The Pet
by Peja
Fandom: Xfiles
Pairing: ???
Summary: The CSM has a brand new toy
Rating: R
Discalimer: Don't own 'em, but if loving counts for anything,.....

The Pet
by PEJA

Walter Skinner entered the luxerious office and paused, staring at the man who never failed to make his skin crawl up into a small ball at the back of his head.

"Come in," Spender said in a softly menacing voice. "Sit."

Eyes narrowing, Skinner took the chair across from the other man and waited.

Spender smiled a secret smile and snubbed out his ever present cigarette, lighting up another automatically. 

"You said you had something to show me?" Skinner prompted after watching the vicious man savor half the noxious tobacco in oblivious silence. 

"Mmmmm?" Spender nodded, smiling a shark's smile. "Ah, yes, yes, I do indeed. Something very special." He leaned forward over his desk, pressing the inter-office com. "Bring me my pet." he leaned back in his chair, little pig eyes creeping over Skinner. "I wanted to show you my new pet, Walter.."

Skinner grimaced, not liking the man's use of his name. "Pet?"

Spender waved him silent and turned his chair at the sound of the door opening. "Ah, there he is," he said.

Skinner's head turned and his entire body froze.

Alex Krycek was being lead into the room on a leather leash, his boyish features fixed in an illusion of serenity.

The young man went down on his knees at Spender's side and the sadist's weathered face softened into an affectionate mask. "Has he been fed?" he asked, stroking Krycek's head as if he were a beloved pet.

Krycek remained passive under the elderly man's caress.

"No sir," the burly man answered. "He won't eat for us."

Spender scowled. "Than bring me a tray for the animal, Kline."

The big man nodded and spinning on his heel, darted out of the office.

"What game are you playing at now, Spender?" Skinner demanded when they were alone again.

"No game," Spender drew smoke into his lungs, finishing the cigarette down to the butt. He reached to snub out the ember, frowning at the full ashtray. "Alex, hand up." he said softly, the slow cruel smile curling his thin lips.

Krycek lifted his hand, palm up and Spender ground out the butt into his hand.

The oblivious man shuddered as his flesh was seared, but made no sound, no attempt to escape the burning in his hand.

Skinner's stomach roiled against the stench of burnt flesh.  "Stop it."

"You're concerned?" Spender asked, tilting his head to slant Skinner a curious glance. "I thought you would be pleased to see how...docile Alex can be, given the right....incentives." He cupped Alex' chin, forcing him to meet his cold eyes. "Alex, you remember Skinner, don't you?" He turned Alex's head manually.

Empty green eyes stabbed into Skinner, making him cringe. "What did you do to him?"

"Alex is fine, Skinner." Spender assured him. "Tell him, Alex. Tell him you're fine."

"I'm fine." Alex spoke without emotion.

"See, he's happy now. Aren't you Alex. Tell him you're happy, Alex."

"I'm happy."

"Good boy." Spender ruffled his hair affectionately. "Down, Alex."

Alex curled into a ball at Spender's feet, staring vacantly straight ahead.

"Oh my god."

"Don't give him a thought, Skinner. He doesn't."

"What the hell have you done to him?" Skinner demanded again hotly.

"Alex Krycek is," He smiled coolly. "Was a traitor. There was a termination order on him, but he was lucky enough to be brought in just when I needed a...volenteer for a little something we'd cooked up in the labs. Something went a little...well, wrong. It was supposed to simply erase his memory of the time he....worked for us. Apparently he was given more of the serum than was required." Spender shrugged. "A fortunate tragedy."

"What...." Skinner drew a restraining breath. "What are you going to do with him?"

Chuckling around his cigarette, Spender stroked the sable hair. "I don't honestly know." His eyes narrowed on Skinner. "I'm to the type to keep a pet.  Never have been. Too much work and time expended." 

A knock on the door interrupted them. Spender's heavy pushed into the office, a take out box in hand. Spender took the box, tore off the top and laid the food on the floor next to Krycek. "Alex, eat."

The young man rose to his knees and picked up a greasy cheese stick, nibbling at it half heartedly.