The Alliance
by Nicole
09/15/99
RATING: Very NC-17
SPOILERS: Probably, but do you care?
SUMMARY: Alternate Universe After the events of The Changing, the world is ruled by magic and Mulder has to learn to find a role for himself in the new paradigm.
WARNING: Sexual Assault, Angst, explicit sex (consensual and non-consensual) between hot men, magic, and B&D. If that isn't your thing or you are below the age of consent. DO NOT READ!!!!!!!!!! My Krycek has two arms and he's going to keep them thank you.
DISCLAIMER: They aren't mine. They belong to CC and 1013 Productions. I don't make any money...wouldn't take it if I could, just borrowing, you can have them back.
FEEDBACK: Please and thank you. Bientot19@aol.com
Website if applicable: http://www.parkers-place.net/roundXFslash/nicoleshome.htm
DEDICATED TO: Megaera for beta and for reminding me that the supernatural exists beyond the written word, (but mostly near her home) Thanks to JoB, Cerulean, Amothea, and Michael for their beta and *delicious* ideas...keep 'em coming love.
Chapter Three
Out of the Dark"Come to me, cover me, hold me
together we'll break these chains of love
don't give up, don't give up
together with me and my baby
break the chains of love"
"Chains of Love," ErasureFort Bragg, California
Day Three
Hour 0630Morning light filled the bedroom and Alex blinked slowly, for a brief moment he wondered where he was. He was held down on his back and his first impulse was to throw off his captor and kill him, but he smiled instead. Fox. In what was apparently Fox's favorite sleeping position, sprawled on top of Alex. Fox's right leg was laid over Alex's thighs and his chest half covered Alex's, while one arm was curled around Alex's head, fingers entwined in the black hair. Alex felt the warm breath on his neck and Fox's lips parted on his flesh. Alex didn't care what was going on outside this room; he only cared that Fox was with him. He ran a loving hand slowly down Fox's spine. He felt Fox's smile before he realized Fox was waking.
"Where do you think that hand is going, Krycek?" Fox growled with feigned threat, as his face snuggled closer to Alex's chest.
"Nowhere!" Alex swore. "I was just trying to get you off me. You're like a leech, or a boa constrictor. Yeah a boa, all sprawled on me. You know I *do* have standards."
Fox chuckled. "I see. That's too bad, here I was hoping you were going to reenact that wonderful morning where you…did something with your fingers," Fox finished clumsily.
Alex grinned, "What? What are you talking about, baby?" He knew very well what, but he wanted his lover to have to say it.
Fox moved his hips and kissed Alex's throat. "That thing."
"What thing?"
"Alex!"
"What thing?"
"That thing you did to me with your fingers."
"I got that part, but what exactly did I allegedly do with my fingers, Agent Mulder?"
"Oh forget it. I'm sorry, I was confused. That wasn't you at all," Fox sighed. "Now I remember."
Alex twisted and pinned Fox beneath him, his green eyes boring into the laughing hazel of his mischievous lover. "Oh? So someone else did 'that thing' with their fingers?"
Fox just chuckled.
Alex parted Fox's legs with his own and moved his hips suggestively. "Do you think I should be jealous?"
"Oh yeah, you should. That thing…those fingers…they made me feel so good," Fox said throatily.
Alex groaned and crushed Fox's full lips in a possessive kiss. Fox's mouth opened and his tongue slid greedily into Alex's mouth. They kissed passionately for several minutes before Alex pulled his head up. "What thing?"
Fox laughed, "Just drop it, Alex."
Alex rubbed Fox's cock with his own and Fox licked his lips in reaction, the tongue sliding on his full lips, making Alex groan.
"Tell me, and I'll give you something nice, don't tell me and I won't. What thing?"
"Bully!" Fox protested.
"You want this?" Alex asked as his body moved sinuously against Fox.
Fox closed his eyes and licked his lips again, "Don't tease me…"
"Just tell me. You need to loosen up. I like hearing you tell me what you like."
"You, your fingers inside me, fucking me. God Alex, stop moving or fuck me now," Fox groaned.
Alex stopped moving and grinned down at his responsive lover. "Oh! That thing. Finger fucking."
Fox flushed. "Yeah, finger-fucking. I liked it."
"You like fucking period, baby," Alex teased as he bent to capture Fox's tempting mouth. "Don't you?"
Fox spread his legs further apart, rubbing his cock against Alex's. "Don't you, Alex?"
"Oh yeah."
"Then show me. Show me, Alex," Fox begged.
Alex sat back and ran his hands down Fox's chest. He lightly pinched first one nipple and then the next. "You're so beautiful, baby. So fucking beautiful, especially like this. So ready, so hot." He leaned in and kissed Fox. His lips barely touching Fox's he breathed in and out, wanting to be part of Fox. Fox flicked out his tongue and Alex groaned, moving in to devour the hot, slick mouth.
Fox was torn. He wanted Alex in his mouth. He wanted to be inside Alex. He wanted Alex inside him.
Alex ended the kiss and reached for the tube of lubricant, still uncapped and laying on the nightstand, where Fox had left it the night before. He squeezed it into his hands and slicked his hard cock with it. He closed his eyes as the pleasure of his slippery fingers on his sensitive head elicited a gasp from his lips.
Fox watched his lover enjoy his own body and he bit his lower lip to keep from begging. Alex's cock was so beautiful, so hard. Jade eyes caught his own and they communicated their need for one another silently.
Alex warmed some lubricant in his hands before he applied it to his lover's opening. He slid a gentle finger inside Fox's tight heat and Fox gasped. He worked slowly to prepare the small sheath, in no hurry, wanting this moment to last forever. He would give everything to have this moment with Fox frozen in time. Outside the world was insane. Here, here he was home, home wherever Fox was. The soft moans of passion his fingers wrought encouraged Alex to continue with his play. He slid his fingers deeper and stroked the sensitive gland, watching as Fox came undone. He moved his fingers in and out, turning them, opening them, over and over until Fox's hips were rising and falling, his arms spread out on the sheets in glorious surrender.
Alex leaned down and licked at the swollen cock, closing his eyes as Fox made a strangled noise. He lapped at the clear fluid seeping from the small slit. Fox's hips moved restlessly and his eyes were mere slits of hazel through dark lashes. Alex kept his fingers moving in and out and his free hand grasped Fox's begging cock and he laved his tongue round and round the tip until Fox's body was jerking from one pleasure to another. Alex pulled off long enough to stare entranced at the plump cock. Fox was moaning at the lack of sensation on his cock. Alex groaned. Fox was so beautiful, so very beautiful.
"Please. Please, Alex," Fox groaned. "Oh…oh ple…please." He rode the fingers with sharp movements of his hip. "Please fuck me."
Alex watched for one sweet moment Fox toss his hips and with a groan he took Fox's organ back in his mouth and sucked hard. Fox was shuddering, his head tossing hopelessly on the pillow, incoherent pleas tumbling from his lips. Alex joined more fingers in the play and Fox beat his hips wildly, desperately. When Alex felt that Fox was about to orgasm he pulled off the swollen cock and withdrew his fingers. He didn't bother giving Fox any directions, as he was too lost in passion to comprehend anything Alex said. He rolled Fox onto his stomach and placed a pillow under his hips, elevating his hips and exposing his swollen cock and balls to Alex's avid gaze. Alex rubbed lubricant up and down Fox's back just to see the slick trail on the smooth back. He spread Fox's legs wide and bent to lick the tight balls and the sensitive flesh between them and the small anus. He watched Fox's profile. The blinking eyes, the tongue wetting gasping lips made Alex lose his control. Almost roughly he moved into position and slid the head of his cock into that impossibly small hole. He closed his eyes for a moment, before watching Fox's face as he was entered and fucked. There was such a look of surprise and mindless lust on that pretty face, as if he had never been fucked before. It drove Alex crazy and he wanted to shove in harder. He angled his hips to hit Fox just right and he was rewarded as Fox lost any inhibitions and began to vocalize everything he wanted Alex to do to him.
****
Antonio knocked on the door and Skinner called out for him to enter. The smell of arousal filled the cabin with sweet, seductive calling and Antonio grew hard immediately. Alex and Fox were playing again, and Skinner stood in the kitchen making coffee and getting breakfast together. What exactly was wrong with his brother? Were those two his, he would be in there with them. His aching erection demanded it. They broad-casted their readiness like bitches in heat and he could hear the whimpers of passion coming from the sweet Fox as Alex toyed with him.
Skinner turned and sighed. "Good morning, Antonio. I trust you spent a pleasant night."
Antonio walked to the little kitchen table and sat down, his legs splayed wide to make his erection obvious. "How do you do it, brother? How do you stand here while those two pleasure one another? They are yours are they not?"
Skinner poured a cup of coffee for Antonio and sat across from him, his eyes narrowed and threatening. "Yes. They are mine. Not yours."
"If they were mine…"
"But they aren't. They never will be." Skinner ignored the man's obvious hard-on. The appeal of Alex and Fox was compelling even when they weren't aroused, but when they were it was like the call of the sirens, almost impossible to resist. "I will do as I think best for them, Antonio."
"By letting them fuck like rabbits? I know they are sexual animals, but that should be for your benefit. You should be in there using them like they were meant to be used. Why do you think they were changed? Why any of the humans were? To reward us, dammit!"
The pleading began in earnest, as Alex teased Fox. As Fox begged to be fucked, both Ascendants grew rigid with lust.
"He begs to be filled and you sit here?" Antonio hissed in a strained voice.
Skinner slammed his cup down and stood. "Enough, Antonio! Your attitude makes it obvious that Alex and Fox are better off with me. If you can't see that they love each other…"
"Their love means nothing! They are concubines! You can't hold them while they cleave only unto each other. You'll never have Fox's love while he has Alex to cling to. Give Alex to me! I will take him far from Fox…"
Skinner lifted the smaller man from his chair with one fist in Antonio's shirtfront. "That is what this is about isn't it? You lust to own Alex. You don't care about my position with them, you seek only to take what is mine!"
Antonio shoved the hands off him with a small mental shove and he stood glaring. "Get used to it, Skinner. You cannot own such flesh and think not to be challenged. Surely you can sense that they are rare even among their kind. If you would just share some of the wealth…let another taste the nectar…"
Skinner had to calm himself with a great effort. It wouldn't do for Fox and Alex to see he and Antonio fighting over them. "There is nothing to discuss on this anymore. I will not share. I *will* not! I am completely capable of holding what is mine. You would do well to heed me. Because I will say this only once. I will kill anyone….*anyone* who tries to take what is mine! Because I choose to let them love one another is my business alone. If I can make this easier on them, I will. And if this is your attitude…that they, the changed ones, are but animals to pleasure us, then I will have to seriously consider my initial decision on letting Dana go with you."
Antonio flushed with rage. He dared? "You have no say in that. Dana is mine! She goes with me willingly."
Skinner stared hard at the man. His voice was stolen as the sound of lovemaking in the bedroom was accompanied by the steady rocking of the bed. He could picture the scene and despite his words he wanted to stride into the bedroom and take what was his. They were so beautiful, the smell of them, the want in their cries, their sweat-slicked bodies so perfect. Fox would be tossing his head as he was penetrated, his eyes would be shadowed pools of moss. Those lips would be parted over incoherent words. And Alex. His dark assassin would be lost in lust, but aware of every shade of Fox's reaction. He would be watching Fox with an intensity that burned. Those pink lips, so sweet, would be kissing Fox's face as he thrust in fierce rhythm. His body was on fire; he wanted to take them, to devour them. They smelled so good, so hot. They were his, his alone to take to that gasping precipice. He growled with the need to plunder that sweet flesh. Fox screamed and Skinner shook. Fox begged for more and Skinner paled with the effort not to claim those cries for his own, to make Alex's voice cry out in the same way. It was Antonio's moan that dragged him back to the kitchen. Antonio was not there. Oh he was still standing beside Skinner in the kitchen, but his eyes were vacant, his body shaking. Skinner growled in rage as he realized that Antonio was projecting himself to watch the two beauties mate. He shook Antonio and when those black eyes flared red in response to the intrusion, Skinner pushed him toward the door. "I think it is time you went south, brother. You tread too close to your own mortality."
Antonio shook himself to divert his attention from the allure of the two lovers and he composed himself with an effort that cost him much. Without another word he strode toward the sea, to calm the desire that raged along his every nerve. Skinner could not hold those two for long. He was too wrapped up in doing what he thought right. Only one who knew his position in this new world could keep the two beauties from the rest of the world. As much as he would love to own them both, Fox would disrupt Dana, and he couldn't bear to discipline Fox the way he would need to be disciplined. He could force the beauty to his bed, could deny him the pleasure of Alex, but actually to discipline him the way he would have to be disciplined was not in his nature…old or new.
Skinner watched Antonio walk away, and part of him walked with him. He knew exactly how Antonio felt about the two men in the bedroom. His blood surged with the fire of his need to own, to possess. He watched as his brother took the path toward the rockiest part of the beach, and stood rigid as the cries of ecstasy grew frenzied and then silenced. He shook and clenched his fists. Alex's soft voice soothed his lover and with resolve he turned back inside and shakily resumed preparing breakfast. He wondered why he just didn't claim them now, they were his, every sleek muscled inch. He only wished that he could know if this was the right path. Was Antonio right? Would his allowing the two to cling to one another only serve to make his conquest of their hearts more difficult? He would not deny himself their bodies always.
***
The shower relaxed Alex and he smiled at his sated lover. Mulder was thinking again, the look on his face was a testimony to that. His teeth were worrying his lower lip and his hazel eyes were a bit unfocussed. Alex decided to leave him to it. Besides Fox looked adorable. Who was he to interrupt him? He picked up the pale pink soap and gave it a considering look. Pink was a girl color, but the fragrance seemed okay. He began to suds up the soap and ran his hands over his chest. He had to grin as Fox, still lost in thought kissed Alex between his shoulder blades. He rested his head on Alex's shoulder as Alex cleaned himself.
Mulder was plotting. He wasn't going to share Alex and that was that. Skinner, he knew, really wanted him…not so much Alex. If he could keep Skinner exhausted, keep him sexually sated then he wouldn't have time to touch Alex. It seemed to be the best plan at his disposal. He kissed Alex's neck and thrilled to the wet slickness of Alex's flesh. Skinner would be satisfied and Alex…well Alex would just have to deal with it. He realized he was ignoring Alex's possible reaction to his little plan, but surely Alex would rather not be used as a sex toy. It was true that Alex might not like Fox throwing himself at Skinner…actually he would probably be pissed, but that was the way it would be.
"Fox! This soap is great. It's so sudsy!" Alex proclaimed in delight. He was covered in copious bubbles and like a child he stayed out of the water just enough to work up a slick covering of soap. "It smells great too," he added.
Fox smiled. Alex was staring at him with eyes alight with pleasure, a soft smile on his pretty lips. "Smells like Caress," he said with deceptive disinterest.
Alex frowned and looked at the soap. "Caress?"
"Yeah, you know, 'Caress before you dress.' That commercial with the woman in the shower doing what you're doing right now." A note of indulgent humor had slid into Mulder's voice.
"Caress? Isn't that a girly soap?" Alex had the look of a man who smelled a rat.
"Yep. It is a definite girly soap," Fox chuckled and bent to smell his horrified lover. "And you do smell enchanting."
Alex set the soap aside and rinsed with disgust. "Now everyone is going to think I liked the soap because of its girly scent," he said in a near-petulant voice. That tone in his voice surprised him as did caring what anyone in the rag-tag group thought. He frowned again. He was getting softer by the minute. "Why don't you just hand me some baby powder when I get out," he said through gritted teeth.
Mulder chuckled darkly and took up the soap. "I like Caress. Now don't look at me like that, Alex! I like how sudsy it is…how smooth it makes your skin." He worked the bar of soap over his own chest, letting his right hand slide down to his cock to wash there. He hid a grin as Alex pretended indifference while peering at him from beneath wet, black lashes. Mulder brought the soap to his nose and smelled it. "I don't think it smells too sweet, but the test is how it smells on flesh. Why don't I rinse it off and you can test it for me?" He slid past Alex and rinsed the soap from his chest and groin. He turned back to Alex and said, "Do I smell good?"
Alex pulled Mulder to him and crushed his mouth with a groan. "You sure taste good, baby," he husked into Mulder's eager mouth.
"But do I smell like a man?" Mulder insisted.
"Mmm-hmm," Alex moaned "Baby, we better stop. Skinner won't be patient all day. I'd just as soon have you dressed when we see him again," Krycek murmured. He wasn't going back on his vow to Skinner to try and accept things, but he was simply following his own protective, possessive instincts. Mulder looked too beautiful, all wet and aroused.
Mulder frowned at that. It was true. Why was Skinner allowing them so much time together? He sensed the man was in the cabin. Alex looked too tempting all wet and aroused. He pouted. "I was going to seduce you, get on my knees and…"
Alex stiffened immediately, and he groaned as Mulder fisted Alex's suddenly hard cock.
"And suck *this* for as long as you could stand it," Mulder finished huskily.
"Well, Skinner's left us alone this long. I don't see why he'd interrupt now," Alex encouraged, abrutply changing tactics, completely caught in the intricate snare of his lover's desire.
Fox grinned. "I agree. I think we have time."
"Yes, yes we have time…oh, baby," Alex moaned as Fox slid to his knees. He watched avidly as Fox fisted both their cocks. "That feels so good, baby."
Fox was entranced by Alex's hardness. It was so beautifully formed, long and thick and ripe. He licked at the sensitive head and groaned with Alex in pleasure. "You taste so good," he gasped.
"It's the Caress," Alex managed.
"Mmmm, I think you should wash with it more often. Tastes salty and sweet." Fox licked again and then sucked the tip hard, his tongue swirling about feverishly.
"You like the taste?" Alex gasped as he entwined his fingers in Fox's hair.
Fox just pulled more of the long shaft into his mouth in reply, his eyes raised to meet the slitted jade eyes above him. He watched Alex's face as sucked and licked, every motion designed to give the greatest pleasure. He caressed Alex's thighs, trying to squeeze the flesh, but the muscles were too hard. He moved his hand up to cradled the tight balls and he abandoned the cock to mouth that tender flesh.
"Shit, Fox."
When Alex spread his legs to allow Fox more room to play Fox moved from the balls to the expanse of flesh just behind them. Alex trembled and Fox resumed his toying with Alex's cock. He slid a finger back to the tight opening and gently sought entrance as he sucked and licked. He slid a slow fist up and down his own shaft all the while still watching Alex's face.
"God, you're so good, baby," Alex swore. The sight of Fox, on his knees with a cock, *his* cock sliding in and out of his mouth made Alex shudder. That Fox was jerking his own cock at the same time made Alex want to come right then, but he held off. He wanted this to last as long as possible. He tossed his head to deny the onrushing pleasure as Fox's finger found and massaged his prostate. "Mmm. Mmm, baby, Fox, stop…please…oh god, I wanna…oh, baby, stop. Uhh. Fox!"
Fox wanted to make Alex scream. He worked to the beat of Alex's panting moans and pleas, unrelenting and voracious. Long moments of the sounds of pleasure under the heavy splash of water. Gasping sucking sounds of tension and lust. Steam clouding the room as Alex's fingers tightened ruthlessly in Fox's hair, exciting them both. Fox could see that Alex was fighting orgasm, wanting to last, but he joined the first finger with another and together the two digits attacked Alex's prostate, pumping in and out. He abandoned his own cock in order to slide his fist up and down his lover's shaft as he focussed his lips and tongue on the apricot head. Alex was begging him to stop, but Fox ignored him.
Alex felt like he was on fire. He pumped back against the fingers inside him and rocked forward to feel the hot clasp of Fox's mouth and the pull of his long fingers. He tried not to. He fought not to, but he screamed as he came. Fox sucked and swallowed for a few minutes then he drew back and rested his cheek on Alex's twitching cock. A river of cum slid down his face and Alex watched shakily as the shower took the hot semen and washed it off his lover's pretty face. He groaned when Fox returned his attention to his own cock and shouted out his orgasm a few seconds later. Alex pulled Fox up and claimed him in a fierce kiss. He could taste himself in Fox's hot mouth and they slid their tongues together lazily. He cradled Fox carefully until Fox was able to stand on his own.
He led a still somewhat dazed Fox from the shower and chuckled. "I'm the one who got the incredible blow-job, baby, and you are the one who can barely stand."
Fox smiled, "Well, one day, Alex…one day I'll perfect it and you won't be able to stand."
Alex grinned. "Don't you dare do it better than that. I'd like to live a little bit longer."
Fox shook his head, smiling. "I can't remember my name when we're together like that, but I bet you can." His words implied much more than Alex being able to remember his name. It implied that though Alex was immersed in the moment, he had spent too long with the Consortium, too much time having to be clever and ruthless to survive, to ever be completely relaxed and to completely let go.
Alex rolled his eyes playfully. "If you think that of me now, when I've lost my edge…I just don't know what to think."
"You? Lost your edge in the space of a few days?" Fox laughed and playfully tousled Alex's thick hair.
"Fox, you make me forget myself. Those thugs in your apartment…Skinner sneaking up on us all the time! I am more distracted than I can remember ever being."
Fox frowned a bit. "Alex, you were…*we* were outnumbered in the apartment. It isn't your fault and besides you aren't superman," Fox said softly.
Alex shrugged. Well aware of his failures to protect Fox…and himself.
Fox attempted to lighten his lover's mood by tickling his muscled ribs. "Are you saying that I turned you into a little pussy cat? A cuddly little cat?" Fox teased.
Alex's head snapped up. "Purr for me, little cat," Garren had crooned to him.
"A sweet little cat to purr…" Fox began. Alex moved so fast that Fox didn't even have time to stop smiling. He was slammed against the wall with such force his breath was taken from him. Fierce eyes, the eyes of a killer bored into him. He'd never seen Alex look at him like that before. Not even when they were enemies. Alex looked like he wanted to kill him, to tear him up bit by bit. Alex wasn't hurting him in any way, but violence festered in the iron grip and burning eyes.
"Don't ever, *ever* call me that! Do you hear me?" Alex hissed. He punctuated each word with a firm shake.
Mulder was actually afraid of Alex at that moment. Perhaps if he hadn't seen how Alex had so easily taken out all those men so quickly in Mulder's apartment, he wouldn't have been so afraid. But, perhaps just the look and the strength in those hands that slammed him back would have scared him on their own. He nodded slowly. "Okay, Krycek. I won't," he said cautiously.
It was the name that brought Alex back to himself. Krycek. Fox had called him Krycek again. He recoiled from the fear in Fox's eyes. He stepped back, confused. "I don't know why I did that. Please don't look at me like that, baby." He reached out to touch Fox's face and then, thinking better of it, withdrew it.
"Like what?" Fox's voice was measured and calm.
"Like you're afraid of me…like you're…*afraid* of me," Alex whispered. He looked miserable as he left the bathroom and began to search the bedroom for his clothes, frantically.
Fox took a deep breath and followed him. "I'm not afraid of you. I'm just confused. I don't know what to say," he said gently, approaching Alex.
Alex shook his head, that look, that wary, suspicious look was still on Fox's face, in his beautiful eyes. "I don't know why I did that," Alex repeated. He hadn't meant to hurt Fox, but he had called him 'cat' just like Garren. Though he knew he hadn't hurt him nor would he ever, just the idea that he had lost control for those few moments, horrified him. He stepped away from Fox suddenly afraid that he would lose it again and really hurt Fox.
Fox saw the panic in Alex's eyes and reached out to gently stroke Alex's face. "Talk to me. Tell me what I said. Tell me why you reacted to it. I want to help you, Alex. I love you."
Alex tilted his face into the gentle caress.
"We both have to talk about things," Fox soothed moving to embrace Alex. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Alex stood docile, afraid to move lest Fox think better of holding him. Lest Fox realize once and for all that Alex wasn't worth his love.
"I thought I'd never find you. And instead, you found me."
Alex looked into Fox's concerned face. "I will always find you."
They were silent for a moment.
"He called me his…cat," Alex whispered. "He called me his little cat."
Fox flinched. "Alex."
"And I wanted him. There. I said it. I wanted him," Alex said gruffly.
Fox shook his head and stroked Alex's face. "When you came to me that night, you were out of it. Like on drugs or something. Alex, you can't feel guilty…"
"I begged him, Fox! I begged him to do it. God, I wanted it. I couldn't fight…I couldn't stop him…I…"
Fox pulled Alex tight and held him as Alex shuddered. "I know," he managed to say. "I know."
Alex looked at him. And understood. Fox did know. "He'll be coming for me. I know it. Fox, if he does, promise me you won't do anything stupid."
Fox raised a brow. "Stupid?"
"You can't know how strong he is. I don't want…I can't bear it if you were hurt. I can't protect you from him."
"Okay. I'll let him take you," Fox said calmly.
Alex frowned. He didn't like the look on Fox's face.
"If you'll promise to do the same thing. Stand aside and do nothing if Murdoch comes for me."
Alex glared and then he sighed. "Okay, Fox. Point taken."
Fox kissed him. "The point is that we are *here* for a reason."
"Skinner," Alex mused.
"Yes. I think we have to trust that he can protect us. It's all we have," Fox said with finality.
Alex looked down at his bare feet. That was the point of it after-all. Skinner could keep Fox safe, even from Alex. He recalled the night he made his escape, the thing that had taken over his body. He shuddered. At least it had led him to Fox. He'd rather forget what it forced him to do to himself. He tilted his head. Hadn't he carried something to be delivered to Fox?
"Baby, didn't I give you a package that night?"
Fox knew what he meant and he nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Where is it?"
Alex shrugged. "The last I saw it was the helicopter."
Mulder pursed his lips, the movement catching Alex's carnal interest like a hook. Mulder sucked in his upper lip, scraping the flesh with his teeth as he pondered that. "Yep, that's right. It must be there still. What was it? You said you were bringing it to me."
Alex shook his head. "I don't know. Some strange man gave it to me…someone who was fighting Murdoch I think…yes he was fighting, there were dead wolves everywhere."
"Who was it? Why did he give you the package?"
"I don't know. I went to him…he gave it to me and told me to give it to you…only he didn't really tell me your name."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I don't know, it was confusing. Fox, there was something…something inside me. It helped me escape, and it knew the man. It is blurry really," he lied, unwilling to discuss it further.
"Inside you? What do you mean?" Fox thought back to that night, how odd Alex had been. "Was it in you when Fro and I found you?"
Alex nodded. "Can we just drop it for now?"
Fox was frustrated. Someone was fighting Murdoch out there. Maybe someone they could ally with. But the strained look in Alex's eyes made him nod gently. "Sure, Alex. We can talk later, but we'll have to tell Skinner about this."
"I know, just later okay?"
Fox kissed Alex softly. "Whatever makes you happy. We'll talk about it later."
"Fox, I still want to know about Murdoch…if you want to talk about it that is."
Fox tensed. "He, he is crazy. And Alex? He is evil…not just in the garden variety psycho way, but truly evil."
Alex lowered his head. Neither of them was going to easily forget their experiences. "But, he didn't hurt you did he?" Garren had punished him, but other than that he had been careful, almost reverent with Alex.
Fox turned away. "Of course he did, but perhaps you're right. We need time to come to grips with things…then we can talk."
Alex remembered Garren's words. "Did he whip you, baby?"
Fox turned to him, a surprised gasp on his lips. "How did you know that?" The humiliation of that whipping, the crop slamming onto his tender flesh, the rape after…the camera and the crowd watching.
Alex stared hard at the near-panicked look on Fox's face and just held him. "Forget about it. C'mon let's just get dressed."
***
Hour 0800
"Stop that racket, Langly. Some people like to sleep a little later than the early bird you know!" Frohike complained as the loud noises just outside disturbed his beauty sleep.
"Wake up, Frohike. A bunch of people are coming," Byers said with a breathless voice. He was watching the group of people winding their way toward the cabins and trailer. They were on foot, on bikes, some teens were on skateboards and rollerblades, the last finding it difficult once the pavement ended to make it to the circle of cabins. "There is a whole bunch of people coming."
Frohike stood, smoothed his flyaway hair and pulled on his gray slacks. "People? From the town?"
"I suppose so…they look normal enough," Byers responded, still peering out the window.
"Better get my girls anyway…just for precaution of course," Frohike muttered.
"Your girls? " Byers turned to see Frohike strapping on his leather belts and checking his guns. "Oh yes. Those girls. Just watch you don't shoot yourself." He smiled. "By the way, do they have names yet?"
Frohike huffed at that little bit of sarcasm and went out to meet the crowd. He did hope that his compadre Krycek was packing too. They made a formidable team…even if the other Gunmen didn't quite understand that yet. He patted his two girls. So what if he had named them? Big Bertha and Fast Francine were deadly and his pals would one day be glad he was becoming so proficient with them.
***
Skinner was just setting the food on the table when he sensed the human parade coming toward them. "Fox. Alex. Come out here," he barked. He experienced a secret thrill as the two beauties hurried to obey his command. Alex was wearing jeans and Fox, only a towel. "Get dressed, people from the town are coming."
"We were getting dressed," Alex grumbled as he and Fox turned back to obey.
"I really want my own clothes," Fox pouted as he pulled on jeans and a white sweater.
"Oh yes, the glamorous suits would really be appropriate," Alex smirked. He ran a gentle, conciliatory hand down Fox's arm. His eyes asked forgiveness for his actions in the bathroom and Fox's responding grin eased him somewhat.
"Those suits project authority. People listen to you better when you are appropriately suited," Fox teased, so glad they weren't talking about Murdoch or Garren anymore.
"Oh, gotcha. So I was wrong all these years. I thought it was the actions of the man that defined him. I should have worn Armani."
Fox chuckled, "No you wore the appropriate gear for your…uh…line of work."
Alex nodded and said nothing. Fox would never forget what he was, especially not when he went mad like he did a few moments earlier.
Fox pulled on some thick socks and laced up a pair of borrowed boots, grimacing at the tight fit. "I am going to go to the town *today* and get some clothes," he vowed. "My own. Not borrowed from some dead people…Jesus they are dead aren't they? And here we are just taking their stuff as if they were of no consequence." He ran a shaking hand through his hair and Alex sat next to him, putting a strong arm about Fox.
Alex drew Fox tight and said, "You don't even know that. They might not have even been here when it happened. Hey, you can't help what happened, baby, and you gotta wear clothes," Alex soothed. Personally he could care less about the inhabitants of the cabins. He only cared about Fox, the rest of the world could go to Hell for all he cared.
"I feel like such a…a looter!"
"Well, you aren't. But if it makes you happy we'll go to town and get everything you want. I'll take you myself," he said softly, kissing Fox's face. "I could use some more black anyway."
Fox grinned and turned to kiss Alex. "You are really, really bad. Do you know that? You are bad to the bone."
"Mulder! Krycek! Get out here," Skinner barked.
Mulder jumped up with a wink directed at his still-sitting lover. "His majesty summons us," he quipped easily, unaccountably happy at that moment. He devoured Alex with his eyes. No matter what happened he had Alex. And that was more than he had ever had.
Alex finished dressing and followed Fox out to face the next adventure.
Skinner went to meet the group of people who stood gathered waiting for him. Their looks of awe and appreciation made him uncomfortable but he simply welcomed them as warmly as he could and then they all started talking at once.
Alex stopped next to Fox and leaned toward him to whisper in his ear. "I guess the big guy came through. The way they're talking it seems like they think he's the Easter Bunny and Santa all rolled into one big hulk."
Fox smiled, inordinately proud of Skinner. "Yeah, he sure did." He watched as one person after another told of how the strange creatures had not made a reappearance and that the night was one of quiet, albeit strained peace. Skinner took all the praise and managed to refocus the conversation to one of tasks, endless tasks that needed to be done. After thirty minutes Mulder sensed that Alex was growing restless. Frohike was standing to Alex's right as if he belonged there and Mulder had to smile. The other two Gunmen were standing a distance away. The looks of appreciation from several of the females they received seemed to confuse them.
Skinner looked over and gestured for Mulder to come to him. Mulder moved toward Skinner with Alex shadowing him.
"Mulder, you and Alex and the Gunmen will go into the town and help organize…"
"Sir, may I suggest something?"
Skinner turned, unused to being interrupted. His face took on a faintly resigned look as the middle-aged woman spoke again.
"We came here to invite you to our gathering. The town is holding a little festival tonight…to celebrate…that is if it really is safe. We want you and your friends to attend. There will be plenty of time to plan tomorrow." Several echoes of agreement from her fellow townspeople greeted the woman's words.
Skinner felt a strong thread of irritation at being questioned by this human, but he repressed this with a feeling of shame. He nodded gallantly. "That would be very nice. We would love to come."
"I need clothes of my own," Mulder insisted and Alex chuckled.
Skinner frowned and then nodded. "Go into town. I need to begin plans for moving south."
Mulder ignored this last bit and just grinned. "I have to go tell Scully," he said quickly and rushed off to find his partner.
***
Fort Bragg, California
Day Three
Hour 1930Dusk settled in, but bonfires lit the streets of downtown Fort Bragg. The night came gently this evening, bringing forth no rabid beasts or screams of terror. Groups of people formed bands and the music mingled with the laughter and conversations of thousands of people lining the streets. Some people were just moving stiffly, as if looking for lost loved ones they would never find, but the general attitude was one of joy. Strange that, it had only been one night of peace, but it was enough. They felt as if they had come, victorious out of the dark. Maggie Scully was talking with a group of women, sharing stories and comforting one another. Mulder stood next to Scully away from the crowd. They were talking amicably and Mulder was teasing Scully about something. Alex watched as Scully tried to affect a disapproving frown only to yield laughing to something that Mulder said as he wriggled his brows. Alex fought back his jealousy as Mulder touched Scully, her arm, her hair, the sleeve of her new tailored jacket. Mulder too was wearing a new suit, not Armani, but beautiful on him all the same. Alex shook his head. Only Fox Mulder would pick out suits after the world had gone to hell. Well, he amended, only Mulder and Scully. They both dressed themselves as if they were on a case, as if they would be returning to D.C. soon, to walk the halls of the Hoover, flashing their I.D.s to gain access.
Frohike wanted to join his buds in their wining and dining, but he stood next to Krycek and offered the man a beer. Krycek shook his head.
"It's Sam Adams, man! How can you refuse it?" Frohike demanded.
Krycek had to smile. The man was so appalled. "Alcohol dulls the senses. Gives a person a false sense of security. I do like Sam though," Alex admitted. "I just want to make sure Fox is okay," he finished, turning his watchful eyes back on his lover. The party be damned, he wasn't going to drop his guard and let anything happen to Fox. The rest of the people could fend for themselves.
"Well, shit, this is a party. No one is going to barge in here with both Skinner and Antonio here," Frohike sighed. "I'm off to see what Langly and Byers are up to, but call me if you need backup."
Krycek chuckled as the little man strode off toward his strange companions. He couldn't help it. He liked the little guy. He was as innocent as a child, but spunky. He returned to watching Fox. This town, this party was irritating. He wasn't interested in it. His natural distrust of people coupled with his constant need to look for assassins under the smiling face of elderly women made this an ordeal to be tolerated. He wished Fox would just get tired of it and want to be alone. As it was Fox was enjoying himself. He couldn't leave Fox alone so he was stuck here. Skinner was off conferring with the remaining law enforcement officers and the town's elected officials. He could see the big man, who unlike Fox, was dressed in casual slacks and tight knit shirt. He did have one fantastic body, Alex admitted once again. Every muscle was pronounced and yet somehow sleek. There was such strength in that body. A group of children ran past Alex, knocking into him. He gritted his teeth. He hated kids. Little creatures that were always messing up things. How many times had a hit gone wrong because some undisciplined child had skittered between he and his target? Troublemakers, all of them.
Fox waved at him and he managed a gentle smile in response to the happy wave. He reacted instantly when a hand touched his gun. He found his hand filled with a soft shirt as he lifted the young boy in his grip. The pest looked to be about seven years old. He glared into the wide brown eyes and growled, "Don't ever touch that weapon again. Do you understand?"
The little boy nodded so eagerly that he resembled a pogo stick from the neck up. Alex set him down expecting the boy to dash off, wailing for his mother. Instead the little boy stood his ground.
"Go on. Shoo. I am not kid-friendly," Alex growled.
"I never said your name was Kidfriendly…I don't even *know* your name! Jeez! I'm Sam. And I have a secret weapon. Works better than that old thing you got there," Sam declared.
"That's great, now shoo."
"Wanna know what it is?"
"No."
"'Cause I could tell you," Sam promised.
"No."
"It works against them wolves. I saw it in a movie."
Alex glared at the little pest. He wasn't responding well to glares. He wondered what did work on kids. "What is it?"
The little boy held up a lock of short hair tied together with kite string. "Wolf bangs! Werewolves hate it! Makes 'em die," Sam proudly proclaimed.
"Wolf Bangs?" Alex echoed, his surprise evident.
Mulder came up just in time to hear this last bit. He had seen Alex lift the little boy up and though he knew Alex would probably not hurt the child he hastened over all the same. He tried not to laugh at the child's prized weapon.
"Wow," he said kneeling down to see the short golden hairs. "You got this off a wolf huh?"
Alex sighed. Fox would talk to anyone.
The boy frowned a bit and scuffed his shoe on the pavement. "Well, no. But Trixie is a Cocker Spaniel…she is kinda stupid and mean, but she is the closest thing to a wolf. See I cut a part of her bangs off and now no wolf is gonna get me or my mom and dad."
Mulder touched the prized Cocker Spaniel hair and said, "That is very smart. You should be safe here though. There is only a small amount of road into Fort Bragg not bordered by rivers. And you know that werewolves can't cross running water."
The boy grinned. That was good news. "Course I knew that! What'd you think?" With that the little boy ran off to share this news with his friends.
Alex was stunned. "What was that?" he asked.
Fox smiled. "I think your little friend was confusing wolfsbane and wolf bangs," he chuckled. "Oh that is so rich."
"No about water…running water," Alex insisted.
Mulder shrugged. "Werewolves can't cross running water. But, don't ask me why."
***
He watched the two changed humans, they smelled so good. He wanted them. He made his way over to stand nearer. The humans all around distracted him slightly, their blood and flesh begging to be eaten, but it was the changed ones he wanted. They shouldn't be here with the prey. His brown eyes flickered to the two non-humans, the ones who were so frightening. As long as he and his pack members remained unchanged they could stay unnoticed. They had to hunt far afield from here, far from the protection of the big one's force. He smiled and passed a friendly word with one of his neighbors. His bitch was helping pass out drinks to the revelers and their eyes met for a moment in a flash of feral amber. The alpha member of their little pack came to stand beside him, drawn as well to the two deliciously beautiful changed ones.
"James, I take the hazel-eyed one," his leader said, desire husking his voice.
"As you will, Marcus," James deferred. "I'll take the pretty green-eyed one."
They moved ever closer. "We will have to be quick. Take them somewhere away from here…they are so pretty…so sweet," Marcus gasped.
He placed a friendly hand on his hazel-eyed prey. "Hello, beautiful," he husked out, pulling the pretty close. He was surprised to find himself on his back on the street with furious green eyes staring down at him. The pretty male was fast; he'd never seen a human so fast. He came to his feet easily and opened his mouth to punish the sexy green-eyed male who had attacked him, but he smelled something that lingered under the sweet scent. A smell that made him tremble. He backed away, eyes wide. That scent, that frightening, familiar and beloved scent. James too had caught it and he had already fled.
"Forgive…forgive me. I meant no disrespect. I didn't know." He turned and hurried away.
Alex frowned. He hadn't hurt the man.
Fox frowned as well. "How rude!" He proclaimed.
Alex looked at him. "What?"
"He apologized to you! I'm the one he groped. Why is that?" Fox growled.
Alex stared after the retreating man, his eyes narrowed. He ignored Mulder's grumbling and grabbed his elbow. He pulled Mulder from the street and toward a darkened storefront. He barely heard Mulder's complaints as he placed both of their backs to the wall, avoiding the windows.
"Are you going to answer me, or just drag me everywhere?" Mulder demanded.
"Something wasn't right about those men…something off. They…they just weren't right," Alex said harshly. His gaze scanned the crowd and found nothing overtly threatening. His eyes locked with a woman who was handing a beer to a portly man. She was laughing and smiling but as their eyes met, Alex tensed. She was wrong too. She was a pretty woman, almost beautiful. She had her hair in a ponytail and she wore very little makeup. She seemed a typical middleclass woman and yet her eyes were a killer's eyes. They met his and he shivered. There was a possessive quality to her stare, as if she knew him…well.
"Alex, a little paranoia goes a long way. I should know! But you don't have to drag me around. You could say, 'Mulder, I think we should make a mad dash toward the wall and plaster ourselves against it.' And then I could say, 'Oh sure, Alex! Sounds like a plan. Let's makes asses out of ourselves.' "
Alex sighed. "Fox, you never know when to shut up. You babble and babble. I am telling you. There. Was. Something. Wrong. Now just trust me," he hissed.
Mulder glared at him. "Trust you? Why not trust me? You fling me here. You fling me…"
"Is there something wrong?" Antonio asked smoothly.
Mulder snapped his mouth shut. "No. Alex is spooked. And I am going to find Scully." With one last look that promised he would deal with Alex later, Mulder moved away.
Alex wanted to strangle him. He made to follow him but Antonio stopped him with a small smile and a little mental nudge.
Alex found himself frozen to the spot. He was furious. He'd kill Antonio…as soon as Antonio let him move.
Antonio smiled and watched Fox stalk off. "He really is a beauty isn't he, caro?" He made Alex lean casually against the wall and he mimicked the position next to him. "I love how you make him beg. He begs so prettily doesn't he?" He smiled as Alex tensed at Antonio's words. He ran a finger down Alex's arm, flicking the black sleeve of Alex's tight shirt. He traced the bulging bicep beneath the end of the sleeve. "I would take you there as well, caro. Screaming to the edge."
Antonio was going to be very surprised with his arm broken, Alex promised himself. He looked over to where Mulder and Scully stood. Mulder cast him an angry look. Some brilliant profiler. Antonio was still sliding his hand up and down Alex's arm while Mulder pouted off with the wonderful Scully.
"Oh, Alex, if you don't want to be with Skinner, you can come south with me," Antonio crooned. "Dana would grow to desire you as I do. Fox might even follow you…who can say?" He leaned in to smell Alex. "You smell so nice…almost like…flowers?"
Alex's eyes widened. Fox would die! He said he wouldn't smell like a girl. He would deal with him later.
"Why don't you speak? I will allow it."
Alex raised a brow and wondered what Antonio would do if he suddenly screamed like the flowery maiden he smelled like. "I'd like to tell you how much I am going to enjoy ripping your arm off, but that might spoil the surprise."
Antonio chuckled. "You are going to learn so much in the next few months. Maybe I'll just wait for Skinner to bring you to heel. You'll be so much more pliable then." He stroked Alex's cheek and couldn't resist kissing those pink lips. He plucked at one hard nipple and sighed. "Maybe I cannot wait."
"Are you quite finished?" Mulder asked through gritted teeth. He had stormed back as soon as he saw the ascendant pawing Alex. He gave Alex a icy stare for allowing the kiss and the caresses. Alex stared back at him with an unfathomable look.
Antonio grinned. "No, but…" He stopped as he saw Dana standing beside her partner. Her brow was raised in that way of hers that broad casted her displeasure so effectively.
"Yes, Antonio, are you quite finished?" She asked coolly.
The jealousy in her voice made Antonio shake his head. She was going to have to understand. He was a god, he would have to have more than one lover. "Cara, I was but talking to him."
"It looked like pawing to me," Mulder growled.
"Me too, "Dana concurred.
Antonio glared at his lover's partner. Would he never stop getting her angry with him? "It is only pawing if the person being pawed is…how shall I say…unavailable."
Dana looked at her lover with a questioning look. In many ways, Antonio was like a child. It at once frustrated her and made her feel protective of him. She knew the protective feeling was ridiculous as he had power she couldn't quite comprehend, but she was nonetheless. As far as him lusting for Alex and Mulder, she was unfazed. She found the two men to be incredibly erotic…more so than ever. She even found Byers to be appealing. Her sex drive was in high gear and that she attributed to whatever change she and the others had gone through.
With a near clinical detachment she accepted the situation. It wasn't that she minded the idea of Antonio wanting another man, not really, but that he was choosing one already attached to Mulder. She was very confident in Antonio's attachment to her. Further, she had never felt so strongly about any other person. She loved the scoundrel. Not enough for him to upset Mulder with impunity, but enough to forgive him after he was dully punished, even if that punishment was a mere tongue lashing. The phrase tongue-lashing made her flush. Antonio certainly knew how to give those, in more intimate moments. She felt her ire melt away as she stared into his sexy face. He really looked like one of those lush models who wore butter-soft Italian leather coats and posed languidly for the camera. He looked deceptively slim, but she knew how perfectly muscled he was. She had spent hours adoring him.
Mulder saw the softening pose of his partner and he frowned. "Just stay away from him, Tony. I mean it," Fox growled. He pulled at Alex who was unusually rigid. He stared at Alex confused by the resistance to move toward him.
"Tell your lover to let me go, Scully," Alex hissed, still frozen by Antonio's mind.
Fox put himself in front of Alex, furious that the bastard was controlling Alex as he had done to Fox the night Alex had been taken. It was a gross violation. "Let him go right now!"
Antonio nodded, a bit regally and allowed Alex free movement.
Scully stopped Alex from leaping onto Antonio with a quick, "No, Krycek. I'll deal with him."
Alex felt Mulder's arms about his waist, trying to hold Alex back. "You better handle him, Scully. I don't like being pawed," Alex hissed.
Mulder had a hard time holding Alex still. He was still stunned at how fast Alex had moved from behind him.
Antonio bristled at the whole exchange. He loved Dana, but she would not handle him. That was going a bit far even for her. He gave her a dark look and grabbed her arm. As he pulled her away from the two stubborn toys, he promised himself that he would take his place soon. He would leave the next morning and begin to build an empire to rival that of what Skinner intended to construct.
Mulder turned Alex to face him. "I am constantly having to rescue you, Alex."
Alex paused at that comment. Mulder had been serious. His tone was somewhat overwhelmed. Alex decided to ignore those silly words and instead he rubbed at his lips. "He said I smelled like flowers, Mulder."
Mulder had to laugh, which earned him another glare.
***
East of Salt Lake City, Utah
Day Three
Hour 1930The pack members running with him now numbered fifty. They abandoned their homes, many leaving their bitches behind if they had young to care for. Getting closer to his mate made Garren relentless in his pursuit. He stopped only long enough to feed, to sex, and to sleep for short periods of time. The hunt invigorated him and he never bothered to change to his human appearance. He could see the Sierra Nevada looming before him. The pack began to howl around him as other pack members joined them. The Sierra like the Rockies before them would be only a hurdle to cross. He had not rested in four hundred miles, but oh what a reward waited for him. Garren grinned, Skinner would have quite a surprise in store for him. The pack cared not for ascendants or their wishes, they would fight anything and anyone Garren chose. Skinner could not hold his mate from him.
Suddenly he saw Alex, standing near the pretty Fox. He was against a wall, staring right into Garren's eyes. The look on that sexy face, so wary. Oh his little cat. He was arguing with the prince, and Garren wondered how Alex would react if Garren indulged himself with the tempting Fox. Could he share his mate with the lovely prince? The protective way Alex tried to shield the little Fox from harm spoke volumes of Alex's devotion to him. Could he truly claim Alex without taking Fox too? Garren growled as the Fox left to be replaced by an ascendant, one who fondled what was Garren's alone to touch. Each wolf running with him felt his fury. He commanded all the wolves for a thousand miles to come to him. The bitch whose eyes he used was drawn off by her mate and Garren could see his cat no more. It didn't matter, he would be with Alex soon.
***
end of out of the Dark