29 Apr 1998

The Price
Sequel To Unfinished Business
(M/K/Sk)
By Katy Deery

Archive only at MKRA and MSRA

His feet hit the snow encrusted surface of the street with a hollow thud
and Mulder tried his best to concentrate on nothing else but the
rhythmic echo.  Normally he would have forgone his usual morning run,
the weather driving him to hibernate indoors, but when he had woken that
morning his brain had been in turmoil, his thoughts a confusing jumble
of conflicting emotions.  Feeling a desperate need to get out of his
apartment, he'd crept silently into the bedroom to retrieved his sweats,
only allowing himself a quick glance at the form sprawled under tangled
sheets before determinedly hitting the streets.

So here he was, trying not to think about last night and doing nothing
else  think about it.  He wasn't ready to handle the new feelings
surging through him, that much was clear, but what to do about that fact
was not.

Having Skinner in his bed, albeit while he spent the night on the couch,
was turning out to be a pretty dumb move, but he could hardly have
tossed the guy out on a night not fit for man or beast.  That would
certainly have played hell with his pension plan.  It had just come as
such a shock.  When he'd offered Skinner a refuge from the blizzard
raging across Virginia, he had never dreamed that he would react as he
had to the idea of the AD lying naked in his bed.  He'd spent most of
the night envisioning the man sleeping nude on the other side of the
bedroom door and it had driven him crazy, not least because of its
unexpectedness.  Hell, this was his boss!  No, this was Skinner,
probably the most heterosexual guy since Superman.  If the AD ever found
out what was going on in his head he'd be out of the Bureau so fast he'd
leave skid marks.

Still, there was that moment when Skinner had told him to call if he had
trouble sleeping.  He'd been tempted, really tempted to see what his
boss was offering, but in the end he'd known it would be stupid to take
it further.  The man was just worried about him, was trying to offer
some measure of comfort.  Mulder knew that Skinner wasn't someone who
found it easy to reach out to others and he wouldn't abuse that trust by
making more of his words than was there.  


Still.., Mulder thought to himself.    He smiled grimly, realizing that
his choice of activity wasn't very smart. He usually spent his morning
runs working out whatever current conundrum was occupying his thought
processes, be it a way to tie the latest X-File into a high level
government conspiracy or which brand of floss he should use.  As he had
often found in the past, his mind carried on analyzing a problem whether
he wanted it to or not.  That being the case, he couldn't have chosen a
worse activity to help center himself this particular morning.

Deciding that the best way to handle things was head on, he began to
make his way back to his apartment. Engrossed in planning what he was
going to say to Skinner, he was totally unprepared for the hands that
reached out and grabbed him, pulling him with little resistance into the
shadowed alleyway between the buildings.

"Wh...what!!!"   

He struggled, only to be pushed roughly against the brickwork, his head
coming into sharp contact with the hard, gritty surface.  His assailant
had the element of surprise on his side and was using it to full
advantage.  It was also apparent that whoever this man was, he was no
ordinary street punk, not with these moves.

Just as he was getting ready to surge forward against the arm that held
him pinned to the wall, he recognized his grim faced attacker. 

"Shit!"  Fury gave him added strength and he pushed his assailant away.
He was about to use his fists to get his point across when a gun muzzle
slid under his chin threateningly.

"Now Mulder, play nice or I might have to leave a new kind of graffiti
on the wall."

Mulder slowly settled back, absently rubbing his head where it had made
contact with the unyielding surface behind him.

"What the hell do you want now, Krycek?   Don't tell me, let me guess.
I forgot to send you a birthday card."

Alex smiled pleasantly, tapping the gun against Mulder's cheek.  "Life
is full of surprises and not all of them are nice ones, Mulder. You
should know that by now."  He stepped back slightly.  "Don't worry, I
didn't come here to kill you."

Mulder glared at his former partner.  "So are you going to tell me why
you  here or do we discuss this strange new attraction you have to
alleys?"

Krycek turned away, running a distracted hand through his hair.  "I had
a choice.  Follow you on your morning jog or go up to your apartment and
pay a visit to your boss." He smiled coldly at Mulder.   "Lucky for him
I decided to follow you."  

The smile faded, his expression one that Mulder couldn't fathom.  

"What exactly was Skinner doing staying all night at your place?"

Mulder stepped away from the wall.  He wasn't sure what was going on,
but he was willing to wait and see.  After all, he could always kill
Krycek later.  "We spent the night playing pinochle," Mulder drawled,
wondering why Krycek was interested in Skinner.  "We had a deal.  You
give me the information I need, I let you go.  That didn't include you
staking out my apartment.  As far as I'm concerned, all bets are off."  
He wondered if he was being stupid, pushing Krycek like this.  After
all, his ex partner was the one with the gun.  The only problem was he
found it nearly impossible not to try and push this man's buttons, even
when it meant putting his own life at risk.

Krycek laughed, moving closer and thrusting the gun under Mulder's chin
again.  "Sorry to disappoint you, Mulder," he said, pressing the cold
steel into his captive's throat.  "I know that the only way you wanted
to see me again was on a slab at the morgue.  Too bad, I'm doing my best
to avoid that happening just yet."

He pulled back, eyeing Mulder intently.  "You haven't answered my
question.  Why did Skinner spend the night at your apartment?"

Mulder looked at him incredulously.  The man really expected an answer?
"Fuck you!"  He forcefully pushed passed Krycek, wanting nothing more
that to get away from this man who rated only slightly lower than Cancer
Man on his most hated list.  If Krycek was going to shoot him, he could
shoot him, but he was damned if he was going to stand there and take the
third degree.

Before he had gone more than a couple of paces, he found himself once
again coming into hard contact with the wall.

"That's what I want to know, Mulder," Krycek hissed into his face, his
whole body pressing the FBI man against the brickwork.  "Did he?"

"Did he what?" Mulder spat out, confused and mad as hell.

"Did he fuck you?"

Mulder froze, opened mouthed shock keeping him more immobile than the
weight holding him back.  He was completely stunned by the question.
Was he wearing a big sign that said he had the hots for his boss?  No,
Krycek had to be guessing.  His natural stubbornness kicking in, he
leant towards his captor.  "What is your problem?" He tried to shove the
other man back, but met with intractable resistance.  "Get the hell out
of my face, Krycek.  If I want to have sex with all of the Washington
Redskins, that's nobody's business but mine and maybe their coach."  The
last was a deliberate taunt, false bravado to try and hide how terrified
he really was.  He could not afford to show any vulnerability to this
man.

Krycek's eyes were icy.  "So you did let him fuck you." He pressed even
closer to Mulder, the intimate contact making the agent shrink farther
back against the solid obstruction behind him.  "You know what that
makes him, Mulder?"  Krycek asked, his tone softly lethal.  "That makes
him a dead man," and before Mulder could utter a word of protest, lips
pressed forcefully onto his and Krycek's tongue thrust, demanding
entrance.  Meeting no opposition, his touch gentled, dragging a response
from the FBI man that he was helpless to control.

Mulder suddenly realize who it was he was kissing, tearing his mouth
away and roughly shoving Krycek back.  He deliberately wiped his sleeve
across his face as though to erase any trace of contamination.

"You are one sick sonofabitch, you know that?"  Mulder whispered, shaken
and trying desperately not to show it.

Krycek's face was alive with excitement.  Kissing Mulder was a treat he
had been promising himself for a long time and it had more than lived up
to his expectations.  His eyes traveled appreciatively down the other
man's body, his gaze noting the slight bulge that the sweatpants did
little to disguise and which his close proximity to Mulder had made very
apparent to him.  Smiling knowingly, he was pleased to see the flame of
embarrassment color Mulder's cheeks as he followed his gaze down.  It
would be hard for the agent to deny his enjoyment of Krycek's touch, no
matter how reluctant.

"So I'm horny," Mulder defended, angry at himself for giving this man a
weapon to use against him.  "I haven't had sex in so long that I'd
probably get a hard on watching Homer Simpson in the shower."

Krycek smiled brightly, his attention riveted on Mulder's face.  "So you
didn't have sex with Skinner?"

About to toss out a lie in an attempt to get under Krycek's skin, Mulder
paused.  He had no right to drag Skinner into his warped relationship
with Krycek.  Not only that but he was quite sure that the other man had
meant his earlier threat against the AD.  Krycek was a proven killer.
Mulder couldn't risk endangering Skinner just for his own personal
spite.

"No, I have not had sex with Skinner.  Satisfied?"  Not waiting for an
answer, Mulder pushed Krycek further back and this time his ex-partner
allowed it.  "I don't know what game you're playing now, Krycek,"
Mulder said in disgust, emphasizing his point with another push, "but
I'm not interested in playing with you.  In fact the only interest I
have in you is the hope I'll get a chance to put a bullet through your
brain one day, so you'd better stay the hell out of my life."

Mulder brushed by him, suddenly desperately wanting to get out of the
alley and away from this man.  If he had started out his run with a
mixture of confused emotions, he was even more confused now, hating what
he had felt when Krycek had touched him, hating the man who would use
that vulnerability against him.

"It's not as simple as that, Mulder," Krycek called after him.  "You
need me if you're ever going to have a hope in hell of bringing the
consortium down."

Mulder stopped, turning to look back at Krycek.  As much as he wanted to
leave, his interest was peaked.  "What do you know about the
consortium?"

"A hell of a lot more than you do, that's for sure," Krycek replied,
satisfied he had Mulder hooked.

"I don't believe you.  You're just the hired help, nothing more.  They
wouldn't have told you anything you didn't need to know."

"Correction, I  the hired help.  When they decided to unhire me
permanently I made it my business to find out as much as I could about
my former employers.  Most of it I got off the digital tape, some I dug
up independently. Then there was the stuff I got from the alien's mind.
Not much about the consortium, but enough to give me a few pointers.
It's amazing what you can find out when you know where to look."
Krycek's smile was bitter as he thought of what he'd discovered.  Far
more than he'd really been ready to know, but knowledge was power and he
needed as much of that as he could get.  "I didn't just find out about
your sister, Mulder," he tempted, offering what he knew like some
forbidden apple in the Garden Of Eden.

Mulder wanted to just walk away, put as much distance between him and
this new threat that Krycek suddenly represented to him, far more
dangerous and compelling than any he had felt before from the man.  He
could have it all, everything he'd worked for all these years.  Hard
evidence to back up his claims. But he knew there'd be a price tag.  Was
it worth the risk?  His life had never been very precious to him, but it
might not just be his  he'd be endangering.

"What do you get out of this, Krycek?  And don't give me that song and
dance about wanting to get even with your old bosses.  That's not going
to cut it this time. You keep turning up in my life, even though you
know this is the last place you should be.  What exactly do you want
from me?"

Alex smiled.  "Don't worry, Mulder.  When the time's right, you'll know
what I want...and you'll be willing to pay my price.  After all, I'll be
offering you everything  ever wanted."

All Mulder wanted right then was to wipe the smug expression off of
Krycek's face.  The man was supremely confident that he had him just
where he wanted him and as much as he would have liked to deny it, the
bastard was probably right.

"OK, Krycek, I'll go along with you for now. "

Krycek grinned.  "I knew you'd see sense, Mulder."  He glanced around
nervously.  He'd been in the open longer than he'd anticipated, but he
had so few moments to spend with his former partner and some things were
worth a little risk.  Still, being around Mulder wasn't the wisest of
moves.  There were too many eyes on him, eyes of their now mutual
enemies.

"There's something I want to show you," he said, fishing in his pocket
and thrusting a piece of paper into Mulder's hand.  "Call it a token of
good faith."

Mulder hesitated, reminded of their last meeting and the painful outcome
of it.  Overcoming his apprehension, he unfolded the note and saw it
contained an address and time. 

"Meet me there tonight.  I'll be waiting across the street."

Mulder crumpled the piece of paper and shoved it into his pocket.  "What
exactly...?" 

Krycek shook his head.  "Tonight, Mulder."

Frustrated, Mulder had to settle for that, convinced he was a fool for
blindly going along with this man. About to leave the alley, he was
stopped by a firm grip on his arm and looked back at Krycek with an
annoyed frown.

"Just something on account, Mulder," the other man said, hooking a
strong hand around the back of Mulder's head and bringing his mouth down
intractably over his.

It was like the first time, a quicksilver excitement surging through his
veins and for a moment Mulder gave into it, allowing passive entry to
the tongue that explored him thoroughly.  Then he came to his senses and
shoved Krycek away, stepping back with a hunted look on his face.
Nervously he licked away the traces of saliva around his mouth. 

Krycek nodded with satisfaction at the unconscious action, a sure
indication if he had needed it that the attraction was mutual.  He knew
that no matter what Mulder might say to him to the contrary, he was far
from indifferent to his advances.  He was prepared to wait..for a while
at least.  

He leaned in close.  "Just so you remember, Mulder," Krycek whispered
before darting away into the safety of the shadows, leaving Mulder with
no time to formulate a reply.

Mulder slowly walked out into the street again.  He felt self-conscious,
as though everyone he passed knew what had just taken place.  Continuing
at a slightly quicker pace, he headed back to his apartment.  He had
come out in a vain attempt to try and clear his head and sort out some
of the strange twists his life had recently taken.  Instead he was even
more confused, but as he jogged along the street, one thing was clear.
He would be at that address tonight.  He just hoped that he would be
able to shake the feeling that he was selling more than his pride by
accepting Krycek's help.

*************************

Mulder opened the door of his apartment cautiously.  He wasn't sure if
Skinner would have stuck around, but the appetizing smells coming from
the kitchen rather suggested that he had.  Mulder wondered how anything
he had in his refrigerator could smell that good.

Making his way through to the kitchen, he was brought up short by the
sight of his boss in pants and shirt cooking bacon in a pan.  Mulder
found himself admiring the play of muscles under straining material and
hurriedly pulled his eyes away.

"I didn't even know I had any bacon."

Skinner turned slightly in acknowledgment and smiled, something that
Mulder had rarely witnessed in the years he'd worked for the man.

"You didn't.  I had some supplies in my car.  I was on my way home when
I stopped off here.  Should have taken the food out and stored it in
your refrigerator, but it was so cold last night that no damage was
done."  He held up the pan.  "Bacon and eggs OK for you?"

Mulder just nodded, feeling oddly discomforted by the domesticated
scene.

"How was the run?"

Embarrassed at being caught staring again and not noticing the rather
knowing smile on Skinner's face, he blushed and went to get a drink of
water from the tap.  

"OK.  I run every morning."

Skinner nodded.  "I was surprised you went out in this weather."

"I wanted to clear my head," Mulder said, feeling the need to defend his
actions.  "I haven't been out of the apartment since...."  His voice
trailed off as recent events caught up with him and he wondered if he'd
ever be able to accept the part he'd played in his sister's death.

"It wasn't a criticism, Mulder," Skinner replied, mildly exasperated.
"Did it work?"

Mulder looked puzzled.

"The run," Skinner clarified.  "Did it clear your head?"

Mulder grimaced.  "More like gave me a whole new set of problems," he
muttered.

"What was that?" Skinner asked, but Mulder choose not to repeat himself.

"My head's fine, but I could do with a shower.  Do I have time?" he
asked, gesturing to the pan.

"Sure.  I've only just put it on."

Mulder was glad to escape to the relative safety of the bathroom. He
peeled off his sweats and moved under the comforting spray of the
shower.  Reaching for the soap, he began to lather his body.  His mind
started to wander, fantasizing as it often did while he was in the
shower, imagining the soft fall of the water was really the gentle
caress of a lover. Without conscious thought his hand roamed lower until
it reached his hardening shaft.  Cupping his flesh, he offered it to his
companion, stroking himself as he thought of his lover sucking him deep
into his throat, teasing him with an oh so perfect tongue.  He pushed
into the confinement that held him sublimely, reveling in all that power
on its knees before him, feeling firm muscles and powerful shoulders
rippling under his touch.  He leant up against the shower wall, using it
for support as he reached under and started to caress his balls in time
with the thrusting of his hips.  He almost felt the mouth surrounding
him lift into a smile as his flesh was teased, played with, the clever
touch tormenting his mind as surely as his body.  He wanted this man,
wanted to be the taken rather than the taker.  Turning, he pressed his
face and shoulders up against the wall and waited, waited for the
possession he craved.  He could visualize the powerful figure of his
lover moving into position behind him and he worked his cock ever
harder, frantic now to reach the finish, knowing the one thing he needed
to take him over the brink.  He could actually sense the presence behind
him, feel the hands preparing him, and he spread his legs wider, longing
for this final act of possession.  The pain was almost real, the thrust
almost a part of him rather than just a dream and he clutched himself
desperately, jerking as he imagine the hard ass working behind him,
could almost see the thick erection as it entered his body.  Biting his
lips to stifle a shout, he felt the eruption begin, eagerly milking his
essence onto the shower wall.  It was as intense an orgasm as any he had
ever felt and just as soul-destroying, for in that last moment he could
not deny who his lover had been or whose name he had almost screamed out
in passion. 

Bowing his head under the spray, he quickly composed himself and climbed
out of the shower.  As he used the towel to dry off, he realized he
wasn't surprised by the turn his fantasy had taken.  Since he'd spent
most of the night going through variations of the very same theme it was
hardly surprising.  He could only be grateful that his mind hadn't taken
to creating a green eyed devil to tempt him.  He had enough to worry
about without complication.

One thing was certain.  He had to get Skinner out of his apartment.  He
needed time to prepare for his meeting tonight and he couldn't do that
while Skinner was there.  It never crossed his mind to tell the AD who
he had met that morning or what his plans were, no more than he intended
telling Scully.  He knew that neither of them would think it was a good
idea and he really didn't want the grief.  There was also the outside
chance that they might be able to persuade him that he was being really
stupid.  Not that it had ever worked before, but there was always a
first time.

A gentle tap at the door pulled him from his musings as Skinner notified
him that breakfast was ready.  Because the last thing he wanted was to
chance meeting his boss buck naked, he pulled on his sweatpants before
opening the door and moving swiftly into his bedroom.  Hurriedly
stripping off again, he dressed in fresh clothes before heading for the
kitchen.  Sitting down at the table, he deliberately avoided Skinner's
gaze, muttering his thanks as the AD placed the appetizing food in front
of him.

"This looks good.  I didn't know you could cook."

Skinner gestured with his fork.  "I've had to get used to taking care of
myself again."

This was the first allusion that his boss had made to the state of his
marriage since Mulder had first found out he  married, a
surprisingly unpleasant shock at the time.  Since then there had been
much speculation between him and Scully as to whether Skinner would
reconcile with his wife.  Obviously that hadn't happened and Mulder was
ashamed to admit to a flicker of satisfaction at the fact.  

He suddenly noticed the concerned look that Skinner was throwing him and
realized that he'd been moving his food around on his plate without
eating any.  Quickly spearing some of the bacon, he popped it in his
mouth and chewed, but frankly he wasn't in the mood to eat much.  After
a few more mouthfuls he gave up, smiling in apology.

"I guess I'm just not hungry."

Skinner frowned.  "You look like you could do with a few good meals in
you, Mulder."

Mulder shrugged.  "I usually skip breakfast."  He rose and took his
plate to the sink, tossing the uneaten food into the garbage before
rinsing it under the tap.  "I appreciate what you did last night," he
began, finding it easier to talk with his back to Skinner.  "Sometimes I
get so caught up in my problems that I forget other people and their
needs."  He put the plate on the side to drain.  "I guess I should call
Scully."

Skinner brought his own plate over to the sink. "I know she was very
concerned about you yesterday when I spoke to her."

Mulder felt the powerful body press up against him as Skinner reached
across to the tap.  He moved away quickly.  "I know.  Maybe I'll go over
and see her this morning."  This was as good an excuse as any to get
Skinner out of his apartment.  For some reason the AD didn't seem that
eager to leave this morning.

"Mulder," there was hesitation in Skinner's voice.  "I....look, maybe
I'm outta line, but what exactly is your relationship with Scully?"

Mulder was surprised.  As reticent as he was about his own personal
details, Skinner rarely if ever inquired about his agents' private lives
and then only if it was in some way pertaining to their work.  Why was
Skinner suddenly interested in him and Scully?  Unless he had always
been curious, but had never felt the situation warranted him asking?  

"We're friends and partners, in that order."

Skinner looked uncomfortable.  "I thought maybe there was something more
between you.  Scully's a very attractive and intelligent woman.  I
wouldn't blame you for being interested."

Was Skinner attracted to Scully?  Was that why he wanted to know if  she
and Mulder were having an affair?  The thought wasn't one he found
pleasant, but it  explain Skinner's interest.  He was tempted to
tell the AD what he seemed to expect to hear, but knew he couldn't.  He
would never use Scully in that way.

"She's my best friend.  I wouldn't want anything to screw that up."

Was it his imagination or did the AD seem to relax a little at his
reply? 

Mulder checked his watch. If he wanted to give Frohike and the others
enough time to find out what he needed before tonight, he had to get rid
of Skinner.  "Look, I don't mean to chase you out, but....."

Skinner had caught him looking at the time, putting his abrupt manner
down to discomfort over the turn the conversation had taken.

"Sure, I should be getting on anyway.  I'll just finish dressing."

Skinner went through into Mulder's bedroom and took his jacket off the
hanger he'd left it on the night before.  Seeing Mulder's sweatpants on
the floor, he picked them up out of habit and went to drape them over
the chair ready to go in the wash.  As he grasped the materiel he felt
something in one of the pockets and checked to see what it was.
Casually glancing at the name and address on the paper, he placed it on
the nightstand where Mulder would be able to see it.   Neatly folding
the sweatpants over the chair, he finished dressing and went back into
the other room where Mulder was waiting with his coat.

"I'll be in to work on Monday and thanks again."  He held Skinner's coat
out.

Skinner quirked an eyebrow at him suspiciously.  Mulder seemed in an
awful hurry to get rid of him suddenly.  Shrugging into his coat he
decided he must have really hit a nerve with his questions about Scully.

"I'll expect your report on the Bates case by Monday then, Mulder.  It's
overdue."  His tone was all business as he pulled open the front door.

Mulder nodded, grateful to see the back of his disturbing visitor.
"You'll have it.  I just need to clarify a couple of points with Scully
and it'll be ready."

"Good.  See you in my office at 10.30 Monday."  Skinner looked at him
intently for a moment, then turned and strode off towards the elevator
at the end of the corridor.

Mulder closed the door and leant against it, sighing.  Then he stood up
straight and looked around his apartment, wondering why it suddenly
seemed so empty without Skinner's commanding presence.  Shaking himself
out of his mood, he flipped open his cellphone.  Time to gather as much
information as he could before tonight's little excursion.

******************

The snow had cleared remarkably well, but it was still cold and Mulder
tried to sink deeper into his coat as he waited.  Frohike had been able
to tell him very little about the building he was now standing across
from other than that it used to be a warehouse for a sugar manufacturer.
It had been bought from the company two years ago when they went into
liquidation and was now being used to store furniture for a nearby
store.  Nothing of interest, and Mulder wasn't sure if there was
anything to find.  Just because Krycek had arranged a meeting here
didn't mean that this was their ultimate destination.  

He checked his watch again.  It was after twelve and there wasn't a lot
of traffic around, not that he expected Krycek to just drive up like any
normal human being.  One thing Mulder had decided long ago was that
normal and Krycek were not words that belonged in the same sentence.
Blowing on his hands to keep them warm, he heard a soft shuffling behind
him and turned to see Krycek studying him with fathomless eyes.

"You're late."  He was cold and not in the mood to be polite.

"I was here before you, but I wanted to make sure you weren't followed."

Mulder had to smile.  He understood paranoia in all its forms.  "Don't
you trust me, Krycek?"

Alex looked at him impatiently.  "About as much as you trust me.  I
thought you might turn up here with Scully hot on your heels."

"Scully doesn't know I'm here.  I have no intention of involving her
until I'm sure of exactly what it is I'm involving her in."

Krycek's answering grin was dark and dangerous.  "Still protecting her,
eh, Mulder?  I wonder what she's done to deserve such devotion," he
asked bitterly.

Mulder returned the look steadily.  "She's never betrayed me.  That puts
her in an exclusive minority."

Krycek turned away.  "Come on, we don't have much time.  The guards
change over in a couple of minutes.  That's our window of opportunity."

Mulder caught his arm.  "What's in there?"  He gestured to the warehouse
which was now clearly their destination.

Krycek pulled away.  "Monsters."

With that cryptic statement Krycek ducked across the dark street until
he was flush with the wall that surrounded the warehouse.  He gestured
Mulder over and pushed him back into the shadows when he reached his
side.

"Over there, I've removed the wire on top of the wall."

"That's a little risky isn't it?" Mulder asked.  "What if it's been
spotted?"

"Then we'll have a nice surprise waiting for us on the other side,"
Krycek said, apparently unconcerned by the idea.  "Keep close to me."
He took off again and Mulder followed.  He was too curious to question
whether this was a wise move on his part.  He wanted to know what was in
that building and if Krycek was offering to show him, well, that was
fine by him.  

They stopped under the area where the wire had been cleared.  "Once
we're inside we'll have to be careful.  They have dogs, but I can handle
them.  Boost me up."  Krycek saw Mulder's expression. "We don't have
time to argue, Mulder.  Now either you cooperate with me, or we call the
whole thing off.  What's it gonna be?"

Mulder held his gaze for a moment, then silently bent and meshed his
hands.  Krycek put his foot into the support and launched himself to the
top of the wall, signaling the all clear down to Mulder.  The wall was
manageable, but even so Mulder was grateful for the hands that helped
pull him up.  They didn't linger, but he felt their touch long after
Krycek had turned to survey the other side of the wall.  Carefully
lowering himself to the ground, Mulder joined Krycek inside the
compound, keeping close as he had been instructed.  Both men froze as
they heard barking, tensing as it got closer.  Krycek reached inside his
jacket and pulled out a gun, attaching the muzzle of a silencer to the
end.  As the barking got louder he moved slightly to the side of Mulder
and braced himself, waiting.  Two large Dobermans rounded the corner of
the building, their pace increasing as they spotted the intruders.
Krycek took careful aim, there was a dull, thudding sound, once, twice,
and both dogs fell likes stones to the ground. 

Krycek turned and saw the look of disgust on Mulder's face.  "What, have
I offended your sensibilities again, Mulder?  I never knew you were such
an animal lover."

Mulder looked away. 

Krycek shrugged.  "Come on, we don't have much time.  The guards will
find the dogs missing and go looking for them.  We have to be in and out
in fifteen minutes."

Krycek darted towards one of the red brick buildings, Mulder close on
his heels.

"Are you going to tell me what the hell we're looking for here?" Mulder
hissed at him as Krycek worked on the lock.  "You know, I'd just like be
sure it's worth ruining another suit for."

Krycek didn't look up from his task. "I'll leave that up to you to
decide."  The lock clicked and throwing Mulder an arrogant look, Krycek
pushed open the door.

It was dark inside, but there was some light coming from a low wattage
fitting on the wall.  The main illumination though came from another
doorway at the end of the hall.  By the side of it was a flourescent
locking mechanism of a type Mulder recognized from his forays into
classified areas.

"That's pretty high tech for a warehouse."

"I think it's safe to say this isn't any normal warehouse."  Krycek took
a square piece of cloth out of his pocket and made his way to the door.
Unwrapping the cloth, he pulled out a thin sheet of what looked like
polythene and held it up to the panel by the side of the door.  Then he
took out a black oblong box and placed it over the plastic, pushing the
digital keys on the back of it as Mulder looked on curiously.  Suddenly
the door started to slide open and Mulder stepped to one side so that he
wouldn't be in full view of any occupants, swiftly pulling out his gun
in readiness.  Krycek put his equipment away and stood on the other
side.  Peering cautiously around the doorframe, they both checked that
the way was clear, then Krycek motioned Mulder inside.  As the door
closed behind them, Mulder turned nervously, relieved to see that Krycek
had used a chair to block the entrance. In his experience a quick exit
was usually needed from situations like this and he didn't trust his
companion to back him up in a tight spot.  His thoughts quickly turned
from such concerns though as he moved further into the room.  In front
was a large glass window that reminded Mulder of the ones they used to
look in on interrogations...or those that overlooked hospital ORs.  The
last thought came to him as he saw what was inside the room beyond.  It
was very like a hospital, only more like a ward with rows of beds
spreading down its length.  Some were empty, but a fair amount were
occupied by women.......very obviously pregnant women.  


He approached the glass, taking in all the equipment the women were
hooked up to. They all seemed to be unconscious, intravenously being fed
some substance that he couldn't make out in the dim light.  Mulder was
sure though that whatever was going on here, it had little to do with
normal hospital practice.

"What's happened to them?  Who are they?" He felt fingers of horror
creeping up his spine, making every hair on his body stand on end.  What
was it Krycek had said was in here?  Monsters?  Something told him that
for once the man had been telling the truth.

"They're nobodies, faceless people like hundreds that disappear every
year.  Some of them end up here."

Mulder ignored the callous attitude.  He wanted answers.  "What's being
done to them?"

Krycek seemed reluctant to reply, glancing at Mulder as though he wasn't
sure of his reaction.  "The same thing they almost did to Scully," he
whispered.

Mulder turned slowly to face him.  "What the hell are you talking
about?"

Looking nervous, Krycek stepped back and took up a defensive posture.
"This is where they brought Scully when they abducted her."

Mulder just looked at him, then suddenly he launched himself across the
space separating them and shoved Krycek against the wall.

"What did they do to her?  Tell me you bastard before I rip your lying
tongue out."  

Panting, Krycek lay against the wall.  He didn't try and use his gun to
defend himself, offering no resistance in the face of Mulder's anger.

"This is where they do their experiments to try and fix the problem they
have with the clones.  Too many people with the same face," Krycek
grimaced, moving restlessly under Mulder's arm.  "They're trying to see
if they can use alien DNA in conjunction with natural childbirth.  As
far as I know, nothing's survived so far."

Mulder stepped back as though he couldn't bear to have physical contact
with Krycek anymore.  "Monsters..." he choked.  The idea of Scully being
here, subjected to this abomination, was more horrible to him than
anything else he had ever encountered.  "They let her go...."

Krycek brushed his hair away from his eyes, his gaze never leaving
Mulder.  "They didn't expect you to go off the deep end the way you did.
They wanted you isolated, out of the FBI if possible, but still
functioning.  That's why they decided to return her relatively unharmed.
For some reason you're important to them Mulder.  I don't know why.  I
tried to find out, but....." Realizing he was giving too much away,
Krycek shut up, relieved to see that Mulder was in no condition to
notice his slip.  "Mulder...."

Suddenly a loud klaxon started to sound above them.  "Shit.  They must
have found the dogs." Krycek tugged on Mulder's arm.  "Come on, we have
to get out of here."  He headed for the door.

"We can't just leave them."

Krycek looked back impatiently.  "There's nothing we can do for them.
They're already dead and we will be too unless we get the hell out of
here fast."

Sliding the door back, Krycek didn't turn to see if Mulder was following
him.  With one look of anguish into the room beyond, Mulder ran after
Krycek, knowing that what he had seen here would haunt his nightmares
for the rest of his life.

Krycek stood at the exit of the building, checking to make sure the way
was clear.  He glanced at Mulder as he drew near.  "Head straight for
the wall where we came in."  Without waiting for an acknowledgment he
pulled open the door and started to run.   A second behind him, Mulder
kept his gun ready and took off across the compound.  He heard sounds of
pursuit behind him, but all he could think about was Scully in that
place and what they must have done to her.  Suddenly, as though he had
hit an invisible brick wall, he stopped and spun around, bringing both
arms up, gun ready.  Knowing only that he wanted to destroy the people
who had hurt his partner, he began to fire with cold precision.  His
first shot brought down the man at the front of his pursuers, unprepared
as they were for his sudden attack.  He managed to get another shot off
before the others dove for cover.  Barely hearing the vicious curse
behind him, he kept on firing, wanting nothing more than to kill all of
them, wipe them off the face of the earth.  Suddenly he felt a driving
force cannon into him, knocking him to the ground, and he was conscious
of a burning pain stabbing across his forehead.  And then there was
nothing.

**********************

Krycek heard the men behind them getting closer.  They might be able to
make the wall, but they would be open targets there.   he
thought, wishing that he hadn't picked such a heavily guarded site to
show Mulder.  He had wanted to impress his ex-partner with the quality
of his information, but this had been a mistake, too hurriedly planned,
to many loopholes left unattended.  He was about to offer Mulder
covering fire while he climbed the wall when he became aware of the
nature of the sounds behind him.  Too close, those shots were too close.
Looking back in utter disbelief, he saw Mulder standing there, firing
his gun as though totally unconcerned at the easy target he was
presenting.

  Looking longingly at the wall and escape, he didn't give himself time 
to regret his decision, running back and pile driving into Mulder so that
the force of his action took them both behind the relative safety of a truck. 
Hunched over Mulder's body, he felt something sticky on his hand and 
looked at the blood there with something like horror.    He wasn't sure what 
the sensation was he felt, but he knew he didn't like feeling it.  Checking
the body quickly while trying to keep an eye on their attackers, he
discovered the blood was coming from a head wound.  Fingers against
Mulder's neck, he let out the breath he hadn't been aware of holding
when he found a strong pulse.  Clenching his hands, he tried to stop
them shaking.   

Seeing a shadow moving to work around them, he let off a shot and was 
satisfied at seeing the figure drop.  One less to worry about, but the odds were
not good.   he thought, looking down at the supine figure that seemed to have
no intention of waking up any time soon.    And there was the rub.  He didn't 
really think that Mulder  leave him if the tables were turned, not in these
circumstances.  He wiped the sweat out of his eyes.    He studied the terrain.  

The wall was out of the question now.  There was no way he could get 
Mulder over it without his cooperation, plus they would be waiting to pick them 
off if he tried it.  It would have to be the gate, that was the only other way 
out, 
but that would mean getting passed the guards.  Suddenly he heard a footstep
behind him and swung around, his gun ready to fire.  Recognition hit him
just in time to stop him pulling the trigger.

"How the hell did you get  here?" Krycek turned back to make sure that
no one had made any moves across the compound, ignoring the man behind
him who still had a gun steadily trained on his back. "You'd better get
under cover unless you want your brains splattered all over the truck."
He didn't sound as though the idea bothered him much.

Walter Skinner hunched down next to Krycek, but his attention was on the
body lying on the ground.

"What have you done to him?"  One handed he checked Mulder out, his gun
never leaving its target.

"Nothing.  In case you haven't notice, the bad guys are over there."
Krycek ran his fingers through his hair, trying to figure a way out that
wouldn't end up with him or Mulder decorating the concrete with their
insides.  Skinner wasn't his problem, but he might be useful and he
would take all the help he could get.  "What are you doing here anyway?
I told Mulder not to tell anyone."

"He didn't," Skinner bit out, that fact obviously a sore point.  "I
needed to check something on one of Mulder's cases and when I couldn't
get hold of him my gut told me he was up to another one of his crazy
schemes."  He didn't mention that Mulder's earlier behavior has factored
into his suspicions, unaware that Krycek already knew he had stayed the
night at Mulder's apartment. 

"How did you know about this place?"  Krycek asked suspiciously.  If he
knew his Mulder it was unlikely that he'd have risked losing the chance
for more knowledge by telling Skinner where they were meeting.  That
being the case, there was only one other way the man could have known
where to come.  His grip tightened on his gun.  He wasn't the trusting
soul that Mulder was.

"I found a note in Mulder's pocket.  It gave this location and a time.
When I couldn't reach him, I decided to check it out.  I heard the shots
and came in over the wall."

Krycek thought it was lucky for the AD that their enemies had been too
busy shooting at him and Mulder to notice someone else breaching their
security.

"Who are these guys?"  Seeing movement, Skinner turned his gun that way,
but the figure dodged behind one of the buildings.  

"Does it matter?" Krycek asked, firing at another shadow that moved
between some packing cases. 

"Yes, it matters," Skinner growled, covering the other side in case
someone managed to get around them.  "I can make a call, get backup here
in minutes."  He reached into his pocket for his phone, only to have it
torn out of his hand.  The plastic shattered under the heel of Krycek's
boot.

"We play this my way or we don't play at all.  I have no intention of
winding up in FBI headquarters.  My life expectancy isn't good now, but
at least it's better than nil."

Skinner was seriously considering knocking the man into next Tuesday,
but held on to his temper...just.

"Frankly Krycek, your welfare isn't my primary concern."  He gestured to
where Mulder was lying.  "He is, so I'm warning you, if he dies, there
won't be a hole deep enough for you to hide in."

Krycek's mouth twisted into a bitter smile.  "Save the threats for
someone who gives a damn.  We don't have time for your macho posturing
now."  His gaze turned speculative as he eyed the vehicle they were
pressed up against.  "Come on, help me get him into the truck."

Krycek started to pull Mulder to his feet, finding the dead weight of
the taller man hard to manage.  Skinner quickly bent to help, almost
snatching Mulder out of Krycek's grasp.   Krycek stepped back and let
him take over, knowing that one of them had to protect the rear.  He
wasn't crazy about seeing Mulder being handled by the other man, but for
now he had other, more important concerns.

"You're thinking of using the truck as a way out of here?" Skinner asked
breathlessly as he finally managed to get Mulder into the seat, pushing
him over and down so that he was out of the line of fire.

"You have a better idea?" Krycek said, not turning around.  "We need
cover and we need a way through that gate."  He pointed to the steel
wire fence that guarded the entrance.  "The truck should give us both."
He flashed Skinner a cocky grin.  "Let's just pray this thing works," he
said, nodding to the truck. "Hell of a time to be out of gas."

Skinner didn't return the smile, ignoring Krycek as he climbed in after
Mulder, keeping low.  Reaching under the dash he found the wires he was
looking for and pulled, thankful for certain less law abiding skills
he'd picked up along the way.

Krycek's attention was on the men across the compound, but they were not
about to make a rush over an area that afforded them no cover, at least
for now.  He let off a few shots in their general direction, then swung
around when he heard the motor behind him cough to life.  Knowing that
it would also be heard and acted upon by the people trying to stop them,
he fired randomly, then quickly ran to get in the truck, not entirely
sure that Skinner wouldn't take off without him.  Jumping up, he almost
found himself sitting in Skinner's lap before the other man quickly
moved out from under him.  He heard Skinner curse below his breath and
smiled with real pleasure as he put the truck into gear and floored it.
Rubber burnt as they took off across the compound and Krycek swung the
wheel so that they were headed straight for the gate at speed.  

Skinner leaned over the unconscious body of his agent and returned fire,
then as they approached the gate he braced an arm across Mulder's limp
form, pressing him securely against the back of the seat.  

As they crashed through the gate, Krycek hollered, more from a sense of
relief than anything else, ignoring the disapproving frown from his
companion.  Glancing in his mirror, he checked to see if they were being
followed, but wasn't surprised when the road behind them was clear.

"We need to get him to a hospital."  Skinner was checking Mulder's head
with concern, worried that the man still hadn't regain consciousness.
"And I need to get to a phone.  I want my people on that place as soon
as possible."

"No hospitals."  He saw Skinner about to argue and interrupted.   "You
want him alive don't you? There's no way you'd be able to protect him in
a hospital."  Krycek didn't mention that the last place Mulder would
want to wake up right now was a hospital.  Let Skinner think Mulder
might be in danger.  That way he'd be more cooperative.   He didn't try
and analyze where this new found feeling of responsibility for his old
partner had come from.  He was still trying to figure out what had made
him risk his life for the other man back in the compound.

"OK, no hospitals," Skinner reluctantly agreed.  "Not yet anyway.  He's
going to need to be checked over though."

Krycek's mouth turned grim as he maneuvered down a side street.  "I
suppose you mean by Scully."  He nodded grudgingly.  "Scully it is.
We're going to need to dump the truck."

"Hold on!"  Skinner leant forward in his seat.  "I know this street.
You've backtracked.  I left my car just around the corner up there."

Fully aware that he had backtracked, assuming that any pursuers would
look farther afield, Krycek thought of a few suitably terse replies, but
swung the truck in the direction Skinner had indicated. 

Throwing the door open, Krycek jumped to the ground and ran around to
the other side.  Skinner had opened his door and was trying without much
success to get Mulder down safely when Krycek came and took hold of the
pliant body, propping Mulder up against the side of the truck while
Skinner stepped down.  The larger man turned and wrapped Mulder's arm
around his neck, waiting while Krycek did the same.  Almost dragging the
surprisingly heavy body across the street, they made their way to where
Skinner had parked his car. Reluctantly releasing Mulder to Krycek,
Skinner dug into his coat pocket for the keys and opened the door,
sliding into the driver's seat and watching as Krycek maneuvered Mulder
into the car before getting in beside him.

Settling, Krycek pulled Mulder back against his body, an action that
did not go unnoticed by the AD whose face turned even grimmer in the dim
streetlight. He had to acknowledge to himself that having Mulder slumped
against him wouldn't improve his driving skills, but he found the
implied intimacy of the act extremely irritating.

"We'd better go to my place," Krycek said, reeling off an address in a
better part of town.  "They don't know about it yet."

Skinner considered arguing.  His instinct was to go to FBI headquarters.
He wanted Krycek under lock and key and he wanted to find out what the
hell was going on.  The only trouble was that he no longer had any faith
in the safety those hallowed halls could offer, either to Krycek or,
more importantly, to Mulder.  Making a decision he hoped he wouldn't
live to regret, he started the car and headed for the address Krycek had
given him.

******************

It took them less than twenty minutes to get there, but it was a relief
when they finally arrived.  Mulder still hadn't come around, although
his wound was only bleeding sluggishly now, staining the makeshift
bandage that Krycek had torn from his shirt.  Grateful that they weren't
spotted by any curious passers-by, between them they managed to get
Mulder up to Krycek's apartment on the third floor, laying him out on
the long, comfortable couch.

As Krycek turned, he came face to face with the barrel of Skinner's gun.
Holding his arms up, he offered no opposition as Skinner reached under
his jacket and relieved him of his weapon.

"I don't know why you decided to drag Mulder into your schemes, but it
ends here, you understand? You've done enough to destroy him already."

Contemptuously side-stepping Skinner, Krycek walked through to the
kitchen, coming back with a bowl of water and a towel.  He sat beside
Mulder, removing the stained bandage and gently sponging the blood off
his face.  "Mulder was in this shit up to his neck long before I came on
the scene, so don't try and lay it all at my door.  If anyone's doing
the using here, it's him."  He dipped the towel in the water, watching
as it turned a dusky red.  The color disturbed him for some reason and
he quickly turned back to his task.

"Why don't you contact Scully, get her here so she can take a look at
him." He gestured to the gun that Skinner still held pointed in his
direction.  "You can arrest me later.  Right now I'm more worried about
why he still hasn't regained consciousness."

Skinner didn't lower the gun.  "Like you really care, Krycek."

Alex stopped wiping Mulder's face and looked at him.  "Whatever you
think of me, whatever my motives are, he needs help, so why don't we
concentrate on that for now."  He continued to administer to Mulder,
ignoring the man standing above him.

Slowly Skinner lowered his gun and walked over to the phone.

In a reasonably short time considering the late hour, Skinner heard
someone pick up on the other end and a sleepy voice answer.

"Scully, it's Skinner.  Mulder's been hurt.  He's OK, but I think he's
going to need your services."  There was a pause as he listened to
Scully's reply.  "I'll explain when you get here."  He told her the
address and hung up, grimacing when he thought of trying to answer her
questions when he was almost as much in the dark about what had happened
as she was. 

"That was stupid.  Her phone is probably tapped.  You should have gotten
her to meet you someplace, not given out my address over an open line."
Krycek started to think of the quickest way he could dump Skinner and
make a run for it.  He had a spare gun stashed in his bedroom and he
didn't think getting that would be a problem.  He'd have to trust
Skinner to look after Mulder, but he was pretty certain his former
partner was in no real danger from the consortium.  Unfortunately they
wouldn't view their ex-employee in quite the same light.  If they found
him, they'd kill him, without hesitation, and he didn't intend to sit
around and wait for them to arrive on his doorstep.

"You forget who her partner is," Skinner answered distractedly, looking
down at where Mulder lay, pale and silent.  "They both sweep for bugs
regularly."

Krycek was surprised that Skinner would be aware of something like that.
Obviously the man took more of an interest in his agents than he would
have guessed. So, he was safe, for now at least.  He pushed Mulder's
hair back from his face, vaguely disturbed by what he was feeling.  It
would have been hard, leaving Mulder like this, and that was dangerous.
Very dangerous.  He stood up abruptly and went to get a fresh bandage.

When he came back Skinner was waiting for him.  His expression said it
was beyond time for a few explanations.

"What exactly was going on in that warehouse and why did you arrange to
meet Mulder there tonight?" the AD demanded, making sure he was standing
between Krycek and the door.

"I needed to prove to Mulder that the information I was offering was
genuine."

Skinner paced restlessly, never taking his eyes off Krycek.  "So you
took him there to show him what?"

"They were doing experiments on test subjects.  Trying to match human
and alien DNA."  Krycek didn't feel the need to go into details.  He'd
leave that to Mulder.

Skinner frowned, but said nothing about the absurdity of the claim.
Krycek had to smile.  Obviously the AD was getting used to his agent's
wilder theories.

"Why exactly would Mulder trust you to show him anything?  You've proven
yourself to be a liar and a murderer."  Skinner didn't try to conceal
the contempt he felt.

"He doesn't trust me, he just needs what I can bring him."  Krycek sat
down beside Mulder and began applying the bandage, fixing it with tape
when he was finished.  He nodded in satisfaction.  It would hold until
Scully could take a look at it.

Reluctantly accepting the terse explanation, Skinner strode over to the
phone again.

"Who the hell are you calling now?" Krycek asked, gathering up the old
bloodstained bandage off the floor.

"I want to get some men to that warehouse."  Skinner began punching in
the familiar digits.

Finishing his call, the AD gave Krycek's number in case his people
needed to reach him and hung up.  A team would go over the warehouse
with a fine tooth comb and hopefully he might gain a few more answers.
They certainly didn't seem to be forthcoming from his only other
available source.

Krycek shook his head.  "Waste of time.  There won't be anything to
find.  Their first order of business would have been to remove or
destroy any evidence.  That's why they didn't come after us.  Once we
were outside the compound they had to assume their cover was broken."

Skinner had just about reached the limit of his patience with the other
man.   Krycek's calm certainty was starting to get to him and he would
have liked nothing better than to teach his former agent a quick lesson
courtesy of his fists.  "Whatever deal you had going with Mulder doesn't
mean a damn to me.  So far I haven't seen one good reason not to cart
your ass off to jail and throw away the key.  I don't like you and I
sure as hell don't trust you, Krycek."

Preferring to have all the cards on the table, Krycek's reply was
equally aggressive as he approached the other man.

"I don't give a flying fuck what you want.  You're not sitting behind
your big desk now, issuing orders as though your word is law.  He might
have to put up with it," he said, pointing at Mulder, "but I don't." 

Skinners hands clenched and he advanced menacingly, but Krycek refused
to be intimidated.

"I bet you really get off on it, telling him what to do.  Must give you
a real thrill to have him stand there and lick your ass."

"You little bastard!"  Skinner's arm went back and there was no doubt
about what he intended to do.

"Do you think you could take this somewhere else, guys.  My head feels
as though the Brandenburg concerto's playing in it, quick time."

Skinner froze and turned to see Mulder sitting up on the couch, holding
his head.  "Mulder!"

Before he could move, Krycek strode over and sat down beside the groggy
man, tipping Mulder's head up and staring into his eyes.  "Could have
been worse.  At least you've still got a head for it to play in.."   He
waved his hand in front of Mulder's face. "You're a bit dilated.
Probably concussion. How's your vision?"

Mulder pulled away from him.  "Fine, apart from this great big hand
obscuring my view.  What happened?"  Before Krycek could answer his
question, Mulder's eyes darkened with a different pain as he remembered
what he had seen in the warehouse.  "Scully..."

As though called up by his words, there was a knock at the door and
Skinner went to let Scully in, trying to control the abortive anger he
was still feeling.  His hands itched to do some damage as he passed
Krycek sitting cozily next to Mulder on the couch, feeling an
unreasonable hostility towards his agent for letting the other man touch
him so familiarly.

Krycek relinquished his place to Scully as she came in, ignoring the
look of antipathy she favored him with as she took his seat.

"Did he do this?" she asked Mulder as she examined his wound.  

"No....er, I don't think so."

"You don't think so?"  Scully looked at Skinner for confirmation, but it
was Krycek who answered her question.

"It wasn't me who shot him."  He didn't elaborate.

"I'm not sure what happened," Mulder continued.  "Just a pain in my
head, then nothing.  Did you get me out?"  he asked Krycek, obviously
having difficulty accepting the idea.

"Yes, with a little help from your boss," he said, gesturing to Skinner.
"If we hadn't got him out of there, you'd be visiting him in a morgue."
Krycek seemed to take a perverse pleasure in the pain that shadowed
Scully's eyes.

"What happened to him?" she asked Skinner, frowning as she looked at the
nasty gash Mulder sported just below his hairline.

"Mulder was at a warehouse across town.  When I got there he'd already
been wounded.  They were pinned down, under fire."

Scully glanced at Krycek.  "They?  You mean Krycek was with him?"

Skinner nodded.  "Yes, it was Krycek who took him there.  He says he was
showing Mulder something that was going on in the warehouse, experiments
with....."

"Look, can we discuss this some other time.  My head really is killing
me."  

Krycek suspected that Mulder was using his wound as an excuse to end the
conversation.  It was obvious that he didn't want Scully to know how
closely the warehouse was involved in her abduction.  That was OK by him
and a possibly bargaining chip in his relationship with Mulder,
something that he could always use.

"I think he's got concussion, but as far as I can tell he's not bleeding
internally.  He should be checked out at a hospital though," Scully gave
her diagnosis.

"No!" 

She looked surprised at the point blank refusal.

"Scully, I'm OK, I just need a little rest, that's all."

Scully studied him and recognized the signs of incipient Mulder
stubbornness.  She knew when she was defeated.

"OK, but I don't want you left alone tonight.  I can stay..."

"No Scully," Skinner interrupted, deciding it was time he took control
of the situation, "I need your medical expertise at the warehouse.  You
may have more idea what we're looking for than the other agents."

Mulder was about to argue, but a glare from Skinner kept him silent.

Scully slowly stood, obviously not pleased with the idea of leaving
Mulder in his condition, but used to following Skinner's orders.

"He's going to need constant supervision throughout the night," she
said, the worry clear in her voice.  

"I'll be here......"  The phone interrupted Skinner and he bent to pick
it up.  

Snorting in disgust at the AD's casual commandeering of his apartment,
Krycek went through to the bathroom to get some Tylenol for Mulder's
head.  He was conscious of Scully's eyes following him suspiciously and
grinned to himself.  Mulder's partner had never liked him, but that was
OK.  The feeling was entirely mutual.

When he came out, Scully was already gone and Skinner looked like a
thundercloud had taken permanent residence on his face.

"I'll be fine, I don't need you to send anyone over," Krycek caught
Mulder telling his boss as he walked back into the room.

"You heard Scully.  You need someone here to keep an eye on you."  

 Krycek thought, handing Mulder the pills and
a glass of water.  "In case it's escaped your notice, this is my
apartment.  That means I fully intend to spend the night here."

Skinner's face turned even grimmer.  "Who says I'm going to give you
that option, Krycek?"

"Look," Mulder interjected, wanting to cut through the tension between
the two men, "you need to go and sort out the problem with the search
warrant.  I just want to find a bed and sleep for a week, if my head
will let me."

"And you trust Krycek to stay here with you?" Skinner demanded angrily.
"He's the man you believe killed your father, Mulder.  The man who
played a large part in having your partner abducted."

Krycek grimaced.  He'd been waiting for someone to bring up that old
chestnut.   He should have guessed it would be Skinner.  Seeing the
familiar bitterness suffuse Mulder's face made him sincerely wish that
he'd taken the time to get his spare gun from the bedroom.  The AD was
beginning to seriously annoy him.

"Mulder," Krycek went and sat beside the FBI man on the couch. "I hauled
your tail out of that place back there.  If I'd wanted to, I could have
left you.  Don't you think that you can trust me to keep an eye on you
for one night? Unless you intend to arrest me of course." He sat back in
his seat, grinning with a confidence he was far from feeling.

"Mulder?"  Skinner asked, letting him know it was his call.

Mulder passed a tired hand over his eyes.  "He stays."

Skinner did not look pleased, but he didn't continue to argue the point.
"I'll be back as soon as I can.  You stay put." He pointed an
authoritative finger at Krycek, receiving an infuriatingly innocent
smile in return.

Lips pursed, Skinner stalked to the door and pulled it open forcefully,
pausing when Mulder moaned and held his head.  Reminded of his agent's
delicate condition, Skinner frowned apologetically and shut the door
quietly behind him as he left.

Mulder sighed, relaxing back into his seat and fully appreciating the
sudden release of tension in the room. He wasn't sure what was going on
between his boss and Krycek, but something told him they'd never be
bridge partners.  

Closing his eyes, he tried to ignore the dull thud in his head and the
faint nauseous feeling threatening his stomach.  The man sitting beside
him was quiet, presenting a strangely comforting presence and Mulder was
too tired to want to consider the implications of that.     

"I think it's time you went to bed, don't you?" Krycek asked, standing
up and hovering over him.

Mulder opened one eye, glaring at his tormentor as though he were crazy.
"I can die here just as well as anywhere else," he said, although in
fact he could feel the Tylenol beginning to kick in. 

"Yeah, but it'll be easier for the undertaker if you're lying in bed
when it happens."  Krycek grinned wickedly down at him as he put a hand
under his arm and helped him to his feet.  

Allowing himself to be ushered into the other room, Mulder sunk onto the
bed gratefully.  Krycek stood by his side indecisively for a moment,
then leant over and began to tug at his jacket.  "You'll feel more
comfortable with your clothes off."

Mumbling under his breath, Mulder batted his hands away and started to
slip the knot on his tie.  Help rejected, Krycek left him to finish
undressing and went to get the bottle of painkillers and a fresh glass
of water, guessing that Mulder would probably have need of them sometime
during the night.

When he got back, the bed was turned down and Mulder had taken off his
shirt and was just unzipping his pants.  Putting the water and pills on
the cabinet beside the bed, he knelt down and started to unlace Mulder's
shoes.  There was a brief hesitation from above and he glanced up, only
to meet Mulder's eyes fixed intently on him.

"You're gonna feel it if you try and bend down for these," he explained,
sliding Mulder's shoes and socks off and placing them next to the bed.

"Thanks."  The tone was mocking, but Mulder didn't try and stop him as
he began to tug at his pants, lifting his hips obligingly to make the
process easier.  As Krycek went to unbuckle the spare gun he kept
strapped to his leg, Mulder swallowed nervously.  Krycek and guns was
not a combination he appreciated in such close proximity, so he waited
with some apprehension as the other man removed the weapon and placed it
on the bedside cabinet.

"That reminds me." Krycek heaved Mulder's legs onto the bed and lifted
the covers over him, totally ignoring his protest that he wasn't an
invalid.  Walking over to the wardrobe, he took down a gun from the top,
flipped it open to verify that all was in working order before snapping
it shut again.  "Always pays to be prepared." He stuck the gun down the
waistband of his jeans.  "I've left the Tylenol by the bed and I'll be
in to check on you every hour."

"I told you, I'm OK.  I just need some sleep."  Mulder peered at Krycek
from under his arm.  "Undisturbed sleep."

"Yeah, and if you slip into a coma on my watch, I'll have Scully and
Skinner breathing down my neck for the rest of my probably short life.
Live with it."

Mulder didn't answer, just rolled over and presented his back to Krycek.
Wondering why he even bothered, Krycek turned to leave the room.

"Alex!"

Krycek paused, surprised to hear Mulder use his first name.  "Yeah?"

"Don't tell Scully.  About that place.  About what they did to her
there.  OK?"

Krycek gazed at the tense figure on the bed and felt a strange
wistfulness steal over him.  If he hadn't betrayed him, if he had stayed
his partner, would Mulder have ever come to care for him the way he did
Scully?  He shook himself out of his introspective mood.  No point
thinking about things he couldn't change.  The world was the way it was
and he had to live with the choices he had made.

"Fine by me. Get some sleep.  I'll wake you in an hour."

Not getting nor expecting a reply, he shut the door quietly and went to
see what was on TV.  It was promising to be a long, long night.


**************

Woken up from a light doze, Krycek checked the clock and saw that it was
4.15 a.m., over an hour since he'd last looked in on Mulder.  Groaning
as stiff muscles made their presence felt, he pushed aside the blanket
he'd brought out to cover himself and sat up. Hearing again the noise
that must have woken him, he determined that it came from the bedroom
and stumbled, naked, in that direction.  Stubbing his toe in the dark,
he cursed fluently, telling himself that if this was anything less than
death, Mulder was in serious shit.

Switching on the bedside lamp, Krycek was surprised to find his patient
still asleep.  Mulder's feverish movements gave answer to what had
disturbed his rest, and Krycek watched as Mulder tossed and turned on
the bed, mumbling Scully's name under his breath.  It didn't take a
genius to guess what the nightmare was about and it was hardly
surprising given what they had seen that night.   Kneeling on the bed,
Krycek reached across and pulled Mulder over, trying to wake him as
gently as possible.

"Mulder. Mulder!  You need to wake up now."  He shook the man, becoming
concerned when he didn't come to as readily as he had the other times
Krycek had been in to check on him.  "Mulder?"  He turned Mulder's face
towards him and was shocked to find it wet with tears.  Shaking him more
urgently, he was relieved when Mulder pulled away from his touch and
buried his head in the pillow.

"Leave me alone."

Almost lying across the bed now, Krycek thought about how often he'd
fantasized being in this very position, although for vastly different
reasons.

"Bad one, huh?"  he asked, not knowing how to offer the comfort that was
so obviously needed.

"Some of us don't find it as easy as you do to live with the guilt."
The words were a whispered indictment and Krycek accepted them as such,
not wanting to admit to the nights he had woken up screaming Mulder's
name. 

"I don't find it easy, but I won't let it destroy me either."  He put a
hand on Mulder's shoulder.  "I have done things that I regret and some
that meant nothing to me.  Now my life is just about surviving as long
as I can.  I won't let the bastards win, Mulder.  Neither should you."

Mulder laughed bitterly, his voice breaking with fresh tears.  "Like you
care what happens to me.  Good old Mulder, always a useful tool in the
right hands."  He pulled away from Krycek's touch.  "She was dead you
know.  When I found her."

Krycek frowned in confusion.  "Who was dead?"

"My sister.  They got there first, killed her."  Mulder huddled into
himself.  "A week.  I missed her by one lousy week."

Krycek lay his head on the pillow beside Mulder's.  "I'm sorry.  I
didn't know."

"Would it have mattered?"

Krycek looked away from the piercing gaze.  "I.....I don't know."

Mulder seemed oddly satisfied with the reply.  "At least you're not
still trying to BS me."

Krycek smiled. "I'll save that for tomorrow.  You're not up to it
tonight."

Mulder sighed and turned over onto his back, his arm shading his face.
"Every time I close my eyes I see her there, in that  place."

Krycek didn't need to ask who he was talking about.  "She's back now,
concentrate on that."

Mulder looked at him angrily.  "Oh yeah, forget that my new,
the man I was beginning to trust, was the one responsible for her
becoming a lab rat in some Frankenstein experiment.  I forget nothing,
Krycek.  Nothing."

Alex closed his eyes in weary acceptance, his head resting heavily on
the pillow as though Mulder's accusations were a weight he was tired of
carrying.

"If you want to hate me, Mulder, go ahead.  I'm used to you using me as
your punching bag."

But Mulder just lay there, the anger slowly fading from his eyes.  "Why
did you save my life tonight?  That didn't fit in with your survival at
all costs principal."

Krycek moved restlessly on the bed.  He'd been hoping to avoid that
particular question.  "Because you're still useful to me."

"I wouldn't have been much use to you if you'd wound up dead."

Krycek grinned cockily.  "I had no plans on dying, Mulder.  I would have
left you there if Skinner hadn't turned up to save the day."

"Now why don't I believe you?" Mulder asked, genuinely intrigued by the
idea that Alex Krycek, immoral killer, might be willing to risk his life
for him.  This certainly didn't tally with the profile he'd mentally put
together on the other man.

"Because you want to think the best of people, even when there's no best
in them."  Krycek didn't like being the subject of Mulder's speculation.
When he started to worry on a problem he invariable came to the right
answer in the end and Krycek was not prepared for that to happen in this
case.  "You pretend that you don't trust anyone, but how long did it
take me to get under your defenses?  You want to believe, Mulder.  It's
your greatest weakness...and your greatest strength."

Mulder sat up abruptly, groaning as his head made itself felt.  Krycek
was immediately at his shoulder, holding out the glass of water and
pills for him to take.  Mulder tossed them back, took a swig of the
water and lay down again.

"I'm not up to theoretical discussions at the moment, Krycek.   The way
I feel right now you might even convince me that you're an upright
citizen just doing his job."

Krycek didn't take offense at the slur.  "Head bad?"

Mulder nodded, hands covering his face.

Krycek reached over and turned off the lamp.  "You need to relax."

Mulder didn't answer, but felt the bed dip as the warm body beside him
moved closer.  He was startled out of his pain induced introspection by
a soft touch against his skin. 

"Krycek...?"

"Just lie back and go with it, Mulder.  If you want you can call this my
payment for what I showed you tonight."

Mulder was about to argue when hot lips nuzzled at his throat, taking
his breath and the words of protest away.  As a knowing tongue moved
down his chest and licked around his nipples, he lifted into the caress,
but as Krycek abandoned his chest for more inviting climbs, Mulder
tugged his head away from his flesh.

"No."  It was said without anger, just a statement.

"Yes." A silent battle was waged, Krycek's eyes never leaving Mulder's
as he slowly lowered to his task again.  For a moment Mulder kept his
painful grip on Krycek's hair, then, as one admitting defeat, his hand
cupped the back of Alex's head and gently pressed him to continue.

Mulder felt the lips against him turn into a smile and could imagine the
triumph on the face of this man, both enemy and enigma.  He wondered if
he would regret this night and thought he probably would, but his
decision was made, had almost certainly been made the first time Krycek
had kissed him, and he was so weary of fighting.  Just for once he
wanted someone to come and take his pain away.

"I've never told you how much I love your chest, have I Mulder?" Krycek
whispered against his skin, a tickling breeze that brought goose bumps
up all over him.  He worked his way further down, enthusiastically
rimming Mulder's bellybutton before continuing on.  By this time
Mulder's body was fully responding to the stimulation, but Krycek was in
no rush and instead of going where Mulder's wandering hands tried to
direct him, he licked his way down his thigh, holding his leg up and
placing a soft kiss on the back of his knee.  Running his hands down the
calf, he held the foot to his mouth, sucking on Mulder's toes.  The FBI
man was amazed at how stimulating he found this. No one had ever done
that to his feet before and he would never have thought of them as being
an erogenous zone, but under Krycek attentive ministrations he was
becoming more turned on that he would have ever imagined.  Moving to
kneel between Mulder's legs, Krycek pushed them out and up, lifting them
onto his shoulders and ignoring the apprehensive frown that Mulder sent
him.  Kissing along one thigh, he rubbed his stubbled chin against the
delicate flesh, holding Mulder down as he reacted to the exciting
irritation before soothing the residual burning with his tongue.
As he approached the rampant shaft that beckoned him, he playfully
bumped it aside with his nose and aimed for the root, a moan of
pleasured frustration from above telling its own tale of urgency. Hands
caught and held his head as though fearing he might continue to tease,
but Krycek merely cupped his flesh, holding it as if it were the
greatest treasure in the universe.

"I used to dream about you like this," Krycek whispered in hallowed
reverence, not wanting to draw the attention of the fates that always
seemed to snatch away any little moment of happiness he found.  "I never
thought it would happen.  I never thought..." his head lowered and he
kissed the tip of Mulder's cock like a benediction, tasting the weeping
juices and relishing their flavor.  

"Alex.."  Mulder didn't know what to say, but as that mouth closed
around him, he forgot words, forgot the past.  Forgot that this way lay
madness....and learned only to feel.

Closing his eyes, Krycek took Mulder into himself, moving down the firm
flesh between his lips until he met his own hand holding Mulder steady.
Turning and working the sacs below, he fondled them in time with his
movements, giving Mulder the pressure he needed as his hips thrust up to
get more of the intense stimulation.  Humming deep in his throat he
found his hand no longer needed to steady the rigid flesh so he wound it
around Mulder's hips, pulling him up off the bed and wrapping Mulder's
legs more firmly around his shoulders.  Mulder tried to thrust into the
welcoming, wet heat, and Krycek allowed it, guiding his stabbing lunges
with his hands.  As his hips pistoned uncontrollably, Krycek rode out
the drama, working diligently to bring about that moment of total loss
of control when Mulder would be entirely his.  With a gusting sigh
almost of sadness, Mulder lurched up, cock twitching one last time
before exploding into the mouth worshiping it, the semen taken and
drunk and relished, every drop.  

With one fond kiss, his flesh was released and Mulder flopped back to
the bed, his senses still singing with orgasm.

Scrambling up to lie beside him, Krycek lent over Mulder's open mouth
and kissed him, letting him taste himself on his tongue as it danced
over his own.

"Hmm."  Mulder pulled away reluctantly, needing to catch his breath.
Gently turning his lax body over, Krycek spooned in behind him and
Mulder couldn't fail to be aware of the incipient erection pressing into
his asscheeks.  

He settled back against it, rocking his hips slightly.  "Not sure which
is better for headaches, Tylenol or sex."

Krycek chuckled into his shoulder.  "You feel better?"

Mulder sighed and arched back against him.  "I think I probably still
feel lousy, I just don't  that I feel lousy."

Krycek's chuckle turned into a full blown laugh and he kissed Mulder's
neck affectionately.  "Good, mission accomplished."

"Not quite."  Mulder's hand moved around to grip the cock trying to make
inroads in his back.  "I think we should take care of this before I end
up permanently scarred."   

Mulder tried to turn over, but Krycek's arms held him in place.  "That's
OK, this will be fine."  Adjusting a little, he started to thrust into
the crevice of Mulder's ass, holding the cheeks around his cock as the
friction made him even harder.  Mulder wrapped a hand around Krycek's
head and managed to pull the eager mouth to his own, lunging back and
grinding his hips against Alex while his tongue imitated the movements
below.  As desire built, he caught and held the muffled cry of passion
Krycek let loose as all the need, all the longing that had lain
expressionless in him for years seared to the surface and burst forth
with almost violent force. 

The heat sprayed between Mulder's buttocks, making him jerk and wriggle
at the odd sensation.  Krycek held him close as the ebbing thrum of his
climax flowed through his body, panting and gasping as he pressed into
Mulder with a savage insanity that threatened anyone who might try and
move him from that spot.

"You OK back there?"  Mulder could hear Krycek breathing heavily, but
wasn't conscious of any other signs of life.

"Never better,"  Krycek replied, his voice all sleepy satisfaction as he
kissed Mulder's shoulder, then settled down behind him. 

"So I guess this means you intend to spend the night?"  Mulder wasn't
surprised when he didn't receive an answer, moving restlessly until the
arms around him tightened in unconscious possession.  Resigned to the
situation and less upset than he thought he should be at the
arrangement, he found the most comfortable position to be had and
allowed himself to drift off into an undisturbed and healing sleep.

*************

A loud noise woke Krycek, well learned habits bringing him quickly
alert.  Wincing as his flesh pulled stingingly, his mood changed as he
looked down and saw what had caused the minor irritation.

 he thought, grinning foolishly as he
slowly moved away from the peacefully slumbering body.  

Sliding off the bed, he went hurriedly through into the next room,
scooping up his jeans from the couch as he passed and haphazardly
tugging them on.

"All right, give me a minute," he yelled.

The impatient knocking on the door continued unabated, leaving no doubt
in Krycek's mind as to who their early morning visitor was.  Always
erring on the side of caution, Krycek snatched his gun off of the table
and went to answer the noisy summons.

Holding the weapon ready, he opened the door a crack and looked out at
the imposing form of Walter Skinner.

"Thought you might be someone trying to sell encyclopedias."  He held up
the gun.  "I really hate those guys."

Skinner scowled and pushed his way into the apartment.  "I don't have
time for your version of humor, Krycek.  How's Mulder?"

Krycek picked up his shirt and slipped into it with an easy grace.  He
smiled at Skinner suggestively.  "He's fine.  More than fine in fact."
Walking over to where he'd left his shoes and socks the night before, he
sat down and put them on before springing purposefully to his feet.
Snatching his jacket off the back of the chair, he began to head for the
door. 

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"  Skinner caught Krycek's arm
in a punishing grip.

The other man favored the restraining hand with a contemptuous look
before raising cold eyes to Skinner.  What the AD saw there almost made
him back off, but he was used to intimidation tactics from a master.

"I have arrangements to make.  You going to let go of my arm?"  There
was no doubt of the threat now.

Skinner was about to state exactly what he thought of that idea when
another voice intervened.

"Let him go."

"Mulder...."  The FBI man was standing at the door of the bedroom
dressed in hastily pulled on pants and looking as deliciously rumpled as
Skinner had ever seen him.  

"He's no use to us in a prison cell and we both know he wouldn't last
twenty-four hours if we brought him in."

Although Skinner didn't look as though the thought really bothered him,
he reluctantly released the arm he was holding, staring into the stone
face of a killer before Krycek turned and pulled open the door.
Deliberately putting on a show for Skinner's benefit, Krycek sent a
smoldering glance over his shoulder towards Mulder

"Keep it warm for me, Lover."

The suggestive comment was addressed to Mulder, but aimed at the stiff
figure standing beside him. Mulder mentally called Krycek every name in
the book as the other man left him to deal with the consequences of his
baiting, wondering how he was going to begin to explain last night to
his boss.

"What  did he mean by that, agent Mulder?"

The tone was enough to freeze oil in the desert and left Mulder in no
doubt that Skinner was about as near to nuclear detonation as he got.

"You know, he just..."

"No, I don't know.  How about you enlighten me."  Skinner moved closer,
his imposing presence forcing Mulder to shrink back against the
doorframe.  "What the hell happened here last night?"

He could feel the guilty blush steal over his face and was powerless to
halt it.  

"No, I don't believe it," Skinner ground out, unwilling to accept the
evidence before him.  "Not even you could be that stupid.  You had sex
with him?"

Mulder couldn't meet the accusing glare.

"You had sex with the man who killed your father?"

He flinched and went to turn away, but Skinner shoved him back.  "I've
seen you do some crazy, irresponsible things in my time, but this...."

Mulder's own temper was starting to respond to Skinner's censure.
"Look, what I do in my own time is my business, no one else's."

"Not when it affects your reliability as an agent of the Bureau...."

"This has nothing to do with the job..."  Mulder was really starting to
get annoyed now, not least of all because he agreed with Skinner in
principle, but be damned if he was going to admit it.

"It has everything to do with the job.  Sleeping with a materiel
witness, a man wanted in connection with any number of crimes, not least
the death of your father...."

"Will you stop bringing my father into this."  Mulder pushed a finger
into the broad chest in front of him to emphasize the fact that he was
not going to take what Skinner was dishing out.  "You've got no right to
dictate to me.  You sit behind that desk, issuing crap like some tinpot
god and expect me to jump through bureaucratic hoops for you.  Well not
this time." Mulder pressed forward defiantly.  "Yeah, I had sex with
Krycek and you know what, I enjoyed it."

He saw Skinner's fist rise and backed away in shock, closing his eyes
and waiting for the blow that would leave him in no doubt that he had
pushed his boss too far this time.  But the blow when it came was of a
far different kind.  Pushed against the doorjamb by a massive body, he
felt hard, forceful lips capturing his own and devouring him for a few
precious seconds.  Mulder opened his eyes in astonished pleasure,
mapping every inch of the strong face so close to his own, the ravenous
mouth that seemed determined to taste all of him.  He wondered at what
point he'd died and gone to Heaven.

Skinner stepped back and they shared a stunned look.

"I thought you were going to hit me," Mulder whispered, fingering his
sore lip.

"So did I."

Mulder lent back against the door.  "I think you would have done less
damage if you had," he accused, recovering quickly and sending Skinner a
deliberately seductive smile.  Almost without volition Skinner reached
out and used his thumb to wipe away the smear of blood at the side of
Mulder's mouth, frowning as he realized how it had got there.

"Hell, I'm sorry.."

"I'm not," Mulder said, purposely pulling him into his arms and only
wincing slightly as his bruised lips sought and found Skinner's.

With no more than a brief hesitation, his boss answered his need with a
desire just as strong, gripping the back of his head and grinding his
mouth onto Mulder's.  When he met no resistance he took the time to
explore, running his tongue over teeth and gums, battling with Mulder
for dominance.

Murmuring a protest, he reluctantly allowed the FBI man to pull back,
but still held him in a tight grip.

"Well who'da thunk there was such a great kisser behind that shirt and
tie."  Mulder lent over and nibbled on the firm chin.  "You are one sexy
man, Walter Skinner."

The AD seemed embarrassed by the compliment, but he didn't move away.
"This is not a good idea, agent Mulder."

Mulder threw him a get real look.  "Seems to me that this is a damn good
idea, Walter."  He savored the unfamiliar name on his tongue, deciding
that he liked using it. 

Skinner gently fingered the bandage on Mulder's head.  "I think maybe
you're not quite yourself right now."

Mulder just smiled and pressed against him.  "What can I say, almost
getting killed does strange things to my libido." Reaching down he
squeezed the rather obvious bulge in Skinner's pants.  "What's your
excuse?"

"Mulder!"  But his protest was short lived as his mouth was taken again
and he gave in to the feeling of those delightfully debauched lips
playing over his own.

"I want you to take me into that room and fuck me through the bed,"
Mulder murmured, the deliberate obscenity exciting Skinner.

"Is that what he did?" There was jealousy and something very like hurt
in the AD's voice. 

Mulder kissed his cheek.  "Walter, I'm not going to apologize for last
night, but I want you to know, I didn't make him the offer I just made
you."

After a few tense moments, Skinner sighed and relaxed against him.  "No,
I'm sorry.  I'm behaving like an idiot."

Mulder chuckled.  "I kinda like it."

Scowling threateningly, Skinner pulled him hard against his chest.
"Well don't make a habit out of it or I just might have to teach you not
to push me too far," but his face eased into a smile that assured Mulder
he was being teased.

"You know, I think I'm starting to find doorframes a real turn on, but
my back is telling me we ought to take this to the bed." 

Mulder slipped the AD's coat and jacket off his broad shoulders, smiling
slightly as Skinner let them fall to the floor at his feet.  Offering
his hand, he led Skinner into the bedroom, flushing when he remembered
the untidy state it was in and what his soon to be lover would make of
that.  Mulder was relieved when the AD merely gave the bed a cursory
glare, his grip only a little more punishing in reaction.

Pressing his fingertips to Skinner's chest, Mulder urged the larger man
onto the bed, pleased when Skinner opened his legs and encouraged him to
stand between them.  With exquisite care, Mulder began to pull off
Skinner's tie and undo the buttons on his shirt, his eyes searching and
intent on Walter's.  Sliding the shirt off while caressing the massive
shoulders it revealed, he leant over and kissed the hollowed neck,
moving down to take one brown, pert nipple into his mouth and gnawing on
it gently.  Groaning his enjoyment of the attention, Skinner laced his
finger's through Mulder's hair and Fox could feel the tight pecs spasm
under his sensual assault.  Convulsively gripping his head, Skinner
pressed it to his flesh, then pulled Mulder up into another passionate
kiss that left both men breathless.

Breaking away and playfully avoiding the hands that reached to pull him
back, Mulder posed in front of Skinner, pouting sexily as he slowly
began to lower his zipper in a manner that had the AD quickly rushing to
finish his own disrobing.

Skinner swallowed convulsively at his first glimpse of dark thatched
hair and shadowed flesh, anticipating all the things he wanted to do to
the beautiful body standing before him.  Mulder let his pants drop to
the floor and casually stepped out of them, swaying his hips invitingly
as he approached his lover on the bed.

"Like what you see?" he asked softly, straddling Skinner's lap and
leaning into the arms that came up to embrace him.

"Your ego's showing, Mulder," but the affectionate tone belied the
rebuke.

"I think a lot more than my ego is showing, Walter."

Grinding his hips, Mulder rubbed the top of his penis into Skinner's
firm, muscled stomach, leaving a wet trail of excitement there.  He
undulated, moving his balls over Skinner's cock in a fashion that soon
had the AD writhing beneath him.

"You like that?"

Skinner didn't bother replying, just reached to grab Mulder's erection
and pumped it once, hard, making the younger man jump and sigh in raw
carnal delight.

"You like that, Mulder?" the AD teased, showing his agent that he was
more that up to any games the other man wanted to play.

"Hmmmm, I think I could become addicted to it."

Skinner drank in the earthy sexuality of this so private of men.  There
was a fire in Mulder, a fire Skinner had only ever been allowed to see
in relation to his work.  Now to have that same fire directed at him was
both frightening, and incredibly exciting.

He stood, powerful arms bringing his lover with him as Mulder wrapped
his legs around lean hips for added support.  Pressing their groins
together, Skinner backed up against the bedroom wall, using it to brace
Mulder's weight as he began to thrust his cock under his lover's,
twisting and rubbing until Mulder began to moan, tightening his grip
around Skinner's waist.

"Walter," Mulder rasped, voice wavering as the massive body began
pounding into him. "Let's take this back to the bed.  Much as I like
what you're doing, I want to be able to return the favor."

Skinner approved of the suggestion, unable to find the leverage he
required in their present position.  Walking over to the bed again, he
sat down on the edge, then fell back so that Mulder was spread all over
him like warm honey.  For his part, Mulder seemed to be enjoying himself
enormously, writhing across Skinner and kissing his chest, licking and
nipping every inch of skin he could reach.  Suddenly turning over so
that Mulder was pressed under him, Skinner worshipped the beautiful body
he had often conjured up in his deepest fantasies, needing to believe in
something good, something right.  Something untainted by the world they
lived in. 

He rumbled an objection as Mulder moved out from beneath him, watching
hungrily as the younger man reached over into the bedside drawer. 

"You're going to need this." Mulder held up the tube of Astroglide he
had discovered in the cabinet the night before.  

Skinner looked at him with a mixture of eagerness and trepidation.  "Are
you sure?"

Mulder lifted Skinner's hand and kissed the palm.  "I'm sure.  Just go
slow.  It's been a while." He gave his lover the tube and lay back with
his legs spread enticingly.

Skinner nodded, trying not to think of Mulder with other lovers, knowing
that he couldn't afford to let jealousy color the tone of his
lovemaking.  Urging Mulder's legs higher, he slipped a pillow under his
hips. Coating his fingers liberally with the thick gel, he guided one
carefully around the entrance of Mulder's body before seeking
admittance.  He couldn't help but notice the tension in the lithe form
as he rubbed Mulder's thigh soothingly, striving to ease the moment for
both of them.  Adding more lubricant he began to work a second finger
in, stopping as Mulder gasped and clenched around him.  He waited and
after a moment the tight passage relaxed and allowed him to continue.
He worked the entrance until he thought it would be enough, then after
using more of the Astroglide on himself, he knelt in position.

Mulder smiled up at him, the hint of nervousness that remained far
outweighed by anticipation.  He was conscious of Skinner's own agitation
and in some way that helped to overcome any last vestiges of fear that
were plaguing him.  "Make love to me, Walter.  I trust you."

Skinner closed his eyes for a moment, then leant down and kissed Mulder
on the lips in an act of supreme tenderness that was more telling than
anything that had passed between them before.


As the AD started to push into the slick channel, Mulder moaned softly,
relaxing as best he could under the insistent pressure.  Skinner went
slowly, looking for any signs of pain, but the other man seemed
determined to handle him and soon he found himself flush against
Mulder's ass.  An explosion of breath told Skinner that Mulder had not
found the penetration as easy as he would have had him believe, but the
worst part was over and by the look on Mulder's face, the sensations he
was now experiencing were not unwelcome ones.

Seeing agreement on his lover's face, Skinner pulled back, then pushed
in again, faster this time, hooking Mulder's legs over his shoulders so
that he could grab his hips for purchase.  He gave a low grunt as his
balls hit the round ass, twisting and grinning smugly when Mulder
jumped.  Aiming for that spot, he started a rhythm, smoothing his hands
over the flat, well toned belly before gripping Mulder's cock and
pumping it in time with his thrusts.  The column of flesh in his hands
was hot and felt alive with sex and need.  He gripped it just hard
enough, snapping his hips and milking the shaft he held in an age old
dance, making Mulder cry out and writhe under him.

"Oh, you're good.  You're very, very good," Mulder panted, clutching at
Skinner's arms.  "Just a little faster. Come on, I won't break."

"Don't be a backseat driver," Skinner growled, slapping one creamy thigh
in mild retribution.

Mulder yelped, then laughed with appreciation.  "I'd say that right at
this moment all the backseat driving is courtesy of you." 

It was all the encouragement Skinner needed, pulling hard on Mulder's
nipples, he began to pound into the vulnerable body beneath him, a body
that relished being dominated, being loved.  A sudden withdrawal left
Mulder catching his breath as he was almost roughly hauled around onto
his stomach.  He smiled with satisfaction, wondering if people would
recognize the man they knew as Walter Skinner in this so passionate of
lovers, glad that they would never get the chance to see the man as he
was seeing him now, totally given over to the moment, to the search for
completion.  Kneeling, he presented himself for mounting, hands spread
against the wall as he teasingly looked back at his lover and slowly
licked his lips.   Unable to wait a second longer, Skinner thrust home
again, covering Mulder's back and stabbing into him as he felt the
onrush of orgasm moving closer and closer.  Sucking at the skin under
his mouth, he drew Mulder's taste into his body, wanting to own all of
this man.  He heard his lover hiss and felt him arch back, rubbing up
against him like a cat.  Snaking a hand around, he fondled Mulder's
erection, finding him weeping and hard and ready.  The tight pull around
his own cock was driving him crazy and he jabbed into Mulder's body
erratically, squeezing the flesh he held cupped in his hand.

"Mulder...Mulder...Mulder.."  It became a chant as he felt his body
start that blinding climb to annihilation.  "Mulder..come with me, come
on, come on.."  Skinner worked Mulder's cock with diligence, only half
aware of what he was doing.  From a distance he heard his name yelled,
felt the wet heat that filled his hand and shot across the bed, and then
he let go of any last shred of restraint he still had.  Thundering into
the tight sheath that enveloped him, he unleashed all the wanting, all
the passion that he had denied for so long, holding Mulder in a crushing
grip as he fed his life into the one being he wanted to share it with.

Unable to sustain the dead weight on his back, Mulder fell to the bed,
groaning softly as Skinner's body followed his, taking what little
breath he had left.  Barely having the strength to move, the AD managed
to turn over and lie beside him, running a hand over his flank and
rubbing his ass possessively.

"You know," Mulder snuffled into the pillow.  "I think you may have
killed me."

Skinner snorted.  "Corpses don't usually complain so loudly."

"Now that's not entirely true.  There was this X-File..."

"Mulder."

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

And for once Mulder was happy to obey, snuggling into the powerful,
protective arms of his lover and letting post-orgasmic lethargy carry
him back into the land of dreams. 


********************

Skinner heard a sharp 'click' next to his ear, felt the cold pressure of
metal against his face.  Experience kept him from reacting too quickly,
something that probably saved his life.  Opening his eyes slowly, he
turned his head an inch to the left, just far enough to see the barrel
of the gun pressed to his head and the face of the man holding it.

"Who's been sleeping in my bed?" Krycek parodied, tapping the gun
against Skinner's ear.  "You know, I really am starting to get annoyed
with the way you keep using my property like it was your own."  Both men
where aware that he was not talking about the bed.

"Get up."  The command was accompanied by a jab to his shoulder, but
although Skinner rolled over, he made no move to leave the bed.

Krycek quirked an eyebrow at him.  "You think I won't kill you here?
Guess again. I'm not that fond of the sheets."

"Alex, no."  Mulder sat up, the covers falling to reveal the marks of
passion on his chest and abdomen.  Krycek's mouth tightened and Skinner
tensed, moving a little away from Mulder, instinctively trying to
protect his lover.

"Give me a reason not to kill him."  

"Because I'd never stop hunting you if you did." Mulder's lips turned
into a smile.  "Besides, dry-cleaning's a bitch in this town."

Skinner stared at Mulder as though he were crazy, sitting in stunned
amazement as Krycek began to laugh.  Uncocking his gun, Krycek pushed it
into the waistband of his jeans.  "You're a lucky man," he told Skinner.
"He knows just how to appeal to my perverse sense of humor."  

The AD looked about ready to knock Krycek into next week, but a hand on
his arm restrained him, Mulder's barely perceptible shake of the head
holding him still.

"I'm going now.  I suggest that you don't try to follow me."  The last
was aimed at Skinner, Krycek leaving no doubts as to what he would do if
the other man attempted to come after him.

As he gazed down at Mulder, the FBI man thought he saw a hint of pain
there before the mocking smile returned.  There were masks of all kinds
in the world and some people were better at hiding behind them than
others.  Mulder had never thought beyond the man he was used to seeing,
the killer, the betrayer.  Last night had shown him something else,
something that frightened and fascinated him in equal measure.  A part
of him wished that he had never opened the box, never tasted the
forbidden fruit.  But he had and there was no going back now.

"See you around, Mulder."  Krycek waved a careless hand and left the
room.  A few seconds later they heard the sound of another door opening
and closing and knew they were alone.

Mulder threw the covers back and leapt out of bed.

"Where are you going?"  Skinner was frowning as he got out of his side
of the bed and looked for his pants.  "I can put an APB out.  You don't
need to chase after him."

Mulder hardly glanced his way, searching around for his clothes.  "Yes I
do.  Where the hell is my other shoe?" He bent down, rising with the
missing shoe held aloft in triumph. 

"Why?  The man is dangerous, Mulder."

Mulder shrugged. "Not to me.  Now you he'd no doubt gladly put a bullet
through." Suddenly he pushed Skinner onto the bed, kissing him quickly,
but thoroughly on the lips.  "I happen to like this body just the way it
is, that's why I want you to stay here."

"Mulder..."

"Please."

Skinner knew he was being manipulated, but was unable to resist his
lover's request.  He sat on the bed, watching as Mulder finished
dressing.  "What exactly is going on between you and Krycek?"  he
demanded, hoping that the fear knotting his guts was not apparent in his
query.

Mulder paused in buttoning his shirt.  "I wish I knew."  He stepped over
and crouched down in front of Skinner.  "Walter, what happened between
us this morning meant something to me,  meant something, but I
have to do this.  Can you try to understand that?"

There was an obstinate expression on Skinner's face and Mulder sighed,
thinking that he had failed to get through to the other man.  Then
suddenly the AD reached out and grabbed Mulder, pulling him closer and
ravaging his mouth for a moment before abruptly releasing him.

"Go!"  

Mulder hesitated.  

"Go!  I'll be here when you get back."

Smiling softly, Mulder gently touched Skinner's face, then got to his
feet.  "I'll hold you to that."  Snatching his jacket off the chair, he
quickly left the bedroom before he had a chance to change his mind.
Eyes carefully scanning the main room, he looked for any clue as to
where Krycek had gone.  He never doubted that he would find something.
Alex wanted him to follow, of that he was sure.  It was just a case of
following the right bread crumbs.  

On the table he noticed some brochures, tossed in apparently careless
abandon across its surface.  Picking one up, he saw it was a train
timetable, a black circle marking one of the entries. Stuffing the
leaflet into his pocket, he almost ran to the door, sending up a silent
prayer that he'd be able to find a cab this time of the day.

*******************

Without the slightest guilt Mulder flashed his badge and made his way
quickly onto the station platform.  The guard had told him that the
train he wanted had already left and he'd silently cursed the time it
had taken him to find transportation. He was shocked at the sinking
sensation in the pit of his stomach, wondering what had run through
Krycek's mind when he failed to make an appearance.  Had he been
disappointed? Hurt?  Had he cared at all?  Too late.  He was always too
late.

There was another train now standing in the station and he fought back
the sense of defeat that shot through him as he failed to spot any sign
of the familiar lean form, telling himself that it was better this way,
that he'd been crazy to come.

"Well it took you long enough to get here."

Mulder turned slowly, surveying the leather clad body and cocky smile
with something approaching relief.

"My car's still at the warehouse and I couldn't get a cab."  He wondered
why he was explaining himself.  "I thought you were gone."

Quickly checking around, Krycek pushed him behind one of the large
trolleys of luggage.  Mulder offered no resistance, melting willingly
into the embrace that he hadn't even been aware of wanting.  The mouth
that possessed his was different from Skinner's, but no less compelling,
peeling away any qualms he might have had that this was too public an
arena for their goodbye.  The kiss was short, intense and left both men
breathless as they pulled apart.

"I waited."

"You waited."  Mulder felt a surge of satisfaction.

"Let's say I wanted to give you the chance to explore your options.  I
even changed the tickets."  He pressed a slip of paper into Mulder's
hand and the FBI man saw it was indeed a train ticket.

He had to turn away from the fierce need he saw underlying Krycek's
casual manner, knowing he could not allow himself to answer it.  "I
can't go with you."

Krycek pulled him back around to face him.  "I can show you things,
places that they never wanted you to see.  I can show you it all,
Mulder," he tempted desperately.

Mulder just shook his head.

"Because of him?" Krycek challenged.

"Partly."   Mulder decided it was time to practice a little of the
honesty he demanded from others.  "Mostly because of me."

Krycek released him, smiling sadly.  "Yeah, that's what I figured.  You
really don't know what you want, do you, Mulder?"  Alex caressed his
cheek gently.  "Poor, greedy Fox.  Someday someone's going to say no to
you." He chuckled under his breath.  "But it most likely won't be me."  

The sound of the train making ready to pull out of the station startled
them both and they broke apart guiltily.  Krycek looked as though he
wanted to say more, but seemed to change his mind, shaking his head as
he bent to pick up his rucksack.

"Gotta go."  He shifted the bag on his shoulder and started to walk
away, slowing and turning after he'd taken a few steps.  "Do you still
hate me?" he asked, almost as though he knew and feared the answer, yet
needing to hear it nonetheless.

"I'm finding it difficult to summon up that particular emotion at
present, but give me time," Mulder drawled, his smile gentle. 

An answering grin split Krycek's face, lighting up his eyes.   "You've
got to admit, when I was your partner, I was great at being everything
you wanted."

"What I wanted was Scully," Mulder replied sharply.

Krycek raised his eyebrows.  "I don't do women's underwear, Mulder."

 Mulder thought with some frustration.

Krycek looked at him long and hard and Mulder had the impression that he
was committing the moment to memory, to be brought out and viewed at
some time when the world was a colder, harsher place.  

"Goodbye Mulder."  Krycek turned and started to jog across the platform.

"Alex!"

Still moving, Krycek glanced back at him inquiringly.

"Keep your head down, OK?"

Surprised, Krycek waved an acknowledgment before jumping into the train.

Mulder watched him take a window seat, meeting expressive green eyes
that seemed to be trying to tell him something in a language he chose
not to understand.  As the train began to pull out, Mulder couldn't help
the convulsive move he made towards it, but stopped himself before he
had gone more than a pace.  He had made the only choice he could make.
Time for him to live with it.  As the train rolled off down the track,
he stared blindly at the ticket he still held in his hand, then slowly
and deliberately he closed his fist and crumpled it into a tight ball
before letting it fall to the floor.  Turning, he made his way out of
the station.  It took every bit of strength that he had not to look
back.

****************

Not sure what to expect, Mulder returned to Krycek's apartment.  Skinner
had said he would wait for him, but under the circumstances he could
hardly hold him to that.  Not having a key, he had to knock on the door,
feeling anxious in a way he hadn't since picking up his date for the
prom.  Hearing movement inside, he shuffled nervously, stepping back as
the door opened to reveal the tall, imposing figure of the man who was
now his lover as well as his boss.

He thought he could see a hint of relief behind the stony visage that
carefully examined him and only then did he realize that Skinner had not
been entirely sure that he  return.  Holding out a hand in silent
apology for the pain he had caused, he waited patiently.  The next move
was Skinner's.

After a moment, the hand was taken and simply held.  They stood there
just looking at each other, then with a move that left the younger man
gasping, Skinner yanked Mulder into the apartment, caught his head in a
powerful grip and kissed him to within an inch of his life.  Without
taking pause for breath, he pulled Mulder away from the door, lifted his
foot and slammed it very firmly shut behind him.

**************

 a little voice inside Krycek's head warned him as he sat and sipped at the 
drink he'd
gotten from the bar.  It was a litany he had heard repeated often over
the years, ever since his first meeting with the mercurial and
fascinating man known as Fox Mulder. Then as now he acknowledged that it
was far too late for caution.  Mulder was in his blood, as much a part
of him as the beginning of each day and the ending of each night.
Anything else was impossible and he would have to live with the
consequences, whatever they turned out to be.

He refused to think of the things he would have to do in the coming
months, the little pieces of humanity he still had left to trade for
survival.  He concentrated only on what he would bring back to Mulder,
the secrets, the knowledge that the man craved as others craved power
and wealth.  

And he thought of the price he would exact for his gift.

"I'll be back, Mulder," he whispered, knowing that no matter what he had
to do to achieve it, this was one promise he would keep.   "You'd just
better be willing to pay my price."

And smiling to himself, Krycek settled back for the long journey ahead.


The End