Life from the Ashes Book 1 - A New Beginning
Chapter 2
A Fresh Startby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net**
DC General Hospital
Washington DC
Friday, November 20
9:00 a.m.Walter Skinner stormed down the hall of DC General Hospital on his way to the Administration Office. His shoes made a loud tapping sound on the polished, tile floor, his long coat bellowed out behind him. Arriving at the office he flung open the door, and it crashed loudly against the wall. The noise startled a pimply, overweight, young man in his late teens who sat making entries into a computer on his desk.
With a trembling finger, the young man pushed his glasses back up from where they had slid down his nose. He stared up in fear at the intimidating older man standing angrily before his desk. "Can I help you, sir?" he asked with a noticeable quiver to his voice.
"I want to see Doctor Sam Harris. NOW!" Walter Skinner growled. The young man almost wet his pants from the rage being directed at him.
"Just . . . a . . . sseecond . . . I'll ppage him." Turning on the hospital's public address system, he quickly paged the doctor to the Administration Office.
The hospital administrator heard the commotion from inside his adjacent office and rushed out. "What's going on out here?" He was mousy looking man in his early forties, and he quickly stepped back as a very angry A.D. focused his attention toward him.
"I'm Assistant Director Walter Skinner of the FBI. I'm here to see Doctor Sam Harris about one of his patients." Skinner was gritting his teeth to keep his temper in check.
The office door opened and in rushed a doctor in his early sixties, who upon seeing an angry Walter Skinner became concerned. "Walter, what's wrong? Has something happened?"
"Can we go somewhere to talk in private, Sam?"
"Sure, Walter, we can go to my office, it's just down the hall." Harris led an angry A.D. back to his office. Doctor Harris was seventeen years older than Walter Skinner; he was the doctor who had treated Skinner when he almost died in Vietnam some twenty-nine years ago.
Once in his office, Harris directed Skinner to take a seat in front of his desk. The doctor took the other chair next to him. Harris could not remember seeing Skinner ever this mad before. "Okay, Walter, tell me what's wrong?"
"Fox Mulder had an appointment with you yesterday, but you assigned a Doctor Conner to handle his case," Walter stated with a hard edge to his voice.
"There was an emergency I had to attend to so I assigned Doctor Conner to handle my remaining caseloads for the afternoon. He might be an arrogant bastard, but he is still quite competent. Besides, Fox Mulder was only in to have blood and tissue samples taken. An intern could have handled it." Harris had no idea why Skinner was so angry.
"Sam, Conner changed Mulder's appointment to include a rectal exam." Walter took a deep breath, trying desperately to calm himself, but every time that he imagined Conner's hands on Mulder he lost his temper.
"Walter, I don't understand . . . Why would Conner need to perform a rectal . . .?" A look of shock appeared on Harris's face. "My god, Walter, you don't mean that he . . .?" Harris couldn't voice his fears.
"Yes, Sam, I mean exactly that. Conner sexually assaulted Mulder during his examination. He used those damn government regulations against Mulder leaving him no way out. Mulder had to submit to his orders, and he threatened to have him physically restrained if he resisted," Walter growled. "I want to talk to Conner, Sam. I want to hear what the S.O.B. has to say for himself!"
Harris saw the deadly look in Skinner's eyes; he knew it wouldn't be a good idea for him to see Conner. "Walter, try to calm down . . . killing Conner won't resolve this situation."
"But it will sure make me feel better! Sam, I want to see him! I promise that I won't kill him, but I won't promise that I won't do some physical damage," Skinner snarled. He jumped out of his chair and started pacing angrily around the small office. "Damn it! Sam, you don't understand what Fox means to me! The thought of that bastard touching him . . . it makes me want to shove my hand up Conner's ass and pull out his fucking heart!"
"Walter, please calm down. I'll personally see that Conner's dealt with accordingly. You'll only get yourself into deep legal trouble if you physically attack him." Harris needed to get Skinner's mind away from revenging Mulder's honor.
"Walter, regardless of the circumstance, I'm glad you came to see me. It saves me the trouble of having to call Mulder back to the hospital."
Going over to a small refrigerator in the corner of his office, Harris removed a large bottle of liquid. "They produced this drug specifically for Agent Mulder; it's suppose to neutralize the sexual pheromones his body is producing. He will need to give himself a shot twice a day." He passed the bottle to Skinner then went to a cabinet, and removed a supply of syringes and antiseptic swabs. He handed those to the AD who frowned at him.
"Mulder hates shots. Could we get this in a pill?" Walter asked, holding up one of the syringes with a look of disgust on his face; temporarily distracted from the main reason he was there.
"No, it has to be injected directly into his blood stream. I'm assuming that with all the time Mulder spends in the hospital he will be able to handle giving himself a shot. If not, just have him call me and I'll stop out at the Hoover Building this afternoon."
"You don't have to bother, Sam. I can show him myself, if necessary. How long does he have to take it for?"
"Walt, this isn't a miracle cure. He's going to need to take it for the of his life, and being immortal that is a very long time. I want to have him in for tests on Monday at 10:00 a.m. to determine if the drug has been successful at neutralizing the pheromones. If it is, I will have a supply of it produced for him and the other two U.S. immortals."
"Damn, Mulder's not going to be happy about that," Skinner sighed.
Skinner walked over to the office door, opening it he turned back to Harris. "Sam, don't think I've forgotten Conner; I'll let you deal with him for now, but keep me apprised of the situation."
***
FBI Hoover building
Washington DC
Friday, November 20
11:00 a.m.Special Agent Fox Mulder sat behind his cluttered desk, his sleeves were rolled up, and his suit coat draped over the back of the leather desk chair. The bureau brass had moved him into a large office on the top floor of the Hoover Building; the agents assigned to him had cubicles outside his office in the large open room.
Mulder had left the door to his office ajar to lessen the stifling heat within; the building's heating system was malfunctioning again. Sweat dampened his white shirt, molding the fabric to his perfectly toned chest, allowing his dark pink nipples to show through the now transparent fabric. He had, at some point, loosened his tie and undid the first two buttons of his shirt. Running a hand through his damp hair, he dreamed of being back in his isolated basement office where the temperature never rose above seventy degrees. He swiveled around in his chair so he faced the windows behind his desk and watched wistfully as the first snowflakes of the season floated past.
He sighed, then went back to reviewing the case files stacked on his messy desk. He occasionally stopped to brush his damp bangs off his forehead, while chewing thoughtfully on his full lower lip. The young man didn't notice when his boss arrived at his office.
Skinner stood silently in the doorway watching Mulder work. He smiled when he thought that the only effect the virus had on Mulder that he didn't appreciate was now Mulder had perfect eyesight and no longer needed to wear his reading glasses.
"Agent Mulder, I would like a moment of your time," Skinner spoke softly, watching as Mulder raised his head to look at him. There was none of the shakiness from the other day when Skinner had inadvertently startled him.
"Of course, sir, what do you need?" Mulder asked, leaning back in his chair and performing a cat-like stretch to loosen his stiff muscles.
Skinner mouth went dry as he watched Mulder, noting how the younger man's sweat-dampened shirt clung to his body showing his dusty-pink nipples beneath. //God, help me!// Skinner silently prayed for some self-control as he turned around to close the office door.
"I went to see Doctor Harris today. He gave me a new drug for you to try, it's to control the pheromones your body is producing." Skinner pulled the bottle and syringes from the pocket of his suit coat.
"Finally," Mulder sighed, relieved.
"Mulder, the drug's dosage is typed on the bottle. Doctor Harris would like to see you on Monday at 10:00 a.m." Skinner handed Mulder the bottle and syringes. He noticed that Mulder had turned very pale and was holding the syringes out in front of him as if they would bite.
"Sir, I . . . don't think I could . . . no, I know, I can't give myself a shot. Could I possibly get this in a patch?" He held out the syringes and the drug for Skinner to take back.
"Here give me those, I'll do it for you," Skinner replied, taking the bottle and syringes and placing them on the desk. He walked around to Mulder's side and sat on the edge of the desk. Skinner took one of the plastic envelopes containing a syringe and tore it open. He removed the syringe from the wrapper; pushing the needle through the rubber stopper on the bottle, he pulled back on the syringe handle filling it with the proper dosage. He held the syringe in front of his face; tapping it with one finger to force any air bubbles to the top, then pressed the handle to remove the bubbles through the needle.
"Sir, I take it you've done this before?" Mulder gulped, looking at the needle in Skinner's hand.
"My step-mom was a diabetic in her later years; my sister and I took turns caring for her. We both learned to give her shots." Grabbing Mulder's arm and placing it in his lap, he tied a rubber strip tightly above his elbow. "Okay, Mulder, make a fist," Skinner directed, holding his arm palm side up as Mulder flexed his muscles causing a vein to stand out on his smooth, pale skin. Skinner opened an antiseptic swab and rubbed it over Mulder's arm, then pushed the syringe needle into the vein and plunged down on the handle.
Mulder was very pale throughout the process and Skinner could feel how cold and clammy his skin had become from his obvious fear of needles. For a man who had absolutely no fear of jumping on moving trains, going up against the U.S. military, and fighting both alien and human scum, Mulder was definitely a baby when it came to needles. Skinner looked at him with obvious affection, finding Mulder's behavior totally endearing.
"Are you okay, Mulder?" Skinner asked, while removing the rubber strip from around Mulder's arm.
Mulder's pale face looked up and met his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine, I just don't like getting shots," Mulder answered with a slight tremble in his voice, his arm still laying across Skinner's lap. He turned his arm slightly so his hand rested on the older man's knee. "Thanks, sir." Not removing his hand from where it rested, Mulder gazed up at Skinner. "I don't mean to pry, but did your sister . . . was she a . . ." Skinner answered, stopping him from stumble over his words any longer.
"Yes, my sister and my three nieces all died because of the virus." Skinner's voice caught as he tried to re-bury his emotions behind the tall barriers he had erected around them.
"I'm sorry, sir, you have my condolences." Mulder looked up at him with obvious concern and sympathy.
"Thanks, Mulder," Skinner sighed, standing up he walking over to the window. "Well, it certainly looks like we are going to have a white Thanksgiving this year," he commented, looking out at the snowstorm that was now raging.
Mulder studied Skinner's strong, muscular body against the backdrop of snow floating past the window. He felt a lump in his throat; here was a man that had always been there for him, supporting him for over six years and he didn't even know Skinner had a sister or nieces, let alone the pain he must be feeling from their deaths. He felt embarrassed by the fear he had of Skinner yesterday evening, he realized that Walter Skinner would never intentionally harm him. Mulder rose and went over to stand beside Skinner at the window and placed a comforting hand on the older man's arm.
Skinner stared down at Mulder's hand then back up at the concern in his eyes. "Mulder, it's okay, I'm fine," Skinner whispered softly. Staring into Mulder's beautiful hazel eyes, he felt a shiver of lust race up his spine.
Mulder also felt a sudden lustful urge come over him; tilting his head toward Skinner, he kissed him softly on the lips. There was a knock at the office door before Skinner could respond, forcing them to step away from each other.
"Come in," Mulder called.
"Agent Mulder, this package was delivered at the front desk for you," the elderly security guard said, entering the office he placed a small box on Mulder's desk. "The weather service just issued a winter storm warning, and its advising businesses to close early today," the guard informed them, nodding his head toward the outside window where the snow was coming down so hard that the DC skyline was no longer visible.
"Thanks for bringing this up, Joe," Mulder replied, picking up the package and weighing it in his hand.
"No problem, Agent Mulder, you have a nice day, and you too, sir," Joe said as he left the office shutting the door behind him.
"Joe's right. I'm going to close the office and send the men home before it gets any worse outside."
The package contained a small velvet jewelry box and a card. Mulder opened the small box inside was a small gold stud earring with a medical insignia. Frowning, he ripped open the card . . . as he feared it was from Doctor Conner. 'My Dearest Fox: I've been thinking about your lovely body and knew this would look beautiful on you. Please, have dinner with me tomorrow night. Love, George'
Mulder angrily tossed the card in the trash along with Conner's gift. Skinner walked over and retrieved the card. Reading it, he felt his temper rising again, and considered heading back over to the hospital.
"Sir, it doesn't mean anything, the man is obviously certifiable. Now, you mentioned closing up early so why don't you go ahead and take care of dismissing your employees, that will give me time to sort through these case files. I'll be ready to leave by the time you get back," Mulder spoke calmly, pacifying Skinner who had looked close to exploding.
"Okay, Mulder, I'll be back to get you in twenty minutes. I'll let Agents Pipino and Boutotte know that you'll be riding back home with me." Skinner sighed, then smiled as he remembered the kiss. Tomorrow was Saturday, and it looked like they might get snowed in --- his life was definitely looking up.
***
Viva Towers, Crystal City
Friday, November 20
1:00 p.m.It was a slow drive home. The visibility was poor and getting worse; by the time they arrived at Viva Tower they couldn't barely see more than twenty feet in front of them. Skinner steered his car into his assigned parking space in the underground garage.
Mulder grabbed his briefcase from the back seat and joined Skinner who was holding the elevator door open for him. As he stepped in, Mulder hit the button for their floor. Skinner glanced over at him, Mulder had been unusually quiet on the drive home, and was still trying to avoid looking at him. Skinner hit the emergency stop button on the elevator. "Okay, Mulder, what's bothering you?"
"I . . . I'm sorry, Walter, it was inappropriate of me . . . " he paused, looking down at the floor he took a deep breath then looked back up meeting Skinner's warm brown eyes. " . . . to have kissed you, I was totally out of line. I'm sorry."
Skinner stepped up close to him, the fronts of their long, black, woolen coats brushed against each other. Mulder felt Skinner's warm breath against his cheek. "I'm not sorry, Fox." Skinner leaned in kissing him passionately. "Let's get up to the condo. We can continue . . . this discussion there," he murmured as he broke the kiss, smiling he caressed Mulder's cheek with his thumb.
"Mmm, I like that idea, I'm always open to . . . discussions." Mulder sighed, locking his hands around Skinner's neck as he pulled him into another kiss. Skinner used his free hand to undo the emergency stop, and by feel alone he selected their floor. The ding the elevator made as it reached their floor ended their kiss.
Mulder scooped up his briefcase from where it had dropped and followed Skinner off the elevator. The hallway was empty, so Skinner comfortably looped his arm around Mulder's waist as they walked side-by-side. Although in the past few months it had become increasingly common to see men in open displays of affection with each other, there was still a sense of taboo about it.
They made it into the condo and fell hungrily into each other's arms, kissing as if they'd been starving for each other for far too long. Skinner broke the kiss, gazing into Mulder's bright, emerald-green eyes. "I think we should slowdown, Fox. I was serious about us discussing this before we went any further. I don't want you to have any regrets later . . . I couldn't handle that. I know I won't have the strength to let you go if you did.
"Okay, Walter, but I know I won't have any regrets," Mulder told him as he shrugged out of his coat. Hanging it in the hall closet, he held out his hand for Skinner's coat and hung it beside his own. "I'm going to take a quick shower and change into some sweats, then we can have that discussion," Mulder said, gently kissing him he hurried off to his bedroom.
Skinner briefly considered saying the hell with the discussion and joining Mulder in the shower. Shaking his head, he headed upstairs to change out of his suit and take his own cold shower. No, he wanted Mulder to understand what starting a relationship with him was going to mean. He did not intend to ever let him go once they became lovers, and he wanted to make sure Mulder understood that.
***
Pentagon
Friday, November 20
1:30 p.m.Sergeant Babcock sat apprehensively before Colonel Henderson's desk. He was still physically sore from his brief sexual encounter with the colonel two days earlier and he shifted uncomfortably on the hard wooden chair.
The colonel was glancing through a computer file of digital surveillance photos that the sergeant had taken. All the photos showed Agent Fox Mulder at some point during his daily routine. Babcock had a cousin working at the FBI who was able to supply him with the internal photos of Mulder. His cousin, Bob Madsen, was one of the building's maintenance men. Bob had easy access to the suite of offices on the top floor of the Hoover building. In fact, Agent Mulder had even called Bob in personally to fix the heating in his office; little did Mulder know, Bob that caused the problem in the first place.
Babcock had outfitted Bob with a small camera that was easily concealed on his tool belt. He had picked up the digital photo diskette from Bob on his way over here. The sergeant noticed that Henderson was practically drooling over a photo of Agent Mulder from this morning. It showed Mulder sensually leaning back in his chair, his hand was rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes were closed, and his sweat dampened shirt clung tightly to his skin showing his dark nipples through the transparent fabric.
Babcock watch nervously from the other side of the desk as the colonel reached his hand down an unzipped himself. Pulling out his massive cock, he started jacking off while lustfully staring at the photo of Mulder. After what seemed like forever to the sergeant, Henderson finally came spurting copious amounts of semen across his desk. The colonel then pushed his spent penis back into his pants, looking back up he met Babcock's fearful eyes. "Don't worry, sergeant, your ass is safe. You were such a pathetically disappointing fuck I wouldn't want to soil my tool on you again. Now, what's this in your report about a Doctor Conner?"
Fuck, he should have left that bit out, he knew Henderson would be extremely pissed hearing about Conner. "I hired a kid from the hospital administration office to keep me informed of Mulder's appointments. He called me at noon; A.D. Skinner was down at the hospital this morning meeting with a Doctor Sam Harris who is Mulder's personal physician. Skinner has filed a sexual assault charge with Harris against a Doctor George Conner whom he claims had sexually assaulted Mulder during his appointment yesterday.
"Do you have the home address for this Doctor Conner? I'm going to personally pay the good doctor a visit and teach him how much fun sexual assault can be." There was no humor in the colonel's hate filled eyes.
"His address is at the bottom of the report." The sergeant pointed out glad he wasn't Conner.
"Sir, I haven't been able to find any flaws or weaknesses in their security, yet," Babcock informed him. "I'm getting someone moved into Viva Tower on Saturday. Having a man on the inside should allow us to have direct access to Agent Mulder."
"It's been one day since you started your surveillance, I didn't expect you to find anything this soon. Good work, sergeant, that will be all." The colonel went back to browsing through the images of Fox Mulder on his computer.
***
Walter Skinner's Condo
Friday, November 20
2:10 p.m.Skinner was in the kitchen preparing them a late lunch of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Mulder walked in freshly showered, barefooted, and wearing a pair of comfortable gray sweats and a white T-shirt. He put his arms around Skinner's waist as he stood at the stove stirring the soup and kissed the side of his neck.
"Can I help you with anything?" Mulder purred, nuzzling the side of the older man's throat.
"Mmmm, . . . what was the question?" Skinner moaned, leaning back into his warm embrace, feeling the moist breath against his neck.
"Do you need any help?" Mulder asked, licking the side of Skinner's throat. "Oh, by the way, Walter, I think the sandwiches are burning," he said, reaching past Skinner, he removed the pan from the stove. "Sir, I think I rescued them just in time and they still appear to be edible." Mulder chuckled at the sour look on Skinner's handsome face.
"Not everyone is a gourmet cook, Agent Mulder. Besides, you distracted me," Skinner said as he wrapped an arm around Mulder pulling him against his body Skinner passionately kissed him. Mulder held the pan of slightly burnt sandwiches out to the side, away from their bodies, only a sudden hissing sound from a pot boiling over broke them apart.
"Soup's ready." Skinner grinned sheepishly, turning off the stove.
"I think you better practice your dish washing skills, Walter, because I'll be doing the majority of the cooking around here," Mulder stated, raising an eyebrow daring Skinner to contradict him.
"I think you're right, Fox, I'll admit defeat, and will gladly do the dishes, but I still get to make breakfast. Toast and eggs I can handle. Deal?" Walter asked holding out his hand. Mulder grabbed his hand and pulled Skinner against him, kissing him. "Yeah, deal, and sealed with a kiss."
"I like the way you seal deals, Agent Mulder, it's much nicer than spitting in our hands and shaking. C'mon, we better eat this mess before it gets cold, and we also have a lot of things to discuss afterwards." They walked over to the small dinette table that the older man had set with plates and silverware. Skinner poured the soup into their bowls, while Mulder scraped a grilled cheese sandwich onto each of their plates. "Do you want a beer?" Skinner asked, putting the pan into the sink to soak.
"No, thank you, do you have any ice tea or juice?"
Skinner grabbed a bottle of Lipton Ice Tea and a Bass Ale from the refrigerator. Placing them on the table, he sat in the chair next to Mulder. They ate quietly while Skinner tried to find the best words for what he wanted to say. He decided it would be best to be totally honest and tell him what he felt deep down in his heart. Skinner waited until Mulder had finished eating.
"Fox." He paused, waiting until Mulder looked him in the eye before he continued. "When I first met you six years ago I found you extremely attractive, but I've kept my feelings to myself. Over the years, I also came to deeply respect and care about you. Fox, you made me a believer, reading your reports made me see things through your eyes. I've protected you, fought for your beliefs within the bureau out of respect for you, and the feelings I have for you." Skinner reached over taking Mulder's hand in his.
Skinner stopped and took a deep breath, worried that what he was about to say would cause Mulder to bolt. "Fox, I'm in love with you, I've been in love with you from almost the first day you walked into my office. If we carry this relationship any further, you have to know that I . . . will . . . never . . . let . . . you . . . go!" he stressed, wanting Mulder to know how serious he was.
The fieriness of Skinner's declaration momentarily stunned Mulder. "Walter, I don't know what I feel for you, but I'd like to find out. I can't promise you that I will ever love you . . . I have no idea what love is," Mulder sighed sadly, gripping Skinner's hand tighter. "Please, Walter, I really would like to learn if it's possible. Please, teach me."
"Yes, Fox, I'll teach you, but I think you already know what love is, you are too passionate a man not to know." Skinner reached over and kissed him gently. Standing up he held out his hand to Mulder. "C'mon, let's go upstairs and begin your first lesson." Mulder took Skinner's hand and stood up. Skinner hugged him briefly, his hand slipping down to caress Mulder's firm ass.
Mulder tensed feeling apprehension as memories of Conner invaded his thoughts. With sheer willpower he forced those memories from his mind; he would not allow that man to ruin this moment for him. He'd been fantasizing about this moment for too long. He relaxed into the larger man's embrace.
Eventually, they made it upstairs to Skinner's large bedroom. Mulder glanced around with interest; he had never been upstairs before. Skinner noticed his interest. "Tomorrow we'll move your clothing and toiletries up here. No use messing up two bathrooms, you're going to be sleeping up here from now on." Skinner walked over and sat on the bed looking up at Mulder. "Remove your clothes for me, Fox, I want to see you."
Mulder nervously reached back and pulled his T-shirt off, he then removed his sweats along with his boxers. He stood nude in front of a fully clothed Walter Skinner. He felt slightly embarrassed, which changed to apprehension at the intense lustful look Skinner directed at him. Mulder felt himself becoming erect as the larger man stood and walked over to him.
Skinner reached out and ran a hand down Mulder's chest feeling the smooth warmth of his flawless skin. He slowly walked around the younger man, studying his perfect body -- there was not a scar or blemish anywhere on him. Skinner ran a hand down the graceful curve of his back, stopping to squeeze each of his firm round buttocks. He couldn't wait to sink his cock between them. His jeans were getting uncomfortably tight and he felt a throbbing ache within his groin.
He moved back around to stand in front of Mulder. Pulling him against his fully clothed chest, Skinner kissed him, thrusting his tongue deep into the smaller man's moist mouth. He moaned reveling in the unbelievable taste of the man he loved. Skinner tightened his hold, pulling Mulder's body closer while his other hand went behind the younger man's head, tilting it back, to allow him to more thoroughly kiss him.
It felt extremely erotic to Mulder being so thoroughly possessed, and held tightly in Skinner's strong arms. Being crushed against the other man's fully clothed body, he felt the rough fabric of the Skinner's jeans rubbing against his bare erection and legs. He felt the large bulge of larger man's hard, swollen erection pressing against his as Skinner's tongue thrust in and out of his mouth, tasting and claiming him.
Skinner broke the kiss and nuzzled up against the side of Mulder's throat. "You're mine!" he whispered, nipping gently on Mulder's earlobe. Then he sucked the side of the younger man's throat, leaving a red hickey, one of many marks he planned to leave on this perfect man standing before him. Skinner licked, nipped, and sucked his way down to Mulder's nipples. He scraped his thumbnails over them until they became hard little pebbles. Then he put his mouth over one at a time sucking and gently biting them. Mulder was moaning and holding Skinner's head against his chest, he had never before experienced being this aroused -- his erection felt fragile.
Skinner stopped his teasing Mulder's nipples, he needed to feel his skin against the other man's warm flesh, and he couldn't wait any longer. He reached up pulling his shirt off he unzipped his pants freeing his large cock from its tight confines. He bent down and quickly removed his shoes and socks, then slid his pants and briefs the rest of the way down his legs, stepping out of them.
Totally aroused, Mulder watched Skinner undress. His eyes missing nothing, not the larger man's broad, muscular shoulders and chest, not his narrow waist and firm, flat stomach, and definitely not the largest erection he'd ever seen before.
Skinner pulled Mulder against his now naked body, feeling a bolt of pure lust course through him at the skin-to-skin contact. He became harder than he could ever remember being before in his life, his balls were heavy and full and he wanted to shoot his load deep within his beautiful lover's body, marking him forever as his. He wanted Mulder to feel his hot semen as he poured out his passion within him, knowing that he now belonged to Walter S. Skinner and no one else.
Skinner kissed those full, lush lips again; they were swollen from previous kisses. Mulder was returning his kisses passionately. Skinner took Mulder's erection into his hand and started stroking and caressing it as he cupped his sacks testing how heavy they felt. He was getting close. Skinner sank to his knees and nuzzled his face against the younger man's groin rubbing his nose against his pubic hair breathing in his lover's scent. Mulder smelled of soap from his recent shower and slightly of musk. Skinner turned his attention to Mulder's cock that was now leaking steadily. He held it in his hand as his tongue licked the head tasting him. "Mmmm," Skinner purred, pushing the tip of his tongue against the small slit.
Mulder gasped and grab Skinner's head as he felt his knees going weak.
Skinner glanced up at his flushed face as he took his lover's cock into his mouth. He raked his teeth along Mulder's entire length pulling it out of his mouth then taking him in deeper until he was deep-throating him. Mulder tightened his grip on the larger man's head, losing total control; he started to thrust in and out of his warm mouth. Skinner let the muscles in his throat relax, he effortlessly handled Mulder's deep thrusts. He had one hand on Mulder's hip for balance with the other he grabbed and squeezed the younger man's balls feeling them tighten as Mulder moaned, shooting his come into Skinner's mouth. Skinner swallowed quickly, relishing his lover's flavor on his tongue. Only after Mulder was totally spent did he allow his lover's softening penis to slip from his mouth.
Skinner stood and kissed Mulder, letting him taste himself. The younger man greedily sucked on Skinner's tongue, giving himself up totally to the pleasure his body was experiencing. //Maybe it could be possible for me to love this man,// Mulder thought.
Mulder felt Skinner's erection pressing into his hip, reaching down he ran his fingertips over its hard, thick length. He had never held or touched another man's cock before and found the sensation very exciting. "I want you in me, Walter, I want to experience all of you," he whispered, too overcome with desire and passion to make his voice any louder. He could feel himself becoming hard again, finding that hard to believe after having such an earth shattering orgasm.
Skinner looked in Mulder's eyes, seeing the lust deep within their beautiful hazels depths, he knew Mulder was ready for him. He backed Mulder up to the side of the bed; reaching around the younger man's body, he pulled the blankets and sheets down. "Climb in and lay on your back," Skinner instructed, opening the bedside table he pulled out a bottle of lubricant.
Mulder scooted to the center of the king-size bed and waited with giddy apprehension for his -- lover. He smiled at the word *lover* he liked the way it sounded in his head. Maybe he wouldn't get hurt this time; Skinner would never hurt him . . . unlike most of the other people in his life.
Skinner climbed onto the bed and crawled over to Mulder. He parted the young man's legs and settled between them. Looking down into his warm, trusting eyes, he leaned forward and gently kissed his lips. "Don't worry, Fox, I won't hurt you. I'd never hurt you," he vowed.
Mulder wondered briefly if he had just read his thoughts, maybe Skinner had picked up the clairvoyant strain of the mutation. No . . . he decided the older man just wanted to reassure him before making love to him.
Skinner grabbed a couple of pillows, "Raise your hips, Fox," he directed, sliding two pillows under him to elevate his hips. He then used one hand to part his lover's round buttocks, exposing his small puckered hole. He squeezed lubricant out onto the younger man's crease and rubbed his finger through it, coating his finger and his lover's ass at the same time. He pushed his greased finger against Mulder's opening, easing it into him, he found him unbelievably tight. The sphincter muscle tightened around his finger at the intrusion. He waited patiently for it to relax before he pushed his finger in as far as it would go. Skinner twisted his hand, turning his finger inside Mulder so he could stroke his prostate. Mulder arched his up off the bed, groaning loudly he pushed back against the older man's finger. Skinner spent a few minutes stroking Mulder with his finger, before applying lube to another finger, pushing both fingers into his body. He continued finger-fucking Mulder trying to loosen him. //Damn! Fox was so tight he didn't know if he would be able to keep his promise of not hurting him.//
"Fox, I don't think we'll be able to go all the way today. You're just too tight, and I don't want to cause you any pain," Skinner said reluctantly.
"Please! Walter, do it! Don't worry, I can take it! Please, fuck me!" Mulder pleaded, totally aroused by Skinner's manipulations of his body.
Skinner's throat went dry at Mulder's passionate pleas. He continued to stretch him in earnest inserting a third finger. Both their bodies were glistening with sweat; Skinner felt a drop running down his back.
When he felt Mulder was as loose as he going to get, Skinner slicked up his cock and placed it up against Mulder's opening. Holding his breath, he attempted to gain access to that incredibly beautiful body. He strained against the tight opening, but was too hesitant to force his way in. Mulder decided he had enough of Skinner's caution and concern for his welfare and thrust his hips back forcing the head of his lover's penis into him. There was a soft popping sound as the head passed through the tight ring of muscle. Mulder grasped at the immediate pain he felt, and bit down on his lower lip to keep from crying out, not wanting to cause Skinner alarm or concern over his wellbeing.
Skinner groaned and closed his eyes as he felt the tight ring of muscles close around the head of his cock. He opened them and looked at Mulder who was obviously in pain.
"Please! Walter, do it," Mulder begged.
Skinner waited until the muscles in Mulder's ass unclenched enough so he could ease his way in deeper. He stopped every a couple of inches allowing Mulder to adjust to his size, he continued this way until all of his thick, nine inches were buried in his lover.
Mulder sighed, when he felt Skinner's heavy balls flush against his ass and knowing his lover was in to the root and could go no further. He couldn't remember feeling so much pain before in his life, it felt like Skinner's large cock would split him in two.
Skinner waited, enjoying the feel of Mulder's tight, hot, silky interior clenching his hard cock. He knew Mulder was in intense pain as his cock pushed into his body, but Mulder willingly gave himself to him and refused to tell him to stop.
Mulder felt the pain begin to ebb as his body adjusted to the invasion, a tingling sensation of pleasure started building within him. It was a totally weird feeling, being completely filled by another man's cock. He looked up at his lover who hovered over him with concern and smiled up at him. Wrapping his long lean legs around Skinner's waist, he urged him to continue.
Skinner smiled down at Mulder, withdrawing a couple of inches then slowly pushing back in. Mulder couldn't believe it possible to go from intense pain one moment to intense pleasure the next. Pleasure coursed through his whole body, he had never experienced such an incredible feeling in his life.
Skinner watched, transfixed, as a look of pure joy lit up Mulder's face. He felt relieved and gratified that he was now providing his lover with the same intense pleasure that he was enjoying from his beautiful body. He pulled halfway out then pushed back in faster; he angled his thrust, brushing against Mulder's prostate. Mulder gasped, his legs tightened around Skinner's waist, he reached up and pulled his lover's head, desperately kissing him. Skinner moaned into his mouth, feeling Mulder's erection pressed between their two bodies. Breaking the kiss, he reached down, grabbing Mulder's erection within his sweaty hand, he started stroking him in time with his thrusts.
Skinner started to increase the length, depth, and speed of his thrusts; Mulder fell into an easy rhythm with him. Sweat glistened on both their bodies from exertion and the hot passion they shared. Skinner felt Mulder stiffen as another orgasm over came him and he spurted his come onto his chest and belly. Skinner continued stroking him until he had finished coming. Skinner's own orgasm followed as the muscles in Mulder's ass pumped and milked him. He emptied his seed deep within his lover's gorgeous body.
Spent, Skinner collapsed exhausted on top of Mulder, momentarily blacking out, when he came back to himself, he was still deeply buried inside of his lover. He rose onto his elbows staring down into Mulder's beautiful, sated face, and kissed him tenderly on the lips. Skinner withdrew reluctantly, watching closely as he pulled his large organ inch by inch from Mulder's body, making sure there wasn't any blood or tearing. After he carefully examined the younger man, finding nothing to cause concern, he lay down beside him.
Contented, Skinner reached his hand out and ran it through the semen on Mulder's stomach and chest, smearing it around his lover's upper body.
"If you draw a smiley face I'm leaving you," Mulder murmured, still too sated to move.
"You can't leave me, Fox, I won't let you," Skinner reminded him smiling. "Do you want to go grab a shower?"
"Yes, when I can move again. Walter, you are planning on joining me?" he asked, turning his head on the pillow he faced Skinner.
"Fox, you'll never take another shower by yourself when I'm home. C'mon, let's get up, it's not even 4:00 p.m. and we have a full evening ahead of us. By the way, what are you planning on cooking us for dinner?" Skinner rambled happily as he climbed out of bed and reached his hand out to help pull Mulder up, the younger man groaned, he was too exhausted to move very fast and feeling pleasantly sore.
***
Walter Skinner's Condo
Saturday, November 21
11:00 a.m.The ringing of the phone woke Skinner from a deep peaceful sleep. He felt a warm body snuggled up against his and he smiled softly down at his lover. He hadn't felt this contented or happy in years. He quietly untangled himself from Mulder's warm embrace. His lover in spite of the phone ringing two feet from his head was still soundly asleep. Skinner reached his hand over and grabbed the phone from the hook. Glancing at the bedside clock, he noted the time was 11:00 a.m. He grinned down at the reason he slept so late when he was always up before 6:00 a.m. "Skinner!" he answered annoyed at being disturbed.
"Walter, this is Sam Harris."
"Sam, why are you calling?"
"Walt, I found George Conner's body this morning, he murdered, I thought you might want to check into it."
"Do you have any more details?" Skinner asked as he sat up suddenly, jarring Mulder awake by his abrupt movement. Mulder looked up at him slightly annoyed; Skinner guiltily glanced down at him and silently apologized.
"Conner and I live in the same apartment building, I was going to see if I could catch a lift to the hospital with him. He has a four-wheel drive bronco, my Mercedes wouldn't have made it through the snowdrifts." Harris gulped taking a deep breath, "Walter, when I went to knock on his door . . . I noticed blood seeping out onto the carpet beneath the door." Sam stopped speaking.
"Sam, are you still there?" Skinner asked.
Mulder sat up in bed next to him and was trying to figure out whom his lover was talking to.
"I'm still here, Walter, it's just that I've never seen anything so gruesome before. The Baltimore PD will be here as soon as the streets are passable, but I thought you would want to check into it also, on the off chance it has anything to do with Agent Mulder."
"You're right, Sam, I want to look into it. I'll be right over." Hanging up the phone, he avoided looking at Mulder as he climbed out of bed.
"Walter, what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong, Fox. There was a murder over in Baltimore and I'm going to look into it for a friend. Go back to bed, I didn't mean to wake you," Walter replied as he headed for the bathroom.
Mulder got out of bed following him. "I'll go with you," he said, leaning against the bathroom door, his nude skin warm and flushed from sleep.
Skinner looked over at him, "No, that won't be necessary. Fox, its Saturday and there's a football game on at noon . . .'Vikings vs. Red Skins' . . . stay home and enjoy it. I won't be gone long." Skinner did not want Mulder involved in the investigation.
Mulder sensed that Skinner was keeping something from him that involved him. He was still a top profiler in the FBI and knew when someone was intentionally attempting to hide something from him.
"Walter!" Mulder's tone stopped Skinner in his tracks, looking at him Skinner saw a deep hurt and anger in his hazel eyes. "I thought we were building a relationship on trust! I can see that I was wrong! I'm going back down to the guestroom." Mulder turned to leave and Skinner bolted across the bathroom grabbing him, he spun Mulder around and slammed his back up against the door. Skinner covered Mulder's lanky body with his preventing him from moving or wiggling free.
"Damnit! You're not going anywhere!" Skinner shouted angrily into his face. A stunned look crossed the larger man's handsome face and he backed off suddenly. "Fuck it . . . Fox, I'm sorry . . . I just don't want you to be hurt anymore. That was Doctor Harris on the phone. George Conner was murdered and I'm going over there to check into it. I would like you to stay here, please, Fox," Skinner begged, ashamed at his loss of control.
Mulder pushed his lover away from him. "Okay, Walter, just this once, but when you get back we are going to have a discussion about trust, honesty, and over protectiveness. C'mon, I'll wash your back, and you can tell me how you plan on getting out to the crime scene with snowdrifts covering roads," Mulder soothed, after seeing how distraught Skinner had become at his threatening to leave him.
***
Baltimore - Crime Scene
Saturday, November 21
1:00 p.m.Several police cars were already outside Rosewood Condominiums on the freshly plowed streets of Baltimore. When A.D. Skinner and Special Agent Jack Sullivan arrived, Sullivan pulled his Range Rover behind the last police cruiser. They climbed out of the truck and into the cold November air, making their way through the snowdrifts still covering the sidewalks and into the warmth of the upscale apartment building. They entered the elevator and rode it up to George Conner's opulent penthouse condominium.
They flashed their badges at the officer securing the door and walked in, stepping over the large red bloodstain on the carpet in front of the door. Skinner took in the scene; a naked headless corpse was one foot away from the entryway door and appeared to have an object protruding from its anus. Skinner had glanced around trying to determine the location of the victim's head when a bald headed detective confronted him. "Detective Pembleton, Baltimore PD, can I help you?"
"I'm Assistant Director Walter Skinner of the FBI. What have you got so far, Detective Pembleton?" Skinner asked sternly, meeting the detective's stare daring him to protest.
"What is the FBI's interest in this case?" Pembleton demanded.
"The victim was being investigated for assaulting one of my agents two days ago. I received a call that he was murdered and I'm here to conduct a personal investigation to determine if the two incidences are connected," Skinner growled.
"F. . .B . . I . . . well you're the law of the land, aren't you? So it wouldn't do me any good to *protest* now would it?" The detective sneered. "Bayliss, take their statements," Pembleton called over to a younger detective.
Walter Skinner was undeterred by the hostility being directed at him. "I want details of what happened here, Detective Pembleton, and I want them now! This may involve the life of one of my agents. I'll be damned if I'll let your territorial tendencies endanger him," Skinner barked.
"You want to know what happened? Try this -- the victim had his fucking head twisted off of his body! Not cut off, twisted off, the head is currently in the toilet. The object sticking out of the victim's ass, as best as we can determine is a bottle of wine." Pembleton walked over to the corpse and pointed to the dried white splotches running down the legs and covering the protruding bottle." As you can see, the victim was sexually assaulted prior to having his head twisted off and a fucking bottle shoved up his ass. Now you know as much as we do about this case." He sneered. "Now why don't you tell us about the connection between your agent and our headless Doctor Conner here?"
Walter Skinner considered telling the arrogant detective to shove it, but opted for the more diplomatic option, honesty. "My agent was sexually assaulted by Conner two days ago. I filed assault charges against him yesterday," Walter answered dryly.
"I want the agent's name and whereabouts between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. this morning," Pembleton demanded.
"He was with me last night, he is staying at my condo in Crystal City."
Pembleton looked over at Bayliss. "Is he telling the truth, Tim?"
"Yeah, he's telling the truth, but he omitted that he's sleeping with his agent, other than that he is being totally honest," Bayliss answered, slightly amused at the blush that appeared on A.D. Skinner's face.
"Fuck! You're a clairvoyant?" Skinner said annoyed, glancing down at Bayliss' right hand he noted the tattoo that was there. The government had mandated all men with the clairvoyant strain of the mutation be tattooed, since they showed no physical deformities on their bodies.
"Yeah, irritating isn't it?" Bayliss chuckled. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway Doctor Conner was killed be a Neanderthal and your agent isn't one." Tim finished his evaluation.
"I thought as much, only a Neanderthal would have the physical strength to twist someone's head off their body," Skinner observed.
"I still want to interview your agent, A.D. Skinner. If you would have him come down to the station later today," Pembleton requested no longer hostile.
"I'll bring him down there, but Detective, I want to be informed of any progress you make on this case," Skinner stated, turning to leave with Agent Sullivan following him out.
***
Walter Skinner's Condo
Saturday, November 21
2:00 p.m.When Skinner arrived back at the condo Mulder was waiting patiently for him. He had a pot of chili on the stove, knowing Skinner would need something warm to eat after trudging through the snow. Skinner was surprised at how caring and thoughtful his lover was; he never would have pegged his obsessive agent for being the unselfish and giving type.
Skinner sat at the kitchen table with a large bowl of chili and Mulder joined him, setting a box of crackers in front of the older man. Mulder had already eaten and he thought it was a good time to set some rules and boundaries for their relationship.
"Walter, I think it's about time we define our relationship. I know you are used to being in charge, but this isn't the office and I expect to be treated as your equal partner. Now, I know I'm inexperienced in male relationships or any relationships for that matter, but I want to make this work and be an equal participant in all areas."
Skinner took several minutes before replying. "Fox, I promise that I will try to treat you as an equal, but you will have to cut me some slack. I'm not used to giving up control and you just might have to hit me over the head a few times before I catch on. But, I love you, and I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to make you happy."
Mulder smiled at him, leaning over he kissed him, tasting the chili on his lips. "That's all I'm asking, thanks, Walter."
***
Baltimore Police Department
Saturday, November 21
5:00 p.m.Assistant Director Walter Skinner and Special Agent Fox Mulder arrived at the Baltimore PD, making their way through the noisy hallways on their way to the homicide squad room. They passed through a gauntlet of catcalls and wolf whistles. "Hey, gorgeous, dump baldy, I'll show you a good time!" Skinner glared at the man who made that suggestion and the man shrunk back away from the deadly look the large bald shot him.
Mulder totally ignored their come-ons, having experienced an endless amount of propositions and suggestions over the last few months. Even before suffering from the alien virus, he had more than his share of offers from both sexes. Now that there was mainly only one gender left, the propositions had increased from men wanting the gratification of having sex with someone as beautiful as Mulder.
All heads in the homicide squad room turned to look at Mulder as he entered the room. The silence was deafening as Skinner cleared his throat, "We're here to see Detective Pembleton or Detective Bayliss, are either of them around?"
Detective Bayliss came out of a side office, "A.D. Skinner, thank you for coming down." Looking over at Fox Mulder, he said, "You must be, Agent Mulder, it's a pleasure to meet you." Reaching out his hand to shake Mulder's, he let his grasp linger a little too long for Skinner's liking. "Please have a seat over here." Bayliss pointed to his desk. "Detective Pembleton is out right now so I will be taking your statement." He sat behind his desk.
"Now, Agent Mulder, would you please go over in detail your relationship with Doctor George Conner?" Tim Bayliss asked, smiling brightly and looking for all the world like a Cheshire cat.
"You're a clairvoyant . . . just type down what you're reading from my mind. I'm not about to give you a play-by-play of the sexually assault," Mulder informed him, smiling back. "Now, what else do you need to know?"
"Do you happen to know any Neanderthals that would have wanted to revenge your honor by killing Doctor Conner?" Bayliss asked, somewhat disappointed that he wouldn't be hearing an accounting of Mulder's run-in with Conner.
"I try to avoid all contact with Neanderthals. I don't tend to find their company at all pleasant or in the best interest to my health." Mulder stated matter-of-factly, then suddenly he remembered the incident three days ago. "I did have a run-in with a Neanderthal Colonel three days ago," Mulder said, looking up fearfully and meeting Skinner's eyes. "I . . . met the Colonel before, about six years ago, it maybe nothing, but I didn't like the way he was looking at me. But, then again, I don't like the way most men have been looking at me nowadays," Mulder said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Can you give me the Colonel's full name for the record?" Bayliss asked softly, feeling ashamed of his own wanton behavior after Mulder's statement.
"Colonel Calvin Henderson, he was in the US Air Force when I first ran into him, but he was wearing an Army uniform last time I saw him."
"Yeah, the US Air Force doesn't allow mutants in its ranks," Bayliss replied, writing the name down. "I'm going to run a check on him for any past incidents, I'll keep you informed. Thanks for your time, Agent Mulder," Tim said, extending his hand to Mulder.
Mulder shook it and rose to leave.
Mulder leaned up close to Skinner as the headed for the door. "I just want to go home and take a long, hot bath. This place has made me feel filthy," he whispered to his lover as they headed out the door, to even more wolf whistles.
"I'll join you," Walter whispered back, putting his hand on the small of Mulder's back and guiding him out the door.
***
Miami, Florida
Sunday, November 22
1:00 a.m.It was a warm, pitch-black night when Alex Krycek arrived back in the United States. He had spent the last three days in Havana waiting for the boat that was going to smuggle him over to Miami. The captain of the small boat was waiting for a moon-less night, so he could sneak pass the American blockade.
The U.S. was one of a handful of countries that had been prepared in advance against the alien threat. When the invasion finally came about the Americans implemented a full-scale lock down of their borders, tightening security both externally and internally, against any threat to their nation's security or government. Their measures paid off, their government and country's infrastructure survived intact.
Now, a flood of refugees was trying to sneak into the U.S. for the security and protection it offered. The refugees were running from the chaos and anarchy that their own countries had sunken into, but the American government was very selective of whom they allowed to immigrate to their country. Forbidden were males with any form of mutation, also, the elderly, criminals, and the uneducated. The authorities only approved healthy males that could fill vital jobs left vacant by the deaths of the women.
Krycek stumbled through the moon-less night toward the lights of the Miami skyline. Ducking for cover each time a vehicle went past because only the army and police were allowed on the streets between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The nation had been under a strict curfew since the failed invasion.
Krycek was concentrating so hard at keeping himself hidden from the passing military vehicles that he didn't notice that he was being followed. The subsequent attack caught him completely by surprise. The attacker hit him from behind knocking him down onto the damp ground; reflex and instinct saved his life as he thrust back with his elbow connecting with his attacker's soft belly. The being that attacked him was a ghoul. Krycek determined that by it's rotten smell, the pale bleach-white skin, and the thin skeletal body.
A ghoul's primary motive was sustenance; they'd do whatever was necessary to eat. Their main choice of food was humans; they needed the nutrients that were found only in a human's body to survive.
Krycek rolled to the side and threw his mind out at the attacking creature, causing it to burst into flames. He quickly glanced around, knowing that ghouls hunted in packs much like wolves. He spotted several more lurking in the shadows that were lit up by the blazing body of the other ghoul. Krycek was able to pinpoint their location and dealt them in a similar fashion as their fallen comrade.
He hurried away from the flaming bodies that now lit up the night, knowing that an army patrol would soon come to investigate. He quickly made his way down the hill and into the back alleys of Miami. He found the address the captain of the boat had given him and tapped out the secret code on the door. He was immediately ushered in and shown a place to sleep.
He would stay here tonight and in the morning he would head for Washington; back into the life of the man he loved. Smiling, he put his handsome head down on the pillow and fell into a contented sleep, knowing that in a few days he would be with Fox Mulder, again.
***
Viva Tower - Crystal City
Sunday, November 22
4:30 a.m.The shimmering glow of water reflected off the pale turquoise walls and ceiling in the warm, indoor pool area. A lone swimmer swam laps in the refreshing waters of the Viva Tower's swimming pool in the pre-dawn hours on a Sunday morning. The water felt like silk caressing his skin as he effortlessly glided back and forth across the pool. When Fox Mulder moved in with Skinner, he had quickly acquainted himself with the building's facilities and was overjoyed to find out the building had an indoor pool.
Now that he was no longer able to go jogging outside, he made daily use of the treadmills in the exercise room located next door to the pool area. Down the hallway was a large recreation room with a pool table, ping-pong table, dart boards, a large screen TV, and a wet bar. Many of the FBI agents who had taken up residence here hung out there after work. The only other rooms he knew on the ground floor were the business office and caretaker's apartment.
Mulder was lost in thought, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the swimming pool that he didn't notice the lone man watching him swim laps until he swam up to the side of the pool to rest, and was startled by the man staring down at him. "Agent Mulder, I'm surprised to see you here, I didn't know you lived in the building." The man smiled down at him.
Mulder recognized him instantly as the man from the Maintenance Department at the Hoover Building. "Bob, that makes two of us, I wasn't aware you lived here either."
Bob was in his early forties, his blonde hair was thinning, and he had developed a slight gut, but he still relatively good looking. He reminded Mulder of a middle-aged jock who was still attempting to re-live those old glory days of high school.
"I just moved in yesterday afternoon, I've taken over the caretaker's position here." He knelt down at the edge of the pool next to Mulder testing the water with his hand. "It's decent pay and I get the apartment for free, not bad for a part-time job." Bob smiled.
Mulder relaxed not sensing any threat from Bob. "I only moved in here last week myself, my old apartment building didn't have any of the amenities of this place." Mulder smiled back.
"Agent Mulder!"
Mulder and Bob both jumped at the loud voice that echoed across the pool area. Standing in the doorway was a very angry Walter Skinner, what remained of his hair was uncombed, and he looked as if he had hurriedly dressed.
"Sir?"
"Agent Mulder, I would appreciate it if you'd tell me where you're going before taking one of your early morning jaunts!" Skinner walked over to the edge of the pool and glared down jealously at Bob who still had his hand in the water and was kneeling far too close to Mulder.
Bob quickly pulled his hand out the water and stood up. "A.D. Skinner, sir, I'm Bob Matsen, I've taken over as caretaker here." He dried his hand on his shirt, and held it out to Skinner.
Skinner recognized Bob from the Hoover Building; he declined to shake his hand. Skinner was far too angry at finding this jerk talking so casually with his nearly naked lover who was only wearing those ridiculously skimpy red speedos. "I didn't know Fred Davis had left the caretaker position," Skinner said, glaring menacingly at Bob.
Bob pulled his hand back. "He went back to Texas to be with his sons and grandsons." The anger and hostility in the A.D. Skinner's eyes unnerved him. Maybe doing this favor for his cousin was not such a great idea after all, if it meant getting on the wrong side of the A.D.
Agent Mulder climbed out of the pool distracting both men from their growing confrontation. They both stared lustfully after him as he walked over, grabbed his towel, and started drying himself. Mulder quickly pulled on his sweatpants and shirt then slipped into his shoes. Skinner walked over to Mulder and pulled him into a brief kiss in front of Bob, letting him know just whom this man belonged to. "C'mon, Fox, let's go back up to the condo," he murmured and put a possessive arm around Mulder's waist.
Bob had forgotten about the camera on his tool belt as Mulder climbed out of the pool, but remembered in time to secretly get some good shots of him toweling off and getting dressed. The pictures of the A.D. kissing and groping him were icing on the cake . . . his cousin was going to love those.
Mulder allowed himself to be guided out of the pool area, shocked by Skinner's open display of affection in front of Bob. Damn, Walter was jealous of Bob, he realized, becoming a little miffed at his lover's lack of trust.
When they stepped on the elevator Skinner immediately lit into him. "What the hell did you think you were doing going down to the pool area by yourself? From now on . . . you fucking wake me up if you have the urge to go for an early morning swim and I'll join you! Do you have any idea what I went through . . . waking up and finding you gone?" He admonished Mulder all the way back to the apartment.
Mulder held his tongue until they were back inside the privacy of the apartment. "Walter, unless you haven't noticed . . . I do happen to be 38 years old and a fully trained FBI agent! I'm quite capable of taking an elevator down to the indoor pool and back up again. Especially considering that most of the building's residents are FBI agents! Have you forgotten our discussion yesterday about trust and over protectiveness?"
"Fox, I'm sorry, but I still need to know where you are. I don't think it's particularly safe for you to be swimming by yourself, even in this building's pool, and especially wearing that skimpy piece of fabric you call a bathing suit! I didn't like the way that jerk was looking at you!" He didn't want to lose this argument.
"Oh . . . yeah . . . right, I can't believe you're jealous of Bob! Let me see . . . do I want to date a paunchy, boring ex-jock that I hardly know or a handsome, intelligent, and well-built ex-marine that I trust implicitly? Goddamn . . . it's such a fucking hard choice make!" Mulder exclaimed, throwing up his arms in exasperation.
He walked over, wrapped his arms around Skinner's waist, leaned in, and kissed him hard. "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to cause you to worry, Walter. I promise next time I'll let you know where I'm going, but sometimes I really need to be by myself, I hope you can understand that."
Skinner sighed, returning the kiss and resting his forehead up against his lover's. "Fox, I'm sorry for overreacting. Unfortunately, I gave Bob something to gossip about at work on Monday. My behavior at the pool will probably be all over the Hoover Building before noon." He grinned timidly.
"It's your own fault for marking your territory, but I guess I should be happy you kissed me instead of peeing on me." Mulder enjoyed Skinner's discomfort; he rubbed up against him letting his erection rub against Skinner's hard organ.
"Yeah, I have a much better way of marking my territory, Fox, let's go back to bed and I'll show you," Skinner growled. Grabbing the younger man's hand, he dragged him toward the stairs while he started to remove their clothing, leaving an easy to follow trail from the living room up to their bedroom.
Skinner threw Mulder down onto their messy, unmade bed, and proceeded to devour him. He passionately claimed him, starting with those delicious full lips, he forced his tongue deep into the sweet, wet, warmth and explored every inch of that delectable mouth.
Mulder moaned as the older man continued his unrelenting exploration. His body was possessively draped over Mulder's as he ground their hard erections together, moving in a circular motion with his hips. His young lover clung to him his arms locked around Skinner's broad back, while he arched up to press their bodies even tighter together.
Skinner looked into his lover's eyes and saw the warmth and desire in them; he thought if he looked hard enough he might actually be able to see love there, too. He dropped his mouth down to Mulder's neck and sucked the side of his throat feeling his lover's rapid pulse with his lips. He sniffed, breathing in deep lungs-full of pheromones coming off his lover's aroused body.
The pheromones caused him to lose control, grabbing the tube of KY he hurriedly spread Mulder's legs. He squeezed some lube into his hand. Coating a finger, he quickly thrust it into his lover's welcoming body. Mulder arched up from the coldness and quickness that the lubed finger pushed it into him.
He glanced up at Skinner's face, he was hot, sweaty, and appeared lost in the throes of passion. His mind seemed to be elsewhere as he thrust his finger in and out of the tight body beneath him trying to quickly stretch him. He greased up two more fingers and forced all three into his lover. He was so lost in the heat of passion that he totally ignored Mulder's gasp of pain as he plunged his fingers deep into his body, twisting and scissoring them in an attempt to loosen him quicker. His own desperate need to get himself off had taken precedence over the welfare of his lover. He'd never been so thoroughly aroused and in desperate need of release. If his mind had been clear enough to allow him to think, he would have realized it was because to the pheromones.
"Walter, please, you're hurting me!"
Only Mulder's cry of pain brought him back to himself; he stared down in shock at his lover who had both his hands pressed against his chest trying to push him away. The pain and discomfort were obvious.
"Damn. Fox, I'm sorry," Walter whispered. Pulling away, he eased his fingers from the tense body.
"It's okay . . . Walter, it's not your fault. I think we should give me another shot of Doctor Harris' magic potion before we continue." Mulder climbed shakily out of bed and walked into the bathroom.
Skinner took a moment to stop trembling; he had almost seriously hurt his lover. Damn! He got out of bed on wobbly legs and joined his lover in the bathroom.
Mulder had removed the drug from the medicine cabinet and had filled a syringe; he handed it, the antiseptic swab, and the rubber tie over to Skinner. He held out his arm and the older man took in one long shaky breath before taking a hold of Mulder's arm, he proceeded to give him the shot. "C'mon, let's go back to bed and try again," Fox soothed. Grabbing Skinner's hand, he led him back to the bed.
Mulder lay back down in the middle of the large bed. "Now . . . where were we?" He reached over and pulled his lover on top of him gently kissing him then let his hand wander down to stroke Skinner's cock until he was fully erect again. He reached over and handed the older man the tube of KY. "Okay, Walter, let's try it again, but this time slower and gentler." The older man moved over slightly, which enabled Mulder to bend his knees, lift, and spread his legs to make it easier for his lover to touch him.
Skinner smiled, leaned over and kissed Mulder again then started to gently prepare him. When he felt his young lover was ready, he put a hand on the back of Mulder's knee and helped him roll his hips up. Reaching with the other hand, he placed his cock against the opening and eased his way in. There was none of the resistance from the first time. Although he was still unbelievably tight, his muscles relaxed allowing him to enter.
When he was buried to the hilt, he gazed down at Fox looking into his gorgeous hazel eyes. "God, Fox, I love you so much it hurts, I'd never have forgiven myself if I had harmed you." He poured out his heart knowing by Mulder's unselfish act of giving himself; he didn't hold him responsible for losing control.
Mulder met his eyes and let all the warmth he felt for Skinner show in them. "Please, Walter, now," he begged, dropping his legs down to wrap them around the older man's waist.
Skinner began to move in and out of his lover, gently at first, slow short strokes. He let Fox set the pace. "Please . . . faster," he moaned.
Mulder relished the feel of Skinner's large cock filling him, stroking his insides, and igniting a burning pleasure within his very core with each deep thrust. He shivered and moaned at every thrust that brushed his sensitive prostate . . . shooting wave after wave of pleasure throughout his body and straight into his groin.
His erection was squeezed between their two bodies and the friction caused by the back and forth motion made him come. Walter felt his lover's semen spurt between them. He shoved in as far as he could go before the throbbing of Mulder's internal muscles as they clenched and squeezed his cock, triggering his release into his lover's body.
Mulder felt the hot liquid from Skinner's release being emptied deep within him, cherishing the sensation.
Skinner collapsed exhausted onto Mulder, taking a few moments to recover his breath. He rose and looked tenderly down at him as he slowly eased himself out, then rolled onto his side, and pulled his lover's sated body into a tight embrace, never wanting to let him go. It could not be possible to love anyone more than he loved Mulder.
***
Miami
Sunday, November 22
9:00 a.m.A motorcycle raced up the warm, sunny interstate heading north, away from the city of Miami, north up 95 toward Washington DC. It was going to take him at least two days to reach DC because of the nightly curfew he couldn't drive straight through.
Alex Krycek was dressed totally in black; he wore a black helmet with a dark front. He had on tight, black jeans that hugged his muscular legs; a leather vest over a black turtleneck sweater; a heavy, long, black, leather coat. Despite the many layers, he didn't feel hot; he kept himself cool by thought alone. He knew if he wanted, he could make it snow, but that would require expending too much energy.
Krycek needed to save his strength and conserve his powers; he would need all of them once he arrived in DC. His body needed to recharge after any major use; he was still recovering from last nights run in with the ghouls. It would be a few more hours before his powers were back in full force. He knew that with each passing week he was getting stronger, recovering quicker, and discovering new abilities.
He drove non-stop until he reached Georgia then pulled into a diner that was packed with cars. He got off his bike, but left his helmet on as he entered the diner. Surveying the crowd, he saw there were roughly fifty diners, and ten of them were Neanderthals or n'thrals as popular slang now called them. Krycek walked up to the counter, deciding to order carryout and eat at some secluded spot along the way. He didn't want to remove his helmet in front of the n'thrals. He knew he was good looking, and he didn't want to fight off any of their unwelcome advances. The n'thrals were primarily driven by their testosterone and tended to leave their brains behind if a good-looking piece of ass caught their interest.
He glanced around at the other diners; most were ugly as sin or far too old to arouse any of the n'thrals. There weren't any young, good looking men present . . . most stayed away or traveled with bodyguards.
"Aren't you a little hot in that get-up?" the man behind the counter asked, looking Krycek over.
"No, I'm perfectly comfortable. I want a roast beef sandwich on wheat with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Also, an order of French fries, and a slice of apple pie, to go." As he placed his order, Krycek was aware of the other diners looking him over.
"Your order will be ready in about ten minutes."
The largest n'thral stood up, and walked over to him, Krycek noticed with some disdain that it was wearing a sheriff's uniform on it's muscular, seven foot body. "Why don't you take your helmet off and make yourself comfortable, boy?" the sheriff asked.
"Oh, I'm more than comfortable, sheriff, thanks for your concern," he answered and turned his back on the man.
"I don't believe you are . . . here boy, let me help you remove it." The sheriff reached his hand toward Krycek's helmet.
An invisible force grabbed the sheriff's hand and twisted it behind his back, forcing him up onto his tiptoes. The sheriff cried out in pain, looking in disbelief at Krycek who still had his back to him. "Let me go, you little shit, or I'll tear you in two!" he bellowed.
The grip on the arm tightened and he was yanked up. A popping sound was heard throughout the diner, as the arm was dislocated from its shoulder. The sheriff howled in pain.
Krycek slowly turned around to faced him. "Sheriff, what was that about tearing me in two? I really don't believe you're in any position to be making any threats. Now, I just came in here for a quick meal. When I get it, I'll be gone, and if anyone tries to stop me, I'll burn this jerkwater town down to the ground. Do I make myself clear, sheriff?"
"Y . . . yes!" the sheriff gasped in pain, being raised even higher off his feet.
"Good." The waiter quickly brought over his order and he paid, then left the diner.
He climbed back on his bike deciding to put as much distance between himself and the diner as he could before he stopped to eat. Although that little feat didn't take much out of him, he preferred to stay out of trouble. He had things that were more important on his mind than playing with the locals.
Krycek rode until he reached the South Carolina border. It was two hours until curfew so he decided to start looking for a motel to stay at for the night. He pulled into a Motel 6 in Bedham. Getting a room at the office, he parked his bike around back and removed his pack, and the food from the diner. He stopped at the Pepsi machine two doors down; he would have preferred a beer, but he hadn't mastered the art of changing Pepsi into Ale.
He threw his pack on the bed, bolting the door then went into the bathroom to cleanup. Back in the room, he turned on the TV and sat on the bed to eat his dinner. There were the usual sitcoms, all reruns; Krycek wondered briefly what the new episodes would be like minus the women or if they would even make new episodes. Most of the shows just wouldn't be the same. Sighing, he flipped on the news, it showed President Clinton still touring the cities that had suffered damage during the attack.
Krycek was still in awe that the Reagan Star Wars Defense Program had actually been a viable weapons system -- it actually worked! It had offensive weapons capabilities besides the defensive ones. It must have surprised the hell out of the invaders when their ships were blown clear out of the sky by earth's innocent looking communications satellites.
There was a report from the United Nations on the large number of kids in orphanages. It was a plea for men to adopt the boys and provide them with a nurturing family. The report included information about the restriction against n'thrals from adopting. There was a winter weather advisory out from Maryland and up into Canada, Krycek realized that he'd have to dump the motorcycle when he got to North Carolina. The news ended with the hearings into the alien cover up and the government's experimentation on it citizens. Krycek was hoping for some mention of Fox Mulder in the report knowing Mulder was involved heavily in the investigation, but there was nothing.
After throwing the food wrappers away he decided to take a shower then hit the sack. He would be in DC by late tomorrow, and he planned on swinging by Mulder's apartment in Alexandria. He knew Mulder wouldn't be happy to see him. But, given enough time, he was certain that he could convince him to trust him again. He would do whatever it took to win back Mulder's trust and friendship.
***
Viva Tower - Crystal City
Sunday, November 22
11:30 a.m.Skinner came out of the kitchen carrying a beer; he walked over to the sofa where Mulder was sprawled. He had a case folder opened on his lap and was making notes on the documents inside. The older man sat on the sofa, moving Mulder's bare feet from where they rested, and placing them on his lap. Using one hand to drink his beer, he used the other to massage his lover's feet, alternating between them. Mulder sighed contentedly, lowering the folder he closed his eyes enjoying the unsolicited attention.
The doorbell rang. Skinner paused and considered ignoring it, but he was too set in his ways. Groaning, he got up and opened the door.
Agent Vince Pipino stood outside. "Good morning, sir. We're setting up a poker game down in the rec room and we're wondering if you and Mulder would care to join us?"
Skinner had tried to keep a professional distance between himself and his subordinates, feeling it was inappropriate for him to socialize with them, but that was all in the past. Now, most of his agents were desperately trying to rebuild their shattered lives and needed his strong support and leadership.
"Sure, Vinny. What about you, Fox, are you interested?" Skinner asked glancing over at him.
"You go ahead, Walter. I'll be down later, I just want to finish going through this case file." Mulder directed his attention back to the file in his lap.
Skinner accompanied Pipino down to the rec room, which was alive with activity. There were over two hundred apartments in Viva Tower, and FBI employees lived in one hundred thirty-eight of them with their sons. Skinner heard at last count there were eighty-nine boys between the ages of one and eighteen now living here. Several of the fourteen and fifteen-year-olds were nosily playing pool. There were several smaller children playing with an assortment of toys in front of the large screen TV where their fathers sat enjoying the ball game and keeping a close eye on them.
The poker table was set up in a quiet alcove at the far end of the large room. Agents George Jackson, Patrick Jameson, and Ronald Underwood sat drinking beer and arguing politics.
"Good morning, sir," they greeted as he sat at the table. Agent Pipino returned with two beers handing one to Skinner.
"Is Mulder going to join us?" Jackson asked.
"He'll be down later." Skinner took a long swig of beer.
They played for two hours before Mulder finally showed up. He tried to make his way through the herd of children that wanted his attention stopping to talk with several of the older boys. He picked up a toddler that was trying to climb up his leg. The little boy hugged him around the neck, resting his small head on Mulder's shoulder. Mulder had always had a special way with children; they seemed to claim him as one of their own. He kissed the little boy on the top of his head before putting him down and making his way over to the table.
"So, who's winning?" Mulder asked, taking a seat at the table. He tried to keep a straight face when he noticed that Skinner only had a couple of chips left, compared to the piles in front of the other men.
"Underwood has most of the A.D.'s money," Vinny answered with a hint of humor in his voice.
Mulder smirked at his disgruntled lover. "Do you want to call it a game? The boys would like to go over to the park and have a snowball fight. It would be good for them to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. What do you think?" Mulder tried to be nonchalant, but the plea in his voice was obvious -- the boys weren't the only ones who wanted to go outside and play in the snow.
"Sounds like a good idea to me, you can count me in, Mulder," Jameson said, not giving Skinner a chance to object. Everyone was aware that the A.D. was a little too overprotective of Agent Mulder lately.
"Yeah, my boys would love a good old fashioned snowball fight. Let's go round up the kids and meet down in the lobby in twenty minutes," Pipino agreed, warming to the idea.
When they assembled in the lobby, there were thirty-two boys from age seven to fifteen, and sixteen men. Once at the park, they broke into four teams; each team was allowed an hour to build their snow fort and prepare their ammunition.
When the battle finally ended after two hours, everyone was soaked to the bone and completely exhausted. Skinner couldn't remember ever having so much fun or laughing so freely, his team had won which made up for losing most of his money in the poker game. He hadn't felt such a sense of community in years; some of the children had taken to calling him Uncle Walt. He liked that.
They all dragged themselves back to the high-rise. After making their farewells and promising a rematch after the next new snowfall, they returned to their separate condos.
"I don't think I've ever been this cold before," Mulder complained shivering.
"I'll make us a couple of hot butter rums then we can defrost in a hot whirlpool bath." Skinner hugged Mulder and felt him shivering through layers of clothing, including their coats.
"C'mon, let's get out of these wet clothes before we catch pneumonia." Skinner pulled Mulder over to the small laundry room where they stripped and hung the wet clothing over the sink to dry.
They headed upstairs and Skinner retrieved his robe. "Fox, why don't you start the bath, and I'll go downstairs to make us those drinks."
"Okay, Walter."
Skinner returned ten minutes later carrying a tray that he set down on the wide-ledge around large tub. When he bought the condo he had thought the bathroom was a bit too opulent for a single man. He had liked the large shower that was separate from the bathtub, but he didn't think he'd get much use out of the dual sinks or the two-person whirlpool bath. Now that Mulder was living here, all that had changed.
He reached his hand in and tested the swirling water -- it was almost too hot. He climbed in next to his lover who was leaning back with his eyes closed and a contented look on his beautiful face. Mulder opened one eye and smiled at his handsome lover. "I had fun today. I can't remember the last time I've had so much fun, other than when we're making love." He took the steaming mug his partner handed him. "Thanks." He smiled, taking a sip.
"Yeah, it was fun. It allowed me to become acquainted with some of the kids, they even started calling me Uncle Walt," he grinned. "I never had any nephews, only nieces," Skinner sighed, he was becoming misty-eyed at the thought of his nieces.
Mulder let him grieve silently, he knew Skinner didn't like losing control over his emotions. He laid his head on Skinner's shoulder and waited for him to recover.
When Skinner had his emotions back under tight lock and key he ran his hand over Mulder's graceful back. "Thanks, Fox." He appreciated his lover knowing him well enough to let him grieve in peace.
Mulder ran his fingers through the hairs on Skinner's chest; he reached over and retrieved his mug. "Mm, this is good."
"Walter, I was thinking . . . Vinny's sons were telling me what a lousy cook their dad is, and Boutotte's kid said he's no better . . . I thought we could invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner. We could stop at the grocery store tomorrow, after work, and pick up all the fixings. I'll make a list of what we'll need . . . you do have dual-ovens and a extra-large range top . . ." Mulder rambled on excitedly, he had never had much of a family life, so he was delighted with the idea of being around people that actually cared about him.
"Yeah, it would be good for the kids to be around other people during the holiday," Skinner agreed.
***
Alexandria
Sunday, November 22
8:30 p.m.Alex Krycek quietly picked the locks on apartment 42. He had made it here with a half-hour to spare before the nightly curfew began. He was surprised by the lack of sound coming from inside the apartment; there was not the usual sound of the television set. He had assumed Mulder would be home by now.
Once inside the apartment, Krycek looked around; he was disconcerted to find only furniture, and none of Mulder's personal items. His clothing was completely gone, the fish tank in the corner was off, there were no books or pictures on the shelves, and his computer was gone. Krycek sat heavily on the leather couch wondering where Mulder had gone. He was worried that something might have happened to him.
Krycek picked up the phone that was still on the desk, but it was dead, he'd have to spend the night here. In the morning, he would check with his contacts and try to find out what happened to Fox.
***
Warehouse
Tuesday, November 24,
4:00 p.m.Colonel Henderson glanced around his domain; he had found this dwelling while hunting ghouls late one night. He had tracked several of them to this building, dispatching each of them with a shot to the head, and then he discovered the remains of the previous owners the ghouls had killed sometime before.
Henderson had the deed to this place transferred over to him under a false name. This was his personal hideaway and no one knew about it. The living quarters were located on the top floor of the warehouse; it had fifteen-foot ceilings and a wide-open floor plan. It suited his large girth, he didn't feel as closed in here. The place was sparsely furnished; there was a heavy, oak, king-sized bed, a large sofa, dining room table, and a couple of floor lamps. On the wall in front of the sofa, he had pasted photos of Fox Mulder, which he had Sergeant Babcock make from the digital photo CD.
He spent long hours drinking and staring at his collection of photos. Babcock had dropped off several more photos at his office this morning, ones his cousin had taken inside of Viva Tower. His favorites were the one showing Mulder pulling his sweats up his long shapely legs after swimming, wearing only a small swimsuit that showed off his tight butt, and the one showing Mulder smiling at a little boy he was helping to tie his shoes. Henderson ran a large, hairy, finger over the photo of Mulder smiling. "We'll be together soon, Fox," he murmured. Tomorrow morning at 5:20 a.m., he would pick up Fox at Viva Tower.
Babcock's report indicated that Mulder used the treadmill in the exercise room from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. Luckily, the exercise room had an emergency exit that opened into an alleyway. Babcock's cousin was going to let him in when the coast was clear. Smiling contentedly Henderson walked over and tested the leg-cuff and the chain he had bolted to the floor by the bed. He double-checked that the chain reached the bathroom, but didn't come anywhere near the windows. He had lined the cuff with foam rubber then wrapped velvet over that; he didn't want Fox injuring himself.
Henderson let his finger stroke the velvet lining of the cuff, when Fox had accepted that his only purpose in life was to service him sexually, then he wouldn't need to keep him chained up. Henderson walked back over to the wall of photos gazed at the one that showed Mulder in that skimpy bathing suit. He slowly removed his clothing, uncovering his massive, hairy body.
Fourteen more hours and Fox would be here then he wouldn't need to jack off with only photographs to look at anymore.
***
Outside the Hoover Building
Tuesday, November 24
5:00 p.m.Krycek found out from his contacts that Mulder was staying with A.D. Skinner. He hated the A.D. and didn't like the idea of Mulder living with him. He'd noticed when he was an agent, the wanton looks Skinner directed at Mulder. Krycek didn't want him being in that close a proximity to Mulder.
Krycek had spent several hours trying to locate Mulder's brainwave patterns while filtering out all the other people. He knew he'd find his telepathic abilities useful as he finally picked up on Mulder's thoughts. Now that he had isolated Mulder's unique brainwaves, he would have no trouble zeroing in on him anywhere within a ten-mile radius.
He leaned back on the park bench and let Mulder's thoughts wash over him. If he wanted, he could form a two-way communication with him. In time, he would, but for now he enjoyed just being inside that extremely intelligent brain. He frowned as Mulder's thoughts turned to A.D. Skinner; he was replaying them making love this morning.
Fuck, he had to get Mulder out of the country as soon as possible. He pulled his mind out of Mulder's not wanting to see the images of them having sex.
***
Viva Tower - Crystal City
Wednesday, November 25
5:10 a.m.Bob watched Agent Mulder jogging on the treadmill; loving the way his sleeveless T-shirt hung on his tall, lanky form; the way his shorts showed off those long, toned legs, the man was definitely a work of art.
Bob liked Mulder, he was happy when his cousin Bruce had asked him to help get Mulder back together with his boyfriend. Bruce informed him that the A.D. wasn't allowing Mulder any contact with non-bureau personnel. Bob didn't much care for the A.D. and didn't like the idea of him putting restrictions on the people that the agent was allowed to see. Bruce mentioned that his boyfriend had been trying to contact him for weeks, but he couldn't get passed Skinner.
His cousin had arranged with his help, to sneak the boyfriend in without the A.D. knowing. He was supposed to let him in through the emergency exit this morning before anyone else came down to workout. Bruce said the boyfriend wanted to surprise Mulder and not to tell him he was coming.
Bob was pretending to repair one of the other treadmills when he stopped and reached into his pocket for his packet of smokes. "I'm stepping outside for a cigarette break," he informed Mulder as he headed over to the exit situated behind the agent's back.
Mulder felt the cold draft hit his back when the door opened. The temperature had dropped into the teens during the night. He was glad he didn't smoke any longer, it would be a bitch standing out in this cold just for a nicotine fix.
Bob noticed the humvee parked in the alley, Bruce didn't mention that Mulder's boyfriend was in the military. He had turned to see if he could locate the boyfriend when he bounced off Henderson's chest. Bob looked up slowly at the incredibly large figure looming over him. Fuck, what had Bruce gotten him into, there was no way Mulder would ever be dating a Neanderthal.
"Did Agent Mulder come down this morning?" Henderson saw the look of fear and disgust on the face of the man in front of him.
"No . . . MMMulder didn't come down this morning." Bob tried to lie his way out; he was going to kill Bruce when he got his hands on him.
"Well, I think I'll just check for myself."
"Wait! AGENT MULDER RU . . . " Bob's warning was cut off when Henderson grabbed him by the throat and slammed his head against the brick wall, crushing his skull like an eggshell and killing him instantly.
Mulder never heard Bob's warning cry through the closed door. He felt the cold draft on his back and assumed Bob was returning from his cigarette break. When a large shape appeared out of the corner of his eye, he tried to turn around, but was instantly grabbed from behind and a soft cloth pressed over his mouth and nose. He struggled against his attacker, but he had no chance against the powerful person holding him.
The last thing Mulder remembered before the sweet, sickly smell of chloroform drifted him into unconsciousness was Henderson's large deformed face staring down into his as he was scooped up into those massive arms. His mind screamed out for help before his world faded into darkness . . .
Henderson gently cradled Mulder's limp body against his chest as he hurried out through the emergency exit. He was careful not to bump Mulder's head as he laid him into the backseat of the humvee and wrapped him snugly in the blankets he had brought with him. It was snowing heavily and the dead body by the door already had a light coating of snow covering it. He was going to have to kill Babcock . . . it was a shame . . . he'd been such a good little toady. The colonel got behind the wheel and sped away from the building.
Walter Skinner dropped the bowl of batter he was stirring when he heard Mulder's cry for help, and felt his terror. He quickly raced out of the apartment heading for the exercise room many floors below.
At precisely the same time, but across town in Alexandria on Hagel Place, Alex Krycek bolted upright; he was startled awake by Mulder's silent plea for help. He listened carefully but could no longer hear him in his mind. Krycek quickly dressed and headed out the door for Viva Tower.
***