Chapter Three Fort Bragg, California Morning light filled the bedroom and Alex blinked slowly,
for a brief moment he wondered where he was. He was held down on his back
and his first impulse was to throw off his captor and kill him, but he
smiled instead. Fox. In what was apparently Fox's favorite sleeping position,
sprawled on top of Alex. Fox's right leg was laid over Alex's thighs and
his chest half covered Alex's, while one arm was curled around Alex's
head, fingers entwined in the black hair. Alex felt the warm breath on
his neck and Fox's lips parted on his flesh. Alex didn't care what was
going on outside this room; he only cared that Fox was with him. He ran
a loving hand slowly down Fox's spine. He felt Fox's smile before he realized
Fox was waking.
"Where do you think that hand is going, Krycek?" Fox growled
with feigned threat, as his face snuggled closer to Alex's chest.
"Nowhere!" Alex swore. "I was just trying to get you off
me. You're like a leech, or a boa constrictor. Yeah a boa, all sprawled
on me. You know I do have standards."
Fox chuckled. "I see. That's too bad, here I was hoping
you were going to reenact that wonderful morning where you... did something
with your fingers," Fox finished clumsily.
Alex grinned, "What? What are you talking about, baby?"
He knew very well what, but he wanted his lover to have to say it.
Fox moved his hips and kissed Alex's throat. "That thing."
"What thing?"
"Alex!"
"What thing?"
"That thing you did to me with your fingers."
"I got that part, but what exactly did I allegedly do with
my fingers, Agent Mulder?"
"Oh forget it. I'm sorry, I was confused. That wasn't you
at all," Fox sighed. "Now I remember."
Alex twisted and pinned Fox beneath him, his green eyes
boring into the laughing hazel of his mischievous lover. "Oh? So someone
else did 'that thing' with their fingers?"
Fox just chuckled.
Alex parted Fox's legs with his own and moved his hips suggestively.
"Do you think I should be jealous?"
"Oh yeah, you should. That thing... those fingers... they made
me feel so good," Fox said throatily.
Alex groaned and crushed Fox's full lips in a possessive
kiss. Fox's mouth opened and his tongue slid greedily into Alex's mouth.
They kissed passionately for several minutes before Alex pulled his head
up. "What thing?"
Fox laughed, "Just drop it, Alex."
Alex rubbed Fox's cock with his own and Fox licked his lips
in reaction, the tongue sliding on his full lips, making Alex groan.
"Tell me, and I'll give you something nice, don't tell me
and I won't. What thing?"
"Bully!" Fox protested.
"You want this?" Alex asked as his body moved sinuously
against Fox.
Fox closed his eyes and licked his lips again, "Don't tease
me..."
"Just tell me. You need to loosen up. I like hearing you
tell me what you like."
"You, your fingers inside me, fucking me. God Alex, stop
moving or fuck me now," Fox groaned.
Alex stopped moving and grinned down at his responsive lover.
"Oh! That thing. Finger fucking."
Fox flushed. "Yeah, finger-fucking. I liked it."
"You like fucking period, baby," Alex teased as he bent
to capture Fox's tempting mouth. "Don't you?"
Fox spread his legs further apart, rubbing his cock against
Alex's. "Don't you, Alex?"
"Oh yeah."
"Then show me. Show me, Alex," Fox begged.
Alex sat back and ran his hands down Fox's chest. He lightly
pinched first one nipple and then the next. "You're so beautiful, baby.
So fucking beautiful, especially like this. So ready, so hot." He leaned
in and kissed Fox. His lips barely touching Fox's he breathed in and out,
wanting to be part of Fox. Fox flicked out his tongue and Alex groaned,
moving in to devour the hot, slick mouth.
Fox was torn. He wanted Alex in his mouth. He wanted to
be inside Alex. He wanted Alex inside him.
Alex ended the kiss and reached for the tube of lubricant,
still uncapped and laying on the nightstand, where Fox had left it the
night before. He squeezed it into his hands and slicked his hard cock
with it. He closed his eyes as the pleasure of his slippery fingers on
his sensitive head elicited a gasp from his lips.
Fox watched his lover enjoy his own body and he bit his
lower lip to keep from begging. Alex's cock was so beautiful, so hard.
Jade eyes caught his own and they communicated their need for one another
silently.
Alex warmed some lubricant in his hands before he applied
it to his lover's opening. He slid a gentle finger inside Fox's tight
heat and Fox gasped. He worked slowly to prepare the small sheath, in
no hurry, wanting this moment to last forever. He would give everything
to have this moment with Fox frozen in time. Outside the world was insane.
Here, here he was home, home wherever Fox was. The soft moans of passion
his fingers wrought encouraged Alex to continue with his play. He slid
his fingers deeper and stroked the sensitive gland, watching as Fox came
undone. He moved his fingers in and out, turning them, opening them, over
and over until Fox's hips were rising and falling, his arms spread out
on the sheets in glorious surrender.
Alex leaned down and licked at the swollen cock, closing
his eyes as Fox made a strangled noise. He lapped at the clear fluid seeping
from the small slit. Fox's hips moved restlessly and his eyes were mere
slits of hazel through dark lashes. Alex kept his fingers moving in and
out and his free hand grasped Fox's begging cock and he laved his tongue
round and round the tip until Fox's body was jerking from one pleasure
to another. Alex pulled off long enough to stare entranced at the plump
cock. Fox was moaning at the lack of sensation on his cock. Alex groaned.
Fox was so beautiful, so very beautiful.
"Please. Please, Alex," Fox groaned. "Oh... oh ple... please."
He rode the fingers with sharp movements of his hip. "Please fuck me."
Alex watched for one sweet moment Fox toss his hips and
with a groan he took Fox's organ back in his mouth and sucked hard. Fox
was shuddering, his head tossing hopelessly on the pillow, incoherent
pleas tumbling from his lips. Alex joined more fingers in the play and
Fox beat his hips wildly, desperately. When Alex felt that Fox was about
to orgasm he pulled off the swollen cock and withdrew his fingers. He
didn't bother giving Fox any directions, as he was too lost in passion
to comprehend anything Alex said. He rolled Fox onto his stomach and placed
a pillow under his hips, elevating his hips and exposing his swollen cock
and balls to Alex's avid gaze. Alex rubbed lubricant up and down Fox's
back just to see the slick trail on the smooth back. He spread Fox's legs
wide and bent to lick the tight balls and the sensitive flesh between
them and the small anus. He watched Fox's profile. The blinking eyes,
the tongue wetting gasping lips made Alex lose his control. Almost roughly
he moved into position and slid the head of his cock into that impossibly
small hole. He closed his eyes for a moment, before watching Fox's face
as he was entered and fucked. There was such a look of surprise and mindless
lust on that pretty face, as if he had never been fucked before. It drove
Alex crazy and he wanted to shove in harder. He angled his hips to hit
Fox just right and he was rewarded as Fox lost any inhibitions and began
to vocalize everything he wanted Alex to do to him.
Antonio knocked on the door and Skinner called out for him
to enter. The smell of arousal filled the cabin with sweet, seductive
calling and Antonio grew hard immediately. Alex and Fox were playing again,
and Skinner stood in the kitchen making coffee and getting breakfast together.
What exactly was wrong with his brother? Were those two his, he would
be in there with them. His aching erection demanded it. They broad-casted
their readiness like bitches in heat and he could hear the whimpers of
passion coming from the sweet Fox as Alex toyed with him.
Skinner turned and sighed. "Good morning, Antonio. I trust
you spent a pleasant night."
Antonio walked to the little kitchen table and sat down,
his legs splayed wide to make his erection obvious. "How do you do it,
brother? How do you stand here while those two pleasure one another? They
are yours are they not?"
Skinner poured a cup of coffee for Antonio and sat across
from him, his eyes narrowed and threatening. "Yes. They are mine. Not
yours."
"If they were mine..."
"But they aren't. They never will be." Skinner ignored the
man's obvious hard-on. The appeal of Alex and Fox was compelling even
when they weren't aroused, but when they were it was like the call of
the sirens, almost impossible to resist. "I will do as I think best for
them, Antonio."
"By letting them fuck like rabbits? I know they are sexual
animals, but that should be for your benefit. You should be in there using
them like they were meant to be used. Why do you think they were changed?
Why any of the humans were? To reward us, dammit!"
The pleading began in earnest, as Alex teased Fox. As Fox
begged to be fucked, both Ascendants grew rigid with lust.
"He begs to be filled and you sit here?" Antonio hissed
in a strained voice.
Skinner slammed his cup down and stood. "Enough, Antonio!
Your attitude makes it obvious that Alex and Fox are better off with me.
If you can't see that they love each other..."
"Their love means nothing! They are concubines! You can't
hold them while they cleave only unto each other. You'll never have Fox's
love while he has Alex to cling to. Give Alex to me! I will take him far
from Fox..."
Skinner lifted the smaller man from his chair with one fist
in Antonio's shirtfront. "That is what this is about isn't it? You lust
to own Alex. You don't care about my position with them, you seek only
to take what is mine!"
Antonio shoved the hands off him with a small mental shove
and he stood glaring. "Get used to it, Skinner. You cannot own such flesh
and think not to be challenged. Surely you can sense that they are rare
even among their kind. If you would just share some of the wealth... let
another taste the nectar..."
Skinner had to calm himself with a great effort. It wouldn't
do for Fox and Alex to see he and Antonio fighting over them. "There is
nothing to discuss on this anymore. I will not share. I will not! I
am completely capable of holding what is mine. You would do well to heed
me. Because I will say this only once. I will kill anyone... .anyone who
tries to take what is mine! Because I choose to let them love one another
is my business alone. If I can make this easier on them, I will. And if
this is your attitude... that they, the changed ones, are but animals to
pleasure us, then I will have to seriously consider my initial decision
on letting Dana go with you."
Antonio flushed with rage. He dared? "You have no say in
that. Dana is mine! She goes with me willingly."
Skinner stared hard at the man. His voice was stolen as
the sound of lovemaking in the bedroom was accompanied by the steady rocking
of the bed. He could picture the scene and despite his words he wanted
to stride into the bedroom and take what was his. They were so beautiful,
the smell of them, the want in their cries, their sweat-slicked bodies
so perfect. Fox would be tossing his head as he was penetrated, his eyes
would be shadowed pools of moss. Those lips would be parted over incoherent
words. And Alex. His dark assassin would be lost in lust, but aware of
every shade of Fox's reaction. He would be watching Fox with an intensity
that burned. Those pink lips, so sweet, would be kissing Fox's face as
he thrust in fierce rhythm. His body was on fire; he wanted to take them,
to devour them. They smelled so good, so hot. They were his, his alone
to take to that gasping precipice. He growled with the need to plunder
that sweet flesh. Fox screamed and Skinner shook. Fox begged for more
and Skinner paled with the effort not to claim those cries for his own,
to make Alex's voice cry out in the same way. It was Antonio's moan that
dragged him back to the kitchen. Antonio was not there. Oh he was still
standing beside Skinner in the kitchen, but his eyes were vacant, his
body shaking. Skinner growled in rage as he realized that Antonio was
projecting himself to watch the two beauties mate. He shook Antonio and
when those black eyes flared red in response to the intrusion, Skinner
pushed him toward the door. "I think it is time you went south, brother.
You tread too close to your own mortality."
Antonio shook himself to divert his attention from the allure
of the two lovers and he composed himself with an effort that cost him
much. Without another word he strode toward the sea, to calm the desire
that raged along his every nerve. Skinner could not hold those two for
long. He was too wrapped up in doing what he thought right. Only one who
knew his position in this new world could keep the two beauties from the
rest of the world. As much as he would love to own them both, Fox would
disrupt Dana, and he couldn't bear to discipline Fox the way he would
need to be disciplined. He could force the beauty to his bed, could deny
him the pleasure of Alex, but actually to discipline him the way he would
have to be disciplined was not in his nature... old or new.
Skinner watched Antonio walk away, and part of him walked
with him. He knew exactly how Antonio felt about the two men in the bedroom.
His blood surged with the fire of his need to own, to possess. He watched
as his brother took the path toward the rockiest part of the beach, and
stood rigid as the cries of ecstasy grew frenzied and then silenced. He
shook and clenched his fists. Alex's soft voice soothed his lover and
with resolve he turned back inside and shakily resumed preparing breakfast.
He wondered why he just didn't claim them now, they were his, every sleek
muscled inch. He only wished that he could know if this was the right
path. Was Antonio right? Would his allowing the two to cling to one another
only serve to make his conquest of their hearts more difficult? He would
not deny himself their bodies always.
The shower relaxed Alex and he smiled at his sated lover.
Mulder was thinking again, the look on his face was a testimony to that.
His teeth were worrying his lower lip and his hazel eyes were a bit unfocussed.
Alex decided to leave him to it. Besides Fox looked adorable. Who was
he to interrupt him? He picked up the pale pink soap and gave it a considering
look. Pink was a girl color, but the fragrance seemed okay. He began to
suds up the soap and ran his hands over his chest. He had to grin as Fox,
still lost in thought kissed Alex between his shoulder blades. He rested
his head on Alex's shoulder as Alex cleaned himself.
Mulder was plotting. He wasn't going to share Alex and that
was that. Skinner, he knew, really wanted him... not so much Alex. If he
could keep Skinner exhausted, keep him sexually sated then he wouldn't
have time to touch Alex. It seemed to be the best plan at his disposal.
He kissed Alex's neck and thrilled to the wet slickness of Alex's flesh.
Skinner would be satisfied and Alex... well Alex would just have to deal
with it. He realized he was ignoring Alex's possible reaction to his little
plan, but surely Alex would rather not be used as a sex toy. It was true
that Alex might not like Fox throwing himself at Skinner... actually he would
probably be pissed, but that was the way it would be.
"Fox! This soap is great. It's so sudsy!" Alex proclaimed
in delight. He was covered in copious bubbles and like a child he stayed
out of the water just enough to work up a slick covering of soap. "It
smells great too," he added.
Fox smiled. Alex was staring at him with eyes alight with
pleasure, a soft smile on his pretty lips. "Smells like Caress," he said
with deceptive disinterest.
Alex frowned and looked at the soap. "Caress?"
"Yeah, you know, 'Caress before you dress.' That commercial
with the woman in the shower doing what you're doing right now." A note
of indulgent humor had slid into Mulder's voice.
"Caress? Isn't that a girly soap?" Alex had the look of
a man who smelled a rat.
"Yep. It is a definite girly soap," Fox chuckled and bent
to smell his horrified lover. "And you do smell enchanting."
Alex set the soap aside and rinsed with disgust. "Now everyone
is going to think I liked the soap because of its girly scent," he said
in a near-petulant voice. That tone in his voice surprised him as did
caring what anyone in the rag-tag group thought. He frowned again. He
was getting softer by the minute. "Why don't you just hand me some baby
powder when I get out," he said through gritted teeth.
Mulder chuckled darkly and took up the soap. "I like Caress.
Now don't look at me like that, Alex! I like how sudsy it is... how smooth
it makes your skin." He worked the bar of soap over his own chest, letting
his right hand slide down to his cock to wash there. He hid a grin as
Alex pretended indifference while peering at him from beneath wet, black
lashes. Mulder brought the soap to his nose and smelled it. "I don't think
it smells too sweet, but the test is how it smells on flesh. Why don't
I rinse it off and you can test it for me?" He slid past Alex and rinsed
the soap from his chest and groin. He turned back to Alex and said, "Do
I smell good?"
Alex pulled Mulder to him and crushed his mouth with a groan.
"You sure taste good, baby," he husked into Mulder's eager mouth.
"But do I smell like a man?" Mulder insisted.
"Mmm-hmm," Alex moaned "Baby, we better stop. Skinner won't
be patient all day. I'd just as soon have you dressed when we see him
again," Krycek murmured. He wasn't going back on his vow to Skinner to
try and accept things, but he was simply following his own protective,
possessive instincts. Mulder looked too beautiful, all wet and aroused.
Mulder frowned at that. It was true. Why was Skinner allowing
them so much time together? He sensed the man was in the cabin. Alex looked
too tempting all wet and aroused. He pouted. "I was going to seduce you,
get on my knees and..."
Alex stiffened immediately, and he groaned as Mulder fisted
Alex's suddenly hard cock.
"And suck this for as long as you could stand it," Mulder
finished huskily.
"Well, Skinner's left us alone this long. I don't see why
he'd interrupt now," Alex encouraged, abrutply changing tactics, completely
caught in the intricate snare of his lover's desire.
Fox grinned. "I agree. I think we have time."
"Yes, yes we have time... oh, baby," Alex moaned as Fox slid
to his knees. He watched avidly as Fox fisted both their cocks. "That
feels so good, baby."
Fox was entranced by Alex's hardness. It was so beautifully
formed, long and thick and ripe. He licked at the sensitive head and groaned
with Alex in pleasure. "You taste so good," he gasped.
"It's the Caress," Alex managed.
"Mmmm, I think you should wash with it more often. Tastes
salty and sweet." Fox licked again and then sucked the tip hard, his tongue
swirling about feverishly.
"You like the taste?" Alex gasped as he entwined his fingers
in Fox's hair.
Fox just pulled more of the long shaft into his mouth in
reply, his eyes raised to meet the slitted jade eyes above him. He watched
Alex's face as sucked and licked, every motion designed to give the greatest
pleasure. He caressed Alex's thighs, trying to squeeze the flesh, but
the muscles were too hard. He moved his hand up to cradled the tight balls
and he abandoned the cock to mouth that tender flesh.
"Shit, Fox."
When Alex spread his legs to allow Fox more room to play
Fox moved from the balls to the expanse of flesh just behind them. Alex
trembled and Fox resumed his toying with Alex's cock. He slid a finger
back to the tight opening and gently sought entrance as he sucked and
licked. He slid a slow fist up and down his own shaft all the while still
watching Alex's face.
"God, you're so good, baby," Alex swore. The sight of Fox,
on his knees with a cock, his cock sliding in and out of his mouth made
Alex shudder. That Fox was jerking his own cock at the same time made
Alex want to come right then, but he held off. He wanted this to last
as long as possible. He tossed his head to deny the onrushing pleasure
as Fox's finger found and massaged his prostate. "Mmm. Mmm, baby, Fox,
stop... please... oh god, I wanna... oh, baby, stop. Uhh. Fox!"
Fox wanted to make Alex scream. He worked to the beat of
Alex's panting moans and pleas, unrelenting and voracious. Long moments
of the sounds of pleasure under the heavy splash of water. Gasping sucking
sounds of tension and lust. Steam clouding the room as Alex's fingers
tightened ruthlessly in Fox's hair, exciting them both. Fox could see
that Alex was fighting orgasm, wanting to last, but he joined the first
finger with another and together the two digits attacked Alex's prostate,
pumping in and out. He abandoned his own cock in order to slide his fist
up and down his lover's shaft as he focussed his lips and tongue on the
apricot head. Alex was begging him to stop, but Fox ignored him.
Alex felt like he was on fire. He pumped back against the
fingers inside him and rocked forward to feel the hot clasp of Fox's mouth
and the pull of his long fingers. He tried not to. He fought not to, but
he screamed as he came. Fox sucked and swallowed for a few minutes then
he drew back and rested his cheek on Alex's twitching cock. A river of
cum slid down his face and Alex watched shakily as the shower took the
hot semen and washed it off his lover's pretty face. He groaned when Fox
returned his attention to his own cock and shouted out his orgasm a few
seconds later. Alex pulled Fox up and claimed him in a fierce kiss. He
could taste himself in Fox's hot mouth and they slid their tongues together
lazily. He cradled Fox carefully until Fox was able to stand on his own.
He led a still somewhat dazed Fox from the shower and chuckled.
"I'm the one who got the incredible blow-job, baby, and you are the one
who can barely stand."
Fox smiled, "Well, one day, Alex... one day I'll perfect it
and you won't be able to stand."
Alex grinned. "Don't you dare do it better than that. I'd
like to live a little bit longer."
Fox shook his head, smiling. "I can't remember my name when
we're together like that, but I bet you can." His words implied much more
than Alex being able to remember his name. It implied that though Alex
was immersed in the moment, he had spent too long with the Consortium,
too much time having to be clever and ruthless to survive, to ever be
completely relaxed and to completely let go.
Alex rolled his eyes playfully. "If you think that of me
now, when I've lost my edge... I just don't know what to think."
"You? Lost your edge in the space of a few days?" Fox laughed
and playfully tousled Alex's thick hair.
"Fox, you make me forget myself. Those thugs in your apartment... Skinner
sneaking up on us all the time! I am more distracted than I can remember
ever being."
Fox frowned a bit. "Alex, you were... we were outnumbered
in the apartment. It isn't your fault and besides you aren't superman,"
Fox said softly.
Alex shrugged. Well aware of his failures to protect Fox... and
himself.
Fox attempted to lighten his lover's mood by tickling his
muscled ribs. "Are you saying that I turned you into a little pussy cat?
A cuddly little cat?" Fox teased.
Alex's head snapped up. "Purr for me, little cat," Garren
had crooned to him.
"A sweet little cat to purr..." Fox began. Alex moved so fast
that Fox didn't even have time to stop smiling. He was slammed against
the wall with such force his breath was taken from him. Fierce eyes, the
eyes of a killer bored into him. He'd never seen Alex look at him like
that before. Not even when they were enemies. Alex looked like he wanted
to kill him, to tear him up bit by bit. Alex wasn't hurting him in any
way, but violence festered in the iron grip and burning eyes.
"Don't ever, ever call me that! Do you hear me?" Alex
hissed. He punctuated each word with a firm shake.
Mulder was actually afraid of Alex at that moment. Perhaps
if he hadn't seen how Alex had so easily taken out all those men so quickly
in Mulder's apartment, he wouldn't have been so afraid. But, perhaps just
the look and the strength in those hands that slammed him back would have
scared him on their own. He nodded slowly. "Okay, Krycek. I won't," he
said cautiously.
It was the name that brought Alex back to himself. Krycek.
Fox had called him Krycek again. He recoiled from the fear in Fox's eyes.
He stepped back, confused. "I don't know why I did that. Please don't
look at me like that, baby." He reached out to touch Fox's face and then,
thinking better of it, withdrew it.
"Like what?" Fox's voice was measured and calm.
"Like you're afraid of me... like you're... afraid of me," Alex
whispered. He looked miserable as he left the bathroom and began to search
the bedroom for his clothes, frantically.
Fox took a deep breath and followed him. "I'm not afraid
of you. I'm just confused. I don't know what to say," he said gently,
approaching Alex.
Alex shook his head, that look, that wary, suspicious look
was still on Fox's face, in his beautiful eyes. "I don't know why I did
that," Alex repeated. He hadn't meant to hurt Fox, but he had called him
'cat' just like Garren. Though he knew he hadn't hurt him nor would he
ever, just the idea that he had lost control for those few moments, horrified
him. He stepped away from Fox suddenly afraid that he would lose it again
and really hurt Fox.
Fox saw the panic in Alex's eyes and reached out to gently
stroke Alex's face. "Talk to me. Tell me what I said. Tell me why you
reacted to it. I want to help you, Alex. I love you."
Alex tilted his face into the gentle caress.
"We both have to talk about things," Fox soothed moving
to embrace Alex. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Alex stood docile, afraid to move lest Fox think better
of holding him. Lest Fox realize once and for all that Alex wasn't worth
his love.
"I thought I'd never find you. And instead, you found me."
Alex looked into Fox's concerned face. "I will always find
you."
They were silent for a moment.
"He called me his... cat," Alex whispered. "He called me his
little cat."
Fox flinched. "Alex."
"And I wanted him. There. I said it. I wanted him," Alex
said gruffly.
Fox shook his head and stroked Alex's face. "When you came
to me that night, you were out of it. Like on drugs or something. Alex,
you can't feel guilty..."
"I begged him, Fox! I begged him to do it. God, I wanted
it. I couldn't fight... I couldn't stop him... I..."
Fox pulled Alex tight and held him as Alex shuddered. "I
know," he managed to say. "I know."
Alex looked at him. And understood. Fox did know. "He'll
be coming for me. I know it. Fox, if he does, promise me you won't do
anything stupid."
Fox raised a brow. "Stupid?"
"You can't know how strong he is. I don't want... I can't bear
it if you were hurt. I can't protect you from him."
"Okay. I'll let him take you," Fox said calmly.
Alex frowned. He didn't like the look on Fox's face.
"If you'll promise to do the same thing. Stand aside and
do nothing if Murdoch comes for me."
Alex glared and then he sighed. "Okay, Fox. Point taken."
Fox kissed him. "The point is that we are here for a reason."
"Skinner," Alex mused.
"Yes. I think we have to trust that he can protect us. It's
all we have," Fox said with finality.
Alex looked down at his bare feet. That was the point of
it after-all. Skinner could keep Fox safe, even from Alex. He recalled
the night he made his escape, the thing that had taken over his body.
He shuddered. At least it had led him to Fox. He'd rather forget what
it forced him to do to himself. He tilted his head. Hadn't he carried
something to be delivered to Fox?
"Baby, didn't I give you a package that night?"
Fox knew what he meant and he nodded. "Yeah, that's right.
Where is it?"
Alex shrugged. "The last I saw it was the helicopter."
Mulder pursed his lips, the movement catching Alex's carnal
interest like a hook. Mulder sucked in his upper lip, scraping the flesh
with his teeth as he pondered that. "Yep, that's right. It must be there
still. What was it? You said you were bringing it to me."
Alex shook his head. "I don't know. Some strange man gave
it to me... someone who was fighting Murdoch I think... yes he was fighting,
there were dead wolves everywhere."
"Who was it? Why did he give you the package?"
"I don't know. I went to him... he gave it to me and told me
to give it to you... only he didn't really tell me your name."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I don't know, it was confusing. Fox, there was something... something
inside me. It helped me escape, and it knew the man. It is blurry really,"
he lied, unwilling to discuss it further.
"Inside you? What do you mean?" Fox thought back to that
night, how odd Alex had been. "Was it in you when Fro and I found you?"
Alex nodded. "Can we just drop it for now?"
Fox was frustrated. Someone was fighting Murdoch out there.
Maybe someone they could ally with. But the strained look in Alex's eyes
made him nod gently. "Sure, Alex. We can talk later, but we'll have to
tell Skinner about this."
"I know, just later okay?"
Fox kissed Alex softly. "Whatever makes you happy. We'll
talk about it later."
"Fox, I still want to know about Murdoch... if you want to
talk about it that is."
Fox tensed. "He, he is crazy. And Alex? He is evil... not just
in the garden variety psycho way, but truly evil."
Alex lowered his head. Neither of them was going to easily
forget their experiences. "But, he didn't hurt you did he?" Garren had
punished him, but other than that he had been careful, almost reverent
with Alex.
Fox turned away. "Of course he did, but perhaps you're right.
We need time to come to grips with things... then we can talk."
Alex remembered Garren's words. "Did he whip you, baby?"
Fox turned to him, a surprised gasp on his lips. "How did
you know that?" The humiliation of that whipping, the crop slamming onto
his tender flesh, the rape after... the camera and the crowd watching.
Alex stared hard at the near-panicked look on Fox's face
and just held him. "Forget about it. C'mon let's just get dressed."
Hour
0800
"Stop that racket, Langly. Some people like to sleep a little
later than the early bird you know!" Frohike complained as the loud noises
just outside disturbed his beauty sleep.
"Wake up, Frohike. A bunch of people are coming," Byers
said with a breathless voice. He was watching the group of people winding
their way toward the cabins and trailer. They were on foot, on bikes,
some teens were on skateboards and rollerblades, the last finding it difficult
once the pavement ended to make it to the circle of cabins. "There is
a whole bunch of people coming."
Frohike stood, smoothed his flyaway hair and pulled on his
gray slacks. "People? From the town?"
"I suppose so... they look normal enough," Byers responded,
still peering out the window.
"Better get my girls anyway... just for precaution of course,"
Frohike muttered.
"Your girls? " Byers turned to see Frohike strapping on
his leather belts and checking his guns. "Oh yes. Those girls. Just watch
you don't shoot yourself." He smiled. "By the way, do they have names
yet?"
Frohike huffed at that little bit of sarcasm and went out
to meet the crowd. He did hope that his compadre Krycek was packing too.
They made a formidable team... even if the other Gunmen didn't quite understand
that yet. He patted his two girls. So what if he had named them? Big Bertha
and Fast Francine were deadly and his pals would one day be glad he was
becoming so proficient with them.
Skinner was just setting the food on the table when he sensed
the human parade coming toward them. "Fox. Alex. Come out here," he barked.
He experienced a secret thrill as the two beauties hurried to obey his
command. Alex was wearing jeans and Fox, only a towel. "Get dressed, people
from the town are coming."
"We were getting dressed," Alex grumbled as he and Fox turned
back to obey.
"I really want my own clothes," Fox pouted as he pulled
on jeans and a white sweater.
"Oh yes, the glamorous suits would really be appropriate,"
Alex smirked. He ran a gentle, conciliatory hand down Fox's arm. His eyes
asked forgiveness for his actions in the bathroom and Fox's responding
grin eased him somewhat.
"Those suits project authority. People listen to you better
when you are appropriately suited," Fox teased, so glad they weren't talking
about Murdoch or Garren anymore.
"Oh, gotcha. So I was wrong all these years. I thought it
was the actions of the man that defined him. I should have worn Armani."
Fox chuckled, "No you wore the appropriate gear for your... uh... line
of work."
Alex nodded and said nothing. Fox would never forget what
he was, especially not when he went mad like he did a few moments earlier.
Fox pulled on some thick socks and laced up a pair of borrowed
boots, grimacing at the tight fit. "I am going to go to the town today
and get some clothes," he vowed. "My own. Not borrowed from some dead
people... Jesus they are dead aren't they? And here we are just taking their
stuff as if they were of no consequence." He ran a shaking hand through
his hair and Alex sat next to him, putting a strong arm about Fox.
Alex drew Fox tight and said, "You don't even know that.
They might not have even been here when it happened. Hey, you can't help
what happened, baby, and you gotta wear clothes," Alex soothed. Personally
he could care less about the inhabitants of the cabins. He only cared
about Fox, the rest of the world could go to Hell for all he cared.
"I feel like such a... a looter!"
"Well, you aren't. But if it makes you happy we'll go to
town and get everything you want. I'll take you myself," he said softly,
kissing Fox's face. "I could use some more black anyway."
Fox grinned and turned to kiss Alex. "You are really, really
bad. Do you know that? You are bad to the bone."
"Mulder! Krycek! Get out here," Skinner barked.
Mulder jumped up with a wink directed at his still-sitting
lover. "His majesty summons us," he quipped easily, unaccountably happy
at that moment. He devoured Alex with his eyes. No matter what happened
he had Alex. And that was more than he had ever had.
Alex finished dressing and followed Fox out to face the
next adventure.
Skinner went to meet the group of people who stood gathered
waiting for him. Their looks of awe and appreciation made him uncomfortable
but he simply welcomed them as warmly as he could and then they all started
talking at once.
Alex stopped next to Fox and leaned toward him to whisper
in his ear. "I guess the big guy came through. The way they're talking
it seems like they think he's the Easter Bunny and Santa all rolled into
one big hulk."
Fox smiled, inordinately proud of Skinner. "Yeah, he sure
did." He watched as one person after another told of how the strange creatures
had not made a reappearance and that the night was one of quiet, albeit
strained peace. Skinner took all the praise and managed to refocus the
conversation to one of tasks, endless tasks that needed to be done. After
thirty minutes Mulder sensed that Alex was growing restless. Frohike was
standing to Alex's right as if he belonged there and Mulder had to smile.
The other two Gunmen were standing a distance away. The looks of appreciation
from several of the females they received seemed to confuse them.
Skinner looked over and gestured for Mulder to come to him.
Mulder moved toward Skinner with Alex shadowing him.
"Mulder, you and Alex and the Gunmen will go into the town
and help organize..."
"Sir, may I suggest something?"
Skinner turned, unused to being interrupted. His face took
on a faintly resigned look as the middle-aged woman spoke again.
"We came here to invite you to our gathering. The town is
holding a little festival tonight... to celebrate... that is if it really is
safe. We want you and your friends to attend. There will be plenty of
time to plan tomorrow." Several echoes of agreement from her fellow townspeople
greeted the woman's words.
Skinner felt a strong thread of irritation at being questioned
by this human, but he repressed this with a feeling of shame. He nodded
gallantly. "That would be very nice. We would love to come."
"I need clothes of my own," Mulder insisted and Alex chuckled.
Skinner frowned and then nodded. "Go into town. I need to
begin plans for moving south."
Mulder ignored this last bit and just grinned. "I have to
go tell Scully," he said quickly and rushed off to find his partner.
Fort
Bragg, California Dusk settled in, but bonfires lit the streets of downtown
Fort Bragg. The night came gently this evening, bringing forth no rabid
beasts or screams of terror. Groups of people formed bands and the music
mingled with the laughter and conversations of thousands of people lining
the streets. Some people were just moving stiffly, as if looking for lost
loved ones they would never find, but the general attitude was one of
joy. Strange that, it had only been one night of peace, but it was enough.
They felt as if they had come, victorious out of the dark. Maggie Scully
was talking with a group of women, sharing stories and comforting one
another. Mulder stood next to Scully away from the crowd. They were talking
amicably and Mulder was teasing Scully about something. Alex watched as
Scully tried to affect a disapproving frown only to yield laughing to
something that Mulder said as he wriggled his brows. Alex fought back
his jealousy as Mulder touched Scully, her arm, her hair, the sleeve of
her new tailored jacket. Mulder too was wearing a new suit, not Armani,
but beautiful on him all the same. Alex shook his head. Only Fox Mulder
would pick out suits after the world had gone to hell. Well, he amended,
only Mulder and Scully. They both dressed themselves as if they were on
a case, as if they would be returning to D.C. soon, to walk the halls
of the Hoover, flashing their I.D.s to gain access.
Frohike wanted to join his buds in their wining and dining,
but he stood next to Krycek and offered the man a beer. Krycek shook his
head.
"It's Sam Adams, man! How can you refuse it?" Frohike demanded.
Krycek had to smile. The man was so appalled. "Alcohol dulls
the senses. Gives a person a false sense of security. I do like Sam though,"
Alex admitted. "I just want to make sure Fox is okay," he finished, turning
his watchful eyes back on his lover. The party be damned, he wasn't going
to drop his guard and let anything happen to Fox. The rest of the people
could fend for themselves.
"Well, shit, this is a party. No one is going to barge in
here with both Skinner and Antonio here," Frohike sighed. "I'm off to
see what Langly and Byers are up to, but call me if you need backup."
Krycek chuckled as the little man strode off toward his
strange companions. He couldn't help it. He liked the little guy. He was
as innocent as a child, but spunky. He returned to watching Fox. This
town, this party was irritating. He wasn't interested in it. His natural
distrust of people coupled with his constant need to look for assassins
under the smiling face of elderly women made this an ordeal to be tolerated.
He wished Fox would just get tired of it and want to be alone. As it was
Fox was enjoying himself. He couldn't leave Fox alone so he was stuck
here. Skinner was off conferring with the remaining law enforcement officers
and the town's elected officials. He could see the big man, who unlike
Fox, was dressed in casual slacks and tight knit shirt. He did have one
fantastic body, Alex admitted once again. Every muscle was pronounced
and yet somehow sleek. There was such strength in that body. A group of
children ran past Alex, knocking into him. He gritted his teeth. He hated
kids. Little creatures that were always messing up things. How many times
had a hit gone wrong because some undisciplined child had skittered between
he and his target? Troublemakers, all of them.
Fox waved at him and he managed a gentle smile in response
to the happy wave. He reacted instantly when a hand touched his gun. He
found his hand filled with a soft shirt as he lifted the young boy in
his grip. The pest looked to be about seven years old. He glared into
the wide brown eyes and growled, "Don't ever touch that weapon again.
Do you understand?"
The little boy nodded so eagerly that he resembled a pogo
stick from the neck up. Alex set him down expecting the boy to dash off,
wailing for his mother. Instead the little boy stood his ground.
"Go on. Shoo. I am not kid-friendly," Alex growled.
"I never said your name was Kidfriendly... I don't even know
your name! Jeez! I'm Sam. And I have a secret weapon. Works better than
that old thing you got there," Sam declared.
"That's great, now shoo."
"Wanna know what it is?"
"No."
"'Cause I could tell you," Sam promised.
"No."
"It works against them wolves. I saw it in a movie."
Alex glared at the little pest. He wasn't responding well
to glares. He wondered what did work on kids. "What is it?"
The little boy held up a lock of short hair tied together
with kite string. "Wolf bangs! Werewolves hate it! Makes 'em die," Sam
proudly proclaimed.
"Wolf Bangs?" Alex echoed, his surprise evident.
Mulder came up just in time to hear this last bit. He had
seen Alex lift the little boy up and though he knew Alex would probably
not hurt the child he hastened over all the same. He tried not to laugh
at the child's prized weapon.
"Wow," he said kneeling down to see the short golden hairs.
"You got this off a wolf huh?"
Alex sighed. Fox would talk to anyone.
The boy frowned a bit and scuffed his shoe on the pavement.
"Well, no. But Trixie is a Cocker Spaniel... she is kinda stupid and mean,
but she is the closest thing to a wolf. See I cut a part of her bangs
off and now no wolf is gonna get me or my mom and dad."
Mulder touched the prized Cocker Spaniel hair and said,
"That is very smart. You should be safe here though. There is only a small
amount of road into Fort Bragg not bordered by rivers. And you know that
werewolves can't cross running water."
The boy grinned. That was good news. "Course I knew that!
What'd you think?" With that the little boy ran off to share this news
with his friends.
Alex was stunned. "What was that?" he asked.
Fox smiled. "I think your little friend was confusing wolfsbane
and wolf bangs," he chuckled. "Oh that is so rich."
"No about water... running water," Alex insisted.
Mulder shrugged. "Werewolves can't cross running water.
But, don't ask me why."
He watched the two changed humans, they smelled so good.
He wanted them. He made his way over to stand nearer. The humans all around
distracted him slightly, their blood and flesh begging to be eaten, but
it was the changed ones he wanted. They shouldn't be here with the prey.
His brown eyes flickered to the two non-humans, the ones who were so frightening.
As long as he and his pack members remained unchanged they could stay
unnoticed. They had to hunt far afield from here, far from the protection
of the big one's force. He smiled and passed a friendly word with one
of his neighbors. His bitch was helping pass out drinks to the revelers
and their eyes met for a moment in a flash of feral amber. The alpha member
of their little pack came to stand beside him, drawn as well to the two
deliciously beautiful changed ones.
"James, I take the hazel-eyed one," his leader said, desire
husking his voice.
"As you will, Marcus," James deferred. "I'll take the pretty
green-eyed one."
They moved ever closer. "We will have to be quick. Take
them somewhere away from here... they are so pretty... so sweet," Marcus gasped.
He placed a friendly hand on his hazel-eyed prey. "Hello,
beautiful," he husked out, pulling the pretty close. He was surprised
to find himself on his back on the street with furious green eyes staring
down at him. The pretty male was fast; he'd never seen a human so fast.
He came to his feet easily and opened his mouth to punish the sexy green-eyed
male who had attacked him, but he smelled something that lingered under
the sweet scent. A smell that made him tremble. He backed away, eyes wide.
That scent, that frightening, familiar and beloved scent. James too had
caught it and he had already fled.
"Forgive... forgive me. I meant no disrespect. I didn't know."
He turned and hurried away.
Alex frowned. He hadn't hurt the man.
Fox frowned as well. "How rude!" He proclaimed.
Alex looked at him. "What?"
"He apologized to you! I'm the one he groped. Why is that?"
Fox growled.
Alex stared after the retreating man, his eyes narrowed.
He ignored Mulder's grumbling and grabbed his elbow. He pulled Mulder
from the street and toward a darkened storefront. He barely heard Mulder's
complaints as he placed both of their backs to the wall, avoiding the
windows.
"Are you going to answer me, or just drag me everywhere?"
Mulder demanded.
"Something wasn't right about those men... something off. They... they
just weren't right," Alex said harshly. His gaze scanned the crowd and
found nothing overtly threatening. His eyes locked with a woman who was
handing a beer to a portly man. She was laughing and smiling but as their
eyes met, Alex tensed. She was wrong too. She was a pretty woman, almost
beautiful. She had her hair in a ponytail and she wore very little makeup.
She seemed a typical middleclass woman and yet her eyes were a killer's
eyes. They met his and he shivered. There was a possessive quality to
her stare, as if she knew him... well.
"Alex, a little paranoia goes a long way. I should know!
But you don't have to drag me around. You could say, 'Mulder, I think
we should make a mad dash toward the wall and plaster ourselves against
it.' And then I could say, 'Oh sure, Alex! Sounds like a plan. Let's makes
asses out of ourselves.' "
Alex sighed. "Fox, you never know when to shut up. You babble
and babble. I am telling you. There. Was. Something. Wrong. Now just trust
me," he hissed.
Mulder glared at him. "Trust you? Why not trust me? You
fling me here. You fling me..."
"Is there something wrong?" Antonio asked smoothly.
Mulder snapped his mouth shut. "No. Alex is spooked. And
I am going to find Scully." With one last look that promised he would
deal with Alex later, Mulder moved away.
Alex wanted to strangle him. He made to follow him but Antonio
stopped him with a small smile and a little mental nudge.
Alex found himself frozen to the spot. He was furious. He'd
kill Antonio... as soon as Antonio let him move.
Antonio smiled and watched Fox stalk off. "He really is
a beauty isn't he, caro?" He made Alex lean casually against the wall
and he mimicked the position next to him. "I love how you make him beg.
He begs so prettily doesn't he?" He smiled as Alex tensed at Antonio's
words. He ran a finger down Alex's arm, flicking the black sleeve of Alex's
tight shirt. He traced the bulging bicep beneath the end of the sleeve.
"I would take you there as well, caro. Screaming to the edge."
Antonio was going to be very surprised with his arm broken,
Alex promised himself. He looked over to where Mulder and Scully stood.
Mulder cast him an angry look. Some brilliant profiler. Antonio was still
sliding his hand up and down Alex's arm while Mulder pouted off with the
wonderful Scully.
"Oh, Alex, if you don't want to be with Skinner, you can
come south with me," Antonio crooned. "Dana would grow to desire you as
I do. Fox might even follow you... who can say?" He leaned in to smell Alex.
"You smell so nice... almost like... flowers?"
Alex's eyes widened. Fox would die! He said he wouldn't
smell like a girl. He would deal with him later.
"Why don't you speak? I will allow it."
Alex raised a brow and wondered what Antonio would do if
he suddenly screamed like the flowery maiden he smelled like. "I'd like
to tell you how much I am going to enjoy ripping your arm off, but that
might spoil the surprise."
Antonio chuckled. "You are going to learn so much in the
next few months. Maybe I'll just wait for Skinner to bring you to heel.
You'll be so much more pliable then." He stroked Alex's cheek and couldn't
resist kissing those pink lips. He plucked at one hard nipple and sighed.
"Maybe I cannot wait."
"Are you quite finished?" Mulder asked through gritted teeth.
He had stormed back as soon as he saw the ascendant pawing Alex. He gave
Alex a icy stare for allowing the kiss and the caresses. Alex stared back
at him with an unfathomable look.
Antonio grinned. "No, but..." He stopped as he saw Dana standing
beside her partner. Her brow was raised in that way of hers that broad
casted her displeasure so effectively.
"Yes, Antonio, are you quite finished?" She asked coolly.
The jealousy in her voice made Antonio shake his head. She
was going to have to understand. He was a god, he would have to have more
than one lover. "Cara, I was but talking to him."
"It looked like pawing to me," Mulder growled.
"Me too, "Dana concurred.
Antonio glared at his lover's partner. Would he never stop
getting her angry with him? "It is only pawing if the person being pawed
is... how shall I say... unavailable."
Dana looked at her lover with a questioning look. In many
ways, Antonio was like a child. It at once frustrated her and made her
feel protective of him. She knew the protective feeling was ridiculous
as he had power she couldn't quite comprehend, but she was nonetheless.
As far as him lusting for Alex and Mulder, she was unfazed. She found
the two men to be incredibly erotic... more so than ever. She even found
Byers to be appealing. Her sex drive was in high gear and that she attributed
to whatever change she and the others had gone through.
With a near clinical detachment she accepted the situation.
It wasn't that she minded the idea of Antonio wanting another man, not
really, but that he was choosing one already attached to Mulder. She was
very confident in Antonio's attachment to her. Further, she had never
felt so strongly about any other person. She loved the scoundrel. Not
enough for him to upset Mulder with impunity, but enough to forgive him
after he was dully punished, even if that punishment was a mere tongue
lashing. The phrase tongue-lashing made her flush. Antonio certainly knew
how to give those, in more intimate moments. She felt her ire melt away
as she stared into his sexy face. He really looked like one of those lush
models who wore butter-soft Italian leather coats and posed languidly
for the camera. He looked deceptively slim, but she knew how perfectly
muscled he was. She had spent hours adoring him.
Mulder saw the softening pose of his partner and he frowned.
"Just stay away from him, Tony. I mean it," Fox growled. He pulled at
Alex who was unusually rigid. He stared at Alex confused by the resistance
to move toward him.
"Tell your lover to let me go, Scully," Alex hissed, still
frozen by Antonio's mind.
Fox put himself in front of Alex, furious that the bastard
was controlling Alex as he had done to Fox the night Alex had been taken.
It was a gross violation. "Let him go right now!"
Antonio nodded, a bit regally and allowed Alex free movement.
Scully stopped Alex from leaping onto Antonio with a quick,
"No, Krycek. I'll deal with him."
Alex felt Mulder's arms about his waist, trying to hold
Alex back. "You better handle him, Scully. I don't like being pawed,"
Alex hissed.
Mulder had a hard time holding Alex still. He was still
stunned at how fast Alex had moved from behind him.
Antonio bristled at the whole exchange. He loved Dana, but
she would not handle him. That was going a bit far even for her. He gave
her a dark look and grabbed her arm. As he pulled her away from the two
stubborn toys, he promised himself that he would take his place soon.
He would leave the next morning and begin to build an empire to rival
that of what Skinner intended to construct.
Mulder turned Alex to face him. "I am constantly having
to rescue you, Alex."
Alex paused at that comment. Mulder had been serious. His
tone was somewhat overwhelmed. Alex decided to ignore those silly words
and instead he rubbed at his lips. "He said I smelled like flowers, Mulder."
Mulder had to laugh, which earned him another glare.
East
of Salt Lake City, Utah The pack members running with him now numbered fifty. They
abandoned their homes, many leaving their bitches behind if they had young
to care for. Getting closer to his mate made Garren relentless in his
pursuit. He stopped only long enough to feed, to sex, and to sleep for
short periods of time. The hunt invigorated him and he never bothered
to change to his human appearance. He could see the Sierra Nevada looming
before him. The pack began to howl around him as other pack members joined
them. The Sierra like the Rockies before them would be only a hurdle to
cross. He had not rested in four hundred miles, but oh what a reward waited
for him. Garren grinned, Skinner would have quite a surprise in store
for him. The pack cared not for ascendants or their wishes, they would
fight anything and anyone Garren chose. Skinner could not hold his mate
from him.
Suddenly he saw Alex, standing near the pretty Fox. He was
against a wall, staring right into Garren's eyes. The look on that sexy
face, so wary. Oh his little cat. He was arguing with the prince, and
Garren wondered how Alex would react if Garren indulged himself with the
tempting Fox. Could he share his mate with the lovely prince? The protective
way Alex tried to shield the little Fox from harm spoke volumes of Alex's
devotion to him. Could he truly claim Alex without taking Fox too? Garren
growled as the Fox left to be replaced by an ascendant, one who fondled
what was Garren's alone to touch. Each wolf running with him felt his
fury. He commanded all the wolves for a thousand miles to come to him.
The bitch whose eyes he used was drawn off by her mate and Garren could
see his cat no more. It didn't matter, he would be with Alex soon.
Fort
Bragg, California
The cabin was dark as he stood in the bedroom. He saw everything
perfectly, but it was his sense of smell that was holding his attention.
The smell of sex was like a drug. It made his body rigid, his cock throbbed
as he slid one, pale hand over the soft fabric of his trousers. He could
smell the two changed humans' heat and lust. He hissed his frustration.
He had lived so long without fear of reprisal. He took what he wanted
and fed where he would. Now the changed world, glorious in its darkness,
was populated with humans who had become too powerful to challenge. He
lay on the bed and took a deep breath. He could smell the differences
between the two beauties. He chose then which one to take. He would take
him far away and keep him as his slave. He smiled and wondered how the
beauty would like the dark mountains of his homeland. The journey would
be long and hard, but Mikhail would take his prize north, over ice and
snow and the cold, black waters that separated this new world from the
old. His blood, the black ancient blood that gave him strength, not the
borrowed crimson blood of humans, burned with his lust. Visions of long
limbs, spread wide, gasping, full lips open wide for his own, for his
fingers, for his cock. Tight, pink flesh, stretched over him, and blood.
Always blood. Just enough to whet his appetite. He left the scent of his
arousal on the bed. A challenge for his lethal ally. He rose gracefully,
as if his body was fluid. He found a discarded article of clothing rich
with his chosen one's scent and walked slowly into the night.
Out on the rocks surrounded by waves, the Schell landed.
It was here that he must wait. Here he could watch for the pretty prince.
It heard claws on the submerged rocks below it, and it had time to give
a keening cry before the creatures below pulled it down to devour it.
The black water bubbled with the Schell's white blood as bits of missed
flesh tumbled to the shore.
Alex was kissing Fox's throat, kissing with such passionate
intensity that Fox felt as if he were burning. He sighed as Alex's hand
caressed his eager erection. They were sitting near a band that was playing
a pretty good Dixie Jazz and the watchful Skinner constantly checked on
them with intense stares.
"I want to do you right here, baby. I want to make you come
sitting right here in the middle of this crowd," Alex whispered as his
hand clutched at Fox's throbbing cock.
The milling people could smell the two's arousal, though
they did not know that they were smelling it, they only knew the two were
amazingly attractive and sensual. It didn't seem odd for the two men to
be nuzzling one another, they were obviously sexual beings, and as such
should be indulging themselves in such a way.
"Would you let me? Would you let me do that, Fox? Just take
out your cock and play with you?" Alex's voice was a moist invitation,
shaky in his desire.
Fox shook his head, "No, not... oh, not here, Alex," he hissed.
He belied his refusal by spreading his legs further, allowing Alex's hand
free access to his cock and balls.
Alex dipped his tongue into Fox's mouth and licked the parted
lips. "I'd keep you from screaming, baby. I'd take your screams into me,"
Alex whispered, capturing Fox's lips in a demonstration of just how he
would take Fox's screams. The kiss was intense and consuming, and Alex
unzipped Fox's trousers intending to slip inside and stroke his hot, hard
flesh.
"I'd just as soon not expose him for the pleasure of everyone
watching, Alex," Skinner said quietly, his voice husky with his own passion.
He drew Fox up abruptly and devoured the well-kissed mouth in his own
possessive kiss. He took the round buttocks in a fierce grip and tugged
Mulder closer to him.
Alex stood and clenched his fists. He watched as Skinner
feasted on Mulder, as he pulled and pried on the full cheeks. He began
to make small pacing movements as he was torn between the desire to rip
the bastard off his lover, his property and the desire to join in. He
felt like a caged animal, wanting to do something, anything. Fox made
a sound that was somewhere between protest and passion, and Alex placed
a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, to remind him of his presence.
Skinner pulled back and grinned at Fox's dazed face. "I
could devour you whole, Fox, you make me crazy." He turned a look on Alex.
His assassin was about to revolt, he could see it in the flash of jade,
in the tense, muscled body. "Oh yes, and you, Alex. I could devour you
too," he promised and was rewarded by a rare flush on Alex's face.
Fox suddenly pressed himself wantonly against him. Both
Skinner and Alex were stunned as Fox cupped and kneaded Skinner's considerable
bulge. Fox kissed and nibbled on Skinner's throat, rubbing his body up
against Skinner's like some stray and eager alleycat.
"Mulder!" Alex growled.
Skinner chuckled. "So you don't want me to devour Alex,
I take it? That is what this is about isn't it?"
Fox tensed and affected an innocent expression. "No, no
that isn't it. Don't you want to take me somewhere... alone?"
"Mulder!" Alex growled in ever-increasing fury. What was
Fox doing?
"I will take you both very soon. And though I appreciate
your... uh... attentions, I do not like you trying to manipulate me. And look,
Alex is upset," Walter growled.
Fox looked guiltily at Alex, trying to ignore the heated
glare.
Alex was frankly, furious and amazed.
"Tell Alex you're sorry, Fox. Then kiss me and apologize
to me for being a bad little Fox," Walter commanded, his tone husky with
desire and the heady power of controlling such a beauty. He stroked Fox's
plump mouth and bent to accept the forthcoming kiss.
Fox pulled back and shook his head.
"Don't test me, Fox, this isn't D.C. I am no longer your
A.D."
"Tell me something I don't know," Fox bit out. "My A.D.
would never have kept another person as a sex slave!"
Skinner looked down, "But he would have wanted to, Fox.
Do you realize how long I have wanted you?"
Fox turned into Alex's embrace and hid his face in Alex's
warm throat. "I'm sorry, Alex. I just didn't want to share you."
Alex stared into Walter's brown eyes and wasn't really surprised
to see regret there. "It's okay, baby, I know the feeling. But we made
a deal." Skinner nodded in approval as Alex soothed Fox. "Take Fox
back to the cabin. I will come right after I say goodnight. And, Alex?"
Alex looked up from Fox's head. "Yes?"
"Tonight I will play no games. You are both mine and it
is past time you both knew it. I will have no more little scenes by Fox.
See to it that I don't have to punish him."
Alex gasped and Fox tensed in anger. "You will not punish
him, Skinner. If you so much as lift one finger to him in anger, I will
kill you," Alex hissed.
Skinner smiled. "I would never hurt him, Alex, but I would
make him watch me take you all night long. That would be sweet torment
for you wouldn't it, Fox? I would so much rather a night of mutual passion,
but don't test me. You won't win."
Fox turned to face him. "I would do all that you asked and
more, if you could just leave Alex..."
"Enough! Alex, take him back to the cabin. Now!"
Alex bristled. "How? My magic carpet is being cleaned at
the moment, if you must know."
Skinner grinned and pointed to an old, blue Jeep. "Take
that," Skinner sighed. These two were more work than all his plans to
rebuild this community and beyond. But for all that they were his most
precious project. He could see the glimmer of a future, a happy future
with the two, but it would be a rough road to get to that point. A rough
and erotic road, he mused with a grin. His cock throbbed when Mulder gave
him a pouting glare. It was more for Skinner's insistence on taking Alex
then anything else. He chuckled openly as Alex led the still-bristling
agent away.
He had to smile when he saw Byers dancing a slow dance with
a pretty woman. The two were whispering and laughing together while Frohike
and Langly regaled a gathering of townspeople with the tale of their escape
from Washington D.C. and their facing down the forces of evil, the architect
of the changing, Murdoch and his dark creatures beneath the city. He closed
his eyes and located Antonio. When he was satisfied that Antonio was still
in the town, completely involved in making Dana happy, he turned to wrap
up his dealings with the town leaders. After another long half-hour of
discussions he kissed the mayor on the cheek, and she bade him goodnight.
He spent another several minutes assuring himself that the Gunmen and
Mrs. Scully were fine, and after they all assured him they would be staying
in the town that night, Skinner left. The people around him were amazed
to see the big man just disappear.
"He does that," Byers assured his companion as she held
tight to his slim frame. He blushed in pleasure as she kissed his neck.
"You're so brave," she breathed.
"Yes, well... I suppose," he stammered.
She kissed him full on the lips, loving the way he tasted.
Frohike grinned and turned to look around for a likely companion.
After he had discovered how to be a tough hombre, the honeys just seemed
to be anxious to bed him. He snapped his finger and pointed at a blushing,
excited woman. She looked like a school teacher, but he suspected she
was very hot indeed. He'd give her a crack at the Fro-man. She came to
his side with an eager smile. Life could definitely be good even in these
dark times.
Langly looked confused at the attention he was receiving.
He just wanted to get back in his trailer and hide, but a college-aged
jock brushed up against him and he felt an illicit tingling in his body.
The young athlete grinned at him over his muscled shoulder and Langly
found himself trotting after him with eager anticipation. This was really,
really strange. He had always had a jock fantasy, usually there was
a pretty cheerleader involved as well, but what the hell? He could stand
to be the star in this young man's night.
Frohike shook his head, Langly had gone down the male path
too. Oh well, sex was just too good to miss, even more so now than ever.
Personally he had never been hornier, and that was saying something indeed.
McClellan
Air Force Base The ship landed on the abandoned air field of McClellan
Air Force Base. The eerie green lights illuminated the darkness and the
humans nearby fled in fear. The awful pink light that had exploded around
them not so many nights ago had left a path of death and destruction,
bringing with it creatures out of the darkest nightmares. And this greenish
light could not be good news. The dead things lurched toward the light.
Maybe there was some easy, slow food there. They were shot in the head
and destroyed immediately by the soldiers guarding the two men who walked
from the ship to the large, dark building. Moments later lights filled
the entire base. A high-pitched hum, too high for human ears, caused nearby
pack members to howl in pain and rage. Most just fled the noise, but some
changed to human form to protect their ears and still the sound irritated
them. The bright lights attracted other beasts but the dozens of trained
killers took out each threat with practiced ease as the two men inside
the old Command headquarters poured themselves a glass of cognac and settled
in for the night.
Outside the leather beat of wings overhead alerted one young
soldier and he looked up to see a young man falling from the sky. The
young soldier's blue eyes widened as the undeniably appealing man held
out a hand.
"Blood," it sighed and visions of incredible sex filled
the soldiers muscled body. His cock hardened and throbbed in his fatigues.
He lowered his gun, watching those red lips curve in an enticing smile.
He wanted those lips on him... sucking...
The sound of an automatic rifle near him ripped him from
his daze as the beautiful creature's face dissolved into pulp. Long fangs
appeared in the ruined face as the young creature fell backwards writhing
and screaming.
"What's wrong with you, Adams?"
The soldier turned to see his sergeant who had fired into
the face of the sexy thing. He shook his head in confusion and then leveled
his own gun and proceeded to pump the writhing body with bullets. It died
screaming, but the long hooked fangs still gleamed white in the pulped
face. He knew what it was, but even then he wished for a moment that he
had been allowed to experience the joy it had promised. His cock still
throbbed in response.
Cabins "Come lay down, Alex, I said I was sorry. Why can't you
accept it?" Fox lay back on the bed. He had discarded his shoes, tie and
jacket. "Please come here?"
Alex ran a hand through his hair and gave in. He lay next
to Fox and rested on one elbow to look down at his irritating lover. He
stroked Fox's lips with his thumb and sighed. "I'm not angry, baby. Well,
just a little I guess. You might have been a little less... eager to discourage
Skinner from wanting a threesome."
Fox pouted, his lips ripe and ready. "I know, but I just
wanted..."
"To throw yourself at him. I know, I saw," Alex growled
and kissed Fox. "We made a deal. Either we stay or we go. If we stay... we
stay... if we go then we go now."
"So you don't mind having sex with him?" Fox questioned.
"I mind you having sex with him, but I'd rather him then
some other unknown. At least we are together. Why? Do you mind having
sex with him? Because if you do, then we can just leave right now."
"I mind you having sex with him. I... I don't mind... I mean that
is that I will admit to having some desire for him... some affection. Nothing
like how I feel for you, but still, I trust him," Fox sighed.
"With Scully's life?" Alex teased.
"No. With your life," Fox said softly, a wealth of emotion
in his low voice. "And I think that may well be the most important thing
I can trust someone with."
Alex shivered. The emotions he felt, the love he felt for
Fox was overwhelming. And the responsibility of caring for someone this
much made him shake. He could normally take care of himself, but now he
had Fox to care for. No matter how clever Fox was, he was still too trusting
to survive in this new and strange world. Shit, Alex even feared for himself
in this crazy world. He became, in that moment, utterly resolved to agree
to Skinner's terms and to convince Fox to do so as well. Skinner was the
best choice.
Alex kissed Fox gently. "You are better than me, I don't
really trust anyone with your life. But if I had to I suppose I would
trust Skinner not to hurt you."
"You can trust the Gunmen and Scully too," Fox assured.
"Oh yes. How could I forget that motley crew?" Alex teased.
"Scully isn't motley... and the Gunmen... well they may have their
own styles but motley they ain't!" Fox drawled lazily as Alex stroked
his ribs through Fox's dress shirt.
"Oh, I'm sorry, didn't mean to talk about your crew like
that," Alex breathed as he bent to kiss a nipple through fabric. He caught
the sensitive flesh in his teeth and tugged on it. He smiled to himself
as Fox spread his legs. With Fox if you found an erogenous zone it was
like a magic button, his legs would just automatically part. He really
was a sweet little slut. He bit the nipple a little harder and Fox's hips
moved restlessly.
"Well, just don't... call them... call them... Alex," Fox sighed.
Alex chuckled and moved on to the other nipple, "I won't
call them Alex. I promise."
Fox smiled, "Smart Ass!"
Skinner was suddenly in the room. There was no sound, no
bright light, he was just there.
Alex sensed his presence and Fox whose eyes were closed
seemed to sense him too, but he just licked his lips.
For his part Skinner was ready to assert his domination
of the two. While he understood their passion for one another, they were,
in the end, his. "Alex, come here," he said quietly.
Fox's eyes popped open and a disapproving frown curved his
lips as Alex got of the bed.
Alex approached Skinner slowly and he could hear Mulder
sitting up in the bed. Skinner stroked Alex's face and smiled gently,
his eyes filled with desire.
"On your knees," he growled.
Alex's only reaction to that was a slight flaring of his
nostrils before he slid to his knees, his face level with Skinner's bulging
crotch.
"Kiss me," Skinner said, lightly stroking Alex's head.
Fox frowned at the words. He didn't protest, but bit his
lip as Alex leaned forward and kissed the fabric over Skinner's hard cock.
His eyes met Skinner's and he felt rather than heard Skinner's command
to come to him. He walked to the two men and stared at the sight of Alex's
pink lips kissing the cloth-encased penis.
"Take off your clothes, Fox."
He blinked a few times before complying. Skinner's eyes
were glowing red and Fox found himself shivering with desire. He wanted
to please Skinner, though he couldn't say why. He knew Skinner wasn't
influencing him. There was something here, something he never had known,
a total lack of control. Not that he couldn't leave if he wished, but
that in staying he gave up his choices. He gave up resistance, but also
he gave up responsibility. If it weren't for his love of Alex, his desire
to keep Alex for himself, he would be quite happy. With sudden clarity
he realized that Skinner knew it, that Alex knew it as well.
Skinner watched as Fox struggled with himself. He wanted
the security of this arrangement, but he wanted it on many levels, the
most important residing in his life-long search for love and security.
"Take my cock out, Fox, and give it to Alex's mouth... feed
it to him, baby," Walter said huskily.
He knew that Fox would have to get over his possessiveness
of Alex soon, or he would be miserable in this relationship. Surprisingly,
Alex was less resistant to the whole thing. It was probably that Alex
had seen so much, experienced so much in his young life. This was just
another trial, maybe even a release. There was desire in the way those
pretty lips caressed him. Skinner prayed that he would not take pleasure
from either man if they were truly unwilling. He prayed that he hadn't
changed that much, that he would take them even if their bodies weren't
eager. He knew that part of their eagerness was their new nature. So sexual.
So sweet.
Fox was unzipping Skinner's trousers, and both he and Alex
were unconsciously rapt with interest as the large cock peeped out from
behind white, cotton boxers. When the huge organ was fully revealed both
men sighed their appreciation. Skinner smiled down at them. Fox had kneeled
beside his lover and both were staring entranced at the big cock. Alex
still clothed, and Fox deliciously nude.
"Kiss it, both of you."
Alex kissed the tip, his lips moving aside to allow Mulder
to join in on the caress. Fox's tongue flicked out and swabbed up the
moisture there and Alex's tongue slid into Fox's mouth to share that pearl
of moisture. Fox sucked in Alex's tongue before turning his attention
back to the cock above him. While he tasted the head, Alex worked down
the length of the shaft. Both men were lost in the sensuality of the moment,
sharing Skinner's body as if it were some rare treat.
"Look at me," Skinner managed. Both sets of lovely eyes
looked up as if startled. He smiled, they really were so sexual. They
had been so lost in the moment he imagined his words startled them. However,
he wanted them to know who they were servicing. Fox slid the tip of Skinner's
cock in and out of mouth and Alex worked down to his balls. They stared
up at him as they worked; their eyes were glazed with passion.
"Undress me, Fox. Alex, take off your clothes."
Both men reluctantly left the sweet work and Fox slowly
undressed Skinner, revealing the gloriously muscled frame. "You're so
big," he whispered as he bent to kiss a nipple.
Skinner hissed in appreciation and watched as Alex stripped.
What a contrast between his two lovers. Where Alex's body was muscled
and defined in every inch, Fox was lithe and his muscles long and toned.
So perfect and beautiful both of them. Fox's athletic body and Alex's
dangerous body. Skinner smiled. Before his changing, Alex could probably
have killed him, Marine training or no. The man was dangerous, it made
the seduction that much sweeter. Sweet meat. All his. Oh what he could
do to these two. What fantasies he could play out. Every position, every
possible perversion. He could lick honey from Alex's body, fuck Mulder's
fantastic mouth, hard, while watching Alex pound into that tight sheath.
He struggled with his nature and settled for bringing the two to the bed
where he intended on exhausting them.
The strange scent on the bedclothes distracted him. His
eyes became glowing rubies and Fox backed into Alex nervously. Alex slid
protective arms around Fox, as Skinner seemed to lose his mind. The bed
was lifted and tossed toward the wall with a great heave and the window
shattered out with such force the glass was thrown forty feet. Skinner
began to pace and Alex drew Fox back away from him.
"What is it, Walter?" Fox asked carefully, letting Alex
move him away.
Skinner turned to stare at his humans, his eyes like targeting
beams. He shook his head, letting the rage flow out of him. Some creature,
some ancient creature, strong enough to defy him had been here. Here where
his humans slept. It was outrageous and he wanted to go out and hunt it,
to kill it. It wanted what was his. Would take what was his if it had
the chance.
"Something was here, something that challenges me," he said
quietly. He looked at the ruined window and was thankful there was no
glass inside to cut his human's feet. He righted the bed and instructed
Fox to fetch some clean linens. When the bed was re-made he sat on it,
smiling now at his sweet ones. "Come to me."
He lay with his legs spread wide as the two sucked and licked
at his cock. Two heads bobbing in his lap, two hard cocks rubbing on his
legs, two tight asses waiting to be filled. The pleasure was overwhelming
as he held those heads tight by their hair and moved the pretty mouths
to his own tune. He didn't bother with words, just moved Fox to sit over
his face, Fox staring into Alex's eyes as Skinner moved Alex over his
cock. He closed his eyes and tasted Fox as Alex's ass clutched tight on
his throbbing, wet cock. Alex and Fox were kissing and stroking one another's
organs, panting with need and lust.
He took them many ways that night, but in the end they cuddled
up together, Fox moving in his sleep to sprawl over Alex's resting body.
Alex's eyes met Skinner's as Skinner kissed Fox's back.
"I have to admit, that I enjoyed that," Alex sighed.
Skinner chuckled. "I aim to please, assassin," he purred.
Alex shifted Fox's head onto his shoulder as he smiled lazily.
His green eyes slid closed as sleep overcame him.
Skinner watched the two sleep as the first fingers of dawn
began to stretch out in the sky. He rested for a few hours, not needing
much sleep. The sound of the water crashing relentlessly ashore lulled
him and he let himself drift.
Foothills
of The Sierra Nevada The pack had moved into California early in the morning
and Garren stopped to rest. He slept deeply, undisturbed by dreams or
fears of failure. When he woke the hundreds of wolves with him roused
themselves and followed him as he continued the hunt. They were of one
mind, to reclaim their master's mate. When they descended from the Sierra
and raced into the foothills they became agitated. Wolves began to change
to human and back again as the unmistakable force of the ascendant made
himself known. They howled and whimpered with the desire to change to
human form and stay that way, but their Garren was implacable. He stayed
changed and they could not keep up with him as humans.
Garren seethed. This human ascendant was powerful. They
were hundreds of miles from their goal and still his pack reacted. They
would follow him but every mile closer to the ascendant they were more
and more anxious. Garren too felt a small discomfort, but the human thief
was not strong enough to control him. Younger pack members fell behind,
but they would keep coming. Their fear was not strong enough to make them
stop. He commanded the bitch who had been near his mate the previous night
to go to him so he could once again see those beautiful eyes. She roused
herself from her slumber three hundred miles away and though she trembled
and whined in fear, she obeyed him.
He had underestimated this ascendant, but he was nothing
if not clever. His cat would be longing for him, even if he didn't know
it. He could make the cat come to him.
Cabins Alex sighed in his sleep. The dream came. He was running
and the wolves were chasing him, when he was brought down he saw his mate's
gem-like eyes. Blue Topaz on fire. That is what they looked like. He stretched
beneath the huge body and opened his mouth for a kiss. His legs spread
and rubbed the muscled hips. He wanted Garren to take him. His body burned,
his cock throbbed.
"I'm coming for you, pretty cat," Garren growled in his
ear.
"Oh yes, oh yes, please... Garren!"
Alex woke with a start, his cock a throbbing reminder of
his shameful lust. Fox stirred on top of him.
"W-what? Hmm, Alex?" Fox yawned sleepily.
Alex flushed with shame and held tight to Fox. "Nothing,
baby. Go back to sleep," he whispered soothingly. Skinner was no longer
in the room, and for that Alex was grateful. Fox cuddled even more closely
to Alex and fell back into sleep. Alex shut his eyes and tried to forget
how beautiful those blue eyes gleamed. He hated Garren. Why then did he
burn for him? Why did he ache for him?
"Don't take me from Fox," he pleaded quietly. "I couldn't
bear it." He felt the burn of tears in his eyes. He couldn't lose Fox,
not when Fox was the only thing he had worth living for. He kissed Fox's
shoulder and shuddered. "Please don't take me from him."
Skinner sensed Alex's turmoil and rushed back from the beach
with a concerned frown. He entered the bedroom quietly, leaning over the
bed to soothe the man. "What is it, Alex?"
Alex looked up into the concerned face and whispered," Garren... he's
coming for me, isn't he?"
Skinner cocked his head and after a moment, he nodded. "I
think he is. Don't worry, assassin, I won't let him take you. He's not
strong enough."
Alex looked doubtful. "He is stronger than you know."
"Yes, very strong. But then, so am I. Rest now. Fox would
be upset if you were worried. And we can't upset him, now can we?"
The gentle tone soothed Alex and he shook his head, "No,
no we can't. Skinner?"
Skinner stroked Alex's brow, much like a father trying to
get a child to sleep. "Yes, Alex?"
"If it comes down to it, protect Fox. Please. Please don't
let your possession of me come before your love of Fox... don't endanger
him. If you can't protect us both, protect Fox."
Skinner smiled. "But don't you see, Alex? I love you too.
I don't know why or when, but I love you too. Now sleep. Garren and his
pack will not succeed. I promise."
Alex felt a warmth encase his heart at Skinner's words.
The truth of them made him feel warm. He smiled and closed his eyes, holding
on to Fox with sleepy strength.
Skinner's face lost all tenderness, as he looked inward
to see the threat to his family.
Foothills
of The Sierra Nevada Garren was momentarily startled when four pack members burst
into flame around him. Encased in terrifying fire they still ran at his
side before falling dead in their tracks. So. The gauntlet was thrown.
The Ascendant would fight. So be it. He could not burn them all, and he
could not burn Garren. Though compared to the original human populations
the pack was sparse. But they numbered in the millions and if it came
to war, then the bitches would breed. Not in the human way of one or two,
but in the wolf way, in litters.
Cabins Skinner sat beside his two lovelies and smiled. Garren would
keep coming, but the closer he came the more of his pack would burn. His
mind turned back to the strange carcass he had found on the beach this
morning. It had only small bits of flesh clinging to its skeleton, but
its face was something from a horror book. It looked like the gargoyles
from one of Mulder's cases. Something had devoured it and he resolved
to keep his family from swimming until he could identify the culprit.
It was something he missed. He had to know what he was fighting to keep
them away. So far he had just been able to repel the things that had already
attacked his people. He wondered what other surprises this world would
bring.
Murdoch Family Estate Murdoch was nearly set. His forces had aligned nicely, there
was that war in Europe still, but he would not waste anymore time on that.
He was impatient to reclaim his prince. Even his Fox-alikes and his changed
beauties, as appealing as they were, were not enough for him. He wanted
Foxling. It was unseemly that he go chasing after his errant prince so
he waited for the schells to do their work. However, Skinner was powerful.
It might take Murdoch himself to go fetch his prince. Skinner would be
drained no doubt when Garren made his move. Ah Garren. The uncomfortable
feeling he had that Garren might turn to Skinner and form an alliance
made him shiver. Garren would have no need to from an alliance if Murdoch
had Fox. Garren would want to please his mate, as was the way of the pack.
If Alex wanted something, Garren would want to give it to him. And what
would the little cat want, if not Fox? If Murdoch had Fox, Garren would
bring Alex to him.
The women came in. There were four, always four in a coven.
They moved like smoke, their bodies almost too pleasing. He smiled, knowing
their true appearance.
"You bade us come to you, master?" The witches chorused,
their voices inseparable in their uniformity.
"Yes."
"What do you wish of us, master?" They asked, heads bowed.
"I wish for my prince to love me. Can you make him love
me?"
The witches were silent and he frowned. "Well?"
"We know nothing of love."
"I don't want you to love me, only my prince, hags!" Murdoch
spat out.
"We can make him lust, or hate or fear, master. We can make
him covet and crave, but love we cannot know," they said.
Murdoch sighed. Love was what he wanted. Lust he could created
himself. "Covet and crave?" He mused. "Yes, make him crave me... bring him
to his knees with lust for me," he smiled. "He will come willing to my
leash then."
"As you wish, master," the witches said before leaving his
presence.
Cabins The woman stepped off her bike and smiled sweetly at Skinner
as he watched Fox and Alex look through the helicopter, chatting comfortably
with one another.
"I thought you three would like some fresh muffins," she
said, untying a basket from the rack on the bike. "They're still warm,"
she promised.
Skinner studied her carefully. There was something not right
about her. Her eyes kept flickering toward his family and he stepped between
them and her.
"Thank you, and you are?"
"I am called Sera. I live in Fort Bragg with my husband,
James. We are both so grateful to you for ridding us of all those terrible
creatures. This is the least I could do," she said in a shy voice.
Skinner took the muffins, his eyes locking with her gentle
brown eyes. They were almond shaped and beautiful, but he was wary for
some reason.
Fox, ever a sucker for food he didn't have to cook came
trotting over, leaving Alex to search the helicopter for whatever they
were looking for.
"Hi, are these for us?" he asked, smiling at the tall woman.
"Of course. For you all," she murmured.
Alex let out a shout of success. "I found it, Fox! It was
under the seat." He waved the small package at Fox who was too busy looking
in the basket. He jogged over to his lover and waved the package under
his nose, and then he recognized the woman. He frowned and pulled Fox
away from her with careful movements.
"I am so pleased to meet you," she said looking straight
into his eyes. Her eyes changed slightly, amber glowing beneath long lashes.
"Are you well?" She asked.
He looked to Skinner and cleared his throat, not knowing
why the woman disturbed him.
Mulder pulled out of Alex's grip and went back to rooting
through the basket. "Oh, banana! You are so wonderful!" He exclaimed and
reached out to touch her arm. He was surprised when Alex grabbed his hand
and pulled it back.
"We have to go back to the cabin now, but it was nice to
meet you. C'mon, baby." Alex said quickly.
"Alex! Why are you... ?"
"Go on, Fox," Skinner commanded.
Fox set his mouth in a determined way. "I am sorry that
they are being so rude. My name is Mulder. Nice to... hey!"
Alex pulled Fox away and toward the cabin. Fox really had
no instincts at all!
"Krycek, I swear if you don't stop pulling me around, I'm
going to hit you!" Fox swore angrily.
Alex looked over his shoulder at the woman. He pulled Fox
closer to him and left her to Skinner.
The woman made a small whining sound and Skinner stared
hard at her. "You had better go now," he warned.
She looked at him for a moment and then back to his family.
Her eyes were a bright amber now and there was no fear in them, only a
strange contempt and Skinner felt his instincts explode. He let her feel
his impatience and she whimpered, clearly wanting to leave, but unable
to do so until the door to the cabin closed behind Alex and Fox. She turned
a quick look on Skinner and her eyes lost their contempt to be replaced
by fear. She ran, abandoning her bike. He watched as she disappeared,
amazed at her speed.
Inside the cabin Fox was berating Alex, while Alex tried
to soothe his ruffled feathers.
"Don't even talk to me, Krycek," Fox declared as Skinner
entered. Fox plopped on the couch and stared at his muffin.
"Alex was only trying to protect you, Fox, you shouldn't
upset him with your tantrums," Skinner scolded as he patted Alex soothingly.
Fox glared, pouted, and ignored them both.
"Baby, she was..."
"A nice lady who baked us muffins," Fox finished angrily.
"Don't talk to me."
Skinner had to grin. Fox could shake up Alex like nothing
else he would bet. Just Fox being angry with him agitated the assassin.
"She wasn't a nice lady, Fox. I don't know what she was,
but Alex was right to be wary. I am surprised that you, a trained agent
couldn't feel that," Skinner said gruffly.
Fox rolled his eyes. "And they call me paranoid?"
Alex slumped in a chair across from his lover. "She looked
at me like she knew me."
"Yeah? Well, she probably saw you last night," Fox snapped.
"No! Like she knew me. Well," Alex insisted.
"She probably regrets it," Fox spat. At Alex's hurt look
he immediately felt contrite. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that at all, Alex.
You just make me so mad. I am not a child. I don't like being treated
as one."
"What did you find in the helicopter," Walter asked, changing
the subject.
Alex tossed the package to Skinner. "Someone gave this to
me to give to Fox. He said something about giving it to his friend... that
nothing would ruin their chances more than... uh... me being hurt. And the thing... uh
helping me said I was the 'mate' or something like this. And I suppose
it meant me as it was to give the package to Fox."
Skinner frowned. "What thing are you talking about?"
"Something came in me... anyway there is the package," Alex
said abruptly. He really didn't want to talk about any of it.
Skinner nodded and opened the small parcel. He raised a
brow as two medallions on short strips of black leather were revealed.
Both medallions were of sterling silver inlaid with neilo. The black color
of the neilo alloy filled in the intricate design.
"It looks like a depiction of some sort of deity. Here,
Fox, take a look," Skinner offered.
Mulder took the medallions and studied them. He shook his
head. "I don't know. It looks Eastern, but I can't be certain. If I had
access to a database or books... Isn't there a library in the town?"
Skinner nodded.
"It probably doesn't have what I need, but I'll give it
a go." Despite his casual tone, Mulder was thrilled to be on a case again.
Alex sighed heavily. "Oh joy, the library!"
Skinner grinned. "You aren't going to the library, Alex.
You are going to help me organize..."
"I am going to stay with Fox. This is your deal. Incase
you haven't noticed, it's not exactly a safe world, Skinner," Alex said
darkly.
Skinner raised a brow.
"Alex, I will be fine. I'll be in a library. These people
need to get all the dead buried and all the cars off the roads, and... all
sorts of things. You go help Walter," Mulder insisted.
"No way. I'm staying with you and that is my final word
on it," Alex bit out.
Public
Library Hours later Mulder worked alone in the library. Alex was
off doing some work with Skinner. He smiled, remembering that argument.
Skinner had won in the end, of course.
He had found some literature on ancient deities, but nothing
that matched the medallions. He was so intent on his study that he didn't
notice the three men who entered the reference room in which he worked.
He chewed on the end of his pencil as he flipped through the glossy pages
of a book on Mythology.
"I bet you are wishing that pencil was something else, pretty
boy, " a rough voice purred behind him.
Mulder jerked in surprise and then slowly took the pencil
out of his mouth and took off the glasses he had liberated from the pharmacy.
He stared at the three men. All of them were dressed in jeans and T-shirts.
One had a San Jose Sharks baseball cap. Mulder thought it interesting
that all of them seemed to be so completely agitated.
"Can I help you?" he asked in a faintly amused tone.
"Oh, I think you can." The Shark fan grinned. "You see,
we noticed you last night."
"Yeah, you and your pretty friend were getting pretty hot
and heavy there. I think that makes you a homosexual," another of the
bright trio purred.
"Is that right? So?" Mulder was more than a little irritated.
After all he had experienced, homophobes was the last thing he needed.
"So we figured all you girly boys want all the dick you
can get, and we thought we'd give a real memorable time," the third and
biggest growled out.
In truth all three men were confused and not a little angry
at their attraction to the pretty man. They were true blue heterosexuals,
to the last. But, this man was something different. He smelled good, he
looked good, he was supposed to be fucked. He was supposed to open his
mouth and suck any dick that pointed at him. Why they thought that way
had been something of conversation among them and several of their friends.
After a night of jerking off to the vision of violating this man, they
had decided to take advantage of him being here all alone. And looking
so pretty too.
Fox stood, his icy stare fixed on the three men. "You figured
wrong." He picked up one thick book, slid the medallions into his suit
pocket and made to move past them. When he was grabbed by two of the men,
he swung the book and knocked one off immediately. He fought off the next
only to have the third grab him from behind. When his crotch was grabbed
and squeezed he cried out in pain but kicked the man in front of him and
slammed his head back into the man's face, breaking his hold. He lunged
away and put the table between he and his unlikely attackers.
"You just stop fighting, boy. You are going to be spread
out and fucked and there is nothing you can do about it," the Shark fan
hissed, rubbing at his bleeding nose. One of his friends was just now
getting off the floor, holding his crotch where Fox's kick had connected
painfully.
"I think I am doing quite well, thank you," Fox said in
a sarcastic tone that infuriated the men.
He wasn't supposed to be a fighter. He was a girly boy.
Girly boys weren't fighters! It was all wrong. He should be begging for
them to gentle, to not hurt him!
"Oh, boy you are going to get it but good!"
"Okay, you three just m-move away... back I mean. Move back!"
All four combatants turned to see Byers standing, holding
a small black box, which he pointed at the three men. "Okay, now you three
back off, or I'll use this on you," he threatened in a shaky voice.
"What in the hell?"
"I wouldn't make him nervous... that thing is dangerous," Mulder
panted.
The three looked dubious.
"That's right. I got it from Skinner himself... for protection.
Now get out!" Byers managed to squeak.
The mention of Skinner made the men pause. One man pointed
a finger in Fox's direction. "You're gonna regret this, boy. We would
have been gentle. Next time we won't be so nice." The men sidled past
Byers carefully as he kept the box trained on them.
When they had gone, Byers rushed over to Mulder. "Mulder,
are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
Mulder smiled. "Oh yeah I'm fine. But what is that?"
Byers shrugged. "A remote control. I got it out in the audio-visual
room. I didn't have any other weapon so I figured... bluff you know?"
Mulder slapped Byers on the shoulder. "Great job, Byers.
I wasn't looking forward to a long drawn out brawl."
Byers nodded and sat in a chair. "What in the hell is going
on anyway?"
Mulder frowned. "I don't know. C'mon let's get back to the
cabins, it's getting late." He helped Byers to his feet and picked up
his discarded books. "Better take that super-spasmic laser job... just in
case we run into trouble of course."
Byers grinned weakly. "Yeah, well you softened them up for
me. You had them pretty good huh?"
Mulder shrugged, "I can tell you that three against one
is never my favorite type of fight."
"But you had them all bloodied up. Your suit is just messed
up. Not a scratch on you," Byers insisted.
"Great. Do you think you can tell that to Alex?"
Byers paled. "Me? Talk to Alex? Uh, well... why?"
"Never mind, Byers. C'mon."
They walked out of the library and Fox sighed as he saw
Alex walking toward him. When Alex saw the state of Mulder's attire his
face filled with rage. Byers slid behind Mulder with a soft cry of trepidation.
Alex grabbed Mulder by the arms and stared hard at him, looking him over
with burning eyes.
"What happened?"
"Oh, would you believe that Byers and I got bored in the
library and decided to wrestle?" Fox tried hopefully.
"Is that right?" Alex ground out.
"Yes, library work can really be dull," Fox quipped.
"Uh huh." Alex turned his green eyes on Byers. "Is that
what happened, Byers? Did you do this?"
Byers gasped. "No! I mean, yes. I mean... Mulder!"
"Leave him alone, Alex, I'm hungry and tired. You don't
have to know everything," Fox sighed. "Everything is fine. Byers and I
handled it. All by ourselves."
"Yes, that's right we did. And really he was great. I mean
all three of them, and he was fighting them off like a real pro," Byers
enthused.
"Byers!" Mulder growled.
"Three homophobes is all," Fox shrugged.
"Oh no, I think they wanted you, you know sexually," Byers
corrected.
"Byers!" Mulder hissed.
"What?" Byers asked utterly confused.
"Oh look! There's Skinner," Fox said quickly and dashed
toward the big man.
Cabins Skinner had tried to convince Alex to calm down, had reminded
him that Mulder was a trained agent who could handle most situations,
but Alex was implacable. He had pronounced that he was going to stay with
Fox every minute of every day and nothing Skinner said would change his
mind. That Mulder wasn't hurt was just luck according to Alex. This last
infuriated Fox and Skinner had left the two to their argument. He took
a walk on the beach. It was time to move on. Instead of going to every
small town first, he would go straight to San Francisco. There he would
stay. His fighting companions would have to work out their own differences.
Aside from controlling them there was nothing he could do to get Alex
to give Mulder any credit at all. He sighed. Those two were so passionate
in their argument that he had developed a headache. The sun was sliding
into the sea and his gaze locked on a huge rock formation that rose out
of the surf.
Mulder was tired of arguing. Alex was unreasonable. He just
kept staring at Mulder and saying, "Forget it, Fox." It was irritating.
Mulder changed into a pair of jeans and thin, blue sweater. Alex was distracted
by the way the sweater formed to Fox's body. The way the thin fabric displayed
the small points of Fox's nipples. However, when he would have made a
move to show his appreciation, Fox growled at him and said he was going
out to find Skinner.
"If that is okay with you, of course," Mulder growled.
Alex nodded curtly and watched as Fox stormed out. He didn't
care. Three men had tried to rape Mulder today. So what if he was a trained
agent. Alex didn't even want anyone to get close enough to try. Skinner
wouldn't let him go hunting the bastards either. He would though. He was
well aware of how the people of this town reacted to he, Scully and the
Gunmen. Several times during the day all of them had been hit on, but
most people stayed away from Alex after he broke three fingers on a hand
that had grabbed at his ass. Whatever had happened had changed them all.
If some retired marine could be compelled to touch Langly's hair and liken
it to spun gold then Mulder wasn't safe walking around unprotected.
Mulder didn't bother to go look for Skinner. He walked into
the shadowed forest. It wasn't that he didn't understand Alex's protectiveness,
that wasn't what angered him, it was his lack of faith in Mulder's ability
to take care of himself. How long had he been an agent? He'd been in horrible
situations and come out relatively fine. After walking for ten minutes
he picked up a pinecone and threw it toward a strange, gray rock. He stopped
in surprise when the gray rock moved. He backpedaled with his eyes wide
as the thing stood. It was not a large creature but it had huge wings
and carnivorous teeth. Before he could turn to run it launched itself
at him. He dodged behind a tree to escape its charge. He saw it fly past
and saw its spindly legs and powerful, taloned arms. Suddenly the sky
was filled with gray creatures swooping down from the treetops. As he
watched several of the beasts began to fight in mid-air. Large wings flapped
around him and he screamed.
Skinner walked back into the cabin to see Alex alone. "Where
is he?" he asked quietly.
Alex's eyes widened and then narrowed. "Dammit! He was supposed
to be with you. Damn him. He just won't listen," Alex said angrily as
he jumped up. He expected Skinner to try and defend Fox, but instead Skinner
stiffened. Alex watched as Skinner paled and drew back as his soft, brown
eyes flared red. His heart dropped as Skinner turned and raced out of
the cabin. Alex followed him, his heart beating wildly.
Mulder fought off the creatures as best as he could but
he felt his feet being lifted off the soft forest floor. The creatures
were attacking each other and pulling at him painfully, as they fought
over him. He hooked his foot on an exposed root and screamed as the creatures
tried to shake him loose. Suddenly a terrible growling cut through the
high-pitched shrieking of the gargoyle-like creatures. Fox fell to the
earth as white blood covered him. He saw hair and teeth and massive, clawed
hands. A wolf was attacking the creatures, ripping them apart with incredible
ferocity and strength. Another gray creature grabbed at him as six slain
winged creatures fell to the earth in bloodied lumps. It was lifting him,
jabbering madly, but the wolf tore it off him and tore it in half with
one bite. Mulder's eyes met the wolf's; they were a Siberian blue.
"Run, Prince," it commanded.
Mulder was so stunned that a wolf would talk that he froze
as three of the flying creatures attacked the wolf.
"Run!" It shouted again, tearing off the little creatures
and tearing them apart. "Run to, Skinner."
Mulder didn't need to be told three times and he scrambled
to his feet and ran.
Alex and Skinner heard the horrible sounds, the high-pitched
shrieks and then Mulder's scream. They ran wildly, leaping over rocks,
downed trees and deep holes. When a fierce growling joined in the melee
they ran faster.
Part IV: Secrets of Desire
Outstanding Skinner AU
The Alliance
by Czara (Nicole)
Out of the Dark
"Come to me, cover me, hold me
together we'll break these chains of love
don't give up, don't give up
together with me and my baby
break the chains of love"
"Chains of Love," Erasure
Day Three
Hour 0630
Day Three
Hour 1930
Day Three
Hour 1930
Cabins
Day Three
Hour 2000
Sacramento,
California
Day Three
Hour 2000
Fort Bragg, California
Day Three
Hour 2030
Folsom, California
Day Four
Hour 0530
Fort Bragg, California
Day Four
Hour 0530
Auburn, California
Day Four
Hour 0545
Fort Bragg, California
Day Four
Hour 0600
Sirius
Annapolis, Maryland
Day Four
Hour 1000
Fort Bragg, California
Day Four
0830
Fort Bragg, California
Day Four
1700
Fort Bragg, California
Day Four
2030
uvalley@msn.com
Honorable mention
