Phantom Shadows 3

---

Weightlessness is one of the strangest sensations, especially when you are naked and at the mercy of CGB Spender. Alex tried to keep himself from regaining consciousness but the swaying and rocking slowly pulled him from the darkness. It took him a moment to remember where he was and another to figure out why he was looking at the ceiling. The straps supporting his weight should have clued him in. Who said he was smart?

"Good you're awake. How do you like the sling? I hope it's comfortable. I like the way you look in it. I'll probably keep you this way for a couple of days. I have some friends who would love to see you like this. " A deep voice spoke from in front of him. It hurt too much to lift his head. He tried to bring his legs down but couldn't move them. All he did was cause the sling to sway. Nausea rolled through his stomach; it took all his will power not to throw up.

Hands grabbed both his ankles and spread his legs, he tried keeping his thighs closed, but it was impossible. Rough hands grabbed his balls and squeezed. He clenched his jaw not wanting to give Spender the satisfaction of hearing him scream.

"Don't try to close your thighs. You should know by now that it is useless."

"Fuck off bastard. Walter and Fox will kill you for this." Krycek groaned when the hand squeezed tightly; then the pressure was gone.

"You are just asking to be hurt aren't you, Alex? Don't worry I'll punish you for your insolence after I finish fucking you."

Fighting against the sling sapped his energy and didn't do anything except make the cigarette smoking bastard smile. The straps holding his ankles spread his legs too far apart for him to close them. Turning his head away was his only course of action. If Skinner and Mulder burst in the room right now, he would love them forever. He closed his eyes not wanting to see the leering face of his enemy. Closing off his mind wasn't as easy as it used to be.

Spender must have lubricated him while he was unconscious because the older man slid right in and started banging away. A grunt of pain escaped his jaw the man was huge. He tried to strain away but there was no where for him to move; the sling prevented him from gaining any leverage. All he could do was pray for Spender to finish quickly. It felt like a club was being rammed up him. Breathing evenly almost helped him deal with the pain. He never should have left Mulder and Skinner. But how could he have known about Spender's change?

A warm hand wrapped itself around his limp penis and he opened his eyes fearfully. Surely Spender didn't care if he came or not? As if reading his mind, Spender said, "Oh yes, I want you to come so Mulder and Skinner can see what a traitor you are when I send them the tape. You can't cry rape if you enjoy the fuck."

Spender changed the angle of his thrusts and bright stars of pleasure rocked through his body. Involuntarily his body clenched inward, curling up within range of the straps. "Oh Fuck!" Alex tried jerking his body so that the angle would change, but Spender dug his fingers into his hips and continued to plunge into him. His previously lax penis sprang up instantly and precum leaked from the tip. He could feel the wetness dripping onto his stomach. A sob escaped this throat. There was no way he could stop himself from coming. Picturing dead people didn't help at all.

"No, No, No," he said repeatedly, hoping the mantra would prevent his body from betraying him. It didn't. With a scream of outrage, his body convulsed, his penis throbbed and sperm shot out covering his chest; the warm liquid rapidly cooled. Alex could feel cold rivulets of come drip down the sides of his chest. His chest heaved with exertion; he barely noticed Spender coming or the warmth spreading within him, against his will.

When he was younger, shame would have incapacitated him, but not now. Coldness filled him. Now that the rape was over he could concentrate on finding a way out of the sling. Mulder and Skinner probably wouldn't find him in time to prevent whatever it was the smoking bastard wanted to do to him.

The room didn't have a window, just four plain walls. A camera sat in the corner filming everything; the red light glared at him. He turned his face away. The sawhorse didn't look threatening by itself, but in this room... he didn't want to find himself bent over it. Right now Spender could fuck him at will, but on the sawhorse, his back would be exposed for whatever tortures Spender planned for him. However, in the sling there was no chance for him to escape. Knocking Spender out was his only chance. Leaving the house without clothing wouldn't help him. With his luck the police would pick him up for indecent exposure.

His mind wavered between logical coherency and hysterical incoherence, not used to being so helpless or raped. Logically he knew his body was going into shock. The pain of the rape was very real. Spender walked around him, quietly readjusting the straps. So that his feet where higher than his head and his head was hip level with Spender's waist.

"God I'm so horny. The aliens could make so much money using their technology." Those words froze Alex. Spender was slowly wacking off in front of him, one hand slowly going up and down on that monster erection.

All he could think of was not again. Apparently Spender's recovery time was cut in half. He turned his head towards the empty wall and tried to pray for Mulder to rescue him, just now realizing why Spender readjusted the straps. Soon Spender was going to try shoving his erection into his mouth. Instead, a strong hand grabbed his hair and tilted his head back. It looked like Spender was about to come at any moment. Alex closed his eyes just as one strand of fluid hit his face. "Oh yeah, baby. How do you like that? You look like such a slut with all my come on you."

It felt like every inch of his face was covered. He didn't dare open his lips, but the choice was taken away. Fingers pinched into his jaw forcing it to open. Alex twisted his head to the side, but too late. The thick head of Spender's cock forced it's way down his throat, where he thrust twice more before pulling out, leaving a stick trail of come inside Alex's mouth. Alex swallowed convulsively trying to get the taste out of his mouth. Humiliation burned through him, and it wasn't over. While he was still blinded by the come covering his eyes, Spender quickly released him from the sling and started dragging him. The floor hurt his hips and he wiggled ineffectively against the hand holding his hair and the other one holding his wrist. The air whooshed from his chest when he was thrown over what had to have been the sawhorse. I'm not going to cry rang through his mind as Spender cuffed his feet wide apart and pulled his wrist through a noose on the floor.

Standing on his toes was the only way he could breath on the sawhorse, but soon his ankles started aching where the metals cuffs chaffed them. I'm not going to cry he thought again, even as tears of pain leaked out of his tightly closed eyes. The come on his face was starting to dry and it itched. He tried opening his eyes to see if there was anything to scratch his face with, but the come had already dried over his eyelashes. Shit! He wiggled uncomfortably in his position. He knew Spender was talking to him, but he didn't hear a word.

The next hour passed in a haze of pain and humiliation as Spender raped him again and started whipping him with a cheap S&M leather toy. It didn't cut him, but gradually the pain increased until he was begging and sobbing for Spender to stop. Of course the bastard only hit harder but that didn't stop him from trying to end the pain in the only way he knew how. Time ceased to have meaning. It felt like minutes, hours, days, but in reality maybe only two hours had passed. It didn't take long for his tears to soften the dry come and he was able to open his eyes.

The whip came down again and he flinched again, for the fiftieth time, his whole back was on fire. "Please stop." He whispered too weak and out of breath to beg any louder. How did this happen to him? One day ago he was still a dangerous ex-assassin and now he was the hopeless victim. He had to warn Mulder and Skinner about Spender. The English Gentleman one time let it slip that Spender had more than a passing interest in Mulder but was too old to do anything about it. With his new body, Spender could wreak a lot of havoc for years to come and hurt Mulder.

At some point he passed out. A gentle hand on his brow woke him. "Shh.Alex love, we'll get you out of this." Alex opened his eyes, and saw Skinner kneeling down in front of him, untying the noose around his wrist. The blood covering it made it more slippery and his struggles only tightened it. Mulder caught him when he fell back. He stared up into Mulder's concerned eyes, feeling more than a little confused. Where was Spender?

"How is he?" He heard a soft female voice ask from far away.

Mulder quickly replied, "I think he'll be okay, Walter is trying to unlock the ankle cuffs. Did you catch the bastard?"

Scully sounded furious when she answered from the doorway. "No he got away. He threw a garbage can at me. Damn heavy one at that."

Alex closed his eyes and tried not to blush. It helped that his whole body ached. "How did you find me?" he croaked.

"Shh.don't try to talk. Save your energy." Mulder caressed his forehead moving a strand of hair out of the way.

Scully knelt next to him and Mulder one hand reached towards his face. "No, I'm fine! Don't touch me." Alex didn't want anyone touching him just yet.

"But I need to make sure the bleeding stops. I think you're going into shock," Scully protested.

Walter's firm voice was a welcome relief. "I'm sure Alex will be fine. We obviously surprised Jeff Spender. Let's get him out of here. If the bleeding doesn't stop we'll call you."

Skinner took off his coat and draped it over his naked and shivering body. His limbs felt like spaghetti the muscles sore from struggling. Mulder helped him put his arms through the sleeves.

"This place is disgusting," Walter said out loud, to no one in particular. The description fit the room very well.

Did the other men see the camera? Not wanting the chance of it being left behind he said, "Camera." and hoped his partners were as smart as he thought they were.

"Shit, I knew we were forgetting something." Mulder led him into Skinner's strong arms and strode over to the corner took out the tape, placed it in his coat pocket, then picked up the expensive looking camera and threw it across the room. The sudden crashing noise caused him to flinch. He hadn't expected it to sound so loud.

"Shhh.it's okay, Alex. Just relax. We'll protect you, and we'll catch the bastard and kill him." Those adamant words made him want to laugh hysterically, if he wasn't already so exhausted. They'd been trying to catch the CGB Spender for years, with little luck.

Leaning almost all his weight on Walter's arm wrapped around his waist he made his way downstairs with Scully leading the way and Mulder bringing up the rear. Trusting Walter, Mulder, and Scully to get him home safely, he fell asleep in the car.

*****

"God we should have found him sooner," Mulder whispered, remorse filling his heart at the sight of his unconscious lover.

"We did the best we could and you know it." It hurt Walter to see the competent man so dazed and scared. They did do their best, he said to himself, trying not to feel guilty for not finding the green eye cat sooner. Yet not wanting to imagine what they would have found if they arrived one hour earlier. Jeff was sitting on a box eating a sandwich, when they burst into the room.

One day ago if someone asked how deadly Jeff Spender was as an agent, he would have said, "Not very." And laughed at the picture of Jeff being deadly. But after having their asses kicked by the man, his confidence was badly shaken. If Scully hadn't come in with her gun ready and fired at the man, they would probably be dead. Spender moved so quickly, he was able to knock her against the wall and escape the room before they could shoot him. The memory of seeing Krycek bent over the saw horse with blood and semen dripping down his legs, whip marks criss crossing his back would remain with him forever. Whimpers and the repeated pleas to stop exited Alex's mouth. Walter doubted that Krycek realized what he was saying.

Mulder whimpered at the sight of his abused lover and it was his strict command for him to stay that prevented the headstrong agent from rushing after Jeff Spender. Krycek needed both his lover's presence to stay calm. Hell it took all his control not to rush after the bastard when he saw Alex's face covered in dried come. Mulder's projected his feelings almost exactly; it was a wonder that they managed to project calmness when Krycek roused from his painful slumber.

After, they cleaned Krycek Scully would have to check him over to make sure none of the cuts would become infected. He wished his country house wasn't haunted, it would have been the perfect place to take Krycek until he healed. As it was they were going to Mulder's apartment. Too many questions would be asked if they tried to get Krycek past the front door of his apartment building.

He pulled up in front of Mulder's apartment, not even remembering how he got there exactly. Scully and Mulder helped Krycek climb out of the front seat, while he rushed on ahead and opened the doors for them. It was late and no one saw them enter the building half carrying a man without shoes on.

*****

Water heaters were one of the greatest inventions, Alex thought absently while standing in the spray of hot water. It burned his skin but it was also erasing all traces of Spender off his body. He was appalled by his image in Mulder's bathroom mirror. No one saw the blush that stained his cheeks, having already told everyone to leave him alone so he could get clean.

Walter and Mulder's rescue relieved him beyond all belief, but now he wished that they didn't have to see him so helpless. Scully wouldn't look into his eyes and Mulder acted like at any moment he was going to go stark raving mad and jump out his window in despair. Walter was the only one who didn't treat him like a fragile expensive piece of glass. The softness in his tone was the only indication that he was disturbed and worried, and he respected his wish to wash alone.

They let him sleep for an hour or so and when he woke up, he noticed that he was starving and he was in desperate need of a bath. Blood stained the water red, but fresh water quickly washed it away. His ankles ached when water hit but he gritted his teeth and relaxed, leaning his head against the wall. Tears of pain and shame gathered in his eyes but he refused to let them fall. He wasn't fifteen years old anymore.

Memories from his childhood assaulted his mind and he shoved them away and quickly finished his shower. His back ached but he was glad to see he wasn't bleeding. Bruises made his back look like one ugly sunset. The large t-shirt with smurfs on the front didn't fit his mood, but it was loose enough so it didn't rub up against the welts. Mulder let him borrow a pair of his boxer shorts and he put them on, grateful that they looked normal enough. No pictures of Mickey Mouse, or god forbid, Barbie.

The three of them were sitting around the kitchen table when he emerged from Mulder's room. Walter and Mulder both stood up and rushed to him. He noticed that Scully stayed seated, sipping either coffee or tea out of a coffee mug. Her small hands stayed wrapped around the mug. His ankles ached but he really didn't need any help making it to a chair. Sitting hurt but he tried to hide the pain. "Hey how are you?" Mulder asked softly.

His stomach chose that moment to growl. He laughed a little nervously. "A little hungry, I suppose."

"Fox, why don't you start cooking something, I'm sure you have food in here somewhere."

Mulder smiled at him and gripped his shoulder softly, before heading back towards the kitchen. The obedience surprised him. He'd expected an argument. Walter grinned at his questioning look. "I told him to behave until you're feeling better. Do you feel capable of telling us what happened? We saw Jeff Spender in the room with you, but we were under the impression that it was the Smoking Man that had you?" While speaking, Walter had placed a hand on his thigh, the only unmarked place on his body, and was massaging it. It sent tingles of pleasure straight to his groin.

He shifted uncomfortably before answering. "That was the Smoking Bastard. The aliens did something to him, and now he's younger and ten times stronger and faster than we are. I thought it was Jeff who was at my apartment. I had no idea until too late. He also has faster recuperative powers. I think he's going to try and kidnap Fox. Before when he desired Fox it was harmless, he couldn't do anything about it, but now I'm afraid he's going to try for us again." By the time he finished speaking a silence fell over the apartment. Mulder was no longer pawing through his small pantry, or banging pots around looking for the right one.

Scully was the first one to break the silence. She stood up the chair loud in the small apartment. "I need to get going soon. Krycek, is it okay for me to check you over? I need to make sure you aren't going to get infected. I would prefer you went to the hospital..."

"No!" Alex exclaimed hastily, "No, I'm not going to the hospital. I can't." Hospital's left a bad feeling in him especially after the summer of his fifteenth year. The exam at the hospital was arguably more painful than the actual rape, and almost more humiliating. A male doctor saw to him and didn't bother hiding his disgust. His father beat him after picking him up from the hospital. Next to losing his arm, that was the worst day in his life.

"It's okay, you're not in shock anymore, that's a good sign. It'll only take a few minutes. I guess you should be grateful that you're used to anal sex, otherwise you'd probably be hurting ten times more."

This time his, Mulder's, and Walter's faces all turned red. "Scully!" Mulder exclaimed shocked that she would actually say something like that.

"Mulder, finish cooking!" Walter barked trying to cover up his embarrassment.

Two bright spots stood out on Scully's checks; it looked like she was trying not to laugh hysterically. "Come on, Krycek. Let's get this over so I can go home." She stalked towards Mulder's room. He followed more slowly behind her.

*****

Scully bit her bottom lip while going through her medical supplies. She was trying not to look at Krycek while he disrobed memories of Skinner's haunted house still plaguing her. Her latex gloves were within easy reach and she quickly put them on, watching her patient from the corner of her eye. Krycek laid down on the bed without her having to tell him. She handed him a pillow and asked him to put it under his hips.

With her small black flashlight held between her lips, she quickly examined his body, gently probing his anus with her latex covered fingers. He flinched so she backed off a bit. She only found a few minor tears, so she moved on to his back checking to see if any of the welts were deep enough to start bleeding. What worried her most were the cuts on Krycek's wrist and ankles. They looked deep enough to become infected. Generally speaking this was a minor rape Krycek would be okay. The rape didn't tear anything badly enough for stitches. Her announcement in the living room was correct. Krycek's body really had adjusted to sex with males. What hurt him the most was the beating and whatever drugs Spender used to knock him out. It looked like Krycek had a slight concussion as well. She couldn't imagine Krycek not putting up some sort of resistance. She noticed a bruise forming on his cheek. Welts graced the back of his thighs and his buttocks. She set aside her flashlight and grabbed her bottle of disinfectant. All she could do was clean his wrists and bandage them; she had a lotion that she could apply to his anus that would reduce some of the swelling.

Krycek didn't utter one word of complaint while she cleaned his wrist and ankles, just the tensing of his muscles said it hurt. When she went to apply the cream to his anus, he buried his head into the pillow he was clutching. This time his whole body tensed. She decided to hurry before he told her to go to hell. Which looked like it was going to happen at any moment. Scully spread the cream and gently inserted one finger into him, knowing the cream would work better if it was inside him too. A strangled sob escaped the confines of the pillow and she finished more quickly than she would have liked. It hurt to see such a strong man crying into a pillow. She took off the gloves and tossed them in her disposable bag.

Then she tried to comfort him. "Shhh.I won't hurt you. I'm finished now." Scully moved up and sat down next to his head, and ran her fingers through his hair, hoping it soothed him. He continued to cry and she stayed with him. Chances are the minute he saw either Skinner or Mulder he would shut up like a clam. She didn't want to think of the dynamics of three strong men trying to live together and decide who's going to be dominate in their relationship. From what she noticed so far, it looked like Skinner was in charge. According to the bedside alarm ten minutes had passed before Krycek's sobs stopped and turned into quiet snoring. Sighing she got up off the bed and collected her stuff. She really did need to find a man of her own. Maybe a homophobic one, with her luck the man she fell in love with would fall madly passionately in love with Mulder, Skinner, or Krycek.

She left the room and quietly closed the door behind her. Walter and Mulder stood up from the couch and approached her, Mulder's attempts at cooking forgotten. Before they could say anything she held up her hand. "He's fine. Right now Krycek is sleeping, but you may want to wake him up to eat. I bandaged his wrist and ankles. You'll have to spray disinfectant cream on the wounds until they heal. He's also going to need to rest. If you have any aloe vera plants I would suggest rubbing some of the insides on his back. It should soothe the burning. I would also recommend thanking the Gunmen right away for finding Krycek so quickly. Counseling wouldn't hurt but somehow I doubt he'll go. I'm tired and I'm leaving."

She quickly grabbed her coat off the coat hanger and walked out the door, closing it quietly. She didn't want to deal with any of Mulder or Skinner's questions. Her hate for Krycek was gone. Yeah he stole her partner away from her, but she kept seeing all these different sides to the man that pulled at her protective instincts. "I'm insane," Scully whispered entering the elevator.

****

Walter and Mulder finished cooking dinner, not knowing what else to do after Scully left. They sat at the table letting the food cool down, both debating on whether or not they should wake Krycek. "Walter you know how I really like sex and want to make love to you and Alex all the time?" Mulder put his elbows on the table.

"Yeah," he answered with a smile.

"Well after finding Alex the way he was. The idea sort of makes me feel sick. Alex and I liked having rough sex occasionally, but now I don't think I could ever let it be like that again. I need to know exactly what happened to him." Mulder sank his head into his hands.

"Hey don't worry about it. I know what you mean, but give Alex some credit. He's strong. Just give him and yourself time. He'll be fine. He's a survivor." A pang of something indescribable hit his chest and tears filled his eyes. Mulder also had tears in his eyes. Both of them were glad to have Alex back but they were afraid that Alex wouldn't be the same.

Skinner used a napkin to wipe his eyes and stood up. "Come on we need to make sure Alex eats."

He didn't bother trying to be quiet when he entered the room. Instead, he turned on the light. Tear tracks stained Krycek's face, and his naked back and ass showed signs of serious abuse. Mulder moved past him and sat on the edge of the bed. Krycek moaned and clutched the blue pillow even tighter. "Alex, wake up. Food is ready." Mulder tentatively reached out his hand and shook Krycek's naked shoulder.

The younger man started awake. Panic filled green eyes stared at both of them for what felt like hours before he relaxed, knowing it was just his lovers. "Foods ready," Walter said again, just in case Alex missed it the first time.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he groggily said, "Give me a moment to get dressed." The white bandages shone more brightly against Krycek's tanned skin, while the dark bruises weren't so obvious.

"Sure no problem. Come on, Fox, lets finish setting the table." It looked like the agent wanted to protest, but then after looking into his eyes got up and left the room. "Take your time, Alex."

He left the door to the room open so they could hear Krycek moving about. Five minutes later, Krycek emerged from the room, wearing the smurf t-shirt and plaid boxers. He didn't know what to talk about so he stayed silent and finished his dinner rather quickly. This was the crappiest day he could remember in the longest time.

*****

Dinner left a pit in the middle of his stomach. Krycek didn't want to look at either of his lovers. Bad enough Scully had to witness his tears. She probably told them how he cried. It's not like he meant to, it's just that the feel of latex against him brought back painful memories. It took a lot of self-control not to move away from her. Falling asleep was a welcome relief from his turbulent emotions.

Mulder's looks wavered between hungry and hurt. Skinner kept the same indifferent expression throughout the whole time they were eating. "I'm going to bed." He announced standing up. In the morning things should look up. They still had to figure out how to get rid of the ghost and both of his lovers had jobs. Maybe they'll call in sick.

*****

Mulder watched Alex stumble away from the table, half torn between wanting to comfort the other man and letting Alex have the space he needed. Without saying anything he stood up and cleared off the table. Maybe he needed time to sort everything out himself. The apartment was too quiet. He moved to the living room and picked up his coat intending to look at the tape he stole from the recorder.

The hard plastic tape poking out of his coat pocket felt cool and gave no impressions of what it contained. Telling Skinner was the last thing he wanted to do, afraid the other man would say no to watching the tape. Watching the tape without Krycek's permission did not sit well with him either, but he knew Alex well enough to know the other man would rather die than let anyone find out exactly what happened to him. But he had to know just how badly the smoking bastard hurt Alex. Unconsciously his teeth bit at his bottom lip.

"What are you thinking?" The deep and authoritative voice startled him badly. Mulder's fingers grasped the black tape more tightly and his face flushed guiltily. "I still have the tape and I want to watch it...." Shit he was supposed to lie!

"I see. When do you plan on watching it?" Walter asked mildly.

How did the man stay so cool? "Tonight if it's okay with you."

"We should probably ask Alex's permission..." Walter suggested.

"I don't need to, I already know what he's going to say. If I were the one on the tape I wouldn't want anyone to watch it either. But do you really think he's going to talk about the incident?"

Walter's mouth quirked, he liked seeing Mulder agitated. "Probably not," he answered, knowing that Mulder had to be annoyed by now. Obviously his lover wanted him to say it was okay for them to watch the tape without Krycek's permission, when it obviously wasn't.

Chest heaving, color riding high on his cheeks, Mulder stared at him defiantly before stating in a tone that brooked no argument. "I'm watching the tape tonight. I know I shouldn't, but I need to know what happened and this is the only way. He's hurting right now and I don't know what to do. I keep imagining what could have happened to him and it keeps getting worse and worse in my mind... "

Skinner didn't give Mulder a chance to finish he pulled the younger man into his arms and hugged his lover. Strong arms wrapped around his waist and Mulder's hot face pressed against his shoulder. Not crying, just seeking comfort, the same comfort Skinner couldn't give to the unapproachable green eyed survivor sleeping in the next room.

"I'm so fucking tired of this. Every time something good happens in our lives shit like this has to happen. I'm so tired of it, Fox. I'm beginning to think we are cursed. Maybe we aren't meant to be happy..." Skinner started speaking and before he knew it he'd voiced his most private fears. Why was he the one Fox and Alex looked up to? It was handy most of the times, but now when he wanted someone to comfort him he had to be strong for his two lovers. He always had to be strong.

"Walter, I love you so much," Mulder said softly, "I don't think we are cursed. I feel so lucky to have found you and Alex. This is just another setback. Everything will work out in the end. It always does. As long as I have you two I'll have hope."

"I know," Walter whispered, feeling the plastic tape dig into his back.

Mulder pulled away from Skinner and went to his VCR. He pushed the tape in and turned on the TV, settling back into the couch where Skinner had already planted himself. He snuggled into Skinner's side and hit the play button. An image of the room they had found Alex in appeared. The face of Jeffrey Spender appeared in the camera with a cigarette dangling from his lips. "Hello Fox. I'm making this tape to show you the kind of slut you've gotten yourself mixed up with. I've got the lovely Alex suspended in my little harness, and soon I'll be fucking him senseless. Once you receive this tape, son, I'll send you directions on where and when I'll meet you. The only way to save this little spitfire is to give yourself up to me. I guess it's time to get this show on the road, eh, Alex?"

Spender stood up and walked toward his captive. He used a remote control to zoom the camera in. Mulder felt his insides go to jelly when he saw the look in his lover's face.

"Fox, what are you doing!" yelled Krycek who was standing in the doorway. He was staring in horror at the tape. Before Mulder or Skinner could react Krycek dropped the blanket he had over his shoulders and ran to the VCR. He knelt in front of it frantically hitting buttons. He managed to stop the tape, but couldn't get it to eject.

"Alex, babe, what are you doing? Calm down," Mulder said. He knelt by Krycek, trying to sooth him by stroking his head.

"Get your hands off of me, you pervert!" screamed Krycek; he grabbed Mulder's hand and flung it away. Frustrated at his inability to get the tape out, he stood up, grabbed the VCR, and hurled it against the wall. It exploded into lots of little pieces. He grabbed the tape, which was still intact, and started slamming it against the floor. He didn't realize he was sobbing until Skinner covered Krycek's hands with his own, stopping him. The tape had been almost pulverized. All the strength he had been able to muster through his anger drained away, and he sagged against Skinner. He turned rage-filled eyes toward Mulder.

"You sick fuck! You know I didn't want you to watch that tape!"

"Alex, honey, I only wanted to know what that bastard had done to you.I want to help you." Mulder, hesitant moved closer to Krycek. Krycek pulled out of Skinner's arms and scooted back.

"You know what he did to me! He raped me and beat me! What more do you need to know?"

"Alex, please."

"Don't come any closer to me. I guess the acorn really doesn't fall far from the tree, eh? You're just like your father - sick and perverted, wanting to see me like that. I bet you were going to fuck Skinner after watching the tape - getting all turned on by seeing me tortured!" Alex stopped inching back when he felt the wall against his back. He hugged his knees, burying his face to hide his tears.

"Alex, that's not true! I love you, I'm nothing like the Smoker, you know that!" Mulder couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Krycek looked up, disbelief in his eyes. "Really? Then give me a good explanation for wanting to watch that tape!"

"I needed to know what happened to you so I could help you," Mulder said quietly. He started to doubt his own words. Why did he want to watch that tape? It was pretty obvious what Spender had done since they had found Krycek tied over the pommel horse. The whip marks, blood, and semen painted a pretty accurate picture of what had happened. Maybe he was perverted, like his father, wanting to see the tape. He stood up and strode to the window, looking out over the dark street. He suddenly felt shame course through his body; how could he have done this to his Alex, his love? He had even admitted to Skinner that if the roles were reversed he would never have wanted anybody to see the tape.

"I guess you're right, Alex," Mulder said softly. "I had no reason or right to watch that tape. Spender called you the slut, but I think we know who it really is." Mulder closed his eyes for a moment, then turned and quickly walked to the door. He slipped his running shoes on, grabbed his coat, and l eft the apartment without saying a word.

Krycek sat on the floor looking at the door. Skinner was cleaning up the destroyed tape and VCR, but keeping an eye on Alex.

After several minutes, Krycek struggled to get up, but his fatigue and pain got the better of him. He lay down on the floor and pulled the towel into a pillow under his head. He was almost asleep when he felt Skinner pick him up and carry him into the bedroom and lay him on the bed.

Krycek lay awake for a little while, wondering at his reactions. He could still feel his anger at Mulder boiling in his chest, but he couldn't understand why he wasn't angry at Skinner. Skinner had been sitting right next to Mulder on the couch, obviously willing and ready to watch the tape, but that didn't seem to matter. The thought of Mulder watching was so horrific - hot tears slid down his face again.

****

Spender was parked in his car outside of Skinner's Cape Haven house. After narrowly escaping when Skinner, Mulder, and Scully had come charging in like the cavalry to save the green-eyed demon, he felt himself drawn to this house. He felt at home here, not that he could say why. He lit a cigarette and pushed the seat back. He replayed the images of Krycek in his mind. The begging was his favorite part. He moaned and pulled his cock out of his pants; it was swollen and dripping, and he started to stroke up and down.

Sam was floating around aimlessly in his house. He was angry because all of the inhabitants had left the house before he'd had a chance to finish with them. Hopefully they would come back soon.

Sam continued his musings until he felt the black, evil presence of the Smoker. He rushed out of the house and saw the same dark blue car that was often parked outside of the house. He chuckled when he saw the thoughts the evil one was thinking - it seems he'd tortured the green-eyed one, the one called Alex. Sam squirmed with delight amidst those thoughts until the Smoker dropped off to sleep. Sam rushed over and dove into his mind.

>>>>

The Smoker found himself standing in the middle of a desert. He looked around and was startled to see an alien spacecraft behind him. He was shocked to see his reflection - it was his old self again! He was naked and he could see his sunken chest, his flabby belly, his chicken legs, and to his greatest horror, his tiny, flaccid penis. They had taken it away from him, everything! He dropped to his knees and cried out in despair. He watched as the spacecraft opened and the bounty hunter approached him. "Why have you taken it all back! You promised me!"

"You have failed us. You had the green-eyed one in your grasp; you were supposed to use him to lure your son. Now you have neither. That is why we've taken back our gift."

"It wasn't my fault! I don't know how they found me!"

"Excuses!"

"Please -give me one more chance. I beg you!"

"Pathetic human - you've already had many chances."

"Just one more, please. I won't fail this time."

The bounty hunter just stared at him for a moment, his eyes unfocused.

"OK, human. My leader has granted you one last chance. Do not fail us."

"I won't!"

"When you have the two men, bring them here, to this house. You will have assistance here."

"Yes, whatever you say."

The bounty hunter returned to the ship, which immediately took off.

>>>>

Spender awoke with a start. He quickly kneaded his body, making sure it was still young. He sank back with relief. It was only a dream. But, it was like no other dream he had ever had. Was it real? He felt a cold fear race through his body - he had to do what the bounty hunter had said. He had no choice. He turned to look at the house, evil acknowledging evil. What better place to break his son and Krycek then in their own home? It was masterful. Spender turned on the car and sped off back to DC.

Sam swirled around with glee - the Smoker had been so easy to manipulate. He'd get those people back and then he would take his revenge!

****

Mulder had no idea how long he had been walking. He hated himself - poor Alex would obviously be better off without him. He had been self-centered and totally oblivious to his lover's feelings. Why hadn't he just destroyed the tape himself?

"Because you are a perverted bastard, that's why," he said out loud, kicking hard at the snow drift by the sidewalk.

"Are you just discovering that, Fox? It's been obvious to me for quite a while, son."

Mulder whirled around; he saw the image of Jeffrey Spender standing in front of him. He was amazed - Krycek had told him that the Smoker had somehow reversed in age, but to see it up close was remarkable. Spender had bolted out of the apartment too quickly for them to get a good look earlier.

"Don't call me that!"

"What, 'son'? But you are my son - the little gift I sent you for Christmas proved it. There's no denying your parentage."

"You make me sick." Mulder surreptitiously searched for his gun, but like a dolt he had stormed out of his apartment without it. He didn't have his cell phone or his wallet either. He heard the click of a gun being cocked.

"That's enough, son. As you can see, I have the drop on you. Just get in the car quietly; don't make me shoot you."

Mulder weighed his options. Spender looked remarkably fit and he had a gun. If he could fake him out, maybe he could get away.

"OK, ok," he replied, slowly walking to the door. He suddenly whirled around to knock the gun out of Spender's hand, but the Smoker had anticipated just such a move. He had his aerosol can of chloroform in his hand and squirted it in Mulder's face. It wasn't enough to knock him out, but Mulder staggered, choking on the spray. Spender swung one good punch at Mulder's jaw. Mulder couldn't see because the spray had gotten in his eyes, and he fell flat on his back from the force of the blow. Spender quickly trussed him up, tying his hands behind his back and cuffing his ankles. He lifted Mulder into the backseat of his car, then hopped in the driver's seat and sped off.

Mulder groaned and spit out a mouthful of blood. He couldn't get oriented because of the chloroform spray and punch.

"Don't make a mess of my car, son, or I'll make you pay for the cleanup."

"Go to hell," Mulder mumbled.

"Now, is that any way to talk to your father? I can understand it when Alex speaks that way to me, but such low class people raised him. You, on the other hand, had the best of everything. I think Alex has been quite jealous of your upbringing. You certainly didn't have to turn tricks at the age of 14 to survive, did you? Of course, I've always kept close tabs on your progress, making sure that screw-up Bill Mulder didn't ruin you. I think you turned out quite nicely. Once I get Alex back, the three of us are going to have so much fun."

Mulder didn't say word; he remembered the note they had found in Alex's apartment, and Alex himself had said the Smoker had less then honorable intentions toward the two of them.

"Now rest, son, it will be a little while before we get to our destination."

****

Mulder had fallen asleep in the car, so he had no idea how long they had been driving when he felt the car stop. He struggled to release his hands, but it was no use.

Spender opened the back door. Before dragging Mulder out, he tore of his overcoat, leaving Mulder in his sweats and T-shirt. He yanked him out of the car and swung him over his shoulder. Mulder had a hard time seeing where they were, but the emerging sunrise illuminated the house. They were back at Cape Haven! Mulder began struggling, fearing another encounter with the evil ghost in the house. Spender smacked him on the ass.

"Stay still! I don't want to drop you."

Spender walked up to the door and found the door open. He looked around for a moment, not quite sure what to do. He didn't feel Sam reaching into his mind.

"Ah, the basement. That's where we'll go. Now, what's this?" he said, looking at the sturdy padlock Skinner had used on the cellar door. He placed his gun directly on the lock and shot it off. He flung open the cellar door, flipped on the light, and carried Mulder down.

>>>"Ah the basement. That’s where we will go. Now what’s this?" He said, looking at the sturdy padlock Skinner had used on the cellar door. He placed his gun directly on the lock and shot it off. He flung open the cellar door, flipped on the light and carried Mulder down....>>>

^*

"No!" Screamed Fox, struggling for all he was worth; no way did he want enter that dreaded cellar. The agent knew what had gone on down there before Skinner had bought the majestic home. In fact, he knew every grisly detail of the atrocities committed in the dank cellar intimately. Generally, Mulder wasn’t squeamish about such places, but in this case, things were different. This time the crime scene was personal. Knowing what Gideon Gregor had done to all of those poor women and knowing that his lover’s beautiful home was haunted only amplified his fears of the cold, dark space.

"NONONONONONONONO....." Fox yelled over and over again. He launched his powerful legs - cuffed ankles not hindering him at all-and caught the smoking man in the stomach with two good knee-kicks before Spender could grab the chain between the locked ankles and hold them still.

Spender grunted when the bony knees made contact. His son’s kicks had hurt him, but not as bad as if he was just plain human again. To Spender’s chagrin, it was the less superior human’s fighting and wriggling around that proved to be nuisance enough for him to have to stop mid-way during his descent in order for him to regain control over the 190 pound squirming package.

As soon as Spender stopped, Mulder switched tactics. This time, he used his teeth as a weapon and gnashed at Spender’s, now handsome face.

Frustrated, the formerly old man still smiled, his son was inventive at least.

At that point, Fox’s thrashings almost sent them both tumbling down the steep set of rickety wooden stairs. Having had enough of his son’s suddenly un-amusing antics, Spender took back control of the situation.

"This hurts me more than you." He said, wrapping his fingers around his son’s delicate throat.

The smoker deftly placed his thumb and ring finger over special spots on the throat column and squeezed. With in seconds, Mulder was safely rendered unconscious. Spender adjusted his son on his shoulder then continued on his way. At the bottom of the stairs, the smoker paused and looked over his surroundings. It didn’t matter that the two dim bulbs barely lit the immediate area around where they shone, his eyesight was perfect. The greys, along with all their other incredible improvements, had given him the ability to see in poor lighting; his eyes worked like a night scope in the dark. As Spender studied his surroundings he absently stroked Fox’s well-rounded ass with his left hand; his right balanced his son on his shoulder.

"So, here I am again," said Sam in Spender’s low voice. "Last time I tried women. This time I think I’ll give the men a whirl." Spender’s mind easily accepted the spirit’s presence.

Sam, clever from so many years of practice, manipulated his ‘host’ subtly. So delicately, that Spender didn’t even realise that he had a cerebral invader. In fact, Sam let Spender do what came naturally to him, and the entity soaked up the knowledge of what two men could do in bed with one another. The entity was elated; he had one of his *people* back with him. It did not matter that his new toy had a mind that could not be penetrated. He was not limited to just one skill; had other ways of tormenting the beautiful agent. Now he could not wait until Spender returned with the delectable Alex, he meant to have all the fun he could with him too. The practised ghost eased himself further back into the recesses of the smoking man’s grey matter. Allowing the virile man to do what he wanted. The minute Spender attempted to try something that Sam didn’t approve of, the ethereal entity would take control again. But for now, Sam would sit back, rejuvenate his essence and discover the contents of the changed man’s brain.

~0~

Spender laid out his eldest son then he squatted down on his haunches next to him. The motion was gracefully, fluid and again, the *old* man couldn’t believe how lucky he was to be given this second chance before dying. His legs and thighs felt powerful and Spender felt that he could stay in this position all day.

//Fox. I’ve finally got my Fox. //

After all of these years, the smoker was finally going to lay his hands on his eldest son. First Spender undid the unconscious man’s ankle cuffs then he untied his hands. In a rare act of empathy, he massaged Mulder’s abraded wrists. The dim light did very little in the way of actually lighting up the freezing, stone basement, but it didn’t matter, Sam merely *whispered* to his host where everything was located. Again, the ghost did this so subtly that the smoking man never bothered to ask himself how he knew the layout of a house he’d never been in before.

Knowing that Fox would soon wake; Spender quickly undressed him, taking a moment to savour the feel of his son’s smooth skin against his sensitive palm. Next, Spender cupped Fox’s butt cheek tenderly, like a man might do to his newly born babe, only this wasn’t an innocent gesture.

As quickly as his paternal feelings had flared within him, they abandoned him; to his perverted delight.

Spender already knew that he would not commit the same humiliating acts upon his progeny that he had against his slut lover. Alex Krycek was born a whore and should be treated as so. But his son, well, that what was an entirely different story; Fox was a prince, he would fare so much better.

//Okay.// Thought Sam. //I’ll give you your own way on that old man. //

While his host plotted, Sam went through the changed man’s brain one section at a time, ethereally vivisecting him. The spirit was very pleased with itself when he discovered the reason why he could not get inside of Mulder. It had nothing to do with Sam at all. It was because he had been changed, he was still fully human, but Mulder had function and control over parts of his brain that others did not. These parts were triggered by some Alien artefacts and by the fact that he had been infected with the black oil, several years previous.

The oil was the ‘switch’ and the artefact, had turned it on.

Now Sam did not understand what ‘black oil’ was or ‘aliens’. But he knew that these were the reasons, and nothing he did would be able to change that. Fox Mulder, unlike any other captive that had had the misfortune to find himself or herself in his basement prison, had the ability to kill him.

Really kill him.

That made this particular man more dangerous than any other; also the most fascinating. Everything that Sam gleaned everything he could about the agent and added it the information he had taken from the other three; whose minds he had taken over for the short time they were in the house.

Spender deftly plucked his son up and tossed him over his shoulder; like the fully-grown man weighed ninety pounds not an hundred and ninety. With Fox nestled softly in his strong arms Spender senior moved him to the same part of the cellar where Gideon had chained his female captives to the stone walls. Spender never bothered to question why there was a pair of heavy metal handcuffs attached to a thick eyebolt mounted in the thick granite. One end of the cuffs dangled free; the changed man quickly locked Fox’s right wrist into the steal bracelet. A coarse, wool blanket surfaced out of nowhere, and Spender, un-surprised by it’s appearance placed it under his son.

Sam chuckled, over the years he had learned that his *pets* survived a little bit longer if they had some protection against the cold; which was why he made a blanket appear.

Surrounded by cold stone emanating an icy chill, Fox started to rouse from his forced slumber. His head lolled to the side as consciousness slowly returned. Spender sat back and watched as his beautiful son woke up.

Cold. Incredible cold, knifing right through him.

Fox was so cold that he burned.

Finally his hazel eyes shuttered open and the first thing the agent saw when he could focus was his father hunkered down across from him, hiding amongst the dim shadows. Not only could Fox see his sire, but he could also see that the man was naked. Mulder looked down at his own form, and discovered that he too, had no clothes on. Now he knew why he was freezing. The agent couldn’t believe the changes that had happened to the man who was his biological father. The aliens knew their stuff; Mulder had to give the little Grays that much. Spender Senior’s resemblance to his younger child was uncanny and if Alex hadn’t already informed him of the incredible morph job, he would never have guessed that the buff young man before him was his cancer-riddled father.

"So... Alex wasn’t yanking my chain. You’ve changed...Dad...." Stated Mulder sarcastically. His dry humour coming through, even in times of peril.

Spender laughed out loud. He loved Fox’s dark sense of humour, which never failed to make an appearance. That particular trait, the boy had inherited from his mother. Jeffery, like him, rarely saw the joke in anything.

"Oh Fox." Clucked Spender. "Always the comedian. It’s nice to see taking up with that whore Krycek has ruined you...."

"Shut up." Demanded Mulder. "You don’t know the first thing about Alex...."

The smoker moved in closer to his boy and smiled evilly at him. "Oh, but you see, I *do* know everything about that slut. It’s you who knows nothing of what he was...what he used to do.... sexually for the members of the syndicate...." The man laughed sharply before reigning in his mirth.

"I know him better than you think. Him and I are about more than just sex." Mulder said the words with conviction. He knew full well that there were secrets, dark, evil things that had happened to Alex that the Russian had never told him. After this, they were definitely going to have to sit down and work on their relationship.

In the span of twenty-four hours, everything they had had together had gone for shit.

Fox planned on making up his betrayal to Alex anyway he could. First though, he was going to have to find a way out of this basement and this whole mess with his father. The agent shivered, now he knew what his lover had felt like in the clutches of this deranged, alien changed man. Fox only hoped that he would not end up whipped and bent over a padded sawhorse...

Spender caressed Mulder’s strong calf muscle, making Mulder flinch and lose his thoughts of Alex. "Hands off pops!" He snapped.

But the smoker defiantly kept rubbing his hand over Fox’s lean leg, slowly inching upward, toward one bare thigh.

Mulder tried to kick his father’s hand away, but the man was just too strong to be unsurped.

Tired of fighting, the smoker clung to his son’s ankle with one iron fist and with the other he wrapped it around Fox’s tender throat. He squeezed until the FBI agent ceased his fighting. "Down here," Spender menaced. "You do things my way..." he constricted his fist ever so slightly and again, Mulder found himself struggling for oxygen and trying to fend of the greying edges of unconsciousness. The smoker smiled cruelly. "I want you son and I’m going to have you." He drew in close to Fox and got his face right into his son’s. "Don’t worry, I won’t do the same things to you as I did to that pretty bitch, lover of yours."

Mulder blanched, the cancer man’s breath stank like stale cigarettes and whatever it was that he had eaten earlier; Fox would have guessed rancid meat.

Sam floated easily out of Spender’s mind; he now knew everything that the man had done to the one named Alex and the apparition approved heartily; Spender Senior was his star pupil. Sam thought it very fortunate that the man was already pre-disposed to violence and pain. Gideon Gregor had to be *convinced* that he was corrupt. Sam couldn’t wait to watch Spender perform on Mulder; the view was best from the ceiling.

Unaware that his invader had left his body, Spender continued his assault on Fox.

A few small drops of moisture escaped Fox’s eyes; they were not tears of sorrow however but ones of anger. It pissed him off to be reminded again, that his bastard father had stolen Alex, beaten, raped and worse by far for his proud Russian lover, humiliated him. And to add insult to injury, video taped the whole ugly incident.

Mulder flushed red, when he recalled how betrayed his lover had felt when he found Fox and Skinner had gone against his wishes and were going to watch the damn tape anyway.

All this was Spender’s fault. His unnatural need to control, to own, had been the root to his and Alex’s problems.... His father kissed his lips, and Mulder quickly buried his thoughts of his lover. Spender’s hold rendered Fox unable to move; the agent hated being in such a vulnerable position. All Mulder could do was watch through horror filled eyes as his own biological father straddled his waist.

His erection was large and looming and his blood-engorged cock was the largest Fox had ever seen.

No wonder Alex had been torn up afterwards. Mulder couldn’t even imagine that bulbous head, massive and dripping, entering any part of his body. It disgusted him to think that the most enormous cock he’d ever gazed upon belonged to his father. At any rate, if the cancer man wanted to rape him, it would certainly be easy enough. The man who looked like Jeffery Spender, could do anything he wanted too, his unnatural strength made it easy for him to do so.

Fortunately for Fox, Spender needed immediate relief and it would take too much time to try and prepare his victim for penetrating sex. So, instead, the smoker straddled his son’s lap and trapped him in place below his strong thighs. He took up both of their cocks in one hand and rubbed the liquid seeping from the tip of his own large head over both.

Mulder’s penis started out soft, but eventually, his father’s expert hand made him rise. The agent was humiliated by his body’s betrayal. Worse, he couldn’t even turn his face away in shame; the old man was forcing him to look into his eyes.

And in those brown depths, Fox saw nothing but insanity.

Spender’s connection to other human beings was no longer attached. The agent could see that now, the smoker held no compromise or empathy or any other normal human emotion.

The former consortium hound was lost to the human race for good.

An unwilling hitchhiker, all Mulder could do now was go along for the ride that his father was taking him on.

Both erections wrapped tightly with in the smoker’s fist, slicked over one another the friction sent each participant closer to the precipice. "Can you feel the power?" Husked Spender, not expecting an answer considering that he still maintained a chokehold on his son. Actually, he was trying to enhance Fox’s excitement, rather than trying to render him unconscious. "I’m going to cum Fox..." He said right after. "You’re going to cum with me." And true to his declaration, he squeezed both of his working hands even tighter and the pressure of each, sent both men over the edge.

Mulder rasped, "No." Trying to deny the inevitable. He didn’t even want to believe that he had a hard-on let alone was going to orgasm on his nemesis' command. But, cum he did, between being jerked off and his air cut off, the FBI agent did as *father* commanded. His juice erupted, flowing straight up, like an angry volcano, and landed over the back of the smoker’s hand and on his own chest. Spender’s eyes widened with excitement, then for a brief second the lids closed, and Mulder could pretend that it was his half brother that had just assaulted him and not that cancerous old bastard. Spender’s eyes shot open as his ejaculate came spurting out. He intentionally sprayed Fox’s torso and face.

The changed man released his captive’s throat and crawled off of his lap. He stood and smiled; watching amused, as Mulder, horrified to be wearing a pearl necklace, scrubbed the offending residue off of his face.

"Alex didn’t like it when I came in his face either. Must be a *thing* with you boys."

Mulder stopped wiping and shot the man an angry glare. His throat hurt like hell and he resented the sensations the man had brought out in him. The oxygen deprivation mixed with the hand-job made for one hell of a good orgasm. Luckily at the time, Mulder was able to keep his mind blank of all images. He’d just come, that was all, and though it was one of the best ever, he still gained no pleasure from it. Fox watched the smoking man as he started to dress.

"Where are my clothes? I want them back." He demanded, pulling the blanket up around his shoulders. He pulled the edges so he was fully encased in the thick wool. The blanket was already starting to warm him up; too bad it was itchier than hell.

"You can’t have them." The smoker tucked his shirt into his waistband. "I want you naked." He was horny as hell again, and ached fiercely with the need to flip Fox over and take him...hard. But, he was starting to practice some self- control besides, once he had Alex, then he could fuck them all he wanted.... Continuously, for days on end.

"Are you fucking insane!" Finally, the shock of what had just happened between them, hit Mulder with full force. "I’m your fucking son...you sick son of a bitch...."

"I’m not insane Fox, but I am all powerful. And as for fucking my son, well, it’s not like I haven’t done it before." The cancerous man was fully clothed now. He stared at his eldest son expectantly, waiting for his reply to that.

Mulder’s face went slack for a second. "You raped Jeff? My god! How old was he?" Jesus, bad enough his father was trying to destroy the human race but on top of that, he was a...what? Rapist, molester. The visions of what that old man could have possibly done to a boy who had grown up in the same house were horrifying.

"The first time I took him he was just barely a teenager.... and...." The smoker paused for just a half second. His eyes shone brightly, like he was letting Mulder in on a secret. "... the last time I screwed him was on the very same day as I killed him."

Spender’s voice held no remorse what so ever.

Mulder was at first horrified, then thankful that his mother had not left him for the malignant bastard to raise.

"I’m going to go and retrieve Alex now and bring him home. You be good while I’m away, and try not to be frightened of the dark." He turned and started to walk away but then stopped, "There’s a bucket to your left in case you need to...relieve yourself."

Sam, who had watched the whole sordid sex act from above, slipped inside of Spender again, for just a few seconds. It was he who was actually talking to Mulder. The entity didn’t like it when the toys peed on the stone floor. Gideon had not give the women he kidnapped buckets. Eventually, they wound up being forced to relieve themselves on the floor; like puppies on a newspaper. Only Gregor had not even put down some paper for them. A bucket was just easier, so he made one appear. After saying that, he wisped out of his host again, he couldn’t wait for the changed man to leave so he could start having fun with this toy’s un-penetrable brain. Sam might not be able to get inside of the man he knew to be Fox Mulder, but armed with all of the images captured inside the smoking man’s brain, he could at least attempt to drive him a little bit insane.

Ohhhh.... How Sam loved to play the mind games.

The smoker left and when he reached the top of the stairs he switched the light off, plunging his son into darkness.

Mulder shivered and bundled him self up even tighter in the blanket. With nothing else to do, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep. He hoped with everything that he had, that Walter would be able to protect Alex from Spender. Fox shuddered and he wondered to himself how their previously carefree, three-way relationship had taken such a complicated turn. From he and Alex arguing, to Spender and his wicked ways, in a span of a couple of days his world had turned upside down.

~0~

Alex tossed and turned in the bed.

The Russian was dreaming that he was suspended in Spender’s sling again. He was helpless to stop the man from masturbating into his face; Alex stared horrified as the tip of the large cock sent out the fist wave of cum. One hot drop splashed onto his cheekbone....

Suddenly, Alex lurched awake and jack-knifed up to a sitting position in the bed. Long fingers immediately touched the spot on his cheek; the warmth of the drops had felt so real. Dry. He sighed into the darkness and flung back the covers. The clock on the nightstand read two am.

It was time to get up.

Mulder should be home by now and the two of them really needed to talk. Alex was confident that his lover would still be awake, sitting on the couch watching a lame sci-fi movie with a title like, ‘Phsyco Biker Vixens from Mars’. Walter would most likely be dozing on the other end of the small couch; the only one of the three of them sensible enough to get some rest. He’d send the older man into the bedroom, to the comfort of a warm bed; he and Fox needed to be alone for this particular talk. Alex was feeling much better now that he had slept solid for a couple of hours. How could he really be angry with Fox? His lover was a visual person; he needed to *see* in order to understand. It’s how he was, Alex knew it and was thinking that maybe he could answer some of Fox’s questions this time.

Alex stood up then immediately dropped back down to the edge of the bed and waited for the wave of dizziness to pass. Once it did, he bent over and grabbed up his Smurf shirt and pulled it on. He turned on the small lamp then stood again, and this time, had no problems. The Russian padded over to his lover’s dresser and raided it for a pair of socks, boxers and a pair of dark grey sweats. He pulled on the garments then eased his way out of the bedroom and went straight for the bathroom. As he peed, he noted the slightly pink hue of his urine, he vaguely remembered that Spender had slammed him a good one over his left kidney. The old bastard used the handle of the whip to hit him; which was only slightly smaller than the width of a policeman’s nightstick. Alex concentrated, and a second later, he could clearly feel the sore spot over the kidney. He tucked himself back into his underwear then lifted the oversized T-shirt. Yep, there it was, a lovely purple bloom the size of his fist. After washing his hands, Alex leaned in close to the mirror and examined his face.

"Not too bad," He thought, "only one small bruise." His ass and thighs felt like they were on fire, despite the loose fitting pants. His right hip hurt too, so Alex took a look at it in the light and there was a patch of skin directly over his hipbone where he had a friction burn, the result from being dragged over the hardwood flooring. "Shit." Alex mumbled, he’d seen enough. The wounds were no longer important, they would heal with time. He would *heal* in time, he always did. It was more important to talk to Fox; they had to deal with this.

~0~

Alex stood over the snoring Walter Skinner. He stared down and watched as the large man slept, awkwardly positioned, on Mulder’s leather couch. "Where’s Fox?" He asked himself. The living room was dark except for the light coming from the fish tank in the corner of the room. Alex looked around; he had gone through every other room in the small apartment already. The agent wasn’t here. The Russian, suddenly anxious woke his other lover with a rough shake to his shoulder.

"What?....." Walter sat up and rubbed his eyes, "...hey Alex, what are you doing up?’ The farsighted man reached for his glasses and then picked up his wristwatch from the table and read the time. "It’s two fifteen in the morning."

Alex didn’t answer his older lovers’ question. "Where’s Fox?" He asked instead.

"I don’t know, he hasn’t come home yet." The large man stretched and smacked his lips; he needed a drink of water.

"What? Where did he go? Have you spoken to him." Alex, agitated, started to pace in front of the still seated Walter.

The larger man didn’t think it was very good for Alex to get so upset, he was still very fragile, whether the stubborn Russian knew it or not. Walter sighed heavily and stood, his high maintainence lovers were beginning to wear him down. He could almost regret letting Mulder pull him into this twisted triangle, but then again, Fox Mulder and Alex Krycek were the two most exciting people he’d ever been with.

At the moment however, he was weary of feeling like a father figure.

"I don’t know where he went Alex, he walked out of here on *both* of us" he reminded, "and no, I have not spoken to him. I’m his lover Alex, not his god-dammed dad or his keeper." Growing angry, he half yelled the part about being Fox’s father.

Alex, startled by Skinner’s sudden burst of rage instinctually stepped back a pace; he had no idea how distressed he looked.

Walter shook his head, now he’d scared Krycek with his menacing ways; where Fox and Alex were concerned, it seemed that he couldn’t do anything right. He walked away from his unsure lover and went and went to get his drink of water. The AD returned to the living room and was surprised to see Alex, still standing in the same place, waiting for him. He had thought for sure that the Russian would have left the room. The handsome younger man searched his eyes, asking silently for forgiveness, and right then and there, Skinner melted.

No wonder Fox could not resist Alex.

"I’m sorry Walter. I didn’t mean to make you feel like you're not part of the relationship. I’m just worried for Fox."

"So am I." Admitted Skinner. "I thought he would have come back by now. It’s not like him to brood this long."

"Yeah." Alex agreed. "Earlier, I was thinking about what the Englishman said to me once."

Skinner knew who the Englishman was.

"He said that Spender was hot for Fox. That he had been for...like...forever." Alex’s voice grew soft; the gurgle of the fish pump could be heard in the background. "What if taking me was a set up. Maybe Spender’s plan the whole time was to lure Fox to him, using me as bait?"

"Well, that would certainly make sense, but with the new and improved Cancer man, who can say for sure what he had or *has* on mind." Skinner replied sensibly.

"Well, I don’t know about the new Spender, but I certainly know the old one." Alex grimaced then, in remembrance of the repugnant man and the things they had done together far back into the past. The pacing began again. "The old Spender is smart enough to know that I wouldn’t want Fox to watch the tape and that Fox would *have* to see it in order to start coping with what was done to me. Smoking man knows how volatile Fox and I can be, he knew we’d fight about the video and he knew that one of us would walk out.... Knowing the shape that I’d be in...After all he was the one who caused it....logically he knew that it would be Fox who left this time...." Alex babbled on in one long sentence, pacing back and forth faster and faster as he spoke. The Russian stopped suddenly and turned to face Skinner. He was totally freaked out now. "It’s a set up Walter....that old fuck was probably sitting outside this door waiting for him....I gotta' go find him! Now!" Alex rushed to the closet door and flung it open, he sank to his knees and scrabbled about looking for a pair of shoes that would fit him.

"Alex...calm down, you don’t know for sure that anything *is* wrong with Fox. He’s gone off to lick his wounds...." He helpfully turned on the overhead light so that Krycek could see what he was doing. The AD was seriously contemplating calling Scully to come over and give Alex a tranquilliser. The Russian’s fears for his lover’s safety seem to amplify with each passing second.

Finally, Alex found a pair of his old runners; he quickly put them on. It was at that point that Skinner grasped Alex’s wrists and held them tightly. The injured man hissed in pain, his wrists were raw from the restraints. Walter looked down then quickly shifted his hands upward, restraining the Russian by the forearms. "Think Alex." He gave the over-anxious man bit of a shake. "It’s two thirty in the morning, you’re not going anywhere. Fox will go ballistic if he comes home and you’re not here."

Always an apt pupil, Alex learned quickly as a child how to get his own way. He used that much tried and true skill now on his older lover. First he stared defiantly into Skinner’s eyes, then lowered them solemnly, finally, nodding his head. The wily, former agent looked up again, his posture relaxed, "You’re right he will go crazy. I’ll stay."

Walter released Alex, not quite sure if the younger man was being forthright with him; he certainly seemed to be genuine. "Good. Now, why don’t I make some coffee and I’ll try to raise Fox on his cell, I’ll tell him to get his ass home." The older man smiled at that.

Inwardly Alex had to smile himself. Mulder would never have fallen for that act. But the Russian had no choice but to be deceptive. If Skinner believed he was going to reach Fox, then he was mistaken. Alex knew his lover was in trouble, he could feel it in his soul. "Okay, I’m going to take my shoes off and clean up this mess." He gestured with his head toward the shoes that were strewn about in front of the open closet.

"Okay." Walter went to the kitchen, relieved that he had managed to talk the headstrong younger man out of leaving, that’s all he needed, two missing lovers. Walter had never really dealt with Alex all on his own before, he was finding the experience novel and yet aggravating at the same time. In the kitchen, while he put the coffee while speaking to Scully at the same time. He told her of his fears, about what Alex had said about the cancerman and for Alex himself. His lover was upset, bordering on unreasonable, Skinner asked Scully to talk to him again, once she arrived.

In the meantime, as soon as Alex heard the tap go on in the kitchen, he quickly grabbed a jacket from the closet and pulled it on. As silent as a cat burglar, he was out the front door and gone already for a full ten minutes before the AD hung up the phone with Dana.

~0~

Alex had an idea of where Spender might take Fox.

Ten blocks from where Mulder’s apartment was where he expertly broke into an older model car hot-wired it and set off for the apartment where Spender had kept him captive. He couldn’t know that there was a trap waiting there for him; he assumed it was he who would be walking in and surprising Spender.

As he drove, the Russian ran possible ways of overcoming the much more powerful smoking man. He didn’t even realise that his rash behaviour was another symptom of shock; which he was still in.

~0~

"Fox............" Came the airy whisper through the darkness.

Mulder heard his name audibly, and the tone of the ethereal voice made every hair on his body stand on end. A shiver ran up his spine, and for the first time in a long time, Mulder was genuinely frightened.

The cold basement suddenly took a plunge in temperature even more and Mulder huddled further into the blanket, grateful that he had it. His eyes were wide open and peering through the darkness for the source of the voice.

"Fooooxxxxx..." The haunting tone again echoed through the silent cellar, "I have something I want to show you....."

Fox looked around it seemed that the words had came from all directions around him. The agent pushed his back against the stone wall and screwed his eyes shut. He didn’t want to see what ever it was that the voice wanted him too.

"That’s fine....." Whispered Sam, choosing not to appear before his toy just yet. He could see Mulder clearly; darkness had no meaning for him. The agent’s eyes were squeezed shut. Sam smiled, no matter. "You can listen then..."

And with that, Sam used all of his powers, and replayed the terror of one of the women Gideon Gregor had murdered in this very basement.

>>>No..... Please don’t cut my hand off.... no...no....help...please...some one help me....>>>

The voice was female, high-pitched, and pleading for mercy. Fox covered his ears and tried not to hear the screams as the young woman’s hand was cut off while she was still awake; without the aid of anaesthetic.

Mulder tried to shut out the young woman, but he could not. Over and over again, she screamed in pain and misery and begged for her life. Fox could not stop the sounds.

^*^

Krycek crept up the steps toward the playroom where the smoker had raped and beat him less than twenty-four hours ago. He paused on the last step and looked around. A shiver raced up his spine as memories all too recent threatened to send him fleeing from the building. Krycek chewed his lower lip nervously as he willed himself to remain calm, for Fox's sake. He took the final step. Then he entered the nearest room, keeping his gun out in front of him arching it from left to right as he scanned the room. He proceeded with catlike quiet to the next room. The building was deathly still. Maybe he made a mistake coming here. CGB Spender wouldn't have been foolish enough to bring Fox here. Not when he, Skinner, and Scully knew about this place.

Krycek's stomach tightened as he stepped through the doorway into the playroom. Before he could sweep the room, his arm was grabbed and twisted up causing the gun to go off as his body was slammed into a wall. Spender effortlessly relieved him of his firearm and tossed it across the room.

"My pretty little whore, you couldn't stay away from me," Spender purred, pressing him against the wall, at the same time he humped against Krycek's hip. "Don't worry, slut, I'll keep that tight ass of yours stuffed from this day forward." His hands roughly squeezed and kneaded the younger man's buttocks.

Krycek gasped in pain. His ass still hurt from the last time the smoker had him. He could feel the hard press of his enemy's erection against his hip as the bastard humped against him. He struggled to break free, but it was useless! Spender was supernaturally strong.

"Don't worry, my sweet slut. I don't plan to ream you just yet. I want you to watch as I fuck Fox's sweet ass for the first time." Spender grinned at the fear he saw in Krycek's eyes. "My son really does have a beautifully shaped ass, doesn't he? I should have taken him years ago."

Fear for Fox's safety helped Krycek overcome his terror of the smoker. "Where is he? You bastard! If you've hurt him, I'll…"

Spender's fingers and thumb locked on either sides of Krycek's jaw, holding his head immobile. His lips descended to cover the younger man's in a deep possessive kiss. It was only Spender's fingers squeezing the sides of his jaw opened that prevented Krycek from biting off the foul flesh invading his mouth. The smoker ended the kiss with a malicious chuckle. "Fox is chained naked in the basement of Skinner's Cape Haven home. I'm sure he's quite anxious for us to get back there to play with him."

"No." Krycek shook his head. He was even more terrified for his lover's life. "How could you have left him alone in the basement of that house!"

"He won't be alone for long." Spender's hand caressed the side of Krycek's face, noting the bruises his fingers had left. "Considering how cold that basement is…I'm sure Fox will be thrilled to have my warmth pressed against…" he froze at the press of cold steel against the back of his head and the sound of a gun cocking.

"I'm sure Fox would be thrilled if I blew your brains across this room," Skinner growled. His eyes met Krycek's over the smoker's shoulder. His look let his lover know of his disapproval at being ditched. Skinner had only heard the last part of their conversation. He hoped that Alex had found out where the smoker was holding Fox.

"Very slowly move away from Alex," Skinner said, stepping back.

Spender moved slowly at first. Then like a cobra, he struck with deadly speed, hitting Skinner in the chest with his hand. The A.D.'s gun went off from the impact, which covered up the sound of his ribs snapping. The bullet tore through the smoker's neck exiting and slamming into Krycek. All three men crumpled to the floor.

Spender clawed at his throat fighting against death as its dark shadow descended upon him. His last thoughts were of his eldest son and an insane desire to have him just once.

***

Sam savoured the fear emanating off the human. It was as sweet as the sweetest wines he had tasted when alive. He wanted more, but didn't dare enter the human's mind -- to do so would mean instant annihilation. This human endangered his very existence.

Mulder pressed his body against the cold wall, pulling his legs up against his bare chest. He tried to make himself as small as possible. The woman's screams had ended only to be replaced by the sound of an axe against flesh and bone. Mulder kept his eyes closed not wanting to see, but it didn't help. His mind recreated the images from the sounds he was hearing as clearly as if he were watching the event unfold.

Unseen and unheard above him a new battle was beginning -- one where he was the prize.

"What are you doing here?" Sam growled. "This is my domain! My territory!"

Spender looked around confused, paying the briefest attention to the angry entity floating before him. His eyes fell upon his son's body, shivering underneath the wool blanket wrapped around him. He realised, to his utter amazement that he was floating above Fox.

"I'm dead," he murmured.

"You've ruined the plans! Now leave! There is not room here for both of us!"

"Who are you?" Spender asked.

"This is my domain. A place you have no right intruding upon."

"I am here for my son," Spender growled.

"He's mine! Be GONE!" Sam wailed. He would not tolerate another entity invading his territory. Ruining his plans.

Like Mulder, CGB Spender had an interest in the paranormal. He followed all of his son's X-File cases, both for personal reasons and for the syndicate. So it didn't take long for his mind to grasp what had happened to him and just what this being before him represented. He snared. So they were ghosts, and this other ghost wanted to keep him from Fox. Spender wrapped himself angrily around Sam, looking for a weakness.

Sam shrunk back from the evil force of this new spirit. The smoker's soul was much darker than his own. It was made strong by the bodies of all of his victims, far greater in numbers than Sam's own.

The smoker immersed himself in the other spirit's essence, seeing instantly its weakness. "You are bound to this plane by your dark deeds and brutal death. Only your body's internment in a grave upon these grounds is keeping you here. While, I'm held to this plane by the living flesh and blood of my son. All I need to do is destroy your corporal body." He chuckled evilly and watched Sam's face twisted into terror. Then Spender vanished.

"NOOOoooooo!" Sam screeched. Stopping only as it occurred to him this entity could not destroy the physical remnants of his mortal life. His body was safely buried under ten feet of dirt. As long as it was there his soul would remain tethered to this place. He only had to defend it against this intruder. The only reason Spender's spirit came here was because his son was here. Sam wondered what it would take to frighten Fox Mulder to death. Kill the son, and there'd be no reason for Spender's spirit to invade his plane.

Sam again tried to enter Mulder's mind but fled in terror from what he found.

***

Skinner crawled slowly over to Krycek's still body as he pulled his cell-phone from his pocket. He was having difficulty breathing and was sure that one of his ribs had punctured a lung. His hand slipped in a pool of blood that was gathering beneath Krycek's body and he almost dropped the phone as his head slammed against the hardwood floor. He cringed in pain and pulled himself back up and quickly dialled 911. He gave the dispatcher his name, badge number, and location. Skinner felt his lover's neck for a pulse. It was weak and thready. He attempted to remain calm as he explained their situation and conditions -- Alex's life depended on it. He pressed his hand against wound in Alex's chest, trying to staunch the bleeding.

He could already hear police sirens approaching. His eyes travelled over to CGB Spender's body. It was obvious that the man was dead. He looked back down at Alex's pale face. "Alex, hang on. Help is on the way," he murmured. His thoughts turned to Mulder, hoping that Alex had discovered where the Smoker had him stashed. He'd only heard the last part of their conversation about Fox being in a cold basement. He hit the speed dial on his phone. He heard footsteps running up the stairs.

Two police officers rushed in with their guns drawn as Scully's voice sounded over the receiver.

"Scully, hold on a sec," Skinner said weakly, looking up at the police. "I'm Assistant Director Walter Skinner of the FBI. This man is in critical condition. You need to get him to the hospital immediately." His voice was raspy and shaky; sweat ran down his face.

"Yes, sir," the officer said, holstering his gun and kneeling next to Krycek.

Skinner put the phone back to his ear. He was feeling light-headed and dizzy. "Scully, Alex has been shot...I-I'm not going to be able to talk too long. Spender is dead. He has Mulder in a cold basement. I think it might be in this building or one of his other residences, can you have the gunmen run a check on all of Spender's properties?" Skinner switched the phone to his other hand as the second officer checked his injuries.

"Sir, I'll locate Mulder. What's wrong? You don't sound well," Scully said.

"I think a have a couple of cracked ribs. I-I'm having difficulty breathing. The paramedics have just arrived. I should be fine. Scully, find Mulder."

***

Sam watched in terror as a large man with a shovel started to dig above the ground where his body was buried. Spender hovered nearby, preventing Sam from interfering. The mortal moved slowly as if in a trance. It took the man four hours to uncover his bones. Spender silently directed his former employee to gather the bones and place them in a canvas sack.

Once every fragment of bone with gathered from the grave, the man climbed out of the hole. He carried the sack to his car and placed it into the trunk. Sam's spirit was forced to stay with his bones as the man drove away. Spender hovered nearby and watched as the car sped up. He had hypnotised his former assassin into driving the car to the other side of the peninsula and steering it over a cliff into the ocean. The current should carry the wreckage out to sea. Sam would have to content himself with haunting the deep-sea life that inhabits the cold waters off Maryland.

Spender grinned and turned back to the house. He was enjoying this new existence.

***

Skinner sat in the waiting room. The emergency room Doctor had set his ribs and wrapped tape around his middle. Luckily, his lung hadn't been punctured. The Doctor had given him some Tylenol and wanted to put him in a hospital room for observation for the next twenty-four hours. However, he refused. He needed to be awake for any news regarding Alex or Fox.

Alex was taken immediately into surgery, where he had been for the last four hours. Scully had called once to inform him that Mulder wasn't in the basement of that building. She was having the Gunmen check all of Spender's properties.

***

Mulder lay shivering, both from the frigid temperatures and fear. At least the noises stopped some time ago. He didn't think he'd be able to take much more. Suddenly a cold hand touched his ankle pushing the blanket aside as it stroked up his leg.

"Fox. Son. Daddy's here," the voice purred.

Mulder opened his eyes at Spender's voice. It was pitch black and he couldn't see anything, only feel the cold hands on his body. "Please. Don't touch me."

"Oh, I'm going to do much more than touch you, Fox," Spender murmured. It required all of his willpower to make his ethereal body solid enough that he could touch his son and feel the warm flesh beneath his phantom fingertips.

Mulder felt Spender probe between his buttocks. He scooted away, pressing his butt up against the stone wall. For some reason, that his mind couldn't grasp, the stone barrier didn't keep Spender from touching his most private part. He felt fingers caressing over his anus, then one ice-cold finger pushed inside of him.

Spender felt his loins stir. It was odd still being able to feel desire and heaviness of his sex between his legs. Spender chuckled. His existence had been reduced to that of an incubus. He wanted to fuck his son senseless. Then he would go and fuck his pretty green-eyed slut. He might even give Skinner a try. Yes, death was good.

"Oh God, Alex, please help me!" Mulder cried.

***

Krycek floated above his body that was being frantically worked on by doctors and nurses. The bullet had clipped his heart, lodging in a dangerous position next to the beating organ. It wasn't the first time he had experienced being out of his body. He had a similar experience when he nearly died in that silo in the Dakotas. Krycek felt a tug. He was needed elsewhere, but he was hesitant to leave. Afraid if he did, he might not be able to find his way back.

The pull became unbearable and Krycek found himself surging toward the voice of his lover's anguished cry for help. Fox needed him! It was all that mattered. He no longer cared if he made it back or not. He needed to protect his lover.

Krycek surged like an avenging angel into the basement of Skinner's Cape Haven home. His spirit glowed with the bright intensity of the love contained deep within his soul for Fox. Illuminating the basement and making Spender's spirit shrink like a black slug into the nearest crack in the concrete. Krycek swirled around Mulder's limp unmoving body. When he wasn't able to rouse him. His anger became even more intense as he sought out and attacked the evil presence still in the room. Spender cried out in pain and vanished.

Krycek reached out to his lover once more, but the tug of his Earth bound body was pulling him back. It became too much. He had only enough time to break the chains that were holding Fox bond to the concrete wall before he was flowing back toward his body.

***

Mulder slowly stirred. His dazed eyes scanning the dark, cold basement. He noticed a thin vertical band of light. It was coming from the slightly open door at the top of the stairs leading into the hallway of their home. He started crawling toward it and discovered that he was no longer shackled to the wall. The concrete was rough under his knees and a sharp pebble tore into his flesh. He reached under and plucked it free, then continued to crawl too weak to stand. Mulder crawled up the wooden steps. His body ached and was stiff from the frigid temperature. It seemed to take him forever to finally reach the top of the steps. He crawled through the doorway and into the pleasantly heated home. Rolling on his back, Mulder kicked the door closed with his foot. He wanted to flee, but he realised that he needed clothes. The warmth of the house seemed to revive him, and he used the wall to pull himself to his feet. There were clothes in the master bedroom. He hated staying a second longer, but he had no choice.

He made it to the bedroom without incident and started dressing hurriedly. The fabric felt wonderful against his skin. Mulder pulled on two layers of clothing, socks, and an old pair of running shoes. He didn't have a coat at the house and needed protection against the cold, so he topped the outfit off with one of Walter's large flannel shirts. He hurried back downstairs and out the front door, not even pausing to use the telephone in the living room. He didn't want to be in the house a second longer. It was seven miles to town, so he started walking through the snow in that direction.

***

Skinner stood as the surgeon came into the waiting room. "Mr. Skinner, it was touch and go for a while, but we were able to remove the bullet and stabilise Mr. Krycek's condition. He is being transferred to intensive care. You won't be able to visit him until he is moved into a hospital room.

Skinner closed his eyes, relieved. "How long until I can see him?"

"It shouldn't be more than twenty-four hours." The doctor looked at him critically, noting the bandages wrapped around his ribs. "Why don't I get you a room and you can get some sleep until your friend is up for visitors?"

"No. I have work to do. I'll be back this evening to check on my friend." Skinner used the payphone to call for a taxi. He was waiting outside for it when his cell phone rings.

"Skinner," he said brusquely, as the taxicab pulled up.

"Walter, it's me."

"Fox! Where are you?"

"I'm at the diner in Cape Haven. I could use a lift, if you wouldn't mind picking me up?" Mulder said, tiredly.

"Fox, how did you get out to Cape Haven? Are you all right?" Skinner climbed into the back of the taxi, and quickly gave the driver his address as he listened to Mulder.

"Spender brought me to your house and locked me in the basement. Other than being cold...I'm fine. Walter, I really need to see Alex so I can apologise. I was an asshole for trying to watch that videotape. How is he doing? Is he still hurting? Do you think he'll forgive me?" Mulder didn't want to tell his lover that he was bruised and hurting and had been scared out of his mind.

"Fox, I'm sure he'll forgive you. I'll be there in an hour to pick you up," Skinner said. He was relieved that Mulder was all right. Now he only had to worry about Alex recovering. He didn't want to tell Mulder about Alex being shot over the phone. Skinner squirmed in his seat. It was difficult to sit in the taxi with his chest hurting. He was taking short breaths it was too painful to breathe in too deeply. He reached into his pocket to make sure the bottle of Tylenol was still there. He'd take a pill before going to pick up Mulder.

He dialled Scully and called off the search, telling her that he heard from Mulder and that he was safe and sound.

***

Amothea's turn