Beloved-r8-Eli_Anne-p3

***

Cape Fear
Sheriff's Office
Sunday, August 22
1:30 PM

Dmitry Kriuchek watched as Mulder argued on the phone with his partner. He had barely found him in time; Agent Mulder had been skulking around the Spender plantation with Alex Krycek, doing God knows what. They had tried to act nonchalant about what they were doing, but the sheriff wasn't fooled. There was big trouble brewing for the ceremony which was only days away. He'd have to go talk to the elders.

"Scully, listen to me. There's nothing to worry about. I don't think the information you're looking at is correct. I've been doing a lot of digging while you've been gone and I think I was mistaken in some of my first impressions. Don't get me wrong – there's big brewings here – but I'm not part of it, so don't worry."

"Mulder, you can't be serious. In this court document the defendant clearly stated that a descendent of the Spender family would be targeted for a ritualistic murder. With all that's happened over the past couple of weeks, whether you like it or not the town has decided you're it!"

"Scully, that trial was in 1952 – how could he know what would happen almost 40 years in the future?"

"Mulder, you can't fool me. I know that you believe in this stuff. I'm coming back tonight – and if I can't convince you that your life is in danger, I'm calling Skinner and demand that you be taken off this case immediately."

"You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I? I'm not going to sit back and watch my partner get himself killed!"

"Scully, I know you care, and I appreciate it. But believe me, I am personally not in any danger."

"Mulder, I'm coming down there right now. I'll be there in a few hours. You better be in your hotel room waiting!"

"Scully, wait…Scully? Scully? Damn, she hung up!" Mulder slammed the phone back down on the receiver. He looked at the sheriff who had been watching him intently the whole time.

"What do you want?" he snapped, irritated that he couldn't lie convincingly to Scully. He had to keep her out of Cape Town or Alexander would surely kill her. He had to convince her tonight to go back to Raleigh. He'd make up some lie.

"You're boss wanted you to call him too. He sounds really pissed!"

"I'll call him later – I've got work to do," Mulder said as he headed toward the door. The sheriff quickly intercepted him.

"Call him now, from here. Unless you want him to come down here – that's what he threatened to do. He said to call him at home."

"Fine – but I want a little privacy. I'm going to use the phone in your office." Mulder slammed the door and grabbed the phone. He would have to tell more lies! He couldn't wait until after this ordeal was over – he needed some time off, away from everybody.

"Skinner," the gruff voice said.

"It's me."

Skinner sank into his sofa in relief. Even though he had spoken to Mulder yesterday, it had spooked him when Scully called worried that she couldn't get hold of Mulder. Then HE couldn't get a hold of Mulder so he had called the sheriff. Sometimes it's good to be an AD.

"Where are you?"

"I'm still at the sheriff's; I'm in his office. And yes, I called Scully."

"She's very worried about you – she thinks your life is in danger. I'm going to recall both of you – there's something really wrong. And Stark still hasn't shown up. That town doesn't seem to be healthy for anybody."

"You can't recall us! Scully is wrong – this is not targeted at me. I've been doing a lot of digging around – yes, these murders are ritualistic, and they are being perpetuated by the family, but there's nothing supernatural about them." Mulder tried to sound disappointed; he hoped it would work.

"Are you sure?" Scully replied skeptically.

Mulder started to reassure him, trying to undermine whatever Scully had told Skinner.

~~

Dmitry Kriuchek watched through the office window as Mulder spoke with his boss. He was curious to hear what Mulder was saying – the whole town knew that Mulder knew what was really going on, and yet he lied to his partner. That was obviously to keep her safe, but why wasn't he trying to leave? People were watching him constantly, so he wouldn't have succeeded, but he wasn't even making the attempt.

The sheriff decided to listen in on the phone; luckily, he was already sitting at the receptionist's desk, so it was easy to casually pick up the phone and listen in.

~~

"I still want twice daily reports," Skinner finally said, not wanting to argue with Mulder anymore. "If the least thing looks suspicious, you're out of there instantly."

"That's fine – I can do that. Scully will be here in a couple of hours, I'll tell her our agreement."

"How are you feeling today? Scully was worried you were coming down with something." Skinner softened his voice, trying to express every bit of his love for Mulder in his words.

"I think I was a little sick earlier in the week, but I'm ok now. How are you doing?" he replied quietly, smiling at Skinner's papa bear voice.

~~

Dmitry Kriuchek was startled at the change in tone of the conversation. He turned slowly to look through the window. Mulder's expression and posture had changed completely. He had tilted his head to one side and was playing with the phone cord; he had a smile on his face. Dmitry Kriuchek had never seen the agent smile like that – it was the smile of someone who loved and was loved, heart and soul. He felt a bolt of jealousy and anger course through him. When he had first seen Agent Mulder he was so attracted he could barely stop himself from throwing the agent to the ground right there in front of his partner! He had never met anybody who had looked at HIM the way Mulder was looking at the phone right now. I don't want to kill him, thought Dmitry mournfully. I want to love him, keep house with him, make love to him every night. He covered his tear-filled eyes as he listened to the rest of the conversation.

~~

"You know what I'm thinking about right now?" Mulder said playfully, purring softly into the phone.

"I can't imagine," Skinner said, closing his eyes. He was glad he still had his loose sweatpants on – his erection was huge and throbbing just listening to Mulder's voice!

"I'm thinking about how much I'd like to be there with you, kneeling on the floor, tonguing the head of your cock."

"Oh, babe, I love when you talk dirty," moaned Skinner.

"I know you do, hon. But I've got to go – I'll call you tonight!" Mulder laughed as he hung up the phone over Skinner's bellows. He loved teasing him this way. After all this was over, he would have to make it up to him for days on end.

Mulder sighed as he sobered up, thinking about everything he and Alex Krycek would have to do to finish their little project out at the plantation. If only this was already over – he was tired of Cape Town, tired of the people, tired of Alexander, tired of everything. He just wanted to get back to DC and his warm bed with Skinner.

As Mulder walked out of his office, Dmitry Kriuchek tried to stop him.

"Look, I've made the calls, you're off the hook. I'm leaving!" Mulder said, walking out of the building.

Dmitry Kriuchek watched the beautiful agent leave; what was he going to do now?

***

Cape Town
9:30 PM

"Scully, I'm not leaving!" Mulder yelled, shaking the walls of his hotel room. He and Scully had been arguing ever since dinner.

"Mulder, you didn't eat a thing tonight – you've lost a lot of weight, you're eyes are sunken – you look terrible. I'm calling Skinner right now. No more arguments!" Scully was furious. She had been gone for a week and Mulder was an absolute wreck – he obviously hadn't gotten much sleep at all, he must have lost at least 10 pounds. This town would kill him even if it weren't for the ritualistic murders!

"Don't you dare call him. I told him that you were wrong – I'm not in any danger!" Despite his anger, Mulder was deeply worried. Alexander was probably listening, and Scully was in grave danger. He had to get her out of town.

Alex Krycek watched from his room as Scully and Mulder glared at each other. He had agreed to help Mulder get Scully out of town for the rest of the week, but this was a sticky new development. If Scully got a hold of Skinner, all hell would break loose and their plan would fail. He couldn't risk Mulder's life. He hurried out of his room.

Scully was wrestling with Mulder to get her cell phone back out of his hand when Krycek walked into room. Scully had just grabbed it back when she saw him. She stared with her mouth hanging open.

"You'll catch flies like that Scully," joked Krycek as he sat in the desk chair, stretching his legs out comfortably.

"I'm going to kill you," she said quietly, pulling her gun out and walking over to him.

"Scully, don't," said Mulder quickly, running to shield Krycek.

"Mulder, get out of the way."

"No, Scully, you don't understand. He's helping me!" Mulder kept himself between Scully and Krycek as she tried to get around him.

"HELPING you! He's a wanted criminal! First Stark shows up, causing trouble, now Krycek? We're leaving right now." Scully flipped open her cell phone.

"Scully, don't call anybody. Give me that," Mulder said. Scully backed away as Mulder came toward her; she pointed her gun at him.

"Stop right there, Mulder. There is something seriously wrong here."

"Put the gun down, Scully. I'm not going to hurt you – just let me explain."

Krycek got up, and Scully pointed her gun back at him. When Mulder tried to advance, she started swinging the gun back and forth between the two of them. She didn't know what was going on, but at least she was between them and the door; she'd have to get out and regroup. If Krycek was here there was serious trouble; she would need reinforcements. She slowly backed to the door.

***

Agent Piquet raced down the motel corridor toward Mulder's room. Alexander's ghost had shown up at his house after he tucked his daughter into bed. He had been doing some paperwork when he felt a cold presence in his room.

"Andrew, I need you're help," said the ghost. Piquet was stunned –the vengeful spirit asking for help was unprecedented in the family history.

"You do?"

"Yes. You like the red-headed agent, don't you?"

Piquet blushed at the question; the week he had spent with Scully in Raleigh had been intoxicating. By Friday, he had been masturbating a couple of times a night thinking about her. He had wanted to ask her out, but he knew that any relationship would be impossible. His family was going to kill her partner!

"Yes, I do."

"You have one chance to save her life then. My Fox feels his friendship with her very deeply, and I don't want to hurt him. She's trying to get him to leave town. They are fighting now. Go get her and leave town with her. Hole up somewhere and keep her from contacting anybody until after Thursday. If you do this, then I will allow her to live. The elders will cast several spells - she'll forget her past, she will be yours, and the government won't try to find her. Deal?"

Piquet quailed inside, hearing all of this. Kidnap a federal agent, then allow the elders to do this? This wasn't the way he wanted it, but he knew he had no choice. He didn't want her if it was all spells, but he would save her life.

"I'll do it."

"Good. Be on the road by 10 pm. I'll be watching." Alexander faded away.

Piquet called his neighbor to come and watch his daughter. He would make arrangements in the morning for his mother to take care of her while he was away.

***

Agent Piquet burst into Mulder's hotel room. He startled Scully, and was able to take the gun away from her before she could react.

"Scully, come with me," Piquet said. He had come up with a reason for doing this, flimsy though it was. "Agent Mulder is in collusion with the people performing these murders. I just found out – let's get out of here."

"In collusion? Mulder? Never; he's only mistaken in some of his ideas."

"It's true, Scully," said Krycek. Alexander had spoken to him, revealing Piquet's real plan. Krycek was going to help smooth things along. "Mulder's part of this."

"What?" cried Mulder as he turned to stare at Krycek. "I'm not part of any murders. I'm here to solve them."

"Don't lie, babe. You do it so poorly," Krycek purred as he grabbed Mulder around the waist and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Before Mulder could react, Piquet managed to pull Scully out of the room. She couldn't believe her eyes!

"I have to go back!" she cried as Piquet led her to his car.

"Scully, you're partner is in deep trouble. Let's go back to my house and we can call AD Skinner."

"OK, that sounds like a good…" Scully couldn't continue because Piquet had slapped a chloroform-soaked cloth over her mouth.

"I'm so sorry, Scully, but it's for your own good," were the last words Scully heard as she faded out of consciousness.

***

"I have to go get Scully," said Mulder as he pushed Krycek away. He didn't like how much he had enjoyed the kiss.

"Don't worry. Alexander told me that he asked Piquet to take her out of town to keep her safe. For YOU, I might add."

"Really?"

"Yes, Beloved," Alexander said, looking out of the mirror. "I know how much she means to you, and she was going to take you away from here. Piquet will take good care of her."

"That's a relief."

"I'm waiting for you, Beloved. I'll see you at the plantation…" Alexander faded away.

"Don't worry, Mulder. It's only for a few more days."

"I know. I'm just exhausted," he groaned as he headed out the door.

***

Elder's Camp
Monday, August 23
3:30 PM

Dmitry Kriuchek walked away disgusted with his conversation with the elders. Everyone was concerned about Skinner's increasing insistence at recalling his agents. Luckily Agent Mulder had sidestepped the issue for now, but it was getting risky. No one knew what Mulder and Krycek were up too; some townspeople had seen other unknown goons wandering around the plantation and town. The town had to start buttoning up tight or things wouldn't work out. The sheriff had been instructed to get Mulder when he was away from Alex Krycek and bring him to the hidden caves where some of the blood ceremonies were held. He would need to be restrained there to keep him in town, to stop his mischief with Alex Krycek, and to begin the preliminary ceremonial chants. Thursday's ritual was the most powerful magic they could perform, and it required a few days of preparation of herbs, brews, chants and prayers, and other things. The elders had consulted with Alexander's spirit and he had concurred. He wouldn't be able to visit Mulder in the caves – they were too far away from his remains, but he knew his people would do their duty or they would face a wrath like they had never seen – it's fury would not abate until all of them had been ripped into pieces slowly.

The sheriff drove around the town aimlessly until he saw Mulder walking along the river alone. He pulled over and rolled down the window.

"Agent Mulder, you're boss has called me again. He wants an earlier report from you. And he's worried because he hasn't heard from Agent Scully since yesterday."

"OK," Mulder said reluctantly, getting into the car. He didn't want to do anything to raise Skinner's anger. This would finally all be over in a couple of days and they could resume their lives.

"We have a small branch office by the beach; it's closer than the main office. If you don't mind I'll take you there."

"Fine, whatever," Mulder replied as he stared out the window, not really seeing anything. The tremendous fatigue he was feeling was causing his head to bob up and down a little. He didn't notice the people hanging around the office when they arrived. As he got out of the car, he didn't react quickly enough when several of the town's men grabbed him, gagged him, and tied him up. He stopped struggling for a moment when the sheriff walked up to him.

"Mulder, I'm sorry to do this, but we have to get the ritual started. Hold him," he said as he held a drugged cloth over the agent's face. He sighed inwardly as he watched the others drag Mulder to the caves. He got back into his car and drove back to town.

***

Ritual Cave
Tuesday, August 24
3:30 Agent Mulder

Mulder's head finally cleared the fog he had been in for the past several hours. He vaguely remembered being dragged down into some dark place, stripped, tied down, and forced to drink several nasty concoctions throughout the night. He knew they had done things to him but he couldn't really remember. As he began to look around, he noticed several ancient-looking crones sitting nearby in a semi-circle, softly chanting in some weird, guttural language. A couple of old men were standing on his other side, speaking to each other in English.

"Dmitry Kriuchek has become a liability – I don't think he will be able to perform the ritual. He has developed strong feelings for this Fox. We must find someone else."

"Our ancestor's spirit agrees. Someone else must be found."

"What about the young one from across the sea? Our people feel he is capable of doing the ritual. Boris saw him butcher the other man who threatened the promised one."

"But can he be trusted? His family was thrown out of the clan years ago for disobedience."

"I know. But the ancestor believes there may be a way. If not, we'll have to choose someone else."

"Vlad, I hope you're right. If this doesn't work, we'll be here for another 150 years."

Mulder moaned a little at these words. The men turned and saw that he was awakening. Vlad poured some more of the specially prepared potion and lifted Mulder's head and made him drink it. He stood and watched as Mulder faded back into a semi-conscious state. Vlad couldn't help but admire the beautiful man's body lying nude within the ritual symbols and circles drawn in the sand of the floor. Each of the adult family members in the town had to donate blood in a special ceremony they had completed earlier at midnight. It was mixed with many different things and been blessed by the elders. At the end of the ceremony the leader of the elders, a woman whom everyone referred to simply as Oma, had painted the first symbols on Mulder's body with the blood sacrifice.

Mulder shivered a little. He remembered being surrounded by many people, and feeling the tickling feeling of someone drawing on him with a brush. He was scared, but he couldn't move, he had no control over any part of his body. Krycek and he had not counted on anything like this happening. And what would Skinner do when he didn't check in? If he came down here he would be killed. Mulder felt hopelessness invade his mind. None of the elders noticed the tears trickling down the sides of his face as he despaired of ever returning to Walter.

***

Jo's turn!