Part 2- 2

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

Mulder wavered on the brink of unconsciousness. He knew he should make himself wake up, but he could not force his way past the lethargy that was invading his body. At the edge of his mind he could sense people talking. Walter? Alex? He tried to speak but could not force the words out. Mulder sensed that something was wrong. There was danger coming. Mulder could not define what the threat was, but he knew it was close. Ice settled deep within him as he realized that as dangerous to him as this unknown threat was, it meant certain death for Alex and Walter. He struggled to move against the invisible weight pressing down on his body to no avail. In an act borne of desperation, Mulder reached out blindly, not with his body, but with his mind.

At first there was nothing, but then a presence hovered on the edge of his senses. Mulder pulled back, knowing that to walk down this road would change him, perhaps forever. The tension in the plane swirled around him and grew stronger. The danger had arrived in full, and neither Alex nor Walter would be able to keep it at bay. Whatever the course of action he feared would do to him, it would save the two men who had risked so much to ensure his safety. With a sense of resolve and determination, Mulder cast his mind out once again.

As before there was nothing at first. Just a feeling of darkness in his mind. Mulder reached out further, pushing himself to his limit.

//Brother//

There it was, the presence he had sensed. An involuntary sliver of fear shivered through him.

//Do not be afraid. You have nothing to fear from me//

There was silence for a moment, and Mulder thought the presence had left him, and a sense of loss he could not explain pierced him.

//Brother, you are in danger. Show me and I will help, I will guide you.//

"I can’t," Mulder cried, the words echoing through his mind even as he thought the words, he knew they were not quite true.

//Yes, you can, Brother, reach inside yourself and the knowledge will come. Look, Brother, not with your eyes but with your mind.//

Mulder felt it building inside him. A small spark that grew hotter and brighter with each second. It was frightening, it was unknown, it was power. When the spark had become a flame that threatened to consume him, Mulder reached out and wrapped his mind around it, embracing the heat, opening himself to the power.

Suddenly, he could see. Himself appearing unconscious. Alex in the pilot seat, looking out at the runway in horror. Walter filling the co-pilot seat, trying desperately to find other options. And the car. The black car coming toward them, blocking their escape. The car that contained the source of his darkest nightmares. The one who had tried to destroy the ones Mulder loved. The one who had hurt Mulder in ways he was only beginning to understand. Mulder gazed at the car through his minds eye, and a course of action appeared to him. Mulder cast out with his mind again, only this time he did not reach, he pushed.

The black car was lifted from the pavement and tossed aside as if by a divine hand. The runway was now clear and the plane was free to take off. Mulder felt himself settle back into his body, more exhausted than he had ever been. As he drifted off into a deep sleep, a small smile appeared on his face. Things were changing, but maybe, just maybe, they were all going to be okay.

"Shit! What happened?" Krycek asked as an invisible force tossed the black sedan out of their way allowing their plane room to take off.

"How the hell should I know?" Skinner said, glancing back at Mulder's sleeping form. "Too bad Mulder is out again, he'd probably have had a dozen theories."

"Yeah, and all of them right on the money," Krycek groused, easing the plane off the runway, once in the air he circled the landing strip below and watched as the smoker and three goons climbed out of the smashed car. "That man has more lives than a cat," he complained, then guided the plane north planning to double back toward Mexico once he was out of the smoker's vision.

"How do you think they found us?" Skinner asked.

"I don't know," Krycek said puzzled.

"I have a tracking device implanted in my brain. They found us through it," Mulder said tiredly, sitting up, he looked groggily around.

"Mulder, that makes sense, but how do you know?" Krycek asked as Skinner unbuckled himself and headed back to check on Mulder.

"I can see it when I concentrate hard enough. It's how the aliens are tracking me, too."

Skinner no longer questioned Mulder. Instead he took what his agent said to be the truth. "Mulder, can you pinpoint where in your brain? If we can get you to the hospital they might be able to have it removed," he asked, sitting next to Mulder, he brushed his fingers through the thick chestnut hair. Mulder leaned into his touch like a cat wanting to be petted.

"Hmm, that won't be necessary." Mulder held out his hand and a small cylindrical object appeared in it. "Here it is," he said dropping the object into Skinner's hand.

"How?" Skinner asked, surprised, he studied the object.

"Don't really know for sure. It feels like whatever they did to me has awoken an unused portion of my brain that allows me to do certain things. I wouldn't have realized the potential if I hadn't been in telepathic contact with the aliens," Mulder replied as he leaned tiredly up against Skinner's body.

Krycek glanced back, looking at the small object Skinner was holding up. "Mulder, when did you have telepathic contact with the aliens? Was it during the blessing way ceremony?"

"No, it was when CGB Spender and his henchmen were closing in on us. The aliens showed me how to stop them, but they didn't realize that in doing so they were showing me how to protect myself from them, too," Mulder said smiling. He rested his head on Skinner's broad shoulder and started to drift off to sleep. "So tired," he murmured.

"Mulder, Fox, don't go to sleep just yet. The aliens, are they still coming for you?" Skinner asked anxiously.

"Yeah, but they're mainly tracking me through that thing. Just toss it out the window. I can hide my mind from them to a certain extent. Now let me sleep, Walter," Mulder muttered.

"Walter?"

"You called me Fox first," Mulder said, grinning into Skinner shoulder.

"So I did. Okay, Fox, go to sleep. Alex and I will find a place to dispose of this device," Skinner said, kissing the top of Mulder's head he found a pillow on the seat next to them and propped it behind the sleeping man's head, and eased Mulder back against it.

"Alex, we need to find a good place to dump this, one that can act as a diversion while we fly to Mexico. Do you have any life preservers on board this plane?" Skinner asked.

"Why? What do you have in mind?" Krycek asked.

"We fly out over the Pacific Ocean and drop the tracking device into it, then throw out anything that will float. They will assume we crashed," Skinner replied.

Krycek gave him a bemused smile. "You can be very devious when you put your mind to it, Walter. I think this partnership will work out just fine."

"This isn't a partnership, Krycek, let's get that straight!" Skinner growled, then forced himself to relax. "So, what sort of place do you have in Mexico?" he asked calmly.

Krycek looked at him, amused. "It's a small villa on the Pacific Ocean. I purchased it under one of my aliases several years ago. It has a beautiful private beach and is close to a small airport. The residents are very tight lipped, they don't particularly care for gringos but they actually like me. It should be the perfect place for Mulder to recover," he said, thinking how nice it would be to share his little area of paradise with Mulder. The secluded beach would be perfect for nude sunbathing and midnight swims.

"It sounds perfect, are you sure it's untraceable?" Skinner said, having similar thoughts as Krycek. If he didn't need the young man to fly the plane, he'd be tempted to dump him overboard at the same time as the tracing device. No that wasn't fair, after all, without Krycek's help he would be dead and Mulder would be in the consortium's hands.

"Positive, it's the only place on earth that I feel absolutely safe."

Skinner glanced back at Mulder who looked so sweet and innocent in his sleep. Skinner wanted so much to protect him and show him how deeply he loved him. "Krycek, let's get one thing straight. Mulder is mine and I have no intention of sharing him with you," he said gruffly.

"That's not your decision to make, Skinner. It's Mulder's choice which of us he wants: an old *bald* bureaucrat or someone good-looking and closer to his own age," Krycek retorted.

"Well, I may be bald, but at least I didn't kill his father," Skinner tossed back.

"God, will we ever get passed that 'you killed his father' line? It's getting rather old and tiresome," Krycek complained. "Besides, I didn't kill him ... the alien morph did."

"Yeah, right," Skinner scoffed. "Okay, let's save the bickering for when we get Mulder safely to Mexico."

"Sure, fine, whatever," Krycek said, veering the plane off toward the Pacific Ocean.

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

Secret Location
New York City

"Couldn't you have found a more disgusting location?" Scully asked, stepping over a used condom on the pavement in an alley behind the Lone Gunmen's new headquarters. They were sandwiched between a triple-X theater and a sex shop.

Byers glared angrily at Frohike and Langly. "Melvin picked out the location, but Langly was suppose to go with him and approve it. Isn't that right, Ringo?" the dapper gunman asked, with a look of displeasure on his face.

Langly looked embarrassed. "Sorry, John, my cousin was in town that week and I went to visit her instead."

"There's little we can do about it now, let's get the equipment moved in," Byers grumbled. Frohike at least had the good grace to look ashamed.

The three men started to unload the truck while Scully went inside and started the grueling job of cleaning the dust and grim from the office space.

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

Mulder woke to the sound of the ocean hitting the beach, in slow, steady waves. He blinked in the golden light and from the quality of it he guessed it was late afternoon, it had a lazy, mellow glow that morning light did not have. He was lying in a large, soft bed surrounded by mosquito netting, and several large feather pillows were plumped about his near-nude body. He stretched tiredly and sat up, rubbing a hand through his hair. Outside his window a guitar was being tuned and then a slow melody was birthed from the strings with a skill that bespoke of years of training. The music was sweet and sad at the same time. He slid out of bed, noting the fine, thin silk, drawstring pants he was wearing. They felt like sin and were obviously expensive. The room he had woken in was sumptuous without being decadent, as if designed by someone with elegant taste.

He was making his way to the large window to see who was playing the guitar when a soft voice spoke from the doorway. "Oh, oh you're awake. I was just coming to check on you."

Mulder turned to see Alex Krycek standing uncertainly in the doorway.

"Are you okay? Can I get you anything? Lupe...that's the cook...she can make you anything you like."

Mulder rubbed his left arm with his right hand and shrugged, "I'd like a shower." He remembered everything, and the realization that Krycek had saved him, had helped Skinner rescue him, made it difficult to talk to the former rat-bastard. He caught Alex staring hotly at his scantily-clad body, and he flushed...and shifted self-consciously.

Alex flicked a glance over the soft bugle beneath the white silk, the outline of Fox's penis as clear as if he were nude. The afternoon light lit the golden flesh beneath the silk as well as above. His pulse thrummed hot, and Mulder had to clear his throat to regain Alex's attention.

"Uh...what? Oh a shower? Sure...sure Fox."

Mulder smiled to himself as Alex led him to a brightly-lit bathroom. There were huge windows and the beach came right up to the sliding door. Another separate room held the toilet, but the shower was in full view of the beach. Mulder raised his brows. "No modesty for this owner I guess." At Alex's confused look, Mulder tapped the clear glass of the stall.

Alex blanched as if he just realized that, and Mulder quickly assured him. "I'm not modest, Alex."

Alex flushed with pleasure at hearing his name once more on those delicious lips. "Prove it," he husked.

Mulder just stared at him in shock and then cleared his voice. "Ha ha, Krycek."

He was Krycek again he noted. He wanted to kiss that nervous look off those lips and to stroke the heavy flesh between those long legs. He backed out of the bathroom with strength of will that he hadn't really known he had. "You've been sick," he offered, trying to convince himself to leave more than anything.

Mulder watched as he left and shook his head. Things were definitely weird. He slid the silk pants off and turned on the water. When the temperature was just right, he stepped into the shower and tried to think of what to do next. He couldn't hear the alien presence in his mind anymore, and he was beginning to think that the virus that had been implanted in him so long ago was actually dying. If it really did, then he would be free. He would have no evidence though. He cursed. He needed some evidence to bring down the consortium...something! He stood under the hot water and had to admit to himself that even if it meant losing the round to the bastards in collusion with the aliens, he would much rather have been cured. Sure it had been cool to shove cars out of his way, and to talk to, actually *talk* to an alien, albeit psychically...but he preferred being a plain old, forty-six chromosome human.

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

Krycek went out on to the veranda where Skinner sat with a classical guitar balanced on his denim-encased thighs. The man had a great body, Krycek was reminded. The kind of body that men worked for years to attain. Watching him pluck at the strings with surprising elegance, Krycek had to admit the man was handsome. He filled out the soft jeans, and plain white T-shirt with bulging muscles, and his square jaw and piercing eyes made even Krycek want to curl up at his feet. He narrowed his eyes. Mulder was his...but if he had to share he would...but being cut out wasn't in the cards. He might love Mulder and he might have done right by him, but he didn't play by the rules...not when it mattered. And it mattered more than anything.

Skinner looked up from the symmetry of the taut strings, and he paused only a minute before continuing to play.

"He's awake...and showering," Krycek said softly. "I think he may be okay...he looked okay...and when we talked, he seemed okay."

Skinner set the guitar aside. "You had a conversation with him?"

Alex smiled and sat down on the cool concrete, leaning against a column, "Oh yes, and then I took him in to shower. He isn't modest you know? Oh I guess you wouldn't."

Skinner refused to rise to the bai,t and he picked up the guitar once more.

Krycek's cell phone rang and after talking for a few moments, he cursed. He gave a curt reply to whomever he was speaking and hung up. He looked to Skinner. "They know we didn't crash...the only thing in our favor is that they have no idea where we are."

Skinner cursed softly. "Who was that? Do you trust them?"

Alex nodded. "A member of the resistance...anyway...I have to go. I need to meet with someone..."

Skinner had hauled Krycek up and pushed against a wall before Krycek could finish his sentence. "If you are playing me, boy, you'll regret it."

Krycek pushed the bigger man off. "Get over it, Skinner. You know how I feel about him. I'm not about to endanger him."

Skinner relaxed, the truth of Krycek's feelings resided in his eyes...something even the greatest actor could not feign. "Where?"

"I can't tell you that." Green eyes held his, "Take care of him, Skinner...or you'll never hide well enough."

Skinner nodded.

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

Mulder found Skinner on the beach. "Sir?"

Walter turned at the sound of Mulder's voice. "Hey, look who isn't delirious!"

Mulder smiled and stood next to the big man. "Yeah, go figure."

"Are you okay?"

Mulder smiled, his eyes taking in the beauty of the sea lapping on the pale sand. "God, it's so beautiful."

Skinner nodded and the two looked out at the endless horizon. Finally he turned to his favorite agent. "I'm...I'm glad you're okay. I was worried you would...you know, mutate...once I heard you were infected."

Mulder nodded, "I don't think I would have, but I am glad too. I think I am becoming more normal every moment."

Skinner gave a short laugh. "You'll never be normal, Mulder."

"Fox."

"What was that?"

"You called me Fox in the plane."

Skinner blushed so sweetly that Fox had to smile. The big man was really something. So sweet...so shy really. It made him want to throw him to the sand and molest him.

"Well, yes that is true, but..."

"But what? You don't want to call me that now?" Mulder took pity on his boss who was swallowing and sweating, his hands digging deep into his pockets, gaze intent on the sand between his naked toes.

"I want to swim," Fox announced.

Walter nodded, without hearing, just trying desperately to avoid grabbing Mulder to him and kissing those bee-stung lips.

Mulder began to disrobe, for some reason he wanted to seduce Walter...he knew how the big man felt about him...and it was a relief to be able to consummate it...he'd wanted Skinner for years. He bemoaned the absence of his pretty enemy but he didn't feel slighted that he was alone with Skinner. When he was completely nude, he stretched like a cat in the sun. "The water is going to feel sooo good."

Skinner was beet red now, his throat working wildly.

"Have you ever skinny dipped, Walter?"

Walter shook his head negatively, "Yes."

Mulder laughed. "Which is it? Yes or no?"

"I don't know....Jesus, Mulder."

"Fox."

Walter took a deep breath and watched as Fox slowly moved into the warm water.

"Take off your clothes, Walter...it feels so good."

"God, I bet it feels fantastic," Walter groaned.

They both knew he wasn't talking about the water.

"Fantastic? Yes, it does feel fantastic. Come on, Walter, join me."

Caught up in the moment and hypnotized by the sight of the man he loved, Walter slowly undressed while watching Mulder move deeper into the warm water.

Mulder smiled as he watched Walter undress. The sight of the powerful, sexy body finally unveiled caused his body to tingle with anticipation. He moved forward as Walter walked toward him. Grabbing his hand, he led him into the chest-deep water. "It is wonderful, isn't it, Walter?"

Walter reached up and touched Mulder's face. The intensity of his feelings was threatening to overwhelm him, so he took a deep breath and tried to step back from the passion. "Yes, it is, Fox, but I'm warning you, if I get stung by something out here, you'll regret it!" he growled.

Realizing the reason for Walter's tone, Mulder nodded, then teased him by asking, "Would it make a difference depending on where you were stung?"

Reaching for the younger man's waist and pulling him closer, he nodded, "Oh yes, it would definitely make a difference! Some parts are just naturally more tender than others . . . obviously."

As their bodies touched, Mulder put his arms around Walter's neck and pulled him down into a long, passionate kiss. Walter's arms tightened around his waist as lips parted to allow Mulder's tongue to slip inside.

Walter broke away from the kiss struggling to recover his breath. "Are you sure about this, Mulder? Are you positive you want this . . . me?"

"Positive? Oh God yes, I'm positive. I've wanted this for years!" Mulder assured him as he ground his erect cock against Walter's. "I want this as much as you do."

Smiling possessively, Walter slipped his hands down to cup Mulder's ass, as he dipped his head for another kiss. Tongues warred for dominance as they deepened the kiss. Walter's fingers began to explore Mulder's ass as they continued to kiss passionately.

Suddenly, Walter felt a nip on his thigh and jerked back. The sudden jarring left them both off balance. Despite struggling to regain their footing, they both disappeared underwater.

Mulder was the first to reappear sputtering and looking for Walter. Coughing, he moved forward when Walter shot up out of the water.

Gasping for breath, Walter said, "Shit! There really is something biting out here!"

The look on Walter's face was priceless. Mulder couldn't help the giggles that started to escape. "Of course there's something biting . . . this is the ocean! God Walter . . . if you could only see the look on your face!"

Walter couldn't help but smile, it was so great seeing Mulder happy, and laughing, he didn't mind that it was at his expense. "Come on. Let's take this to the beach before we drown."

Walter could not remember the last time he had been so excited, or so nervous. The most hidden of fantasies, the one that he would barely admit to himself, was about to come true. He was about to make love to Fox Mulder. He watched as Mulder strolled up onto the beach as if he owned it, and then gracefully dropped to a blanket that lay in the shade of the house.

//Oh God,// thought Walter. //Just watching him makes me hotter than ever before.// Mulder rolled over on his back and gave Skinner what could only be described as a "come hither" look. Walter's mouth went dry, and he had to force his legs to move. Once he got to the blanket, he sat down on the edge, suddenly shy. //Maybe this is wrong,// he thought. //Fox has been through so much, this could be taking advantage.// All of Skinner's inner dialog came to a screeching halt when he felt a feather light touch moving up and down his spine. A glance over his shoulder revealed the touch to be Mulder's right foot caressing his back. His control snapped, and with one movement Skinner covered Mulder's body with his own. The two men locked eyes, and then Skinner's mouth descended to claim Mulder's.

All track of time was lost as the two men kissed. Aliens, partners, secret conspiracies were all forgotten. Nothing existed except the two of them. Mulder's skin felt like sun-warmed silk under Skinner's hands. There was no part of the agent that the AD did not want to touch, to taste, to possess. He slowly moved his hands under Mulder's trunks, and began to ease them down. Soon there would be nothing separating them.

Fire coursed through Mulder's veins. He felt Skinner's erection against his leg. //I did that,// he mused. //Walter Skinner wants me.// That he could inspire such passion in another, especially one as stoic as his boss inflamed Mulder even further. He had always wondered what it would take to make Walter lose control. It looked like he was about to find out. Skinner moved to push Fox's suit down his hips, and a shiver moved down Mulder's spine. //This is really happening,// he thought, and just as he moved his hands to the AD's suit, a muffled gasp came from behind the men. Both men turned and caught sight of a bruised and very bloody Alex Krycek. The triple agent started to say something, and then thought better of it. He turned and moved slowly toward the house, the set of his shoulders and the hurt look in his eyes saying more than any words could.

Neither of the men said anything for a long moment. Sighing, Mulder sat up and moved his bathing suit back up to where it belonged. Skinner moved to pull him back down. "Mulder, he'll get over it, we are all adults here. Krycek will have to accept the fact that you want to be with me, not him." The words came out a bit smug, despite Skinner's best effort. As soon as he looked in Mulder's eyes, Walter realized he had made a mistake. Fox pulled away and stood up. "Fox, wait, that came out the wrong way, what I meant was ....,"

"I know what you meant, Walter," the agent snapped. "You are making an assumption about my relationship with Alex, assuming you know my feelings." With that, Mulder turned and walked toward the house.

As he crossed the sand toward the house, Mulder tried to figure out what to say to Alex. //When did the rat's feelings become so important to me, and why?// He knew Alex cared for him. Wanted him. Mulder had let Alex believe that his feelings were not returned, that the desire was one sided. It had always been safer that way. In truth, Mulder had always gotten an erotic charge from Alex's desire, from knowing that those green eyes watched his every move. The triple agent made appearances in some of Mulder's most carnal of dreams. Dreams that ended with him wrapped in sweat soaked sheets, needing a change of pajamas. He had always told himself these dreams meant nothing, not willing to admit the truth, even to himself. Even when he caught himself watching Alex, the way the way the man moved, the gestures he made with his hands, Mulder had always rationalized it away, or at least tried to. As he reached the house and pulled the door open, Mulder realized that it was time to move past such things. There was no reason to deny things any longer. He knew Walter would not be happy, but Fox was through with living behind a lie. He would find a way to balance things between the two men in his life. With this in mind, Mulder went in to the house to find Alex.

Mulder stopped abruptly in the doorway of the villa as a wave of grief washed over him. He was empathetically picking up Alex's emotions. Mulder had to will himself to sever his contact with Alex as tears of sorrow sprang to his eyes. He stood there for several minutes until all emphatic contact had been completely cut off with the younger man, and his emotions were once again his own. He slowly made his way through the sunny solarium toward the back bedrooms. After being outside on the white, sun baked beaches the coolness of the clay tiles were soothing on the souls of his bare feet.

Mulder finally found Krycek in the master bathroom. Krycek's discarded and bloody shirt lay on the floor at his feet, and he stood unmoving in front of the mirror with a damp washcloth forgotten in his hand. He hadn't heard Mulder enter the room and wasn't aware of his presence until the agent lightly touched his naked shoulder, and their eyes met in the mirror.

"Here, let me do that for you," Mulder offered softly, taking the washcloth he turned Krycek to face him.

"Mulder, I can clean up on my own … go back to Skinner," he hissed, reaching for the washcloth.

"I know you can, but I want to help you. Alex, I think it's about time we had a talk," Mulder said, placing the washcloth on the counter he started to unfasten the buckles to the younger man's prosthesis.

"Don't!" Krycek growled, slapping his hand away.

"It has to come off, you've gotten blood underneath the bindings," Mulder replied, shoving his hand away and undoing the last buckle. He removed the prosthesis and set it on the small bench that rested against the tiled wall.

"We have nothing to talk about," Krycek grumbled, feeling vulnerable without his prosthesis. He blushed as Mulder's eyes racked over the scars covering his stub and was glad when Mulder didn't comment on his deformity.

Mulder soaked the washcloth under the warm tap water and held Krycek's chin as he swabbed at the bloody and bruised flesh on the young man's cheek and cut upper lip. He was standing so close to Krycek that he could feel the nervous heat coming off his body.

"There's plenty to talk about, Alex, like who beat the crap out of you, and why? Your role in the conspiracy. How I am going to get my life back? And why I get an incredible hard-on whenever I look into your beautiful green eyes," Mulder said. He leaned in and kissed the bruise on Alex's cheek allowing the sign of his desire to bump against the growing bulge in the younger man's pants, then he continued, "Pick any of those topics you like, Alex."

Krycek was speechless as he stared into two shimmering pools of golden hazel, he never expected to hear those words issued from Mulder's lips. He thought his desire for the lanky agent was all one sided. He watched Mulder's hand as it gently cleaned the blood from his chest that had dripped there from his cut lip. Finding his voice, his first thought was to comfort Mulder. "You're safe now, Fox. No one will find you here. The healing ceremony the Navajo's performed has given you the power to rid yourself of the alien's influence. You can now end this yourself. The aliens won't want you once you rid yourself of what they planted inside of you," he said, trying to ignore the incredible arousal he was feeling from Mulder's nurturing touch.

"Rid myself? How am I to do that?"

"My contact said that you would know how, that was all I could get out of him before I was forced to kill him," Krycek confessed, looking into Mulder's eyes for any sign of revulsion his admission might wrought.

"Well, I don't have a clue," Mulder said, reaching for a bottle of antiseptic ointment and a cotton swab.

Krycek suddenly felt empowered. His fear of Mulder rejecting him had been his only weakness. Now that Mulder seemed to be returning his affection and didn't blink an eye over his confession to having killed another man, he no longer was afraid. "We have time, Fox. We'll discover how together. In the meantime you can stay here with me until we do … think of it as a much-needed vacation." Krycek touched the side of Mulder's face then leaned in and captured his lips in a feather light kiss.

Mulder returned it with enthusiasm, but pulled away at Krycek's slight gasp of pain. His finger went up and touched the swollen upper lip of the triple agent apologetically. "Sorry, Alex."

Krycek took Mulder's hand in his and chuckled bitterly, "Of all the times to have gotten punched in the face. Don't worry about it, Fox, having you kiss me was well worth the pain. You'll stay here with me then?"

"Alex, I can't very well leave until I'm rid of these powers! Now can I?" Mulder complained bitterly.

Mulder was sorry the moment those resentful words left his mouth as a hurt look flashed across Krycek's face; he hadn't meant his words to hurt Alex. He was upset at having to hide out in a foreign country, away from his life and job in D.C. "Alex, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it the way it came out. I appreciate everything you've done for me and would like nothing better than to stay here with you and Walter until I'm totally healed." Mulder wrapped his arms around Krycek's body and pulled him into a hug.

Krycek had forgotten about Skinner, his rival for Mulder's heart. "I understand, Fox. If I was in your shoes I'd feel the same way," he said, melting against Mulder's chest and wishing that he had two arms so he could return the hug. "I want to make love to you, Fox. May I?"

Mulder smiled at him and gently kissed the side of his mouth. "I want to make love to you too, Alex, but later. Skinner has the current spot on my dance card filled at the moment," Mulder quipped, trying to lighten the blow.

"You plan on doing both of us?" Krycek asked, shocked.

"Why not? I want both of you, and you both want me. It's not as if we're getting married or starting a family. It only sex, Alex," Mulder said lightly.

"What about love and commitment?" Krycek complained.

"What's wrong with the three of us just having sex? Think about it, Alex," Mulder said, knowing both of Krycek's and Skinner's deepest fantasies from being inside their heads. He knew with a little coaxing, he'd have both men going down on each other with equal passion. "Walter ramming that thick cock of his into you, while I give you the best blow job of your life," he purred and licked the younger man's nipple, worrying it with his teeth. "Wouldn't you want to have both of us making love to you?"

Krycek moaned as Mulder's skilled mouth pleasured him. Although he was in love with Mulder, he had an easy time imagining himself being fucked by Skinner. The thought of being sandwiched between the two men made him even harder. "Fox, Skinner will never go for it," he said.

"Go for what?" Skinner growled from the bathroom doorway. He had decided to fight for Mulder. No way was he going to allow Krycek to have him.

Mulder pulled his mouth reluctantly away from the red swollen nipple that he had been hungrily feeding on; giving it one final lick he turned and faced Skinner. "All three of us having sex together," Mulder said bluntly. At the look of outrage on Skinner's face, he continued, "I know that you've wanted to fuck Alex for years, Walter, now's your chance." He walked over to Skinner until their bodies were touching and wrapped his arms around the larger man's neck. "Walter, remember the fantasies you used to have when he was working for you? When he would stand in front of your desk in those cheap ill-fitting suits, looking like an innocent and eager rookie? You wanted to rip those suits off his body so badly, and fill his ass with your thick cock, ramming in and out his tight hole as he begged you to fuck him harder and faster." Mulder had been kissing and nipping along Skinner's neck and jaw as he breathless voice filled Skinner and Krycek with images they both desired.

Skinner's eyes locked with Krycek's and he saw the arousal in their emerald depths. "You want me, boy?" he growled and licked his lips as he scrutinized Krycek's muscular toned body marred only by the missing limb.

"Don't call me boy, old man," Krycek growled back. His look turned thoughtful, he desperately craved human contact, having gone too long without anyone who cared for him. "Yeah, I want you, Walter. We'll be stuck here for a while so we might as will make the best of it," he said casually, not wanting either man to know just how desperately he wanted this. Looking down at Mulder who was kneeling at Skinner's feet and peeling the large man's swim trunks off, his mouth went dry at the sight of Skinner's large, magnificent cock.

"Fuck, I want you, too," Skinner gasped as Mulder went down on his cock with enthusiasm.

Krycek smiled at the look of pleasure on the bald man's face as Mulder took the thick organ deeper, his perfect lush lips wrapped firmly around it. "He's so oral, isn't he, Walter?" Krycek asked, toeing off his shoes then working at the buttons on his jeans.

"God, yeah," Skinner groaned as Mulder's tongue pushed into his urethra then lapped around the sensitive cockhead before taking more of the cock into his mouth. Skinner's hands twined through Mulder's hair and he started fucking his mouth in earnest.

Mulder relaxed his throat and breathed through his nose as Skinner kept going deeper and deeper until he was ramming his cock nearly all the way down his throat. Mulder had never had anyone quite as large as Skinner, and he was having a difficult time handling his girth. He knew his jaw and throat were going to hurt later on, but there was nothing he could do about that now as he held onto the large man's hips for balance and hoped that Skinner wouldn't tear too much of his hair out.

Krycek watched the erotic display before him in total rapture as he reached for the lube. He couldn't see how it was possible for Mulder to take someone as thick and long as Skinner that deeply into his mouth. He was looking forward to having those full lips wrapped around his equally large cock. The mere thought of having it all the way down Mulder's throat made it jump with excitement. He greased up a finger then walked behind Skinner and spread his ass cheeks and pushed his finger in, working it around until he rubbed against the knob of his prostate.

Skinner roared as the finger made contact with his sensitive gland, and he rammed all the way down Mulder's throat, coming long and hard, achieving the most intense orgasm of his life. Mulder was grateful for all those swimming and scuba diving lessons his parents had him made him take as a child, as Walter's release seemed to go on endlessly. He knew a lesser man would have passed out from lack of oxygen by now, he started to feel light-headed. Then Skinner was pulling out. Mulder took huge gulps of air as the larger man hauled him to his feet and into a deep passion filled kiss. Mulder wrapped his arms around Skinner's neck to keep from crashing to the floor, his legs were too rubbery to hold him.

"God, Fox. I love you," he purred, kissing and hugging Mulder tightly.

"Love?" Mulder choked out hoarsely.

Skinner pulled back to study his face. "Fox, I didn't hurt you did I?"

"I'll be fine. I just never had anyone quite as big as you, Walter. Now what did you mean by you loved me?" Mulder asked his voice still hoarse as he leaned back against Alex who had moved to stand behind him.

Skinner frowned, looking at Krycek who had his arm wrapped possessively around Mulder's waist and his head resting on Mulder's shoulder. He wasn't one to discuss his feelings in the first place, but having an audience made it even tougher. "I know it's sudden, Fox, but that is the only way I can describe my feelings for you. I've wanted you so long. I know you probably don't share my feelings yet, but hopefully in time you will come to love me as much as I love you."

"I don't believe in love, Walter," Mulder replied, wishing that his new lover hadn't wrecked the mood by bringing love into it.

Krycek whispered seductively in his ear, "How can you not believe in love, Fox? It will probably kill you to know that I love you, too."

"I think you're both confusing love with desire. Neither of you has known me long enough to be able to claim to love me. Just wait until we've lived with each other for awhile then you will realize that you don't really love me," Mulder replied bitterly, pulling away from Krycek he walked into the bedroom. Everyone who had claimed to love him in the past had only been using him. No one had really loved him, not really. Maybe Scully loved him as close as friends could love each other. He wondered where she was at this moment.

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

Lone Gunmen Headquarters
New York City

Scully poured another bucket of dirty water down the drain in the kitchen sink as she listened to the Langly yelling at Frohike for getting a building with antiquated telephone lines and not enough amperage for their computer systems. They needed more lines brought in before they could hook anything up. She looked at her tired face in the mirror above the sink. Her hair was greasy, there was a dark smear of grease on her cheek, and her clothes were ruined.

"Guys, just what are you saying? You told me that once we had this place cleaned and your equipment set up that you'd be able to pinpoint where Skinner has taken Mulder," Scully snapped angrily.

"Ah, Dana, we can't set anything up until we rewire this place, otherwise we'll blow a fuse," Byers replied.

"So how long will that take?" she asked.

"No more than two or three days," Frohike assured her.

"Damn," Scully sighed, looking down at her grubby appearance. "I need a shower and a change of clothes."

Langly walked over to his bags and pulled out a Deadheads T-shirt and found a towel in one of their other boxes. "Here. Don't worry they're clean," he said handing them to her.

"Thanks, Langly, this well help until I can get to the store and pick up some new clothes," Scully said, heading into the bathroom and locking the door. The room was still a mess they hadn't gotten in here to clean yet.

She turned on the shower and waited while the pipes made knocking noises then smelly rust color water spurted weakly out. "Oh, shit," she grumbled, turning off the water she grabbed the towel and headed into the kitchenette to wash up in the sink.

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

Skinner trembled as the orgasm faded and he stroked Mulder's cheek. "So good, Fox."

Fox licked his lips and Krycek chuckled. "You like that don't you, baby?"

Fox looked up, his lips swollen and fucked. He traced a hand over Alex's muscled thigh. "Oh yeah."

Skinner growled and pulled Fox to his feet and devoured those lips, so moist and used. He held that lean body close.

Krycek had had enough of Skinner hogging Fox and so he slid behind Mulder and rubbed his crotch on that rounded ass. "You are so beautiful, Fox." Alex's voice was a whisper filled with love and passion, and Fox turned his head to join his mouth with Alex's.

Skinner stroked Alex's sleek dark head and pushed the two smaller men toward the bed. "Let's move this to the bed."

Alex looked at Skinner and with a small, eager smile he nodded. He was lost in the sensation of the moment and nothing about the situation seemed wrong or uncomfortable.

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

Deep Space

He stood as he felt the connection with the changeling on Earth fading. He cried out to him, to Fox and felt the human respond with surprise.

"Fox…you need to give yourself to us. You can still save yourself from the human impurity that infects you."

"No…I…I don't want to." The voice was faint, vaguely frightened.

"You have no reason to fear. You will be one of us…the Earthlings will not be enough for you…you are meant for greater things. We are coming for you."

"No! I am not one of you…I am not!"

"You are…you can be. You can still fight the plague inside you."

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

Skinner and Krycek watched with mouths agape as Mulder backed away from them and began to sweat and tremble. They looked to one another with worried frowns, all thoughts of carnal pleasure fading as they turned back to Mulder who had backed himself to the bed and was sitting with his head in his hands mumbling to himself.

"Mulder?" Walter ventured carefully. "What is it?"

"Is it a relapse, Fox?" Krycek moved to sit next to Mulder.

"No…no…it…I'm fine I just need to be alone for a few minutes." Fox's voice was steady and there was no trace of the trembling that still racked his body.

"I am not leaving you alone, Fox!" Alex protested with a stubborn look on his pretty face.

Walter cleared his throat and stroked Mulder's head with a soft touch. "C'mon, Krycek. Mulder knows when he needs to be alone."

Krycek grumbled, but stood up and followed Walter out of the room…both men unconcerned about their state of undress.

When he was alone, Mulder concentrated on blocking out the strange voice in his head. He was so close to being completely cured that it was only minimally possible that the aliens or the Consortium that danced to their beat could do anything to reverse the cleansing ritual. However, if there was a way he was sure the alien who spoke to him would find it. He knew what had to be done, but he needed a little more time. The aliens were close. They weren't close enough to know where he was and even on Earth they would have difficulty tracking him, but any possibility that he would lose his humanity was repugnant to Mulder. He looked around the room at the discarded clothes and took a moment to mourn the ended passionate scene, but he stood quickly and pulling on his clothes, he sought out the two men who were fast coming to mean too much to him.

Krycek paced on the wooden porch as Walter sat and tuned his guitar.

"How can you just pluck away at that damned guitar when Fox may be hurting?"

Skinner looked up at the younger man and Krycek looked away quickly, ashamed as he saw the worry in those intense, brown eyes. "And just what am I supposed to do, Alex?"

The sound of his name coming from this man…this man who he never expected to accept him, sent a shiver of pleasure through Alex's body. He ran a hand through his hair and looked away.

"I didn't mean…I'm sorry Skinner. I just hate this…I love him you know."

Walter stood and nodded. "We both do."

Those words hung in the air and the two men were silent as they contemplated what it meant. Could they really have a future with Mulder…either of them? Mulder was elusive and didn't really trust anyone save for Scully. They both knew that come what may the future was uncertain.

Mulder came out of the house and looked at the two contemplative men, both of whom had pulled on pants. He went to Krycek first and stroked Alex's face. "I'm sorry, Alex. I really wanted tonight to be special." He turned to Skinner and went into Skinner's warm embrace. "I…I know what I need to do." He felt the strength of Walter's arms grip him tighter. "I need to find Scully…I need her to help me with this."

Skinner looked at Krycek over Mulder's shoulder. They both felt the sting of that comment, but neither was too surprised.

Mulder pulled away from Skinner and looked again to Krycek. "This has nothing to do with trust, Alex. I know you think I don't trust you, but I do…with my life…both of you." He looked solemn. "I just need Scully…I need her to be with me when this is over."

Skinner looked away at the dark rolling ocean and his face became a shuttered mask of rejection. Mulder looked at that face and wanted to take it back...wanted to take that look off of his face. "They are still coming for me, Walter. Please understand that this is about completion for me. Scully and I have worked for years…and now we have a chance to end this…maybe not on a global scale, but at least we know…I know… how to stop part of their plan."

"Forget it, Mulder. If I have to follow you I will," Alex growled. When Mulder would have protested he grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "You may know something about the aliens plans but you have no clue how ruthless the humans involved can be. And though Scully may be some paragon of investigative genius and your pet mascot...she cannot *protect* you!"

"Scully is not a mascot! She is my partner! Just because I want to be with you and Walter doesn't mean that you…either of you can expect me to shove her aside…not when we have worked for this…"

"She doesn't believe you, Mulder…she is just loyal." Skinner's voice was tired and Mulder sighed. "She is your partner and no one is trying to push her aside. I agree with Krycek though. Despite your plan to have you and Scully end this…it isn't going to end, and you are a liability as you have never been before. You need us."

Mulder sighed. "I do need you. I know it more than you, either of you are giving me credit for. This has nothing to do with that. I need to go somewhere…now. I need to find Scully but I need for you two do something else for me."

"Forget it, Mulder. I am not letting you out of my sight." Krycek's lips were tight with determination and his eyes burned deadly fire. "Not one chance in Hell!"

Mulder looked to Skinner for support but saw only that distant look on the strong face. "Walter, won't you talk some sense into him? If we all go blundering about…"

"I don't blunder, Mulder! That is your job…and you do damn well at it, too!" Krycek was furious that Mulder would choose to have Dana Scully at his side.

Mulder almost jumped to the bait, but he knew his young lover was simply jealous and hurt. He went to Krycek quickly and enfolded the man in his arms. Krycek gave a token protest, but then let Mulder hold him. "I want you, Alex…I don't *want* Scully. Please don't be jealous."

Krycek hugged Mulder tighter and couldn't resist kissing Mulder's tender skin at the place where his long neck met the shoulder. "I am not letting you go without me, Fox. I can't. If you were hurt…I would die."

Skinner came up behind Mulder and placed a strong arm on Mulder's shoulder. "He's right, Fox. We are all in this together."

Mulder sighed. "I need someone to go back to the reservation…Albert has one last thing to give me…he doesn't even know he has it, but I saw it while I was…in that place…I just didn't know what it was until now. An ancient spear passed down from generation to generation…made of stone not native to the land. Inside it is a chip…left there by some of the earliest aliens…I need to get it to the Lone Gunmen and have them analyze it. And I still have to heal myself completely. I know how, but I need Scully's help. She is a doctor and I need her. Please understand. I don't have time. They are coming for me right now. I can hear him in my head. The one who calls himself my brother." He shuddered despite himself and Krycek pulled him tight against his muscled body.

Skinner felt the tremor of fear and he gritted his teeth. Mulder was one of the bravest men he knew and for something to frighten him not only amazed Skinner, but it infuriated him as well. He moved to sandwich his agent between he and Krycek and Mulder relaxed a bit. "I'll go to the reservation and get the spear…"

"No!" Krycek whispered harshly against Mulder's warm neck. "I'll go. You work better with Scully than I do, Skinner. You won't waste time having to convince her not to shoot you. You go with Mulder and I'll go to the desert."

"But you are wounded," Skinner protested.

"All the more reason for it to be you who stays with him. You can…shit…you can protect him better."

The words were grudging and Skinner had to grin despite the gravity of the situation. "I can do that better even when you aren't wounded, boy."

"I told you not to call me boy, old man!" Krycek growled still nuzzling in Mulder's neck.

Mulder let the two men hold him for a moment longer and then he pulled away. "We need to go now. I think we should take the plane to New Mexico and then Skinner and I can disguise ourselves and take a flight."

"To where?" Skinner asked quietly.

Mulder pursed his lips and thought for a moment. Already the abilities that had swelled in him were nearly gone. He had emphatic abilities in abundance, but he couldn't see the future or move objects anymore. He had a vague impression of Scully covered in dirt and grousing to herself about…about… "New York!" he said triumphantly. ''She is with the Gunmen in New York. If we can get there I can get a message to them via the net and they will meet us."

Skinner looked at his excited agent and shook his head. There was no explaining Mulder…especially now when he was still infected with…whatever he was infected with.

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

Two men boarded American Airlines flight 564 to New York City JFK International. They were tourists by the look of them, one imposing in size and the other tall but slender. They wore ill-matching clothes in cotton, though neither was too garish. They took their seats quietly and remained mostly silent throughout the flight. The slender one informed the larger one that he was worried about Alex but the big one merely nodded and the conversation was complete.

When the Boeing 767 arrived at the gate in New York and the flight attendants opened the door the two men made their way unobtrusively toward the waiting cabs. From there they made their way to a little café that advertised free internet access, and the slender one typed an e-mail message and sipped an espresso. The large man seemed to be guarding the slender one and would glare threateningly at anyone who looked past the unattractive garb the slender one was wearing and tried to strike up a conversation with the admittedly pretty man.

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

Alex watched for any sign that the consortium goons were still near the reservation. Time was of the essence, and so it was with little regret that he made his way to Albert's home and stole into the little residence by way of a unlocked window. He didn't want to surprise and frightened the old man, but it was he who was surprised when he saw Albert waiting for him with a stone spear in his gnarled hands.

"It took you long enough young one."

Alex's eyes widened and he covered his surprise with anger. "Yeah? Well sorry I was looking for the right outfit. Black gets so boring, but it had to do."

Albert tilted his head considering the young killer. "You should come back to me when you have delivered this to Agent Mulder. You have many demons to confront."

Something about the gentle, black eyes stilled the sarcastic comment his mumbo jumbo words begged for, and Alex just nodded imperceptibly. "Thank you."

"Go now. The men who hunt you are never too far from this place. And they will want to kill you…though you already know this, don't you?"

Alex nodded and took his leave.

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

New York

Scully wore a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and Frohike was watching her with such a dazed look of absolute adoration that Byers was getting worried.

"Look how her lips purse when she is thinking…what am I saying?" Frohike hit his wide forehead. "Her lips always look luscious."

"Get a grip, dude. We need to focus on Mulder! Remember him?" Langly sighed.

"Yeah, sure I do. But his lips aren't a pouty dream…a pouty *wet* dream." Frohike defended.

"Yeah well that may be true, but he is missing and she isn't!" Langly tapped the screen of their finally functioning system. "We got mail, dude. Don't you even watch the screen?"

Frohike nodded and sighed again as Scully licked her lips. "She is a goddess. A veritable goddess of love and desire and hot sex."

Langly looked at the goddess who was ignoring them as she looked through mysterious files. "Check the mail. Only a few people know this address."

Frohike turned away with a groan of regret. She looked so much like his wife to be should. He opened the mail. "Oh shit! It's from Mulder!"

Scully rushed over and she pressed so hotly against his side that he almost forgot what he was doing.

"Where is he?" Scully asked breathlessly, her worry a palpable force in her every movement.

"He is here, in New York. He wants us to pick him up at Beans," Frohike said quickly, nearly all thoughts of sex with Scully gone as he mentally planned the quickest route to the popular coffee spot nearby.

Scully was grabbing her purse and gun and heading for the door. "Let's go, " she said to Byers who was at the door already.

Frohike immediately wrote a cryptic reply to Mulder. "I'm letting him know you're coming…but in code of course."

Langly nodded approvingly. "Of course."

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

"They are on their way, sir," Mulder said excitedly.

"When we are finally out of this I am going to have a long talk to you about calling me sir in private," Walter said softly. "I have no desire to role-play with you, Fox."

Mulder looked startled and then he gave a sexy smile. "Oh, I don't know. That sounds like fun."

Walter chuckled and gave Mulder's ass a discrete slap.

"Oh yeah, that's what I mean." He saw his partner standing on the curb. She looked directly at him, looked away and then looked back again, a small O forming on her red lips. He grinned. "C'mon, Scully is here to save the day."

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

Krycek moved quickly. He was headed to a small private airport, just out side of Taos. An airport that catered to a clientele that had "special" needs and weren't above paying for them. FAA regulations had a way of being forgotten, as did the names of all those who did business there, and filing a flight plan was up to those who were doing the flying.

He had the spear that Mulder said he needed to heal himself, and in just a little while he would meet up with his lover and hopefully put an end to this whole nightmare. //Lover,// even as he said the word in his mind, a small trickle of warmth moved up his spine. He had always dreamed of a day when he and Mulder would be together, but had assumed it was exactly that, a dream. He did not know what Fox's plans were, or if they would be successful. Alex had tried to talk Mulder out of his plan, but the FBI agent had gotten his way. "As if there was ever any doubt," Krycek grumbled to himself. Alex knew that for all his talk, for all his arguments to the contrary, he would always give in to what his lover wanted. Actually, it was now lovers. How he had ended up in bed with Walter Skinner was still somewhat of a mystery, but, surprisingly, the more he thought about it, the more comfortable the whole idea was. He was sure there would be some complications down the line, but for now Alex Krycek allowed himself a small bit of happiness.

As his car made the turn into the small parking lot next to the airstrip, Krycek turned his thoughts to the business at hand. The plane he wanted was a small Cessna, and as arranged, it would be fueled and ready. All he had to do was climb aboard and fly away. Away to his Fox. He parked the car and made his way to a small group of planes near an open hanger. As he moved closer, he started scanning the ID numbers on the aircraft. The sooner he found the one that he was to use, the sooner he was out of this place. His eyes caught a small movement behind the planes. Krycek slowed his stride. According to the plan, there was to be no one near the plane. All airport personnel were to be in the small office adjacent to the hanger, tending to "business." As his hand slowly reached for his gun, laughter rang out from behind him.

"Oh, I wouldn’t do that Alex," a voice he knew only too well called out. "Did you think we wouldn’t be able find you? There are only so many places a person like you can go to for help, it was just a matter of figuring what kind of help you would need. Now, why don’t you just move your hand away from your gun and put it in the air. We have so much to talk about, starting with the location of Fox Mulder."

Krycek slowly turned and faced the voice. Diana Fowley. He should have known that she would turn up again. However, for all the problems Diana posed, it was the large blond man standing behind her that worried him. Well, not really a man, Alex mused, just a morph who looked like one.

Self-recrimination threatened to drown him. Why hadn’t he been more careful, why hadn’t he taken a little more time to plan things out? These thoughts and others were pushed aside as Krycek focused on the two people walking toward him. Three more men came out of the small office and made their way toward him. Together with Fowley and the morph, they formed a circle around him, the largest standing directly behind Alex.

Fowley let her mouth twist into a snarl of triumph. "Oh Alex, you are in so much trouble, but then I guess you know that. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way, although I am sure you know which I prefer. Paybacks are a bi..."

"Enough!" The morph ended Fowley’s rant with one word.

She turned to him to object, but one look at the alien’s face made her fall silent and step back.

"Where is Fox Mulder?" The morph moved until he was standing directly in front of Krycek. "I will not ask you again human, the special one is close to his ascension and my masters seek him. Tell me, now."

As Alex gazed at the morph, he realized that his death was at hand, and if Fowley had anything to say about it, quite a bit of suffering would come before it. If he gave the morph what he wanted, the alien would probably kill him quickly and move on so as not to waste time. Either way, he had failed Fox. Well, the last thing he could do was buy the man he loved some time. Hopefully, Skinner would realize something had gone wrong, and get Mulder to safety. //I am sorry Fox, there are so many things I wanted to tell you.// With that final thought, Krycek looked at the morph and uttered the only response he would give, "No."

The morph’s hand lashed out so quickly Alex had no chance to try and block the blow. He would have fallen if one of the other men had not caught him and shoved him back toward the morph.

"Where? My patience is wearing thin." The alien looked as close to anger as one of his kind ever got.

Alex shook his head no, and prepared for another blow. He was not disappointed. This one drove him backward into the largest of the men. As he felt arms close around him, Krycek tried to twist away. The arms were like steel bands, trapping him. In desperation, his good hand moved toward his captor's face, fingers clawing at whatever they could reach. He felt, rather than saw, another man move between him and the morph, and panic began to set in. Krycek began to struggle, and as he moved his hand down, trying to push away, he saw strips of what looked like flesh hanging from his fingers. In the back of his mind, he heard Fowley gasp. Krycek looked up at the face of the man holding him, and saw that he had indeed done damage to the man’s face. He had managed to remove a whole layer of skin around the man’s left eye, skin that once removed revealed an eye socket that had been stitched closed.

"Rebels," Fowley screamed from behind him. As gunshots rang out from behind him, Alex felt something hot slam into his back, and then he knew nothing as the world faded to black.

Krycek returned to consciousness and gritted his teeth against the searing pain in his side. His senses were immediately assaulted by the sickening odor of burning flesh and crackling sounds of fire. He felt a gentle touch on his body and peered through thick lashes into the sightless face of a rebel who was kneeling over him attending to the bullet wound. Krycek turned his head sideways, and grinned with satisfaction as his eyes fell on the twisted and smoldering body of Diana Fowley.

"You must get to Fox Mulder, Alex Krycek. My people are watching him now, and if he isn't healed before our enemies come for him then we will have to kill him. You must go quickly, there isn't much time," the rebel said.

The pain evaporated and Krycek sat up and looked down at his freshly healed side. The flesh was slightly pink and flawless almost like a new borne baby's. The rebel helped him to his feet and handed him the long, stone spear he had dropped.

"Thank you," Krycek said then turned and ran toward the airplane, he didn't give the burnt remains of the consortium thugs a second look as he ran by. Until one moved, which caught his attention immediately. He paused before boarding the plane. It was the morph. It should take the alien time to heal and Alex hoped to reach Fox's side way before then.

He climbed into the pilot's seat and guided the plane down the runway. Not waiting for clearance from the tower, he took off just missing another plane that was coming in for a landing. The other plane veered too sharply and crashed in an open field just pass the airport and burst into flames.

Krycek shrugged his shoulders as he rose safely into the clear, blue sky and headed the plane east. He knew that most of the people who used this remote airport were either drug traffickers or criminals like himself. He pulled out his cell phone and punched in Skinner's number.

"Skinner," the large man barked.

"Skinner, I got the spear and I'm flying to New York now. I'll call you from the airport once I land. How's Fox doing?" Krycek asked.

"He seems fine," Skinner said, staring back at Mulder who was talking to Scully in the rear of the Lone Gunmen's panel truck. Skinner was sitting up in the front passenger seat across from Langly who was driving; a two-foot aisle separated the two seats. "There's been a change of plans, Krycek, we're on our way to Martha's Vineyard to Fox's family's old summer house."

"Why?"

"Fox said there were too many people in New York and it was too noisy for what he has to do."

"Whatever the hell that is," Krycek muttered. "Skinner, I have to warn you that you're being watched by the alien rebels. They were sent to kill Fox if he isn't healed before the other aliens get here."

Skinner's face paled. "Krycek, do you know how I can stop them if it comes to that?"

"You don't, Skinner. If it comes down to Fox being abducted by the Grays or killed by the alien rebels then I want you to kill him yourself. It will be less painful than if the rebels do it and more humane than allowing the Grays to have him," Krycek stated.

"I can't, Alex."

"You must, Walter."

Mulder looked up from his conversation with Scully, and at the back of Skinner's head. He had been half listening to Walter's end of the phone conversation and could hear the distress in his lover's voice. He wanted to comfort him, and he decided that it was about time his partner and friends knew about their relationship. "Excuse me, Scully," he said, standing, he made his way up to the front of the truck.

Langly glanced up at him then returned his eyes on the road.

"Langly, when this is all over we are going to sit down and have a long talk about the name you gave your truck," Mulder said, standing between the two seats.

"Scully snitched didn't she?"

"She's my partner, it's her duty to keep me informed when my name is being besmirched," Mulder replied, watching as Skinner ended his conversation and put his phone back in his pocket.

"Hey, dude, no besmirching intended," Langly said.

Mulder smirked, then turned around and sat sideways on Skinner's lap with his back to the passenger door. He wrapped his arm around the surprised man's neck and kissed him hard. When Mulder pulled away he noticed that everyone had gone silent and were staring at them with their mouths hanging open. "Watch the road, Langly," he advised.

"Man, that was gross. Can't you get a room or something?" Langly complained.

Skinner wrapped his arms around Mulder's waist and started laughing. "God, Fox, only you would break the news to your friends that you're having a homosexual relationship with your boss this way." He liked the weight of his lover on his lap; the hardness of Mulder's thigh pressing into his groin was exciting him.

Scully regained her composure and stumbled up to the front of the bouncing panel truck, looking down at her partner and boss intimately embracing. "Mulder, how long has this been going on?"

"Less than twenty-four hours, Scully."

"But, he's our boss. God, Mulder, what were you two thinking? The OPC will kick his butt out of the FBI when they find out!"

Skinner tightened his hold around Mulder protectively. "Agent Scully…. Dana, I happen to be in love with your partner and if it comes down to a choice between my career at the Bureau or Fox, he wins hands down," he growled.

"Walter, you'd give up your job for me?" Mulder asked surprised.

"I'd give up my life for you, Fox," Skinner murmured, squeezing the younger man reassuringly.

Langly groaned and rolled his eyes, "Oh brother. I think I'm going to puke."

"Dana, now that Mulder's no longer available, what about you and me doing the horizontal bop?" Frohike leered from the back of the truck.

"Only in your dreams, Frohike," Scully grumbled.

"Scully, everything's going to be okay. The OPC isn't going to find out about me and Walter, unless someone snitches." He paused and looked up at his partner. "You're not going to snitch on us, are you, Scully?"

Scully glared at him. "Mulder, I would never snitch you out to the OPC. What kind of partner do you think I am? Haven't I lied for yo … " She stopped and looked at Skinner.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, Agent," Skinner barked.

Scully blushed and turned angrily on her heels. She went to sit in the back of the truck next to Byers.

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

The smoker paced his office nervously. He couldn't get a hold of Fowley; it'd been three hours since he spoke to her last. She should have had Krycek by now! Something had gone wrong. She had called from the airport and assured him that they had Krycek surrounded.

His phone rang. "Yes?" he said into the receiver.

"Sir, our operatives are dead. From the looks of their bodies, I'd say the rebels got to them."

"What about Krycek?"

"We won't know if he's one of the dead until we match dental records," the man said.

"Keep me apprized." Spender hung up the phone. He walked over to look out the window at the setting sun. "Fox where are you?"

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

"I don't see how you could have placed your trust in Alex Krycek of all people, Mulder," Scully said as her partner glanced at his watch for the umpteenth time in the past hour.

"He'll be here, Scully," Mulder said anxiously.

"If this spear was so important you should have sent the A.D. for it. Krycek is a murderer and a liar! Mulder, why are you trusting him?"

"I've been inside his head, Scully, and I know first hand that Alex had a very good reason for everything he's done." Mulder paused. He could feel the aliens getting closer. They knew where he was and it was only a matter of minutes now. Come on, Alex, where are you? As if responding to his silent plea the front door opened and Krycek rushed in.

A look of relief flashed across Krycek's face upon seeing Mulder, and he walked over to the lanky man and pulled him into a hug and a kiss. The kiss deepened and Mulder hooked one leg around the back Krycek's knees pulling him closer. A rough sound of denim scraping against denim blended with their moans as they ground their erections together, oblivious to the other person in the room.

Scully stood there dumbfounded. Her partner was kissing, no devouring, Alex Krycek while Skinner was in the next room.

Langly stepped into the room, and stopped in his tracks. "Man, someone hose these two off."

Mulder finally broke the kiss. "Thank God, you're here, Alex!"

"If I could have gotten here quicker, Fox, I would have," he said, his hand rubbing affectionately over Mulder's firm ass and squeezing it.

Scully looked over at Skinner as he stepped into the room, she expected him to go ballistic when he saw Mulder with Krycek. Instead Skinner calmly walked over to the two men and put his arms around them.

"It's about time you got here, boy," he said in way of greeting.

"So, you really missed me, old man," Krycek smirked.

Skinner chose to ignore the comment, he wasn't sure what his feelings were for this young man who caused so much pain and misery for himself and his agents. He didn't hate Krycek any longer, and was glad that he made it here with the means for Fox's recovery, which was strapped across his back.

"Guys, can we save the reunion for later? There isn't much time left. Alex, the spear," Mulder said suddenly nervous.

Krycek unhooked the ancient, stone spear from his back and handed it to Mulder. "Just what is this going to do, Fox?"

Mulder hefted the heavy piece of granite like material; he could feel the raw power trapped within its center. "It was used by the aliens as a means for transferring matter. They disguised it as spear so they could easily move among the ancient tribes of the southwest without causing alarm."

"How do you plan to use it?" Skinner asked. "You said you needed Scully's help."

"That is why we are here. She has what I need to destroy this force that is infecting my mind," Mulder replied, walking over to Scully who was still in a state a befuddlement over her partner's strange relationships.

"Scully, I need your help," Mulder said, touching her cheek.

Scully looked at him and grasped his hand in hers. "Anything, Mulder, what do you need me to do?"

"You don't need to do anything, just sit with me. I will do what is needed," Mulder said, sitting cross-legged on the floor.

She sat across from him wondering what he had in mind.

Mulder held the spear in both hands and placed its end on the floor. "Put your hands around the spear, Scully."

Skinner, Krycek, and the Lone Gunmen gathered around to watch.

"What do you hope to accomplish by this, Mulder?" Scully asked, totally baffled as to why sitting on the floor holding an ancient spear between them could possible cure her partner.

"Have some faith, Scully," Mulder smiled reassuringly. He couldn't tell her what he was planning, knowing that she would object out of fear for his life. The black cancerous tumor that was in remission inside her brain was what he needed to kill the entity inside of his own. The alien-engineered tumor was not compatible with the entity that still hid in a small part of his mind waiting for the aliens to reawaken it, he hoped that the two would eliminate each other. The possibility existed that he would be left with her cancer, but at least Scully would be free of it.

He closed his eyes and allowed the power of the spear to flow through him. Scully jumped at the tingling coming from beneath her fingertips and almost pulled her hands off the spear, but a pleasant, warmth spread up her arms and throughout her body. Scully never felt more alive in her life as the electric sensation tickled even her toes. She felt energized. She looked over at her partner to see if he felt it, too and was startled by his appearance. Sweat had broken out on his brow and he looked like he was in severe pain. Scully pulled a hand free and reached for him, but stopped short as the house around them started shaking and a bright, light illuminated the outside, turning nighttime into day. Objects fell off shelves and pictures off the walls, crashing to the floor.

Krycek spun around facing the doorway, he pulled his gun. "Shit, they're here!"

The sound of Mulder's piercing scream tore through the room and everyone turned toward him just as he crumpled into a limp heap. Then the light faded as quickly as it had appeared and the shaking stopped.

Skinner made it to him first and knelt on the floor, pulling Mulder's limp body into his arms and cradling his head against his broad chest. His finger brushed the hair away from Mulder's sweaty brow, then trailed down to his neck to feel for a pulse; he sighed with relief at the beating under his fingertips. "What happened, Krycek? Where did they go?" Skinner asked.

Krycek stood in the open doorway his eyes probing the darkness for any movement as his ears were cocked for any sound, but all remained disturbingly quiet and still. "My guess, Fox was successful at what he was trying to do. How is he?"

"Alive," Skinner said, looking down worriedly at the still form in his arms.

Scully had retrieved her medical kit from the back bedroom and knelt to examine Mulder. She started to check his pulse rate when he moaned and opened his eyes. "Hey, how are you feeling?" she asked softly.

"Like shit," he whispered, turning his face into Skinner's knit top he closed his eyes. "So tired. It's gone, Walter, they're gone." He fell into a fitful sleep wondering if the tumor was gone, too.

Epilogue:
Six months later.

Mulder eased away from the warmth of his lover's body and climbed out of their bed. He pulled on a robe then opened the French doors and padded out barefoot onto the patio that looked out over the moonlit bay. The black waters glistened in the moonlight, and a thin fog rolled over its surface. Mulder pulled his robe tighter around his body. It was chilly this time of year in the predawn hours in San Francisco. Christmas was in five days and Walter wanted to go out today and purchase a tree, their first tree. Mulder shook his head chuckling, they were still unpacking from their move and his lover wanted to add to the clutter with a tree.

He looked sadly out on the water; he had a nosebleed yesterday. It might have been nothing more than the change of environment. He hadn't told his partner or his lovers about the possibility that he could have contracted Scully's cancer.

Scully had gone in for intensive tests after he told her that with the help of the alien spear he had rid her of her cancer. She and her doctors were amazed that not a trace of it remained in her body.

The spear, artifact, and the alien ship in the waters off the Ivory Coast had been his tickets out of the FBI and into an independent agency set up by Congress. The agency was to investigate the conspiracy that had covered up the existence of aliens from branches of the U.S. Government and the public. Skinner was the head of this new agency and he pushed to have it located as far away from the corrupting influence of D.C. as possible. So now they found themselves living an openly gay lifestyle in San Francisco. He smiled. Sometimes everything in life clicked together just perfectly, well almost perfectly.

He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that when two arms encircled his body pulling him back against a solid chest, he gasped aloud.

"Sorry, babe, didn't mean to startle you," Skinner murmured into his ear.

"S'kay, I should have been paying attention."

"Fox, you seem distracted lately, what's bothering you?"

"It's Alex. I'm worried about him. Walter, its been over four months since we heard from him last … we couldn't even get a hold of him to tell him we were moving," Mulder sighed, placing his hands over Skinner's where they rested around his waist.

Skinner nuzzled the side of his neck breathing in his lover's alluring scent and slipped a hand inside the robe, he caressed the warm skin. "He said there were some loose ends that needed to be wrapped up before he could join us. Fox, he did promise to be with us by Christmas. He'll be here. Come back inside, I want to stuff your cute ass," Skinner growled, playfully nipping a Mulder's earlobe.

Mulder looked sadly out at the bay one final time before turning and kissing his lover. "I hope you're right, Walter. Because if he's not back, I'll spend the rest of my life searching for him," he murmured, grabbing Walter's hand he pulled him back into their bedroom.

"We both will, Fox," Skinner said, pushing the robe off Mulder's shoulders he watched as it slipped down and pooled at his feet. The beautiful body was exposed for his optical pleasure. He fell to his knees and buried his nose into his lover's bush, relishing the musky scent that was uniquely Fox's. Skinner's hands squeezed and kneaded Fox's firm buttocks as his tongue swirled around the steel hard shaft.

Mulder's hands held Skinner's head as the large man took his cock into his mouth and started sucking him. This went on for several minutes as Skinner took him deeper down his throat, at the same time pushing his thick fingers in and out of Mulder's ass stretching him. Mulder felt that he was about to come and pushed his lover away. "Oh, God, Walter. Please fuck me, I want to come with you inside of me."

"Anything you want, babe," Skinner purred, his own cock throbbing with need and standing straight out from his body. He grabbed a tube of KY and slicked up his engorged organ as Fox lay on his back on the bed, spreading his legs wantonly and exposing the tight bud of his anus.

The view caused Skinner's cock to become even harder and the head started dripping pre-cum. The large man hurriedly climbed between those long legs and lifted them onto his shoulder then positioned the bulbous head of his cock against the tight opening. He pushed in slowly, enjoying the sight of his cock sinking into his lover's beautiful body. Skinner groaned with delight at the tightness and heat of Mulder's body gripping him, the walls of Mulder's rectum molded tightly around his tool. When he was fully sheathed he leaned down and captured the younger man's full lips in a deep possessive kiss.

Mulder wrapped his arms around Walter's neck and held him close as they ravished each other's mouths. He pushed his hips back until he could feel Walter's full, heavy sacks pressing firmly against his ass. It was a wonderful sensation being totally filled by his lover's big cock and he didn't want this to end anytime soon. He wrapped his legs around the larger man's hips and held him in place.

After ten minutes of kissing and caressing Skinner pulled back and looked deeply into Fox's aroused, hazel eyes. He pulled his cock half way out and sank back in, seeing the look of sheer bliss on his lover's face was all the encouragement Skinner needed, and he started to move in and out of the tight heat that held him so firmly.

Mulder pushed up in time with his lover's downward thrusts as Skinner's cock opened him sending waves of ecstasy coursing throughout his body. The loud slapping of Walter's balls hitting his ass and their moans of pleasure resounded around the bedroom. His hand went down to his raging erection, but Walter pushed it away.

"Mine," he growled, and started jerking Mulder off as he pistoned harder and faster into his ass.

Mulder threw his head back and cried out as he came, come spurting over his stomach and chest. He then felt Skinner's release as the cock swelled inside of him filling him with his lover's essence. Walter sank down on top of him then turned them both on their sides with his cock still buried inside Mulder's tight ass. Skinner sifted slightly so Mulder was laying almost on top of him with his leg over his hip.

"God, I love you, Fox," he murmured exhaustedly.

Mulder thought for a moment evaluating his feelings for the large man who meant so much to him. "I love you too, Walter," he said finally, touching Walter's face as he realized that he really did.

Skinner smiled upon hearing the words that he thought he'd never hear come out of Fox Mulder's lips. He hugged Mulder closer and both men fell back to sleep dreaming hopeful dreams of the future.

A man leaned against the open patio door watching, smiling contentedly at the two lovers joined in sleep. Home, he thought to himself, he was finally home!

The End

This round robin may be turned into a sequel.

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