked bread. Alex examined the smoked fish
with a
bemused expression. He really didn't see the point in cooking the
flavor out of
a delicious salmon. He would take advantage of the trip to taste fish
that
didn't come into the sound. Of course, he was always willing to catch
dinner
for his lovers even if they didn't share his taste for raw fish.
Two days later, the Sea Change bobbed on a calm ocean as Alex leaned
over the
side speaking to a passing Orca. Shortly thereafter, they made the
seventh
course change of the day as they tried to located the pod to which
Springer's
cousin belong. Despite Alex's realization that he was happy as a
human, Walter
hoped that Alex wouldn't run into his old pod. The wary Long John and
his mate,
Shark-Killer, usually kept the pod far from human domains so there
wasn't much
chance of that. The passing whale was solitary young male separated
from his
pod although he knew where they were. He swam after the ship for most
of the
day before becoming bored with the odd human that spoke Orca.
By the next morning, Alex spotted the pod of Orcas to which Springer
belonged.
They were the A pod and spent most of their time in Canada. Walter
angled the
boat so it blocked the view of the only whale watchers in sight. It
started to
rain anyway and a mist settled over the water. It was warm and wet,
sounds
muffled so it seemed that they were alone on the water, just the
three of them.
Alex slid into the water after calling out to the pod mothers. Walter
and
Mulder leaned over the rail, listening to the whale song as Alex told
the pod
about Springer. They couldn't see their lover nor could they
recognize his
voice. He sounded just like the Orcas.
Hours later, Alex climbed up the ladder beaming. He said, "The cousin
who lost
her baby said she would help Springer if she is returned here. She
will teach
her to hunt better and to stay away from humans. She finds me very
amusing. She
has never seen a human who sings like a whale although some people
have tried.
She said they sounded very foolish."
Deciding it was better to stay in place and follow the news from
Puget Sound,
the three enjoyed the time to heal and play. With Springer's pod
nearby, Alex
had plenty of cetacean company, but he chose to spend most of the day
with his
lovers. He had learned to be cautious of whale watchers who had good
reason to
worry about humans, harassing the Orcas. He still had plenty of
playtime with
his new friends. Alex was as happy as Walter had ever seen him. A
long boat
trip was on the agenda as often as possible. Of course, that was
after they
figured out how to fit a king sized bed in the cabin. Two mattresses
side by
side were not the best solution for three tall men who wanted to make
love and
sleep together.
Although they kept at a distance like everyone not directly involved
with
Springer's release, the three men watched with binoculars as her pod
greeted
her. Sleek Swimmer; Springer's cousin took control of her
immediately. She
kept an eye on her younger pod mate and when Springer started to swim
towards
ships, Sleek Swimmer nudged her away.
Alex gave Walter and Mulder both kisses that left them breathless.
His face was
shining. His eyes were bright as starlight. His joy poured from him
as he
watched Springer slowly reacquainting herself with the pod.
When night shielded him, Alex slipped down the ladder at the side of
the boat.
Walter could hear the subtle sounds as his lover slid through the
water. Mulder
sighed and said, "I wish I was him. I used to swim for hours to get
away from
my family. Even more so after Samantha was taken. My father and
mother weren't
the kind of people you could talk to or even be around much."
Sliding his arm around Mulder's waist, Walter said, "I wish you could
too,
Mulder." He kissed his lover's forehead and said, "You and Alex are so
beautiful in the water. I'm just too heavy boned for grace."
"Your grace is right here," Mulder said, thumping Walter on the hairy
chest.
Walter waited a moment, taking a good look at Mulder's expression
before
deciding he meant what he said. He hugged Mulder with both arms as
they both
leaned over the rail, trying to see Alex.
About two hours from the time he left, Alex returned with Springer
and Sleek
Swimmer. The two whales crested out of the waves to have a look at
Mulder and
Walter. Both executed whistles that Walter hoped meant approval.
Alex said, "Sleek Swimmer wanted to see my mates. Springer said you
were both
very handsome."
Mulder gave Alex a hand up and said, "So what does Sleek Swimmer
think?"
"She thinks you both have big ears and maybe you will grow to fit
them," Alex
said with a laugh. "She thinks we are all pretty puny, although she is
impressed that I can swim so well."
Part Three
The two whales slapped their tails and disappeared with a final eerie
whistle
that seemed to say farewell.
Alex came back aboard and said, "She's doing well. Her pod was uneasy
because
Springer was not remembered from her infancy, but Sleek Swimmer will
probably
lead the pod someday. They listen to her. Today I helped Springer
sing her
family tree for them. She didn't remember, but I learned it from an
ancient
grandmother whale that knew my mother when she was a young whale. I
think
Springer is home."
"What about you, Alex?" Walter asked.
"I'm home too, as long as I am with you," Alex said. He drew Mulder
near once
more and said, "You are my pod. All I need."
Looking at Mulder and Walter, Alex sang a song half whale whistled
and half
Russian. Neither of them needed a translation.
The song was all about love and happy endings.
The end.
A Water Baby II: Springer
by Ursula
Part One
