"This can't be, it can't..." Scully paced the floor of the sheriff's office. "He can't have just disappeared."

Sheriff Lawson followed her with his eyes. "Agent Scully, there are men all up and down that range. If he's there, we'll find him. The road blocks have turned up nothing..."

"What if the person who took him got through *before* the road blocks went up?"

"It's possible, I suppose, but the Assistant Director put the A.P.B. out quickly."

"Yes, quickly, but we'd already been in the lodge a little while before we realized what had happened. Whoever it was had time enough to get Mulder out of there and be on his way. They could be anywhere."

"I'm sorry, Agent Scully. All I can do is tell you that we'll keep looking."

"I know everyone is doing their best, Sheriff. I appreciate all your efforts."

"Will you be going back to D.C.?"

"I can't. I have to stay here and help search."

"A.D. Skinner returned?"

"Yes, he flew out this morning. He dropped everything to come out here, but there were matters that he couldn't continue to neglect He'll keep in touch."

"Look, it's getting late. You've been in and out of here all day. Have you eaten?"

Scully thought about the question, honestly unsure of whether or not she'd had anything. "I don't...I don't think so."

"Well, come on. Let me buy you some dinner."

"Thank you, sheriff, but I'm really not hungry."

"You've got to eat. You'll be of no use to your partner if you don't keep your strength up."

Scully stared at Lawson's desk, saying nothing.

"Can I take your silence as a 'maybe', at least?"

Scully looked up and tried to give the man a friendly smile. "Don't you have a family you should be getting home to?"

"Just my cat. And she doesn't care what time I come in, so long as there's food in her dish. Now, come on."

"All right, I guess I should put something in my stomach," Scully admitted. She followed the man out of his office and out to his vehicle.

The first half of the drive was a relatively silent one, until Lawson decided that he could stand the quiet no more.

"How um...how long have you and Agent Mulder been partners?"

"Six years, give or take a few months."

Lawson nodded. "You're close...well, of course you would be. You can't help but be, working together day after day. Are either of you married or in a steady relationship?"

Scully shot the sheriff a curious glance, but decided to answer the question. "No."

Lawson gave her an apologetic grin. "Sorry, but I tend to be kinda nosy. Relationships within a law enforcement partnership interest me. Blame it on the psych courses I've been taking. The department offered them last year, and I figured what the hell? I thought it was just gonna be criminal psychology, but when I got into the class, I found out that they were also going to be delving into the partner dynamic. Interesting stuff."

"Yes, it can be."

"Your partner must be fascinating to work with. I heard from some of the agents that he's supposed to be some kind of profiling genius or something?"

Scully hesitated, watching the trees and houses pass by. Then she spoke up. "He's amazing. I've never known him to be wrong. It's eerie, almost."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Fox Mulder in full profiling mode is a thing to behold."

"You admire him."

"Very much."

//I should tell him that sometime...if I ever get the chance. God, Mulder, where are you?//

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alex sat on the floor, his back to the arm of the sofa, reading. An almost inaudible sound drew his attention away from his book. He twisted his body so that he could get a better look at the sleeping man. He raised his hand to Mulder's face, smiling when he felt that the skin beneath his fingers was not as hot as it had been throughout the day.

He'd pumped Mulder full of fluids every chance he got, and administered fever reducers, and now it seemed as though his work might be paying off. Mulder slept through most of the day, but even when he seemed to be conscious, he remained pretty well out of it, not knowing where he was, or recognizing the man who was caring for him.

Alex's fingers slipped into the golden-brown strands on the left side of Mulder's head, combing gently through them. The sleeping man sighed softly, and turned his face ever so slightly into the touch.

//God, if he opened his eyes right now, what the hell would you do?//

Alex moved his hand away, letting it first slip over Mulder's cheekbone, then down his jaw. He licked his lower lip absently as the older man turned his face further to the left, groaning in protest to the loss of warmth. Unable to help himself, he returned his hand to Mulder's face, tenderly caressing his cheek. The action seemed to pacify the other man, and he settled back into a peaceful sleep.

If he tried really hard...if he blocked out the fact that Mulder despised him and would want to kill him dead when he finally realized what was going on, he could lose himself in this moment. He could touch Mulder and imagine that the touch was welcome...even needed. He could see those incredible eyes open and look on him, radiating an emotion other than hate.

Telling himself he really, *really* shouldn't, he lay his head down on the sofa beside Mulder's, and closed his eyes.

//Ohhh, yes...//

He'd imagined this...wanted it for so long....just to be close to him. Smell him. Listen to him breathing...

//Suck it up, Alex, because once he's fully awake, it's all done. And so are you.//

//Maybe not. He might just surprise you.//

//Oh, ya think? Come down off of that cloud, you jerk.//

//Well, why'd you go through all this if you're gonna be so damn negative? Why didn't you just leave him there for Scully?"

//How could I? How could I look at him lying there like that and just walk away?//

//If you were smart, you would have.//

//Tired of always doing the *smart* thing. I want to just follow my feelings for once.//

//No matter how much trouble they get you into?//

Alex opened his eyes and studied the face so close to his...admiring the sweep of golden-brown eyelashes. His gaze dropped down to that mouth scrunched into an irresistible pout, and he answered himself.

//Just this once, yeah.//

He brushed Mulder's chin with his fingertips, then rose from the floor and went off to the kitchen for something to eat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scully waved to Sheriff Lawson, then disappeared inside her motel room. She discarded her outer clothing, withdrew her cell phone from her jacket pocket, and plugged it into the recharger. Just now realizing the extent of her exhaustion, she dropped down onto the bed, massaging her temples.

Sheriff Lawson was a very nice man, and she appreciated the fact that he was concerned enough about her to take her out and make her eat, but there was no way he could fully appreciate this situation, despite what he'd learned in his psych classes. She and Mulder shared a closeness that she doubted many other partners did. He was her very best friend...her confidante...family. And if anything had happened to him, she honestly didn't know how she could handle it.

She fought to suppress the rush of emotion, telling herself that falling apart would get her exactly nowhere. Snatching up the motel phone, she quickly punched in a group of numbers, then waited for an answer.

"Hi, Mom. It's me....hmm? Yeah, uh...yeah, I'm in Washington state. Yeah, a case. No, it isn't...it isn't going well at all.....God, Mom, everything is wrong....it's Mulder..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alex opened his eyes and noticed that it was no longer dark. The sun wasn't exactly shining brightly, but it was obviously no longer night time. He lifted his wrist, focusing on his watch.

//Seven thirty-six.//

He stretched within the confines of the sleeping bag that he was wrapped in. He unzipped the bag, and lifted himself to check on the man on the bed.

Still asleep. At least he looked more comfortable here in bed than he did on the couch.

Alex had carried Mulder into the bedroom at about ten last night, encountering only a small amount of complaints from the other man as he moved him. As soon as he was comfortable, Alex laid the sleeping bag out on the floor beside the bed, and crawled into it. More exhausted than he thought he was, he fell asleep almost immediately. He woke twice during the night to check Mulder's temperature and make sure that he was comfortable, but drifted off again, directly after.

He stood by the bed, noticing that the other man's color had improved, though his respiration still seemed a bit harsh and uneven.

Alex watched warily as Mulder shifted. The older man winced and groaned softly, then his eyes began to flutter.

"Oww...oh, shit..." Mulder inhaled and grimaced. His hand went to his side, feeling the bandage. The next thing he noticed was that he was lying in a bed.

//Oh, thank God.//

"Scully?"

Alex took a deep breath and released it. "Not exactly."

Mulder's brow wrinkled into a frown. His head turned to the right, stopping when a pair of bright green eyes came into view. He closed his eyes again, just knowing that he was dreaming. When his eyes fluttered open, the eyes were still there...set in the face he knew so well.

Alex saw the angry glitter in Mulder's eyes, and immediately took on a defensive posture. "How do you feel?" He said tonelessly, backing off a step.

Mulder struggled to sit up, but a wave of pain and nausea stopped him. "What...where am I? Where's Scully?"

"Scully's fine, and you're safe."

"Safe?" he would have laughed if it wouldn't have hurt so much. "With *you*?"

Alex gave no answer.

"Where am I? What is this place?"

"It's mine. And it's safe. Are you hungry?"

Glassy eyes stared up at the other man. "How did I get out of the lodge?"

"I took you out."

"You did."

Alex nodded.

"What about the others?"

"The other hostages are fine."

"The kidnappers?"

A long silence preceded Alex's answer. "Dead."

"All of them?"

"...Yeah."

Mulder didn't even ask. He knew from Alex's tone and posture, exactly how the five men ended up that way.

"What do you want from me?"

"What makes you think I want anything?"

"You don't..." A series of coughs interrupted his sentence. "Ah, shit..."

"I'll get you some water."

"To hell....hell with the water, Alex." More coughing. "You didn't bring me here...wherever here is, out of the goodness of your heart. You...want something...shit..."

Alex watched the color begin to drain again from Mulder's face. "Yeah, Mulder," he said softly. "You know what I want? I want you to shut up and relax."

"You expect me to just lie back and accept that I'm God knows where with *you*? You expect to me relax and let you feed me, and bring me liquids, and..."

"Take your temperature."

"What?"

"It's time to take your temperature."

Mulder looked at him, dumbfounded. "You're fucking nuts."

"Because I want to take your temperature?"

Mulder continued to stare, unable to believe what was happening. "Where am I?"

"I told you. You're in my cabin."

"*Where*?"

Alex cocked his head, studying the older man, but saying nothing.

"Goddamn it, you son of a bitch, tell me where I am!" Mulder tried to get out of bed, but was knocked back by pain and a tidal wave of nausea. "God, oh..."

Quickly, Alex reached down beside the bed and brought a pail up under Mulder's chin, as the older man began to retch.

Having eaten nothing in over twenty-four hours, Mulder brought up mostly liquid. He groaned with each spasm, pressing a hand to his side to attempt to stop the pain there. Alex held the pail with one hand, and gently stroked his hair with the other, all the while, murmuring soothing words to him. When the spasms finally stopped, Alex took the pail away, and helped him lie back. He sat at the edge of the bed, and caressed a flushed cheek.

"You're sick, Mulder. You can't go getting all worked up. Just try to relax, okay?"

Too weak at the moment to argue, Mulder closed his eyes. Every breath brought a soft moan, and Alex knew that he was in pain. He cupped Mulder's cheek in his palm, and called softly to him. "Mulder? Listen. I'm going to go heat up a little soup for you." He shushed the soft grunt of protest, and continued. "You've got nothing in your stomach. I can give you something for the pain, but you have to eat first. Just try a little soup, please?"

Mulder's eyes opened to glassy hazel slits, and he looked up at Alex.

This was fucking unreal. He *had* to be dreaming. Alex Krycek? Taking care of him? Wanting to feed him soup? Tenderly stroking his face and hair...

"Why?"

"What'd you say?"

"Why?" he asked again, croaking the word a little louder.

Alex chewed on his lower lip for a moment, staring down at the other man. "Let's just concentrate on getting you well, okay? We can talk later."

Mulder watched Alex pick the pail up and walk out of the room, then realized that the younger man had just left him alone. Maybe he could poke around a little...search for a phone, or try to determine where he was...

He tried to sit up, and immediately let himself slip back against the pillows as the room began to spin by at breakneck speed.

"God...oh, God...."

The nausea returned, and he clutched his side as he attempted to take a few deep, cleansing breaths.

"Krycek..."

//Who the hell just called Krycek? Was that you?//

//Yeah. Don't worry, it was too soft for him to hear. Just lie here and suffer in silence. Keep telling yourself you'd rather die than ask for his help.//

//Christ, and you just may do that, the way you're feeling...//

Even thinking hurt. Mulder tried to shut off his thoughts and disconnect the pain, but it was an extremely difficult task, given the number of places he hurt. He felt his stomach begin to convulse again.

"No....oh.....no...."

He leaned as far over the side of the bed as he could, and then the spasms started again. Seconds later, Alex appeared in the doorway.

"Shit." He hurried to the bed, placing the clean pail under Mulder. "I thought I heard you." He positioned himself behind Mulder, wrapping an arm around his middle for support as the older man dry-heaved. When it was over, Mulder was completely wrung out. Alex pulled him back against the pillows, then disappeared momentarily. He came back with a cool, damp cloth, and began stroking it over Mulder's face and neck. "It's okay," he cooed softly. "I know you must feel like dying right now, but you'll be all right, I promise."

Only about half of Alex's words were making it through to Mulder's frazzled brain, and even those were making no sense to him. His eyelids fluttered slowly, and finally closed, and his shallow respiration deepened a bit. He was falling asleep. Alex continued to smooth the cloth across his face until it got warm. He placed the cloth on the small table beside the bed, then felt Mulder's face and neck. They were cooler, but that may have just been a temporary thing, due to the coolness of the cloth. His hand slid downward, skimming slowly over the t-shirt, then underneath, checking the temperature of the flesh there.

Warm. Alex's tongue flicked across his lips.

Hard.

His hand traveled upward, brushing across the hair that dusted the area between his...

//Don't...//

He sighed softly as the tips of his fingers came in contact with one nipple, and he gently brushed them across the soft peak. One corner of his mouth twitched up into a smile as he felt it harden beneath his touch, and he imagined a soft moan slipping past Mulder's lips.

God, what he wouldn't give to hear this man moan and whimper for him.

//Come on, cut it out. Leave him alone. He's so sick.//

He pulled his hand away, and smoothed the shirt down. His hand went back up to Mulder's face, determining that he was probably still running a low grade fever. He pulled the thermometer out of the drawer by the bed, and slipped it between Mulder's lips. A couple of minutes later, he withdrew it and read softly to himself. "A hundred point six. Better, but not great." He looked down at the sleeping man, and let his thumb whisper across his bottom lip. "Sleep well." He rose from the bed, and walked quietly out of the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No luck?"

Scully looked as though she hadn't slept for a week. She felt even worse. She raked a hand through her hair and shook her head. "We covered every house, lodge, and business in the area. No one has seen Mulder or anyone going by the description of the man that one of the hostages gave. I take it you've turned nothing up."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

"No one's giving up, though, Agent Scully. I'm gonna keep every available man on it."

"Thank you."

"How about you?"

"A.D. Skinner has promised to keep as many people on it as possible."

"We'll find him. And he'll be fine."

Scully took a deep breath, and gave the sheriff and tight smile. "I know we will."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder's eyes opened slowly, and for a moment, he couldn't remember where he was. Then as the misery returned, so did his memory.

//Holy shit. What the hell is going on? What does he want?//

Alex cautiously entered the room for the third time since Mulder had fallen asleep some four hours ago. Finding Mulder awake, he walked over to the bed and looked down at him.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I'm in the Twilight Zone," Mulder answered weakly. "I want to know why I'm here."

"We have time to talk about that, Mulder..."

"So..." Mulder winced as he tried to pull himself up. "..I've gone from one kidnapping situation to another?"

"I'm not going to hurt you."

"How did you know?"

"About your situation?"

"Yeah."

"I make it my business to know."

"Why?"

Alex smiled. "To keep you out of trouble."

"Why?"

The younger man licked his lower lip. "You're important."

"To whom?"

Alex opened his mouth, then decided against a reply. "Let's try some soup, now." He disappeared from the room and returned minutes later, carrying a small bowl containing an opaque liquid. "Okay," he said, placing the bowl on the small table. Temperature check, first."

Mulder opened his mouth without a fuss, confusion and weakness tempering his reactions.

Alex pulled the thermometer out of his patient's mouth, and gave an encouraging smile. "Ninety nine point eight. How's your stomach?"

"Not great. Better, though."

"Good." Alex reached for the bowl, and balancing it in one hand, he spooned out some liquid with the other, and brought it to Mulder's lips. "Let's see if you can't keep some of this down."

Mulder accepted the other's man's offering, all the while telling himself that he shouldn't. But as much as it killed him to admit it, Krycek was right. He *had* to eat something. So, okay, he'd eat, he'd drink, he'd rest, then when he was stronger, he'd kill the bastard and get the hell out of here.

When the second spoonful went down and didn't come back up, Alex grinned at him. "I'm probably jumping the gun, but so far, so good."

Mulder stared at him as he accepted a third spoonful. "You know, I'm wondering."

"Wondering what?"

"Why the hell I'm letting you feed me."

Alex gave him a crooked grin. "Couldn't be because deep down you're enjoying the attention, could it? Everybody needs a little TLC once in a while."

"Yeah. From their mother. Or their spouse. Not from scum-sucking assassins."

"Well, Mulder," Alex said, suddenly cool, "since you seem to be sorely lacking on both counts, I should think you'd take it where you could get it."

"Well, think again." He reached for the spoon and bowl. "Give them to me. I can feed myself."

Alex hesitated, then shrugged and handed him the bowl. He watched Mulder bring the spoon to his mouth, then he rose to his feet. "You're *welcome*."

Mulder glared at him from over the rim of the bowl. "Thank you...thank you for kidnapping me and holding me prisoner where, I'm sure, no one knows I am."

"Anybody ever tell you, you've got a one-track mind?"

"Anybody ever tell *you*, you're a low-life, conniving, back-stabbing prick?"

"Besides you, every chance you get?"

"Yeah."

Alex raised one shoulder and let it drop. "A few people, actually..."

"Surprise, surprise."

"But none of them lived to say it a second time."

The two men stared at each other, neither one willing to break eye-contact first. In the end, it was Alex who backed down, finally weary of the contest of wills. He saw the little smile of triumph curve Mulder's lips as he headed toward the door. Before he left the room, he paused, and without looking back, said, "Don't think they're all going to be that easy." He then disappeared into the next room, leaving Mulder to finish his dinner, alone.

Mulder sat brooding for a long while, slowly stirring the broth, wondering what the hell had just happened here.

//Who gives a *shit* about what just happened here? Get. The. Fuck. Out.//

//Okay, food...you need food. You're too weak, right now.//

He proceeded to swallow the soup down, one spoonful after another, congratulating himself on keeping it all down...a bit prematurely, as it turned out. With just a little bit more to go, that queasy feeling came over him again. "No," he took two deep breaths, trying to stamp the sensation down. "No, you won't. Not...God, not again..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alex stood in the small kitchen, pouring the soup from the pan into a tupperware bowl. He tossed the pan into the sink, taking pleasure in the loud clatter. It was all the anger he'd allowed himself thus far, and it felt good.

Goddamn.

Even sick, he was a smug pain in the ass.

He braced himself against the counter, on both hands, and tilted his head back, closing his eyes.

//But hasn't he got a right to be pissed? I mean, in essence, you *did* kidnap him. And you've got no intention to let anyone know where he is, any time soon...//

//Yeah, but you're taking care of him. You bandaged his cracked ribs, you cleaned up his face...you're bringing his fever down...feeding him...you think the ungrateful shit would appreciate it, right?//

"Cut your losses," he whispered to himself. "If he's gotten on your nerves this much in the short time he's been conscious, what's it going to be like after a few days?"

//Since when do you give up so easily?//

//Since...//

Alex was jostled out of his thoughts by a sound that had become all too familiar over the last few hours.

"Shit."

He fled the kitchen, and headed straight for the bedroom, where he found Mulder with his arms wrapped around himself, half-sobbing, half-choking, as he vomited over the side of the bed, and into the pail....mostly.

Alex hurried into the room and picked the pail up, holding it in front of Mulder with one hand as he moved to kneel behind him. He wound his arm around Mulder, just above the other man's own arm, and held him firmly.

Mulder continued to heave, bringing up every last drop of the soup. Between the pain of his cracked ribs and the throbbing in his face, he was miserable enough. But now, from this frequent vomiting, his stomach muscles had begun to ache, and there was a stabbing pain within.

When Mulder was finally through, Alex placed his other hand on his head, and tenderly stroked the golden-brown hair. "Okay," he murmured against the side of Mulder's perspiration-dotted face. "It's okay, now..." He lowered himself slowly, sitting on the backs of his calves.

Unaware of what he was doing, Mulder slumped back against Alex's chest, completely sapped of strength. His arms fell away from his body, leaving only Alex's arm around him. His head fell back against the younger man's shoulder, and he turned his face to the side, burying it in the warm curve of his throat.

Before he knew what he was doing, Alex was brushing his lips across the surface of Mulder's hair, then dropping several small kisses on his head.

//Oh, God, this isn't good.//

//What do you mean, this isn't good? This is...fuck....it's incredible.//

//The man is virtually *unconscious*. He's got no fucking idea what the hell is going on right now. *Good* is having him awake, coherent, and *begging* for your touch.//

Alex gently shifted Mulder around, and lay him back against the pillows. When he moved away, Mulder groaned softly. He leaned close, resting his weight on his hands. "What is it, Mulder? Do you need something?"

Mulder grimaced, licking at his lips.

"Lousy taste in your mouth?"

A soft sigh was his only answer.

"I'll be right back." Alex went into the bathroom, and ran some water into a glass. He carried it back into the bedroom, where he sat at the edge of the bed, and slipped a hand under Mulder's head. "Okay. Don't swallow it, now. Just rinse."

Mulder took a mouthful of water and slowly swished it around before spitting it into the provided bucket.

"Again?"

The older man nodded weakly.

The process was repeated, then Alex guided him back to the pillows.

Mulder opened his eyes as he felt Alex's weight lift from the mattress. Alex looked down into the pale face, reading things into Mulder's expression that were more than likely just in his imagination.

"Be back in a sec," Alex assured Mulder, then exited the room. He was back shortly afterward, carrying basin half-full of cool water, and a cloth. He set the items down on the table, and seated himself by Mulder's hip. "You're all sweaty," he explained. "Let's see if we can make you a little more comfortable. Can you move forward just a little bit so I can take your shirt off?"

In no condition to argue, Mulder let Alex gently pull him forward and work his arms out of the t-shirt, then pull it over his head. Alex discarded the shirt, then helped Mulder lie back.

"All right, just relax and try to breathe easy."

Golden-brown lashes drifted downward, and a low moan vibrated in Mulder's throat as Alex gently bathed his face and chest. He took a number of slow, deep breaths, then opened his mouth, barely whispering Alex's name.

"Shut up, Mulder," Alex said softly. He drew the cloth down Mulder's throat, and over the curve of one shoulder, then dipped it back into the basin. He wrung out the excess water, and resumed his task. "That feel better?" Receiving a low, throaty grunt, he continued on. "Listen, Mulder, what do you say we call a truce?"

One hazel eye opened halfway and stared up at him.

"I mean it. You're hurt, and you're sick. Just let me take care of you, then when you're better, we can talk...argue...fight...whatever. Deal?"

The eye closed, and Mulder said nothing.

"Okay." Alex smoothed down Mulder's chest hair with the cloth, watching as they crept back up, twisting and curling of their own accord. "Fine. Don't tell me. I'll just interpret your silence the way I want to." Again he flattened the hairs, and again they sprung back up. "And I've decided to take it as a 'yes'."

The air moved between Mulder's teeth in a long hiss as he exhaled. Alex's touch...light enough so it didn't upset his stomach further, but not so light that it didn't relax and soothe him.

Alex's touch...*Alex*. Alex. Fucking. Krycek.

//God, stop this.//

//Why? Feels good, doesn't it?//

//Exactly the point, idiot.//

//But I feel like shit. It's good to get a little relief.//

//Even when the man you hate most is the one providing it?//

Alex frowned as Mulder suddenly stiffened. "You okay? You feeling sick again?"

Mulder opened his eyes and met a genuinely concerned gaze. He tucked the expression and the sensation it stirred within him, away, not wanting feel anything but resentment and anger toward this man. "S...stop."

Alex's hand froze, and his eyes locked with and held the other man's. He watched emotion after tortured emotion flash in the hazel depths, and backed away, giving Mulder some room. "You uh...you tired? You want to try to get some more sleep?"

Mulder nodded, closing his eyes.

"All right. But listen...when you wake up, we have to try some soup again, okay? And you gotta drink something. You *need* fluids."

The older man turned his head to the side, wincing at the ache in his jaw, then turned to the other side. He'd given no answer, but Alex knew that he'd heard and understood.

Alex sat for a long while, watching Mulder until he was certain that he was asleep. He cocked his head, looking at the sleeping man sideways, admiring the way his mouth relaxed into an enticing pout. The heavy stubble only emphasized the appearance, and Alex had to clasp his hands together to keep from sliding his fingers across the swollen lower lip.

//Jesus. Ho-ly shit. How the fuck are you going to handle this? You can want him till hell freezes over. That's not going to make him want *you*.//

//No, genius, if sheer want could get you what you were after, he would have been yours, years ago. Just take good care of him. Be patient. Talk to him...he's not stupid. He'll begin to understand. Hell, I'm not entirely sure that he isn't beginning to, already.//

//He'll never admit that. Never. The impossible could happen, and he could end up wanting you as much as you want him, and he'd *never* admit it.//

His eyes wandered from Mulder's face to his chest, now rising and falling at a smooth, even rate. The fingers that he wouldn't allow to touch Mulder's lips, now broke from his mental control, which was tenuous at best, and slid through the slightly-damp hair. A tiny smile twitched at the corners of his lips.

//Never say never.//

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

//By the book. Isn't what I told you, Mulder? Just. Once.//

//You know I couldn't. The kids...//

//Well, now look what you've gotten yourself into.//

//I know, Scully, I know. I think...I think he broke my ribs.//

//I told you, by the book.//

//All *right*, already. Next time...//

//*Next* time? There's not going to be a next time. You're going to die here.//

Mulder moaned, briefly drawing the attention of the man who sat reading in a chair at the foot of the bed. He quieted, and Alex returned to his book.

//She's right.//

//How do you know, Beals?//

//Because I'm going to kill you...after J.T. has a little fun with you.//

He found himself on his back, ineffectively fighting the man sprawled over him, shuddering at the feel of the thick tongue probing his ear.

//No...don't...oh, God, just kill me...//

//Easy, pretty Fox. You're gonna like this.//

He was rendered immobile as a hand crept down the front of his pants and began to roughly squeeze his cock.

//Please...oh, God, please...//

Alex looked up again from his book as a soft whimper reached his ears. Mulder was becoming restless, his body twitching and writhing intermittently. He dropped the book down beside the chair, and moved to the bed settling on the edge. "Mulder," he called softly, afraid he'd startle the other man.

//Don't touch me. Don't...//

//Shh. It's all right.//

The touch gentled, and suddenly it felt good.

//He's gone. They're all gone. I'll take care of you...//

Alex frowned as Mulder's distress turned into something else.

//Krycek...//

//Alex.//

//W-what?//

//I'm Alex...// The hand continued to soothe and arouse him. //..and I'm going to make it all better. Does that feel good?//

"Yes..."

"Yes, what, Mulder?" Alex asked softly. He chewed at the inside corner of his lip as he reached out to caress the sleeping man's arm.

Mulder's hips rose slightly off the mattress, then lowered. "Alex..."

Alex froze, his mind racing, attempting to process the single word he'd just heard.

//No. Oh, no, no. It's too...don't even think it. Just because he said your name...//

Mulder's mouth dropped open and a brief, stuttering gasp escaped into the air.

Unable to stop himself, Alex carefully lifted the sheet. His eyes widened at the sight of the impressive bulge in Mulder's underwear. He closed his eyes and lowered the sheet, suddenly finding himself sporting his own erection.

"Shit. Ah, damn."

Before he knew what he was doing, he was leaning over the sleeping man, bringing his lips closer to that utterly, irresistibly sexy mouth.

Before his target could be acquired, Mulder's eyes opened and blinked dazedly up at him. Alex ceased his advance and waited.

Now fully cognizant of his surroundings and the disquieting proximity of the other man, Mulder turned his head to the side, and looked away.

"I uh...you...you were dreaming," Alex began, by way of explanation, "and I didn't...I didn't know if I should wake you or not."

Mulder closed his eyes and said nothing.

"You wanna tell me about it?" Alex watched the convulsive movements of the older man's throat.

"No."

"Okay. Since you're awake, maybe we should try a little more soup?"

Mulder nodded. "I gotta use the bathroom first."

"Yeah...okay...come on, I'll help you."

Mulder shoved the hand away that had just tucked itself under his shoulder. "I can do it myself."

"Mulder, you're weak. Let me just..."

"*No*." He worked himself into a sitting position. "Why don't you...go...heat up the soup or...or something."

One corner of Alex's mouth twitched impatiently, but he held his tongue. "Fine. Call if you need me."

//Yeah, like *that's* gonna happen.//

Not wanting him to see his very visible erection, Mulder sat and waited until Alex was gone before he pulled himself out of the bed and got to his feet. Well, at least the room waited to start spinning *after* he was standing, this time. He held on to the headboard, breathing deeply, and waited for it to stop before he attempted to make the trek to the bathroom. Every step was a massive effort, and when he finally made it to the doorway, he held on to the frame, congratulating himself on his accomplishment. He rested for a bit, then closed the door behind him.

In the kitchen, Alex was also congratulating himself on the remarkable restraint he'd shown thus far. He was a patient man usually, subscribing to the old adage that all good things come to those who wait. But where Fox Mulder was concerned, all of his fortitude and good sense went straight to hell. He'd concluded long ago, after a particularly close call involving himself and three men who would have most assuredly killed Mulder *and* Scully had he not been there to prevent it, that this man alone would be the cause of his death. Either unknowingly or by his own hand, Fox Mulder would be the one to lay him low.

Alex heaved a long sigh. He'd really just prefer for Mulder to *lay* him, but, well...

He ladled a small amount of soup into a bowl, and carried it into the bedroom. Not finding Mulder in the room, his eyes shifted to the closed bathroom door. Placing the bowl down on the table by the bed, he walked over to the door and knocked softly. "You okay in there?"

No answer.

He knocked again. "Mulder?"

Hearing nothing, his heart began to pound.

//Shit, oh shit.//

He threw the door open and found a damp, towel-draped Mulder, holding on to the bathroom sink with one hand and rummaging through the medicine cabinet with the other. His heart rate slowed, then quickened as anger took over.

"Why the hell didn't you answer me?"

Mulder ignored the question, behaving as though he was the only one in the room.

Alex came to stand directly beside him and asked again. "Mulder, why didn't you answer me? I called you twice."

Mulder turned his head in Alex's direction. "There are no razors."

Alex's hands curled into fists at his side. "*What*?"

"Razors. I need to shave."

"You know," the younger man responded, letting his irritation show, "I'd pay good money right now for a straight edge so I could slit your throat."

Now supporting himself with both hands, Mulder gave the other man his best deadpan expression under the circumstances. "Kitchen knife would work just as well."

Alex glared back. "Don't fucking tempt me." His eyes roved over Mulder's body, noticing that the bandages were gone. "You took a shower?"

"Yeah. Don't tell me you didn't notice that I needed one."

Alex raked a hand through his hair. "I gotta re-bandage you, now."

"Gotta shave first."

"Look...sit down before you fall down, and I'll go get a razor." Alex guided Mulder down onto the toilet lid, and went to retrieve his shaving kit. When he returned, Mulder was still sitting where he'd left him, but now he was turned toward the sink, slumped over onto the porcelain bowl, and holding his side. "Mulder, let me get you back to bed. I can shave you there."

Mulder lifted his head, and turned pain-glazed eyes to the younger man. "You're not shaving me there, or anywhere. I'll do it myself."

"For the love of Christ, why don't you *stop* being such a goddamn fucking pain in the ass, and let me help you!" Alex emphasized his words by slamming the kit down on the counter. When Mulder issued no comeback, he raised a hand to the back of his neck, massaging the tight muscles. "Look...your soup was piping hot when I brought it in. It should be just about ready to eat right now. You wait any longer, and it's going to start getting cold. Now....*please*...let's go into the bedroom, eat, then you can shave, okay?"

Mulder hesitated, considering the idea, then pushed to his feet, wincing as he did. He slowly made his way back to the bed with Alex just two steps behind.

"Wait...hold on," Alex instructed, going to the bag he'd brought in earlier. He pulled a fresh pair of underwear out and brought them to Mulder. "You don't want to get into bed with that damp towel on, do you?"

Mulder snatched the underwear from Alex's hands, and sat on the bed. He groaned softly as he tried to lean over far enough to put them on. He'd get just so far before the pain became too much for him to take. Finally on the third try, Alex lost patience, and snatched the shorts back. He held them near the floor so that Mulder could slip his feet through the holes, then worked them quickly up his legs. When he got to the knees, Mulder took over, pulling them up the rest of the way. He worked them up under the towel, then unwrapped it and let it fall onto the bed. Alex took the towel away, then pulled the blanket up around the older man's waist. He carried the towel to the bathroom, and by the time he'd returned, Mulder's head was lolling against the pillows, his eyes beginning to close.

"Oh, no you don't. Mulder, come on, you gotta try to eat."

Exhausted hazel eyes opened and only half-focused on the man before them. "Hmm."

Alex picked the bowl up, and brought the spoon to Mulder's lips. "Here you go."

Mulder opened his mouth, accepting the soup without a fight. It took a while, but Alex got him to swallow every drop. When he was finished, Alex set the bowl down and waited. Fifteen minutes went by, and Mulder showed no signs of nausea, so the other man decided that before he nodded off again, it was time for him to take a painkiller. He got Mulder to swallow the pill with some water, then smiled, surprised that Mulder drank all of the contents of the cup before settling back against the pillows and closing his eyes.

"I hate to bother you, Mulder, but we got one more thing to do before you go to sleep. Come on, now, wake up."

"Leave me alone..."

"I can't. The shave can wait till later, but I gotta wrap you back up."

Mulder grumbled and moaned while Alex re-bandaged his ribs, then promptly fell asleep when it was done.

Alex watched him from the side of the bed, marveling at how from one minute to the next he could go from wanting to bleed this man dry, to simply *wanting* him. He reached out, running his fingers gently through the damp hair.

"Maybe I was wrong," he whispered. "Maybe you're *not* going to kill me. Maybe you're going to drive me insane...would serve me right, you know. I did it to myself the minute I decided to do this." He sighed deeply. "Ah, shit. Goodnight, Fox."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"But...Sir...I understand that, but this is Agent Mulder we're talking about. How can they just...no, sir...yes. But I can't just..."

On his end, A.D. Skinner rubbed his hand across his broad forehead. He understood completely, his agent's reluctance to leave the place where she last saw her partner, and he hated to finally have to tell her that the Director had decided that he could no longer spare the massive amount of manpower that he had allowed them thus far. But tell her he did, and he was now listening to every argument, rational and otherwise from her, on why they should remain.

"Scully...Agent...Agent Scully...I'm sorry. I did everything I could. I have to bring them in. And you should come back as well."

"Sir, I can't..."

"It's been five days, Agent Scully. I know you, and I know that you've gone over that area with a fine tooth comb. If Agent Mulder was there, you would have found him. I'm *sorry*. I have to call you back."

Scully squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the back of the chair so tightly, her fingers were beginning to turn blue. "Yes, sir," she said quietly.

"We won't give up," Skinner reassured her. "But we *do* have to scale down our search." His words were met with silence. "Scully..." he paused, searching for something meaningful to say, but in the end, stated simply, "We'll find him."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder sat by the window, watching the snow fall. Today was the first day he'd felt well enough to actually venture out of the bedroom, and the slight change in scenery made him feel a bit better...and restless...and angry.

Alex walked in from the kitchen, carrying a tray on top of which sat a bowl of stew, a couple of slices of bread, and a cup of tea. Mulder's first real meal.

"Lunch," the younger man called cheerfully as he entered.

Mulder turned toward the voice. He watched as the tray was set on the table in front of him, and Alex took a seat opposite the sofa.

"When are you going to get tired of playing this game?"

Alex blinked, taken slightly aback by the question. "I'm not playing any game with you."

"No? I've been here...how the hell long *have* I been here, anyway?"

"Five days."

"Five days. Five fucking days I've been here. You won't tell me why. You haven't at least let Scully know that I'm *alive*...if this isn't a game, what the fuck is it? What do you *want* with me?"

Alex studied him quietly before speaking. "You were dreaming again last night."

Mulder's head snapped back toward the window.

"You called my name."

Silence.

"Twice."

"Did you hear the word 'die' before your name?"

"No. What I *did* hear was a whole lot of moaning..."

Alex's voice drifted toward him like a silken cloud, permeating his skin, and raising gooseflesh everywhere it touched.

"...and don't tell me I was torturing you, because it wasn't that kind of moaning."

Mulder closed his eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath. When he opened them, a pair of luminescent green eyes were only inches from his.

"Tell me what I want from you, Mulder."

"How...how the fuck should I know?"

"Because you're not stupid. You're smug, you're stubborn, you're an infuriating pain in my ass, but you're *not* stupid. Tell me what I want."

Mulder continued to stare, mesmerized by the unblinking sea of green. He shook his head, commanding his brain to work. "Fuck you."

Alex raised his eyebrows. "I might not have put it so crudely, but..."

Mulder shuddered.

//Don't. Don't let him do this to you.//

"No," he rasped. "Fuck. You."

A tiny smile tugged at one corner of Alex's mouth and before Mulder could react, he leaned forward, tangling his fingers in the golden-brown hair, and covering the other man's mouth with his own. His arm came around Mulder's waist, pulling him closer.

Mulder struggled, but only half-heartedly. Alex's grip on him was firm, but not so tight that he couldn't have escaped had he really wanted to. The other man's kiss stunned him at first, then it began. That pulse-quickening, cock-hardening flood of lust. It hit him like an anvil and he fell under its power, helpless to pull himself up. He moaned into Alex's mouth, willing his hands to stay at his side, but they seemed to have ideas of their own.

Alex felt Mulder's arms slide around his body, his hands wandering slowly along the length of his spine, and his mind shouted victory. He pulled away for a split second, cocked his head in the opposite direction, and took those exquisite lips again, this time slipping his tongue between them, exploring the hard surface of his teeth and soft walls of his cheeks before finding his tongue.

Mulder's tongue willingly met the intruder, stroking and tasting. Memorizing the distinct flavor of not the first, but definitely the last man he'd ever want.

The last man he'd ever...*want*? Alex *Krycek*?"

//No. Oh, no.//

//Yes.//

//This is...its' *wrong*. Christ, it's *so* wrong.//

//Is that why it feels so good?//

//You can't do this. He's a liar and a murderer. And now he wants your soul. *Don't*.//

Mulder summoned all the strength his weakened body possessed, and shoved Alex away. "Motherfucker," he panted raggedly. "Stay away from me."

"Why?" Alex's voice glided over his jagged nerves. "For God's sake, Mulder, let it go. Forget about what you *should* do and what you *should* feel. It's just you and me here. Let it all go. Stop being Special Agent Mulder for a minute and just feel. Do what your heart tells you to do." Alex reached out and skimmed his fingers along the line of Mulder's jaw. "Do what your body tells you to do."

Mulder's eyelids drooped and his respiration deepened. His body shook with the effort it took not to fall forward into this man's arms and offer himself up to whatever Alex had in mind for him.

//No...//

"No."

Mulder held onto his side, and pushed himself up off of the couch. Unwilling to give up, Alex followed him to the window.

"Let me show you the other side of me, Fox..."

The utterance of his first name, sent a shiver through Mulder's body.

Alex ran his fingertips across the older man's shoulder. "You might find that you like me...quite a lot."

Mulder bowed his head and whispered. "I hate you. You killed my father..."

"You know how all that happened...you're just using it now...for an excuse. It doesn't fly anymore, and you know it."

"You're scum."

"Okay, I'm scum. Great. Fine. But you're dying to fall into bed with this scum. Admit it."

Mulder shook his head. "I'm tired."

"Okay, Mulder. We'll drop this for now. But it's not over. Now....you really should try to eat some lunch before you have your nap."

"Whatever."

Alex picked up the tray. "This is cold. I'll go get you some more." He went into the kitchen, leaving Mulder looking out at nothing but snow as far as the eye could see.

When he no longer felt the other man's presence, Mulder turned around.

//Can't do this. Can't stay here. If he touches you again, it'll be all over. You'll be his, and...//

You'll be his.

The idea of that...belonging to Alex Krycek, sent a rush of excitement through him, and he hated himself for it.

Mulder's fingers clenched in his hair and he began to pace. "I can't," he whispered softly. "I can't, I can't, I can't..."

Back in the kitchen, Alex dumped the stew into the pan on the stove. "God, I've done more re-heating the past few days..." As he waited for the stew, he reviewed what had transpired between he and Mulder just moments ago.

The feel of his mouth. Soft and inviting, just the way he knew it would be. Immediately addictive. He could happily have gone on kissing Mulder all afternoon, and would have if he weren't such a stubborn bastard. A gorgeous, irresistibly sexy, infuriatingly stubborn son of a bitch. And Alex couldn't get enough of him.

He closed his eyes and imagined them naked and twined together before a crackling fire, kissing endlessly while their hands roamed each other's bodies. He tilted his head back and emitted a long sigh.

//Soon, baby. You're starting to melt. All the insults and curses can't mask that look in your eyes. By tomorrow night the sleeping bag'll be history, and I'll be next to you in bed.//

Alex spooned the warmed stew into another bowl, and prepared another tray, all the while smiling triumphantly. "God, it's gonna be so good." He attempted to wipe the grin off of his face, not wanting to antagonize the man, and swept back into the living room. He was met by a distinct chill in the air, and he made a mental note to throw another log on the fire as soon as he'd gotten Mulder settled down with his lunch. "Mulder," he called in the direction of the bedroom when he found that the other man had left the room, "Mulder, come on, I can't re-heat this again..."

Silence answered him.

"Mulder..." He set the tray down and walked into the bedroom. "Mulder?" He looked around the room, and finding nothing, decided to check the bathroom. His heart was already starting to skip beats by the time he reached the doorway, and when he poked his head into the small space and found no one, it started to thud painfully. "Shit. Shit, shit, shit, *shit*!" He whirled around and headed back into the main room. "Mulder!" Still receiving no answer, he suddenly realized why it felt so cold when he'd first entered the room. He dashed to the window and peered out into the moderately falling snow. "He wouldn't. He..." The anger shot to the surface and spewed out. "You *fucking* asshole!" he screamed at the window, then began to pace, brutally raking his fingers through his hair. "Je-sus *Christ*, I can't believe you did this! Well...you know what? *Stay* out there! That's right, go ahead and walk around in circles in two and a half fucking feet of snow! See if I give a rat's ass! By nightfall you'll be dead! If that's what you want, well, fine! I don't know what the fuck ever possessed me to think I could make this work! He slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand, emphasizing every word. "I. Had. To. Be. Fucking. Insane!

//And you're about to get crazier.//

Alex stopped pacing and drew a number of deep breaths.

//You know there's no way in hell you're gonna leave him out there. Go find him.//

"Why? So he can fucking irritate your ass some more? So he can get you all hot and bothered, then throw cold water over you again?"

//This stopped being all about sex a while ago, and you know it. Go get him before it's too late.//

"Ah, shit..." Alex snatched up his gear and threw the door open. The minute the frigid air hit him, his pulse began to race. Thinking of Mulder out here, not completely well, without the proper attire, scared the hell of him. Forget nightfall. He'd be dead in a matter of hours.

"*Mulder*!" Alex bellowed, his voice being picked up by the stinging wind, and thrown back at him. He picked up the other man's tracks, which were being steadily filled by the blowing and drifting snow, and followed them as quickly as he could. "Mulder, answer me!"

Alex followed the tracks into the woods, amazed at how quickly the partially incapacitated man could move. The going became rougher, and the trail got more difficult to follow as he trudged deeper into the copse of towering evergreens, but he plunged on, roaring Mulder's name, trying to be heard above the howling wind.

"*Mul-der*! Answer me, dammit! Come on, this is stupid! You can't survive out here for long. *Mulder*!" The tracks faded into nothing, and panic began to take hold. "Mulder, *please* answer me!" Born of desperation, an idea hit him. "I'll let you go, Mulder! I promise. Just please, answer me. We'll go back to the cabin and I'll see that you get home, okay? But you have to let me know where you are!" He stopped, listening, praying for a word...a sound..something that let him know that the object of his search was near. Hearing nothing, he pressed on, desperately shouting Mulder's name every few seconds.

Mulder huddled in the shelter of a group of large rocks, shivering non-stop. Looking back, it might not have been such a bad idea to at least have grabbed Alex's jacket on the way out. Too late now for regrets, he wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his head in the circle they formed.

He'd been shocked and amazed to find that the front door was easily unlocked, and before he could really think it through, he'd left the warmth of the cabin and headed for...where? There was nothing but snow and trees for as far as he could see. How far had he really expected to get unprepared? Was being found frozen to death in this position really better than what he would have faced with Alex?

Not by a long shot.

It wasn't the fact that he didn't want Alex that made him escape. It was that he *did*. And he *couldn't*. And now, sitting out here, the feeling slowly draining from his limbs, and his mind beginning to shut down, his last fractured thoughts were filled with images of the two of them. Fighting, arguing...kissing...tangled together in the sheets of Alex's bed...

A sound pierced the fog that had muddled his brain. A voice, cutting through the screaming wind. Calling his name. He'd answer if he could have, but he was frozen in this position, too weak to even lift his head. His mind called out in answer, and it was all he could do. Soon, even that had become an impossibility. He closed his eyes and slipped peacefully into unconsciousness.

Alex continued to call out, the last syllable of Mulder's name now ending on a hoarse cry. He'd been screaming for hour now, and his voice was beginning to give out. He stopped, leaning against a rock, panting. "Mulder," he whispered, "God, please..." He caught his breath, and pushed away from the rock. Twenty steps away, he stopped and turned in a circle, shouting up into the falling snow. As the rock he'd been leaning against came back into view, he stopped. The rock was one of a group, formed in a crude type of circle. A shelter maybe.

He headed back, and climbed over the lowest rock to peer into the middle of the circle. His heart stopped then started again, pounding double-time when he found Mulder curled up in the deepest corner of the formation. He hopped down and dropped to his knees in the snow beside the immobile man.

"Mulder. Mulder, come on, answer me."

No response.

"Jesus..." Alex quickly shed his jacket and wrapped it around the frozen body. He removed his gloves, and touched his fingers to Mulder's throat. "Thank you." He took the older man's hands in his, holding them within the warmth. "You gotta wake up, baby." He let go of Mulder's hands, and lightly tapped his face "We need to get out of here, now. Come on, wake up and we'll go back to the cabin. I'll get you nice and warm, then you can go home, all right? I'm sorry. I'm sorry..."

Mulder moaned softly, and his eyes began to open. He barely felt hands grasp and lift his face, and then he was looking into a pair of unnaturally bright green eyes. The mouth was moving, but he couldn't make sense of the words. Then Alex was standing, tugging him up as well.

"Come on, Fox. Work with me, here."

Once both men were on their feet, Alex worked Mulder's arms through the sleeves of the jacket, then zipped it up to his chin. He pulled his gloves onto the other man's hands, and began to lead him out of the shelter, and back toward the cabin. Four times Mulder's legs gave out on him, and each time, Alex managed to get him going again. The last time, they were not more than fifteen feet from the front door, when Mulder stumbled out of Alex's grip, and plowed face-down into the snow.

"Shit! Fox, please. Come on," Alex tugged at him. "The cabin is right there. Just a few more feet, then I won't ask you to walk another step."

No answer. Mulder was out for the count.

"Son of a bitch," the younger man whispered harshly, turning the older man over, then shoving his arms under his back and knees. Growls echoing in the driving wind, he struggled to lift the dead weight. The first effort failed, and he wound up sprawled across Mulder's chest. He lay panting for a few seconds, then positioned himself to try again. "I'm.....*not* going to...to...leave you out...here, Mulder. One more time...now...ready...." Enraged at his predicament, he issued a bone-rattling groan and heaved the unconscious man into his arms, and staggered toward the house. Without dropping Mulder, he somehow managed to turn the knob, and he practically fell into the living room, letting himself and Mulder tumble onto the sofa.

Exhausted, but knowing what must be done, Alex heaved himself off of the sofa, and began to undress Mulder. As he'd assumed, there was some frostbite, though it didn't look extremely severe. He snatched a blanket off of the back of the nearest chair, and tucked it around the freezing cold body, then stumbled off toward the bathroom. He shoved the plug into the drain of the tub, and began to run warm water. As the tub filled, he discarded his own wet, cold clothing, and changed into a dry pair of jeans and a sweater. He returned to the living room, where Mulder lay silently.

"Mulder."

No response.

"Fox...baby, I gotta get you into the tub." He watched for some sign of acknowledgment, but Mulder offered up none. His lips trembled into a smile. "You know what I think? I think you just like for me to carry you. I'd throw you over my back and do like, the caveman thing, but you know...your ribs...come on, Mulder, are you gonna let me get away with that?"

Mulder sighed, giving Alex the only encouraging sign since they'd made it back to the cabin.

Alex removed the blanket, noting that Mulder's color was just the slightest bit better. He heaved the older man once more into his arms, and took him into the bathroom. He lowered Mulder into the tub, and let him soak in the warm water while he sat at the edge of the tub, combing his fingers through the wet hair.

When the water had turned cool, he drained the tub, and was about to lift Mulder out, when a small, weak voice stopped him

"Didn't think..."

Alex pulled back, his eyes glittering with relief. "Didn't think what?"

"You heard me."

"Heard you?"

Mulder nodded

"Did you call me?"

"Heard you...I tried...was in my mind, but...didn't think I was....actually saying it."

Alex studied him for a moment, then asked softly, "Can you help me? I want to get you up and into bed."

Mulder nodded again, and with all the strength he could muster, helped Alex to help him get up. He leaned quietly on the younger man as he was gently dried off, then they made their way slowly into the bedroom. Alex lowered him to the mattress, then tucked the blanket up around his chin.

"How's that?"

"Cold."

Alex draped a second blanket over him, then stood back. "How about some tea?"

Mulder nodded, shivering slightly.

"Okay. Be right back." Alex left the room, thanking the powers that be for finding Mulder in time, and vowing to make good on his promise. As soon as Mulder was back on his feet, he'd bring this to an end. He'd fucked up royally, and the only way to fix it now, was to let Mulder go home. A terrible melancholy washed over him as he made the tea and carried it into the bedroom. He pulled the tray out of the corner of the room, and over to the side of the bed. He set the cup down, and with his eyes skipping around the room, asked Mulder how he was feeling.

Sleepy eyes turned up to the younger man's face, and Mulder frowned at the expression he found there. "Still..still cold. My hands...some of my fingertips hurt. My mouth..."

"Frostbite. It isn't too bad. You'll be fine. Why um...why don't you drink your tea, and then get some rest?" He hesitated, then backed toward the door.

Mulder sank lower against the pillows, and brought the blankets up to his nose. His slightly muffled voice reached Alex's ears before he could leave. "Where are you going?"

"I'm..." Alex pointed toward the main room. "Out there. Call if you need anything."

Mulder's eyes lowered to the pool of fleece in his lap. "I can't..."

Alex waited for a few seconds, then asked, "You can't what?"

Mulder trembled under the blankets. "Can't get warm enough."

"I can..." Alex shook his head, looking around. "..can get another blanket..."

Mulder began to chew on the corner of his lower lip, but stopped when he realized that it hurt to do so. "Don't think it's gonna help."

"I'm sorry, I don't know what else..what...want to move to the living room? Maybe the warmth from the fireplace..."

Mulder shook his head and gave the younger man his best puppy dog look. "Maybe if you just came and sat next to me."

Alex lingered in the doorway, more than a little unsure about honoring such a request. But, Christ, how could he say no? *Why* would he say no? He moved slowly to the bed, and sat cautiously beside Mulder, leaning back against the headboard. All was quiet for a moment, then he lifted the teacup from the tray. "Here," he said softly. "Drink some of this." Mulder reached for the cup with trembling hands, and Alex decided that maybe it'd be best if he held it for him. About halfway through the tea, Mulder decided that he didn't want any more, and Alex set the cup and tray aside. He settled back into his previous position on the bed, sitting quietly as Mulder inched closer, and turned onto his side, facing him.

"What time is it?" the soft voice drifted up from the pillows.

Alex looked down at his watch. "Seven."

"What's wrong with your voice?"

The younger man cast him a gentle smile. "An hour of yelling for you."

Mulder curled tighter into the pillows. "Sorry. That was a stupid thing to do."

"I pushed you into it. I'm the one who's sorry." Alex looked down, watching the older man's eyelids repeatedly slip closed, then snap back up. "Go to sleep, Mulder. You're exhausted."

"Aren't you?"

"I'm okay. I'm not the guy who's been sick for almost a week."

Mulder needed no more coaxing. He closed his eyes and dropped off to sleep minutes later.

Alex sat watching him for almost half an hour. When he was sure that the other man was soundly asleep, he slipped off of the bed, and left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder blinked in total darkness, shivering and drawing the blankets up around his neck. His eyes searched the darkness, trying to find the man who when last he'd seen him, was sitting stiffly by his side. He debated with himself for a moment, then sat up a bit and called out.

"Krycek?"

No response. He cleared his throat and tried once more. "Alex?"

It wasn't until he felt the bed sink under the younger man's weight, that he realized Alex had come into the room.

"What's wrong?"

Mulder looked in the direction of the barely visible outline. "I...it's freezing."

Alex could feel the intermittent shudders of the other man's body, shaking the bed. "It's not cold in here at all, Mulder, it's just you." He reached out and found Mulder's neck, then pressed his hand to it. "You feel fine."

"I'm cold. Where were you?"

"On the couch."

"Oh. Were you asleep?"

"Yeah."

"Sorry, I didn't...." Mulder's voice faded into silence.

"Didn't what?"

".....I don't know."

Alex could feel the vibration of his shudders. "I'm sorry, Mulder, other than more blankets, I don't know what to do for you."

//Yes, you do.//

//Leave him alone. You've fucked with him enough.//

The darkness gave Mulder more nerve than he might have had in the light. "Stay, okay Alex? I felt warmer before when you were here."

There was a long silence, then a soft sigh. "Mulder..."

Mulder pulled the blankets up higher. "Nevermind. I don't know why I said that. I'll be okay. Go back to sleep."

Alex stared at the dark form. "Mulder, I just..."

The older man turned his back, facing away from him. "I'm okay now. Go on."

Alex hesitated for a moment, then rose from the bed, and walked slowly to the door.

Mulder lay on his side for a short time, allowing the tremors to return. He flipped onto his back, wrapping himself in the blankets, but was unable to find the warmth he needed. The shivers increased and he groaned in misery, not only at his discomfort, but with longing for the one thing he knew could bring him the relief he craved.

Alex stood quietly in the doorway, watching Mulder. He'd only turned around to take one last look before he went back to the sofa, but when he saw how violently the older man was shaking, his heart wouldn't allow him to leave. He came slowly back into the room and stood at Mulder's bedside.

Sensing Alex's presence when he was halfway into the room, Mulder peered up into the darkness at the silhouetted figure.

"Move over," the younger man said softly.

Mulder hesitated, then pushed over, allowing room for Alex. The other man sat then pulled himself back, leaning against the pillows, and crossing one long leg over the other. He folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes.

His eyes becoming a little more accustomed to the dark, Mulder watched Alex lie stiffly beside him. "Alex...I don't...I...aren't you uncomfortable?"

"I'm okay. You?"

"I'm still cold. Would..."

//You're *not* going to ask him...//

"...would you get under the covers? Actual body warmth is supposed to be best."

//You *did*.//

Alex let his eyes drop shut.

//Oh, God, just...kill me now.//

"Yeah...uh....sure."

He lifted himself from the bed, and drew the covers back, then slipped under them. He lay on his back only inches from the man he wanted more than anything in his life, staring up into the darkness. If he'd been chained in the middle of the desert with scorpions crawling over his naked body, and had his eyes gouged out with a dull spoon, it couldn't have been a worse punishment than the one he was suffering right now.

Apparently satisfied, Mulder sighed softly, and snuggled into his pillows. Minutes later, the trembling had diminished, and he was asleep. And as sure as Alex was that he would get no rest this night, soon afterward, he was himself, soundly asleep.

Three hours later, he was awakened by movement. He opened his eyes sluggishly, then came fully awake as he found himself on his side, with Mulder wiggling backward until the warmth of his body against the older man's back comforted him again into unconsciousness.

//Oh, God.//

The feel of Mulder's tight ass against his crotch was just too much too bear. His cock rose to immediate attention, poking obscenely against the other man's rear.

//Jesus Christ, can this get any worse?//

Someday he'd learn that he should never ask that question.

Mulder moaned softly and pressed against him, tilting his head back until it rested against Alex's shoulder.

Unable to stop himself, Alex wound his arm around Mulder's chest and kissed the back of his head.

//It's just for tonight. Then he'll be gone. I j...I just need to hold him tonight. I won't do anything more. Then tomorrow, I'll do what I promised. I'll let him go...//

Alex buried his face into the golden-brown silk, ignoring the pleas of his straining erection, and closed his eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder blinked in the daylight, and sat up. He felt worlds better than he did last night. He looked down at the rumpled sheets beside him, and the memory of Alex lying beside him returned. His eyebrows drew downward as he considered the fact that in spite of being only inches away from each other, the younger man made not one move on him.

While in the tub last night, he'd done some thinking, and decided that this whole thing was ridiculous. Denying that he wanted Alex was fooling exactly no one. After spending that hour or so in the snow, certain that he was about to die, he wondered why he was letting life pass him by...why the hell he was running away from what he really wanted. If he could have something good in his life, some kind of joy, even if it was just sex, why shouldn't he take it? If he'd have let himself admit the truth, he would have known long ago that he was attracted to the man. But he couldn't. Not even just to himself. Stupid.

He rose stiffly from the bed, and lifted the robe from the post at the end of it. Quietly, he padded out into the living room. Finding no one there, he proceeded to the kitchen where he found Alex sitting at the small table, staring down into a coffee cup. The sable head jerked up quickly, and the two men stared at each other for long minutes before Alex finally spoke.

"How do you feel?"

"Better. A little sore."

Alex nodded, again looking down. "Yeah, well, I guess that's to be expected."

"You?"

"I'm fine. Uh...how about some breakfast?"

Mulder shrugged. "Yeah...yeah, I guess. I'll go get cleaned up and be back in a few."

Alex watched the retreating man, noting how his half-closed eyes, sleep-swollen lips and wild hair went straight to his heart. His hands tightened around the mug, as if to hold his resolve together. "Okay," he told himself, "right after breakfast, you cut him loose." He let go of the cup and brought his hands up to his face, pressing his forefingers into the bridge of his nose. "After breakfast," he whispered again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder lay on the sofa with his back against the overstuffed arm. His head rested against the back cushion, and he gazed silently out the window.

"Oregon."

The voice, soft as it was, startled him back to himself. He turned his head and met Alex's sad gaze.

"That's where we are."

Mulder nodded. "You said that this cabin was yours."

"Yeah. My parents left it to me." He looked around. "I used to come here as a kid. Always loved it, but after they died, I couldn't bring myself to set foot in it until about a year ago."

"Why then?"

"I'd better not tell you."

"Why?"

"Probably just piss you off."

Mulder shifted so that he faced Alex head on. "Tell me."

"The plan to bring you here was hatched in my warped mind long before this incident in the Olympics. It's just that it arose as the perfect opportunity, and I jumped on it."

Mulder's voice remained soft and even. "You've been planning to kidnap me for a year?"

"Not to hurt you," Alex answered quickly. "Never to hurt you....which is exactly what I ended up doing. I uh...I've come here off and on for the last year, cleaning the place up...doing repairs...trying to make it comfortable and homey..." A soft, short chuckle pushed out of his throat.

Mulder's eyes dropped to the thick throw rug between them. "Krycek....Alex....I think we should..." He stopped, then attempted to start again, only to be interrupted.

"It's two o'clock. How about some lunch?"

"Oh. Uh...I am a little hungry, I guess."

Alex gave him a tiny smile, then turned and disappeared into the kitchen. Once there, he leaned on the counter, taking long, slow breaths.

//You gotta do this. Stop stalling. You said after breakfast, and breakfast is long gone. Let. Him. Go.//

"I will," he promised himself. "Right after he's had some lunch..."

Lunch came and went, and the two men sat together in the living room in companionable silence. Mulder watched dusk approach, as Alex stared longingly into the fire.

"Wow."

Alex's head turned in the direction of the soft monotone. "What?"

Mulder looked at him, his eyes gleaming a brilliant amber in the light of the flames. "Two eagles," he whispered simply, and turned his attention back toward the window.

Alex approached, dropping down onto the sofa, and looked up into the sky. He watched the birds circle and dip, gliding in wide arcs around each other, performing a beautiful arial ballet. His gaze slipped away from the window for a moment to watch the man beside him. Mulder watched the sky, completely enraptured, a beautiful, innocent smile gracing his lips. Alex's heart thudded painfully in his chest, and he tore his eyes away from the other man to once again focus on the eagles, but when he looked back, one was gone, leaving the second to hover alone. The shrill cry from the lone bird brought a sudden sting to his eyes, and he quickly removed himself from the sofa and the room.

Mulder's eyes followed him as he disappeared into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He stared for a while in confusion, then slowly returned his attention to the window.

Long minutes later, he felt Alex's presence beside him. He looked up, then followed the younger man's hand as it placed a cell phone and a piece of folded paper in his lap. Without a word, Alex drifted back to the bedroom and again closed the door.

Mulder looked from the closed door to the items in his lap, then back again. He blinked rapidly, and picked up the piece of paper. He smoothed out the folds, and found written directions on how to find the cabin. He stared down at the paper for a while, trying to work himself up to be happy that he could now call Scully and get the hell out of here, but that didn't seem to be happening.

//Oh, come on, Mulder. It's time to go home. Just be glad he's finally come to his senses and has realized it. Dial the damn numbers and make the call.//

He looked again to the bedroom.

//Call. Her.//

He took a deep breath and began to punch in Scully's number.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alex threw down the jeans that he'd been folding and unfolding for the past ten minutes. He bowed his head, and covered his face with his hands.

//It was the right thing to do. For once in your fucking miserable life, you've done the right thing.//

//Yeah? Then how come I feel like somebody just scraped out my insides with an ice cream scoop?//

//It'll hurt for a little while, then you'll be fine. You're *always* fine.//

//This is different. It's...//

The sound of the opening door broke into his thoughts. He remained facing the bed, head kept low, as he felt a warm presence at his back. A hand came around to his front, and dropped the cell phone and re-folded paper onto the bed. He stared at the two items for a moment, then picked up the jeans and began to fold them again. "Scully on a plane, yet?" He tried to keep his tone light, but wasn't exactly sure that he was succeeding.

Mulder answered his question with a question. "What's all this?" he asked, looking down at the clothing scattered over the surface of the bed.

"I'm going. You'll be fine until Scully can reach you." He dropped the jeans back onto the mattress, and picked up a sweater. The soft voice delivered its message, stopping him in mid-fold.

"I didn't call Scully."

Alex blinked and expelled a ragged breath. "Skinner?"

"No."

"..........Your mother?"

"I didn't call anybody."

Alex's heart stopped as Mulder's palms slid up his back, then gently gripped his shoulders, turning him around. He lowered his head and closed his eyes, but Mulder didn't allow it for long.

"Alex..." Mulder slipped a hand under the younger man's chin and lifted. "Did you hear me?"

Alex attempted to swallow past the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. "Why...Mulder, what are you doing?"

Earnest hazel eyes stared into confused green. "I don't want to go."

"What?"

Mulder moved closer, winding one arm around Alex's neck, and resting the other on his chest. "I want to stay with you."

"But...but you..."

Mulder drew closer, scrambling Alex's thoughts as their bodies pressed lightly together. He threaded a hand through the younger man's hair, and pulled him into a brief, albeit tender kiss. He pulled back only slightly, brushing their lips together as he whispered, "Don't you want me to?"

Alex raised a hesitant hand to the other man's cheek. "You really want to stay with me?"

Mulder nodded, holding Alex's eyes with his own.

"I...I don't know what to say."

The older man leaned forward, tracing the outline of Alex's lower lip with his tongue. "Is it really necessary that we do any talking?"

Alex's respiration deepened, and his eyes turned dark as he shook his head.

They came together, each electrifying the other with a deep, desperate kiss. Alex anchored his fingers in Mulder's hair, and emitting a throaty growl, devoured his mouth with unrestrained hunger.

The force of Alex's kiss made Mulder wince and issue a clipped grunt, and the younger man pulled away, immediately repentant.

"I'm sorry. I forgot."

"It's okay," Mulder reassured him.

"Does it hurt a lot?"

"No. Just a little uncomfortable."

"Mmmm," Alex moaned, gently brushing the other man's lips. "My poor Fox..." His tongue inched out and delicately lapped at the swollen flesh. "I'm so sorry..."

Mulder sighed, enjoying Alex's tender ministrations. His hands stroked the younger man's back and hair, moving at a slow, seductive pace.

Alex withdrew his tongue and replaced it with his mouth. Gently, this time, in the barest whisper of a kiss.

"Alex..." Fox whimpered between kisses, "I'm ready to fall over..."

Alex backed into the bed and lowered them both to the mattress. He lay amongst the scattered clothing with Mulder sprawled over him, scattering kisses over his face and shoulders. His body tingled everywhere Mulder's lips touched him, and he shuddered as the older man writhed against him.

"Jesus," he whispered. "This is nothing like anything I could have imagined..."

Mulder lifted his head, and stared down at his lover. "Is that a bad thing...or a good thing?"

"Oh, God, baby. It's a damn good thing."

"What?"

Alex stroked the hair out of his eyes. "Hmm?"

"What did you say?"

"I said it's a damn good thing."

"Before that."

Alex shook his head, unsure of what it was that he'd said exactly.

Mulder lowered his head, pressing their foreheads together, and smiled almost shyly. "You called me 'baby'."

"Oh." Alex tightened his hold on the man in his arms. "It isn't the first time."

"No?"

"No. But you were always asleep." He smirked. "Or unconscious."

"Why? Afraid I'd slug you?"

"Nah, you were in no condition. But it was...how do I explain this? Um...it was a personal thing. You couldn't reject it if you didn't know about it, you know? Everytime you didn't cringe, I could pretend that it was okay." He stroked Mulder's back and kissed the side of his head. "I could pretend that you were mine."

Mulder cocked his head and smiled down at the man beneath him. "You're a tough man to figure out."

Alex shook his head and smiled. He pushed up with his hips, making his rock-hard erection known. "Can you figure *that* out?"

"Uh, yeah. I think I can."

"See? I'm not so tough."

Mulder pushed down, grinding himself against his lover. "But you're damn hard."

"So are you....Fox?"

"Yeah?"

Alex looked up at him, his expression suddenly uncertain. "Are you really sure?"

Mulder gazed down into forest green eyes. Without a word of response, he tugged at Alex's sweater, and worked it up his body and over his head. He tossed the garment onto the floor, then his hands went to the button on Alex's jeans, and popped it out of the hole. His hand stroked his lover's cock through the denim, and he listened to the sharp intake of breath. He grasped the zipper and pulled it down, then carefully parted the denim, revealing a snowy-white cotton-covered bulge.

Alex arched into the other man's touch, quickly overcome by one simple gesture.

A trace of a smile touched Mulder's lips as he watched his lover's eyes grow darker still, and felt his body's reaction to his hand.

Alex sucked in a harsh breath as fingertips as gentle as dandelion fluff danced up and down the surface.

"Fox..."

His next words were sucked away as the older man's mouth came down on his. His fingers tangled in the golden-brown fringe at the base of Mulder's neck, and he thrust his tongue past the succulent lips, and into his waiting mouth. He explored the sweet interior, taking inventory of every ridge, every filling. The man he'd wanted for so long...the man he'd always thought was the most unattainable of goals, was about to become his in the deepest sense of the word, and he wanted to know every inch of him.

Mulder pulled away from the kiss and looked down into the younger man's face. He'd always known Alex Krycek was a handsome man, but he'd never seen him like *this* before. Skin flushed with arousal, the barest hint of glimmering green beneath drooping sable lashes, and his mouth...that exquisite, perfectly bowed mouth, slightly parted, and begging to be taken. Mulder kissed him once more, and ran his tongue across his lower lip. "I could kiss you all night," he whispered against Alex's mouth. "Your lips are so soft..."

The man beneath Mulder whimpered softly, licking at his lips, asking with his mouth and body, for his lover to take things to the next level.

As though they'd been lovers for years, Mulder understood the younger man's body language, and responded to it. He backed away, rising slowly to his feet, and began to tug at Alex's jeans. He worked them down the younger man's long legs, kneeling to remove his shoes and socks before pulling them off the rest of the way. Instead of standing, he leaned forward, kissing first the inside of one knee, then the other, nibbling on what he found to be sensitive territory. Alex's leg spasmed and he gasped softly.

"Ticklish?"

"N-no..."

"I think you are..." Mulder's tongue inched out, fluttering along the slightly-reddened skin, drawing a sobbing giggle from the recipient of his touch.

"Cut it out..."

"Admit it." Another nip.

"Shit...admit what?"

"You're ticklish."

"Am not."

Mulder chuckled deep in his throat, and slid up and over his lover's chest, kissing and nipping along the way. "Alex Krycek has got a weakness," he taunted seductively. "Got any more you wanna tell me about? Or should I just find them myself?"

Alex writhed against him, rubbing his freed cock against the material of Mulder's jeans. "All my weaknesses can be summed up in two words." He pulled Mulder's head down to his, and licked a line from his chin to his ear, then whispered into it, "Fox. Mulder."

"That might not have been such a good thing to tell me," Mulder drawled, enjoying the teasing. "I just may use it against you."

Alex bit on the soft lobe and pulled. "One can hope. Now answer me a question."

"Hmm?"

"Why are you still dressed?"

"Because you haven't undressed me."

"Good reason."

Ever mindful of his lover's wounded ribs, he gently rolled Mulder beneath him. Unable to resist, he took the older man's mouth in a searing kiss even as he began to unbutton the heavy cotton shirt. Pushing the material aside, he dragged himself away from Mulder's mouth and worked his way down, licking and nipping at his chin, enjoying the rough feel of the light stubble on his tongue.

Mulder lay sprawled beneath the man who had until very recently, been his nemesis, purring and moaning, pleading for more and more of his touch. He felt, in some tiny, dark corner of his mind, that this had to be wrong. That somehow Alex must be using him for some clandestine purpose, but then he remembered the look he saw on the younger man's face when he first came around after Alex had brought him back in out of the storm. He recalled the sadness he'd seen in his eyes on more than one occasion...most recently, when he'd handed him the cell phone and his freedom. He supposed that Alex could have been acting. God knows he could have won an Oscar with that wide-eyed Junior G-man bit. But not now. Now, his heart told him that this was for real...or maybe it was his cock. He wasn't certain. All he knew for sure was that he wanted this. More than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. More than he wanted that nineteen seventy-two Knicks championship jersey. More than he wanted to impress the hell out of his father by kicking ass at Oxford...more than he wanted to find Samantha...

Alex kissed a path down the long column of his lover's throat and across his collarbone, lingering to sink his teeth into the muscled padding of his shoulder. Hearing Mulder's guttural moan only served to arouse him more, and he began to suck on the flesh, leaving his mark.

Mulder's head pressed back into the pillows and his mouth fell open on a short gasp. The pressure built, and he winced, digging his fingers into the younger man's back.

Alex released Mulder's shoulder, looking down to admire the reddened patch of skin. Reason told him that the temporary bruising meant nothing, but in some primitive sense, it indicated to him that this man was his. The thought, and his lover's reaction sent a warm flush through his body and incited him to further action. He moved downward, placing another mark on the more sensitive skin of Mulder's chest. Receiving a harsh grunt, he moved on to the nearest nipple, flicking over the hard nub with the tip of his tongue.

"Alex," Mulder grated, his patience suddenly taking a nosedive, "please...finish undressing me. I need you."

Alex's cock swelled to painful proportions.

Fox Mulder needed him.

God, it was better than *wanting* him. Having this man beneath him, panting and twisting...moaning *his* name. It was too much to wrap his mind around. So he shut it down. No more thinking, no more...from here on out, he was on autopilot, acting strictly on instinct. He moved lower, following the delicate line of golden fluff, until he came to Mulder's jeans. He undid the button and pulled the zipper down, kissing each inch of the newly exposed area.

Mulder gritted his teeth as his lover's mouth wandered over the concealed surface of his cock. He managed to force his eyes open, and looked down at what was going on just south of his waist. Sable hair glistened in the pale light streaming in from the next room, as Alex nuzzled him gently. He watched as the younger man's fingers hooked in both jeans and underwear, and began to work them down. He lifted his hips, not wanting to impede progress, and when he was completely stripped of all clothing, he lay whimpering, agonizing in the absence of his lover's touch.

Needing no words to make him understand, Alex lowered his head to Mulder's cock, and kissed it gently, from base to tip. His tongue slithered past his lips, sliding over the velvety head, and withdrawing slightly as it encountered the bitter pearl of moisture that had formed at the tip. It had been a long, long time since he'd experienced any remotely similar taste, and it took him a moment to accustom himself to it. His tongue ventured back out, lapping gingerly at the bead, learning his lover's unique flavor.

Mulder's head rolled from side to side as he fought to keep from thrusting into the wet warmth of the mouth hovering over his cock.

//Come on, baby, take it. God, please, take it...//

Alex opened his mouth and let his lover slip inside, prompting a long moan from both men. He wrapped his fingers gently around the base of Mulder's considerable length, and began to suck lightly, while letting his tongue flutter along the large vein on the underside.

Mulder's eyes rolled up into his head and his lids dropped over them. "Ohhhhh, God...." His hands left the other man's back and tangled in his hair as he slowly lifted his hips.

Alex breathed deeply as he felt Mulder's cock slide farther inside, inching toward his throat. He relaxed his muscles and took all that his lover had to give. He uncurled his fingers from the base, and lowered his head until every last inch was sheathed inside his mouth.

"Baby..." Mulder whimpered, "...oh my God, oh...." His jaw tensed as he felt the muscles in his stomach coil. He was going to come any second, and nothing short of Alex pulling away at that precise moment would...

Alex withdrew, leaving his lover teetering on the very edge of insanity. He licked the inside of Mulder's thigh and began to move up, but a hand on his head stopped him.

"No. There."

The younger man looked up at him, confused.

"Mark me there."

Alex stared up at the face that was almost shrouded in shadow. He smiled and ducked back down, tenderly kissing the inside of Mulder's right thigh. Higher and higher he traveled, teasing his lover, arousing him beyond all reason, then took him by surprise, sucking the sensitive flesh into his mouth, applying a firm pressure.

Mulder's fingers tightened in Alex's hair, and he groaned through gritted teeth. "Oh, yeah...oh..oww..oh, Christ...harder, Alex...*shit*....that's it...God, baby, make it hurt..."

Alex sucked harder, drawing crazed whimpers from the man beneath him. His hips involuntarily rolled against the mattress, in time to his lover's cries. His cock was now throbbing...aching for release, and his body made the sudden decision that enough was enough. His tongue lovingly soothed the wound on the inside of his lover's thigh, then he stretched up, draping himself over Mulder's body. "Right now," he rasped, and his lover nodded frantically.

Mulder complained loudly as Alex's weight lifted, but the younger man shushed him, promising to return quickly. He leaned over the edge of the bed, rooting through his bag. Quickly finding the tube of lubricant, he squeezed some out onto his fingers.

Mulder opened himself to his lover, rumbling deep in his throat as the younger man stroked two cool, slick fingers down the cleft of his ass, twisting and burrowing to the tight opening.

"How long has it been?" Alex panted.

"I don't...don't know. Four...maybe five..."

He didn't need to ask. He knew that by four or five, Mulder meant 'years'. He'd kept a close eye on him for at least that long, and had never seen him with a man.

Alex teased the older man, pressing forward, then pulling back. Each time, his fingers slid a little deeper inside, and Mulder writhed feverishly, crying out, pleading for more.

"Hold still," Alex instructed softly as he progressed past the second knuckles.

"Can't," Mulder wailed brokenly, thrashing against Alex's hand. "Deeper, Alex...please...more..."

"Easy, baby." Alex twisted his fingers and plunged deeper into his lover's tight heat.

Mulder arched, sobbing curses into the air as the younger man sank his fingers in as far as they could go. "Oh, *shit*...fuck me, Alex. I need you to..."

Alex withdrew his fingers three-quarters of the way then inched back in, prompting more obscenities.

"I know," he breathed, withdrawing his fingers and moving over the older man. "...I know you do, but it might hurt..."

"I don't care," Mulder growled, wrapping his arms and legs around the younger man. "Hurt me."

Alex guided his aching cock between his lover's clenching muscles. "I don't want to hurt you, baby," he moaned against Mulder's ear. "I wanna make it good for you...I wanna make you want to come back for more...make you want only me."

Mulder strained against the other man, begging to be taken. "You've done that already. Now fuck me."

Alex smiled at his lover's impatience. He stroked the outsides of Mulder's thighs, then tucked his hands under his ass, and pushed gently.

Mulder's hoarse groans turned to frenzied whimpers of frustration as Alex pressed forward, burying the head of his cock in his smooth warmth, then backing out almost to the tip.

"Alex...I...come on..."

"Tell me, Fox," Alex rumbled against his throat. "Tell me you're mine."

"Jesus Christ, Alex," Mulder choked, "I'm....oh, God, please....I'm yours." He squirmed against the younger man. "Do me..."

Alex's tongue flattened against Mulder's throat, and ran up over the curve of his chin, the dip above it, and finally slanted across his lips before covered them in a hungry kiss. His fingers tightened in the muscles of the older man's ass, and he drove into him, pushing a frantic sob out of his throat.

The cry vibrated in Alex's mouth, and he sent one up to join it. His hips lifted slightly then fell back against Mulder's ass, again and again until they were both whimpering uncontrollably. He pulled his tongue out of his lover's mouth and whispered desperately into it, "You're so...sweet...baby...so beautiful..." He wrapped Mulder's tortured cock in his fist and began to milk it, matching the rhythm of his hips. "Come for...for me, now. I want....to...watch you."

Alex's words, paired with the sensations he was experiencing, were enough to take Mulder over the edge. "*Alex*," he cried as his body tightened, "I feel it...don't...harder...*fuck*! God...harder..."

Alex gritted his teeth and slammed into his lover, mercilessly pumping his cock until they both tumbled, screaming over the edge. His body and hand continued to spasm, emptying every last drop of fluid from each of them.

Mulder lay twitching beneath his lover, overcome by the force of his orgasm. He wanted to open his eyes...tried to, but at this precise moment in time, it was damn near impossible. He gave up trying, and lay there limply, chest heaving.

Alex remained sprawled over the older man, his head nestled snugly under his chin. A long while passed before he stirred, his tongue swiping at the fine beads of sweat that coated Mulder's chest.

"Mmmm..." The first signs of life. "What are you doing?"

Alex licked another path through the perspiration. "Tasting you."

"I'm all sweaty..."

"I want to know you inside out." The sable head rose and forest-green eyes stared at Mulder.

"What?"

"Was waiting for you to laugh at me."

Mulder kissed his damp head. "Why would I?"

"I don't know. Not so sure *I* wouldn't laugh at me..."

Mulder pulled him up so that they were face to face. "Why?" he asked, searching the other man's eyes. "Because it was sweet?"

Alex shrugged.

The older man smirked and began to tease. "Alex Krycek is a sweet, sensitive, romantic sap."

"I am not."

"Yes you are..."

"I. Am. Not."

The grin faded from Mulder's lips, and he reached up to caress his lover's face. "You looked so sad before."

Alex's gaze slowly slid from Mulder's, and he fell silent.

"Didn't you think I'd noticed?"

Solemn green eyes rose again. "Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?"

"When you said that you were mine."

"What, you think it might have been just my dick talking?"

"I don't know. People say all sorts of things they don't mean in the heat of the moment."

Mulder traced the line of the younger man's shoulder with his fingertips. "True. But I'm completely wiped out right now. I don't think I could get it up with a crane. And still I can look you in the eye and say it. I'm all yours, Alex...for as long as you want me to be." He watched entranced, as Alex's eyes turned a sparkling shade of emerald. "Happy?"

The younger man nodded.

"Know why that makes you happy?"

He was walking into a trap and he didn't even know it. "Why?"

"Because you're really a sweet, sensitive..."

"I am not!"

"..sappy, romantic..."

"Shut up, Fox..."

"..lovable, gentle..."

"You and me are gonna fight, Mulder..."

Mulder's voice changed to a syrupy sweet tone. "..cute, adorable, wittle fuzzy wuzzy..."

"I'm gonna throw you back out into the snow..."

His voice changed again. "..gorgeous, sexy as all get out..."

Alex's head dipped down to Mulder's shoulder, not so gently nipping at the muscled flesh. Satisfied with the soft groan, he released his lover, and soothed the small irritation with his tongue. "You just saved your ass."

Mulder hooked a leg over his lover's hip and pushed up against him. "Begs the question."

Alex tilted his head, waiting.

"What did I just save my ass *for*?"

Alex chuckled softly, grinding his hips into the other man's. "Hey...uh, I thought you were wasted."

"You know, so did I."

"Well," the younger man purred, thrusting gently against his lover, "I'd say this means one of two things."

Mulder raised his eyebrows. "And what would that be?"

"One...you're insatiable. Or *b*...I'm just too damn good." Could be a little of both."

"I think it could be a *lot* of both..." Mulder began to smile, then suddenly burst into laughter.

Alex gave him an amused but mildly bewildered smile. "What?"

"I just had an image of Scully walking in on us right now..."

"And you're *laughing*? She'd shoot me in the head and have you committed."

"Speaking of Scully...I was thinking...why'd you give me the directions to this place? If I'd called and given them to her, you'd never be able to come back here."

Alex shrugged. "If I couldn't have you, I'd never want to."

Mulder fell into a thoughtful silence, the smile not quite fading from his face.

"Now what you thinking about?"

"Scully again. I suddenly feel guilty lying here, feeling so good, knowing that she's got to be worried out of her mind."

"I'm sorry, Fox. Why don't you call her? Let her know you're okay."

"What...what am I gonna tell her? I mean, besides, 'Hey, Scully, how ya doin', guess what, I'm alive'? She'll want to know where I am, why I'm just calling her now...how I got out of the lodge..."

Alex lowered his head to Mulder's shoulder, sighing softly as the older man's hand rose to pet his hair. "I know. Do you feel well enough to make the trip home?"

"Yeah, I suppose, but..."

"But what?"

Mulder wrapped his free arm around the younger man's back, and held him tightly. "I don't want to leave."

Alex's eyes closed and he inhaled deeply. He let the breath out slowly before answering. "You shouldn't say that."

"Why not?"

"Because...it'll just make it that much harder for me to let you go."

Mulder smiled into his lover's hair. "Maybe you should cuff me to the bed. That way, I won't be lying when I tell her that I was held prisoner."

Alex rubbed his head against Mulder's jaw, but said nothing.

"I don't want to go, Alex," he said softly. "How can I leave you?"

"We'll get together again," Alex promised. "There's no way I could stay away from you, now."

"So..." Mulder said listlessly, "that's it. We'll get together every now and then...when business brings you into town..."

"Fox...baby, don't...I don't know what to say. I told you, I don't want to let you go."

"Come back with me," Fox begged impetuously, not giving a damn how needy that sounded. "Please, Alex."

"And then what? There's that little matter, you know, of your partner...your boss..."

"You managed to slip into that lodge, nab me, and slip back out right under all of those noses. Shouldn't be too hard to stay out of Scully's and Skinner's sight."

"Fox..." Alex lifted his head and kissed the tip of his lover's nose. He looked down into despondent, amber eyes, and his heart melted into his stomach.

//This is *your* doing, Alex. Now, how are you gonna fix it?//

He lowered his head, touching his lips to the other man's. "I'll be with you as much as I can. I promise. But I can't stop doing my job any more than you can stop doing yours."

"*Job*?"

"We're on the same side, Fox," he said, a bit of hurt tingeing his tone. "I'm just working it from a different angle."

"Sorry."

"I just want you to understand that I didn't bring you here to fuck you and then toss you aside. I want more from you than that."

"Like?"

"Anything and everything you're willing to give me."

"What about you?"

"Me?"

Mulder nodded. "What are you willing to give me?"

"All that I'm able to."

"Okay, what are you *able* to give me?"

"Everything but the complete freedom to always be with you. If I had that to give you, I would."

"So, is it always going to be this way?"

"I don't....no. No, it isn't. I'm working hard to make sure of that, baby. I probably shouldn't ask this, but...please trust me."

Mulder stared up into his lover's eyes, losing himself in the warm ocean of green. "I trust you," he whispered.

Alex planted a long, tender kiss on his mouth, then lifted himself away, and found the phone. He lay beside his lover, kissing his arm, then his shoulder. He hesitated for a moment, then handed him the phone.

Mulder chewed on his lower lip, then took the phone. Alex gave him a reassuring smile and a soft kiss, and he began to punch in Scully's number. The soft hello on the other end froze him for a moment, and he realized that it was three hours later there, and that she was probably asleep.

"Scully? It's me."

"*Mulder*? Mulder, oh my God. Where are you? What..."

"Scully, listen. I'm all right."

Alex closed his eyes, telling himself that this was the right thing to do. As much as he hated the idea of Mulder leaving here, he knew it was impossible for him to stay. He comforted himself in his lover's warmth, nuzzling against the side of his neck. The scent of Mulder's skin permeated his senses and dulled the pain. He tilted his chin, bringing his lips closer, touching them to the pulse point.

Mulder leaned his head to the side, resting his cheek upon the sable head on his shoulder, encouraging the younger man to continue.

"Where have you *been*?"

"It's...it's a long story, Scully. One I'd really rather try to explain to you in person."

"Where are you? I'll come to you...Mulder? What was that? Are you sure you're okay?"

Mulder bit down on his lip to stifle another gasp as Alex slid downward, licking and nipping, then began to suck on a nipple. His fingers clenched in his lover's hair, and he practically ripped the strands out of his head as Alex bit down on the hard nub and pulled gently.

"Ahh, *shit*..."

"*Mulder*. Tell me where you are, dammit!"

"I'll tell...tell you about it when...I get back."

"Mulder, are you in any danger?"

"No. No, Scully. No danger. I'll..." His words faded and were lost as Alex continued his downward journey, reaching his solid erection, and flicking his tongue across the tip as he stroked the shaft slowly. "I'm....um....I..."

"*Mulder*!"

Mulder attempted to compose himself enough to answer. He should have pulled Alex away, but he had neither the strength nor the inclination. "Scully," he measured each word, "I'm okay..." He thrust up into the welcoming heat of Alex's mouth, then let his hips sink back onto the bed.

Alex remained still, caressing his lover's hips, swirling his tongue around the head of his cock...waiting.

Mulder pushed upward again, then dropped back down to the mattress, repeating the action again and again. "I don't..don't know where I am"

"Don't know where you *are*? Then how are you calling me?"

Mulder's hips lifted again as he proceeded to slowly fuck his lover's mouth. "Sc...Scully, listen...the man who...who helped me is very protective..." His words were cut off for a moment as Alex slid a finger into his ass.

"Mulder?"

"I'm here...uh...he's protective of his..privacy. We're snowed in, but...as soon...soon as..." He stopped again, gritting his teeth as Alex added a second finger. "As soon *as* we're able to get...out...I'll...call...you..."

"Mulder...*Mulder*...I don't understand. How did this man find you? There were shots. We came in and found all the kidnappers dead. Did this man kill them? How the hell did he get you out of there when that place was crawling with law enforcement?"

"Don't know, Scully...I was...unconscious. Gotta...go...I'm okay. I'll call."

"Mulder....Mulder, don't hang up. There are so many things..."

"Later...don't...worry, okay?" he practically sobbed, overcome by the dual stimulation. "Couple of days..." He was already letting the phone drop from his ear as he said those last words. He managed to press the 'end' button, and the phone fell from his hand. He rocked back and forth between Alex's mouth and his fingers, his blood reaching the boiling point. It bubbled up and flowed over when the younger man reached up with his other hand and began to pinch and twist one of his nipples. Mulder began to thrash wildly, his screams of pleasure bouncing off the walls. He erupted into his lover's mouth, sending a long stream of hot fluid down his throat. As he came down, the screams diminished, turning into faint whimpers, then finally to soft purrs of contentment.

Alex lay half-draped over Mulder's legs, lazily licking his cock, removing all traces of his explosion. When he was done, he slid up the length of the older man's body, kissing and licking the warm, salty flesh, finally ending at the flushed lips. He covered them in a brief kiss, then pulled away and waited for Mulder's eyes to open.

Seconds later, the golden-brown lashes began to flutter. "Ohhhh, God...."

Alex grinned. "He lives."

"Barely." Mulder took a few deep breaths, then blinked up at his lover. "What are you smirking at?"

"You're beautiful when you come."

Mulder moaned softly and again closed his eyes.

Alex stroked his forehead idly, tracing the line of his eyebrows. "You lied to Scully."

"Mmm."

"Why'd you do it?"

"To buy us a couple more days." Mulder opened his eyes. "I didn't...I couldn't leave yet."

"Do you think she bought it?"

"I don't know. I guess I'll find out when I get back." His eyes snapped open. "You...you don't mind, do you?"

"*Mind*? Are you kidding? I just don't want you to run into any trouble with Red on my account."

Mulder's hand stroked over the curve of his ass. "Hey, this isn't just for your benefit, you know." He pulled Alex's head down for a sizzling kiss, and rolled the younger man beneath him.

Alex didn't object, though he knew he should. He should stop this now and send Mulder home immediately, but how could he when Mulder was stretched naked over him, dragging his tongue across the expanse of his chest?

//God, fuck it. Worry about it later.//

Mulder worked his way over to one of his lover's nipples and caught it between his teeth, tugging and pulling, ever-so-gently.

Alex's head pressed back into the pillows and he groaned through gritted teeth as Mulder's tongue flicked mercilessly over the sensitive tip. His fingers plowed restlessly through his lover's golden-brown hair, and his hips jerked upward.

Mulder shifted position to keep Alex's cock from jabbing into his tender ribs, as he began to sink lower, letting his mouth glide over the warm, satiny skin. As he approached the younger man's hip, he slowed and lingered there, kissing and licking the area. He then opened his mouth and began to suck on the moistened skin, marking his lover as he'd been marked.

Alex's nose wrinkled and his teeth clenched as Mulder continued to apply a hard suction to the flesh. His fingers closed in the silky strands of hair, and he held the other man's head there. "Yeah," he whispered breathlessly, "yeah, oh, baby..."

Mulder finally released then began to soothe the angry, red mark. He looked up into glittering, dark eyes and again licked the skin. "Mine?"

Alex stared down at Mulder, nodding mutely.

The older man smiled and licked his way across to the nest of dark curls surrounding the thick length of muscle that protruded from them. His tongue cut a path through the short hair, and reached the base of Alex's cock. It snaked around the shaft, stroking and caressing the distended vein on the underside, tracing it up to the flared head, and fluttering around the prominent ridge.

Alex grunted loudly, doing his utmost to keep it together and let Mulder's tongue work its magic. His hands left the older man's head, and while the fingers of one hand dug into his shoulder muscles, the other twisted in the sheets.

Mulder lapped at the head for a moment, glorying in the sounds and smell of the man writhing beneath him. He picked his head up and waited for Alex to open his eyes and look down at him. The sable lashes lifted and he smiled up at his lover. "Mine too?"

"God, yes. All yours, baby."

Without another word, Mulder's mouth closed over the head and his tongue began to probe the slick opening. He moaned softly, tasting his lover for the first time, and the sound vibrated all up and down Alex's throbbing erection, drawing long, tortured whimpers from him. Slowly, Mulder slid lower, giving every inch of rigid flesh, his undivided attention. He began to feel a slight discomfort three-quarters of the way down, but he breathed deeply through his nose, relaxed his throat, and took his lover all the way in.

Alex growled softly as he struggled to keep his hips from leaping off the mattress. Just as he was about to lose that struggle, he felt the sting of cool air, as Mulder pulled up and off of him.

"No...baby, please...don't tease..."

Mulder shushed the younger man, and placed a tiny kiss on the tip of his cock before he reached for the lube. "Just returning the favor," he whispered in his soft, smoky monotone. He slicked his fingers and gently inserted the tip of one into Alex's anus. The younger man did leap off of the mattress this time, hissing sharply. "Am I hurting you?" Mulder asked, concerned.

"No...no. It just...it feels like..." Alex moistened his dry lips and continued. "..like electricity. Please, don't stop. Fuck me."

Mulder pushed his finger a little farther, smiling at the ever-increasing amount of noise coming from above his head. When he finally had the one finger completely buried, he withdrew it and added a second, twisting and wiggling them both back inside.

Alex's mouth dropped open and a long, rumbling sob escaped his throat as his lover's fingers stroked over his prostate and his mouth came back down to claim his cock. His head rocked back and forth on the pillow, and his hips bucked in wild anticipation.

Mulder now sucked voraciously at the younger man's cock, knowing that he could hold him back no longer. His fingers thrust deeper, pulling thunderous howls from Alex as his orgasm hit, and he pumped warm, bitter fluid into his mouth.

Alex's screams died away and he collapsed, completely wrung out. He lay motionless, too spent to even draw a breath. Only when he felt Mulder's lips covering his, did he inhale. He let the breath out through his nose, sending with it a satisfied sigh, which Mulder joyfully drank in.

The older man pulled away, planting another quick kiss on his mouth, before settling on top of his chest. He lay his head against Alex's shoulder, and closed his eyes. "I'm going to assume that all that noise meant that you enjoyed it."

Alex wrapped one arm around Mulder's back and petted his head gently with his other hand. "Enjoyed?" He laughed weakly. "Jesus Christ, Fox, I thought my head was going to explode." He dropped a soft kiss in his lover's hair. "You know, I knew you'd be good."

"Spend time thinking about it, did you?"

"Lots of time. Probably more than was actually healthy."

"You telling me you were obsessed?"

"Does that freak you out?"

"You think 'Spooky' Mulder is that easily freaked? You should know better than that. I don't think anyone's ever obsessed over me before. Not in a sexual sense, anyway." He nipped playfully at the younger man's shoulder. "I think I like it."

Alex tightened his arm around Mulder's back. "And I think I like this...very much."

"*This*," Mulder murmured, rubbing his head against the other man's shoulder, "is yours anytime you want it. And I hope you want it often."

"I'll always want you, baby. Even when I'm not with you."

Mulder nodded after a brief hesitation, and started to pull away, but Alex held him in place.

"What are you doing?"

"I was just going to lie beside you. I must be getting heavy."

"Are you comfortable?"

"Yeah..."

Alex pushed the golden-brown head back to his shoulder. "Then stay here. It feels so good." He stroked the older man's hair and whispered into his ear, "Close your eyes."

Mulder did what he was told and lay purring contentedly in the warmth of his lover's arms, allowing himself to be stroked and kissed. "You keep that up," he moaned softly, "and you're going to put me to sleep."

"Is there a problem with that?"

"Not if you don't mind being slowly crushed to death..."

Alex kissed the side of his head. "Shut up, Mulder, and go to sleep."

Minutes later, Mulder was softly snoring, his head still pillowed against his lover's shoulder.

"Fox?"

No answer.

"Babe, you sleeping?"

Still nothing.

His fingers curled in his lover's hair, and he buried his face in the silky strands. He wasn't sure what he'd done to deserve this night, but he was grateful for it. Only in his dreams had he dared to imagine that Mulder would react this way to him. He'd hoped...he'd *always* had hope...obviously, or he never would have brought Mulder here, but he thought that hope was always terribly unreasonable. Now here they were, naked, wrapped in each other's arms, safe and warm, and completely content. He pushed thoughts of Mulder's inevitable departure away, and closed his eyes, joining his lover in oblivion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ouch! Shit!" Alex touched his hand to the back of his head, bringing away bits of crushed snow. He spun around, looking for the culprit. He found Mulder about twelve yards away, his hand cradling another snowball, and an impish grin plastered across his face. He pointed to the ball of white in the other man's hand. "Don't you throw that."

Why didn't he just say, 'Go ahead, Fox, throw the snowball directly at my head.'?

He ducked as the object whizzed past him, just grazing the top of his head. "Damn!"

"I shot expert in the academy, you know," Mulder's amused voice sounded in the quiet morning air.

Alex swiped again at his head, knocking the snow from his hair. "Congratulations. Now get your ass back inside. It's cold out here."

"I just wanted some air."

"There's air inside...*warm* air. Now get in there!"

"You coming?"

"As soon as I get this firewood." He flicked his hand loosely at the other man, shooing him back into the cabin. When Mulder was gone, he allowed a grin to curve his lips. God, he loved this. It felt so *normal*. For so many years his world only consisted of wheeling and dealing...betrayal...mayhem and killing...

He thought back to this morning, he'd awakened on his side with Mulder behind him, curled around his body, cheek resting against the back of his head. It felt so good. So damn perfect.

He couldn't recall making any sounds, but he felt Mulder begin to stir, and he wiggled back against him, prompting a sleepy moan. He felt the other man's cock swell and harden against his ass, and his own cock stiffened in response. The arm that was already draped around his waist, pulled him closer. He heard a small grunt as the man behind him shifted, twisting his torso, then turned back. There was some movement he couldn't quite recognize, then more definite motions. Mulder was stroking his own cock, but only very briefly, and Alex realized that he must have been applying lube. His cock twitched in anticipation, and then he felt Mulder guiding his erection between his ass cheeks. He pushed back eagerly, wanting to help his lover as much as he could, and then the head of Mulder's cock entered him, and they both gasped at the sensation. Mulder kissed and nibbled on the back of his neck as he inched his way inside, never completely stopping until he was buried right to the base.

Alex lay squirming, pushing back against his lover until he began to move, establishing a slow, teasing rhythm. His head fell back against Mulder's shoulder, and he clasped a hand in the golden-brown hair, pulling gently. The older man immediately took advantage of his position, cupping his chin and twisting his head until their lips met. As they kissed, Alex rocked back against Mulder, grinding his ass into the older man's hips, and whimpered softly into his mouth. His fingers uncurled from his lover's hair, and slid down his head, along his jaw, and down his own face and neck, traveling to his chest, where he began to play with his own nipples. The sensation of his lover slowly fucking him while he touched himself, brought him to extreme levels of hardness. He brushed his fingers over his nipple a few more times, then allowed them to creep down toward his aching cock. He only had the chance to stroke himself a couple of times before Mulder's hand clamped around his wrist and pull his hand away.

"Mine."

There was no question in his tone this time. It was a simple statement, spoken to let Alex know that he had every intention of taking complete control of this situation. His hand replaced Alex's, stroking and pulling his cock gently, as he bit into the sensitive flesh at the back of his neck.

Alex recalled crying out into the still morning air as his lover stimulated him well beyond the point of madness. The eruption overtook him in one blinding instant, and his mouth screamed Mulder's name even as his mind begged the older man not to stop fucking him until he'd passed out.

Mulder's hand left Alex's spent cock to slip over and around his chest, holding his lover securely, and giving him the leverage he needed to increase the strength of his thrusts. He forced an exhausted grunt for Alex with every push, and soon he was groaning into the younger man's hair as he emptied himself into the limp body.

They lay there, drained but satisfied, kissing and nuzzling each other while enough of their strength returned for them to get up. They showered together, teasing and laughing, then ate a large breakfast, and while Mulder insisted on doing the dishes, Alex went out for more firewood.

And here he stood, a light snow beginning to fall again, showing a stark white against the darkness of his hair...holding an armful of wood....smiling like an idiot.

//Come on, what are you doing daydreaming out here while the fucking sexiest thing to ever walk the earth is inside waiting for you? Get inside, get the wood stacked, and then rip his clothes off.//

Alex smiled, hoisting the wood higher against his chest, and started back toward the cabin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And he wouldn't tell you where he was?"

"It's not that he *wouldn't*, sir. He *couldn't*. He said he didn't know. He said that he'd be back, hopefully in a couple of days. They were snowed in at the moment."

"So he *could* still be in that area."

"Yes sir, he could. But I checked the weather reports for that region, and it's snowing all over Washington, Montana, and parts of Oregon, Idaho, and Canada. I don't know what to do, other than to just wait to hear from him again. I mean, if he's snowed in, we'll be snowed *out*."

Skinner rose from his seat and stared down at the lone agent. "Do you think he's all right?"

"I...I think so. He sounded a little funny, but he insisted that he was fine and he'd call me again soon."

"I don't understand, Agent Scully. The man who took him from the lodge is in all probability the killer of the kidnappers. Agent Mulder could himself, be in danger."

"I get the feeling he didn't feel that way."

Skinner shook his head slowly. "Your suggestion?"

"I suggest we do the only thing we *can* do at the moment. Sit and wait...and pray that he's all right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alex lifted the thick strands of golden-brown hair, and let them fall back to their owner's head, watching, fascinated as they absorbed the amber glow from the fire. His eyes wandered from his hair, to the sweep of golden lashes, to Mulder's lips, so soft and pliant...slightly more swollen than normal from hours of kissing and...

His cock twitched as he thought about Mulder lying between his parted thighs while he reclined against the pillows he'd thrown on the floor. Those sinfully beautiful lips wrapped around his shaft...amber-splashed eyes, hazy with lust as they fixed on the deep green above him. He moved slowly and deliberately, licking and sucking...teasing his victim mercilessly. The man was an incredible slut, and Alex couldn't have been happier.

He smiled down at the sleeping man, so angelic in repose. So utterly feral when aroused.

His.

After years of wanting and wishing, plotting and planning, Fox Mulder was his. Willingly...joyfully. And he'd do everything he could...anything he had to, to insure that he always wanted to be.

Mulder rose from the warm silence, feeling his lover's presence beside him. He snuggled into the warm, fleece blanket that cocooned him, and opened his eyes. He then turned onto his back, and looked up into an intense green gaze. Stretching lazily, he gave his lover a heart-melting smile. "Every time I wake up, I think I'm going to find out that I've been dreaming."

Alex smiled back, and came in for a long, sweet kiss. He pulled away, and stroked the tip of one finger down his lover's jaw. "I'm going to go back with you."

Mulder's mouth opened, and for a moment, no sound would come from it. He cleared his throat and tried again. "You...what changed your mind?"

"I want to be with you," Alex answered softly.

"You said that yesterday...but you still refused to come with me."

"I just...I changed my mind. Is that okay?"

Mulder studied him for a moment, then spoke. "I would love for you to come home with me. I've made that very clear." He focused on his lover's eyes, reading his emotions. "There's more to your decision, though, than just a change of heart. Alex....you won't lose me. I'm not yours just for the time that I'm here."

Alex lowered his eyes and stared at the fleece gathered between them.

"Alex?" Mulder called softly, drawing the younger man's attention back to his face. "Did you hear me?"

"Yeah."

"I mean it. If you show up six months from now at my apartment, in the middle of the night, I'll be alone...waiting for you." Receiving no response, he went on. "You go on doing whatever you have to do. I'll be fine. Just watch your ass, call me often, and come to see me whenever you can."

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