FROZEN IN TIME - Round 2, Part 4

Still feeling flushed from the sight of Fox Mulder's bare flesh, Wade du Prés swallowed hard as Mulder bent down to pick up his discarded shirt. Mulder scooped it up and looked directly into Wade's eyes. Was it his imagination or had they flashed? Wade hugged the medical chart he carried close to his body. The cold metal of the clipboard seemed to reawaken his senses. It took an almost monumental effort, but he finally caught his breath.

"Are you okay?" Mulder asked.

"W-what?" stammered Wade. He shied away from the penetrating stare of Fox Mulder's beautiful face. 'Remember why you're here,' Wade told himself.

Despite the situation, Mulder gave the young man a crooked grin. "I asked if you were okay," he repeated. Wade reminded him of James, his flatmate from university. He had that same innocent longing Mulder remembered so vividly. Thinking exactly how long ago that was suddenly made Mulder's heart sink.

"Yes, of course," Wade answered. Seeing Mulder's face fall, he immediately recognized the haunted sadness. "What about you?" he asked.

"Do you mean medically or philosophically?" Mulder looked over his shoulder to stare across at Alex, who was hurriedly dressing under the watchful eyes of Dr. Gethin. Mulder could still feel Alex's warm body next to his own. His entire being ached to make love to him again. Touching his lips absently, Mulder couldn't shake the electric tingle he'd felt when their mouths had met for the first time. Watching Alex slip a shirt over his muscular torso, Mulder sensed the glowing fire rising within.

As if dowsed by icy water, he remembered the situation they were in. Mulder wanted more than anything to get his lover and himself out of this hell hole.

Wade smiled a little. "Um... philosophically?"

"I'm fine," Mulder replied to Wade, a little gruffly. As he buttoned up his shirt, he immediately felt guilty for snapping at him. Wade sighed a little sadly and stared down at the chart. He seemed genuinely concerned for his welfare. Mulder could have kicked himself. He seemed genuinely concerned for is welfare. There was the possibility that Wade might be the key to helping them find out...

"Look, I'm sorry about that," Mulder quickly apologized.

"C'mon, let's get this over with," Alex called.

Mulder turned to find him fully dressed, sitting on the edge of the bed. Alex looked absolutely... 'Now let me find the right word' ...delicious. Mulder wanted to return so badly to his arms. So badly in fact that he thought his bones might crack. Sitting next to him, he took care not to let his leg touch Alex's in case it caused a spontaneous erection. Wade sat down the medical chart and checked Mulder's pulse, then breathing pattern. "Your heart is a little fast," Wade noted.

"That's to be expected," Gethin chimed in. Alex cocked his head at Mulder, who noticed the mischievious twinkle in his eye. A small fire crackled warmly within the confines of Mulder's slacks. He understood all too well why Alex was so anxious for them to be alone again.

As Wade approached Alex, he gave the boy a whispered growl. Rather surprisingly, du Prés didn't flinch. Instead, he carefully checked over Alex's vitals. The Russian gave him a look of new-found respect.

"Do we pass?" Alex asked.

"You pass," Wade said, removing the stethoscope from around his neck and writing down the results on their charts. "You're both in excellent health."

Dr. Gethin moved up behind them. "Should they... ah... try to take it easy?"

Alex gave Mulder a hungry look. There's no way on earth, past or future, he could hold back now that he finally had Fox. "A little exhirtion is just what they need," Wade observed.

"Oh I'm sure they'll have plenty of exercise," said Gethin. His comment elicited surprised looks from Wade and Mulder, and a snicker from Alex. The doctor quickly corrected his meaning. "One of the empty rooms is being prepared for physical fitness." He finished before he could say more. 'If only they knew what kind of exercise Kamarov has in mind,' he thought darkly.

"Now gentlemen," Gethin cleared his throat, "the other reason for our visit."

"Just a moment," Mulder cut in. "I'd like an answer to a few questions first."

"Go ahead."

He licked his lips, then took a breath. "Well for starters, when are we going to be released?"

Gethin adopted a friendly smile. "That's entirely up to the general. At the moment your health is our primary and scientific concern. Not one living soul has ever survived cryogenic suspension as long as you both have."

Mulder nodded skeptically. "There's still the question of why we haven't been sent to a proper hospital?"

"Because of the danger that awaits both of you beyond this bunker," Gethin said.

"I can assure you that I can take care of myself," Alex replied.

Sighing heavily, Gethin adopted a pose he reserved primarily for lectures. Gripping the lapels of his coat, he stood before them. "Sir, I have no doubt of your abilities but you both are the only survivors from before the Dark Time. Your bodies are in a state of perfection that many in the outside world would kill to get their hands on."

Alex gave the doctor a curious stare; noting the feverish tone in his voice. Beside him, this grim news did nothing to deter Mulder. "Just exactly what is outside?"

"Most of us live and work within the City, which used to be what I believe you knew as New England," Gethin replied.

"And the Wasteland," Wade whispered. He blushed, suddenly aware that all eyes were upon him.

"A wasteland?" Mulder pressed.

"Yes, now if the questions are over," Gethin quickly changed the subject. He presented both patients with a plastic notebook.

"What's this?" Alex asked, eyeing it suspiciously.

"A copy of the journal found along with your stasis chambers," Gethin told him.

Mulder stared down at the blue plastic. His hands shook with anger as he realized that he was holding the journal of Spender.

Dr. Gethin moved toward the doors, gesturing for Wade to follow. "We'll leave you two to revisit your past. If you need anything or have an emergency," he pointed toward an intercom set into the wall, "just call."

Walking toward the door, he swipped the card key all of the personnel wore around their necks into a reader. The double doors hummed open to reveal a heavy-set guard waiting outside. Showing his authorization, Gethin turned back to the patients. "If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask."

Mulder raised an eyebrow to Alex, who seemed about ready to tackle the guard and make a run for it. However, he knew it was best to learn all he could about the outside world and about this place before taking any action. Alex read the expression on his face and nodded. Mulder looked back up and saw Wade lingering in the doorway.

"Is he always so forthcoming with information?" Mulder asked with a hint of sarcasm. The man had neatly avoided going into any detail whatsoever.

Wade shook his head and laughed, "I'm afraid so." He'd become quite familiar with Gethin's evasive manner since arriving at the bunker.

"It's very annoying," Alex said, throwing his copy of the journal onto the rumpled bed.

"Take care," Wade smiled, closing the doors behind him.

As soon as they were alone, Alex slid up beside Mulder and nudge his chin against his neck. "Should I be jealous?"

"What?" An incredulous look spread across Mulder's face.

Alex leaned forward and nibbled on his ear. "You're so cute when you act naive. Come on," he whispered huskily, "let's hit the shower."

Mulder turned his head toward Alex's and found his waiting lips. Mulder's own opened a fraction allowing his lover's long tongue to find its way inside. Feeling it twist along, exploring the hot moistess of his mouth then lovingly wrap around his own tongue sent Mulder's senses exploding.

Alex's breathing increased rapidly, his fingers moving up and through Mulder's silky hair. After a few moments, Mulder broke the embrace and stared into his pleading eyes. "I'll be there in a minute," he promised.

Staring down at the notebook clutched in his hand, Alex clicked his tongue. "Your constant thirst for knowledge?"

"And you," Mulder added.

Alex stood up and began to undress once more. Mulder simply could not tear his eyes away. "Don't forget what curiosity did to the cat," Alex told him.

"And don't forget about finding a way out of here," Mulder reminded him. He waved the journal in front of him. "There could be something very important in here."

"I can't imagine what that sick bastard was writing," Alex confessed as he stripped out of his underwear. "Don't be long," he said, heading for the bathroom.

Mulder watched the fluid movements of his body. "Don't worry," he called. Breathing out and trying to control the aching need of his body, Mulder settled back and began reading the first page of the journal.

~oo0oo~

Going over his notes one last time, Wade replaced the chart outside the room and made to move after Dr. Gethin. A large, gloved hand closed around his arm. The guard's strong grip pulled him in close. Wade's heart quickened with fear.

"Sweet thang," the guard leered. Wade fell back from the man's rancid breath. "Why don't you come back here and see me when you're finished?"

"I-I have a lot of work to do," Wade replied, trying to ease his arm away. 'Goddess, hadn't they ever heard of a cold shower?' He despised being anywhere near the military. What he wanted to do was yell 'I don't think so!' but thought better of it. He'd heard enough horror stories at school to know it was not wise to defy a member of the elite. Instead Wade concentrated his gaze on the guard's name patch: Jenkins.

Jenkins breathed in closer. "Now, you're not afraid of little old me are you?"

"N-n-no," he stammered back.

"du Prés?" A voice called.

Wade sighed with relief as Gethin appeared 'round the corner. Jenkins released his hold and Wade stumbled away toward the doctor. "What's wrong?" Gethin asked, concerned.

"Nothing," he lied. Wade made a mental note to make sure his quarters were securely locked tonight.

~oo0oo~

By the time Gethin returned to the general's office, he was somewhat surprised to find him entranced by an image on the monitors. What could distact Andrei so? Surely he would be preparing for their meeting with Dr. Ignu? "General?" Gethin questioned as he approached him.

Kamarov smiled up at him as Gethin took in the wondrous sight of Alex Krycek bathing beneath steamy water. "Beautiful, is he not?"

"Very," Gethin agreed. "How did you?"

"Luckily they haven't discovered the hidden camera above the shower head," Kamarov chuckled.

~oo0oo~

Rubbing his bleary eyes, Wade sat back at the little desk in the room assigned to him by the military. His notes on both Fox Mulder and Alex Krycek laid out before him. Both men were progressing well and he hoped that they wouldn't be kept in this dreary hole in the ground much longer.

He stared down at the digital photograph of Fox Mulder beside his medical profile. In the short time Wade had known him, this man had managed to stir feelings within him that he'd never known before. What had Nicola called it? Love at first sight? He wasn't sure.

The thought of his beloved sister sent a wave of sadness and hope through him. Reaching into his shirt, Wade brought out a small, silver locket. It was the only thing he had left that belonged to his late mother. Opening it, he looked at the worn picture of two young kids. He'd memorized every detail of his sister's lovely face and her long, dark hair. Closing the locket, his tired eyes returned to the captured image of Mulder.

~oo0oo~

Mulder's fingers caressed the warm flesh of his thigh, slowly working its way up. The world melted away being held in his arms. The smell of Mulder's skin was intoxicating.

As his sinfully full lips moved in closer, an insistent pounding invaded Wade's senses. Shocked awake, Wade lifted his tired head from the desk and quickly became aware that the pounding was not from his head but from the door. Standing, he took several deep breaths. The dream had been so real and the residual feelings were overwhelming. After a few moments, and another round of knocks, he moved toward the door.

"Who is it?" he asked, trying to hold onto the dream as it slipped away.

An irritated voice called from the other side of the door, "Troy McKenzie."

Wade sighed in exasperation. What on earth could the general's aide want at this hour? Hurriedly opening the door, he found himself face to face with a red-headed man just a little older than him. "How can I help you?" Wade asked, uncertainly.

Troy gave First Class du Prés a disapproving look at the wrinkled state of his clothes. "We're not sure. Patient X-1," he began.

"Fox Mulder," Wade corrected the young aide, then bit his lip.

"...has requested to see you," Troy finished.

A look of alarm flowed across Wade's face. "Is he all right?"

"He won't say," the aide admitted. "He specifically asked to see you."

Hurrying over to the desk, Wade slipped into his lab coat and grabbed a stethoscope. "I'm on my way," he said.

Troy stopped him out in the corridor. "Just a minute. General Kamarov wants a full report after your examination. No delays."

Wade simply nodded, not wanting to waste any more time. Breaking into a jog, he made his way down to the restricted area. 'What could have gone wrong?' he wondered. He was now a certified expert in the cryogenic field, and a number of terrifying thoughts raced through his mind. He'd shrugged the increased heart rate of both men off as a result of their sexual activity; but what if it had been a warning sign?

Rounding a corner, Fox William Mulder's room came into view. Ignoring the lascivious glare from Jenkins, Wade slipped his security card into the reader and palmed a metal panel. Infuriatingly the doors seemed to take longer than usual to open. Wade pushed his way inside and exhaled in relief at the sight of Mulder sitting up in bed pouring over the journal.

"I came as soon as I heard," Wade explained, moving toward the bed.

Mulder looked up at him as he carefully moved the stethoscope along his chest. He caught Wade's look and gave him a half-smile. "Your heart rate is perfectly normal," Wade breathed.

"As normal as I can be," Mulder replied.

"You mean there's no emergency?" asked Wade, who received a guilty look. "Fox Mulder, you scared me half to death!"

"Wade, it was important that I see you alone," Mulder explained.

He shook his head. "Alone? I don't understand."

Mulder waved the journal before him. "I think that you can tell me so much more than these can."

"Why didn't you just say so?"

"Why is the military keeping us here?"

"Dr. Gethin explained," he began.

Mulder swiftly cut in. "No, I want to know why the military is here." He knew all too well about corrupt governments not to recognize a conspiracy.

"Because the military controls everything," Wade said sadly. "They have an interest invested in this project."

"Yes," Mulder nodded. "But exactly what is their interest? Now you don't really believe that it's for our well-being do you?"

Wade shrugged a little, not knowing what to say. He had a bad feeling, like an itch at the base of his spine.

"You yourself have pronounced that Alex and I are in perfect health. Why wouldn't the military let us leave?"

Wade honestly couldn't answer. "I believe the general is taking precautions in case anything goes wrong with your revivial," he tried to explain.

"Precautions?" Mulder questioned. "Like surveillance cameras and a squad of goons guarding the doors?"

"You have to understand it's dangerous out there," Wade said. "The guards have strict orders to protect you, and the cameras are for your security."

Mulder laughed at the word 'security.' "Something more is going on here and I think you know that."

"I'm sure that you'll be released soon," Wade replied half-heartedly.

"And go where? Everything I knew is gone."

"Surely they'll send you to the City," Wade suggested.

Mulder decided to try a new approach. "What if Alex and I don't want to go to your City? What if we'd rather find our own lives in the Wasteland?"

"But it's forbidden!" Wade protested, then lowered his voice. "No-one has ever returned from the Wasteland."

Now he was getting somewhere. "Why? What's so terrible about it?"

"If you set one foot into the forbidden zone, you would die from radiation poisoning."

"You mean that many areas of Earth are still contaminated from the war?" Mulder was silent for a while. This news was something he didn't want to hear.

"Listen, everything's going to be fine," Wade tried to cheer him up. "I won't let anything happen to you or Mr. Krycek."

Mulder couldn't help but smile at his youthful enthusiasm. "You're going to protect us?"

Shying away a little, Wade gave him an embarrassed grin. "Yes, I guess that was a bit silly." How could anyone be this handsome?

"Tell me how did you ever get involved in all of this?" Mulder wondered.

He shrugged. "I was drafted into the project. Fortunately the fee paid by the military will help..."

Mulder's expression immediately changed. "Money? Is that why you're here?"

Sensing the change in attitude, Wade flustered, "Please let me explain."

"And I thought you were a bit better than the others."

"I need the money to find my sister!" Wade blurted. Holding back tears he turned and made to leave the room. Two strong hands gently grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back.

"I'm sorry," Mulder apologized. "What happened to your sister?"

"She was taken away years ago to a Consortium Breeding Camp," he said, unable to resist the wall of emotion. "I was hoping that this project would pay well enough for me to track her down." Mulder couldn't believe what he was hearing. They had more in common than he ever realized. "What's her name?"

"Nicola."

"I lost a sister, too."

Wade sniffled and wiped his eyes. "I've got to go now. General Kamarov wants a report on your medical status."

Mulder stopped him once more. "Wade, you're the only friend we have here. I don't want to put you in any danger, but I have to ask... Can you help us?"

"I'll try."

"Try to find out all you can about why the military are keeping us here, please?" He squeezed the boy's shoulder as he nodded uncertainly.

~oo0oo~

Reaching Kamarov's makeshift office, Wade found himself ushered inside by two burly guards. General Kamarov, Dr. Gethin and Dr. Ignu looked up from the monitor screens. Kamarov switched them off with a flick of his wrist. "du Prés!" the general bellowed. "How is our patient?"

"Mr. Mulder is going to be fine," Wade explained. "His heart rate has returned to normal."

"What was wrong with him?" Gethin pressed.

He hesitated for a second. That bad feeling was getting stronger. "Just a... little scare. That's all."

"Good." Kamarov seemed pleased. He turned back to the doctors. "Now the project can proceed."

Wade's ears pricked up at the word 'project.' Ignu watched his student's reaction and glanced at Kamarov in alarm. "du Prés, you're dismissed!" the general called.

Nodding at Dr. Ignu, Wade slipped quietly out of the room. As the guards closed the door behind him, it bumped into his back sending his notes scattering across the floor. The two guards snickered while Wade knelt to retrieve them.

"You shouldn't have mentioned 'The Project' in front of du Prés." He heard Dr. Ignu's voice say.

"The boy is of no consequence," General Kamarov shot back. "Security cannot be breached here. Now that our two..." he hissed the next word "...specimens have been granted a clean bill of health, plans can..."

The last of the sentence was drowned out as one of the guards behind Wade chuckled. "Just take your time with those papers."

"Yeah, that's a great view you're giving us," the other taunted.

Nervously pulling his hair behind his ears, Wade collected the remaining notes and hurried away from the office. Halting in the corridor, he leaned against the cool wall and breathed heavily. 'Mulder had been right,' he thought. 'What plans do the military have for them?' A sense of dread fluttered in his stomach. This was soon replaced with a new determination.

~oo0oo~

Dr. Ignu, returning from another meeting with General Kamarov and Dr. Gethin, wearily opened the door of his quarters. He was surprised to find someone waiting for him. "Wade," he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Wringing his hands, Wade moved toward him. "Dr. Ignu, I need to ask you something. It's very important."

"Of course," he said. "Come and sit down." He gently lead the clearly distraught Wade to a chair.

"Why haven't Fox Mulder and Alex Krycek been released?"

Ignu was taken aback by the bluntness of his student's question. He hesitated. "You know that we must keep an eye on them."

"But they're both perfectly fine!" he hissed.

"That's the point," Ignu mouthed, half to himself.

"What?" Wade questioned. Ignu saw the anger burning in those electric green eyes. "You know what's going on here, but you're not telling me. About General Kamarov's project."

"You shouldn't have heard that," Ignu said, warningly.

"Why not? I want to know."

"Wade please, you wouldn't understand," the older man said, placing a protective hand on his arm.

"I'm not a little boy any more. Do you still think I'm so naive?" Wade's anger flared.

"No, that's not it." Ignu turned away from him. "Please stop asking me these questions."

Wade grabbed him by the shoulders. "Tell me!" he cried.

In that instant, Ignu realized that his star pupil maybe grown up but he still needed protecting. "All you need to know is that the military have it's own plans for those two men!"

Wade held onto him. "You must tell me what's going to happen." Ignu's silence spoke volumes as the pieces clicked into place. His arms fell limp. "It's just wrong," Wade whispered.

"Listen, you have to forget about this," Ignu told him urgently. "It's for your own good. Those men will be well taken care of."

'I'll bet,' Wade thought mutinously. Ignu moved forward and grasped Wade's arms. "Trust me," he said.

Trust? Hearing that word sickened Wade. How could the man he respected so be a part of General Kamarov's plans? Breaking away from him, Wade moved toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Ignu asked. As Wade turned back to him the emotions radiating from his eyes were like a cold, hard slap.

"To my room," he answered, closing the door firmly behind him.

~oo0oo~

Mulder looked up when the bathroom door slid open to reveal Alex, dripping wet and towelling off. "Where were you?" his lover asked. "I stayed in there until I started to prune."

Mulder sighed at the missed opportunity. "Let's just say I blew our chances with Wade."

Before Alex could reply, the doors burst open and the person in question stood breathlessly before them. "Come on, I've got to get you out of here," he announced.

"Wait a minute," Mulder began but Wade soon caught his breath. "Get dressed as quickly as you can," he told Alex.

Mulder rushed over to the clearly upset boy. "What's happened?"

Wade stared up at him. "I've already told the guard that I'm escorting you both to the gymnasium. Now hurry!"

The chance to escape was all too much for Alex. He dressed hurriedly and joined them beside the door. Mulder took Wade by the shoulders. "What about finding your sister?" he asked.

Wade swallowed. "If Nicola were here, she'd want me to help you." And with that, he keyed open the door. As soon as the trio passed by him, Jenkins grabbed his walkie-talkie.

~oo0oo~

Forced to hide in the dark passages every so often, Wade lead Mulder and Krycek carefully through the bunker. Luckily at this time of night most of the personnel would be in their quarters. The flickering lights cast eerie shadows over the stone walls. At one point, Mulder pulled Wade into hiding as he sensed footsteps approaching. After the fifth time of ducking out of sight from a squad of guards, Alex hissed, "Where exactly are we going?"

"There's a service tunnel just ahead with a map of the complex," Wade explained. "There should be a path indicating a way out."

Peering cautiously around the corner, Wade found that the danger had passed. He silently indicated for the pair to follow. Just as he had stated, the tunnel featured an ancient map of the bunker. Time had eroded the wall mounted paper to the point that it had almost crumbled away. Alex studied it for a while.

"Look, there's air ducts three junctions down that lead straight to the surface," he said, pointing out the right way.

Mulder shook his head. "Count on you to find your way into the tightest places." Alex smiled back at him.

"Good luck," Wade whispered.

"Whoa! You're coming with us," Mulder told him. "There's no telling what will happen if they find out you helped us." Wade was about to protest, but Mulder silenced him. "No arguments."

They moved forward into the darkness, Alex taking the lead. Further along, the passage seemed to get darker. Mulder silently wished he had a flashlight. He imagined the perverse pleasure CSM would get out of seeing him trapped like a rat in a maze. He kept his eyes fixed on Alex's back, all the while keeping reassuringly close to Wade.

His thoughts were broken as Alex disappeared into the gloom. "This is it," Alex whispered.

Mulder felt a distinct blast of cool, fresh air from up ahead. He and Wade found Alex kneeling beside a large metal grille. "A ventilation shaft? Oh marvellous. I'm a cliché," Mulder grinned, remembering a line from an old TV series.

Alex grabbed him by the arm. "Just get in there and let's get the hell out of here!"

"Did you hear something?" Wade whispered nervously.

Alex sighed. "It's your imagination, kid."

All three men froze at the sound of a voice ahead. "Well, well, well what have we here?" General Kamarov appeared, flanked by four armed guards. "It seems like you boys will be gaining first hand knowledge of my project after all." Mulder gripped Wade's shoulder protectively and Alex prepared himself for a fight while Kamarov's mocking laughter echoed along the walls.

===========

"Then woe to the House of Priam! Woe to the Trojans! And woe to the world, as we've known it!"

"Well, at any rate. I'm glad you're too late to say "Whoa" to the horse! I've given orders to have it brought into the city!"

~ Cassandra and Paris from "The Myth Makers" by Donald Cotton.