R6-Nicole-p2

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The trill of the phone woke Mulder from his nap. He fumbled for his cell phone before realizing that it was the phone on the nightstand that was ringing. He dazedly recalled his cell phone being crushed before he answered the insistent phone.

"Mulder," he said, trying to shake the remnants of sleep from his voice.

"Mulder? Why aren't you answering your cell phone?"

"Walter? Oh my cell phone? Hmmm? I thought I told you about my little accident?" he said carefully, despite the slow smile that was curving his lips at the gruff voice he loved so well.

"No. No don't say it. Don't remind me…no I don't want to hear again how you lost another phone! I had blissfully forgotten"

Mulder grinned. He knew Walter forgot very little and it was just his way of trying to put a smile on his face. "Oh, I didn't lose it, Walter. It was more a crunching type scenario…"

"Don't. I will just cling to the pleasure of you actually obeying me and taking a room at the motel."

Fox grinned and lay back, his hand unconsciously going to his chest to rub a nipple distractedly.

"Yes, of course I did. I am ever obedient. You just have to tell me to do it and I do."

Walter chuckled warmly. "In my dreams, Fox. In my dreams."

"Oh, Walter. You can't know how much I miss you. I wish you were right here with me right now."

Walter felt warmth at these words and yet he felt a prickle of unease too. The tone in which those welcome words had been delivered was somehow vaguely frightened. His protective instincts, strong in any case for every agent under his supervision, magnified infinitely for this one special man, came rushing to the fore. "What is it, Fox? What is bothering you?"

Fox sighed. Walter was perceptive…sometimes too perceptive. He wanted nothing more than to be held in the security of that strong embrace. "This case…it is disturbing."

"More disturbing than metal covered cockroaches or plant things living in volcanoes? Or vampires? Or liver-eating…?"

"I get the point, Sir. You don't have to go on," Fox chuckled. "I guess I am just tired. Scully says I am not sleeping enough."

"I see." But he didn't. Sleep depravation usually made Mulder more frenetic certainly, but frightened?

"I just miss you."

"Then come home. This case can easily be handled by someone else…another team or just Scully…"

"No!" The frantic tone startled even Mulder who sat up. "I mean I am fine. I want to end this one myself."

"What can I do to help?"

Mulder flushed with pleasure. Was it any wonder that he loved the big A.D.? He was entirely unlike any man he had ever met. So supportive. So godammed handsome and supportive. "You can tell me what you're wearing. I'd like to imagine you are wearing those nice boxers I gave you…and nothing else."

A warm chuckle greeted this last bit. "I am sitting at my desk…at *work*, Mulder. But yes, under my suit I am wearing a certain pair of boxers."

"The black ones? The *silk* black ones?" Mulder's hand resumed his caresses to his nipple and a soft smile graced his full lips.

"That would be the pair."

"How do they feel?"

"Mulder, maybe you didn't hear me. I am at work," Walter growled.

Mulder could just imagine that huge cock starting to fill with blood and he licked his lips. "Do they feel wet yet?"

"Mul-der!"

"Not as wet as they would if my lips were touching…"

"Mulder, though I am nearly certain that this line is secure, we cannot just…"

"Are you hard yet, Walter? I wonder how long that silk can hold you," Fox purred.

"Stop trying to change the subject, agent Mulder," Skinner growled threateningly.

Mulder pouted. "I'm not. I am just trying to take my mind off things for a little bit."

"Mulder, you are either there to solve the case, or you get your ass back here. If you need to get your mind off it, that tells me something is wrong. Much more wrong than you are telling me." His tone was pure lover, though his words were pure A.D.

"You're right, *Sir*, I should get off the phone and get back to work." Mulder hated the petulant sound to his voice, but there it was.

"Fox. I'm worried about you. I have a bad feeling about this one, and I love you…I don't want to lose you."

Fox relaxed and guiltily chewed his lower lip. "I know. I'm sorry. This case is…disturbing. There seems to be a presence…no, presences in the Spender Plantation…and…well there is something wrong with the people here. Something that goes beyond fear of being murdered."

"Okay. What are your thoughts? Have you found anything of import?"

"I think so. The plantation seems to be the fulcrum. I think that the last three victims were killed by the ghost of Alexander…"

"A *ghost* killed three people?" Skinner's voice was incredulous.

"Yes. I have…I've seen it. The fact is, Walter…I've seen another ghost too. It looks just like that cigarette smoking bastard. The other one…well it looks just like Krycek."

The silence at the other end of the phone stretched and finally Mulder sighed. "I know it sounds like a Dorothy-in-Oz story but I swear it's true. Alexander…"

"The ghost that resembles Krycek I presume," Walter ground out.

"Yes. Yes Alexander looks just like, Krycek…even down to the missing left hand. Only Alexander has a hook for a hand," Mulder said quietly, knowing how crazy it sounded.

"Okay. Mulder, you get some rest and call me…"

"No, Walter. Listen. I think Alexander killed those people in the plantation house with that hook. I've felt it. It's real…it cuts."

"You were cut? When? Why the Hell didn't you tell me this right away? How badly were you cut? Does Scully know? Jesus, Mulder sometimes I wish I were cut out for bondage and discipline. I'd give you a beating you wouldn't soon forget!"

"I'm fine, it was just a little knick. A warning really," Fox quickly assured him.

"A warning? From a ghost who looks like your ex-partner, who happens to have a hook where his left hand should be?"

"Yes, and he tried to kill Scully, only she didn't know it…or didn't remember…I don't know which." Fox sat up, frustrated that this was sounding like a bad acid trip.

"That's it. You! Sleep! Now! I am calling Scully to get her report. If she advises me to recall you, you will have one hour to pack up and get your ass back to the…"

"You aren't my lover here, Skinner. You are my boss. And you know I can solve this. People are dying. We have a responsibility…"

"You don't need to tell me what our responsibilities are, Mulder. And you do *not* need to remind me that I am your boss. You need to remind yourself. If this were any other agent, do you think he or she would think to speak to me this way? No! And why? Because they aren't sleeping with me. It is you who are forgetting your place, Mulder, not I," Walter spit out furiously.

Fox flushed crimson, and felt like a small child being chastised. It was true. He was using his place with Skinner to try and call the shots. "Sir, this case…it's important to me. I am being careful and I know it sounds like I am a bit out of sorts, but I am thinking rationally in an irrational situation. Please don't take me off this case. I'll sleep…I'll buy another cell phone…I'll take Scully with me everywhere, but I have to solve it."

Walter, who had risen from his seat in a frightening display of anger, sat back down. "I want constant updates. And Mulder?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"I am always your lover, even when I am kicking your ass."

With those words the line went dead.

Krycek, who had returned just moments ago, didn't bother to listen in on the conversation between Scully and the bald interloper. He stared at the video display of his sweet piece of ass, who lay on the phone with a silly smile on his face, and wanted to slap that pretty face. How dare Mulder love that bastard! Didn't he know to whom he belonged? How could he forget the words he'd uttered when Alex had been pounding him so fiercely? "Yes. Oh, yes. Take me, I'm yours, and only yours. Throughout time, my love." It had seemed, at that moment and every moment thereafter, that Fox was destined to be his…that they were *meant* to be together. It was as if his whole life had been meant for this one moment. The culmination of everything he was, and everything that he would ever do. He would do anything…*anything* to own this man…to forever hold him. Looking at him through the impersonal lens of the camera he curled his robotic fingers, glad that the ridiculous prosthetic had been replaced by a more responsive wonder of science. He would kill Skinner, and then take Fox away. "You were mine the moment you were born, Fox. It's your destiny, baby. You just haven't figured it out," he whispered harshly watching Mulder lay back on the lucky sheets. He licked his pink lips and thought of how best to accomplish his goal. He could kill Scully too, finally. The bitch had always deserved it. Mulder loved her too well. He watched the full lips part in a sigh and he didn't have to close his eyes to envision his hard, long cock thrusting past their plump invitation. He'd seen it before while those beautiful eyes stared up at him with adoration and blossoming love.

^^^^^^^^^^^

"Bad to the bone. B-b-b-b-aaaaad. Bad to the bone. I'm bad to the bone!" Fred Stark sang loudly to the radio and to the passing countryside in general, as he drove past the banks of the Cape Fear River heading toward the little homey inn and to the arms of the sexy little agent he was sure to seduce come nightfall. He patted little Freddie and grinned. "Got some sweet sugar for you soon, buddy. Gonna let you out to party and we are going to blow that sweetheart away." Little Freddie jerked in appreciation and plumped up nice and fat. "Oh yeah, I'm bad to the boooone." The song changed and Sarah Maclaughlin began to sing about angels. Little Freddie went comatose in shock and Stark cursed as his fantasy was interrupted. He switched stations until the dulcet tones of Marilyn Manson serenaded he and his thick friend. Little Freddie bounced hotly as Stark sang along with the crashing music. "Next motherfucker's gonna get my metal!" The beat was undeniably erotic and both Freds had visions of sugarplums dancing in their respective heads.

He checked into the Moon Dust Motel wondering where his prey was at that very moment. He went straight to his room, number 127, and put his baggage on the little fold out provided. He wanted to jack off, but what was the purpose? He could save it for Fox's ass…or those plump lips. Little Freddie strained to get out and play, but Stark only squeezed him hard and changed into his fishing gear. He had to make this look good. He stepped out of the room and was shocked into silence as the little red-haired bitch came bopping along the hall as if she owned the damned place. Her lips were drawn into a perpetually disapproving pout and he had the urge to smash her face in. She was probably sucking Fox's dick with those lips. He hid his animosity behind a faintly surprised, pleased smile.

"Agent Scully? What a surprise! Is this where you are staying?"

Scully stopped short, her mouth a red circle of surprise. "Agent Stark? What are you doing here? Did Skinner send you?"

"Skinner? Oh no. I am on vacation. Funny how things work out isn't it? Oh my God!" He slapped his forehead and affected a how-stupid-can-I-be look on his face. "That's right. You and Spooky are here on some sort of occult case. The meeting…gosh, now I remember."

At the name Spooky those lips thinned in even more of a disapproving snarl. "Yes, agent *Mulder* and myself are here on a case."

"Wow. Talk about coincidences. Well, you know…if you need any help. I'm here. I'll chuck my gear and dig in."

She raised a red brow. "Very coincidental, agent Stark."

The door to Stark's right opened and Mulder stepped out, looking adorably flushed from sleep. "Scully who are you talking…oh, agent Stark. Uh did Skinner send you?"

Stark had gone silent and little Freddie thankfully was too stunned to react.

"He's here on vacation…a pure coincidence," Scully said dryly.

"Oh. Oh fishing is it?" Mulder said politely his eyes looking Scully over to see if she had been harmed anymore by (his lover) Alexander.

"What?" Stark said stupidly.

"Fishing. I see you are going fishing," Fox said, indicating the gear and the hat covered in lures.

"Oh yes, me and little Fre…me and my trusty pole are going to catch us a honey. I can just feel it. But if you need anything…anything at all, I'll cut this vacation short…"

"I think we can handle this one alone, Stark, but thank you *so* much for your offer," Scully said coldly.

Stark's innocent expression melted for a moment and he glared at her, before an affable grin took residence once more and he nodded. He looked at Mulder one last hot time and trotted off down the hall, wondering if Mulder noticed how big and powerfully strong he was.

Mulder shook his head. Scully was indeed honey to bees. This one was in for a shock. He hadn't a chance in hell with her, if that cold tone and sarcasm was any indication. "He has it bad," he sighed, shaking his head.

She looked startled. "Stark?"

"I think he followed you down here. Haven't you even noticed how often he prowls around the basement when you are there?" He shook his head. Scully needed to get out more. She was incredibly beautiful, so dainty and such perfect skin. If he were straight…and not madly in love with their superior, she'd have a hard time keeping him off her. "He even came down the day before we left…looking for you. You had already left so he was foiled in his romantic attempt. But he did feel more comfortable with you not there. He came in…I think he was going to ask about you."

Scully stared up at her grinning partner. "You are so smart. You can crack cases that stump even the best of officers. You have an innate ability to profile even the most brilliant psychopath and yet you are without doubt the most *clueless* man I have ever met!" She pushed past her now shocked partner and entered his room. She plopped on his bed with a groan that bordered on a scream. She lay back and spread her arms wide, as if inviting a quick, merciful death.

Mulder gaped at her and closed the door behind him. "What in the world are you on, Scully? I highly doubt Skinner would approve of mind-altering elements being ingested by his agents while they were at home, let alone on a case of malcontented spirits and eager cultists."

She giggled then. His tone was truly hysterical. He sounded like a mother.

He sat on the bed next to her and tapped her forehead. "Is my partner in there?"

She sighed. "Mulder, he isn't interested in me, you big dolt!"

"Oh, fine then. He just so happens to be vacationing in the exact town we are assigned to solve…"

"No. He is interested in you! He is so over the top in lust with you that I am certainly surprised that he can even sit still during the meetings." She had to laugh at his shocked expression. "You are such an idiot, Mulder. Can't you tell when you are being stalked?"

"I…I…I…"

"It looks like it is time for me to have a little talk with him. Don't worry, I know exactly what to say, as I've had to have this talk with a half-dozen obsessed men over the last five years. I know just what to do."

He gaped at her.

She began to laugh so hard her sides ached. "He and his…his…his *pole* are fishing. Oh God, he's too much. And they are going to catch a honey!" She howled even louder as with a look of pure disapproval Mulder began to stalk about the room, tossing clothes back into his luggage to distract himself from her hilarity.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Krycek was baffled. Who in the Hell were they talking about? One thing was certain, whoever he was who was stalking Mulder was a dead man walking if he gave in to his understandable desire for the lovely agent. *His* lovely agent.

^^^^^^^^^^^

"The elders have arrived, Dmitry, they await you," the small, dark woman said respectfully.

Dmitry straightened his robe and went to meet his council, his family. The elders sat in a circle around a large, stone-encircled fire. They wore dark robes, and no colorful beads or jewelry. They sat somber and still, staring into the prophetic flames, as still as death. No. Death was not still. It teemed with life and walked the Earth. They sat as still as stone and ignored his presence as he stood a respectful distance from them. Though he was the head of the family, these were the elders. The ones who eschewed the trappings of modern gluttony and lived still in wagons and were tended most solicitously by the family. They were old. Some members of the family whispered that these elders were old even when mothers and fathers were but children. Older than anyone living could remember. Dmitry shivered. He could recall his grandfather referring to the wisdom of the elders, and they had been old then. They seemed timeless in the flickering light, their eyes black and pupiless. Their skin to the one was thin and blue veins pulsed visibly near the surface. They moved slowly on most occasions and spoke only to one another if at all possible. During the ceremonies they were vicious and ruthless in the ritualistic slaughter. He waited an hour, head bowed, eyes tilted up to watch them, before one spoke, her voice a rasping dirge.

"Why do you summon us? We are old. We are tired."

He shivered as her voice seemed to vibrate in the darkness. "The son has returned."

"Foolish, child. Think you that we don't know this? That we didn't know when the loved one was born?"

Her voice took on a funeral tone and he gulped. "He is an agent with the FBI. He's come to solve the murders."

"And to fulfil his destiny," she rasped out. The fire grew high and he flinched. "His soul knows what his heart will not see, and his desires war with his intellect, so it is, so will it always be."

Dmitry shook his head. "I don't understand…what…"

"Be still, foolish child. You call us for another reason don't you?" The man who spoke was almost too quiet to be heard over the crackle of the fire.

Dmitry nodded. "I wish to perform the ritual on him myself. I want to be the one to gift him to our ancestor. I want to wield the knife myself." His eyes glittered with ugly lust and the cackle of the old crone rose above even the wind.

"You lust for that which you cannot have and so you wish to destroy it."

He looked at the ground angry with the old witch for seeing into his darkest desire. Yes. It was true. He wanted the agent…wanted to crush him and beat him and stab him while he was deep inside him. He wanted so much to see his blood run hot and wild over his lean body, even while he was being fucked…his life draining away…passion united in death…the curse of the Spender family and his own. He could not have Fox as his lover, but he could be the one who took his life…the ritual promised that the one who slit his throat could join with him, enter him and possess him. If he could only fuck the agent that one time then he would do it. The thought of it made his cock pulse with passion. To beat. To cut. To fuck. To kill. And oh he would be so rewarded by his powerful ancestor…so rewarded.

"You think to taste that which belongs to Alexander?" The woman was standing now, so close to him, that he could feel her strangely cold breath on his arms. The funeral dirge tones were stronger in her voice and he could see the light of insanity dancing in her soulless eyes. She pointed to the fire, which had grown to seven feet in height. The elders still sat, undisturbed and quiet. He looked into the fire and saw his ancestor staring back, the flames of the fire burned in the green eyes. He turned and ran. The laughter of the crone in cadence to his echoing footsteps.

^^^^^^^^^^^

"I think we should get to talking to some of these locals," Mulder said briskly as Scully calmed herself. He had changed into a suit in the bathroom, listening to Scully chuckle to herself as she still lay sprawled on his bed.

She giggled one last time and sat up. "Yes, that is a good idea. There are so many relatives here I wonder just who isn't related."

Mulder nodded. "I want to talk to the librarian."

Scully tilted her head. "Why?"

"Well, in a town this small, the librarian, if she's any good, knows all the history of a town."

She nodded. "Okie dokie, let's go."

She cleared her throat and with a magnanimous gesture she indicated that he should proceed her through the door. When he did she slapped his butt and giggled at his yelp of surprise.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Michael you're next.