Frozen In Time 4

Gagged and sweating beneath the harsh spotlight blazing down on his naked flesh, Alex Krycek fumed. His emotions roared inside, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Although the medical miracles of this age had caused the bruises and scars he sustained during the earlier beating to disappear, he could still feel them. His entire body ached, only matched by the longing in his heart to locate and rescue his sweet Fox.

"15,000 credits!" a voice called out from the sea of expectant faces before him.

"My sir, my sir," the harker replied with mock hurt. "Certainly you can do better than that." He waltzed toward Krycek, running a hand over his firm flesh. "This is a rare treat, my friends I assure you." The harker's hand slide down to cup the hefty weight between Alex's legs.

In an instant, the hot blooded Russian flushed and pulled away. Two beefy guards immediately pushed him back into position.

"Ah-ha!" The harker spread his arms wide. "He's a feisty one, too! Surely someone among you is willing to pay a fine price? I promise you will never find another exotic beauty like this one!"

"20,000!"

"25,000!"

"100,000 credits!"

You could have heard the proverbial pin drop. All eyes turned to find the man willing to pay such an expense fee. It took the harker several moments to find his voice again.

"100,000 did you say?"

"100,500," the unseen voice upped the ante.

"Going once... going twice... sold! To the lucky gentleman in the back."

Despite himself, Alex also peered into the crowd. His eyes widened at the rather striking young man that approached the stage...

~*~*~*~*~

At that moment Jack Scully sat in a bare room, trying to remain strong even though he was scared for Beverly -- who'd already been taken away to the Consortium doctor's for a mind probe -- and lonely for Wade. He had no idea when the guards would come for him, he just knew it was taking a worryingly long time.

He ran a hand through his short hair, and steeled himself for what was to come. If he and Beverly were initiated into the Consortium military community, there was absolutely no way they could get back out. He focused on his main objective: reuniting with Commander Krycek. Jack shuddered to think what had become of him. Although his father had wanted him to follow in the family tradition of medicine, Jack had always been a soldier at heart and his duty was clear.

The electronic door opened and a small stocky man entered. He wore a plain blue smock with the Consortium emblem sewn into the left breast. After a few hushed words with the guard outside, the man closed the door with a cardkey.

He moved in close to Jack and hissed, "I'm here to help you. Which group are you with?"

This took Jack completely off guard. "I was captured by the nomads..."

The little man's voice became frantic. "You don't understand. I'm in the resistance myself. What were you supposed to do here?"

Jack felt a surge of anger and suspicion. If there were resistance members inside the City, why hadn't anyone told him? Then again, this could all be a trap to get him to confess before the probe.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jack answered carefully.

But the man simply was not listening. The door once again opened to admit a distinguished man wearing a black suit.

"Doctor Sanderson?" the new arrival called.

The doctor turned and gave the man a slight bow. "Minister Price, I did not expect you here."

"Neither did I," he replied. "I've had a rather interesting evening." His dark eyes took in the handsome figure seated in the middle of the room. "And who is this?"

"He was bought from the nomads, sir," Sanderson curtly told him. "He's being sent down to the medics in an hour."

"Good. If you're finished here, I'd like a word."

The two men exited, leaving a perplexed Jack behind.

~*~*~*~*~

Wade duPrés had awakened in a state of bliss, lying next to Jack Scully. His first night of lovemaking had been completely mind blowing, beyond anything he could ever dream. Jack, with his good looks and muscular frame, had been surprisingly gentle.

Now Wade had spent the best part of the morning wringing his hands with nervous worry. He'd fallen hard for Jack, and he felt extremely protective of both Mulder and Krycek.

Every so often, he would wander inside command HQ and ask if there had been any word. Finally, Jacqueline had bustled him out and Wade found a way to keep his hands busy in the medical wards. Checking his watch for what seemed liked the millionth time, he shivered and hugged himself. It was really getting late. Still no word from Alex, Jack or Beverly. No news is good news, right? Wade thought whoever came up with that ancient saying obviously had no idea of the concept.

After spending the evening in his sister Nicola's quarters, the long-lost siblings spent several hours tearfully catching up while Wade's rambunctious niece, Hope, kept her new uncle on his toes. Hope, named so because of Nicola's determination to never give up, was curled up in her mother's lap on the verge of sleep.

"Wade, stop worrying," Nicola whispered as she rocked back and forth.

"I just wish we'd hear something," he replied. "This waiting is worse than being with them!"

"I know. So how is it that my brother managed to become a bona fide medical officer and fall in love with three men at the same time?"

Wade had to pick his chin up off the floor. "Nicola, I'm not in love with three men!"

She gave him an I-can-read-you-like-a-book glare. "Who are you trying to fool? This is me you're talking to."

"No, it's not like that all."

"Fess up."

"Ok, I'll admit it. I fell for Fox Mulder the moment I laid eyes on him."

"What about the legendary Commander Krycek everyone keeps talking about?"

"Well, he's very attractive..."

"Ah-ha."

"Nec, honestly, my feelings have changed. Mulder and Krycek were meant to be together. It's that simple. And I want them both to be happy, especially after everything they've been through."

"And I want you to be happy! Stuck in that suffocating university all those years."

"Well, I think I have a chance with Jack. Oh, gosh! He's amazing... So handsome and strong." Wade jumped to his feet. "I can't stand this! I've got to find out what's going on."

~*~*~*~*~

After a brief conversation with Minister Price, Doctor Sanderson secreted himself inside an empty room. He'd waited a good while to make sure the corridor were empty. Locking the door, he took a small communications device from his pocket.

"Code: Krycek, do you accept?" he spoke softly.

Commander Samuel Jefferson's voice crackled back. "Accepted. What is your message.

Sanderson said, "Time is short. Your descriptions were correct. They are inside the City. Adams has been taken to the medics. I'm using every stall tactic for Scully."

"What about Commander Krycek?"

"I don't know. He was taken away soon after arrival at population control..." Sanderson broke off as the door burst open. Two guards stood in the doorway behind him. There was no time to conceal the communicator. Deliberately, Sanderson smashed it to the floor. A hail of fire streaked into his body...

~*~*~*~*~

Jacqueline looked up as the door opened, and the familiar blonde figure of Wade duPrés entered.

"Wade, there's still no word," she told him, gently.

Commander Jefferson turned to face those assembled. "Our informant inside the Domes reports that Commander Krycek, Scully and Adams have all been captured."

"What?!" Wade cried in disbelief.

"Scully and Adams have been transferred to the military dome."

"And Alex?"

"Commander Krycek... I fear the worst."

"Commander, we must do something!" Jacqueline exclaimed.

He harrumphed. "I agree. But what?"

"We need someone with a working knowledge of the Domes," Jacqueline suggested, tapping a finger on her chin.

Wade brightened. "Me, I can do it!"

"You?" Jefferson shot him an incredulous look. "You're just a kid!"

"A kid who's lived in the City all my life. I know my way around like the back of my hand."

Jacqueline stepped forward. "He may be right."

"Are you seriously entertaining this notion?" the commander asked.

With pleading eyes, Wade said, "Please, Commander. I'm a first class medic. They would accept me. I could free Jack."

Jefferson considered. It was true, they needed someone with knowledge of the City. "It's risky... you'll need to be completely briefed and given mental implants."

"Implants, training, whatever," Wade agreed.

Jacqueline took him aside. "Are you sure about this? Why are you risking your life?"

"Because I love Jack, and Mulder and Krycek are my responsibility. I have to try."

"Alright, son," the commander called. "It's up to you."

~*~*~*~*~

Clearing his throat with a light cough, Mulder fingered his very tight collar. The dinner suit was exactly his size, and it fit like a glove, but the restraining collar around his neck -- with the addition of a formal tie -- made breathing a chore.

With Lieutenant Commander Morrison by his side, they entered a surprisingly splendid ballroom. Everything in this future had been grey, bleak shadows. Seeing an enormous room decked out in extravagant golden tapestries, huge sparkling chandeliers, and tables lined with mana from heaven, was quite a shock to Mulder's system.

Members of the elite Military Consortium filled every corner. Mulder immediately noted that there was not one single, solitary female in the place. As far as the eye could see, it was well dressed men -- most of them older -- with younger, equally finely dressed men on their arms. All eyes were upon him. He caught whispered conversations filled with sexual innuendo.

He felt his stomach flip as he passed by a set of large tinted windows. The view was quite simply breathtaking; an exquisite garden with shimmering fountains. It was obviously another enclosed part of the City, but for one brief moment, Mulder actually thought he was viewing an outside unblemished by the war.

Morrison drew his attention away from the window to nod toward a rather stout man impatiently waiting on the other side of the room.

"There's General Alderton," he whispered. "I've got to go now."

Mulder thought quickly. He had to get this man on his side.

"Can we talk later?" he asked, fluttering his long eyelashes for good measure.

For a moment, Charles Morrison was speechless. He could understand all too well why this man was such a valued prize.

"Please?" Mulder added, not wanting his advantage to slip. If Morrison detested his treatment half as much as Mulder did, he would have a powerful ally indeed.

Morrison turned as if to direct Mulder. "Meet me in the garden at exactly half past midnight," he whispered. "The general is usually passed out by then."

With that, he moved away toward Alderton. Mulder traced the man's steps. He was obviously in a hurry to get to the general's side to avoid another whipping. Well, rather he could trust Morrison or not, he had to take the chance. He was willing to do just about anything to get out of the City and back to his Alex. He closed his eyes and imagined how breathtakingly handsome Alex would look all decked out in a dinner jacket. Oh, if he could only hold him in his arms again... Instead, unwanted lust had been thrust upon him by Lermontov.

Mulder wandered round a table and peered at the silver trays filled with exotic fruits, and a rather bizarre ice sculpture in the center. As carefully as possible, he made mental notes of the best way to access the garden. There were several side doors so getting inside shouldn't be a problem. His biggest obstacle would be bypassing Lermontov.

"There you are!"

Startled from his thoughts, Mulder whirled around to find Dmitri Lermontov approaching him.

"My, my, just look at you. It's no wonder I'm the envy of every man here."

Mulder crinkled up his nose. Lermontov's accent coming across thicker with the addition of alcohol -- and quite a lot judging by the aroma. 'Maybe if I can get him drunk, he'll pass out long enough for me to meet Morrison," thought Mulder.

Lermontov took Mulder by the arm and started to lead him around the room. Mulder scrunched his head down, wishing for all the world that he could hide. With silky greetings to fellow dignitaries, Lermontov resembled a veritable strutting peacock -- and Mulder was the feathery decoration.

He did everything he could to imagine himself out of this situation. At one point he visualized Alex busting through the window like Errol Flynn to his rescue. All this image achieved was overheating his senses.

Continuing his trek throughout the glittering room, Lermontov paused to down yet another glass of champagne. Mulder decided to pass on the offered drink, opting to keep his senses alert.

Moving round a corner, his eyes widened at the sight of one of the Consortium pinning his "escort" against a wall. He wolfishly devoured the younger man's mouth, while grinding their bodies together. Mulder moved back, turning Lermontov away, as he reached for a glass. He didn't want to give the older man any ideas.

They continued on down the line and Mulder nearly needed his drink after all when they paused before General Alderton and Morrison. Alderton gave Lermontov a cheshire smile and shook his hand generously.

"So, Lermontov, he certainly is delectable," Alderton conceded, licking his lips lasciviously.

Mulder glanced over at Morrison, but he refused to catch his eye.

"Yes, and he fulfils my every desire," Lermontov replied. He ran a hand down Mulder's back, then squeezed his ass -- hard. Mulder silently fumed, despising being pinched and prodded like cattle. Lermontov laughed and continued with Alderton, "I understand the Russian beauty was taken away."

Glowering, Alderton pulled Morrison to his side. "This young one is filling in nicely."

"I trust he's learning his lesson well?"

"Believe that! But what of the accursed Resistance?"

Mulder's ears instantly perked up. Beside him, Lermontov nearly spat out his next words. "The Resistance will be swept away with one swift stroke!"

A gleam filled Alderton's eye. "Speaking of strokes, why not take these two back to your quarters?"

"After the banquet? What an intriguing idea!"

Now, Morrison met Mulder's gaze. It seemed that they were going to do more than just talk...

~*~*~*~*~

With a wave of good luck, Jacqueline dropped Wade off as close to the City of Domes as she dared. The trip to Arizona's Gila Desert had passed by quickly. Jacqueline taught him how to use a communicator, how to disable restraining collars, and helped him rehearse his cover story several times.

Wade's head ached from the rush of implanted memories. His heart pounded nervously at not only the danger that awaited him, but also the false memories of being held captive by the desert dwelling nomads.

As he moved between ash colored dunes toward the nearest entrance, he hefted a small backpack and remembered the lullaby his mother used to sing to him.

"This is my last night in France monsieur, monsieur So tonight is our last dance monsieur, monsieur."

He could almost hear her sweet voice in the whispering wind. It gave him comfort as he carried on.

Somewhere in the distance, he heard a strange yodelling cry. The implant recognized this as the nomads. Instinctually, Wade broke cover and raced for the entrance.

He slammed into the metal door and pounded on it furiously. "Help me! Please!" he exclaimed. The pursuing nomads could be heard crashing behind.

A concealed lens focused on him, then turned to search the desert.

~*~*~*~*~

Just beyond the door, a group of City guards aimed their blasters.

The senior guard ordered. "Into position. Prepare to fire!"

~*~*~*~*~

The point of a primitive arrow narrowly missed Wade, who leapt back just in time. Apparently these nomads had nothing to barter with and all they wanted was fresh meat, he thought grimly. He knelt down in a corner of the door just as more arrows flew through the air.

At that precise moment, the door slid open, revealing a line of guards with levelled blasters. Wade threw himself flat as fire sizzled overhead. He'd never been so happy to see the Military Consortium in his life!

"Pull him through!" the senior guard ordered.

A guard grabbed him by the arms and dragged Wade inside the City. Pulled out of the line of fire, he fell exhausted against an alcove. The outer doors slid down, cutting off the enraged nomads.

~*~*~*~*~

Finding a safe position, Jacqueline parked the vehicle and could only watch helplessly as Wade was pursued by the nomads. Luckily, he was now inside the City as she reported to Jefferson.

"Yes, Commander. He made it inside."

"I hope your faith in this boy is justified. He's our last chance," the commander's voice crackled back over the communicator.

"So do I," Jacqueline muttered to herself.

~*~*~*~*~

The attack had been fortuitous after all. It gave Wade's story of escaping from the nomads credence. So much so, that the military boys treated him with a bit of respect for having courage. He wasn't seen as a threat and that was excellent. While eyes were turned, Wade carefully picked up his backpack and dashed away. It wouldn't take long for them to notice his absence and he dreaded to think what they would do. Visions of the bunker floated through his mind.

Quickly, he hurried down several hallways until he found an empty storage room. Once inside, he opened the pack and proceeded to clean himself up. Donning a fresh set of clothes provided by the resistance, he emerged looking like a first class medic. Now, if memory served, the holding area wouldn't be too far away. All he had to do was find block 2187...

Every so often he would encounter a guard, and Wade affected a I-belong-here attitude and carried on. In reality, he was quaking inside. The sooner he found Jack, the better.

Turning a corner, he found the right block section. Swiftly, he read the door numbers and nearly gasped aloud when a burly guard appeared before 2187.

Composing himself, Wade allowed a superior tone to enter his voice. "I'm here to take the subject down to the medics."

The guard took a look at his rank insignia, and just like that, he was granted an entrance. Wade sighed with relief as the door slid open.

Jack looked up and his eyes widened with first shock, then surprise. "Wa--" he began.

"Wait!" Wade interrupted him. The guard narrowed his eyes and he thought of a cover. "Wait right here. I'd like to do a quick examination before escorting him."

The guard simply nodded. Wade casually walked inside and almost collapsed when the door slid shut. Jack's face broke into a wide grin.

"Whew!" Wade pinched his fingers together and arched his eyebrows. "Ooo!"

Before he could take another breath, Jack had swept him up into his strong arms. He kissed Wade passionately.

"What are you doing here?" he whispered.

"Rescuing you!" he said, staring back at the door. "Come on, I've got to get you out of here."

"I can only go as far as this thing will let me," Jack told him, indicating the collar looped around his neck.

Wade stood on tip toe and examined a micro-circuit. It was exactly like Jacqueline described... now if he could only do it. Reaching into his pants pocket, he extracted a thin co-axial wire.

Jack kissed him on the forehead. "You're amazing."

"You should know," he winked back. "Look, I can't guarantee this is going to work."

Without hesitation, Jack leaned his neck forward. He trusted Wade implicitly.

"Jack, if I'm wrong about this..." Jacqueline's words about a fatal electric surge floated through his mind.

"Go ahead."

Taking a deep breath, Wade inserted the wire into the circuit terminals. Slowly, he unhooked the clip fastening the collar...

It worked!

Jack took him into another molten embrace, planting a knee wobbling kiss on his lips. After several moments, Wade broke away breathlessly.

"Wh-what about the guard?"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of him."

~*~*~*~*~

Outside, the guard jumped to attention when the sound of a body falling reached his ears. Keying open the door, he found the body of the young medic lying on the floor. Suddenly, a wall of muscle barrelled into him. With one deft punch, Jack knocked the man unconscious.

Lifting up the fallen rifle with one hand, he used the other to gallantly pick Wade up from the floor. Swiftly, the pair hurried out and Wade locked the door behind them.

"Where to?" he asked.

"To the medical dome," Jack replied, heading off down the corridor.

"Is that where Alex is?" Wade wondered aloud.

Jack shook his head no. "I'm not sure where they took Commander Krycek. Beverly's there. Once we find her, then she can break into the City's mainframe and find his location."

Wade held onto his hand lovingly. Jack was a real hero, and his heart beat faster just being next to him again. Taking the labyrinthine intersections with stealth, they were amazed by the lack of guards. It brought on a false sense of security in Wade.

Turning a corner, they came face to face with a bona fide Military Consortium soldier. Jack hid the rifle behind his back as Wade tentatively stepped forward.

"This man was rescued by the nomads," he said. "I'm escorting him to the medical dome."

The soldier didn't flinch.

"I'm a first class medic," Wade told him, anxiety growing.

"Hands up! Now!" the soldier barked.

In a flash, Jack struck out with the rifle, catching the man on the chin. He dropped heavily to the ground. Before they had time to react, a squad of guards appeared down an intersection.

Wade exhaled. "Okay, that didn't work but my legs still do! Let's go!"

Grabbing his hand, Jack pulled Wade safely round a corner as the guards opened fire...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alex stood on stage not taking his eyes off handsome young man making his way through the throng of men blocking the stage. Everyone was turning to stare at the sight of the man who had outbid everyone. Alex hated to admit it, but he was damned curious himself. If it were anyone else but Mulder, he would have let the guy rot in the city. From what he'd seen, this place made the corruption he lived in for the past four years, a walk in the park.

In the back of his mind, Alex paid attention to the low murmuring of the room, trying to take in whatever conversations he could overhear. However, now the room had fallen silent. Whoever this man was, he had friends in really high places. Despite his humiliation, Alex was intrigued.

"I want him drugged and delivered to my apartment. No one is to touch him." The young man's voice carried a natural authority of someone that knew their place in society and knew it was at the top. Alex didn't know if he should be insulted or not when the young man turned back around and headed for the exit, not even sparing him a second glance.

Rough arms grabbed his arm and forced him off the stage. If he weren't gagged he might have protested that he could walk just fine, but he forfeited all his rights and choices when he agreed to enter the city. They entered the backstage area where the slavers were prepping more men to go on stage. Some were still too young to shave.

Disgust settled uneasily in his stomach even as he felt the pinprick of a needle. The drug hit his system turning everything to black.

******

It was night when Alex regained consciousness. He was lying on his back staring out into the night. The glass window all that stood between him and the darkness beyond. A ghost moved along the window closer to him, he started and instinctively tried to sit up, before he realized it wasn't a ghost but just the reflection of the man who bid on him. He lay back down breathing hard wondering what the hell they'd injected him with.

The lights turned on, and he squinted his eyes against the sudden glare. Once his eyes adjusted he was able to assess his environment more clearly and from an aesthetic point of view, he liked what he saw. White carpet, expensive couches and end tables, space to walk, and a fireplace framed with black marble. His buyer matched the room. White skin, pitch black hair, dark eyes, and not an ounce of fat. However, with those nicely tailored clothes he was sure if there was any fat it was hidden.

His plan to rescue Mulder was ill conceived, he realized now. Love had blinded his survival instincts. He'd be lucky if the man standing above him was only into plain vanilla sex; he doubted it. Men of power were never into plain anything.

He wished the man would stop looking at him and remove the damn gag. He groaned hoping the man would take that as a sign of his discomfort and do something about it. It seemed to work, the man jumped as if startled and blushed. "Oh I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me today."

The striking man knelt next to him and released the ties behind his head, loosening the gag. It fell out of his mouth in a string of saliva; Alex worked his jaw closed, the muscles protesting. The young man smelled nice but seemed too innocent.

"I've never bought anyone from the market before, I wouldn't have been there if my friends hadn't dragged me along. Just stay there and relax. I'll go get a bath going."

The more the young man talked the more he started dropping in years. Earlier he thought the man was at least twenty five now he was guessing seventeen or, generously, twenty.

Alex stayed silent. He thought he was going to be debauched this evening and instead the guy was getting a bath ready for him. Why open his mouth and ruin it? He must have dozed off because when he opened his eyes again the young man was there, staring at him like he was Christ reborn, or worse yet, a hero. "The bath is ready for you. I didn't know how hot to make it so I used the temperature I normally use..."

Alex tried to tune out the lecture on the invention of the modern bath tub; he couldn't believe how much this guy could talk. However, during the speech he managed to crawl to his hands and knees and stand on his own two feet. The carpet felt soft against his bare feet and he dug his toes in. It felt like no carpet he'd ever walked on before, he lifted his foot and the fibers sprang back up like he hadn't been digging his toes in.

He swayed the drugs in his system still affecting his balance. A strong arm wrapped around his waist and he allowed the young man to lead him to the bathroom.

The tiles were cold but not to cold. Alex was surprised the young man continued to help him slip into the deep warm tub. To say the bathroom was large would be an understatement. He saw bathrooms like this on the lifestyles of the rich and stupid back when large bathrooms were common. Who the hell was this guy to afford such luxury? The bathtub he lounged in was just a small portion. This half of the room was tiled but it seemed like his dressing room was combined and that had the same white carpet.

"I can't believe I'm sitting here talking with you," Alex raised his eye brow at that statement but stayed silent, "I mean you were the leader of the rebellion centuries ago. I read the reports that they'd found your body and Fox Mulder's, but I never thought my father would give me the chance to meet you. I planned on waiting until I came into my majority but what are the odds..."

"Who is your father?" Alex asked trying not to sound curious.

"Oh, I guess you wouldn't know him. He's Spender, the leader of the Consortium. I'm next in line, so I think I can protect you."

Oh that explains oh so much, Alex let his head fall back and thought 'shit' for the thousandth time that day.

-oo0oo-

Mulder and Morrison spent the first hour together in Lermontov's quarters being forced to pleasure their respective 'masters', and then Alderton suggested that voyeurism had its own enjoyment.

A sharp flare of pain met his initial refusal, originating from the restraining collar clamped tightly around his neck. He writhed in agony, gasping for breath like a fish out of water once the pain relinquished its hold. Looking up through pain-filled eyes, he met the azure blue of Charles Morrison and saw something he had not expected: compassion and regret. The emotions were hidden quickly but Mulder could not help the thrill of a small victory passing through him even as he panted in exhaustion at this other defeat. He kept his head bowed as Lermontov and Alderton settled into comfortable armchairs that were facing the large bed, and he tried not to flinch when Morrison reached out to caress his naked thigh. Another hand drew his face upwards and he almost snarled when Morrison moved closer, pressing his lips against Mulder's.

Mulder allowed this surface intimacy but refused to part his lips to give Morrison full possession of his mouth. He was relieved and a little surprised that Morrison made no attempt to breach his defences, accepting what he had been given. He let Morrison cover his body, closing his eyes as hot flesh rubbed, tantalisingly, against his own. At this moment he hated himself, hated the fact that he could not control the sexual urges of his body as he felt the first jolts of pleasure radiate through him. He took refuge in his memories of another strong, hot body, replacing the image of Morrison with that of his beloved: Alex.

Gradually, he pushed away all the external distractions, letting the grunts and moans from the two older men drift away from him. He refused to dwell on thoughts of their lust-filled faces as they watched him and Morrison performing for their gratification. Instead, he imagined he was alone with Alex, feeling Alex's hands roaming across his flesh, and Alex's body crushed against his own. He moaned softly, tears tracking down his cheeks as he reached an unsatisfying climax, hating the feel of warm, sticky fluid smeared between their bellies. He knew he had no reason to feel guilt; that he was not betraying the man he loved but, still, Mulder felt like a traitor.

The acrid scent of male sex had filled the room. It ought to have been invigorating, exciting but all Mulder felt was contempt and loathing. Alderton and Lermontov were stroking their own sated sex; their shafts bowing away from their cum-covered paunches. He turned away from the disgusting image, barely listening as they openly appraised and discussed the performance of their slaves. For the briefest moment he wished he had died 300 years ago and then he remembered that first sweet coupling with Alex, and all regrets fled from him. Although he did not know for certain, he had to believe that Alex was still alive, and if that were true then there was always the chance that they would be reunited one day.

The sound of movement interrupted his thoughts and Mulder watched as the two older men walked from the bedroom. He strained to hear them and sighed in relief when he realised they had no intention of coming back for some time. They had things to discuss but, judging from an earlier overheard conversation, Mulder had a strong feeling those things were to do with the Resistance.

Finally, he was alone with Charles Morrison though not in the way he had intended.

"Tell me what happened to Alex."

"If I knew then I wouldn't be lying here with an obedience collar choking me. Though I have to admit that it almost seems worth it right at this minute. However, I don't think I'll feel the same way in another few hours once Alderton returns with a whip."

"You must know something. Is he dead?"

"I don't know. The guard said he heard one of Alex's guards 'bartering' with the oncoming Resistance fighters. Alex's life for your safe passage to the City of Domes."

There were times when Mulder cursed his eidetic memory as images of Alex crawling towards him flooded through his mind. He heard, again, his lover's voice calling to him; saw the thick fingers that grabbed the luscious strands of dark hair, dragging Alex to his feet and away from Mulder. The world had turned black as he struggled against his captors in an attempt to reach Alex and, when he had regained his senses, Alex was gone.

"I'm sorry, Mulder."

Mulder looked deep into the azure eyes and saw the truth in the words. He realised how easy it could have been for Morrison to hate both him and Alex, for putting him in this terrible position as a sex slave to a sadistic bastard like Alderton. However, Morrison had chosen a different path for his emotions, letting the degradation teach him the wrongness of his former actions.

"I... I have a confession to make." Mulder stared hard into eyes that refused to hold his own. "I wanted Alex Krycek. He was.. is... so beautiful. I told him that if he didn't submit to my demands then I would take you instead."

Mulder rolled onto his side, facing away from Morrison, for once trying to keep a tight rein on his anger. This man had intended to do to Alex what Lermontov was doing to him.

"He agreed. He was willing to climb into my bed to save you from... me." Morrison touched Mulder's shoulder and Mulder flinched away. "You have to understand. This... taking what you want is all I've ever known. It's the way of our society except I've never been the one taken before now. Never understood how it felt from the victims point of view... until now."

Mulder turned back, seeing the glistening of unshed tears in the blue eyes.

"You want forgiveness? Absolution?" Mulder saw the slight nod. "Then help me escape. Help me find Alex."

Morrison fingered the collar encircling his neck and Mulder watched as the man focused inwards in fear before his features smoothed over in fresh determination. He gave a single nod, swallowing hard.

"I have friends who will help."

Mulder realised what he had asked of Morrison. He had asked him to betray everything he knew and had believed in but then, Morrison had no guarantee that Alderton would ever let him go, even once the punishment time was up. As if reading his thoughts, Morrison laughed in self-derision.

"If I was just an ordinary sex slave then its quite possible Alderton will beat me death one of these days, once he got bored with me." Morrison looked hard into Mulder's eyes. "But I'm not an ordinary slave. I'm a soldier and the son of one of the First Families, though not a high placed family. He will let me go... eventually... when someone new catches his eye."

"I know you don't have to do this, Morrison."

"I just wanted you to know that I'm not agreeing to help you out of some sense of self-preservation. If that was the case then I'd sit tight and wait to be released back to the military... back to my family."

Mulder nodded and then watched with curiosity as Morrison walked across the room and reached for his clothes. He could not help but notice the angry welts that criss-crossed the man's buttocks, thighs and lower back, suddenly wondering how many of Morrison's gasps during sex had actually been from pain rather than pleasure.

Morrison glanced back, his lips twitching in a half-smile.

"We'd look less conspicuous wearing clothes."

Mulder grinned and jumped from the bed, reaching for his clothing and dressing quickly, aware that, for the first time, Morrison made no attempt to lust -- even covertly -- at his naked body.

-ooOOoo-

Alex sank down into the luxury of silken suds and hot water, feeling the gentle jets caress his internally bruised and aching muscles. He tried not to think about the youth who sat close by; a boy in a man's body who watched him with open adoration and appreciation in his hungry, young eyes. He could feel the waves of desire coming from the youth. It was hard to believe that he had once been the same, poised on the cusp of manhood with those delicious, illicit thoughts and almost uncontrollable sexual desires flowing through him. In those days he would have jumped the bones of any person - male or female - who made the slightest indication that they wanted him. Now, all he wanted was one man and, even as he mentally prepared himself to seduce this boy, he knew his heart would never belong to anyone other than that one man.

Until he had met Fox Mulder, sex had been merely a tool. Sometimes he had used that tool with pleasure -- as with Marita. However, at other times he had faked his interest, pushing away the disgust as, like some modern-day, male Mata Hari, he allowed those vile old men to use his body in exchange for the secrets they would, unwittingly, reveal.

He sighed raggedly, wondering if the many sacrifices of his dignity had been worth it. He had awakened in a world where those old men's dreams had come true beyond their wildest imaginings. Their families were living in luxury, complete masters of the world while the rest of humanity strove to exist on the fringes of civilisation. All he had done, through his resistance, was to break the shackles of the Colonist invaders.

He knew that he ought to take some pleasure in knowing that, if it was not for the Resistance he had built, then only those old men and their kin would have survived the global holocaust. However, he had dreamed of greater things than this for his people than hiding away in dank holes in the ground; hunted down like dogs to be enslaved or slain depending on useful they might be in the brothels.

"You look a little sad."

Alex glanced across at the youth; letting his eyelashes flutter softly, and his mouth form that sexy pout he had practised for so many years. He ensured his voice was low and husky; seductive.

"Maybe I'd be happier with some company. It's a big bath... so much empty space that needs to be filled."

The youth swallowed hard, his cheeks flushing, eyes flashing as he jumped to his feet and, with trembling hands, began to strip off his clothing. Alex could not hide his appreciation of the strong body as the youth bundled up and dropped obviously expensive clothing to the floor as if they were mere rags. The boy was beautiful proportioned with a lean but muscular frame, and none of the gangliness usually associated with youth. Although Alex had already figured that he could only be seventeen or maybe eighteen years of age, the body was that of a man. Alex held out his hand and drew the youth into the bath beside him; quickly evading the mouth that tried to latch onto his own. Alex laughed gently as the boy tried to touch him everywhere at once, barely keeping them both from slipping under the surface. He recalled a friend's dog that had the unfortunate habit of wanting to hump his leg every time Alex came to visit. The boy reminded him of that dog.

"There's no rush. Take it slow."

The youth pulled back slightly, face reddened in embarrassment as he stammered out an apology. Alex smiled warmly and guided the boy's hand to his hardened flesh, eyes closing as he felt the slim but strong fingers wrap around the engorged shaft.

"I don't know how..."

Alex opened his eyes for a moment, just to reassure the youth.

"Just do what you like to do to yourself. Aah... Yes. That's it."

He closed his eyes and sank into sensations letting his mind float away from this young stranger to the man he loved. He could see the hazel eyes grow darker as the pupils swallowed the blue and gold; could see the firm lips part, that plump lower lip beckoning to him with a siren's call. He wanted to taste those lips, wanted to suckle on the luscious flesh. Alex reached between their bodies, his hand wrapping round the boy's shaft, thumb sliding over the ridged head to rub against the sensitive bundle of nerve endings at the tip. As he expected, the boy gasped, the slippery warmth of his come coating Alex's fingers before being washed away in the gently swirling water.

Alex faked his own pleasure as his erection subsided, years of practice making it easy to fool the boy into believing he had given Alex sexual release.

The boy snuggled up against Alex, kissing him with the awkwardness of the inexperienced, and Alex listened to the contented noises he made.

"I miss my friend."

"Hmm?"

"I miss my friend. He's here in the city... but he could be your friend too."

The boy raised his head.

"What's his name?"

"Fox. Fox Mulder."

The boy drew away and stepped out of the bath, wrapping a voluminous towel around his muscular frame. He turned back, holding another towel open and Alex slipped from the bath, allowing Spender's son to wrap it around him.

"I can't help you there. He belongs to Minister Lermontov."

"I thought your father was more important than Minister Lermontov."

"My father's sexual preference lies with beautiful, fertile females. An oddity, really, but no one would dare mention that to his face."

"Where is your father now?"

Alex followed the boy into an adjoining room, watching as he slipped into the overly large bed and casually taking the arm that was outstretched in invitation. He let the boy pet him, feigning pleasure at the fingers running through his damp hair.

"He's in the New England city, grilling the security chief over the recent loss of several females from one of the breeding camps... and some of the children. My new half-sister, Jennifer, was supposed to have been brought to the Domes but she's missing, and the female that bore her was one of those taken. Apparently, the unborn child she carried would have been another half-brother."

"How many siblings do you have?"

"Too many. My father uses the breeding camps like his own personal harem."

"Where are they... all these brothers and sisters?"

"Who cares." The youth looked at Alex in confusion and disbelief, a frown marring his handsome face. "I expect the older females are in the breeding camps by now. And any pretty boys will be farmed out to the brothels of the elite, or to the male breeding farms... depending on if they have viable sperm within genetic tolerance."

Alex hid his disgust at the boy's lack of any compassion for his own flesh and blood.

"Why are you different? Why are you here when they..."

"Because I'm not the product of one of those breeding animals. My mother is.. was the famous Dr. Dana Scully."

Alex drew back in shock, suddenly understanding why the boy held that edge of familiarity. He recalled photos of Scully's older brother, Bill. Bill Scully had been a big man with a similar build to this youth and Alex realised that the pitch black hair and dark eyes must be a legacy from Spender, the current leader of the Consortium. Spender must have used Scully's stolen ova to produce this manchild. Alex recovered quickly as a new thought assailed him. What had happened to all the other ova stolen from female abductees? He could understand the reproduction problems facing the New York resistance as they had such a small gene pool contributing to their survival. However, here in the City of Domes, it should not have been such a problem, especially if they had access to the millions of ova stolen from those unfortunate victims. The ova had been taken in preparation for the very real --- and now proved -- possibility of genetic mutation following the Colonist takeover.

Alex knew that something must have gone wrong. Perhaps all those ova had been destroyed. He debated on whether to ask but decided it might be better to save those questions. He had other more immediate questions that needed answers. For starters, he had no idea where Beverly Adams and Jack Scully had been taken, or even if they were still alive. He wanted to ask the boy more questions but he could tell from the small frown that the youth was becoming suspicious. It was time to back off but, at the very least, he now had more information on this new world that might be of benefit to the Resistance.

One other thought struck him as the boy settled against his side, the boy's hand toying with his flaccid cock in a way that was both annoying and pleasurable. He had hoped to turn this boy; building on the obvious infatuation but this boy was nothing like the compassionate but naïve Jeffrey Spender. Alex frowned.

"What's your name?"

The boy laughed.

"Boy! You must think me very rude. It's Charles. I was named after my illustrious ancestor, the first leader of the Consortium... CGB Spender."

-ooOOoo-

Wade and Jack raced back the way they had come, knowing the odds were against them being able to get out of the centre in one piece. The sound of running footsteps from ahead brought them to a halt and Jack tried the nearest door, looking at Wade in relief when it opened easily. They closed it behind them, desperately trying to quiet their harsh breathing as the footsteps grew louder in the corridor outside before fading into the distance. Jack drew in a deep breath and glanced around the dark room, his excellent night vision aiding him. He knew that they had gained only a brief respite from their pursuers, and that they could not remain here in this room indefinitely. Sooner or later a room-by-room search would begin.

"Yes."

His whispered word held an edge of triumph but he sensed Wade's frustration, knowing his lover could only squint into the darkness as he wondered what Jack had seen. Jack let the image flow across into Wade. There was a ventilation duct near the top of the right-hand wall but Jack turned to Wade in confusion when he heard soft laughter. He sent a query then smiled at the image of Fox Mulder he gained in response as Wade shared the memory of their attempted escape from the Dakota installation. It did seem like a cliché, using ventilation ducts to make their escape but it was one cliché that Jack had no problem with if it meant getting Wade to safety.

The duct was large enough for only one person to crawl through at a time so Jack went first, his night vision coming in useful once more. They pulled the cover into place behind them, hoping that they had left no clue that they had ever been in that room. Jack crawled forward as fast as he could within the tight space, well aware that his broad frame was not made for such a small crawlspace. He paused at the first intersection and started to turn left, some innate sense telling him that this would leave to the outside. However, another sense tugged at him and he realised that he was feeling the soft presence of his missing comrade. He was caught for a moment in indecision. Should he follow that trail to his Captain, or should he get Wade to safety?

"What is it?"

"I sense Beverly."

"Then we should go see if we can free her. We need her skills on the mainframe if we're to save Fox and Alex."

Jack nodded, sending back his response in a warm thought, and he turned right, heading deeper into the medical complex. He followed the strengthening mental trail, taking turn after turn in the labyrinthine ducts; dread filled him with every forward movement as he started to register the pain that she was feeling. Eventually, he came to a brightly lit room and he gazed through the slits in the ventilation cover, taking in a deep breath of muted anger and fear. Beverly was strapped naked to a table, her golden eyes fixed straight ahead, lips pressed tightly together in a bloodless line as a medic stepped towards her. Jack could see splatters of bright red blood on the front of his otherwise spotless white coat. She gave a small mewling cry as a scalpel scored the alabaster flesh of her abdomen, blood welling from the small surgical cut. The assistant stepped forward, handing a small instrument to the medic and Jack realised what they were doing. They were reaping ova though why they would want to take reproductive material from someone who was obviously a genetic freak in their eyes remained a mystery. Jack decided he had seen enough. He turned with great difficulty and then, with both feet together, he kicked aside the ventilation cover and leapt in the room. The assistant died instantly, the heel of his hand slamming the nasal bone into the brain in the way all resistance fighters were taught to do from childhood; another legacy from the father of the Resistance. The medic turned to flee but Jack grabbed the man and slit his throat with the scalpel, pushing the body away from him and slicing through the nearest leather bond that held Beverly strapped to the table. He moved quickly around her, releasing her bound ankles, all the while relaying past events and their current situation.

Beverly reassured him that she was strong enough to move unassisted. She looked across at Wade.

"Thank you... for coming for us."

Jack spoke aloud. "Won't make a blind bit of difference if we don't get out of here... NOW."

Jack hauled himself back into the duct and started crawling, then paused, waiting for the others. Wade assisted Beverly and then followed her, not bothering to try and conceal their escape route because of the damaged ventilation cover. Jack could only hope that no one bothered to check on that room and its occupants before they could make good their escape.

'They had only just started. They knew I was part of the Resistance and they were planning on a live autopsy.'

'Why were they taking ova?'

'They wanted to see how far our reproduction capabilities had degenerated. To see if we are a dying people.'

Jack could hear the exhaustion in her mind voice but also the courage that had made her such an excellent captain. They carried on crawling in silence, hoping that the hours of planned sadism would be the lucky break they needed. Jack took a different route, not wanting to travel too close to where they had last been seen. Eventually, he felt the coolness of fresher air and hoped it led to some place beyond the military complex.

Twenty minutes later he paused by the outlet and looked through the ornate cover at a beautiful parkland area. The grass was a verdant green and the air was thick with the scent of many flowers. He stretched out his senses but could read no sentient beings within range. He knew they could not stay in the ducts forever so he took a chance and eased the cover off its hinges, barely catching it as it started to fall.

Jack eased his large frame to the ground and, after a swift check in all directions, he helped Beverly and then Wade from the duct. Both Resistance fighters turned to Wade. They needed to get to the complex that held the Ministry of Defence so that Beverly could hack into the system, but only Wade knew the way.

-oo0oo-

Once all three resistance fighters were out of the duct, Jack replaced the metal grate that had covered the opening of the dark channel. Then he carefully hid any signs that might give away that the trio had ever been there.

He looked around, they had managed to escape to the large, hundred acre park that sat in the centre of the domed city.

Though the park was officially named City Central Park, it was called simply, 'central park'. A sign at the entrance to the large arboretum, explained what the real central park had once been, and where.

Jack smiled. He knew exactly where they were.

Luckily, ending up in the large expanse of greenery was part of a back up plan he had devised with the commander for one of those 'just in case' scenarios. He looked to Beverly; it was obvious that she was exhausted. The captain would need to rest, and Wade, well, he would need to take some time to recuperate too, they had all been through an ordeal. Jack scoped the angle of the rising sun, determined the direction they needed to follow and then turned to his companions, "Come on, I know where we can hole up and rest."

Beverly studied Jack's large, golden eyes, and then nodded knowingly, Jack's thoughts were made clear to her. "Okay, lead the way."

Wade looked between the two, knowing that were he back in the resistance's hidden city, he too would have understood their silent conversation; being away from the bunker so long, he had lost his newfound ability. He jumped up, stifled a yawn and put his arm around the woman to help her walk.

Jack looked back at the two behind him, and spoke to Wade.

"There is a secret cave to the east, beneath a large rock at the base of a sculpture of first Charles Spender. A sympathiser to the revolution had hidden emergency supplies in there. After we've rejuvenated, Beverly and I will be able to figure out a way to get back into the department of defence's computer." Jack smiled at his young lover and then turned back, his eyes intent on the dark path they must follow. From behind, he heard Wade say,

"And we have to find Fox and Alex..."

~zZz~

"When will your er....'friends' get here Charles." Asked Mulder, noting that a half an hour had already passed since the Lieutenant Commander had first made the cryptic call.

"It's Chaz." Morrison peeked out the main door again, making sure that Alderton and Lermontov were not yet returning. It was four in the morning, but in the domed city, there was no such thing as set time.

Everything and everybody, worked and played twenty four-seven.

"Pardon?" Mulder stepped up behind the tall blond and tried to peek over his shoulder, reassuring himself that the minister was not stalking down the hall.

"My name is Chaz or Morrison or just plain Lieutenant Commander if you prefer." Morrison shut the door and turned to face Mulder. "I was named, like many other first family son's, after Charles Spender." His vivid blue eyes turned arctic-icy. "I'm not that fond of my name sake."

"All right." Mulder murmured, stepping back and away from the Lieutenant.

"Shhhh....." Hissed Morrison. "What's that?" He whispered.

"I don't hear...." Started Mulder, then he stopped. There was a soft knock on the balcony door.

"It's them." Morrison said. He walked over to the glass doors, peeked out the curtains, and once certain as to who was out there, he keyed in the numbers and turned off the alarm then he unlocked the door and held it open for his two comrades.

"Sorry it took us so long, but there's a major pow-wow taking place in the meeting room down stairs." Said one man, whose blond hair reminded Mulder of his long gone friend Langley. "Every big-wig from miles around is here, it sounds like they are making plans to annihilate the resistance once and for all."

"I know...I know..." Said the other, anonymous man. "You don't want to hear about it, but I'm telling you Chaz, something big is brewing."

The second man, had red hair and freckles, and Mulder silently dubbed him Scully. Fox stifled the longing he still felt for his former partner, and instead, replaced his pain for the dead with heartache for the living.

Alex...that's all that mattered at this point, just Alex.

"Listen Mango," The Lieutenant Commander said to the red-headed man, "I don't have a lot of time, and my story is too long to explain, so just let me say this... suddenly I'm starting to see things very clearly. And I know now that my allegiance to the Consortium and to the first families was misguided. I want to help the resistance, in any way I can. But first, we have to find..." the Lieutenant looked over to Mulder, "a friend. A very important friend. But we can't do that with these on." He pulled down the collar of his black turtleneck and showed the two men the discipline collar he wore. "Can you get them off?"

'Langley' snapped his fingers, "No problem Chaz. But you know, once I bypass the code, you and the *Face* over there,"

Mulder scowled at the blond man, he did not appreciate being called 'face'.

"...will be outlaws, there's no going back."

"I know, I know. I have to do this." Charles swallowed hard. He would be giving up all he knew, his career, his family and all the luxuries in life that went with them. But the last week with General Alderton had taught him just how meaningless all these things were.

Life was meaningless without the freedom to decide one's own fate.

"Right then." Nodded 'Langley', "Let me start working." He led the Lieutenant to a chair and started hacking into the small computer, which held the secret release code for the collar.

"So who's this friend you're searching for?"

The red head that Mulder had named Scully turned and asked him.

Unsure of how much to say, he turned to Morrison who gave a small nod of his head.

Mulder stated, "Were looking for Alex Krycek."

"*THE* Alex Krycek?" Mango said. Surprised. There had been some talk that the original leader had lived, but Mango chalked that up that rumour as false. He figured that it was originating from the resistance city in order to boost the moral of those very few who fought from inside the City of Domes.

"The one and only." Sighed Charles. "Can't you hurry it up Helix?" He grouched to the blond man.

"I'm trying, but the code is protected with a fire wall, I need to get around it."

Mango went over to a computer that sat in a corner of the room and started pushing buttons on the screen. With in seconds, a piece of paper was coming out of the slim line printer. He picked it up and handed the page to Morrison.

"This him?" Mango asked.

Morrison's eyes skimmed over the set of six pictures on the twelve by twelve-inch piece of paper. His heart sank and worry, for what was happening to the most beautiful man he had ever seen settled over him like a wet blanked.

"Shit. It's him." Chaz mumbled, he looked away from the page and held out the paper to Mulder.

"What?" Mulder asked. The anxiety in his voice evident to all those in the room.

Fox grabbed the paper and looked at the pictures. He was shocked at what he saw.

In the first two pictures, Alex was sitting inside a small cage, his knees pulled up to just below his chin and his arms were wrapped around his shins. Mulder thought that his lover looked cold, his lips had a slight bluish tinge to them and there was a small smear of dirt on his left cheekbone. Fox was suddenly reminded of the time that Alex sat on a pile bagged cow shit wearing handcuffs and declaring that he was saving humanity from terrorists.

Mulder sighed, and went back to studying the photos.

Alex's eyes, looked just to the right of the photographer and Fox could see that his lover was unaware of his picture being taken. Other wise he would have given the camera one of his usual looks of disdain rather then the look of loneliness and longing that was on his face at that moment. Mulder thought that in the instant the picture had been taken, Alex had never look more beautiful.

Vulnerability was not an emotion the Russian wore often.

The other two pictures showed Alex on the auction block, wearing nothing but a long cotton tunic. There was a ball gag in his mouth and his hands were glued to his sides by some sort of metal bracelets. Mulder could tell what his lover was thinking just by the look in his eyes. The Russian was furious. The fifth picture was of Alex with his tunic up, baring his ample maleness. Mulder's cheeks reddened with rage, the man auctioning off Alex was holding his genitals, Alex was looking away, but the shame was still evident in his sharp cheekbones. And finally, the sixth picture showed Alex being led away by a blond man who was shorter and smaller in stature than his Russian lover. Mulder could not tell who the man in the picture was because it was taken from behind. Fox looked up from the page and said angrily to Mango, "Where were these taken? What has happened to Alex?"

"Hey don't shoot the messenger, Face...." Mango held up his hands as if to ward off the taller brunette whose name he did not even know should he attack. "They were taken at the black market slave auction down in the vice dome."

The blond broke the coding on the Lieutenants collar and threw an angry look to the red head. "You promised me you weren't going to go there anymore." He accused the man.

"I promise, I was only looking." He made a face that could only be described as 'puppy dog', and silently begged the blond for forgiveness.

Mulder realized that these two were lovers. Morrison stood and Mulder replaced him in the chair. The man named Helix, scowled at Mango and said, "We'll talk about this later." The he bent his head and went to work on Mulder's collar.

"Tell me about the auction Mango." Morrison took the paper from Mulder and looked over the photos again. Suddenly, he was ashamed to be part of the rich, first family's.

"It was a usual night of auctioning off slaves. Most of them went to the brothels to seed the establishments with new blood, a few went to private dealers. The very last person of the night was Krycek. Or, well, I thought he looked like Krycek I didn't know he was the real thing. The crowd was crazy for him, seeing as he's so pretty...."

Both Mulder and Helix humphed and scowled in unison at that comment.

Mango glanced their way, but ignored them. "....but when the slave master showed the crowd that he was a natural born, they went wild, the bidding went higher than I've ever seen it before."

"Who ended up buying Alex?" Morrison interrupted Mango, before Mulder got any angrier.

Mango swallowed hard than said, soft. "Charles Spender."

"Junior or Senior?" Charles said fearfully.

"Junior of course... it is a man that was bought." Replied Mango in an exaggerated tone.

"Fuck... fuck and fuck!" raged Morrison.

"What's the matter?" Fox asked, just as his collar fell away. He looked between Mango and Morrison, but it was Helix who answered him.

"Charles Spender the fifth is known in some circles as the 'torturer'."

"What...?" Mulder asked softly.

Morrison finished for Helix. Better, that Fox should hear it coming from him. "Junior, as we in the first family circles call him, is notorious for being hard on his latest... er... male companions," the Lieutenant had almost said, 'toys' but he knew that no matter the context, Mulder would not understand the adjective.

"Jesus Christ. He looks so small and young from behind."

"He is young, but not that small. It doesn't matter, once your under another's control, they are free to do anything they want to you." Chaz unconsciously rubbed at the painful welts at the small of his back. "Junior starts out all nice and sweet, making his slave think that they have the upper hand, but it's just and act. He has a cruel streak in him that make Alderton and Lermontov appear nice."

Mango added a very unhelpful, "Yeah, some of his slaves have even died."

Helix slapped at the back of his lover's head. "Shut up you shithead, this is Krycek's lover you idiot, and your *not* helping by talking like that."

"Ouch." Said Mango, he scowled at his lover, but wisely, kept his mouth shut.

"Well, at least we know where to find him. How long has Junior had him?" Morrison picked up a small duffel bag and tossed it to Mulder, the he grabbed his own. It was time they got going.'

"Not long," Helix said, "the slave auction was only three days ago."

Mulder was relieved, the kid wouldn't have had enough time to hurt Alex too much in such a short time; or at least he hoped not.

"Well, lets get the hell out of here, then we can make a plan for retrieving Alex."

The Lieutenant Commander opened the balcony doors and indicated that the others should go through it. He hesitated for a few seconds at the threshold, knowing that once he left this room, all that he knew would be lost to him.

"Fuck it." Morrison muttered, then he stepped out into the recycled air of the dome.

~zZz~

Spender Junior crawled out of his large bed and pulled the soft blankets with him. He stared, eyes fixed on Alex's prone form. The grin that played at the edges of his full mouth fell somewhere between innocent and lascivious.

"What?" sighed Alex. As if he couldn't guess what was on the much younger man's mind.

"Last I heard, you only had one and a quarter arms. What happened?"

Alex glanced down at his arm and frowned, then he cleared his face. "I don't know." He replied honestly. "I was forced down by one of your *esteemed*..." Alex sneered when he said the word esteemed, "....ancestors and shot up full of tranks. That's all I remember until I was revived by a bunch of soldiers and scientists."

Charles grinned and to Alex, it looked like his 'owner' had a secret.

"Listen," Alex said, trying to sound bored. "Are you going to stand there all morning staring at me, or do you mind if I get up and go piss?"

Spender Junior gestured and Alex stood. He looked around, searching for the tunic he had worn, he didn't actually have any clothes but he could not see it.

"Uhhhmmm, am I supposed to walk around naked all day or can I get dressed." Alex's voice had taken on a very sarcastic tone.

"Over there, top drawer." Charles dropped the blankets to the floor and pointed to a three-drawer chest. "that's yours."

Alex padded over and pulled out a pair of black boxer shorts from the top drawer. He put them on and the fabric, which had started out loose, immediately shrunk so that it was form fitting over his ass and genitals. He looked down, the underwear were so form fitting that it looked like the cotton-like fibres were painted on. At first, he doubted their comfort, but after a few experimental moves, Alex gave his silent approval. In the second drawer, was a Tee shirt, matching in colour and made of the exact same material.

"Mmmm...mmmm." Murmured Spender Junior after Alex had put on the Tee shirt.

Alex heard him and frowned as he turned his back on the young man and padded bare foot toward the large bathroom. ~zZz~

Charles watched Alex leave, as soon as his slave was out of sight, he got onto the video communicator.

"Chambers." The face of a middle aged man with curly greying hair popped up on the screen.

"Tyler, it's Charles. I bought a new man yesterday. Can you pop by today and check him over. He came with a clean bill of health, but still, I'd fell better if you gave him the once over."

Chambers leered, he was usually very fond of the men that Spender Junior had brought home to play with. Generally, the new toys stayed with Charles anywhere from one week to almost five weeks. But no matter how good looking the new slave was, Spender always, always tired of them and once he did, the man would be sent to Spender's very profitable, very exclusive brothel in the trendy west dome district. That is if the love slave survived the young man's particular predilections. Chambers knew that if he really liked what he saw today, then he'd be able to visit the new guy at the brothel, all he had to do was wait and save his money. Actually, black market credits were quite easily come by; there was always a rich society man who would want another facelift off the record and would pay dearly for the doctor's discretion.

"Have the necessary precautions been taken?" Chambers asked, his penis just beginning to swell with thoughts of a delicious young man to fuck.

Junior nodded. "When he was out of it, before I took him home, the auction security implanted the alarm and the back up device. Alex doesn't even know what he's got inside of him yet...."

It was at that point in the conversation that the two men were interrupted by loud howls of pain.

Chambers liked the name Alex.

He smiled, "I'm see he realizes it now."

"I'd better go Tyler, see you in a couple of hours."

The doctor nodded. "Chambers out." he said, then the screens went black.

~zZz~

Alex emerged from the bathroom. He could hear Spender Junior talking to someone, and a plan formulated with in seconds.

With the 'kid' distracted, Alex made a break for his freedom. He spun silently and on the tips of his bare toes, ran to the front door. He grabbed the handle pulled open the door and stepped through. The instant that his second foot followed him out he was hit by a wall of pain that was so severe, that he had only felt something like it once before in his life; when he'd lost his arm. And the memories of that time were so painful of an experience that he'd never forget what it had felt like; no matter how many centuries passed him by.

Alex dropped to his knees immediately, the intense ache that pulsed inside his head blinded his vision and a few seconds later, an excruciating hot jolt of throbbing, stinging pulses radiated through his entire body temporarily turning his muscles to mush.

Alex's bid for freedom was over even before it began.

~zZz~

Alex's eyes fluttered open and focused in on a face that he did not recognise.

"Sit up Alex." Instructed Dr. Chambers.

Alex did so, but with help from the older man. He sat silently, his energy too drained for him to even ask who the doctor was or why he was examining him. The doctor instructed Alex to breath deeply, which he did, but with great effort.

Chamber's nodded put away his palm sized stethoscope and lay a comforting hand across Alex's forehead.

"The obedience implant really takes a lot out of a person."

He pulled his hand away. This slave had spunk, the doctor knew that barring intentional death, he would be spending much of his extra credits on taking his pleasure from him.

"In case your wondering what an obedience implant is, it's a microchip that's been inserted into your wrist." The doctor picked up Alex's left hand and turned it over.

Just beneath the skin, Alex could make out a small dark object, about the size of an American quarter. "If you leave this apartment with out Charles permission, the device immediately reacts. And if you are out with your master, and you are more than one meter from his side, a tiny bomb, placed just behind your left nipple," Chambers gently brushed his other hand over Alex's copper coloured nipple.

Alex feebly pushed the older man's hand away. "Don't." he managed.

The doctor laughed softly. "Oh Alex, won't be saying *that* word to your master."

Chambers knew very well how rough the younger Spender liked to play. "Any way, as I was saying, there is a tiny device in your chest, and if you try to run away while in public, it will go off, killing you and like those closest around you instantly."

The older man shrugged and stood up, he had a bulge in his pants from being so near, and touching Alex. The doctor was surprised. This slave was older than the usual ones that Charles was so fond of, but then again, this one was a natural born, the man's foreskin was enough of a draw, but then to be so beautiful on top of it all, no wonder Charles couldn't resist. "Do me a favour emerald-eyes," The Doctor cupped Alex's chin and prevented him from pulling his head away, "try to stay alive, I'd like to fuck you eventually."

Alex scowled up the doctor and then managed to pull his face away. "Piss off you old perve." He hissed softly.

"Oh... you've got spunk, emerald-eyes, I'm positive you'll live through the games Junior likes to play." With that, the doctor left the room.

Alex flopped back onto the bed. His head still throbbed and his muscles still ached from the experience. He wondered to himself if he'd even be able to get away from his captor. "Perhaps", he thought to himself, "it would be better to tough it out then take my chances at the brothel that the doctor was blabbing on about. They'd remove they would implants there, wouldn't they?"

As he thought of ways to try and escape, Alex's eyes shuttered close.

~zZz~

"Wake up Lover boy..." Charles stood over the sleeping Alex, running a long ostrich feather over his face.

Alex came awake. He rubbed his eyes and sighed, his body still felt like shit, but at least his headache was gone. "I'm not a boy, I'm a man." He said, his voice was matter of fact, not hostile at all.

Alex wondered if the drugs that the cancer man had put into him were somehow affecting his looks. When he was at the army barracks, he noticed that all of his and Fox's wrinkles had disappeared and that his skin, over his entire body was no longer lined. Maybe his features were still regressing. Well, he could deal with that, after all, he wasn't that fond of being 36 three centuries ago.

"Well you look young enough to be considered a boy, but still, I suppose you're right." Spender Junior placed the feather on the table and picked up a different device, one that reminded Alex of a policeman's nightstick, only slightly shorter. He turned it on, and a pale pink beam of laser light came out of the end.

"What's that, your light sabre?" Alex asked sarcastically, for the stick looked just like something Luke Skywalker would yield in a battle.

Junior gave his slave a puzzled look, he didn't understand what he was talking about. "No, it's my pleasure baton....you see, giving you pain, gives me pleasure..." With that, he ran the beam of light over Alex's tender abdomen and a red, painful welt immediately formed.

Alex yelped, the laser stung like the tentacles of a poisonous jellyfish. He tried to cover up the wound and to protect himself at the same time, but Charles flicked the baton at Alex and the burning light ran up his bare chest and across his neck. Alex yelled again and rolled to his side, it was then that he saw the younger man's erection forming in his tight fitting leather shorts. Junior struck him again and again, the pink light leaving its traces of pain on Alex's delicate flesh.

Now, Alex knew what the doctor meant about surviving Junior's games.

He hoped with everything in his heart that his beloved Mulder was not suffering through the same experiences that he was.

~zZz~

Jack Scully ushered Wade and Beverly into the cave beneath Spender's statue, which disguised a gardener's tool shed. Scully easily unlocked the door, got the three of them inside, then locked it again from the inside before using one of Wade's penlight examination torches to search the room. At the far end of the room was a closet, and when he looked inside he grunted with satisfaction, the instructions implanted into his mind coming to the fore. He twisted a hook, pressed two wood knots at the same time, then one alone. Finally he twisted the hook back again and tugged. The was a thunk, and the back of the closet swung away from him disclosing a passageway which narrowed as it sloped downwards out of sight.

Looking back at the two waiting by the outer door, he said, "I guess this is where we go next."

Wade switched on his torch, blessing his paranoia which always made him carry two, and helped Beverly through the doorway into the passage. As they started downwards they heard Jack close the door behind them. A couple of minutes later he squeezed past them, and led the way downwards, to another door.

Cautiously, Scully turned the knob, pushed the door open, and shone the narrow beam around the room beyond. The place looked deserted, but he was disinclined to take any chances, so he eased inside and made a quick search of the area. When he was satisfied that they were alone, he came back to the doorway and passed his hand over the light switch beside it. A string of safety lights came on, lighting up an area far larger than they would have imagined would be hidden beneath the city.

Jack beckoned the others inside, then closed the door behind them. As Wade helped the Captain over to a seat at the table he gave the older man a 'now what?' look.

Jack smiled back at him, pleased that his young lover seemed to be taking everything in his stride. "Stay with Beverly," he said. "I'm going to take a look around and see what supplies our comrades have stockpiled here."

Wade nodded, feeling rather overwhelmed at the size of the caverns beneath the park where he'd spent so many hours reading through his lecture notes before an exam, and worried about the amount of blood seeping through the scrubs they had snatched to cover the Captain's nakedness. Moments later Jack was back, placing an emergency medical kit, and two automatic pistols, by his side

Leaving the young medic to attend to the Captain, Jack went into the kitchen he'd found and made them all a hot drink, then concentrated on making a nourishing meal since none of them had eaten for quite a while. After that he intended to search the caverns thoroughly to see what other supplies they might be able to use to aid them in their mission.

-oo0oo-

Soon after leaving Lermontov's quarters, Mango slipped away. Helix explained to the others that he was going to pass on the information about the meeting.

A short while later, Helix, after greeting the woman behind the counter, led them into the back room of what the sign outside proclaimed to be a book shop, although it didn't resemble any kind of bookshop that Mulder had ever seen. The shelves looked reminiscent of those he'd seen in stores selling DVDs before his enforced 300 year sleep. Helix saw him looking and, once they were safely ensconced in the living room behind a locked door, explained that he sold mainly text books for schools and the university. During the war most of their manufacturing ability had been lost, and much of the body of literature, except that which had already been available in electronic format. There had been very few real technical advances for the civilian population, as most of the research was carried out by the military in their quest to defeat the Resistance, and for defence against any further alien invasion.

Casting an apologetic look in Morrison's direction, he added, "The children of some of the first families are so insular, and in many ways uneducated, that they are little better than idiots, and will inherit positions for which they are ill-suited. Others are reasonably intelligent, but their personalities make them unsuitable as rulers. Take Spender Junior for instance; he is sadistic and cruel, but because of his position he can, literally, get away with murder."

"We must get to him before he harms Alex," Mulder stated, pacing the floor with impatience. "Why are we here instead of-"

"Mulder, please, calm down." Chaz interrupted him. "Remember, we are a militaristic society, and we are vastly outnumbered. We have to make plans for what to do after we have rescued Alex. We would be stupid indeed if we did not have an escape route after stirring up a hornet's nest."

Mulder managed to look contrite. "Sorry, I guess it's because I haven't had time to come to terms with this... this..." He searched for an adjective which would not sound insulting to his present comrades.

"We understand, Mulder," Helix assured him. "Judging by what we overheard, neither Alderton nor Lermontov is likely to go back to the apartment until much later today. So, unless we are very unlucky, you will not be missed until tonight."

"What if they do miss us?"

"If they do realize you are missing, we will know almost immediately through our contacts, then we shall have to hide you. Whatever happens, our first job is to get you some false identities, and some different clothes, so that you can move around the city without attracting unwelcome attention. That's also part of what Mango is doing now."

"Contacts?" Chaz repeated.

Helix nodded. "The Resistance has been growing in the cities for a long time. We are separated into small cells, in case of discovery, but the time is coming when we shall have to join with our brethren outside and make a stand for democracy before it's too late."

"I'm beginning to think that time you speak of is almost upon us." Morrison said thoughtfully.

The store owner got to his feet. "I'd better get us all an early breakfast, Mango is bound to be hungry when he gets back."

-oo0oo-

Mango spoke to his contact, Frankie, who listened with growing concern to what he had to say. She complimented him when he mentioned leaving John, the third member of their cell behind to listen to the rest of the conference, and immediately took him along to meet another member of her cell, Paula. Having despatched Paula to meet up with John, whom she already knew, Frankie told Mango to go back to the bookstore. She would send her brother along with new clothes, while she dealt with the identities, and got the word out to others who would be able to help them get the fugitives out of the city.

-oo0oo-

After the visit from his sister, Frankie, Joseph Sanchez went to the park to fetch some clothes from their cache beneath the statue. As soon as he opened the closet door he knew that there was someone in the caverns. Going through the door, he crept along the winding corridor until he reached the point where there was a hidden spy-hole. Looking down inside, it was immediately obvious from their actions that these people, whomever they were, did not pose a threat to the resistance in the Domes. Carefully concealing the hole again, he went down to the lower door and opened it quietly.

Hearing the door open, Jack spun round, pistol in hand to cover the intruder.

Joseph halted just inside the door, his empty hands held away from his sides. Meeting Scully's golden eyes calmly, he said, "Code, Krycek."

Jack immediately put his weapon away. "Greetings friend. I'm Jack, this is Beverly and Wade," he introduced themselves as he held out his hand.

"I'm Joseph," the newcomer announced as he shook Jack's hand. "Why are you here?"

Scully quickly gave him a resumé of their activities from the time of the raid on the Dakota installation.

Joseph regarded him silently for a moment when he had finished, then said, "I think I had better get you some less conspicuous clothes, then take you to see some friends who will be able to help you more than I can." Sanchez then walked into one of the storerooms and retrieved six sets of overalls. Handing one each to Jack, Beverly and Wade, he went on, "Wearing these is the next best thing to being invisible. No-one takes any notice of maintenance people wandering around. While you get changed, I'll clear up in here."

When he was changed, Scully quietly asked, "Joseph, is there a way out through these caves?"

Joseph grinned. "Yes, and no. More a way in, than a way out. Getting out would be very difficult because there is a shear drop involved, and would need people on the outside to let down a rope or ladder."

"So we won't be using it." Jack thought for a moment, then muttered. "I wonder if Commander Jefferson knows of its existence."

"I don't know," Joseph answered the question, even though he knew it wasn't really directed at him. Then, seeing the others were now ready, he said, "Let's get going, I'll explain what to do as we go along."

-oo0oo-

Robert Gethin was bored. He and the other archaeologists had been evacuated from the Dakota installation during the raid, and had not yet been allowed to return. He wasn't really sure whether he wanted to go back, as his part, actually finding the installation, was done and there were those Roman remains he'd been working on...

His reverie was interrupted by the phone ringing. "Gethin."

"Doctor Gethin, it's Doug Elliott. I don't know if you remember me, we met at the Atlas mountains..."

Gethin's heart sped up as he recognized the resistance code phrase he'd been given, and a smile drifted across his face. "Of course, Doug, how could I forget..."

Doug laughed. "I have a proposition for you. How would you like a field trip to see some of the Anasazi ruins, and you can fill me in on the latest innovations in archaeological geophysics."

"That would be great, Doug. I've always wanted to visit some of the cliff dwellings."

"Okay then, I'll get the permits and the transport, and be with you in about one-and-a-half, to two hours, that will give you time to have some breakfast and collect your notebook and pen."

"Sure. See you then." Gethin cut the connection, and set about getting himself dressed and fed. He put his precious journal in his pocket, and felt ready for whatever the day might bring.

-oo0oo-

Doug Elliott, arranged the transport for himself and Dr Gethin, then put through a call via his webcam to his daughter in the New England Dome, as he did every morning, telling her of his meeting with his colleague, and about the field trip they would be taking. While he was talking he activated a small program on his PC which delivered a 'meet me and prepare for passengers' message to the resistance headquarters in New York.

-oo0oo-

Commander Jefferson read the message from Elliott, and contacted Jacqueline who confirmed that she would be at the meeting place, in fact she was already concealed nearby.

-oo0oo-

Alex came awake and cautiously opened his eyes. The lights had been dimmed, but he could see that he was still lying where he'd lost consciousness from Spender Junior's ministrations. He moved his arm and stifled a moan of pain as lines of fire travelled along it, his muscles twitching, where the whip had touched him. Gritting his teeth, he got to his hands and knees, panting with the effort of moving his abused body. He finally made it to his feet and tottered into the bathroom on rubbery legs. In the mirror he could see dried semen streaking his body where Junior has got off on torturing him. Shaking his head, he went into the next room where the hot tub was still bubbling and gratefully lowered himself into it, to ease the strains on overtaxed muscles and nerves.

-oo0oo-

Frankie arrived back at the shop moments after her brother had led the others inside, and she was just in time to see Mulder hugging a slim, blond, you man with evident joy. Going over to her brother, she asked, "What's going on?"

Joseph whispered a quick explanation of where he'd found them and told her that the two resistance fighters, Jack and Beverly, had accompanied Commander Krycek to the city to rescue Fox Mulder, but unfortunately the Nomads had spoiled their plans. Wade had been taken by the resistance at the Dakota installation where he'd been a medic on the team tasked with the revival of the two cryogenically frozen humans, and from what had been said, had come back to the domed city because Jack had been captured... though he wasn't exactly sure why.

Frankie thanked him for the update, and when the babble of voices died down she took charge. "The transport we have arranged will be leaving in about two hours. Helix and Mango will stay here. John should be returning soon with the first of the recordings he's made of the big meeting. We need to get that copied so it can go on to the transport. As soon as the copy has been made and tested, Joseph will take Jack and Beverly to the transport. He will hand them over to our contact and return here. I will go with Mulder, Wade and Chaz to find Alex." She held up her hand to forestall any protest. "The reason I am splitting you up is that Jack and Beverly are needed to validate the tape if we have to wait another day to get the rest of you out. I want Mulder with me so that Alex knows who we are, Wade in case he needs any medical attention, and Chaz because he knows exactly where Spender Junior lives and can give us an insight on what to expect. Any questions?" She looked around the circle of faces. When there were no comments, she said, "Let's all get changed, and we'll be on our way."

-oo0oo-

After soaking his aches away in the tub, Alex dried himself off on one of the soft fluffy towels from the rail. Under the harsh light of the dressing room, he inspected his wrist, and could just see the shadow of a chip beneath his skin, and the slight mark left behind by the insertion. He also inspected his chest, but was unable to find any corresponding mark for the bomb Spender had boasted about. Feeling much better, he padded through the apartment to Spender's bedroom, and stood gazing down at the malevolent young man who had bought him.

"I wonder if you would sleep so well if you knew that I could kill you without waking you up," he mused. He looked around the room in the growing light, trying to look through Spender's eyes and find the controllers to the devices, if there were two, which had been implanted. When nothing seemed out of place he widened his search to include the other rooms in the apartment.

He was standing in the middle of the living room, frowning at the main door, when he was distracted by tapping coming from the balcony window. Looking out he was shocked to see Mulder grinning at him from the other side of the glass. He opened the door and Mulder stepped inside then wrapped him in his arms, trying not to show the distress he felt at the sight of the welts with covered Alex's body. Alex's eyes widened when his lover was followed by a woman he'd never seen before, then came Wade du Prés and Charles Morrison.

"What-"

The woman put her finger to her lips, enjoining him to silence, then went into Spender's bedroom. Bursting with curiosity, Mulder and Alex followed her as far as the doorway and watched as she opened a vial at arm's length and waved it underneath Spender's nose. The man snuffled, then started to breath deeply.

She put the vial away again, then said, "He'll sleep for at least four or five hours now, which should give us plenty of time to get away. Get Alex into the clothes, and let's be on our way."

"Who is this, and what's going on?" Alex wanted to know.

Mulder quickly introduced Frankie, and told him what had been happening, then urged him to get dressed.

"There's a slight problem. Spender has had at least one chip implanted in me. The one I know about is in my left wrist. It sets off an alarm if I step outside the apartment without him, and hurts like hell as well. He's also said, that there is another implant in my chest, which will explode if I am more than a meter away from him outside the apartment."

Frankie raised her eyebrows at Wade, "Is there anything you can do?"

Wade shrugged. "If they are the standard security devices, then I should be able to remove them as I have recovery unit in my medikit."

As Wade got ready to scan Alex, Mulder asked, "Why do you have a recovery unit in the medikit?"

Wade grimaced. "Unfortunately slavery is not uncommon. They could be criminals sent to work in the fields, captured Nomads, or those that the local Nomads have sold to the guards for food. Whatever the circumstances a slave is a valuable commodity, to most people, so if a slave is taken ill, we have to be able to remove the implants so that we can take them to hospital - other measures are taken there to ensure that the slave does not escape."

"That makes sense...." Mulder's voice trailed off as he watched the young medic remove the first of the implants.

"Usually we have a lead-lined box to put them in..." Wade said, holding the chip and wondering what to do with it.

Chaz held out his hand, "Give them to me, I know where to hide them. The other chip should be behind his left nipple, and as soon as you have that out I'll get tid of them both."

It was the work of a few minutes to remove the other implant, and Chaz took them over to the large entertainment unit hanging on the wall. Easing the screen away from the wall, he dropped both the chips inside the casing at the back. He grinned at his audience, "If he tries to activate it, and the signal actually does get through the interference, then all he'll damage is his entertainment centre."

Once the implants were removed, Wade quickly sprayed the worst of the welts with a local anaesthetic, before allowing Alex to get dressed.

They went back out through the balcony door, and along the streets towards the transport hangars. When they were nearing their destination, Frankie started to lead them through the maintenance shafts to where the transport awaited them. They had almost reached their destination, when they heard the unmistakable tramp of soldiers on the move.

Frankie moved to the nearest hatch and had it open in a matter of seconds. Telling Mulder and Alex to get inside, the other three made a show of tools in use and Chaz lay down half under some piece of machinery, trying to look as if he was repairing it.

Mulder felt for Alex's hand and held it tightly as the patrol halted and its leader demanded to see Frankie's papers.

She wiped her greasy hands on a rag, and fished them out of her pocket handing them over without a trace of concern showing on her face. While the Lieutenant was shuffling through them, she handed a tool from the bag to Wade, who was now crouched over where Chaz was apparently working. A few moments later, he handed a different tool back to her, which she put carefully away.

The Lieutenant, unable to find any reason to interfere, ungraciously dropped the papers near Frankie's feet and ordered the patrol onwards.

Picking the papers up, Frankie refolded them and returned them to her overall's pocket. Conscious of their time slipping away, she listened to the tramp of feet receding in the distance, and once they could barely be heard, she ordered them to pack up their tools and leave.

Moving swiftly, they reached the end of the tunnel and passed out into the hangar. They could see Dr Gethin and another man, standing studying a map, deep in conversation, near the open door of a transport.

Frankie pointed to a pile of boxes. "Hold one of them on your right shoulder, and walk into the transport, and don't look round."

Doing as they were told, the three men followed her into the large helicar and into the storage compartment at the rear. As soon as he had put his box down, Wade found himself enveloped in the arms of Jack Scully.

Joseph grinned, then said, "You'd better sit against the walls and make yourselves as comfortable as possible." While they were doing that, he, Frankie, John and the pilot, went outside. They brought two more loads of boxes on board, then the pilot reported to Elliott that everything was on board, and the three loaders walked away to return unnoticed to their normal occupations.

Once the helicar was in the air, Scully again took Wade into his arms. Not to be outdone, Mulder snuggled up to Alex just glad to be able to touch his lover again.

Chaz and Beverly chatted quietly during the short journey, but as it wasn't very comfortable sitting on the floor, they were all pleased when it came to an end. Elliot called them out of the rear compartment and introduced themselves to the fugitives. "I'm Doug Elliot, Professor of Archeology at the Dome University. This is Dr. Robert Gethin, a British colleague, who is usually to be found digging up Roman remains. Our pilot, who is deploying the awning over the main door, is Luke, one of my brightest postgraduate students."

Luke nodded amiably at them, then when the awning had opened covering the gap between the door and the trees, he unstrapped a huge flask and offered them a mug of hot coffee.

Through the windows they could see that they were parked in a steep, heavily wooded canyon, and seeing their quizzical looks, Doug went on, "Once we've finished our coffee, Bob, Luke and I will be taking a walk along the canyon to look at the Anasazi ruins. This side of the canyon will be in various amounts of shade for most of the day, which is why one of the reasons why we are parked here. At some point your own people will be joining us."

"Aren't you afraid that the Nomads might attack you?" Jack asked.

Elliott shook his head. "No. Whenever we encounter the Nomads we always give them some of our medicine and food supplies. They have come to realize that the archaeological fraternity means them no harm. After all, they are part of our history, and it would be remiss of us not to ensure that they can be studied by our successors, for they seem to have survived outside the cities for many years in what is supposed to have been a wasteland. Theoretically, they should not have survived at all, let alone bred, so we will need to study them to find out why, and maybe even learn from them how to live outside in the open again." He smiled selfconsciously, "Sorry for the lecture."

"You've made some good points," Alex said, leaning forward, his eyes alight with interest. "It begs the question, is the wasteland as toxic as we've been led to believe? Could it be that only the big cities are the real wasteland?"

"How do you account for the missing supplies?"

"We don't have to, we have an item in our budget for spoilage, even Minister Lermontov knows what happens to the items which end up in that category at the end of the year."

"Lermontov? Lermontov... knows...?"

The Professor's eyes twinkled. "I believe it was the present Minister who persuaded his Grandfather to introduce the budget item, just after his first sightseeing trip to Russian Georgia."

"Well I'll be damned!" Gethin exclaimed, "I didn't realize that. So Dmitri was listening to me, after all. He remonstrated with us when we gave some food and medicine to the local Nomads there. We explained that on many European and Asian digs we hired them to do some of the heavy digging where mechanical diggers would do too much damage. Therefore, if we weren't hiring at the moment, it only made sense to keep the peace between us."

"I would say he learnt that lesson well," Elliott told him. He looked towards the trees, and went on. "I think our company is here."

Jacqueline walked the short distance to join them inside the craft, and held out her hand to Elliott. "Hello Professor."

Elliott shook her hand firmly. "I don't think you've met Robert Gethin, one of our British colleagues." He waited while they shook hands, then said, "As you can see we have a larger party than we originally expected... but I'm sure you have plenty to talk about."

Gethin smiled and got to his feet. "It's time for our stroll up the canyon. I have to say, I'm really looking forward to seeing these cliff dwellings. I've read a lot about them, and seen photographs of course, but this will be the first time I've actually seen them."

Elliott laughed, "Get your stuff, don't forget your hat in this heat, and we'll be on our way."

Jacqueline waited until the three archaeologists were out of sight before giving in to the urge to hug first Jack, then Beverley and finally Wade.

When the introductions were over, Jack took a recorder spool out of his pocket. "I was given this by one of our contacts in the Dome. It's a recording of a meeting that was being held to discuss annihilating the Resistance once and for all. We need to listen to it, to compress its contents into a report we can send to Commander Jefferson..."

Alex interrupted him with, "Is your craft big enough to hold all of us, Jacqueline?" When she nodded, he went on, "Then let's clear up here and remove any traces of our presence. It would be just our luck that they get some visitors while we're here and they're not, and I don't want to risk any confrontations. Chaz, Wade, sort out some of the food and water supplies to take with us.... oh and medicine.... since it's in the budget." He gave them all a flashing grin. "Then we can study the information at our leisure."

-oo0oo-

The steep, heavily wooded canyon afforded excellent protection from the encroaching darkness. Krycek thought it wise to gather their strength and head out just before morning. Four sturdy, forest green tents had been erected from small packets. At the touch of a button they expanded to form comfortable sleeping quarters for the party.

Professor Elliot, Dr. Gethin and young Luke were due back from their walk along the canyon to investigate Anasazi ruins any time now.

Jacqueline and Wade distributed the ration capsules. The fresh, clean air was quite a contrast to what everyone had become accustomed to.

Wade's keen blue eyes scanned each person's face as he passed by. Their new ally Chaz Morrison seemed a bit on edge; Jack was absorbed with setting up the recorder spool; Beverly, poor Beverly, seemed to be suffering from shock. She'd gone decidedly quiet and Wade spent special attention to her. He paused before Mulder, who gave him a warm smile of admiration.

Mulder remained close to Alex. Several times he wished that things would move faster so that he and his lover could enjoy a much needed reunion in each other's arms. He shivered from the chilled wind which floated through the trees. The woods had an odd, disquieting eeriness about them. There wasn't a single, solitary nocturnal sound. Mulder wondered if any animal life had survived. Every so often the calls of Nomads could be heard in the far distance, reminding him that this was why the Nomads probably hunted humans.

After their meagre supper the group huddled round a primitive, but effective warm, blazing fire, they listened with mounting dread as the recorder spool completed its cycle.

General Alderton's booming tones could be heard agreeing to the sinister Spender Junior's voice about plans for a conference of Military Consortium allies.

"We have held power all these generations," Spender was saying, with growing fanaticism. "All opposition will be crushed!"

As the recorder clicked off, there was a grim silence only broken by the occasional hissing and popping of the fire.

Jack Scully cleared his throat and took the recorder. "The vital thing is to inform the Resistance that the Consortium are planning something big."

"You have to do more than that," Krycek told him. "If they're planning to wipe you out, then we have to stop them."

Jack moved over to collect a digital transmitter from a heavy metal case. "We've got to get this off to Commander Jefferson -- and fast," he said, straightening the black device and detaching the recorder for a warning message.

It was no good. Beverly rested on a small rock, staring in despair at the recorder spool. Her eyes burned and she was sweating badly. She struggled against the instructions floating through her mind. The implant burned and pulsed, feeding orders she fought vainly against. Beverly had a flash of the security treatment room within the City of Domes. A doctor stood over her inserting the traitorous device. She closed her eyes. She wanted to scream, to panic, to run, to kill herself -- but she knew that she was no longer herself...

Unaware of the torment in Beverly, Jack slipped the recorder into the transmitter. "There," he said. "All I have to do is attach a warning and edit the content."

"Won't the Military be able to trace the signal?" Morrison asked, concerned.

Jack nodded. "I'll have to send it over a coded band. It'll take some time, but we should be safe."

Beverly's head was a mass of flame now. She could hear a pulsing in her own ears, like the sound of an alien ocean pounding at the shores of her consciousness.

Mulder sucked on his bottom lip. "I don't know about you all, but I could really use some sleep." He felt guilty for putting the peril the Resistance faced ahead of his own needs, but if he didn't get Alex alone soon he was sure to spontaneously combust. He waggled an eyebrow at Wade for support.

"That's a very good idea," Wade agreed, Mulder's suggestion noted. "There's not a whole lot more we can do tonight."

There was a murmur of exhausted resignation all around.

Alex stood up. "At dawn we should head out. No later, okay?"

Mulder beamed at him. His lover had really taken a shine to being the Resistance's hero.

As the camp began to retreat into their respective tents, Jacqueline aided a pale Beverly into hers. Wade carefully replaced the food packets, leaving no trace behind, and watched Mulder literally pull Krycek into their tent. With a grin, he walked over to Jack and laid a hand over his strong shoulder. Jack's handsome face looked grim.

"It's bad, isn't it?"

"Wade, if we can mobilize the Resistance and strike before the Consortium, we have a real chance. A real chance to be free."

His young lover leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Don't be long, alright?" With that he hurried into their tent.

Alone with only the fading fire for company Jack hurried to complete the edit. He triggered the recorder, and began to speak into it in a low, urgent voice. "This is Jack Scully reporting. In three days time the Military Consortium are planning the complete destruction of the Resistance." He continued to speak, detailing the information. It was imperative that Commander Jefferson was warned. He concluded: "It is vital that defence measures be put into operation at once. Message ends." He clicked off the recorder.

He turned to press SEND on the transmission device, and froze.

Beverly stood, watching him.

Jack had a single moment to realize she was holding something in her hand. With one swift movement she brought a metal case crashing down on his head. He crumpled to the ground. Beverly retrieved the recorder with the vital information by Jack's hand.

*****

Within the sprawling City of Domes, Spender Junior had not woken well. For the loss of Alex Krycek, added to the fact Resistance members had infiltrated his City, he'd flung into an insane rage. Most of the men guarding the City entrances were either shot, beaten or handed over to the medical facility for live testing.

Both General Alderton and Lermontov quaked before the wrath of their leader. However they'd been able to soothe him with news that one of the captured resistance members had been fitted with a neural implant.

"Our plans for the conquest of the Resistance are safe," Alderton told him, pleased with himself. "Whatever information they may have discovered has been destroyed."

Spender whirled round on Alderton and Lermontov, his eyes wide with fury. "I should have you both fitted with restraining collars and punished!" he threatened.

A tiny communications device in his breast pocket started to bleep. Alderton pulled it out and snapped "Yes?" into the little microphone. Listening for a moment Alderton snapped back to attention. "Security patrols have located the marker," he reported. "They will reach the fugitives shortly."

Spender's temper faded away instantly. "Capture Krycek and Mulder alive. The others must be totally destroyed! There must be no survivors. Annihilate them!" he said excitedly.

"It will be done." The general relayed these instructions. Soon they would see the end of the Resistance, and he would delight in the punishment of Fox Mulder. He switched off the communicator. The patrol was almost in position now...

*****

Sealing the tent shut, Mulder wrapped his arms around Alex in a huge oxygen-depleting hug. They kissed for several long minutes. Mulder pulled back and saw the concern shining in Alex's eyes.

"What is it?" he wondered.

Alex gestured with his head. "They're headed into a war," he replied.

Mulder nodded. "It seems the future is no different from our time. We're still fighting the Consortium." He paused. "And I think they've got their eye on you to lead their crazy attack."

Alex's face became serious and soft at the same time. "I want to, Fox. This isn't just about the Resistance, it's about us. Finding some peace where we can finally be together."

Krycek brushed his hand on Mulder's left cheek. They leaned into each other and locked lips. With that their passions took over. They grabbed each other. They pressed their bodies together - groin against groin, stomach against stomach, chest against chest. They wanted to be one.

Slowly, they fell back onto the large, air cushioned sleeping bag. With his feet Fox took off his shoes. He then wrapped his long legs around Alex's. His feet pushed on the heels of Alex's shoes. He lifted his legs higher. He wrapped them around Krycek's ass and squeezed. The Russian lowered his head and pressed it against Fox's chest. With his left hand he grabbed Mulder's rounded ass, and with his right hand he unbuttoned his lover's shirt. Krycek rubbed his hand along Fox's chest.

Mulder's heartbeat quickened beneath his touch. He squeezed his legs and pushed his groin onto Krycek. As Alex's shirt was already open, Mulder pulled it off. Once that was done, he rubbed his hands along Krycek's muscular back.

Alex exhaled softly and rubbed a finger around Mulder's already hard left nipple. His lover moaned as Alex's dark head leaned down to suck on Fox's other nipple. He luxuriated in the taste of him which, when in the hands of the Consortium, he thought he'd never delight in again.

Fox stopped squeezing his legs to thrust his hips. His hard dick rubbed against Krycek through his pants. Krycek's left hand, which was holding Mulder by his ass, began to squeeze.

It wasn't long before both lovers had discarded the last of their clothing. Krycek admired Fox's beauty through gleaming green eyes. In turn, Fox ran his hands over Alex's back, pleased with the healing wands' effects until his lover hissed in pain. Alex's wounds may have been erased, but not the internal hurt. He would have to be gentle.

"I love you, Fox," Alex whispered, nuzzling their foreheads together.

Fox responded with a deep, passionate kiss. He couldn't bear to be away from his lover again, and he wanted this moment to last forever. Mulder's hard dick pressed tight on Krycek's stomach. Fox hungrily slid down, his face to Alex's flexing dick and vice versa.

Krycek explored Mulder's luscious ass. He rubbed his hands on his lover's ass cheeks. He flicked his tongue between Fox's balls and hole. Mulder purred in response. He grabbed Alex's dick and put it in his mouth. As his plump lips moved along, massaging the shaft, Alex let out a low groan of pleasure.

He spread Fox's ass cheeks, inserting a slick index finger inside. They were both moaning now, getting louder and louder. As much as Krycek wanted to go on, he knew he couldn't last much longer. He got up and spread Mulder's legs apart. Mulder looked up, an intense glow in his eyes as he surrender himself.

Before long, Krycek slid inside of his lover.

Fox leaned forward and pressed his lips to Alex's half-open mouth. Krycek's hand reached between his legs to grasp Fox's dick. With each thrust Alex grunted like an animal. Fox whimpered as he got closer to orgasm. He closed his eyes, and leaned his head back. Suddenly he arched his back, and cried out with a guttural roar.

Alex continued to fuck him, grunting, and thrusting quickly. He pressed down over Fox and engulfed his mouth with a frenzied kiss as his own shattering orgasm took hold. Locked in their heated, passionate embrace, the two lovers entwined across the large sleeping bag.

*****

Pushing back the triangular flap, Wade emerged from his tent. He gazed around the camp, noticing that the fire had nearly died out. He'd been waiting up for Jack for sometime. The cracking of a branch underfoot caused the young medic to jump. Wade squinted and saw a figure approaching.

"Jack, is that you?"

*****

Within the woodlands the security patrol brandished their blasters and swept the area. A tracker attached to the patrol leader's gun blinked rapidly in the darkness; Beverly's implant leading them straight to their target.

"The fugitives have been located," he announced to his patrol. "Converge and destroy!"

~+~+~+~+~+~

Wade's eyes opened wide as the disheveled figure of Beverly walked out of from the shadows beneath the trees. Her face was contorted in pain; her eyes wide with horror, and in her hand she carried the recording device Jack had been holding when Wade had last seen him.

"Help me."

She choked out the words through gritted teeth, her body starting to shake from the internal battle to regain control from the neural implant. One hand stretched out towards Wade, imploring him, and he stepped forward, his heart thumping hard in his chest as he wondered what had happened to Jack.

Suddenly, Beverly stopped, her amber eyes glazing over and hardening to gemstones. Wade realised that her beseeching hand was not empty as she pointed the gun directly at Wade's heart. Her finger began to squeeze on the trigger but Wade was frozen in shock, unable to force his muscles to throw him to safety. Images of his life flashed before him - from those pleasurable memories of a carefree childhood with Nicola, to his heart-stopping time with Jack. His body thrummed with remembrance of Jack's strong hands; the way Jack had worshipped his virgin body, taking him to heights of pleasure he had never imagined before. He had gone to Jack knowing that Jack was in love with him but aware that his own feelings were focused on Fox Mulder. That single night with Jack had turned him around. It was more than just sex. Jack had shown him how much he was loved and had given Wade all that he had; mind and body. And Wade could not imagine never having that again, never touching Jack again, or holding him, kissing him... making love with him.

Wade gasped as the expected death never came, reduced to watching as someone tackled Beverly from behind. The action released his frozen limbs and he raced forward, sobbing in relief when the attacker raised his head. A stream of blood concealed half of Jack's face; a black ribbon over alabaster flesh.

Alex and Mulder appeared beside them along with all the others. Even Gethin, Elliott and Luke had stumbled from the tent they must have retired to only a short while earlier. Jack looked up, his eyes glassy with shock.

"Neural implant. I should have realised. We have to get out of here. Now."

The group split up quickly with the archaeologists racing towards the Dome helicar while the rest abandoned everything and crowded into Jacqueline's. As they fired up the engines, Alex glanced through the front screen. He should have insisted they moved on earlier rather than let them persuade him to wait until morning. He had caved in because the others had been so tired.

"Shit. Let's get a move on."

Shadows were moving along the edge of the clearing but, on hearing the helicars, the soldiers swarmed into the open. Alex could hear shouts as the leader ordered them to ensure he and Fox were taken alive. He shuddered, ice cold fingers of fear creeping down his spine as he realised what horrors would be in store for them if the Consortium recaptured them. The helicar cleared the ground, heading straight up. It rocked violently as the soldiers fired upon them in the hope of disabling the craft. Jacqueline swore profusely as she yanked the steering controls hard left then back the other way; all the time still climbing away from the woodland floor. Warning beeps filled the helicar and she yelled out.

"We have company. Hold on tight everyone."

She pulled the helicar into a tight roll, peeling left sharply. The metal screeched from the G-forces, the engine screaming from its own abuse as they pitched and rolled, dived and climbed as they sought to evade the three Consortium vessels that were hard on their tail. A streak of darkness came out of nowhere, racing past them and, suddenly, one of their pursuers blossomed into a fiery ball of destruction. The other two Consortium vessels peeled off fast, turning swiftly to retreat but the tail-ender would never make it. Alex's last sight of the vessel was of it hurtling to earth like a meteor; trailing fire and smoke.

Alex closed his eyes and gave silent thanks to whatever superbeing was out there watching over them. He opened his eyes and stared at the people crammed into the helicar; his eyes flicking across each one until they rested on Jack's. Jack cradled Beverly Adams in his arms but Alex did not need to ask her condition. Her large golden eyes were open but unseeing, her lips parted slackly. Tears were mingling with the blood still sluggishly flowing down Jack's face. Alex hardened his thoughts and features, knowing what he had to do.

"We need to set the helicar down."

He saw the others open their mouths to object but then cold reason took hold. Beverly was dead, but the neural implant would still be active and, even now, it would be relaying their position to the Consortium.

Jacqueline set the car down and they swiftly buried Beverly in a shallow grave, aware that there was no time to spare for more formal rites and grief. Within ten minutes they were back in the air and heading towards the nearest safehold, Jack having finally completed the task of sending the vital information to Commander Jefferson.

-ooOOoo-

Wade tightened his arms around Jack as they lay quietly together in bed. He was draped across his lover, his head pillowed on the muscular chest, and beneath him he could both hear and feel the throbbing beat of Jack's heart. Alive. They were both alive, and Wade gave thanks for Jack having such a thick skull. As a medic, Wade knew it would be wise not to instigate anything more than touching and holding while Jack was still concussed. However, once Jack had the all clear, Wade was determined to take advantage of every moment granted to them.

Jack shifted slightly, sighing softly.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Just thinking about Beverly."

Wade sighed and nuzzled against the slightly furred chest. Earlier that day they had held a quick memorial service for her - in between making plans for the coming battle. He still did not understand what had killed her but then she had already been so weak from torture. Perhaps her struggle against the neural implant had sapped the last of her strength, or maybe it had imploded once the Consortium trackers realised that they had lost control of her. He recalled her pain-ravaged face, and then dwelled on the serenity of her expression when Jack laid her down in her grave.

"She's at peace now."

Wade sent waves of love across the link they shared and felt the warmth of Jack's response. They snuggled down beneath the thick blankets, still wrapped in each other's arms - and slept.

-ooOOoo-

Alex paced the small chamber he and Mulder occupied within the New York underground complex. They had drawn up the plans and, even now, Jefferson's people were equipping the fighters and soldiers for the coming battle. Some of the Resistance forces had already gone ahead, taking cover in the remnants of Phoenix and Dallas while they waited for the orders to strike. They would mobilize the rest tomorrow, just before noon, with the intention of arriving at the City of Domes close to midnight.

Alex had wanted to be in the first wave of the attack; sneaking back into the city through the tunnel that the resistance cells within the city - the Fifth Column - had discovered. However, that role had gone to Charles Morrison because he had the contacts. Everything hinged on the getting the Fifth Column into striking positions as the majority of the Resistance would be coming in through the main gates.

When Jefferson had handed over the leadership of the Resistance to Alex, he had tried to give it straight back. His reasoning was that Jefferson was one of these people and had been their leader for more than a decade. He knew them inside out; he knew their strengths and weaknesses whereas the people Alex had known and led were many lifetimes away in the past. However, Jefferson had insisted; convinced that he had spent so many years with his mind wrapped around how to hide that he no longer had the ability to lead them into open battle.

His thoughts had bombarded Alex. Alex had seen the inside of the Domes and he had knowledge of the terrain around the city. He had met members of the Fifth Column but, what is more important, he was a brilliant strategist; his skills kept well hidden from the Consortium that he had infiltrated back before the war. Jefferson had all the documented evidence to prove this; the massacre of the Elders at El Rico Airbase; the alliance with the Rebel Aliens that would have turned the tide in humanity's favour had Alex not been betrayed while formulating plans to destroy the Colonist mothership in Tunisia.

Missing believed dead.

Incarcerating him in the penal colony at Forj Sidi Toui was an inspired solution for an organisation that wanted to keep Krycek alive and yet make the Resistance believe he was lying in some shallow grave. If they had held him in one of their secret facilities then it would only be a matter of time before the Resistance found him. Instead, they had kept Alex alive and in reasonable health despite the appalling conditions inside the penal colony.

In the end, Alex had submitted to Jefferson's demands that he take back the leadership. Soon after they were deep in discussion as they formulated the method they would use to destroy the Consortium once and for all. However, being leader meant he had a duty to these people that went beyond the upcoming battle. Once they had succeeded in bringing down the Consortium then there were still major problems to overcome. The greatest of which was the slow extinction of humanity due to the decreasing pool of viable genetic material. Even though he and Mulder were perfect specimens in that respect, it would be highly impractical to use only their genetic material. Genetic defects would begin to show a few generations down the road as 'cousins' and their offspring interbred. Eventually it would place humanity in an even worse position that they were now.

Gethin had supplied some knowledge of the cannibalistic Nomads with the hope that they might be brought into the gene pool. From his information, it was obvious that they were afflicted almost as severely as the Resistance for they didn't have the resources of the Dome dwellers. They were small in number, and widely scattered across the barren land, and so they were interbreeding. However, Alex was knowledgeable enough of nomadic tribes from his time spent in Tunisia, and through American history of the Indian people, to know that forcing them into cities would crush their free spirits and bring resentment.

There was a compromise that would benefit all humans. After studying the situation around the World, Alex knew that most of the planet was toxic wasteland. However, there were pockets where the radioactive soil might be cleaned and the land put into use for raising crops. The Dome scientists had the technology for they had applied it to several areas to produce food for the Consortium families. If they could provide the Nomads with machinery and expert help then perhaps they might be able to bring them back into civilisation without destroying them in the process.

When he spoke of this to Jefferson, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Resistance already had several ideas for something similar, though no one had considered making the Nomads part of them. Decades ago they had started to plan for the day when they could walk away from the tunnels that they had retreated to after the war. Alex recalled the way Jefferson's eyes had lit up when Alex mentioned the Nomads and it had not taken much to convince the Commander to turn his full attention to turning those plans into reality.

Alex reached the end of the small chamber and started pacing back the other way.

Feeding the people was important but they had survived this far without those plans in operation. The Consortium had their pockets of arable land and Dome farms, the Nomads had the roots of scraggy plants, shrubs and what few animals had survived the war - including human flesh - and the Resistance had their gruel. Food kept the current population alive but each subsequent generation was smaller because of increasing sterility and genetic abnormality.

Alex knew that what they needed was to locate the secret storage facilities that housed the stolen ova and sperm collected through various sources. It was not just abductees that were raped in this way. Women undergoing fertility treatment would have ova harvested but never realised that many of those ova had gone into the Consortium banks. Men donating sperm tended not to care what happened but the Consortium kept their harvesting from this area secret too, knowing that the newspapers would have seen it as unethical.

He knew the current Consortium must have had access to one of those facilities but the decline in their viability was proof that it was a small supply that they had almost exhausted. It occurred to Alex that the whereabouts of these storage locations had been such a well-guarded secret that perhaps only a handful of the original Consortium's people would have known about them. CGB Spender - Mulder's Cancer Man - would have been one of them.

Alex, through his infiltration techniques, was another.

However, these facilities had all been underground, many of them were now buried beneath the levelled cities across the globe. The closest one to the City of Domes was beneath Hangar 13 but Alex knew there was a larger facility beneath what had been the Pentagon in Washington DC.

Alex had sent a small survey team down to Washington but they had returned earlier with the news that the Colonists had obliterated the Pentagon during the war. The building had collapsed in upon itself leaving a five-sided pile of debris and it would take an excavation team to dig through the rubble to find the elevator shafts that channeled deep into the earth.

"Gethin and Elliot. We could give them all the equipment and assistance they need once we are free to operate in the open."

Mulder grinned. He was still coming to terms with this side of Alex that he had never envisaged. Alex Krycek: Leader and hero of the Resistance, using that razor sharp intellect that he had kept dulled around his enemies to benefit all humanity. Mulder had sat in on all the War Council sessions, adding his own insights and quickly understanding why Jefferson had so readily handed over leadership to Alex.

"There has to be some way we can use these nanocytes in our blood too. The Consortium will have scientists who might be able to unlock the secrets and, perhaps, use them in genetic engineering to correct the defects creeping into each generation--"

"Alex."

"--But it all depends on taking the City with minimum casualties and minimal damage to the structures--"

"ALEX."

"What?"

"Come to bed."

Mulder was sitting up in the bed and he threw back the cover, revealing his naked form and tumescent flesh. He reached down and stroked more life into the rapidly swelling shaft; a slow smile building as he saw the heat of Alex's reaction. Green eyes dilated to almost black, his youthful face flushing, those sensual lips reddening - and Mulder felt his smile fade as wonderment took over. The lines of stress and fatigue that had haunted Alex's face in the past had gone. Intellectually, Mulder knew this rejuvenation was the work of the nanocytes, and he was aware that his own body had undergone the same process. However, on the aesthetic level, Mulder had never seen any creature more beautiful than his lover at this moment, and he could almost believe that he had died and God had sent this angel to lead him to heaven.

Mulder reached out, his fingers trembling from the emotions that crashed through him. Warm fingers wrapped around his and Mulder drew Alex to his side. He gasped softly as he saw his reflection in those shining eyes; the soft mental link slowly forming between them allowing Mulder to see deeper still. He felt Alex's awe and joy as he beheld Mulder, feeling the ripples of adoration and passion flow through the perfect body.

Their lips met, tentatively at first but slowly increasing the pressure until they were crushing each other with bruising strength. Fingers carded through Mulder's hair; the palms moulding to the shape of Mulder's head as Alex kept them locked in this passionate kiss. Kiss-softened lips parted and Mulder thrust his tongue inside, eager to savour the unique taste of his lover. Slowly he mapped out the interior, desperate to know every ridge, and every curve and hollow. He jousted with Alex, their tongues coiling and striking, caressing and sliding as he demanded to know everything. Finally, Mulder retreated, drawing his lover into his mouth so Alex would know him as intimately.

Mulder drew Alex over his body, gently forcing him onto his back on the bed while Mulder rolled over on top of him; his mouth never releasing its possessive hold. Gradually, Mulder recognised the hardness digging into his stomach. He pulled back and grinned into the desire-filled eyes. Last time he had been overcome with desperation, needing to be filled by this man and, though the intensity of that desire remained, this time he wanted to possess his lover's beautiful body.

Mulder encouraged Alex to spread his legs; his own falling between them. Carefully and slowly, he drew back onto his knees, his mouth worshipping the heaving body lying beneath him. Alex gasped as Mulder's tongue lapped at the tight bud of a nipple, his cry of pleasure sending shockwaves through Mulder's body. He did it again, his tongue twisting over the sensitive flesh, coiling around the small bud and flicking at it. He drew back, seeing the puckered flesh glisten with saliva, and Mulder blew gently, bringing another small moan of pleasure falling from Alex's parted lips.

"Mulder."

Mulder grinned at Alex's beseeching cry. He wished he could spend all night teasing his lover, bringing to the very edge of annihilation over and over before he let him fall but time was no friend right now. Alex needed to rest, and they both needed sleep to give them strength for the coming battle.

Mulder continued his journey down the muscular torso; lips, tongue and fingers flowing over silken flesh, trailing across curves and hollows of strong bone and muscle. He let his mind flow with them, wanting to map every inch of this precious body with all of his senses. Alex anticipated him when Mulder reached the sensitive flesh of inner thigh, easily reading Mulder's needs as he held out the sweet smelling gel that Mulder had placed on the bedside cabinet earlier. Mulder felt a warmth curling through him at this submissive gesture, and flushed with pleasure in knowing that Alex would freely give himself only to him.

He scooped up some of the sweetly scented gel and rubbed it between his fingers; warming the cool lubricant before reaching between the firm asscheeks for that hidden entrance. Alex drew his legs back, exposing himself fully to Mulder's tender caress. He moaned softly as Mulder's fingers stroked into his body, easing past the tight muscle to caress the silken inner wall. Mulder found his sight torn between the body opening to him and the mahogany hair fanning the pillow as Alex rolled his head back and forth. He tried to capture the litany of soft words that mingled with pleasurable gasps, the alien sounds translating into warm ripples in his mind as their link intensified.

Mulder's fingers circled the hard flesh standing proud from its bed of silken, brown curls, his thumb smearing a bead of passion across the flared head. Alex bucked into his hand, his eyes widening - frantic and yet glazed with desire. Mulder released his hold on Alex's engorged shaft and positioned his own at the entrance to Alex's beautiful body; the head pressing against the loosened muscle. He looked deep into Alex's glassy eyes, waiting for a sign to take possession - to make them complete. Dark eyes, rimmed with forest green, regained focus, slowly softening as they filled with love and trust, and Mulder felt the last remnants of any hostility he had ever held for this man fall away - never to return.

With infinite care he pressed inside, slowly sheathing himself in the hot channel. He paused, revelling in the tightness of muscle along the whole length of him, captured by the strong muscle that pulsed around him. He wanted to stay like this for all eternity; caught in the heat of this beloved body forever but all too soon the need to slake the desire that fired through him took a hold. He withdrew most of the way and then pushed back smoothly, loving the way Alex cried out his name as he brushed against that special pleasure centre.

Alex wrapped his strong legs around Mulder, holding him fast but giving more than enough room to find a strong rhythm as Mulder thrust into the willing flesh. Once more his fingers encircled Alex's straining flesh, his hand sliding along the silken-steel shaft, his thumb rubbing over the sensitive tip. Alex was thrashing beneath him, thrusting erratically into his hand as Mulder timed each stroke to match the pounding into Alex's ass. He gasped when those strong muscles clamped down upon him; lost in the keening wail as Alex froze momentarily before his seed spurted from the engorged shaft, splattering over abdomen and chest and coating Mulder's hand in its slick warmth.

Mulder was lost in the maelstrom of sensations churning between them, his senses lifted by the power of Alex's climax. Every nerve ending was tingling, alive with an intensity of passion that overloaded his entire body. He soared with starlight flashing behind his eyes as his mind whirled out of control, his deepest most basic thoughts wrapped around the brilliance within his lover's mind.

When he came back to his senses, Mulder was lying partly across Alex with his head pillowed on the muscular chest, hands wrapped around the lean waist. His fingers trailed through sweat-sheened flesh before burrowing beneath Alex; each palm cupping the firm curve of an asscheek.

He couldn't recall anything beyond that moment when he had soared high into the heavens entwined with Alex. He looked into the sleep-softened face. The lines of fatigue had smoothed away leaving a heart-stopping, child-like innocence that almost seemed out of place in such a seasoned fighter as Alex. Mulder inspected his lover, noticing that the lines of abuse from Spender Junior had all but faded away - but the nanocytes were still healing the internal bruising.

The heavy musk of their lovemaking filled the small chamber and Mulder could feel sticky patches of spent passion on his body and on the sheet beneath him. He considered finding a wash cloth to clean them both but Alex looked so deep in restorative sleep that he did not have the heart to awaken him. Instead, he lay his head on the pillow next to Alex - breathing in the scent of his lover - and then he closed his eyes and slept.

-ooOOoo-

Alex slammed his hands down on the War Room table in exasperation.

"I've written down the exact location of all of the storage facilities I know about. There is nothing more I can tell you about them. It's up to Gethin and Elliot to do the rest."

"There is still the matter of the nanocytes in your system. If we can harness their technology then--"

"No. I spent years in rat and bug infested holes; lost my arm, my dignity, my family and friends in this fight for the future. I will not stay behind now that victory is close at hand. I shall be in the first group that breaches the Dome's main gate."

"And I'll be right beside him."

Alex turned and Mulder could read the hesitation in the glittering green eyes but Mulder had no intention of waiting in comparative safety while Alex ran into danger. Plus, this was his fight too. He had spent countless years searching for the truth, and then for a way to bring the Consortium to its knees. He had lost good friends to the war; Scully, Skinner, and the Gunmen and they deserved their retribution. Uniting all the factions of this new world would be his new goal and that starting with the end of the Consortium.

~+~+~+~+~+~

Over to Demi-X.