Life from the Ashes Book 4 - Yours, Mine, & Ours
by Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.netRating: NC-17
Keywords: M/Sk/K SLASH
Disclaimer: The X-Files characters Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Alex Krycek, Walter Skinner, Jeffrey Spender, CSM, the Lone Gunmen, Kimberly Cook, Senator Matheson, Bill Scully, the morph etc. are the property Chris Carter, 1013 productions and Fox Broadcasting. All other characters in the series are mine.
Summary: This is an Alternative Universe Story. It takes place after an alien virus has killed off most of the world's females and caused mutations in forty-five percent of the remaining males.
Authors Notes: This is the fourth book in my AU series "Life from the Ashes - Yours, Mine, and Ours." You might want to read the prequel and the first three books of the series to understand this one.
I would like to thank my beta-readers Demi-X, Laurie, Dusk, Cerulean Blue, Bee Lan, and Susan for all their hard work and patience in editing this story and plot suggestions. Special thanks to Demi-X for some great Krycek!Torture ideas.
This story is dedicated to StarWindDancer who is expecting twins shortly.
Feedback is always welcome. Any constructive suggestions are appreciated.
WARNING! This story contains explicit Sex/Romance between two or more men. Turn back now, if the subject matter offends you.
GROSS CONTENT WARNING! Four of my beta-readers were really squicked by a couple of scenes in this story. So if you don't want to be squicked then skip the whole Krycek delivery scene.
Okay to Archive: please ask first.
Chapter 10
Alone in the Dark
Crystal Palace
Wednesday, March 10th 2001
11:20 a.m.Mulder was feeling anxious as he scanned over the final reports from White Mountain. He kept shifting around in his chair and chewing nervously on the tip of his pencil. It had been a month since he had rescued Alex, and Walter had killed CGB Spender. The smoker's body had been moved directly to a deserted morgue in Fairbanks. It was only yesterday that it was flown to Washington D.C. and placed into a cold storage unit. Mulder had refused to allow it on the island. Scully had been excited over the prospect of doing the autopsy. She wasn't too thrilled about having to fly to D.C. to do it, but Mulder just couldn't have that creature's body on the island. It was too close to his children. Still that didn't account for the weird feelings he was having... His eyes suddenly widened as he realized what was wrong with him.
"Oh shit! No! It can't be!" He shouted, shooting out of his chair.
"Fox? What's wrong?" Skinner asked from the doorway. He had come home to see if Mulder wanted to have lunch with him. He'd been concerned about his lover's lack of appetite over the past month.
"I-I... Walter, I'm having compulsions to have a baby again," Mulder blurted out quickly.
"Are you sure?" Skinner asked. His stomach knotted with worry as he stepped up to Mulder's desk.
Mulder plopped down in his chair. "Christ. Yeah, I'm sure." His cycles had started up again after giving birth, but he hardly noticed them without the compulsion being there. "Walter, how could this be happening? None of the other immortals are having compulsions yet!"
"Are you sure? Have you talked to them lately?"
Mulder looked at him then picked up the phone. He dialed Ari first. The Australian had been the first of their group to give birth. "Hey, it's Mulder. Ari, can I ask you if you're having compulsions to have another baby yet? ...Okay, thanks. No. No reason. Sorry to bother you." Mulder looked at Skinner and shook his head then dialed Shinji. "Hey, Shin. It's Mulder. You're not having compulsions..." Mulder stopped talking and listened, his face turned pale then he hung up the phone without saying another word. "Shin started having compulsions a month ago. He said it was because he's no longer lactating. He would have told me earlier but he promised Rory that he wouldn't." Mulder looked up at Skinner angrily. "I don't suppose you could throw that Scottish bastard into the dungeon?"
"We don't have a dungeon, Fox."
Mulder buried his face in his hands and sobbed. "God, this is my fault, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is your fault. You were still lactating when we got back from White Mountain. You could have started nursing our children again."
"Thanks for being so supportive," Mulder said sarcastically.
"Fox, you know that I didn't agree with how you went about rescuing Alex. I further more didn't appreciate you depriving our children. Besides, if you asked for my help upfront I ..."
"You never would have let me go in alone to rescue Alex! Don't deny it! You know that it's true!"
"No! I don't know that it's true! Fox, you have always been able to convince me to go along with anything in the past..."
"That was before I became an immortal. Walter, you barely listen to me anymore on important issues."
"That's not true, Fox." Skinner looked around Mulder's office and walked over to the large aquarium. "I didn't get in your way when you wanted to continue working for the FBI. No matter how much I wanted you to quit, I wouldn't do that to you!"
Mulder sighed. "Can we just drop it. I have more pressing problems right now," he said, placing a hand over his stomach. "God, I don't want to have another baby! I don't want to go through that again!"
Skinner kept his mouth shut. He wasn't too thrilled about having another baby this soon either.
***
Four months later
Crystal Palace
Sunday, June 3rd 2001
6:00 a.m.Mulder closed his eyes and sighed as Walter pulled out of his navel. He'd gone four months without giving into the compulsions. Shinji had only made it three months. However, he knew it would be inevitable that he would give in to the compulsions. And since this cycle fell on both Walter's forty-ninth birthday and Faith's second he didn't want to miss either of their parties by being sedated. "Happy Birthday, Walter," he said softly.
Skinner looked down into his warm hazel eyes and kissed him long and hard. Ending the kiss, he rolled onto his side and pulled Mulder into his arms hugging him close. "You know this was the best present I could have received for my birthday," he said, lightly caressing Mulder's stomach.
Mulder sighed. "Walter, neither one of us wanted another baby this soon. It's my fault. I'm sorry for not trusting our friends to help me rescue Al..." he swallowed and couldn't bring himself to say Alex's name. He had a hard time even thinking about Alex. Their attempts to convince Slava to allow them to talk to their lover had failed. Even the spy Walter had in St. Petersburg wasn't able to get close enough to the palace, let alone to Alex. Slava was keeping their lover under tight guard.
"Fox, you did what you thought was best. Don't forget, you did get Alex away from CGB Spender..."
"Yeah, but I lost him to Slava. I wish I knew that he really did leave willingly." Mulder rested his head on Walter's chest. "I hate the thought of Alex having been forced to leave us against his will. More so than the thought of him no longer loving me."
Skinner shook his head sadly; they'd been over this a thousand times. "Fox, Alex loves you. How can you doubt it? I saw the way he would look at you..."
"He said he loved Slava more. How could Alex love the man who raped and abused me and won't allow me to see my daughters?" Mulder bit his lip. Then he said, "I don't want to talk about this any longer, Walter. It hurts too much." He climbed off the bed and headed up the steps to the bathroom.
***
Winter Palace
Sunday, June 3rd 2001
6:00 a.m.Krycek couldn't stop the tears from falling. It was his daughter's second birthday and he was missing it. He had been so emotional lately that it was embarrassing. He turned his face into the soft pillow. His body stiffened as Slava pulled him back against his broad chest. And the larger man's morning erection pressed between his buttocks.
Krycek struggled to pull a way. "I'm not in the mood! Let go!" he snarled.
"Well I am!" Slava growled. "It's bad enough that you're getting fat! I'm not going to be denied from taking my pleasure from your body before it is too repulsively large!"
"That's your fault! Not mine! I wouldn't be in this large if I was only pregnant with Fox's baby, but you had to rape me... Ouch!"
Slava slapped Krycek's buttock. "I did not rape you! And I don't want you to use that term ever again! You came willingly with me, and you consented to having my baby a long time ago, Alexei!" He slipped a finger up his reluctant lover's anus. It was still slick from their earlier love making many hours ago. He pulled it out and quickly mounted Krycek. His arms wrapping around the younger man's body and pulling him closer as he thrust into him. Slava's hand jerked away in revulsion as it encountered the slight swell of his lover's pregnant belly. He didn't know why it revolted him, but it did. He should be pleased that his lover was carrying his baby. Slava thrust harder and faster wanting to get off quickly, so he could end the contact.
Krycek closed his eyes as Slava's cock twitched inside of him and his lover shot his seed deep into his bowels. He escaped again into his mind, until he could no longer feel Slava's hands touching him or hear his grunts in his ears.
Slava grunted and pulled out then shook Krycek's shoulder. "Come on! Get your fat ass out of bed!" Getting no response Slava snarled and climbed out of bed, walking around to Krycek's side, he scooped his naked lover up into his powerful arms. He had become used to Krycek's constant nightmares and his lover zoning out over the past months. He had found the perfect method for waking him up. Slava carried him into the shower and set him on the floor with his back leaning up against the shower wall, then he turned on the cold water.
Krycek started, sputtered and swore, glaring up at Slava's smirking face.
"Get cleaned up and dressed, Alexei! We will be going down to breakfast now!"
"I'm not hungry!"
"Ha! You're always hungry!"
"Fuck you, Nicky!" Krycek was embarrassed. He had been having awful cravings for the past two months.
"Watch your mouth, Alexei!"
"Or you'll what? Beat me? Rape me?" Krycek wrapped his arms around his knees as he sat staring up at Slava from the shower floor.
Slava sighed, looking down at his beautiful lover with water dripping off his long, thick lashes and his wide green eyes peering up at him angrily. "No. I'm not going to hit you, Alexei. I love you..."
"But you're disgusted with how I look." He was barely showing signs of his pregnancy, but Krycek felt fat and undesirable. It was enough to disgust him and Slava. He wondered how bad it would become when his body really looked pregnant.
Slava stared down at him. Krycek's belly only had a slight swell to it, and his lover had a little puffiness in his face. "Alexei, I don't like the idea of your beautiful body puffing up like a balloon."
"Nikolai, I want to go back to Fox and Walter. Walter and I loved the way Fox looked throughout his pregnancy and he was much bigger than I'm likely to get."
"No! I won't allow you to see or talk to them again! They kept you from me, so I'm doing the same to them!"
"Like you're keeping me away from my daughter and sons! It's Faith's second birthday today! I doubt that she even remembers who I am any longer! Hunter is seven months old already! He was only two weeks old when I last saw him! I've missed so much of their lives because of you!" Krycek yelled.
"I'll call Fox and ask him to send us your children," Slava said.
"NO! You're not taking Faith, Hunter, and River from him! You've kept Fox from seeing his daughters! I won't allow you to do that to him, too!" Krycek rose shakily to his feet. He wished he had his sorcerer's powers, but they had not returned since he'd been with Slava. Anytime he tried to strike out at his lover, Slava would use mind control to subdue him.
"You have a right to see your children, Alexei. I'm sure Fox would be agreeable to allowing them to come for a visit, if I send him three of *my* daughters in exchange." Slava watched Alex's face cloud over with rage. "Especially, if Fox thought it would make you feel better. That is if he still gives a damn about you, Alexei. Your words really hurt him bad. He probably hates you now."
Krycek shoved past Slava. He was sure that Fox would never agree to send their children to Russia. Even if he did, Walter would never allow it, knowing how much losing the children would hurt Fox. "I hate you for hurting Fox in the past! And I'll never forgive you if you hurt him again! I was a fool to allow myself to fall in love with you! However, our love is only because we are genetically bonded. The love I have for Fox and Walter is far beyond that! Something you could never understand."
Slava smiled and pulled Krycek against his chest and kissed him hard. It took only a few moments before Krycek was melting into the kiss and kissing him back. Then Slava pushed him away and smirked into his lover's dazed expression. "Stop fooling yourself, Alexei! You love me more than you can ever possibly love Fox or Skinner. Now finish dressing! We're going down to breakfast."
Krycek closed his eyes and blushed. He hated himself for responding to the kiss and feeling love for Slava. Could he have hurt Fox enough by his words that his lover would never take him back?
***
Crystal Palace
Sunday, June 3rd 2001
2:00 p.m.Faith came running over and dropped the cotton and lace items in Mulder's lap. "What do we have here, Cutie?"
"Big giwl's panties," she said proudly.
"Did your Aunt Dana give you these?"
"Yes. Purty," Faith said, patting the floral underwear.
"Very pretty. Since you haven't had an accident in over three weeks I guess that means you can start wearing these instead of your training pants. Why don't you show them to your Uncle Walter?" Mulder said, handing the pairs of underwear back.
Faith grinned brightly and carried the underwear across the room to her Uncle. "Put them on me," she ordered, dropping the underwear in Walter's lap. She lifted the hem of her party dress and started to remove her training pants.
Several of the guests snickered at how quickly Skinner pulled her dress back down and scooped her up in his arms. "Cutie, it's bad manners to show a room full of men and boys your butt."
"But, I saw your butt lots."
Mulder couldn't help laughing at the color red Walter's face turned. Neither could the rest of room. Mulder stood and went to his lover's rescue. "Cutie, have you seen any of our guests' butts?"
Faith looked around at the guests. "No, Daddy."
"Then you shouldn't be showing them your butt."
"Okay, Daddy." She grinned broadly.
Scully rolled her eyes at that logic. "Mulder, that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say."
"Why?" Mulder thought it made perfect sense.
"Jonathan is her pediatrician and he's not about to show her his butt in order to examine her," she said, arching an eyebrow.
Mulder blushed. "Oh. I see your point." He turned back to his daughter and set her on the floor. "Cutie, we'll talk about this later. Why don't you open the rest of your presents?"
Skinner grabbed Mulder's arm, before he could head back across the room, and hauled him down on the loveseat next to him. "Thanks for the save, babe."
"It wasn't much of one." Mulder grinned sheepishly. "Let's face it, Walter, our kids are going to embarrass us from time to time."
"What do you suggest we do?"
"The only thing we can do. Wait until they are older and get even." Mulder watched Faith as she excitedly ripped open another present. "She's forgotten him," he murmured.
"You've done your best to keep reminding her, but it's been over six months, Fox. At her age she was bound to forget," Skinner said.
Mulder nodded and looked into the playpen at Sasha. It was set up next to the loveseat. "Sasha has never even gotten to know him. Alex didn't see his son sit up or crawl for the first time..." Mulder looked away, he didn't want to cry again, not in front of their guests. "Walter, I could see him leaving me, but not our kids. He never even called to see how they were or sent a birthday card to Faith. Slava must be holding him against his will, no other explanation makes sense."
Skinner reached over and squeezed Mulder's hand. He was glad his lover was finally coming around to his way of thinking. "I agree with you, Fox. However, Alex would never have left you willingly either. You mean as much to him as our kids."
Mulder leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thanks. I really wish I could believe that." Then he grinned as Sergei stood up in the playpen, holding out his chubby little arms to Skinner. He was almost a head taller than his brother. "Hey, our little guy is standing."
A big grin lit up Skinner's face as he stood and lifted their son out of the playpen. "Is Daddy's liddle widdle piggy-pooh trying to walk?"
"Da-da-da--" Sergei stuck his fingers in his father's mouth and laughed when his dad clamped down on them. "Eeeeee!"
Skinner set him on his feet and held his hands, watching lovingly as his son tried to put one foot in front of the other. Sergei would have fallen if his dad wasn't there holding him up.
Mulder watched the love in Walter's eyes as he helped their son. Mulder absently rested his hand over his stomach and wondered if they would have a boy or a girl? He turned his focus back to Faith, who was the center of attention with most of their guests. Mulder's gaze wandered around the room. Frohike was holding Hope while he chatted with Byers and Langly as they watched Faith open her gifts. Hope seemed to enjoy being with the gunmen and Mulder had a sudden image of her wearing thick-framed glasses, gloves without fingers and a tailored suit. He shuddered at the image. River was across the room playing with Matthew and Yori and Lev's sons. Jeff was holding Angelique on his lap while his other arm was wrapped around Ian's shoulders. The two men watched Faith while talking to Hans and Gabriel. Gabriel was cradling his three-day-old infant daughter in his arms. Hans had his and Frohike's daughter Marsha sitting on his lap. Mulder looked at Hans' face, his friend was radiantly happy. At least it was Hans' decision to have another baby, unlike he and Shinji who were forced by their body's extreme urges to become pregnant again. Bill Scully was sitting with Kyle Pendrell and holding Mulder and Skinner's daughter Kaylie. The two men had been dating since Jeff and Kyle had broken up. Everyone was having a good time. Mulder looked back at the playpen and noticed that Sasha was staring around sadly and looked about ready to cry. He stood and quickly lifted his son out.
"Oh, Sasha, come to Daddy. Did your brother Sergei desert you?"
Sasha brightened up immediately. Mulder smiled and gave him a sloppy kiss, making the baby giggle. "Would you like to come with me to work tomorrow?"
Sasha was a quiet baby. He hardly ever cried or made much noise at all, unlike his brother or sisters.
"Well, sweetie, I'll take that as a yes," Mulder murmured. He had been taking Sasha to work with him lately. Mulder needed to feel close to Alex. The only way he found that worked was holding their son, who looked so much like his Russian father that it nearly broke Mulder's heart.
Skinner sat down next to Mulder with Sergei in his arms. "They're so different aren't they?"
"Yeah, our little boys." Mulder asked suddenly, "Are you happy, Walter?"
Skinner sighed. "I find it hard to be happy without Alex here. I do try to be for our kids, for you, but..."
"Me, too. I keep thinking that in three months Alex is going to give birth to our daughter and I may never see her, or him again. I want to kill Slava for what he has done to our family, but Alex loves him..."
"We'll get Alex and your new daughter back, Fox. Nothing Slava can do will keep them away from us forever."
"Walter, we don't even know if Alex would want to come back to us. He's hopelessly in love with Slava," Mulder said sadly. He turned back to watch his daughter rip into another present.
Skinner was about to protest, but decided not to press the issue during his niece's party.
***
Crystal Palace
Sunday, August 13th 2001
2:00 p.m.It was sweltering outside. The heat was clearly visible as it shimmered in clear waves against the blue of the ocean. Mulder rolled onto his stomach on the beach blanket. He was two months pregnant and not showing in the slightest. Mulder sighed with contentment as Skinner straddled his thighs and started rubbing suntan oil onto his back and butt, planting an occasional kiss as he went.
So far this pregnancy hadn't been difficult to endure, unlike last time. Other than the cravings he had for watermelon and pizza. Not just any pizza, it had to be flown in from the restaurant in NY that he and Walter had gone to last summer. Walter was suffering more than he was, since Mulder would make his lover get him whatever he was craving.
"Daddy Walter, can you play catch with me?" River asked, walking up carrying a beach ball.
Skinner looked up at his son as he finished applying the suntan oil to Mulder's flawless skin. "Sure, River, let me wash my hands in the ocean first."
River knelt next to Mulder as Skinner walked out into the ocean. "Daddy, why do you like being naked on the beach? Daddy Walter wears swimming trunks."
Mulder peered up at River and grinned. "Daddy Walter is modest and I'm not. Besides, I don't want to get a tan line."
"I think you should wear swim trunks, too."
Mulder looked at his son's serious little face. "Does it embarrass you that I sunbathe in the nude?"
"Yes. My friends' older brothers are always talking about how hot you are," River said.
A blush spread across Mulder's cheeks. He hadn't realized that he had become the object of teenage lust. He groaned and buried his face into his arms. Since River had started attending special summer preschool classes at the palace's K-8 school, he had made friends with several little boys his age. Mulder had thought nothing about allowing River's little friends to play on their private section of beach. The little boys' older brothers or fathers always accompanied them. As Mulder thought back, he recalled how the boys' older brothers were always playing or talking nearby where he laid. He lifted his head and looked back up at River. No little kid wants to hear their parent spoken about in a sexual manner. "I'll tell you what, River. I'll only sunbathe nude on our veranda from now on. I'll wear a bathing suit when we come down to the beach."
"Thanks, Daddy," River smiled.
Skinner smiled down at them. Leave it to River to succeed at convincing Fox to do what he'd wanted him to do for weeks.
Mulder sat up and reached for their beach bag and pulled out his speedos and slipped them on. He sat cross-legged on the blanket as he looked around their secluded section of beach. It was quiet and peaceful today. Mulder licked his lips and looked over at Walter as he had a sudden craving. "Hey, Walter, can you run up to the palace and see if Jacques can whip me up a peanut butter and banana sandwich?" He smirked when his lover gave him a disgruntled look and tossed him the beach ball. Mulder had refused to eat anything that Walter whipped up with his powers. He could taste the difference.
"Fine, you play catch with River until I get back." Skinner turned and started jogging back toward the palace.
Mulder could have gone for it himself, but one of the luxuries of being pregnant was making his spouse play fetch and retrieve for him. He stood and walked over to River carrying the beach ball. His son was giving him a funny look.
"What?" Mulder asked.
"Don't you have swim trunks more like Uncle Melvin's?"
"No. Now do you want to play catch with me or not?"
"Okay, but just until Daddy Walter gets back," River said.
***
Winter Palace
Sunday, August 12th 2001
10:20 p.m.Krycek stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at his pregnant image. While he wasn't as large as Fox had been, he was a hell of a lot larger than the other immortals had gotten. His ankles were swollen and his back hurt. "Shit, I can't even see my dick," he sighed looking down at his belly. Krycek pulled on a pair of black, maternity pants and a loose fitting black shirt. He stepped into his sneakers, which he had removed the laces from; they didn't fit otherwise. One of the babies kicked and he paused to touch his belly and murmur softly to the small life inside him.
He started for the door then stopped suddenly. "Shit!" He turned and unzipped his pants and walked back over to the urinal. Krycek hated the constant need to pee more than anything!
Slava looked up as Krycek walked out of the bathroom heading for the bedroom door. "Where are you going, Alexei?"
Krycek frowned. He knew his lover was going to give him flak. "To the kitchen."
"Don't you think you've had enough to eat today?"
"I'm still hungry! Don't forget, I'm eating for three!"
"Believe me, Alexei, that would be impossible to forget!" Slava growled, looking at his pregnant lover with disgust.
Krycek blushed and stormed out of the bedroom. He had a bit more freedom lately. Mostly because Slava couldn't stand the sight of him. However, the guards outside the bedroom door still followed him down to the kitchen. As he wallowed in self-pity, Krycek didn't notice the looks of lust in their eyes as they watched him move about the large kitchen. He and Slava still had sex daily, but it was usually just a quick fuck. He pulled a jar of honey out of the cupboard then opened a tin of anchovies. He drizzled the honey on the anchovies then got a small fork and started eating the salty, honey-coated fish.
If he could just figure out a way to escape from the palace and make his way back home to Fox and Walter. He needed some sort of distraction. The guards were starting to get sloppy the bigger he got. They didn't consider him much of a threat. Krycek thought he'd be able to escape when they weren't paying attention. However, that still left him without a means to travel back to New America. His eyes lit up when an idea came to him. The harbor wasn't too far from the palace. If he could stowaway on one of the large freighters or merchant ships going to New America or Canada then he'd be able to contact Walter when the ship finally docked. He frowned. Which still left finding a ship and getting out of the palace. He'd only have one shot at it, so he'd have to be patient and bide his time.
***
Crystal Palace
Tuesday, September 22nd 2001
2:20 p.m.Mulder sat behind his desk going over a report while Sasha played on the floor. Walter had sentenced Havock to a hundred years in prison for his past crimes. Andy Nelson was sentence to life with no possibility for parole.
"Hey, Mulder, here's the forensic report on the Nylaine case," Agent Sullivan said, stepping into the office and placing the report in Mulder's overflowing in box.
"Thanks, Jack."
Sullivan bent and picked up Sasha. "Hi, Sasha. How's my favorite little boy?"
Sasha grinned, but didn't utter a sound.
"A quiet little guy aren't you? If your dad's not careful I might just steal you."
Mulder smiled, looking up at them. Sasha was so quiet and easy going that Mulder couldn't resist bringing him to work. The baby had become the department's mascot. Everyone stopped in during the day to see him. "Jack, you can't steal him but you can take him for a walk if you want."
"How about that, Sash? Would you like to go for a walk with your, Uncle Jack?"
"There's a bottle of apple juice in the refrigerator that you can give him," Mulder said as his son and friend headed out the door. After they left, Mulder leaned back in his chair and stared at the calendar. It had been over seven months since he'd lost Alex to Slava. He wondered if Alex had given birth to their child yet. Their contact in Russia hadn't been able to get any information about Alex's condition for two months. Mulder sighed sadly and went back to work.
***
Winter Palace
Tuesday, September 30th 2001
11:20 p.m.Krycek wasn't at all happy. He was at least two weeks overdue and was being forced to attend a reception with Slava. The reception was to show off how virile Slava was to the Russian people, by parading his pregnant lover in front of the television cameras. Krycek chuckled bitterly. His lover had been intentionally keeping him out of the public's eye. The sight of him embarrassed Slava. However, Slava's advisors finally convinced the Tsar that the public wouldn't be repulsed by his lover's appearance. Krycek gasped as one of the babies kicked. God, his back was killing him and his feet were so swollen that he was reduced to wearing slippers instead of shoes.
"You veady?" Slava slurred.
Krycek rolled his eyes. His lover had already started drinking. Slava seldom touched alcohol before Krycek was pregnant. A lot had changed. Now, they even slept in separate bedrooms, which was fine with both of them. The further along he had gotten in his pregnancy, the less Krycek found Slava attractive or wanted to be touched by him. "Yeah, I'm ready." They only had sex twice a week now.
Slava led the way out of their apartment and to the main staircase. It wasn't until they were standing at the top of the steps that the Tsar took Krycek's hand lovingly in his and painted a smile on his face. Most of Slava's subjects didn't share his revulsion over seeing Alexei's body distorted by pregnancy. Therefore, the Tsar tried to pretend that it didn't bother him either. It wouldn't be long now, and he'd have his beautiful perfect Alexei back.
Krycek glared down at the men, looking up at him as they descended the steps. He felt self-conscious as he gazed out over the crowded foyer and beyond. The place was packed with guests. A smile crept on his lips. Crowds were good for distraction. He might be able to sneak out of the palace with such a crowd. All that he had to do was get Slava drunk and his lover was already halfway there.
They made their way around the room with Slava staying close at his side. Krycek watched as the Tsar knocked off several more glasses of vodka. He noticed that most of the guests were getting inebriated, too. It amazed him just how drunk everyone was getting. If he wasn't pregnant he would be drinking, too. He would never have noticed the state the other men were in. It was while he was talking to one of Slava's governors that Krycek overheard two men talking about returning to their ship that would be setting out to sea before dawn for Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ship's name was the Melia.
Krycek was determined to be on that ship when it sailed. His eyes scanned the room, and he noticed one of the new order of Russian clergy heading into the washroom. The stout man was wearing a black-hooded robe.
Slava had long since let go of his hand and wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention as Krycek headed toward the washroom for the sixth time that evening. Krycek smirked inwardly. His weak bladder was finally working in his favor. However, the palace guard was paying attention to him, and followed him into washroom. Once inside the door he turned and clutched his belly, crying out in pain. When the guard came to his assistance, Krycek nailed both him in his Adam apple with the heel of his hand. When he dropped to his knees, he knocked him out with an elbow blow to the temple.
The clergyman stood quivering and wide-eyed, not believing that he'd just seen a very pregnant immortal take out a muscular guard. He swallowed as Krycek locked the washroom door and advanced on him, backing him up against the open window.
"If you want to live to see another day, I suggest you hand over your robe," Krycek growled.
The frightened man obeyed. When Krycek had the robe in his hands, he knocked the overweight clergyman out. He put the robe on, then tried to climb out the washroom's window. It was a bit too high for him to easily maneuver his pregnant body up to the sill. He looked around for something to stand on. Smiling, he pulled the clergy's body under the window. Then drag one of the unconscious guard over and piled him on top of the clergyman. He used them as a stepstool to get his butt on the windowsill.
He swung his legs outside and pushed off the sill, dropping six feet to the ground below. He cursed as the simple leap knocked the breath out of him. He stood for a second with his arms wrapped around his middle, cradling his belly against the slight cramping. He straightened and pulled the hood of the robe over his head and started across the brightly lit square. He forced himself to ignore the discomfort he was experiencing in his belly and moved as quickly as possible. He should be able to lose himself in the dark alleyways and narrow street on the other side of the square.
It took him twenty-five minutes of weaving in and out of the alleyways to reach the docks. Then another ten to find the Melia. They were still loading cargo on board. He hid behind several crates. When the coast was clear he dashed over to one of the large metal containers to be loaded onto the ship. The side he was on was nicely hidden in the shadows. He opened the latch on the container and swung the door partly opened. It was packed with boxes of caviar and smoke fish. He shifted some of the boxes and was able to squeeze inside. Krycek secured the door to the crate from the inside and hoped that no one would notice that the outer latch wasn't engaged.
Krycek guessed that his presence should be missed at the palace by now. He hoped that Slava would be too drunk to think about closing the ports, until after the ship was underway. He felt the crate shift as the men hooked a crane onto it. Krycek held on tight as the crate was raised into the air and swung over the side of the ship, then lowered into the cargo hold. He pulled his legs up against his belly as he huddled in the dark container, waiting and hoping they'd be underway soon.
***
Crystal Palace
Wednesday, October 1st 2001
4:00 a.m.The pounding on the bedroom door pulled Skinner from a sound sleep. He looked at the clock as he eased out of Mulder's warm embrace and staggered over to the door. Pulling on his robe before opening the door. General Kline was standing in the hallway.
"Clay, what's wrong?" Skinner asked, stepping out of the bedroom and closing the door quietly behind him.
"Our contact in St. Petersburg called. He said Slava is tearing the city apart searching for Alex. He's closed down all the airports, ports, train stations, and roads going out of the city. No one is allowed to enter or leave St. Petersburg."
"How long after Alex disappeared did he closed down the city?" Skinner calculated that it would be eleven o'clock in the morning there.
"Six hours. Our source said that Slava was pretty drunk when Alex disappeared...and, Walter, Alex is still pregnant."
Skinner face showed a little relief at that news. They hadn't been able to get any word on Alex's condition for the past two months. "I want a list of all the planes, trains, and ships that left St. Petersburg within that six hour window." Skinner stepped back into the bedroom and turned on the light as the General rushed to follow his King's order. "Fox, get up," he said, shaking his lover.
"Whatimesit?" Mulder mumbled and squinted against the bright glare of the overhead lights.
"Time to get up," Skinner said, walking over to his closet. "Alex has escaped from Slava." He opened the closet door and stepped inside.
Mulder leaped out of bed and rushed over to the closet. "When? Where is he? Is he all right?"
"Sometime this morning. We don't know where he is, or if he's all right. General Kline is pulling together a list of all the planes, trains, and ships that left St. Petersburg before Slava closed down the city." Skinner looked at him seriously. "Fox, he's still pregnant."
"Oh God." Mulder didn't know if he should be grateful that Alex was still carrying their daughter or scared for his lover's health. "I'll get dressed and contact Frohike. Maybe he can help pinpoint where Alex is." Mulder turned and rushed across the room to his closet. He was both anxious and excited as he started dressing. His stomach fluttered and he knew this time it was from nerves and not the movement of the small life growing inside his womb. Was it possible that Alex was escaping back to them? That maybe Alex did love him as much as Slava.
Skinner quickly dressed not wasting time for a shower or a shave. He rushed out the door, heading downstairs to his office to coordinate the search and rescue mission.
Mulder, in the meantime, woke Sean up to watch the babies while he went downstairs to talk to Frohike.
***
The Melia
Wednesday, October 1st 2001
noonKrycek was extremely sick. The lurching of the ship made him nauseous. He had already puked up everything in his stomach. He was so sick that he was getting severe stomach cramps. Krycek held his belly as he searched the dark cargo hold for something he could use to make a bed. He needed to lie down more than anything, but he didn't want to do so on the rat infested floor.
The only light into the hold came from the red safety lights at the doors. He blindly wandered around until his foot struck a metal box. Looking down, he realized, to his relief, that he had stumbled upon a toolbox with a flashlight sitting next to it. He picked up the flashlight and turned it on, arching its beam across the hold. Several large rats scurried away from its bright glare. Krycek walked over to the nearest steel container and started searching its contents. By the time he finished, he had searched ten containers, finding a dozen thick fur coats and hats. He used them to make a bed inside one of the large steel crates. Krycek also found a case of juice and some Russian delicacies. He piled them in a corner then closed the steel door to crate to keep out the rats.
Krycek doubled over as another cramp knotted his belly. He shakily sat on the bed of furs. His breath was coming out in short pants. It suddenly occurred to him that he was in labor. "Okay, okay, don't panic," he muttered as he turned off the flashlight to preserve its batteries. Krycek was trembling at the thought of having his babies alone in the dark. He'd sell his soul to be with Fox and Walter. A tear came to his eye. He only hoped that Fox still wanted him. His pregnancy had affected the genetic-bond he had with Slava. Krycek spent the last couple of months seriously thinking about his relationship with Fox. He couldn't believe how understanding Fox had been about his need to be with Slava. Krycek felt shame for putting Fox in that position. Slava had raped and mistreated Fox, and here he had taken that man into his bed, not giving Fox's feelings any consideration. Krycek let out a sob. No way would Fox take him back. Not after everything he had done. He'd just go and give Fox their daughter then bow out of his life forever.
***
Crystal Palace
Wednesday, October 1st 2001
1:00 p.m.Mulder stood momentarily frozen. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He sank to his knees in front of the television and touched the image of Alex on the screen. "God, Alex, you're so beautiful." He was watching the news. It was showing a taped telecast being broadcast out of Germany. The telecast was of the reception from last night, which Alex had escaped from. Someone must have smuggled the tape out of St. Petersburg before the city was closed. Mulder was a little baffled about Alex's size. He wondered if it was possible that his lover was having twins? Then he heard the reporter asking Slava about whether he hoped for a boy or a girl. Alex was having Slava's child, too? Their contact hadn't reported that Alex was pregnant with Slava's baby.
The whole image was off. Instead of a happy smiling couple, Alex looked sad, and Slava was clearly inebriated. Mulder wanted so much to hug and comfort Alex.
"Please, please, Alex, come back to me."
"What are you watching, Daddy?" River asked.
"A news clip of your Daddy Alex." Mulder smiled, putting his arm around River's waist as the little boy walked over to him.
"He's fat."
"He's pregnant."
"Oh. So he's going to have another little boy to take my place?"
"No one could ever take your place, River. Alex loves you."
"No he doesn't. Bobby's brother said that Daddy Alex left because he was in love with the Tsar of Russia."
Mulder sighed. That was the crux of his problem, too. He really didn't know if Alex left him because he really did love Slava more, or if he was forced to leave by Slava. Was Alex really escaping to come back to them? Or did Alex have a lover's spat with Slava? Mulder wouldn't know the answers until he talked to Alex. He looked sadly back at his lover's image. It made his heart ache to see Alex looking so sad.
River saw the sadness in his father's eyes. "Don't worry, Daddy. I still love you."
"Alex loves you too, Mulder," Frohike said, coming into the room. "He's worried that you might not take him back."
"You're reading him?" Mulder asked, standing.
"I can read his emotions from how he was behaving on the TV news report and get a sense of what he is thinking. He hates Slava, but hates himself more for hurting you. Alex only said what he did to save Walter's life. He was worried that you'd be too reluctant to leave him to help Walter in time," Frohike said.
"Shit. How could I've been so blind?"
"More likely blinded by love. Alex needs you, Mulder, he is close to shattering."
"Can you see where he is, Fro?"
"He's on a ship...but I can't see anything beyond that."
***
The Melia
Wednesday, October 1st 2001
8:00 p.m.Krycek bit down on a leather belt to keep from crying out in pain. Although, no one was likely to hear him if he screamed, he still didn't want to take the chance. The contractions were coming closer together and were almost impossible for him to endure. His hand rubbed his bare belly. He had removed his clothes as the contractions had gotten closer together and stronger. Krycek shifted his body, until he was kneeling on all fours over a dirty canvas. It had been covering some boxes in the crate. He hadn't wanted to soil his fur bed. So he had spread the canvas on the floor of the crate.
The gravity of his new position helped ease the pain in his back. Despite the cold temperature, sweat dripped off his face and onto the canvas. He grunted as another contraction knotted his belly. Suddenly fluids erupted out of his navel, splattering down on the canvas. He quickly reached underneath to support the crown of his baby's head. Krycek bit harder on the piece of leather as he bore down with the next contraction. With one hand he guided the baby as it left his body. He spit out the badly bitten piece of leather from his mouth. While staying on his knees, he brought the tiny infant up and laid it on the satin lining of a fur coat in front of him. Krycek flipped on the flashlight and marveled at the tiny life covered in a pinkish colored gel. He cleaned the baby's mouth out and lightly slapped its bottom. The newborn started crying.
The infant was just a little bigger than his hand. He counted its fingers and toes and noted it's tiny penis. This would be Nikolai's son, he thought. He knew that Fox's sperm would only produce a female child. His son was shivering in the cold air of the storage crate. Krycek frowned. Having no water to clean the infant, and thinking it wouldn't be healthy to leave the gel on the his flesh, Krycek did the only thing he could think to do.
"Well, Nicholas, cats do it with their young," he murmured, making a face, he started tenderly licking the pink gel off his newborn's skin. To Krycek's relief, it was almost tasteless, with only a small hint of sweetness. It was the gel from inside the pouch. He paused briefly in his task as he had another contraction and the pouch plopped down on the canvas.
"Gross," he said, looking under his arm at it, then went back to the task of cleaning his son. It didn't take him long. The infant was so tiny.
The contractions had slowed and Krycek figured he had a while before his daughter would be born. So, he moved up to his bed of furs and cuddled his son in his arms. He pinched his nipple, rolling it until fluid started flowing from its tip. He had watched Fox nursing their babies a number of times, so he knew just what to do. "Okay, Nicky, time for your first meal." He nudged the baby's mouth open with his finger then inserted his nipple. It took a little coaxing before the baby started suckling. Krycek cringed at how painful it was at first. God, the things Fox had gone through for him and Walter. Had they ever showed Fox how much they appreciated him? Add that to the list of things Fox must hate him for.
Krycek sighed as he laid on the soft furs. It was a welcome change from kneeling on the rough canvas. He flipped the flashlight off and listened to the sounds of the baby suckling.
Six hours had passed as he lay holding his son in the dark. He fed the infant twice more as he stoically endured the contractions, counting the minutes that passed between each one. When the pain became unbearable and the contractions close together, he wrapped his son in furs to keep him warm, making sure that the infant was able to breathe, before he left him. Krycek turned on the flashlight and shakily crawled off the furs onto the canvas. He folded one end over the previous mess. The contractions seemed to be coming on top of one another now. He knelt on all fours like he had before, hoping to let gravity take its course. Krycek's pain-filled scream echoed throughout the crate as the baby's head suddenly crowned. His whole body trembled as he reached under to support the tiny body as he bore down with the next contraction pushing her out.
He set her on the satin lining in front of him. He cleaned out her mouth then turned and slapped her bottom. She started shrieking loudly. "You're louder than your brother, little one." He smiled tiredly and stroked her cheek with his finger. Then he bent to the task of licking her clean.
Krycek stayed kneeling on all fours, waiting for his body to deliver the afterbirth. It took longer this time for the pouch to be expelled. He looked down at the mess on the canvas then took a moment to fold it into a ball, which he planned to dispose of later. He then picked up his daughter and moved up on the bed of furs to lay beside his son. Krycek pinched his nipple to get the flow of milk going then placed it into his daughter's mouth. She didn't hesitate as she hungrily latched onto the nipple. Krycek watched her tiny lips as they suckled. "Well, little one, I think I will let Fox name you." He smiled suddenly, as he thought of the perfect nickname. "Foxy, you're beautiful. I'm sure your Daddy Fox will agree."
When she was done nursing, Krycek rubbed her back gently until she emitted a small burp then placed her beside her brother. He moved down on the furs and pulled one of the coats over his tired and cold body. He carefully rested his head beside his babies, making sure that his body was well below theirs, so he wouldn't accidentally roll over on them. The moment Krycek closed his eyes he was out like a light.
He awoke an hour later to a foul smell and Nicky crying. Krycek fumbled for the flashlight and flipped it on then pulled the fur cover off his son. The baby was lying in a black tarry mess. "Shit." He lifted the infant and hunted around for something to clean some of the mess off his bottom. He lay the infant on his belly across his lap as he tore several pieces of fabric from the clergyman's black robe then used one to wipe as much of the tarry poop off his son's butt. Making a face, Krycek bent to the task of licking the rest of the mess off his baby, knowing that if it was left on, the acid from the waste would burn the infant's tender skin. When he finished, he spit onto the soiled coat, trying to get the foul taste out of his mouth. Then he used the another piece of the robe to diaper Nicky who was now crying hungrily. "In a second, Nicky," he said as he picked up his daughter and quickly diapered her, too. He knew that she would be pooping for the first time shortly, and he didn't want their bed wrecked further.
Krycek moved her to another spot on the bed and disposed of the smelly coat in the corner next to the ruined canvas. He then picked Nicky up and started to nurse the infant again. As his son finished nursing, Krycek felt a wetness on his arm from Nicky's diapered butt. The infant had pooped again. Krycek groaned, then repeated the previous task of cleaning and diapering his son. After putting Nicky to bed, he went about making more diapers from the robe. God! He spit, but he couldn't get rid of the foul taste in his mouth. His eyes fell upon the forgotten box of fruit juice. Krycek swore! He was an idiot, he could have used the juice to clean his babies then lick the sticky sweet fruit juice off. Smiling with relief, he walked over to the box and pulled out a bottle of cranberry juice. He really needed to locate some water. But he couldn't leave his newborns alone, not even for a minute.
***
Crystal Palace
Friday, October 3rd 2001
3:00 a.m.Mulder stood out on the veranda staring out at the moonlit ocean. His mind was on his missing lover, husband, friend. Three days and not a word. St. Petersburg was one of the busiest cities in the new world. Three dozen ships had sailed out of its harbors in the five hour window before Slava had closed down the city. The Gunmen were secretly tracking the ships. While Walter focused his attention on the planes that had flown out of St. Petersburg. His lover had not wanted to arouse Slava's suspicions by openly searching for the ship that Alex was on.
"Fox, come to bed," Skinner said as he stepped out on the veranda. He was freshly showered. Having arrived home twenty-minutes ago, he had immediately prepared for bed.
"How can I sleep with Alex out there all alone?"
Skinner wrapped his arms around Mulder's waist and rested his chin on the younger man's shoulder. "You need to sleep...for our baby." He spread his hand across Mulder flat belly and pressed gently, feeling the hard shape of the pouch containing their child.
"Walter, our baby could care less if I'm sleeping or awake."
"Fox, you haven't slept in three days. Come to bed. You don't have to sleep just lie down beside me."
Mulder sighed, resting his hand over Skinner's. "Okay. But I'm not sleeping."
Skinner led him into their bedroom. Then he waited for Mulder to strip and climb into bed, before climbing in behind him and taking him into his arms.
***
The Melia
Saturday, October 4th 2001
8:00 a.m.Krycek finished making a second carrier from his shirt. He looped two straps over his neck and fastened the other straps around his waist. He then picked up each baby and placed them in the cloth pouch against his chest. He pulled on one of the fur coats and buttoned it over his sleeping babies. Krycek needed to go in search of water and something to fasten diapers out of. Their fur bed wouldn't be usable if he didn't take care of that problem soon. But Krycek wouldn't leave his babies alone, even to search the nearby crates.
The Russian peeked down his coat at their two sleeping faces. He smiled and became invisible. Hoping his babies would remain sleeping. He walked through the steel hatch going out into the ship's lower passageway. He found the stairs going up to the next level. He was searching for the galley. It wasn't hard to locate; he just followed the scent of food cooking. The galley was abuzz with activity as the cooks went about preparing breakfast for the ship's crew.
Krycek opened the canvas sack he had slung over his shoulder. He pilfered several slices of buttered toast, a jar of jam, a few strips of bacon, a bottle of olive oil, and thermos full of coffee that had been set-aside for the ship's captain.
He smiled broadly. This was too easy. No one in the kitchen could see or hear him as he stole some white dishtowels then a whole gallon of water. All of a sudden Nicky woke up and started crying. The heads of all the ship's galley crew turned and looked toward the sound of the crying.
"Mick, do you hear a baby crying?" a burly tattooed man asked.
"Yep. Help me search for him."
Krycek in the meantime had set the container of water down and opened his coat. He positioned his son at his nipple. The baby quieted as he started to nurse. Krycek kept one hand supporting his son and picked up the gallon of water with the other then quickly left the kitchen.
"Did you just see that, Bud?"
"Yeah. The jug of water just vanished into thin air."
"I think the ship's haunted."
Krycek made his way quietly back down to the cargo hold. Instead of walking through the door of the steel crate, he walked through the side. He set his stolen goods down and gently lifted his babies out of the pouches, placing them back on the bed of furs. Nicky whimpered, not liking his meal being interrupted. Krycek kissed his son's forehead. "Shh, Nicky, Daddy will finish feeding you in a second." He went to work stacking boxes in front of the door of the crate. If anyone came down to search the hold, they would assume that this container was full of boxes.
When he finished, Krycek sat and picked up his son who was wailing unhappily. The infant calmed as he located his dad's nipple and started nursing again. Krycek looked down at his daughter who was sucking on her tiny fist as she slept. He pulled the sack over and started munching on a slice of bacon. Fumbling with one hand he opened the jar of raspberry jam and used a pilfered knife to liberally spread the fruit on a slice of toast. Next he poured himself a cup of coffee from the thermos. Krycek knew that he shouldn't drink too much caffeine while nursing, but he couldn't resist the hot beverage. It helped against the chill of the hold.
He kept his eyes on his son's tiny face as he suckled. Nicky kept drifting off to sleep, only to wake and suckle some more. Krycek suddenly felt a wetness against his chest, looking down he watched as his son peed against his chest. He sighed, "Okay, Nicky, time for your first real bath." Krycek poured some water from the jug into a porcelain bowl he had found in one of the boxes. A small amount of his sorcerer's powers had returned after he had given birth. He had just enough power to heat the water in the bowl and to keep the temperature inside of their crate comfortable. Unlike the rest of the cargo hold where the temperature had fallen close to freezing.
Krycek gently placed his son in the bowl of warm water and used one of the stolen kitchen towels to wash him. Nicky didn't take to being bathed and started to cry. "Shh, it's okay. You'll get used to taking baths. At least you better, your dad can't continue to lick you clean." Krycek grinned. His heart was filled with love. He wondered if this was how Fox felt whenever he looked at their babies. It was a special type of love that only a person who had given birth could feel. His daughter started crying, echoing her brother's unhappy wails.
"Okay, out of the water with you. Your sister needs me." Krycek used another kitchen towel to dry his son. Then he folded a third into a makeshift diaper. He rubbed a little olive oil on his son's bottom to make it easier to clean Nicky when he pooped. He then fastened on the diaper. Nicky finally stopped crying when his dad wrapped him in a warm cloth and laid him on the soft furs.
"Okay, Foxy. I suppose you're hungry?" Krycek said, picking up his daughter. "I'll feed you first. Then it's your turn for a bath. I hope you handle it better than your brother." He positioned her at his nipple and whispered softly, "Just between you and me...Nicky was a bit of a baby about it."
***
Winter Palace
Thursday, October 9th 2001
9:00 p.m.Slava looked up as his general stepped into his office.
"My Tsar, we have a lead on Alexei Krycek."
Slava rose. "Where?" He had been frantic to find his lover. It had been nine days since Alexei had disappeared. Despite his revulsion over Alexei's pregnancy, Slava was still deeply in love with him.
"There were reports from a freighter sailing toward Halifax, Nova Scotia of a baby's ghostly cries and objects vanishing into thin air. We think it might be him."
"Alexei, must have given birth to my child." Slava smiled. Therefore, his lover's body would once more be beautiful. "Where is this ship presently?"
"It will be docking in Halifax within the next two hours."
"Prepare my private jet. I want a contingent of troops sent to Halifax to search the ship and the city for Alexei and our child."
"At once, My Tsar." The general bowed and rushed out of the office.
***
Crystal Palace
Friday, October 10th 2001
4:00 a.m."Fox, I'll contact you as soon as I find Alex," Skinner shouted over the roar of the helicopters. They were racing against the clock to beat Slava's forces to Halifax. The Melia docked three hours ago and Skinner hoped that Alex had remained hidden nearby.
"Be careful, Walter!" Mulder shouted. He had decided against going with his lover. Some instinct deep inside was telling him that he would be needed here.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" Skinner asked again.
"Yes. I can't explain it, Walter. But I must remain here!"
Skinner leaned in and gave his lover a quick kiss then rushed off to board the waiting helicopter.
***
Krycek looked out at the tranquil ocean as the large fishing boat sped toward Martha's Vineyard. He had been damned lucky for once that his old friend still lived in Halifax and agreed to take him home on his boat. Krycek looked over at the old man he had once worked with at the United Nations. Martin's hair was now completely gray and he was sporting a white beard. His face was deeply lined with hints of the rough adventurous life he had once led.
Martin met his eyes and smiled. "It's a good life, Alex. Don't look so sad."
"I just never pictured you spending your retirement fishing."
Martin chuckled. "And I never pictured you settling down and raising a family. Much less giving birth and nursing your babies." Martin nodded toward where Alex's daughter suckled at his nipple. He had been shocked to find Alex outside his boat seven hours earlier, carrying two infants.
Krycek blushed and smiled down at her. He then looked at Nicky, who was in the other pouch, strapped to his chest. His son was wide-awake and looking around. "I never would have imagined it either, Marty. I wouldn't give them up for anything." He'd been embarrassed at first, nursing his babies in front of Martin, but their constant need to be fed left him little choice on this small boat.
"What did you say your babies names were again?"
"I never said. My son's name is Nicholas, but I call him Nicky." Krycek took pleasure in the knowledge that Slava would be infuriated by the nickname. "My daughter doesn't have a name yet. I'm going to let Fox name her. Since I picked the name for Fox's and my son Hunter." Krycek smiled, looking down at his daughter's cute face. He swallowed as a lump came to his throat. Would he be able to give her up, if Fox wanted nothing to do with him?
"You look tired, Alex. Why don't you take your children below deck and take a nap. We won't arrive at Martha's Vineyard for three days."
"Yeah, I am beat," he said, sadly. "I haven't had a good night's sleep since...December twenty-third." He sighed, "I won't have another one, until my son and daughter starts sleeping through the night."
"Go to bed, Alex. I'll keep you and your babies safe."
Krycek grinned. He felt safe with Martin. His friend was still dangerous even at sixty-seven years of age.
***
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sunday, October 12th 2001
2:00 a.m.Over two days the war had been raging between the Russian and New American forces. Skinner was in top form as he pushed Slava's forces back to the edge of the city. He wasn't about to leave without Alex. Skinner was sure that Alex was hiding with his babies until the fighting died down.
He frowned sadly as he looked around at the burning buildings and the sunken ships. Most of the city and the surrounding communities had fled when the two forces had arrived, and the fighting had begun.
"Slava is calling in reinforcements," Gabriel said as he stopped beside Skinner on the dock.
"I've contacted General Kline. He is sending a couple hundred more sorcerers up to assist us."
***
Krycek wiped a rag across his sweaty brow. He was feeling like shit. It was as if all of his nerve endings were on fire. His eyes-widened as he remembered experiencing a similar pain before, when he was first with Slava. He had assumed once his sorcerer's powers had returned that he was not susceptible to them any longer. But what if he only had a higher tolerance and it took longer for them to appear?
"MARTY!" he yelled as the pain seized his body and he became dizzy.
A few moments later his old friend poked his head through the door of the cabin. "What, Alex?"
"How much longer?"
"Not long. Only about thirty-hours and we'll be docking." The older man looked at his former colleague critically. "Alex, what's wrong?"
"I'm having sexual withdrawal pains. Can you call the palace when we're within an hour from the island and have Walter Skinner meet the boat when it docks?" Krycek doubled over. "Oh God!" He had never felt such pain before in his life. This was even worse than when he had set himself on fire or when he gave birth. In addition, he knew from Fox's experiences that it would only get worse.
"Sure, Alex. Is there anything I can do?" Martin asked, rushing over to his friend's side, he helped him down on the bed.
"Y-yeah," Krycek said shakily, waiting for the pain to ease before he continued. "I'm not going to be able to hold my babies to nurse them. I-I need you to do it for me. Please take care of them for me, Marty..." As if on cue his daughter started crying.
"Of course, Alex. Just lie back and rest. I'll go get her for you." He walked over to the old battered sea chest that Alex had removed the lid from and made a bed inside for the infants. Martin nervously picked her up. His old gnarled hands shaking slightly. He wasn't very experienced with babies, having only held his late sister's kids a few times.
"You'll need to change their diapers, too," Krycek said as he showed Martin how to position his daughter at his nipple.
Martin made a face and said jokingly, "You're going to owe me big time, Alex."
"I already owe you big time." Fighting back tears of pain, he said softly, "Marty, I'm going to get much worse. Please, don't let anything happen to my babies, and tell Fox that I love him not Slava. I always have."
Martin looked down into Krycek's pain-filled eyes as he held the baby against the young man's chest. "Don't worry, Alex. I promise to look after them and I'll contact Skinner as soon as the ship is close to Martha's Vineyard."
Krycek gave him a weak smile then closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain.
***
Crystal Palace
Monday, October 13th 2001
11:00 a.m.Mulder, MacIver, and Shinji rushed out of the palace heading toward the harbor. They had a contingent of the palace's guards with them.
"Are you sure about this, Mulder?" MacIver asked for the twentieth time, since Mulder had informed him that Alex was going through withdrawal pains. He had asked MacIver to service Alex as he had serviced him in the past.
"I'm sure, Rory. Alex will be in too much pain to even be aware that you are having sex with him. I wouldn't ask if Walter would be back soon. But he won't get back here for hours, if not days, he has to help repair the damages his and Slava's forces caused in Canada." Mulder wouldn't allow Alex to suffer any longer than he had to. He was all too aware of how painful the withdrawal pains could be.
"Rory, just don't enjoy it too much," Shinji warned. He didn't particularly like his lover being used for stud service.
"Shin, how can I possibly get any pleasure when the person I'm fucking isn't even aware of my presence?"
Shinji glared at him. They had arrived at the boat and were greeted by a grizzled fisherman.
"I'm Fox Mulder. This is Rory MacIver and Shinji Takeda. Where's Alex?" Mulder asked hurriedly, jumping across and onto the deck of the boat.
"Mr. Mulder, I'm Martin Chase. I used to work with Alex in the UN. We..." Martin paused. He could tell Mulder wasn't too anxious for further conversation. "C'mon, follow me. He's below deck." The old man led them down the steps and into the cabin.
Mulder rushed over to the bed and dropped to his knees, draping himself over Alex's unconscious body and hugging him tightly. "Oh God, Alex!" he cried, feeling the pain-filled shudders against his chest. He buried his face between Alex's shoulder and head, taking a deep breath of his lover's scent.
Martin cleared his throat to get Mulder's attention. "Mr. Mulder, Alex wanted me to tell you that he loves you, not Slava."
Mulder gave him a weak smile as he tenderly smoothed Alex's hair with his fingers. "I know. I never should have doubted him." Then his eyes moved from the old man's face to follow the sounds of a baby crying. He rose shakily to his feet and walk over to the sea chest. "Shin, look, it's Alex's babies." He wanted to pick his daughter up, but it was the baby boy crying, so he scooped him into his arms instead. The baby looked so much like Slava. Dark black eyes and the few strands of pitch black hair.
"Shh, short stuff. You're hungry aren't you?" He smiled, rocking the baby against his chest. Nicky started to quiet. "We'll just have to wait until Uncle Rory makes your dad all better," Mulder murmured. "Do you have a name?" He looked over at Martin to answer his question.
"Alex calls him Nicky. He mentioned that he wants you to name your daughter," the older man said.
Mulder grinned broadly at that news.
MacIver in the meantime walked over to the bed. "Hey, guys, take the babes and go. I don't particularly want an audience!"
Shinji rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "Rory, as if I'd want to watch you fuck another man!" He turned to Mulder. "C'mon, Mulder. Give me the baby boy and you go and hold your daughter. Let's give the old man some privacy."
"Hey! I'm not that old," MacIver growled.
Shinji whispered in Mulder's ear as the agent picked up his daughter. "He's very sensitive about his age, being in his forties you know."
"Hey, I'm forty today," Mulder grumbled, looking longingly at Alex as they headed out of the small room.
As he stepped into the bright sunshine, Mulder got a really good look at his little girl for the first time. She was beautiful. She looked slightly like his mother's sister. Blond hair and blue eyes squinting against the bright glare.
"Mulder, do you have a name for your daughter?" Shinji asked, hugging Nicky.
"Yes. Summer."
"Summer?"
"Yeah. She looks like a bright summer day." Mulder looked down at the tiny face. "Hey, Summer. Welcome home," he said, kissing her forehead and cuddling her close. They stood on the deck with the guards from the palace as they waited for Rory to finish servicing Alex.
MacIver positioned Krycek's unconscious body on the small bed. He looked at his beautiful business partner. He had had fantasies about Krycek. "The things I do for you guys." He unzipped his pants and slid them down along with his briefs. He then slicked his erection with lubricant before climbing on the bed behind Krycek.
Krycek moaned as MacIver pushed into him. Through the haze of pain, he was dimly aware that he was being fucked. The strangest thing was, he could swear he heard Rory's voice. As a fluid spurted into him, the pain started to ebb.
MacIver pulled out of Krycek and watched as the younger man's pain-filled face smoothed out and his eyes opened. "Alex, I'll send you the bill covering my stud services tomorrow," he quipped, climbing off the bed and pulling up his briefs and pants. "Oh, welcome back." He smiled at the incredulous look on Krycek's face.
"You fucked me! Where's Walter?"
"Walter's up in Canada having a small war with Slava and won't be home for hours or days. So Mulder asked me to make you all better, baby," the Scotsman said, smirking.
Krycek looked around for his clothes, finding them laying in a tangled mess on the floor. "Fox is here?" He nervously pulled them on, fastening the belt around his waist to keep them up. The maternity pants were the only item of clothes that he hadn't cut up to make diapers out of. He had stolen a shirt and shoes from one of the ship's crewmen. Krycek hoped he could convince Fox to take him back.
"He's up on the deck with Shinji and your two babies. By the way, Alex, they are cute."
"Thanks." Krycek grinned nervously, as he headed out the cabin door and climbed the steps to the deck. What would he do if Fox told him to go to hell? he thought sadly.
Mulder turned toward the sound of footsteps and smiled as Alex appeared. "Welcome home, Alex."
Krycek's heart was stilled by the unconditional love he saw in Mulder's eyes and the sweet smile on his lover's full lips. His concern had been ill founded -- Mulder didn't hate him. He was welcoming him home with open arms. Tears of relief filled his eyes as he closed the distance between them. Krycek looked down at their daughter in Mulder's arms then back up into his lover's beautiful hazel eyes. "I've missed you, Fox. I wasn't sure if..."
"Shh, Alex, it's all right. You're home now. All is forgiven." Mulder leaned forward and kissed Krycek. He pulled away snickering. The two weeks growth of beard on his lover's face tickled his chin. "You need a shave and a shower, babe."
"Yeah...well, the crate I was living in for the last two weeks wasn't exactly five star accommodations."
Mulder grinned and looked down at their daughter, then back up at Krycek. "Alex, I've never received a nicer birthday present, thank you. I think my birthday curse has finally been broken."
"She is something, isn't she?" he said, trying to take her from Fox. But his lover pulled her away and grinned, kissing his lips again.
"I wasn't talking about our daughter. I was talking about you, Alex." He held the infant cradled in one arm as he pulled Alex against him. "I love you, Alex. You coming back to me is the best gift I've ever received."
"Fox..." Krycek sighed and closed his eyes resting his head against Mulder's. He was home and finally able to relax. "Spender hurt me so badly, at times I didn't want to go on living. I now know what it must have been like for you with Slava. I should never have allowed Slava to come between us after what he did to you."
"Alex, what are you saying?"
"I'm no longer bonded to Slava. I think being pregnant with his child broke the bond. And since I was never really in love with him, I was finally able to see him for what he was. A cold selfish bastard."
Mulder smiled. This was the best news he'd ever heard. Nicky started crying again, and Mulder felt a sudden wetness against his chest. He looked down as Krycek pulled away. His lover's nipples were leaking.
"Damn! This happens every time one of them cries," Krycek swore, pulling his damp shirt away from his chest. He blushed as he noticed the stain he caused on Mulder's shirt. "Sorry, Fox."
Mulder smirked, touching the wet spot. "I'll let you borrow my nursing undershirts."
"Thanks," Krycek sighed, taking his son from Shinji. This was so embarrassing. "Do you think we could go home so I can feed, Nicky?" He really didn't want to nurse his son in front of their friends or the palace guards.
"Sure, Alex." Mulder turned to the old fisherman. "Mr. Chase, you're welcome to stay in one of our guestrooms."
"Thanks, Mr. Mulder, but I think I'll be more comfortable sleeping on my boat. I'll stop up later for a visit before I shove off for home."
"Thanks, Martin," Krycek said.
"Anytime, Alex. I'll see you later. Go take care of your son."
The walk back to the palace was noisy with both babies now crying to be fed. Once inside, Shinji and MacIver headed off to the dining hall, while Mulder and Krycek stepped on the elevator for the trip upstairs.
Now that they were alone Krycek started unbuttoning his shirt.
"Alex sweetie, welcome home."
Krycek sighed. "Arty. I see Walter hasn't unplugged you yet." He positioned Nicky at his nipple. He hadn't mastered nursing both babies at once as Fox had.
"He's tried, but he hasn't been able to find my off switch," Arty said.
"It's driving Walter nuts. He just can't find a way to turn Arty off," Mulder chuckled. "Which is fine with me. I've grown attached to Arty. He's very good at watching our kids and letting me know what they're up to. Even when I'm at work on the other side of the palace."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Arty chirped as the doors opened.
"Since when has Arty started treating you with respect?" Alex asked disgruntled.
"Since I discovered where his off switch is," Mulder said, smiling as they headed toward their bedroom.
"Oh. Do you think you can tell me?"
"Daddy, Daddy," River called as he ran down the hallway. He stopped short when he recognized Krycek. "Oh you're back. Is that your new little boy?"
"River. I've missed you so much." Alex smiled as he knelt down next to the little boy. He used his pinky to disengaged Nicky's lips from his nipple and the infant started crying again. "This is your new brother, Nicky."
River frowned and looked into Alex's eyes. "Did you really miss me?"
Seeing the uncertainty and hurt in River's eyes, Alex said softly, "Yes. More than anything. You're my son and I love you with all my heart."
River smiled, being careful of the baby, he threw his arms around Alex's neck and hugged him. "Thanks for coming home, Daddy." He giggled, patting Alex's cheek. "I don't like your beard, it's scratchy."
"I plan on shaving as soon as your new brother and sister finish eating." Alex resumed nursing his son as he rose.
"Will you take a shower, too? You don't smell too good."
"A hot shower would be heaven," he said, taking River's hand as they walked the rest of the way to the bedroom.
"What's my new sister's name?"
"I've just been calling her Foxy. I want your Daddy Fox to name her."
"Foxy, Alex?" Mulder snorted. "I've already named her. It's Summer."
"That's Uncle Ari's last name!" River shouted.
"I know. Same as Hunter is your Uncle Gabriel's last name," Mulder said.
Krycek chuckled. "I guess I can live with Summer. At least you didn't name her Sunshine. That would have been too cutesy."
"And calling her Foxy isn't?" Mulder laid the crying infant on the bed, then helped Alex off with his shirt.
"I think it's a good nickname for her." Krycek smirked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Brat. Sit on the bed and I'll show you how to nurse both babies at once." Mulder picked up Summer then positioned her in Alex's arm, moving Nicky over slightly until both infants were suckling contentedly.
River climbed on the bed and sat next to Alex. "I'm in kindergarten now. My teacher's name is Mr. Carter. He's really cool. I have a zillion new friends, but Sammy and Matthew are still my best friends. Did you know that it's Daddy Fox's birthday today. He's forty years old. That's pretty old isn't it? We're going to have a party for him later. Everyone is coming. I hope Daddy Walter makes it home in time. Did you know that Daddy Fox is pregnant again? I think that's pretty cool..."
"Slow down, River." Krycek looked up at Mulder who had been in the process of throwing away his soiled shirt and stolen shoes. "Fox, what does he mean you're pregnant again?" His lover didn't show the slightest sign of being pregnant. If Fox was, it must have just happened.
Mulder shrugged his shoulders. "I'm four months along. It hasn't been that bad this time."
"Was it an accident?"
"Sort of. We found out that once an immortal stops lactating his compulsions come back."
Krycek looked down worriedly at the two infants suckling at his chest. "Oh. Damn. So the moment I stop nursing I'll have the urge to get pregnant again. That really sucks. I'm dying for a nice chilled glass of vodka."
"Now you know how I feel." Mulder headed toward the door. "I'm going to get us something to eat, I'll be back shortly."
Krycek watched Mulder's round ass as he walked out the door. His cock stirred with desire. He wanted more than anything to make love to Mulder. To really know that it was all right between them.
When his children finished nursing Krycek carried them into the nursery. It was empty and he wondered where the babies were as he laid his daughter and son down in separate cribs. The room had a total of six cribs. It looked like they'd need to get another one when Fox had his baby.
"Are you going to shave your beard now?" River asked, following him around.
"Yes, and take a shower so I don't stink."
"Okay. I'm going back to my bedroom to work on Daddy Fox's birthday present."
"River, where is everyone? You weren't up here all by yourself, were you?" Krycek asked.
"No. Everyone is in the entertainment room. Besides, Daddy Fox has Arty keeping an eye on me and my brothers and sisters. Isn't that right, Arty?"
"Yes it is, River," Arty's voice chirped.
"See."
"Okay. I just wanted to make sure. You can go to your room now." Krycek walked up the steps to the bathroom. He stripped out of his pants and stretched, turning around in a full circle, breathing deeply. "God, it's good to be home."
He lathered his face and shaved first. His eyes kept wandering longingly over to the shower. It had been almost two weeks since he last bathed, and he was really looking forward to it. His eyes fell on his black velour robe as he finished shaving. He walked over to it; it had been freshly laundered. He really was home at last.
***
Mulder walked back into the bedroom and set the tray of food down on the table. He could hear the shower running. The shower went off as he was lighting the candles. And Alex came down the steps a couple minutes later, wearing his black robe and looking more delicious than honey.
"Mm, something smells really good," Krycek said, walking over to Fox and pulling him in for a long overdue kiss.
While they kissed, Mulder undid Krycek's robe and reached inside, wrapping his arms around his lover's back, pulling him closer. "Much nicer without the beard," Mulder murmured as they ended the kiss. His hands dropped down to rest on the sweet curve of Krycek's buttocks. He was becoming extremely hard with desire, and wanted to give himself to Alex for the younger man's pleasure.
Krycek nuzzled Mulder's neck. "I've missed you so much, Fox."
Mulder smiled as he felt the hard shape of Krycek's erection pressing into his hip. "Hmm, I can feel how much you've missed me."
Krycek grinned as his hand grabbed the hard bulge in Mulder's pants. "I think the feeling is mutual." His stomach growled as he went to pull his lover's zipper down.
Mulder's hand stopped him. "I think we should eat first. You'll need your strength." The agent could tell that his lover hadn't been eating too well over the past couple of weeks. Alex looked too gaunt.
"Okay," Krycek sighed and reluctantly moved away. He looked down at the table and his mouth watered, he really was starving. "I think I've just died and gone to heaven," he said, sliding into a chair and picking up a slice of greasy pizza dripping with cheese and tomato sauce.
Mulder grinned sitting next to him at the small table and helping himself to a slice. "New York style pizza has been one of my saner cravings lately."
Krycek chuckled. "During my pregnancy I had to have honey on just about everything I ate. It drove Nikolai nuts when I smeared honey over the smoked fish and oysters. He started insisting that we eat separately from each other. He really hated the sight of me, and would tell me how disgustingly fat I was," he sighed, shaking his head sadly at the memory as he went back to eating.
"I'm sorry you had it so tough, Alex."
"It was for the best. It really opened my eyes to see Nikolai for what he was. A selfish, greedy bastard."
Mulder squeezed his hand and held it as he asked, "You gave birth to our babies alone didn't you?"
"Yeah." Krycek slid his chair closer to Mulder's. "Fox, I was really scared at first, but I just kept thinking about when you gave birth. It helped having that memory as reference. They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Yes." Mulder leaned in and licked the grease off Krycek's lips and chin. "Mm, you taste good." His face lit up at the joy he saw flash in the younger man's eyes. "You should see Faith and Hunter. They've grown so much since you've been gone. Hunter took his first steps last week. I think we have a family of early walkers. Sergei has been walking for two months now. He's such a big boy."
"I can't wait to see all of them." Krycek moved even closer until their thighs were touching. He wanted to climb onto Mulder's lap and melt into him. He couldn't believe he was finally home with the man he loved more than life.
Mulder held out a slice of pizza for him to bite. Grease tripped down the older man's hand and wrist. "You know we are going to have to take a shower when we're finished."
Krycek had other plans on his mind as he slowly munched on the slice of pizza, his eyes never straying from Mulder's face. "Fox, I want to fuck you."
"Hm. I want you inside me, Alex. I've missed you so much." Mulder's grease-covered hand slipped underneath the table and started stroking Alex's penis until it was rock hard and dripping.
Krycek had stopped eating. The pizza slice dropped from his hand as he watched Mulder kick off his shoes and slip out of his pants and underwear. He remained seated as Mulder pushed his chair back and straddled his thighs.
Mulder reached behind him and grasped Alex's slick cock and positioned it against his tight opening. He sank down forcing the head into his body. He kept sinking until he was sitting on his lover's lap. The position didn't allow him to get as much of Alex's cock inside as he would have liked, but it did give him access to his lover's incredible mouth. "I'm not too heavy am I, Alex?" he asked sweetly, pulling Alex's head back and kissing his lips.
"N-no." The stunned expression on Alex's face turned into a smile as his hands slid under Mulder's shirt and tweaked his nipples. "God, Fox. I forgot what a slut you can be."
Mulder turned and grabbed another slice of pizza off the table. "Are you still hungry?" he asked, taking a bite. Then offering it to Alex who shook his head no.
Krycek groaned, "Fox, if you don't start moving I'm going to topple this chair over backwards and..."
Mulder dropped the pizza back on the table. Taking Alex's face between his greasy hands he kissed him long and hard. Then he pulled off his cock and sank down, frowning. "Damn. This position just isn't going to work," he said, pulling off completely. He shoved the pizza and plates out of the way as he draped himself over the table and smirked back at Alex, wiggling his ass. "What are you waiting for? A gilded invitation?"
Krycek was out of the chair in two seconds flat, and mounted his lover with one fluid thrust. He held onto Mulder's hips as he thrust frantically in and out of his body. "Oh God, Fox! I've waited so long."
"C'mon, Alex, harder. Make me feel it," Mulder growled, knowing that Alex needed this to regain some sense of control. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the delicious slide of the cock inside of him. As it pushed against his prostate and sent shivers of delight throughout his body.
Krycek screamed with pleasure when Mulder tightened his anal muscles around his cock. "Ugh!" He pushed in harder and faster until the sound of their flesh slapping together was louder than their moans and cries. He reached around and found his lover's cock and started jerking Mulder off in time with his thrusts. It didn't take long for Krycek to come. It had been a long time since he had last had sex this good. He held Mulder's hips in a bruising grip as he shot his seed inside the tight body. Mulder moaned once and came, his orgasm spurting out over the table. Both men collapsed, breathing heavily. Sated.
Mulder started laughing. "Alex, get off me...I'm laying in the pizza."
Krycek pulled out and helped Mulder to his feet. He laughed as he wiped some cheese and tomato sauce off Mulder's cheek. His lover's shirt was covered with grease and sauce. "C'mon, Fox, let's go take a shower. Then I want to see our children."
***
Their shower was slow and leisurely as they took their time exploring each other's body. Alex was amazed when he felt the baby move underneath his hand as he pressed down on Mulder's belly. His lover was hardly showing at all, unlike he had been at four months or Mulder had been during his first pregnancy.
"So, I guess the trick is not having more than one baby at once?"
"The trick is to find a way to eliminate the compulsions in the first place. Shinji is working really hard now on finding a cure." Mulder smiled softly and hugged him tightly. "Let's get dressed and I'll reintroduce you to your kids."
They dressed and retrieved Krycek's two infants before walking down to the entertainment room. All six nannies were there, looking after Hope and Faith and the four babies. Hope and Faith were watching a cartoon on television and didn't notice them. Krycek's heart stopped as his son Hunter looked up smiled, and toddled over to them. He raised his arms for Mulder to pick him up.
Mulder knelt beside him holding Summer in his arms. "Sash, do you want to meet your new sister?"
The baby looked at the infant in his father's arm quietly. He turned and looked at Krycek as he knelt beside Mulder.
"Fox, can you take Nicky, too? I'd like to hold my son," Krycek said softly.
Mulder smiled and took Nicky. "Sash, this is your Daddy Alex."
Krycek scooped the little boy up in his arms and hugged him tight. "You don't remember me do you? Don't worry, we're going to become best buddies."
Sasha looked at his father face and touched his nose. He remained quiet.
"Ball--ball--ball," Sergei said, waddling over carrying a rubber ball.
Krycek smiled. "He is a big boy and he's talking already."
"He says a total of six words," Mulder said. "Hunter hardly utters a sound let alone talks."
"Is there something wrong with him?" Krycek asked, concerned. As he looked at his beautiful little boy who was sucking on his thumb.
"No. Kaylie and Angelique aren't talking either, but they make a bit more noise. He's just quiet and good natured."
"Daddy!" Faith cried, running over and hugging Mulder around his legs. "Whose babies?"
"Ours. This is your new brother and sister. You remember your Daddy Alex don't you, Cutie?" Mulder asked.
"Hi, Faith," Alex said, kneeling next to her.
"You're my Daddy?" she questioned shyly.
"Yes. I've been away for a long time, but I'm back for good now."
"Will you play baby dolls with me?"
"Yes, whatever you want to play," Krycek said. He glared up at Mulder as his lover snickered. "And your Daddy Fox, wi