Beloved 6
Cape Fear
Sheriff's Office
Sunday, August 22
1:30 PMDmitry Kriuchek watched as Mulder argued on the phone with his partner. He had barely found him in time; Agent Mulder had been skulking around the Spender plantation with Alex Krycek, doing God knows what. They had tried to act nonchalant about what they were doing, but the sheriff wasn't fooled. There was big trouble brewing for the ceremony which was only days away. He'd have to go talk to the elders.
"Scully, listen to me. There's nothing to worry about. I don't think the information you're looking at is correct. I've been doing a lot of digging while you've been gone and I think I was mistaken in some of my first impressions. Don't get me wrong there's big brewings here but I'm not part of it, so don't worry."
"Mulder, you can't be serious. In this court document the defendant clearly stated that a descendent of the Spender family would be targeted for a ritualistic murder. With all that's happened over the past couple of weeks, whether you like it or not the town has decided you're it!"
"Scully, that trial was in 1952 how could he know what would happen almost 40 years in the future?"
"Mulder, you can't fool me. I know that you believe in this stuff. I'm coming back tonight and if I can't convince you that your life is in danger, I'm calling Skinner and demand that you be taken off this case immediately."
"You wouldn't."
"Wouldn't I? I'm not going to sit back and watch my partner get himself killed!"
"Scully, I know you care, and I appreciate it. But believe me, I am personally not in any danger."
"Mulder, I'm coming down there right now. I'll be there in a few hours. You better be in your hotel room waiting!"
"Scully, wait Scully? Scully? Damn, she hung up!" Mulder slammed the phone back down on the receiver. He looked at the sheriff who had been watching him intently the whole time.
"What do you want?" he snapped, irritated that he couldn't lie convincingly to Scully. He had to keep her out of Cape Town or Alexander would surely kill her. He had to convince her tonight to go back to Raleigh. He'd make up some lie.
"You're boss wanted you to call him too. He sounds really pissed!"
"I'll call him later I've got work to do," Mulder said as he headed toward the door. The sheriff quickly intercepted him.
"Call him now, from here. Unless you want him to come down here that's what he threatened to do. He said to call him at home."
"Fine but I want a little privacy. I'm going to use the phone in your office." Mulder slammed the door and grabbed the phone. He would have to tell more lies! He couldn't wait until after this ordeal was over he needed some time off, away from everybody.
"Skinner," the gruff voice said.
"It's me."
Skinner sank into his sofa in relief. Even though he had spoken to Mulder yesterday, it had spooked him when Scully called worried that she couldn't get hold of Mulder. Then HE couldn't get a hold of Mulder so he had called the sheriff. Sometimes it's good to be an AD.
"Where are you?"
"I'm still at the sheriff's; I'm in his office. And yes, I called Scully."
"She's very worried about you she thinks your life is in danger. I'm going to recall both of you there's something really wrong. And Stark still hasn't shown up. That town doesn't seem to be healthy for anybody."
"You can't recall us! Scully is wrong this is not targeted at me. I've been doing a lot of digging around yes, these murders are ritualistic, and they are being perpetuated by the family, but there's nothing supernatural about them." Mulder tried to sound disappointed; he hoped it would work.
"Are you sure?" Scully replied skeptically.
Mulder started to reassure him, trying to undermine whatever Scully had told Skinner.
~~
Dmitry Kriuchek watched through the office window as Mulder spoke with his boss. He was curious to hear what Mulder was saying the whole town knew that Mulder knew what was really going on, and yet he lied to his partner. That was obviously to keep her safe, but why wasn't he trying to leave? People were watching him constantly, so he wouldn't have succeeded, but he wasn't even making the attempt.
The sheriff decided to listen in on the phone; luckily, he was already sitting at the receptionist's desk, so it was easy to casually pick up the phone and listen in.
~~
"I still want twice daily reports," Skinner finally said, not wanting to argue with Mulder anymore. "If the least thing looks suspicious, you're out of there instantly."
"That's fine I can do that. Scully will be here in a couple of hours, I'll tell her our agreement."
"How are you feeling today? Scully was worried you were coming down with something." Skinner softened his voice, trying to express every bit of his love for Mulder in his words.
"I think I was a little sick earlier in the week, but I'm ok now. How are you doing?" he replied quietly, smiling at Skinner's papa bear voice.
~~
Dmitry Kriuchek was startled at the change in tone of the conversation. He turned slowly to look through the window. Mulder's expression and posture had changed completely. He had tilted his head to one side and was playing with the phone cord; he had a smile on his face. Dmitry Kriuchek had never seen the agent smile like that it was the smile of someone who loved and was loved, heart and soul. He felt a bolt of jealousy and anger course through him. When he had first seen Agent Mulder he was so attracted he could barely stop himself from throwing the agent to the ground right there in front of his partner! He had never met anybody who had looked at HIM the way Mulder was looking at the phone right now. I don't want to kill him, thought Dmitry mournfully. I want to love him, keep house with him, make love to him every night. He covered his tear-filled eyes as he listened to the rest of the conversation.
~~
"You know what I'm thinking about right now?" Mulder said playfully, purring softly into the phone.
"I can't imagine," Skinner said, closing his eyes. He was glad he still had his loose sweatpants on his erection was huge and throbbing just listening to Mulder's voice!
"I'm thinking about how much I'd like to be there with you, kneeling on the floor, tonguing the head of your cock."
"Oh, babe, I love when you talk dirty," moaned Skinner.
"I know you do, hon. But I've got to go I'll call you tonight!" Mulder laughed as he hung up the phone over Skinner's bellows. He loved teasing him this way. After all this was over, he would have to make it up to him for days on end.
Mulder sighed as he sobered up, thinking about everything he and Alex Krycek would have to do to finish their little project out at the plantation. If only this was already over he was tired of Cape Town, tired of the people, tired of Alexander, tired of everything. He just wanted to get back to DC and his warm bed with Skinner.
As Mulder walked out of his office, Dmitry Kriuchek tried to stop him.
"Look, I've made the calls, you're off the hook. I'm leaving!" Mulder said, walking out of the building.
Dmitry Kriuchek watched the beautiful agent leave; what was he going to do now?
***
Cape Town
9:30 PM"Scully, I'm not leaving!" Mulder yelled, shaking the walls of his hotel room. He and Scully had been arguing ever since dinner.
"Mulder, you didn't eat a thing tonight you've lost a lot of weight, you're eyes are sunken you look terrible. I'm calling Skinner right now. No more arguments!" Scully was furious. She had been gone for a week and Mulder was an absolute wreck he obviously hadn't gotten much sleep at all, he must have lost at least 10 pounds. This town would kill him even if it weren't for the ritualistic murders!
"Don't you dare call him. I told him that you were wrong I'm not in any danger!" Despite his anger, Mulder was deeply worried. Alexander was probably listening, and Scully was in grave danger. He had to get her out of town.
Alex Krycek watched from his room as Scully and Mulder glared at each other. He had agreed to help Mulder get Scully out of town for the rest of the week, but this was a sticky new development. If Scully got a hold of Skinner, all hell would break loose and their plan would fail. He couldn't risk Mulder's life. He hurried out of his room.
Scully was wrestling with Mulder to get her cell phone back out of his hand when Krycek walked into room. Scully had just grabbed it back when she saw him. She stared with her mouth hanging open.
"You'll catch flies like that Scully," joked Krycek as he sat in the desk chair, stretching his legs out comfortably.
"I'm going to kill you," she said quietly, pulling her gun out and walking over to him.
"Scully, don't," said Mulder quickly, running to shield Krycek.
"Mulder, get out of the way."
"No, Scully, you don't understand. He's helping me!" Mulder kept himself between Scully and Krycek as she tried to get around him.
"HELPING you! He's a wanted criminal! First Stark shows up, causing trouble, now Krycek? We're leaving right now." Scully flipped open her cell phone.
"Scully, don't call anybody. Give me that," Mulder said. Scully backed away as Mulder came toward her; she pointed her gun at him.
"Stop right there, Mulder. There is something seriously wrong here."
"Put the gun down, Scully. I'm not going to hurt you just let me explain."
Krycek got up, and Scully pointed her gun back at him. When Mulder tried to advance, she started swinging the gun back and forth between the two of them. She didn't know what was going on, but at least she was between them and the door; she'd have to get out and regroup. If Krycek was here there was serious trouble; she would need reinforcements. She slowly backed to the door.
***
Agent Piquet raced down the motel corridor toward Mulder's room. Alexander's ghost had shown up at his house after he tucked his daughter into bed. He had been doing some paperwork when he felt a cold presence in his room.
"Andrew, I need you're help," said the ghost. Piquet was stunned the vengeful spirit asking for help was unprecedented in the family history.
"You do?"
"Yes. You like the red-headed agent, don't you?"
Piquet blushed at the question; the week he had spent with Scully in Raleigh had been intoxicating. By Friday, he had been masturbating a couple of times a night thinking about her. He had wanted to ask her out, but he knew that any relationship would be impossible. His family was going to kill her partner!
"Yes, I do."
"You have one chance to save her life then. My Fox feels his friendship with her very deeply, and I don't want to hurt him. She's trying to get him to leave town. They are fighting now. Go get her and leave town with her. Hole up somewhere and keep her from contacting anybody until after Thursday. If you do this, then I will allow her to live. The elders will cast several spells - she'll forget her past, she will be yours, and the government won't try to find her. Deal?"
Piquet quailed inside, hearing all of this. Kidnap a federal agent, then allow the elders to do this? This wasn't the way he wanted it, but he knew he had no choice. He didn't want her if it was all spells, but he would save her life.
"I'll do it."
"Good. Be on the road by 10 pm. I'll be watching." Alexander faded away.
Piquet called his neighbor to come and watch his daughter. He would make arrangements in the morning for his mother to take care of her while he was away.
***
Agent Piquet burst into Mulder's hotel room. He startled Scully, and was able to take the gun away from her before she could react.
"Scully, come with me," Piquet said. He had come up with a reason for doing this, flimsy though it was. "Agent Mulder is in collusion with the people performing these murders. I just found out let's get out of here."
"In collusion? Mulder? Never; he's only mistaken in some of his ideas."
"It's true, Scully," said Krycek. Alexander had spoken to him, revealing Piquet's real plan. Krycek was going to help smooth things along. "Mulder's part of this."
"What?" cried Mulder as he turned to stare at Krycek. "I'm not part of any murders. I'm here to solve them."
"Don't lie, babe. You do it so poorly," Krycek purred as he grabbed Mulder around the waist and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Before Mulder could react, Piquet managed to pull Scully out of the room. She couldn't believe her eyes!
"I have to go back!" she cried as Piquet led her to his car.
"Scully, you're partner is in deep trouble. Let's go back to my house and we can call AD Skinner."
"OK, that sounds like a good " Scully couldn't continue because Piquet had slapped a chloroform-soaked cloth over her mouth.
"I'm so sorry, Scully, but it's for your own good," were the last words Scully heard as she faded out of consciousness.
***
"I have to go get Scully," said Mulder as he pushed Krycek away. He didn't like how much he had enjoyed the kiss.
"Don't worry. Alexander told me that he asked Piquet to take her out of town to keep her safe. For YOU, I might add."
"Really?"
"Yes, Beloved," Alexander said, looking out of the mirror. "I know how much she means to you, and she was going to take you away from here. Piquet will take good care of her."
"That's a relief."
"I'm waiting for you, Beloved. I'll see you at the plantation " Alexander faded away.
"Don't worry, Mulder. It's only for a few more days."
"I know. I'm just exhausted," he groaned as he headed out the door.
***
Elder's Camp
Monday, August 23
3:30 PMDmitry Kriuchek walked away disgusted with his conversation with the elders. Everyone was concerned about Skinner's increasing insistence at recalling his agents. Luckily Agent Mulder had sidestepped the issue for now, but it was getting risky. No one knew what Mulder and Krycek were up too; some townspeople had seen other unknown goons wandering around the plantation and town. The town had to start buttoning up tight or things wouldn't work out. The sheriff had been instructed to get Mulder when he was away from Alex Krycek and bring him to the hidden caves where some of the blood ceremonies were held. He would need to be restrained there to keep him in town, to stop his mischief with Alex Krycek, and to begin the preliminary ceremonial chants. Thursday's ritual was the most powerful magic they could perform, and it required a few days of preparation of herbs, brews, chants and prayers, and other things. The elders had consulted with Alexander's spirit and he had concurred. He wouldn't be able to visit Mulder in the caves they were too far away from his remains, but he knew his people would do their duty or they would face a wrath like they had never seen it's fury would not abate until all of them had been ripped into pieces slowly.
The sheriff drove around the town aimlessly until he saw Mulder walking along the river alone. He pulled over and rolled down the window.
"Agent Mulder, you're boss has called me again. He wants an earlier report from you. And he's worried because he hasn't heard from Agent Scully since yesterday."
"OK," Mulder said reluctantly, getting into the car. He didn't want to do anything to raise Skinner's anger. This would finally all be over in a couple of days and they could resume their lives.
"We have a small branch office by the beach; it's closer than the main office. If you don't mind I'll take you there."
"Fine, whatever," Mulder replied as he stared out the window, not really seeing anything. The tremendous fatigue he was feeling was causing his head to bob up and down a little. He didn't notice the people hanging around the office when they arrived. As he got out of the car, he didn't react quickly enough when several of the town's men grabbed him, gagged him, and tied him up. He stopped struggling for a moment when the sheriff walked up to him.
"Mulder, I'm sorry to do this, but we have to get the ritual started. Hold him," he said as he held a drugged cloth over the agent's face. He sighed inwardly as he watched the others drag Mulder to the caves. He got back into his car and drove back to town.
***
Ritual Cave
Tuesday, August 24
3:30 Agent MulderMulder's head finally cleared the fog he had been in for the past several hours. He vaguely remembered being dragged down into some dark place, stripped, tied down, and forced to drink several nasty concoctions throughout the night. He knew they had done things to him but he couldn't really remember. As he began to look around, he noticed several ancient-looking crones sitting nearby in a semi-circle, softly chanting in some weird, guttural language. A couple of old men were standing on his other side, speaking to each other in English.
"Dmitry Kriuchek has become a liability I don't think he will be able to perform the ritual. He has developed strong feelings for this Fox. We must find someone else."
"Our ancestor's spirit agrees. Someone else must be found."
"What about the young one from across the sea? Our people feel he is capable of doing the ritual. Boris saw him butcher the other man who threatened the promised one."
"But can he be trusted? His family was thrown out of the clan years ago for disobedience."
"I know. But the ancestor believes there may be a way. If not, we'll have to choose someone else."
"Vlad, I hope you're right. If this doesn't work, we'll be here for another 150 years."
Mulder moaned a little at these words. The men turned and saw that he was awakening. Vlad poured some more of the specially prepared potion and lifted Mulder's head and made him drink it. He stood and watched as Mulder faded back into a semi-conscious state. Vlad couldn't help but admire the beautiful man's body lying nude within the ritual symbols and circles drawn in the sand of the floor. Each of the adult family members in the town had to donate blood in a special ceremony they had completed earlier at midnight. It was mixed with many different things and been blessed by the elders. At the end of the ceremony the leader of the elders, a woman whom everyone referred to simply as Oma, had painted the first symbols on Mulder's body with the blood sacrifice.
Mulder shivered a little. He remembered being surrounded by many people, and feeling the tickling feeling of someone drawing on him with a brush. He was scared, but he couldn't move, he had no control over any part of his body. Krycek and he had not counted on anything like this happening. And what would Skinner do when he didn't check in? If he came down here he would be killed. Mulder felt hopelessness invade his mind. None of the elders noticed the tears trickling down the sides of his face as he despaired of ever returning to Walter.
***
Cape Fear
Wednesday, August 25
10:00 a.m.Krycek held the knife blade against Sheriff Kriuchek's as he removed the sheriff's gun from its holster. It had been over thirty-six hours since he'd last seen Mulder, and he was beside himself with worry. He had searched the town and even the manor house, but hadn't been able to locate the agent. "Where?" he growled.
"I don't know what you mean," Kriuchek said.
Krycek nicked the side of the sheriff's throat with the blade. "Don't play with me, Dmitry. You wouldn't want to make me mad." He reached down and grabbed the younger man's groin with his mechanical hand and squeezed.
"They'd kill me if I told," the young sheriff squeaked.
"I'll kill you now if you don't!" Krycek pressed the knife more forcefully against Dmitry's throat and watched the blood flow over its shiny blade. A voice from the doorway stopped him.
"Go ahead," Vlad said. "Kill him."
Krycek turned toward the voice while keeping the blade pressed against Dmitry's throat. "What?" He was perplexed as he looked at the old man's composed face.
"Kill him. Slit his throat," the older man repeated in a deceptively calm voice.
"Why? He's one of you." Krycek eased up on the knife.
"Was. He's weak. He has allowed his heart to get in the way of his duty," Vlad said, stepping into the room followed by six other men, including Deputy Boris Paiva.
"Boris, help me," Dmitry pleaded.
"Sorry, cousin." Boris looked at Dmitry sympathetically as he raised his gun and put a bullet between his cousin's eyes.
It all happened so fast that Krycek didn't even have time to react as he saw the deputy's gun coming up. He started reaching for his own weapon, thinking his luck had finally run out. He was shocked when the bullet tore through the sheriff's head splattering him with blood and gore as the back of the Dmitry's skull was blown out as the bullet exited.
"You have a choice, young Alex. You can take Dmitry's place in the ritual or share his grave. Which will it be?" Vlad asked.
Krycek stared at the seven men three of whom were holding guns on him. Then down at Dmitry's body. "You don't seem to leave me any choice," he said, surrendering his gun to the old man. "Can I see Agent Mulder?"
"All in good time. Take him and prepare him for the ceremony," Vlad ordered.
One of the men stepped forward and covered Krycek's head with a black sack, while another bound his wrists. He was ushered roughly out of the office.
***
The Cave
Wednesday, August 25
3:00 p.m.Mulder's mind drifted up from the black wasteland where it had aimlessly roamed for the past sixteen hours. The smell of incense and the sound of chanting overwhelmed his senses. The chanting seemed to be coming from all around him. It took all of his willpower to force his eyes open, his limbs didn't want to move. No, that wasn't right, something cold was holding them immobile. He was able to turn his head. It was enough to get a good look at the old hags who sat in a circle around his bound body. His eyes focused on the rough granite surface on which he lay. An intricate circle had been painted beneath his body. He turned his head and studied the other side, confirming his suspicions that his body was positioned in the center of the circle, which appeared to be some sort of a pentagram. Outside the circle sat six, old decrepit men and women dressed as gypsies would have in the eighteen hundreds.
His naked body was laid spread eagle on the pentagram with his hands and legs pulled apart and attached to the four points while his head was centered in the fifth point. Mulder went back to studying the room beyond the old gypsies. A cave, he stared up at the stalactite hanging from the roof of the cave then down to where stalagmite shot up from the cave's floor. Wispy shapes seemed to flow in and around the stalagmite columns. Mulder closed his eyes trying to block out the images.
"You are seeing the dead, young Fox," a crone informed him.
"Why," Mulder whispered, turning his head to look at her.
"Over the weeks that you have been here, you've been given special portions in your meals. They were to prepare you to see beyond the living and into the realm of the dead. It will make it easier for you to transverse over to that realm tomorrow night, taking your lover Alexander with you," she crowed.
Mulder's eyes focused again at the wisps floating around him, he could make out hands and heads. Ghosts. "Alexander is not my lover. What about Fox Spender's spirit? He is Alexander's beloved. Couldn't you send him and Alexander over to this other realm and leave me out of it?" Mulder questioned.
"Child, you do not understand. Most earthbound ghosts are only memories from one lifetime that was ripped away from the whole spirit usually by a violent death. While the rest of their essence moves on, the fragments are left to wander this world until they are again reunited with their original spirit. Fox Spender and you share the same spirit. Each of your reincarnations makes up your total spirit. When Fox committed suicide his lifetime memories fragmented away from the whole. He has since rejoined with you. He will not leave you now, when you die, you will go on to the other-side together. Eventually you would have been reborn into a new incarnation. However, after the ceremony Alexander's spirit will be merge with yours and you will forever be part of each other's essence. You will move into each reincarnation together."
Mulder's head was spinning trying to comprehend what the old crone was telling him. He didn't like the idea of being one with that sadistic bastard for eternity. "Is Alexander a fragment, too?" he asked, thinking of Krycek.
The elder's eyes looked into his with compassion. "No. All of his past reincarnations make up his spirit. It was part of the spell he cast before he died. That is why his life force in this realm is so powerful."
It made a weird sense to Mulder. "Let me go."
"Sorry, Child, we are Alexander's grandchildren. Vladimir was our father, Alexander's son. We are the chosen guardians and have been alive for over a hundred and thirty years. We will continue to live until the curse is lifted. We're tired, young Fox, and would like nothing more than to die."
"Give me my gun and I'll help you," Mulder snarled, pulling at the restraints.
"You must rest for tomorrow night. Sleep now, Child." Mulder felt his lids grow heavy and his eyes began to close, but try as he might he couldn't prevent himself from drifting back to sleep. He missed seeing Krycek being led into the cave.
Krycek had been bathed and dressed in clothes similar to the ones Alexander had died in. He felt like a pirate with the tall leather boots and the soft leather britches that hugged his legs tightly and emphasized the bulge of his groin. A ruffled shirt was tucked into the waistband and a colorful scarf was laced through hanging down from his hips. His breath caught as he saw Mulder chained on the cold earth in the middle of a pentagram. The agent's body had designs painted on its flesh with rust color paint.
"What have you done to him?" Krycek growled.
Vlad looked at the pretty, young man. "Fox, is being cleansed for the ceremony. You need to be prepared too, Alexander."
"My name is Alex!"
"No. It isn't. Alexander, you will be taken to a small room in the cave where you can meditate and fast until tomorrow evening. At the stroke of midnight you will be brought back here for the final ritual."
"And if I refuse?"
"Boris will take your place, and you will be sacrificed, your blood will be used to strengthen the ceremony."
Vlad eyes left no doubt in Alex's mind that he would die and it would not be quick. If he was to get out of here with Fox he needed to play along. "Okay, will you at least tell me what my roll will be in the ritual?" Krycek asked.
"When it is time you will know." Vlad turned to the other six men. "Take Alexander to the chamber and see that he meditates and doesn't sleep or eat."
Alex look longingly at Mulder as he was led passed him.
***
Washington D.C.
Thursday, August 26
3:00 p.m.Skinner looked out the window in his office. He hadn't been able to get a hold of Mulder in days. Sheriff Kriuchek was no longer answering his calls. The only thing that stopped him from going down there two days ago was SAC Brian Morgan's telephone call. He said that Agent Piquet had informed him that Mulder and Scully were following up on some leads in the backwoods and would be out of cell phone range for at least three days. Skinner was determined now. If he didn't hear from Mulder by tonight he'd go down to Cape Fear in the morning. He turned at the sound of his office door opening.
"What do you want?" he growled.
CGB Spender closed the door and crossed the room. He laid a CD on Skinner's desk. "A present."
"What is it?" Skinner asked, picking up the CD.
"It's a photo CD. The photos are in jpeg format so you'd be able to view them with your web browser," the smoker said, lighting a cigarette he watched Skinner's face as the large man slipped the CD into his laptop. He knew he caught Skinner's interest when the large man's face went pale.
"WHAT IS THIS?" Skinner roared, flipping through the images of Mulder lying on his stomach naked, his back a crisscross of whip marks. Alex Krycek was sitting on the bed attending to his wounds.
Spender ignored his question. "They are going to kill Fox tonight, after the stroke of midnight. The whole town of Cape Fear is involved, Skinner. I need you to go down there and rescue him. He is being held in a cave on the outskirts of town. It is heavily guarded . . . and there are otherworldly dangers you'll need to overcome to reach him. If you fail my son's soul will be forever damned," the smoker emphasized.
"Why haven't you rescued Fox yourself?"
"The curse stated that only my son's true love could save him. And I believe that would be you, Skinner, as trite as that sounds. I want this curse to be ended."
"Where is this cave?" Skinner asked.
Spender pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Skinner. "The directions are here, along with the locations of the guards. Skinner, you're on your own in getting around the other dangers." The smoker dropped his cigarette on the carpeted floor and ground it out with his heel. He turned and strolled out of the office.
Skinner studied the map then looked at his watch, he didn't have much time. To save his lover he needed to assemble a team to take out the guard surrounding the cave. Then there was this otherworldly danger. He'd been in charge of the X-Files' division long enough to know that such a strange warning should be heeded.
"God, Fox, what have you gotten yourself into?" Skinner muttered, picking up his telephone.
***
Cape Fear
Thursday, August 26
11:00 p.m.The armed strike force invading their town shocked the people of Cape Fear. The strike force was dressed all in black with flack that had the large letters FBI printed across their backs. Most of the town's people were dressed for the celebration after tonight's ceremony. A few had already headed for the river where a large bonfire was to be lit to celebrate Fox's and Alexander's spirits being reunited and the ending of the curse.
Skinner prowled the street menacingly, looking angrily at the crowd that were dressed in their Sunday's best, while others were in garbed in colorful gypsy costumes. "I want everyone placed under arrest!" he barked.
FBI agents carrying semiautomatic rifles rounded up the crowd. Other agents handcuffed the prisoner's hands behind their backs.
"Find me Sheriff Kriuchek," Skinner ordered.
A woman in a flowered print dress stepped forward. "He's dead. So will all of you be if you interfere. You don't know how powerful Alexander is."
"Alexander? Who is this Alexander?" Skinner asked.
"He's a hundred and fifty year old ghost," she replied meekly.
A few of the agents near Skinner chuckled at the absurdity of the woman's statement. Skinner didn't, he remained quiet. He believed her. He had taken precautions after organizing the strike force. He wore a blessed silver crucifix under his suit against his skin and had holy water in a small bottle in his pocket. Tied to his belt was a small leather pouch that he had picked up at an occult shop in D.C. Mulder had taken him once before there and swore that it was the only store in the country that had a real witch as the proprietor. Skinner hadn't believed him at the time. However, when he walked through the doors of the store four hours ago the witch had the pouch waiting for him. Somehow she knew he was coming. She said the contents in the pouch were for warding off the undead, and then she wished him success in rescuing his lover.
"SAC Pearson! I need the assault team assembled now! They are only to take out the guards around the cave where Agent Mulder is being held. It is too dangerous for them to enter the cave. I will do that myself," Skinner roared, climbing into the front seat of one of the armored assault vehicle.
"Yes, sir!" Pearson wasn't about to argue with Skinner, he'd never seen the A.D. any angrier.
***
The Cave
Thursday, August 26
11:30 p.m.Mulder had been washed and his body shaved and oiled until his skin glowed. His hair was washed and trimmed. He had been given an enema then lubed. All the while this was happening to him Mulder remained in a drug-induced haze.
The gypsies adorned him in a silken robe and had Mulder lain out on his back on a cloth-covered, stone alter. Mulder heard gunfire off in the distance. It didn't register to him what was going on. He didn't have any control over his body, and very little over his mind.
A hundred yards away Krycek sat in a small chamber; it was so small that he could touch all the walls from where he sat cross-legged on the floor. He couldn't even stand upright the ceiling was too low. He had panic attacks several times over the past thirty-six hours. The guards outside the chamber refused to allow him out. It was with great relief that he heard the distant sound of gunfire. He needed to get out of there and rescue Mulder, this could be his only chance.
Krycek quietly crawled through the narrow tunnel that was the only way into and out of the chamber. There appeared to be only one guard. The guard was looking away from the entrance toward the sounds of the gunfire. Krycek stood stiffly behind the guard and before the man could sense his presence the triple agent grabbed his head and twisted it, breaking the man's neck. He picked up the dead man's gun and crept toward the entrance to the cave Mulder was being held in.
Krycek stepped into the cave at the same time Skinner burst into the cave from the main entrance. The A.D. shot and killed two gypsies who got in his way. A phantom screeched and flew at the large man only to be warded off by the pouch dangling from Skinner's belt.
Skinner swore when his gun jammed as he took aim at another gypsy who was about to shoot him. He thought for sure he was a dead man, his gut sunk as he realized he had failed to rescue Fox. Blood suddenly spurted from the gypsy's chest and he fell dead. Skinner looked across the chamber to Krycek who held the smoking gun pointed at the spot where the dead man had stood.
"Skinner, we both want the same thing," Krycek said, stalking across the chamber toward the elders and Fox.
Skinner nodded and advanced from the other direction. His eyes focused briefly on his lover's unmoving body laid out like some sacrificial virgin. The silken robe was open and draped down the sides of the altar like a pair of wings. Fox looked so beautiful.
"You cannot pass into the circle. Go back or Alexander will destroy you!" one old crone snarled.
Between Skinner and Krycek and the altar, Alexander appeared. It had taken the last ounce of power the elders possessed to summon their grandfather to this place.
"Too late, Fox is mine, and for trespassing on the ceremony you shall both die," Alexander said. He gathered the forces around him and struck out at the two men.
Skinner and Krycek both sank to their knees as an intense pain ripped at their chests.
Skinner felt a warm liquid dripping from his nose and into his mouth; he tasted the coppery tinge of blood. He looked through watery, pain-filled eyes at his lover's still figure. The only thought on his mind was that he hadn't been able to save Fox.
***
Many miles away at the Spender Plantation, a loud explosion shook the countryside and lit up the nighttime sky, shattering the peaceful silence as the manor house exploded into a fireball. The fire could be seen for miles in all directions.
***
"NNNOOOOOO!" Alexander screamed and disintegrated into nothingness.
The pain seemed to subside instantly with the departing echoes of the ghostly scream. Skinner unsteadily regained his feet and made his way over to Fox's side. He glanced briefly at the bodies of the elders. All that remained were dried out husks. Even the garments they had worn were tattered remnants left clinging to the withered bodies.
Skinner removed his long overcoat and draped it over his lover's nude body just as several of Pearson's swat team stormed into the cavern.
Pearson met Skinner's eyes, then dropped them to Mulder's unmoving body. "Get the medics in here stat!" he yelled out to one of his men.
Skinner noticed for the first time that Krycek had vanished. The rat probably scurried back into his hole. Skinner had to step aside as the paramedics arrived. They checked Mulder's vitals and relayed them to the hospital in Raleigh-Durham. Mulder was going to be airlifted to the hospital.
Pearson came up beside him. "We've located Agent Scully, sir," he said handing the A.D. a handkerchief for his bloody nose.
Skinner took it and dabbed at the blood. "Where is she?" he asked, realizing guiltily he hadn't even thought of her since hearing about Mulder.
"Agent Piquet was holding her against her will. We've taken him into custody. Agent Scully is on her way to the hospital in Raleigh-Durham. She wants to be there for Agent Mulder when he arrives." Pearson watched as Mulder was loaded onto a stretcher. "What happened here, sir?" he asked.
"As soon as I figure it all out I'll let you know, SAC Pearson," Skinner said, following behind the stretcher, he was not going to let Mulder out of his sight.
***
Krycek had fled from the cave as the swat team stormed the place. He snuck silently through the woods avoiding them and the remaining gypsies. He must have walked for miles because before he knew it, he was coming out beside the riverbank.
Alexander watched as his look-alike stopped beside the river. With his body destroyed, he didn't have much power left on this plane. Only his severed hand that was buried inside a lead box beneath the old oak tree beside the river still held him tethered to this plane. He needed a body or he'd be forced to pass over to the next realm. He smiled staring at Krycek, and the perfect body had just come to him.
Krycek stood panting, he needed to make it back to town to collect his car. He was distracted by the screech of a hoot owl and didn't notice Alexander materialize behind him. He felt light headed as the ghost took possession of his body. Krycek tried to fight the spirit off, but Alexander's will was stronger and soon the ghost had almost total possession over the young man's body.
"Alex, don't worry child, I'll take good care of your body," Alexander laughed, and used Krycek's knowledge to head for town to collect their car.
***
Three weeks later.
Skinner carried a tray out to the sofa where Mulder sat, watching the basketball game. On the tray were two bowls of chili, cornbread, and beer. His lover was still recovering from his ordeal and hadn't been allowed back to work yet.
Mulder smiled up at him. "Thanks, Walter, you're spoiling me."
"I'm trying to fatten you up. The doctor won't release you back to work until you regained all of the forty pounds you lost. That's what you get for being so skinny in the first place, you didn't have any extra weight to loose," Skinner scowled, setting the tray on the coffee table.
"Are you saying that you want me fat?" Mulder picked up the large bowl of chili and dug in. His appetite had only returned a couple of days ago. He had a hard time keeping anything down before then, and Scully, his doctor, and Walter all threatened to have him put back into the hospital if he didn't start gaining weight soon.
"No, I don't want you fat, just healthy. Scully is coming over later to check on you."
Scully, Mulder smiled thinking about her reaction to finding out about him and Skinner. Skinner didn't even try to hide their relationship from her. He had walked right up to Mulder's hospital bed. Mulder remembered being in a half-conscious state, with Scully holding his hand. Walter had bent down and kissed him on the forehead. If it wasn't for the oxygen mask and the feeding tube up his nose he was positive, that Walter would have kissed him on the lips. His lover had to fill him in later on the details about how he and Scully had a long talk over a cup of coffee about Walter's relationship with her partner.
Skinner sipped his beer as he watched Mulder hungrily wolf down the bowl of chili, it was one of the most satisfying sights of the last three weeks for Skinner. He had been scared that his lover would never recover. They still haven't resumed their normal love life, but he felt now that would come in time. Mulder was allowing him to hold and touch him again.
"Fox, I booked us a four day weekend at a bread-and-breakfast in upstate Vermont for your birthday. I thought we could check out the fall foliage, the leaves should be in their peak colors at that time," Skinner said, hoping that Mulder would want to go.
"That sounds good, Walter. You know I'm going to have to be going back to my own apartment one of these days," Mulder said. He did not really want to go, he felt comfortable here with Walter. His lover was able to keep the shadows at bay.
"You don't have to go, Fox. Why don't you move in here with me, or if you prefer we could look for a larger place together. Maybe one of the row house in the city," Skinner suggested.
Mulder would have refused before, but now he wanted to keep Skinner nearby. "Sure. I wouldn't mind getting a row house. It would give us a little more privacy and those homes have a private backyard and patio." Mulder couldn't believe he was talking about buying a house together with Walter.
Skinner's face lit up in a grin. "If it's okay with you, Fox, I'll contact a realtor tomorrow. We can start looking anytime you're up to it."
"Seeing that I still have a ways to go before I'm allowed back at work, now would be a good time to house hunt. Maybe we could find a place across the street from an Italian restaurant, and kill two birds with one stone."
"How's that, Fox?"
"I'll be able to return to work sooner with an all night pizzeria across the street. Just think of how much weight I'd be able to put on," Mulder quipped.
Skinner leaned over and kissed him. Their life together was never going to be boring.
***
The End.