Title: ALEXANDER
Author: Donna McIntosh
Email: dmcintoshtx@...
Fandom: X-Files
Pairing: Skinner/Krycek
Rating: NC – 17 FRAO
Genre: Slash
Summary: Krycek is given the temporary loan of a new body. The first thing he
does is go find Skinner.
Beta: Thank you Ursula for all your help. It's very much appreciated.

ALEXANDER

The small boy walked along the dark highway, angrily wiping away the tears
streaming down his face. He'd show them! They'd never find him! He'd walk a
million miles away! He could do it too. He'd stop at the first big city he
came to and he'd get a job and he'd make it big. He'd grow big too and he'd
come back and find that bastard! He'd show him!

He never even saw the beam of light that came down out of the star-lit sky
behind him. In a flash he was gone.

xxxxxx

"It's wrong, that's why. The boy must be returned." Jeremiah insisted.

"We will not hurt the boy. We simply wish to study him." The alien countered.

"He has a family. They are probably looking for him right now."

"Then what was he doing out on the highway in the middle of the night? This boy
is a loner. We will take good care of him and release him after we have studied
him."

"If this boy is harmed in any way it will negate all the work we've done to
bring peace between our organizations in the last ten years." Smith warned.

"He will be returned within days, memory wiped, remembering nothing but a long
walk in the night."

"I'll check with the authorities and see how much of a ripple his disappearance
has caused."

"I tell you, this boy is an orphan. No mother or father would allow their child
out on the highway in the middle of the night."

"Perhaps the child just ran away?"

"Then his parents have failed him. We will study him, learn from him, and
perhaps he will learn a thing or too as well."

"Where will you take him? Your home planet is weeks away."

"We've got a group on Kita studying humanoids. He will be of great value to
them and neither the Tapians nor Venoans would harm a child. He will be safe
there."

"He must be closely monitored." Smith insisted.

"He will be. You will be welcome to study the images when we are finished. We
always keep a complete record."

"Yes, I know. May I suggest you place him with the Tapians and not the Venoans?
The Venoans are far too un-predictable. The boy will be well taken better care
of with the Tapa."

"That is the plan."

"Good. OK. I'll check back with you then after I investigate the reaction to
the boy's disappearance."

"Very well."

xxxxxx

"Where did the road go?" The boy asked as he walked along the narrow pathway in
the moon light. "There must be a town up ahead somewhere."

The path he was on ended at the stream. He scooped up a double handful of the
cool clear water and drank. He glanced around the clearing and sat down on some
rocks at the water's edge. He leaned back and stretched out, pillowing his head
on his laced together hands and staring at the stars overhead. He tried for a
time to identify the different constellations but couldn't find any he knew.
After a while his eyes closed and he dozed off. He would find the town
tomorrow.

xxxxxx

"Father, you are Chief of the Tapians. You have performed all the rites, spoken
with the Gods, the rain will come."

"Malleon, my son, it must come soon or the crops will fail and we will have
nothing to trade with the Venoans for our needs. We must prepare to defend
ourselves should that occur."

"It will not happen! We have always harvested enough to feed our people and to
satisfy the Venoans. It will rain soon." Malleon walked with his father until
he entered his hut, then walked on passed all the other huts and into the woods.

He loved walking at night. The woods carried an entirely different smell than
it did in the day light when the sun warmed it. He followed the well worn trail
down to the stream and stood admiring the view as the moon light cast a pale
glow over everything. It would rain soon; it just had to.

He turned to head back to the village when something caught his eye. It was the
other side of the stream. His curiosity got the better of him and he waded into
the stream. He was half way across when the boy woke up.

"Hello," the boy called. "Do you know the way into town? I must have gotten
off the main road."

"You mean the village? It is just over that way." He pointed towards the east.
"What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

"Traveling." The boy said as the dripping wet man approached him. "I came a
long way. I thought I'd be there before dark but it got late and I sat down. I
guess I fell asleep."

"Where are you from?" Malleon asked.

"Springfield."

"I do not know that village. You must have come a long way. Do you have people
in my village?"

"No. I have come to find work."

"Work? The work in the fields is not enough for you?"

"I can work in the fields if that's all you have. I'm strong and I can do a
fair day's work for a fair day's pay." The boy flexed his skinny arm showing a
bump of a muscle.

"I see. You expect wages. Is that the way it's done in your village? Did you
work for wages there?"

"No. They wouldn't let me. They put me in school with a bunch of dummies and
expected me to stay there. I may be small but I'm smarter than all of them –
smarter even than the teacher."

"That's pretty smart. So how is it that you got lost?"

"I'm not lost! I'm just not to the town yet. I'll get there and I'll get a
job. I can do it. I really can."

"I'm sure you can. You look like a strong one. Why did your parents let you
leave?"

"My parents are dead – car crash two years ago. They stuck me in a home with
this bast … I mean, this mean guy who was just an ignorant fool! He couldn't
stand it that I was smarter than he was. I'll be stronger too in a few years.
I'm strong already."

"You're not afraid traveling all alone in the middle of the night?"

"Nope. I can fight. I gave Jimmy Bogus a black eye when he got in my face. I
don't take shit from anybody!"

"Good for you, boy. Fighting is important. Anyone ever give you a black eye?"

"Uh huh." He looked down sheepishly. "Martin Thurman. But I was just a kid
then. I was only eight and he was twelve. I was new at the home then. I just
got there and he thought he could make me his slave, tried to make me do his
chores. I told him to go to hell and he busted me one."

"Did you get him back?"

"I sure did. I waited until he was asleep and I snuck over to his cot and
pounded him good. He ended up with two black eyes!"

"I'll bet he never bothered you again, did he?"

"Nope. He never did."

"You did the right thing. It doesn't matter how strong a man is if he doesn't
have self respect, he'll never make it in this world. Life is difficult but you
already know that, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. What's your name anyway?"

"Malleon. What's yours?"

"Alexander. What do you do?"

"Whatever I want. I'm the Chief's son. I do whatever I want."

"Oh. You don't have to work?"

"Sure I work. I work in the fields like everyone else, I help build when new
huts are needed. I do lots of different things."
The two of them sat and talked until the sun was up and Malleon took him back to
the village with him.

Everyone pointed and laughed as Malleon entered the village with the small boy
beside him covered in dirt and mud.

"What are they laughing at?" Alexander asked.

"They have never seen anything like you before."

"I'm just a boy – just like they are."

"You are black. They have never seen a black boy before."

"I am not black!" Alexander stopped and turned on Malleon, is little fists
clenched at his sides.

"I think most of it will wash off." Malleon said with a swipe of his hand
across Alexander's cheek. "But that hair of your's is black. You can't deny
that."

"What's so different about black hair? Lots of people have black hair."

"Not around here they don't." Malleon gestured around the village as others
came out of their huts to see the strange new boy.

"Where did you capture him, Malleon? Was it a vicious fight?" Some older boy
sidled up to them and asked.

"I am NOT captured! I came here to find work!" Alexander said.

The newcomer stepped back at Alexander's furious outburst.

"Aaaahh a fighter, is he." An old man with a smoking pipe between his teeth
commented sagely and everyone laughed again.

"I can fight! I'll fight any one of you!"

"I bring to you Alexander the Black Warrior!" Malleon announced to his village
with a grin and the wave of his arm.

Someone slung a clump of sod that landed on Alexander's chest and the fight was
on. The two boys rolled over and over in the grass, punching and swinging at
each other until two adults pulled them apart.

"Enough! Is this any way to welcome a visitor?" The voice of the chief halted
all the action but not before Alexander got in one last swing that connected
directly with the other boy's jaw sending him flying into the dirt.

"Are you the boss around here? I'm looking for a job." Alex walked up to the
chief.

"I can squash you like a bug!" A voice came out of the crowd.

Alexander turned his head towards the older boy. "Wanna try your luck?" He
eyed the older boy and they were into it. Fists were flying and arms flailing
while the crowd cheered.

"Father, we must stop it. Eggar is much bigger and stronger than the boy."
Malleon said.

"Then the boy will learn a valuable lesson that he shouldn't fight when no
fighting is necessary."

The boys fought and wrestled to the ground, each of them taking a sound
pummeling before the chief stepped in, grabbed Alexander by the shirt and yanked
him to his feet and shooed Eggar on his way. "Enough!" He commanded and the
villagers scattered.

"I coulda beat him! I coulda!" Alexander wailed as he wiped the blood
trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"You have proven your warrior status, young man." And to Malleon he said, "Take
this young man to the river and clean him up then bring him to me. We will
talk."

"I don't need a bath! I'm just looking for a job." Alexander insisted.

Malleon pulled him by the arm back towards the river as the others turned away
and went about their business. "Come on. Father will speak with you but only
after you are cleaned up." They stopped at Malleon's hut as he gathered some
clean clothes. They were way too big for Alexander but once he was cleaned up
and wearing them, they seemed to fit well enough once the legs were rolled up a
couple of times and the shirt was belted around the waist.

"Do you think he'll really give me a job?" Alexander asked as they walked back
into the village.

"He will find work for you but here we do not work for wages."

"You mean you work for free? Then how do you get paid?"

"There is no payment. You work and you are given food and shelter and whatever
else you need."

"This is a strange place. I didn't know there was any place like this near
Springfield."

They entered the Chief's hut and stood quietly side by side until they were
waved to a small wooden bench in front of the Chief's chair.

"Well, young warrior. You look much better cleaned up."

"Thank you sir. I'm looking for work."

"Yes, you mentioned that. But first I have a few questions for you."

"Ask. I'll tell you anything you want to know. I'm almost eleven years old and
I'm strong. I can do any job a man can do and probably do it better. I'll work
hard and I'll do a good job."

"Where do you come from?" The Chief asked.

"Springfield."

"Spring field? I have not heard of that village. How did you get here?"

"I walked. I walked and walked for a long time. I kind of got off the road and
ended up by the river last night. That's where Malleon found me."

"And your family – are they still in this Spring field?"

"I have no family, Sir. My parents are dead – two years ago now."

"The rest of your village did not care for you?"

"I was sent to an orphanage but I hated it there so I left."

The Chief and Malleon exchanged glances. "What is 'an orphanage'?" Malleon
asked.

"It's a big building where they put kids without parents."

"There are a lot of children without parents in this Spring field?" The Chief
asked.

"There were fifty three of us."

"Fifty three children without parents?" The Chief was astounded.

"That's right."

"Were your people warriors? Did they die in battle?"

"No. My dad was a cook and a drunk. Mom worked at the Dairy Queen."

"Your mother served the queen of your village?" Malleon asked.

"No. It's a hamburger and ice cream place a couple blocks from our duplex."
Alexander grinned.

"What's a 'duplex'?" Malleon asked.

"It's kinda like two houses stuck together. Don't you have any apartment houses
here? Any duplex'?"

"Some of your words are strange to us and we do not understand them but mostly
we do understand you. Do you not have any relatives? No brothers or sisters
who could take care of you?"

"No. Momma got sick after I was born and had to have a hysterectomy."

"A what?" Malleon asked.

"It's an operation where the doctor cuts you open and takes out the place where
babies come from."

The Chief and Malleon exchanged grimaces.

"I can see that you've been through some terrible ordeals, young warrior." The
Chief tried to regain his composure. "You are welcome to stay with us as long
as you like. Malleon will show you around."

"Can I have a job though? I want to work. I'm not asking for any hand out."

"There is always plenty of work for a strong young man like yourself. I'm sure
we can find something for you to do to earn your keep." The Chief stood up and
dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

"Where are your houses? Is this really where you live?" Alexander asked when
Malleon took him back to his hut.

"This is my house. It was built for me two summers ago when I celebrated my
sixteenth summer."

"I've never seen any houses like this before. Is it made out of mud?"

"It is." Malleon answered proudly. "If you stay with us you will have your own
place one day too."

"I see where you sleep but I don't see no kitchen – where do you eat?"

"Outside with everyone else; where else would I eat?"

"I don't know. I guess that's cool. So you don't have to cook or nothin?"

"No. The women cook."

"Do you have a woman?" Alexander asked wide eyed.

"No. Not yet. But I will when it is decided the time is right. Probably next
year."

"Who gets to decide?"

"My father. He will select someone he thinks will suit me."

"That's shit! What if you don't like her?"

"Why wouldn't I like her? I like all the girls in the village."

"I wouldn't want to have to share my place with no girl."

"That's because you're not grown up yet. You'll change your mind when you're
older."

"No I won't! If I stayed here, would I HAVE to have a woman if I didn't want
to?"

"I don't know. No one has ever refused before. You can ask father next time
you see him. But you won't have to worry about that for a long time. Let's get
you a bed fixed up."

They went out into the woods and took turns chopping down some strong saplings.
After they had all they needed they pulled down some vines and braided them
together for lashings. In no time they had the bed made and placed in Malleon's
hut along side his.
Blankets were brought to their hut. One was stretched across the wooden frame
and secured – the others were thrown on top for covers.

"Are you hungry?" Malleon asked.

"I sure am. But I don't have any money. You think I could get something to eat
anyway and pay later after I earned some?"

"You don't need money here. We don't use it. I know some of the other villages
around do but we don't. There is plenty of food for all. You can go into the
fields with me tomorrow and work. No other payment will be required." Malleon
smiled and led him to the center of the village where everyone had gathered
around the long tables in the center of the village and were preparing to eat.

They took seats at the long table and were promptly served large plates of food.

True to his word, Alexander toiled long hours in the fields, doing every bit as
much as any man in the village. Late in the afternoon the rains came and the
chief proclaimed Alexander, the Black Warrior, as their good luck charm. He was
carried about the village on shoulders as they celebrated in the rain.

xxxxxx

A week later they came for him – two men in brown jumpsuits. They talked with
the Chief for a time and he pointed into the fields where Malleon and Alexander
were working.

"No, no, I won't go with you! I'm staying here! Malleon, help me!" Alexander
cried out as they reached for him.

"Father, can't you stop them? He wants to stay with us!"

"I'm sorry, son. Perhaps one day they will permit another visit with him."

"Malleon! Malleon!" Alexander cried out as he was hauled up on the shoulder of
one of the men and they walked off with him. He pounded the man with his fists
and kicked but the man held him tightly and in seconds he went limp as the
hypo-spray hissed against the side of his neck.

xxxxxx

"Where am I? I want to go back to the village with Malleon! Please take me
back!" Alexander pleaded but to no avail. He was restrained in the small room
with one guard to watch over him.

The guard turned his back for a moment and Alexander jumped on him, pounding him
for all he was worth. The guard danced around with the boy on his back and was
relieved when two others came into the room laughing and hauled the boy down.

"PLEASE! I want to go back to the village!" He pleaded.

"We're taking you home boy. Back where you belong. You don't belong here in
the wilderness with these people."

"I don't care! I like it there. They like me too. Please take me back!"

"Sorry, kid, but you're going back to Springfield." The guard said.

He lunged at them then with a fury they thought incapable of such a young boy.
He fought and kicked and bit with every ounce of strength he had until he was
once again sedated.

When he awoke, there was a different man in the small room with him. "Who are
you?" he demanded. "Can you make them take me back? I want to go back to the
village!"

"Alexander, I know this is all very difficult for you to understand but one day
you will."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Please, don't take me back to
Springfield. I want to stay in the village. The Chief said I could."

"I know that's what you want right now but it's not in your best interest. You
have a different path to follow – a very important path."

"I don't know anything about any path except the one that leads to the river.
Please take me back."

"Why do you hate Springfield so much?"

"It's not Springfield – it's the people in Springfield."

"You're from the orphanage; aren't you?"

"I won't go back there! You can't make me! I'll run away again!" He jumped up
from the bed and made a dash for the door. A guard stepped out in front of him
and Jeremiah nodded for him to let the boy pass. A few more steps and he
stopped dead in his tracks.

"Where are we – on an air plane?" He looked around the small cabin with rows of
seats on both sides and windows displaying a field of black littered with stars.

"We are in flight, yes. Please come back and we'll discuss this situation like
men." Jeremiah asked kindly.

Alexander walked back into the room and sat down on the small bed.

"Please forgive me, I've forgotten my manners. My name is Jeremiah Smith." He
reached out a hand to Alexander and the small skinny arm was extended to him.

"I'm Alexander Michael Krycek. I've never been in an air plane before." He was
just a little bit scared.

"It's all right. We'll have you safely on the ground in less than an hour. But
first I want you to tell me why you hate the people at the orphanage so badly."

Alexander looked down and turned his head away. "Some of them are OK but one of
them is bad."

"Bad how?"

"I can't tell you. He's just bad."

"Alexander, I have to take you back to the orphanage but I don't want to leave
you with bad people. Tell me who it is that you think is bad and why you ran
away so I can fix things for you."

"You can't fix things! He works there. Besides, nobody would believe me
anyway."

"I will. I'll believe you."

"He's … just bad is all."

"How bad, Alexander? I can't help you if I don't know what you're talking
about."

"He does bad things. He's … nasty."

"Who, Alexander? I need a name."

"He said he'd kill me if I told. He said no one would believe me."

"I'll believe you, Alexander. But you need to tell me now. We'll be there
shortly and I can't help you if I don't know his name and what he did to you."

"I don't know his real name. Everyone calls him Bubba. He cleans the
bathrooms."

"What did he do to you Alexander?"

"He touches me … where I don't want him touching me! It ain't right! It isn't
right. I mean … I'm big enough to button up my own pants and I don't need him
sticking his hand down inside my pants! He said he was just fixing my shirt but
it wasn't my shirt he was touching!"

"Did you tell anyone about this?"

"No. He said if I did he'd slip into my room at night and slit my throat! He's
got a knife too, I saw it! It's big!"

Smith walked over to where the boy sat on the bed and placed a hand on his
shoulder. "I will take care of this immediately, Alexander. You will never be
bothered by this man again."

"You can do that? You can get him fired?"

"I can and I will. I'm going to give you something to help relax you now. When
you wake up you'll forget all about this."

"But I don't to forget all about the village and Malleon and the others. Can I
please just go back there?"

"I'm sorry. But that's not possible right now. Maybe sometime in the future we
can arrange for you to visit them again. Would you like that?"

"YES! Please, can I visit as soon as possible?"

"We'll see. Here, drink this." He handed the boy two tablets and a bottle of
water.

"You're sure Bubba will be gone when I get back?"

"Positive. Just relax now." In moments the boy was fast asleep.

xxxxxx

Twenty five years later …

Skinner sat in the back corner booth sipping his drink and scanning the room for
interesting faces. No luck. The place seemed packed for a change and he put
that up to the new combo that was playing. They were smooth, their sound mellow
and their tight black pants and roving eyes revealed they were interested in
more than music. There wasn't a guy in the room who wouldn't have traded in his
life savings for an hour alone with that piano player. Hell, he didn't blame
them. He'd do him, himself but he'd have to stand in line.

He swirled the few pieces of ice left in his empty glass and decided he would
leave at the end of the number. He hated to leave in the middle of a number, it
seemed rude somehow. His plans changed when a new face walked into the room.
This one was tall, dark blond hair a little longer than he usually liked it but
the rest of the package was definitely to his liking. He was handsome with a
square jaw line and a tan that looked like it actually came from exposure to the
sun and not a bottle of chemicals.

Skinner watched the newcomer as he scanned the room and his eyes came to rest on
Skinner. Skinner nodded with a slight dip of the head and the newcomer made his
way across the room to Skinner's booth.

"Hi. The place is pretty crowded tonight. Mind if I join you?" He smiled down
at Skinner and Skinner took notice that he must be a good ten or fifteen years
younger than himself but in a place like this on a Friday night, none of that
mattered.

"Certainly." Skinner nodded for him to sit down and a waiter joined them
shortly. "I'll have another Scotch, please," Skinner said and looked to the
newcomer to give his order.

"Bud light." He said. "I'm Alex … or Alexander or Mike," he stuttered a bit
embarrassed.

"So which is it? Alex, Alexander or Mike?" Skinner smiled at the awkward young
man.

"Actually, it's all three. My name is Alexander Michales. Some call me Alex,
some Alexander and some Mike."

"OK. I'll pick the one in the middle – Alexander, how will that be?"

"That's fine … er?"

"Walter."

"That's fine, Walter." Alexander looked around the room a little uneasily. "It
seems really crowded tonight. Is that a new combo?"

"Yes it is." Walter answered, "And they're quite good."

Their drinks were placed in front of them and they each took a sip.

"I've seen you here before." Alexander said. "I've never seen you with anyone
though."

"I must have been blind not to have seen you." Skinner enjoyed the
getting-to-know-you time.

"I was … with someone else at the time, an on and off kind of thing." Alexander
said by way of explanation.

"And it's off now?"

"It's off for good."

"I see. Would you care to dance?" Walter asked and they stood and joined the
other couples shuffling around the small dance floor.


An hour later they were in a hotel room, door locked behind them and clothes
flying off in all directions. Their first coming together was like a match
thrown on a puddle of gasoline, the second time was slower and more thorough but
just as volatile. They lay together side by side, exhausted and spent, the
outside world spiraling away from them as they wallowed in their bliss.

"I should go home." Skinner offered.

"No. You should sleep. You can go home tomorrow, or the next day. There's no
hurry." Alexander rolled over on his side and slung an arm across Skinner's
middle.

"I really should … " Skinner got out that much before a tongue interrupted his
thoughts and any ideas of leaving.

He stayed until 5:30 Monday morning when the two of them got up and searched for
missing socks and underwear, in between kissing, caressing and soft sweet sighs
of utter contentment.

Skinner left work early all that week and even came in late a few times, which
was unheard of for him. He spoke with Alexander several times during the day
while he seemed to be doing nothing but lolling around the hotel room and gym
waiting for Skinner to get off work.

The second weekend they went out, had dinner, hit some clubs, danced, laughed
and talked. Then came back to the hotel room where they did their best to wear
the bed out.
Lying quietly together afterwards Alexander suggested that they go away for a
while. Take a trip. He suggested Europe.

"Europe? I can't be gone that long. A long weekend, maybe but not Europe." He
sat up on the edge of the bed as if to stress his point.

"Why not? I've got two weeks left before I have to leave. This hotel room and
this town are nice but its spring time, Walter. Let's go to the south of France
or maybe Venice -- just for a couple of weeks – my treat, promise." Alexander
was on his knees behind Skinner, caressing his shoulders and scattering little
kisses across the back of his neck.

"You don't fight fair." Walter said as he leaned back into the warmth.

"I don't want to fight, Walter. I just want the two of us to spend some time
together outside of this room and the bars."

"It does sound wonderful and I haven't taken any time off in years."

"Then a couple of weeks off is just what you need." Alexander slid off the bed
and knelt in front of Walter, resting his head in Walter's lap. He looked up
with pleading green eyes, "Please?"

Walter reached over picked up the phone and dialed. He left two messages. One
with the Director stating he was taking the next two weeks off for a 'family
emergency' and the second one with his secretary telling her to reschedule all
his appointments for the next two weeks.

xxxxxx

The flight home was spent mostly sleeping as they had very little while flitting
through Europe from country to country, on planes, trains and rental cars. From
hotel, to restaurant, to museum; from one historic structure to another they saw
the sights, ate exotic food and enjoyed wild passionate sex at every possible
opportunity. As they were packing for their return flight Alexander sat on the
bed holding a postcard with a photo of their hotel on it.

"It's going to be tough to go home." Walter sympathized as he sat beside him.

Alexander fiddled with the hotel pen and finally made a little heart on the
fifth floor, the approximate location of their room.

"I'll be leaving my heart right here." He said sadly.

Walter took the pen and made another heart overlapping the first. "Mine will be
right there beside yours."

"I love you, Walter, love you, love you, love you."

A knock on their door announced that their taxi had arrived and they left for
the airport.

xxxxxx

They sat side by side on Skinner's couch and Walter asked again. "So tell me
again, why you have to leave."

"I told you that first night, Walter. I was only going to be here for thirty
days. That's up tomorrow and I'll have to go."

"Yes, you told me that but you didn't say why?" Walter stood up and began to
pace. "Oh God! You're not married, are you?"

"NO! I'm not married!" Alexander leaned forward resting elbows on knees and
lacing his hands together. "I do have something to tell you though."

"Tell me! What ever it is, we can deal with it." Walter insisted.

"I've been deceiving you. I never meant … I mean I never thought it would go
this far."

"What is it?" Walter came and sat down beside him.

"I just thought we could have some good times together, I never dreamed …"

"What? That I would fall in love with you?"

"Walter, I'm sorry! I really should just go." He stood up and headed for the
door.

"No you don't! You can't just drop a bomb shell like that and then walk out."
Skinner caught him before he got to the door.

Alexander rubbed both hands over his face, took a deep breath and started.
"I've been changed, my appearance, I mean. If you knew who I really am, you'd
hate me even more. I just wanted to spend some time with you, to be with you.
It's over now and I have to go back. I'm sorry, Walter." He reached for the
door.

"Alexander …"

"I do love you, Walter. I love you, love you, love you." The door opened and
closed and he was gone.


Walter stood in the middle of his living room floor in a state of shock. He
knew their parting would be difficult but he assumed it would only be temporary
until they could figure out a way to be together again. But Alexander was
saying 'goodbye' and it sounded permanent.

He was stunned. Alexander had given him no reason at all for walking out on
him. Some nonsense about deceiving him but what the heck was that all about?
He was changed? What on earth was going on here?


Skinner was numb the next two weeks. He went about his daily routine, fended
off all the questions about his absence, worked late and got caught up and fell
into bed each night trying to analyze the situation. What the hell had happened
and how could he have let himself fall so deeply in so short a time when he knew
next to nothing about this guy.
This Alex, Alexander, Mike, Michaels, or whatever his name was. How could he
have let this happen? He was filled with disgust for letting himself be taken
in so easily yet in the last moments before sleep all he could do was mourn for
his lover's touch. He missed it desperately.

Friday night came around and he decided to go out for the first time since he
had been back. He saw no reason to sit around and wait any longer. It had been
a month and he had heard nothing from Alexander. He was standing by his closet
door trying to decide if he needed a light weight jacket or a heavier one when
someone knocked at his door.


He looked out the peep hole and saw Alex Krycek standing there.

"Oh shit!" He said as he jerked the door open. "What do you want, Krycek? I'm
about to go out."

"A few minutes of your time. I have some really good news for you and something
you're going to want to see."

"Trust me, Krycek; you've got nothing I want to see."

Krycek grinned and leaned down and picked up a file box sitting at his feet.
"You're going to want to see this."

Skinner sighed and stood back allowing Kyrcek to enter.

"Make it quick. I've got an appointment." Skinner said as he stood with arms
folded across his chest.

"OK. You got it. Did you hear about the warehouse fire three days ago over on
Bower Street?"

"I did."

"There was a body discovered in the rubble. Once the DNA tests are run, they're
going to find out that it was none other than C. G. B. Spender."

"Smoking Man? Are you sure?" Skinner was becoming more interested now.

"Positive. I was there when they torched him."

"Who did it? You saw them?"

"I saw them. So did he. He knew his number was up. He was the last of the
group to go."

"What do you mean?"

"The Consortium. They are gone now. He was the last."

"Their gone? Completely?"

"Yes. It's all over now."

"And the alien threat?" Skinner couldn't believe he was asking that particular
question.

"It's over with. They have spent more than fifty years studying Earth and have
come to the conclusion that settling here would be more trouble than it would be
worth to them and they have decided to go elsewhere."

"And you know this how?" Skinner was ever skeptical.

"I've been in touch with them through Jeremiah Smith. You're familiar with
him?"

"Yes, I know of him. How do you know him?"

"He helped me after I was taken, a long time ago." Krycek went on. "I've done
a few favors for him and he asked me if I'd be willing to help him … take down
the Consortium. I jumped at the chance."

"And Smith, he's an alien?" Skinner asked skeptically.

"No. He's what is called a hybrid, half alien, half human."

"And he's the one who torched that building and Smoking man?"

"Not him, but part of his group. They arranged for the demise of the entire
group, one by one. Spender was the last and now he's gone. It's all over
with."

"Well, if all that is true, then that is good news. There is no way to prove
any of it, of course. So what do you have in the box?" Skinner asked as he
walked over and leaned back against his desk.

"May I sit?" Krycek nodded at the couch. "This might take a while."

"Go ahead but make it short."

"Yeah, I know. You have an appointment." Krycek said and pulled the top off
the box and set it aside. "After the old man was gone, I went back to his place
and went through all his files. I thought these might be of interest to you.
These are all cases you were working on that he was involved with. It's all
right here."

"Proof of anything?" The AD in Skinner perked up.

"Uh huh. Everything you'll need to sew up about twenty cases here. There's
also something else."

"And what would that be?"

Krycek tossed him a disk. "The video of you disposing of that postal worker's
body. There aren't any copies. They've all been taken care of. This is the
original."

Skinner stared at it in disbelief. He was free! Spender was dead and there
would be no embarrassing photos of him leaking out.

Krycek stood up and brought the box over and sat it down on the desk beside
Skinner.

"One more thing and then I'll go."

Skinner looked up at him.

"One more truth that you need to know. The aliens healed me, regenerated my
arm." He held up his real left hand.

Skinner stared at it in wonder as Krycek flexed the hand open and closed.

"In order to do this, they needed to submerge my body in some solution for a
period of thirty days. It's an extremely difficult and painful procedure and
they do it without anesthesia by removing the person's consciousness and placing
it into another body. It is a body that was created by the aliens specifically
for the purpose of hosting."

Skinner stared at him blankly then asked. "Why would they heal you?"

"I was first taken when I was ten. I had run away and was hitch hiking along a
highway when they got me. I was terrified at first and fought them. Then I met
Jeremiah Smith and he explained things to me.

It took days of negotiating before they released me. Smith said they admired
me, called me Black Warrior because of my dark hair and filthy appearance. They
were all white-blonde, almost albino looking. Anyway, they wanted to keep me I
guess for educational purposes but Smith talked them out of it. This was a
group from the mother ship, the spear head of the investigation for
colonization. I've met several members of this particular group over the years.
Some of them worked with the old man."

"I see." Skinner said, trying to judge if this was a fairy tale or the truth.
He had to admit that Krycek's hand and arm looked real. "Anything else?"

"Yes. Just this – Walter, I am Alexander … Michaels … Krycek."

Realization and horror dawned on Skinner's face and he screamed, "NOOOOOOO! No
you are NOT! You are NOT my Alexander!" Skinner flew across the room and
slammed the glass doors open to the balcony and stepped out into the cool night
air. This was all a dream. It HAD to be. He didn't know how long he stayed
out there but when he came back inside, the room was empty. He called out but
Krycek had gone.

He walked over to his desk and sat down. The yellow legal pad on his desk had a
note scrawled on it. It read, "Walter, I'm so sorry. I love you, love you,
love you." It was signed "A". He ripped the page off and ran it through his
shredder. He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't.

xxxxxx

He spent the weekend going through the first dozen or so files. They were
filled with information; dates, times, names, weapons used and their present
hiding locations, all the information that would be needed to solve several
different cases. He flooded his mind with the information, refusing to think
about Alexander or Krycek or the possibility that they could be one and the
same.

Monday morning he carried the box with him into work and went directly to the
Director's office. He explained that the box had been delivered to him from an
"anonymous source" and he was turning it over to her.

"And you've checked these out?" She asked as she pulled the files from the box
one by one, reading the case labels.

"No. I've read through them. That's about it. I haven't had the time to do a
proper investigation since receiving them. I thought it best to just bring it
all in here to you."

She pulled the last file out and placed it on her stack. "Well, I suggest you
split them up and hand them out to your agents and get them going on it. Let me
know what you turn up and I want to know the source."

"You and me both. But they came anonymously so I don't see how we can find
out."

"There's always a way. Check all the messenger services, the usual." She
started to dump the files back into the box when she stopped and pulled
something out of the box. A postcard. "This must have fallen out of one of the
files."

Skinner reached for it. "I don't remember seeing any post cards in the files."
He looked at it and saw it was the card with the picture of their hotel and the
two hearts they had drawn on it. He flipped it over and it said, "I love you,
love you, love you." And it was signed "A". Beneath that was an address. The
Bennington Hotel, 6048 Harrison Street, room 722.

"Uh … this is mine. Must have gotten mixed up with the files when they were on
my desk." He stuffed the card in his coat pocket, glad that Cassidy hadn't
turned it over and read it.

"Get this stuff off my desk and get after it. I've got an appointment in three
minutes." She said as she checked her watch and dumped the rest of the files
back into the box.

Skinner took the box and went back to his office. He sat at his desk and stared
at the postcard. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be. Krycek could not be his
Alexander!

xxxxxx

It was 8:15 pm that evening when Skinner knocked on door 722. Krycek opened the
door and stepped back for Skinner to enter. Krycek was wearing a black tank top
and cut offs. He'd obviously just gotten out of the shower. He was barefoot
and his hair was still wet and he was dabbing at it with the towel around his
neck.

"Sit down, can I get you anything?"

"Just some information." Skinner loosened his coat button and sat down on the
couch.

"OK. What is it you need to know?" Krycek took a chair opposite Skinner.

"The files. Where did they come from? How did you get them? Can you vouch for
the information in them? And when we investigate the information they contain,
will there be any … surprises?"

"I already told you where I got them; from Consortium head quarters. I'm not
vouching for anything. They are what they are. If they are of any use to you
or the Bureau, then good, if not, then toss them. As for surprises, who knows?
I sure don't."

Skinner stared at him for a moment then asked, "What about all this … other
stuff. Are you still sticking to your story that you're Alexander?"

"It's not a story, Walter. It's the truth."

"Yeah, well, I don't believe it." Skinner drummed his fingers on the arm of the
couch.

"So what do you want me to do, recite word for word all of our conversations?
Talk about all the places we visited? Describe what it's like having sex with
you?"

"He could have told you all that."

"I suppose so. Did he also tell me how you warmed my hands that night in the
back of the taxi by putting them between your legs? Did he tell me you have
three small moles on the inside of your right thigh? Did he tell me that each
night just before we fell asleep you held me in your arms, kissed the top of my
head and whispered, "My Alexander"? Would he think to tell me those things?"

Skinner stood up and began pacing. "He could have. What I want to know is why?
Why go through the charade to begin with?"

"I told you that. I just wanted to spend some time with you. I've always had
this … this thing for you. I wanted to know what you were really like."

"So it was all just to satisfy some sick curiosity of yours?"

"No! Shit, Walter. Is it really so damn difficult to figure out? I wanted to
be with you! It was the first thing I thought of when I saw the body I had been
transferred into. I thought that looking like that; I might have a chance to
spend some time with you.
I never dreamed …"

"You never dreamed what?" Skinner asked angrily.

"I never dreamed that anything serious would come of it. Was I hoping to bed
you? Yes! I admit that's true. I've dreamed about it for so many years that
when the chance came, I jumped at it."

Skinner stared at him. "You're a liar. Why should I believe such a
preposterous story?"

Krycek stood up then and faced him. "Because you know it's true. You don't
want to believe it, but you know it. You feel it. I'm Alexander but you won't
accept that because it's me."

"You're Alex Krycek; liar, murderer, conspirator, traitor. You've tortured me,
made my life miserable for years. Now you expect me to believe that you've had
this 'thing' for me all this time?"

"There's been something between us from the day we met and you know it as well
as I do. When you shook my hand when we were introduced by my AD, it was there
the minute our hands touched. I felt it and I know you did too."

"You're crazy!" Skinner turned away – no longer able to look him in the eye.

"It was like an electrical charge went through me. I know you felt it; I saw it
in your eyes."

"I felt nothing."

"Now who's the liar?"

"I didn't come here for a walk down memory lane. I came here for some answers."
Skinner whirled on him.

"You already have your answers. You came here to see if you could accept me as
Alexander. We both know that."

"You're NOT Alexander!"


Krycek sighed, took out his cell phone and punched in a number. "Jeremiah?
It's Alexander. I need some help here. I've told Skinner the truth about the
regeneration of my arm but he refuses to accept it." He stood quietly and
listened. "OK. Thanks." He handed the phone to Skinner.

Skinner placed the phone to his ear and listened. "Mr. Skinner, this is
Jeremiah Smith. Do you remember me?"

"I do." Skinner answered.

"What exactly about the regeneration process is it that you don't understand?"

"Krycek is giving me some nonsense about transferring his consciousness into
another body for thirty days. Now I can see that he does have a new arm, that
much is obvious but this other thing about being in someone else's body, I don't
believe."

"We have several bodies available to us that were developed in our laboratories.
We try to choose one that's the closest approximate age of whoever we are
working on. The regenerative process is quite lengthy and painful. We have
found a simple way of just removing a person's consciousness and placing it
elsewhere during the procedure. We found this is less traumatic to the patient
than an extended period of sedation. These bodies were never living human
beings; simply shells, created for the specific purpose of hosting different
patient's consciousness."

"That's preposterous!"

"It is. It is also true."

"And there are, how many of these 'shells' walking around with other people's
consciousness in them? Hundreds? Thousands?" Skinner was horrified.

"I have no idea the exact number. It is not important. These are not 'new
people' we are creating, just new bodies to be used on a temporary basis."

"And Alexander, Alexander Michaels, where is he now? Sitting in a closet
somewhere waiting for another chance to live?"

"He is actually in Chicago at the moment."

"Where? I want to see him. Tell me where he is!" Skinner demanded.

"He is no longer your Alexander. His name at the moment is Trent Wineland.
He's a doctor at Memorial Hospital."

"We'll see about that!"

"He won't know you. He has no memory of your time together."

"I'll take my chances." He closed the phone and tossed it to Krycek.

"Where are you going?" Krycek asked as Skinner fled.

"To find my Alexander!" Skinner said as he flew out the door.

xxxxxx

"Dr. Wineland?" The girl at the reception desk asked scrolling down her
computer screen. "I'm sorry but we don't have a Dr. Wineland on staff here." A
nurse stepped up just then and asked, "Are you looking for Dr. Wineland?"

"I am." Skinner said anxiously. "Can you tell me where I can find him?"

"He's with that new group visiting from the coast. He's probably up on the
third floor in one of the conference rooms."

"Thank you! Thank you very much!" Skinner hurried to the elevator and pressed
the up button. The door opened and several doctors got out, talking among
themselves.

"Alexander!" Skinner called out to the tall blonde in the middle. They didn't
seem to notice and kept on walking.

"Dr. Wineland!" Skinner called out and the blonde stopped and turned around.
The other doctors walked on towards the cafeteria and he gestured for them to go
on.

"Yes?"

"Alexander?" Skinner said softly as he walked up to him.

"I'm sorry. You've mistaken me for someone else. My name is Wineland. Trent
Wineland." He started to turn and leave.

"Jeremiah Smith sent me."

Wineland stopped and turned back. He looked around to see if anyone else had
heard the name Skinner spoke. He stepped a few steps closer to Skinner.

"It's not time yet. I've still got at least another three weeks. Has something
gone wrong?"

"No. I just need to speak with you privately." Skinner insisted.

"Yes, of course. Follow me." The walked down the hallway until they came to a
small conference room and went in. "Do you have a message for me?"

"No. I just needed to talk with you. You don't remember me?"

"No. I don't remember meeting you. You work with Jeremiah?"

"No. I … I knew you as Alexander."

"Oh. You recognized the body. I have no residual memories of any Alexander,
only my own memories."

Skinner stared into the green eyes and the dear face that he remembered so well
and knew this was not his Alexander. There was nothing there; the eyes were
flat and blank. The blond hair that had curled down around his ears had been
cut short and greased back. It was his Alexander; but it wasn't.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you," Skinner stuttered.

"Oh that's all right. Not a problem. I know this is unusual. But it's been a
life saver for me. I'll be out of that wheel chair and back to my practice once
this is all over with."
"Good luck to you." Skinner gave him a weak smile and turned and walked out of
the room.

The plane trip back to D.C. was agonizing. He wrestled with some truths.
Truths he didn't want to believe. Krycek was Alexander. He had to face that.
The big thing now he had to deal with was what he was going to do about it.

He drove straight from the Air Port to the Bennington Hotel. Room 722 was being
cleaned out by a maid and at the front desk he was told that Mr. Alexander
Michaels had checked out and left no forwarding address. Skinner was furious
and cursed him all the way back to his condo.

He went inside and fixed himself a drink. He carried it over to his desk and
sat down, flipping through his mail. One particular envelope caught his
attention. The return said 'Alexander Michaels', no address.

He tore it open, shredding the envelope to get to it. The letter read:

"Walter, I'm sorry I have to leave like this without talking to you after your
trip to Chicago but Jeremiah called and said he needed me for another job and I
have to go. I hope you were able to find some answers on your trip.

I know all of this is difficult for you to understand and accept but it is all
true. There are many truths I would like to discuss with you about our past.
So many things I wanted to tell you but they will have to wait. Just, please
know this: All the things that I did, I did to keep you alive. It could have
been worse; much, much worse.

It's all in the past now and I would like the chance to explain it all to you
and tell you how everything that happened was for a purpose, not of my choosing.
The Consortium is gone now and you are alive; Mulder and Scully are alive, and
I'm free. So in the long run, it was all worth it. Even if you can never
forgive me, your lives were worth it.

When I walked into that bar that night and saw you sitting there, my one hope
was to try and seduce you; to have sex with you at least once. I had no idea we
would become so attached to each other so quickly. I want to thank you for
taking that trip with me; it has given me some beautiful memories that I will
savor the rest of my life. I never expected that.

I've never slept in anyone's arms before or been awakened by sweet gentle
kisses. I've never experienced sex that left me tingling hours later by just
thinking about it. I've never told a single soul that I loved them. Never.
But I do love you. I think I always have. I just had no idea what it could be
like to be loved back. You have given me a priceless gift and I will cherish
it. Try not to think too badly of me.

Alexander Michael Krycek


Skinner balled the letter up and threw it across the room in frustration. The
tears came then; angry, bitter, burning tears. How could he let something like
this happen? How could he be with Krycek and not know it was him? How could
Alexander not know him?
Could it all be true? Could Smith really do all he said? Were such things
possible?

In his frustration he knocked over his drink and sat and watched as the liquid
made its way over his mail. He watched it soak in and just sat there. Hours
later he made his way up to bed and the blessed relief of sleep.

xxxxxx

Days and weeks went by. The files were dead on and allowed the Bureau to clear
up a lot of old unsolved cases. Skinner received high praise for his efforts
and no more was said about trying to find his source. Skinner went about his
business as usual, took all the pats on the back in stride and went home each
night a miserable man. He'd never been more miserable in his life.

He made his way from the elevator over to room number 42 and knocked on the
door. He didn't know what he hoped to accomplish but he had to try something.

"Whatever you're selling, I'm not interested!" Mulder yelled through the door.

"Mulder, it's me. I need to talk with you." Skinner said.

The door opened quickly and Mulder apologized. "Sorry. I thought it was those
Girl Scouts again."

"You got something against Girl Scouts?" Skinner asked as he entered the
apartment.

"No. Not at all. I just don't want any of their cookies. Sit down; can I get
you a beer?"

"No thanks. I need your help."

"Sure thing! What are you working on?" Mulder sat on the edge of the coffee
table, excited about a new mystery to solve.

"I need to get in touch with Jeremiah Smith. Do you know where I can find him?"

"Smith? I haven't seen him in a couple of years. What do you need him for? Is
somebody hurt? You want me to call Scully?"

"No. It's nothing like that. It's a case I'm working on. I can't get into
details with you right now but he has some information I need. It's important.
You don't have any idea where he can be reached?"

"No. I could try a few places, leave some messages around that might stir him
out but that could take days or longer and might not even work."

"OK." Skinner stood to leave. "Please do that and if you hear anything,
anything at all; give me a call. I don't care what time it is, day or night;
call me."

"Sure thing. Does this have anything to do with your anonymous informant
everyone's been talking about?"

"No", he lied. "There is one thing more though." He stopped at the door and
turned back. "Have you seen Krycek lately? He might have some answers I need."

"Anything you got out of Krycek would probably be a lie. I haven't seen him in
months."

"If you come in contact with either of them; please let them know that I need to
speak with them and get in touch with me immediately."

"OK. This sounds interesting. Are you sure you don't need help? I'm not doing
anything right now so I'm available." Mulder stood beside him at the door.

"No. I just need to talk with the two of them; the sooner the better. Call me
if you hear anything."

"I will. And I'll get busy and put some messages out there that might reach
Smith."

"Thanks, Mulder. I appreciate it."

Skinner walked off into the night and headed back home to try and figure out
this mystery that his life had become.

xxxxxx

Two more weeks passed before he heard from Mulder. He was eating dinner at the
coffee shop across from the Hoover when he got the call.

"Skinner," He said around a mouthful of roast beef.

"Skinner, it's me. Smith just showed up at my apartment."

"I'll be right there. Don't let him out of your sight!"

xxxxx

"Mulder, I need your help. You're calling Skinner? Good! We can use all the
help we can get." Jeremiah Smith said as he came through the door into Mulder's
apartment.

"Sit down, can I get you anything?" Mulder offered his unexpected guest.

"No, thanks. I just need a few moments to rest. Is Skinner coming?"

"Yes. He should be here shortly."

"Good. Good. Listen, I need a little rest. If I could just sit for a few
moments?"

"Certainly. If you'd like to lie down, you're welcome to the bed room."

"No. This will be fine. I just need a few minutes quiet time." Jeremiah Smith
sat down on the couch, leaned his head back and appeared to fall instantly
asleep.

Mulder paced the floor nervously until he heard Skinner's loud knocking on the
door. He opened it immediately and Skinner rushed into the room.

"Where is he?"

"Right here, Skinner. Good to see you again." Smith greeted him with an
outstretched hand. "I'm so glad you came. I need help and there are very few
people I know I can trust. That's why I came to Mulder and when I heard him
call you, I knew you would be exactly what we need. Can you help me? Will you
help me?"

Mulder and Skinner exchanged looks. "What exactly do you need our help with?"
Skinner asked.

"It's Alexander. He's been taken prisoner. They are threatening to execute
him."

"Alexander – as in Krycek? I wouldn't walk across the street to help that
bastard." Mulder said as he slouched down on the couch.

"I'm in. Where is he being held?" Skinner asked.

"That's difficult to explain. The journey is a long one and we need to leave
right now. Please, Mulder. I need your help. One man can't do this job
alone."

"You've got Skinner. You don't need me."

"Skinner can't do it alone and I'm in sort of a diplomatic position and I cannot
personally interfere. Krycek was on a job for me when he was taken. It's up to
me to secure his release and time is of the essence."

"Come on, Mulder. You love this sort of thing. What difference does it make to
you who we're rescuing?"

"He killed my father! Let him rot in hell."

"Mulder, Alexander did not kill your father. Louis Cardinal did. Had he been
ordered to, he would have but he wasn't and he didn't." Smith said.

"How long has Krycek been working for you?" Skinner asked.

"Ten years now. I was the one who sent him to the Bureau. I needed a man
there. Then he had the chance to join the Consortium and he was ordered to
join. Everything he has done, he has done under orders. That did NOT include
killing your father, Mulder."

"Krycek is with the Resistance?" Mulder asked, his interest perking again.

"Yes. And his life is in extreme danger. We must go now if we hope to save
him. Will you leave with me, Skinner?"

"Yes, of course. I should make a quick stop at my place first and pick up a few
things."

"That won't be necessary. I have everything you'll be likely to need. What
about you, Mulder? I'm asking for your help."

"All right. I'll do it for you, Smith; not for Krycek."

"That's fine. Come here." Smith said and reached out a hand to Mulder and one
to Skinner.

An instant later they found themselves aboard ship following Smith down a long
hallway.

"What the hell …" Skinner said as he glanced out the window and saw Earth
growing smaller in the distance. Mulder stood several seconds looking too but
said nothing.

"This way please, gentlemen. I'll explain everything." Smith said over his
shoulder to them.

They followed him into a small conference room and took seats at the long table
that dominated the area. A video screen opened on one wall and Smith tapped in
information that brought up a star map. Mulder and Skinner studied it, not
recognizing anything on it.

"This won't mean much to you right now but by tomorrow we will be in this
system. The problem is here on Kita. It's a small planet and its society is
tribal. They descended from warrior tribes but now fight mostly with fists.
They will fight at the drop of a hat at the slightest insult or provocation but
never with weapons and they never kill one another. They are advanced in many
ways and backward in many others.

The conflict arose last year. A comet came through the system and caused major
meteorological disturbances. Severe storms plagued the planet for six months
straight. The property line between two tribe's lands was designated as 'to the
river's edge'. After the storms passed, the river changed course taking a five
mile stretch of the neighboring tribe's land. They want it back. They have
been fighting every since."

"If it's just bare-fists, why are they threatening Krycek's life? What has he
got to do with their fight?" Skinner asked.

"There is reliable information that the two tribes are arming and preparing for
war. Many lives could be lost. As a boy Krycek was taken and placed with the
Tapa many times. They adore him. He fought them until he fell exhausted. When
he came to, he fought them again. They admire strength and courage. They would
keep him a while and then he would be taken back. He has been taken many times
over the years; more than he knows even. They call him Black Warrior because of
his hair. Their climate seldom rises above 60 and they are all pale and Nordic
in appearance. They have never seen anyone with black hair before Krycek."

"So he's their pet?" Mulder asked with a bit of sarcasm.

"Oh he's much more than that. He's their good luck charm, their talisman. He
is called on often to settle disputes, officiate at ceremonies and is revered by
the entire tribe."

"And is he known to the other tribes?" Skinner asked.

"He is. Many of them adore him as well but he is known as an honorary Tapian."

"If he's so well loved, how did he fall into the wrong hands?" Mulder asked.

"He was there to attend a wedding. The daughter of the Tapa Chief was marrying
the son of a Chief of another much smaller tribe, thus uniting the two tribes
and making Tapa the largest tribe on the planet. The wedding was to take place
in a picturesque valley between the two lands. Krycek was taken out to see the
location for his approval. Their party was set upon by the Venoans and out
numbered 20 to one. Krycek was taken and has been held now for three days. He
has three days left. Unless the Tapians agree to deed the strip of land back to
the Venoans, they say they will behead him in their public square at dawn on the
day of the wedding which is set from three days from today."

Skinner and Mulder were both silent.

"Is there a plan in place for his rescue?" Skinner asked.

"No. He is being held in a cage in the center of their town square. The entire
village is guarding him." Smith answered.

"There must be some way to get to him. Underground maybe?" Skinner asked.

"Solid rock."

"Is there no chance for negotiations?" Mulder asked.

"None. It's been tried. The Venoans are adamant. They want their land back.
The Tapians are furious that their Black Warrior is being held in a cage like an
animal. They want to fight. They want blood."

"And I take it the Tapians do not want to return the land?" Mulder asked.

"Their deed says their land runs to the river bank. They say the land is
theirs." Smith answered, "Given to them by the Gods."

"There must be a way. Could we set up a meeting between the two Chiefs, maybe
work out a deal or at least get a few more days until we can come up with a
plan?" Skinner asked.

"It's been tried; it didn't work."

"Rescue is out then," Mulder said.

"We're not going to just leave him to be executed!" Skinner said angrily.

"There's another way." Mulder said thoughtfully.

"There is no other way. There is no one who has enough influence with the
Chiefs to effect a change in attitudes." Smith said.

"Do you have any geologists available?" Mulder asked.

"Geologists?" Skinner and Smith asked at the same time.

"What are you thinking?" Skinner demanded.

"There is no way we can get in to rescue Krycek. So we need to find a way to
satisfy both tribes. The only thing that's going to satisfy them both is to
return the river to its natural location."

"How in the hell do you plan on doing that in three days time?" Skinner stood
and began to pace.

"That's why we need a geologist. If the river's original location was changed
once, it ought to be able to be changed back again."

"It took six months to change it. We have three days!" Skinner answered.

"It took six months for the storms to change it. Maybe all we need is a little
dynamite."

Skinner and Smith stared at each other, both wondering why they hadn't thought
of that. Smith grabbed his communicator and spoke urgently into it.

"I have sent for Martin Anderson. He is currently retired but he is was top of
his field and specialized in river formations. He also has certain connections
among the local tribes."

"How soon can you get him?" Skinner asked.

"Do you have any aerial views of the river, especially in the area where the
change of direction took place?" Mulder asked.

Smith's fingers flew over the control pad and the video screen split in two.
One side showing the river as it was and the other as it is now. The three of
them stared at the exact point where the change occurred.

"Anderson will be there to meet us when we arrive." Smith said then asked
Mulder, "Are you thinking we can blast the river back to its natural path?"

"I'm thinking that would probably be a hell of a lot easier than trying a
rescue."

"Why not plan both?" Skinner asked.

"Both?" Smith asked.

"Yes. I always like to have a Plan B in case Plan A doesn't work. Whatever
Anderson comes up with, we need it to be so spectacular that it will cause a
diversion; something that will draw those people out of the town square. While
they are watching the fire works, Mulder and I can slip into the crowd and
release Krycek."

"I like it." Smith said.

"It might work." Mulder admitted.

"Can you get us any detailed information about this cage he's being held in?
What it's made of, what kind of locking device? What about actual guards?"
Skinner asked. "Are they armed?"


"We have a film of it somewhere here. There were four actual guards, one on
each corner of the cage. We've seen no weapons of any kind." Smith answered as
the image of Krycek sitting in the middle of a cage emerged on screen.

The cage appeared to be about eight foot square and made of some sort of
metallic mesh stretched around the four corner posts and across the top. A
small doorway on one side looked to have a simple key lock. The square was
filled with people milling about.

"Is this film live?" Skinner asked noticing that Krycek seemed unharmed and
appeared to be talking with one of the guards.

"No. It was sent to us within hours of his capture."

"Then there is a possibility that all those people might not be there all the
time?" Mulder asked.

"That's a possibility but not something we can count on." Smith answered.

"We need a really big diversion. Do you think Anderson can some up with
something big enough?" Skinner asked.

"We'll come up with something. As a matter of fact, I told him I would call him
back and explain what we need him for so I think I'll go do that now and then I
need to get some sleep. I've been up nearly three days straight now. I'm
afraid our guest facilities on board are somewhat limited. You will find
sleeping quarters at the end of this corridor. Please try and sleep while you
have the opportunity. There will be little time for rest once we arrive on
Kita."

xxxxxx

Skinner was dressed in clothing resembling the villagers and was happy that it
was cold enough for the rough looking hooded parka that would somewhat hide his
identity as he made his way through the village square. He could see the top of
the cage but couldn't see Alex yet. He finally managed to work his way up
closer to the cage and was happy to see that they had given Krycek a blanket.

Alex paced back and forth in his cage wondering if this was going to be the end
for him. Dawn was only a matter of a few hours away and he wondered if he would
be alive to see much of it.

The village was filled with people coming from all over to get a look at this
Black Warrior and to watch the execution. Krycek paced nervously and never
thought it would all end this way – on a planet not yet known about in his own
world. He thought about Walter and wondered if he'd ever come to believe that
he was Alexander Michaels. Maybe it was better if he didn't. He sat down and
rested his head on his knees and pulled the blanket closer around him.

People were crowding in closer to get a look at him in the dark. They wanted to
see this man with the black hair, this Black Warrior that the Tapians thought so
much of.

Skinner made his way up to the cage and stood against it waiting for a moment of
privacy but there was none. He hoped that Alex would look up and see him there
but he held his head down on his knees as though he was sleeping and didn't look
up at anyone though several called out to him.

It started to rain then and the crowd drifted off to find shelter. Skinner
stepped over to a nearby building and stood under the eave. Soon the thunder
started and then the lightening. He had never seen such lightening in his life
and the thunder was deafening. This was the perfect distraction but still there
were the four guards and without a weapon there was still no way he could get to
Alex. He was beginning to give serious doubt that Smith's plan would work. He
could understand the difficulty of Smith's situation in not being able to take
any direct action himself but Skinner wasn't under any such orders. If only he
had been allowed to bring his gun! He cursed his luck. And where the hell was
Mulder anyway? He scanned the few people he could see and none of them
approached him. They all seemed to be in small groups talking and laughing all
excited about the storm and the coming execution.

Another figure entered the square and headed in his direction. He pulled his
hood closer around his face and looked down, thinking the man would pass him by
but he didn't; he stopped in front of him. Skinner looked up to see Mulder
standing there.

"Where the hell have you been? Has Smith come up with any more great ideas? I
don't suppose you have a weapon on you; do you?" Skinner whispered.

"I got all we're going to get." He pulled out four tiny darts.

"What the hell are we supposed to do with these?" Skinner picked up two of
them.

"Careful, don't prick your skin with one. You'll be out in seconds."

"Tranquilizers?"

"Uh huh. That's what took so long. We had to whip them up with some of Smith's
medicines.

"They look like rings," Skinner commented.

"They do. You're supposed to put one on your finger like this," he slid one
onto his middle finger with the dart on the inside, "then give the guard a
little smack with it and out he goes."

"And that won't look suspicious?" Skinner frowned.

"We take opposite corners of the cage. Walk up and speak with the guards.
Smith says that it might work through clothing but it would be best if we
contacted with bare skin – maybe a handshake or something."

"Makes sense. But what if these people don't shake hands?"

"I don't know. We'll just have to play it by ear. Just contact the skin
somehow and they'll go down."

"What if someone sees? And how do we get into the cage to get Krycek out?"

"I have a small explosive device." He held out a small pebble looking thing
about the size of a small marble. "We shove this in the lock and it goes off
five seconds after contacting metal."

"And then what?"

"We get Krycek out and head for the woods. Once we're out of sight they can
pick us up."

"That's not much of a plan. We're sure to be seen and someone's bound to try
and stop us. These people are here for an execution. They won't like us
stealing away their entertainment."

All of the sudden the sky lit up with the most explosive lightning they had eve
seen. The thunder shook the buildings and Skinner said, "It's now or never!"
and took off towards the cage. Mulder took the opposite corner and in seconds,
while everyone was watching the lightning streak the sky, two guards fell to
their knees and slumped against the cage... Seconds later two more were down.
The small explosion in the lock was lost in the fierce thunder as people
scattered back into the buildings for greater shelter. The rain was coming down
in sheets now and it was difficult to see anything.

"Alex, Come on!" Skinner grabbed for him.

"Huh? Walter?" Krycek jumped to his feet.

"We gotta get out of here; NOW!" Skinner said as they hurried from the cage.

"Mulder?" Alex was shocked to see Mulder there as well.

"Which way?" Mulder asked as they huddled against a building. "I can't see
anything."

"This way," Skinner said and they held on to one another to keep from getting
separated in the storm.

He couldn't see a thing in front of him until the lightning flashed and they
headed in the direction of the woods. Soon enough, the rain slacked off and
someone spotted them and gave chase. They slipped and slid on the rain soaked
path but soon they were in among the trees.

"Mulder! Over here!" Skinner called out trying to keep them all together.

"They're over there!" Someone called out and headed in their direction.

Mulder joined Skinner and Krycek behind some trees as he called into his
communicator, "NOW!" And the three of them disappeared in a twinkling of light.

xxxxxx

"Alexander!" Smith exclaimed as he grabbed him in a bear hug then turned to
Skinner and Mulder, "Thank you so much! I knew you could do it!" He shook both
their hands vigorously.

"Your storm was very impressive, Jeremiah. I knew that was your doing!" Alex
grinned.

"Yes, well, I'm not supposed to interfere with local politics but no one said
anything about a little atmospheric interference. You need to get changed.
There's a wedding you need to attend! It will be dawn soon."

"A wedding? Can't you just zap us back to my apartment first?" Mulder asked.

"Not from here, I can't. We'll leave as soon as the wedding is over. Then once
we're within range, I'll be happy to … um … 'zap' you anywhere you wish." Smith
grinned and left the three of them to change.

"What kind of clothes are these any way?" Mulder asked, trying to find belt
loops on the pants for the belt.

"Proper Tapian clothing fit for a wedding, Mulder. There's a tie inside the
pants on both sides. You pull those and tie them. The belt is for on the
outside of the shirt. Like this." Alex demonstrated as he buckled his belt
around his waist atop the long white shirt that slipped on over the head and
came half way down to his knees.

"At least there are no neck ties," Skinner commented and they all agreed that
was a big plus.

They had no sooner finished dressing then they were informed that they would be
landing soon and it was suggested that they take their seats.

Soon they were walking through the forest towards the village. Malleon greeted
them, hurrying to Alex and throwing his arms around him.

"Thanks the Gods! Thank the Gods! I knew they would spare you! I told
everyone you would be here. You would not miss this wedding."

"Of course I wouldn't, Malleon. I brought some friends from my village. I was
told that was permitted."

"Of course, of course. Please – come. We will do introductions later. We must
be on our way. The sky is already beginning to lighten."

"How is Rika? Is she excited?"

"She is quaking with nerves but so in love she is in her own world. There's the
wedding party now. They will be thrilled that you are able to join is,
Alexander. To have you as guest of honor at their wedding will bring good luck.
They will have many sons and bring pride to both tribes."

The wedding party all talked at once while never missing a step onward towards
the wedding site. A good twenty minute walk and they were there. The groom's
people were already there and there was much celebrating and congratulations all
around.

The wedding was short and to the point and Alexander was asked to bless the
union. He placed his hand on their combined hands and said simply "I bless this
union." That concluded the ceremony. A big cheer went up and the celebrating
began in earnest.

xxxxxx

"Alexander, you must come with me to the river. It's very important. We must
talk." Malleon insisted.

"We can talk here, Malleon. I shouldn't leave my friends. They are strangers
here."

"Come to my hut then. This talk must be in private." Malleon insisted.

Alex looked around and saw that the Chief was deep in conversation with Skinner
and Mulder so he slipped off to Malleon's hut with him.

"I wanted to have this conversation down by the river where we first met. It's
our special place."

"What is it?" Alex asked.

"Alexander, you know how I feel about you – how I've always felt since that
first day I found you."

Alex looked down, not wanting to have this conversation.

"I want you to stay. When your friends leave, let them leave alone. They don't
need you. I do." Malleon stated his case matter-of-factly.

"Malleon, I can't do that. You know I have to leave."

"Ask them! Whoever it is that brings you here – ask them if you can stay. You
are much loved here, Alexander. Not just by me, but everyone. You bring us
luck!"

"Visiting here in the village with you and your family has been wonderful,
Malleon, and I wouldn't change it but I can't stay here. This isn't my home."

"It could be! You've been happy here. You told me that many times. You know I
make you happy." He stepped closer and caressed Alex' shoulders. "Let me make
you happy."
He leaned down to kiss him but Alex pulled back.

"No, Malleon. We can't. My friends are waiting and you know I have to leave."

"I don't want you to leave. I've asked father and he has agreed. You will
become part of our family. We can live here together."

"I can't. I don't belong here."

"What's so special about that village you come from? Why can't this be your
home?"

"Your home is where you come from. I don't come from here." Alex tried to
reason.

"You don't want to live here with me?" Malleon dropped his hands and moved
away.

"I don't belong here."

"You belong out there somewhere in some far away village with them – your
friends?"

"We belong in the same area – yes."

"Well they can stay too! I'll speak with father!"

"No, Malleon. They have jobs, I have a job – work that I do."

"Yes, I know – working for wages. Why is that so important to you?"

"It's the way it's done where I come from."

"I thought you liked working in the fields with me?"

"I did. You know that. It's just – this isn't my life, Malleon. My life is
back there, in my village."

"I want you to stay. We all want you to stay, Alexander. We love you so much.
Please, please stay with us. You'll be happy here. I promise you that."

"Malleon, you and your family and this village mean so much to me but this is
not my life. I cannot stay here."

They stared at one another for a long time.

"You won't be coming back again; will you?"

"I don't know – probably not."

Malleon seized him then in a hug and Alex hugged him back.

"I love you, Alexander. No one else has even held my heart the way you do."

"I love you too, Malleon, but not in the way you need to be loved, the way you
deserve to be loved."

"We could work something out?" The tears began to flow down his cheeks.

"There is nothing to work out, my friend. I will never forget you and all you
and your family have done for me." Alex caressed the tear stained cheek.

"There will never be any one else but you in my heart – never!"

"Yes there will. You need someone, Malleon, but I'm not the one. Pick someone
– anyone would be proud and eager to stand by your side as your mate."

"I choose you!"

"That cannot be. Choose another – maybe someone from the groom's village –
someone new. Make that your promise to me for a good by gift. Tell me you'll
find someone and be happy. I want that for you, more than anything."

"More than you want to go off with your friends? Does one of them hold your
heart?"

"Malleon, I must go now. Please, promise me you'll find someone." Alex edged
his way towards the doorway.

Mulder caught sight of him and called to him. "Hey, Krycek – can we get out of
here now?"

"I've got to go." Alex said as he stepped through the doorway.

Malleon grabbed him and kissed him hard.

"Goodbye, my friend." Alex squeezed his arm and walked away towards Mulder.
Skinner was just joining up and the three of them walked from the village with
Malleon watching until they were out of sight among the trees.

"So you been holding out on us all these years, huh, Krycek? I didn't know you
liked guys. Did you know that, Sir?"

"I'm quite sure there are a great many things we don't know about Alex, Mulder.
Just as there are many things we don't know about each other." Skinner answered
as they walked through the trees on the path that took them deeper and deeper
into the woods.

"Yeah, but being gay – I mean, that's a pretty big thing. How come we never
knew that about you before, Krycek?"

"Maybe because you've never bent over in front of me before." Alex answered
with a straight face and Skinner laughed out loud.

A few more steps and they were standing in front of Smith's shuttle. They
boarded and in a flash they were gone.

xxxxxx

"Walter, can we please talk?" Alex asked as he stood in the aisle beside
Skinner's seat.

Skinner moved over to the window seat and Alex sat down.

"Mulder's asleep and we have several hours before we arrive home. I wanted to
thank you for coming for me."

"Smith went to Mulder and he called me."

"And you came. You rescued me."

"I did what I did to stop a war."

"I see. And your feelings for me – for Alexander Michales, had nothing to do
with it?"

"I have yet to resolve that dilemma."

"Just … please give me a chance, Walter. Let me show you that I can make you as
happy as Alexander did."

"That's impossible. Alexander and I had no history – you and I do."

"You don't even want to try?"

"There are some things that we just can't get passed, Krycek. You are Alex
Krycek – you are not my Alexander."

There was nothing more he could say. Alex got up and took a seat as far away
from Skinner as he could.

xxxxxx


Skinner poured the last of the scotch in his glass and waited until the last few
drops fell.

"Shit!" Skinner dropped the empty bottle into the trash and sipped his drink.
"I need to hit the liquor store tomorrow." He walked barefoot to the couch and
sat down, propping his feet up on the coffee table. "Those bottles don't hold
as much as they used to." He complained.

Someone knocked at the door. "GO AWAY!" He called without getting up. The
knock came again only louder this time. He finally got up, ready to tear the
head off whoever it was that dared to trespass into his space on a Saturday
evening. He yanked the door open, ready to kill, and stood face to face with
Alexander Michales.

"Alexander!" He grabbed him in a bear hug and Alexander hugged him back;
accepting all the kisses and all the "I missed you"s and "I love you"s.

He pushed Skinner back into his apartment and closed and locked the door. Next
thing either of them knew they were naked on the couch. Afterwards they lay
silently in each others arms.

"I knew you'd come back to me. I knew it!" Walter said as he rested his cheek
against the top of the blond head.

"Walter, we have to talk."

"YES! We do! Walter pulled him closer. "Please say you'll stay with me. We
can go away somewhere. Somewhere no one will ever find us. I won't let them
take you away from me again."

"Walter – you know who I am."

"Yes! You're my Alexander!"

"No. I'm Alex Krycek."

"NO!!!" Walter sat up and pulled Alex up with him. "You're Alexander
Michaels!"

"I went to Jeremiah and begged him to change me again. He said it's never been
done before without medical reasons. I finally convinced him but I only have
twenty four hours and I have to return."

"I won't let you go back! I won't! We can take off somewhere. They'll never
find us!"

"I can't do that. I promised him I'd come back."

"Alexander … I can't lose you again!"

"Walter, what you're looking at right now is not real … it was manufactured in a
laboratory."

"No!"

"You must face the truth. This body is not mine, it is only a shell. Is my
real body that repulsive to you?"

Walter stood up and pulled his jeans on. "Alexander, I want you! Not … he
means nothing to me – less than nothing! I despise him!"

"Then you despise me."

"No! I love you, Alexander! Please, can't we just go away somewhere? I'll
retire. We can just take off."

"I promised Jeremiah I would bring this body back."

"Well, break your promise then. If you were really Alex Krycek – that would be
nothing new for you!"

Alexander looked down at the floor, unable to stand the look on Walter's face.

"Alexander – please stay with me. Let Krycek go back to the village with his
boyfriend, Malleon."

"You don't seem to understand, Walter. I am Alex Krycek."

"No! You're Alexander!"

"I thought that by coming here as Alexander that I might be able to make you
understand that we are one and the same but I guess I was wrong." He stood up
and gathered his clothes and dressed.

"Alexander, please. Don't leave." Walter came to him.

"Walter … you and I went on a wonderful trip; do you remember that?"

"Of course I do! We can do it again. Right now. I'll call the office and say
I'm taking a leave of absence."

"Did you find the postcard in the bottom of that box?"

"I did. I still have it."

"You remember we sat on the bed in that little hotel and put the hearts on it?"

"I do. I should have told you right then that I loved you. I should never have
let you walk out that door."

"Do you remember the night you were infected with the nanobots? You were
getting sicker and sicker and you followed that man into the garage. He was
shooting at you. You got out of the car and tried to find him but you were too
weak. He was coming towards you to kill you."

"I remember."

"I killed him with my car and called 911 to get you to the hospital."

"No … you weren't there … it was …"

"It was me. I wore a hippy wig. And later on in the hospital – you saw me
through the window."

"No … I saw …"

"You saw me. It was me, Walter. I was the one in the car, and in the hospital,
and earlier at the boxing ring."

"No …"

"Yes!"

Skinner paced the floor and rubbed his forehead. "It can't be. It was … him."

"No, it was me!"

"It was Alex Krycek, Walter – it was me."

"No … "

"Yes. It's me – Alexander Michael Krycek and I love you. Who else do you know
would trick you – come to you in a different body? Who else do you know who is
capable of such a thing?"

"Alexander …"

"No, I'm Alex. Call me Alex. What is so important about this body that you
can't see who I really am? Is it the blond hair? I'll bleach my hair. Will
that make a difference?"

"No. You can't be him."

"I am. I am Alex Krycek and Alex Krycek is your Alexander. You asked me to go
away with you. I'll go away with you – right now, tonight. Anywhere you say but
I have to return this body first – I can only go with you in my own body."

"I don't believe you're him. You can't be."

"Then I may as well leave right now." He took a few steps to the door before
Walter stopped him.

"Wait … don't go. You said you had twenty four hours. Can we talk with Smith –
maybe get a little more time?"

"Walter, you've known about me for months now. What difference will a few more
days make?"

"I just need time! Time to … I don't know. I'm trying to process all this."

Alex walked over to him and took his hand. "I remember you used to like to hold
my hand a lot. Sometimes I'd wake up at night and you'd be sound asleep but
you'd be holding my hand."

"Oh, God, Alexander, I love you so much!" Walter took him in his arms and held
him close.

"And I love you, Walter. More than I ever imagined I could possibly love
anyone."

"Maybe if we talked with Smith – he would agree to let you stay. If it's money
– I'll pay to have another … what do you call it … shell made in your place."

"No. That's not the point, Walter. They can only keep my body alive for just
so long and I'm using up precious chemicals and medicines that were meant for
those who need it – just so I could come to you like this. It was against all
procedures but I convinced Smith to go along with it for just one day. Then I
must return to my body. It's not such a bad body, Walter, especially now that I
have my arm back. Smith removed all my scars and I'm healthy as a horse."

"But there's so much between us …"

"It would be between us even in this body, Walter, whether we talked about it or
not. I'd know it and so would you."

"I just don't know if I could ever … get passed that."

"All I'm asking is that you just give me a chance. Let me show you who I really
am. I never had that chance before. I was being pulled in every direction at
once, with the Resistance, the old man, and the Bureau. I'm free now and I can
be the person I've always wanted to be – the person I always was but had to
hide. I did my job, Walter. I did what I was told and it's all over now. Give
me a chance. Let me prove to you that I can be worthy of your love."

"I do love you, Alexander."

"Then spend time with me. Get to know me a little bit. We can go away
somewhere if you want or we can take it slow and easy – whatever you want."

"Right now I just want to hold you in my arms and never let go." He took Alex'
arm and led him up the stairs. They lay in bed together holding one another
closely as they drifted off to sleep.

"I love you, Walter. Love you, love you, love you." Alex whispered against the
furry chest.

xxxxxx

They were jolted awake by someone banging on the front door.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Alex asked as they pulled their clothes on.

"No. It's Sunday morning."

They hurried down the stairs and Alexander stepped into the kitchen, out of
sight. Walter opened the door to Jeremiah Smith standing there.

"Jeremiah! Come in." Walter locked he door behind him.

"Thank you. I must see Alexander at once."

"What is it?" Alex came into the room as soon as he saw it was Jeremiah.

"You must return at once."

"But you gave him twenty four hours!" Walter insisted.

"I know but we need the body. It's Billings. There's been an explosion. He
needs the regeneration tank immediately and we can't do that without a body for
his consciousness."

"Oh my God! Is he going to make it?" Alex asked.

"I don't know. But we've got to get back there right now."

"Yes, of course." Alexander turned to Walter. "I have to go."

"Yes; can you come back?"

"We cannot do this again." Jeremiah insisted. "It's far too dangerous and it
was never meant to be used in the manner."

"I'll come to you, Walter, in my own body. It will be up to you whether you can
accept me or not." He gave Walter a quick hug then left with Smith.

xxxxxx


Saturday morning …

"Walter? It's Alex. I was wondering if I could see you this weekend. Maybe go
out for coffee or a drink?"

Skinner held the phone and gritted his teeth. Could this really be his
Alexander? Could all this insanity be real? He was silent for a moment then
answered, "Yes. I'd like that."

"Thank you! When and where? Just tell me and I'll meet you."

"Coffee shop on Fourth and Grand in an hour. Can you make it?"

"I'll be there!"


Walter got there ten minutes early and Alex was already there. Walter saw him
sitting at a table in the back toying with his coffee cup and wondered if he'd
done the right thing by agreeing to this. It could all be some elaborate trick
of some kind. He wouldn't put it passed Krycek but he couldn't imagine Jeremiah
Smith would be involved in anything like that.

Alex looked up and saw him and Walter saw the big grin. He felt a little
guilty. Maybe this was his Alexander. He always grinned like that. It wasn't
the same grin but it was wide open and eager like Alexander's.

"Hi. I see you found the place." Walter said as he took a seat across from
Alex.

"I've been here before. One of the few places in this part of town where you
can get regular coffee that doesn't taste like mud." Alex smiled.

"That's what I like about it. I don't go for all that fancy coffee most of the
shops have now a days."

"Me neither. Regular coffee, hot and black – that's what I like."

Walter had a flash back – he and Alexander sitting in a small sidewalk café in
Paris and Alexander ordering "Regular coffee, hot and black".

"You OK?" Alex asked.

"Yes." Then to the waitress, he placed his order for coffee, black.

"So what are your plans for the weekend? It's a beautiful spring day. I don't
suppose you have a long ride in the country anywhere on your schedule; do you?"

"I hadn't really thought that much about it." Walter lied. He had paced the
floor every night that week wondering if he should try and find Krycek or
wondering what he would do if Krycek called him and had already decided that he
would spend the weekend looking for him. "I supposed we could take a ride."

Alex' eyes lit up and he stood, pulled out his wallet and threw some bills on
the table. Walter took another sip of coffee and joined him. They got into
Walter's SUV and headed southwest.

"Anywhere in particular you want to go?" He asked once they were up on the
highway.

"No – anywhere you want. It's just nice to be outside with nothing either of us
has to do."

They drove along in silence for a while then Alex spoke. "I know you didn't
know the man, but Billings made it."

"I'm glad to hear that. Was he a friend of yours?"

"I worked a few cases with him. He's a good man – young but smart as they come.
He'll do well with the organization."

"You're talking the Resistance?"

"I am. He's only been with them a few years but he's good. He should make it
all right."

"And you? You're still working for them?"

"I'm on active retirement – which means, I'm officially retired but I can be
called on if needed."

"I've thought about retiring but I don't know what I'd do with myself."

"You should. You've got more than enough time in. I'm sure you could find
something to do that you enjoy."

"I don't know about that. I don't play Bridge or take cruises or golf."

Alex laughed. "You could travel. You certainly enjoyed seeing the sights in
Europe."

"Well that was different. Alexander and I … I had company on that trip."

"You could have company traveling or doing anything else you wanted." Alex
said.

Walter drove on in silence for a while and Alex decided to change the subject.

"I like your SUV. Does this navigation system come standard or is it something
that you added?"

"I had it installed. Its voice activated so all I have to do is give an address
and it plots out the route for me. It's very convenient."

"It's good looking too. I'll bet it's the only red SUV in the Hoover parking
garage."

"Yeah, well I got sick of all those black cars. I figured this one would be
easier to find in that sea of black vehicles. Its candy-apple red – close to
maroon actually." He thought for a moment then added, "Almost the same color as
that Porsche we drove around Paris in."

Alex stared at him for a few moments. "We drove around Paris in a beat up old
green VW. The Porsche belonged to the owner and he refused to rent it to you no
matter how much green you flashed in front of him and it was yellow – not red."

Walter said nothing, just kept on driving.

"If there are there any other test questions that you want to throw out, just go
ahead. I'll answer them all."

"I certainly will if I think of any." Walter said and kept his eyes on the road
after one sideways glance at Alex' disappointed expression.

They were just entering the small town of Culpepper when Walter's stomach
growled. "I'm about ready for lunch; how about you?"

"I could eat." Alex agreed

They pulled off the highway and found a small family diner and went inside.

"I love these little out of the way places. They always have the best food."
Alex said as they were seated at a table with red and white checkered oilcloth
covering.

"I enjoy these smaller places myself." Walter said as he placed his paper
napkin in his lap and opened his menu.

They ordered the hot roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and green beans
with apple pie for dessert and chatted casually about other small restaurants
they had been to. Their meal came and they devoured them, enjoying a second cup
of coffee with the pie.

"I wish this place was closer to D.C." Walter said as he pushed his empty plate
back and wiped his mouth.

"I was thinking the same thing but if it was, we'd both probably be looking like
that guy over there." Alex gestured to a man sitting alone at a nearby table
reading a newspaper.
"He's got to be 350 at least."

"Probably closer to 400. I'll bet he eats all his meals here."

"Yeah, probably four or five a day." Alex said and they both chuckled as Walter
picked up their check and they headed for the cashier up front.

"Are you ready to head back?" Walter asked as they got back into the car. When
Alex
hesitated to answer Walter turned to him. "What is it?"

"Nothing … sure. We might as well. Or … "

"Or what?" Walter prompted.

"Or we could just keep on driving and never go back."

Walter said nothing but put the car in gear and headed home. After a bit he
spoke, "Lunch was really good. Maybe we could come back some day."

Alex turned and stared at him but said nothing.

"What?" Walter finally asked. "I thought you liked the place?"

"Are you testing me again?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said that same thing after we left that little bistro in London. 'Maybe
we'll come back here some day.' Are we going to relive that entire trip?
Because if we are, I'd like to suggest that we don't leave out the times we were
in bed together or in the shower, or in the alley behind that Italian restaurant
when we just couldn't wait until we got back to our hotel and you said it was
all the waiter's fault for taking so long to bring us our food."

Walter stared at him a moment than back at the road in front of him. After
several moments of silence he said, "He could have told you all that."

"Give me five minutes alone with you in bed and I'll prove it to you. Some
things just can't be put into words."

Walter was silent. Traffic was picking up and he concentrated on his driving.
He couldn't allow himself to think any more and when his mind did drift in that
direction, he tamped it all down with a firm 'this is Alex Krycek – not
Alexander. Not my Alexander.'

"Moron!" Walter cursed when a pickup passed them way too close and with very
little safe distance to get back on the right side of the road. He had to brake
to keep from hitting him.

"He's from out of town." Alex said noticing the Florida license plates. "Maybe
that's the way they drive in Florida."

"That's the way morons drive everywhere." Walter said as he maneuvered the
slight S curve in the road.

All of the sudden they saw something go flying out from in front of the pickup
in front of them.

"What the hell was that?" Walter asked.

"He hit something. Oh shit, it's a dog!" Alex said straining to look in back
of them.

"The bastard's not stopping!" Walter said as he signaled and pulled off on the
shoulder.
He put the SUV in reverse and drove backwards along the shoulder. "Where is it?
Can you see it?"

"Just a little further. There. Stop!" Alex had the door open before the car
stopped. They both got out and went to the animal lying beside the road.

"Oh God! Look at the poor thing." Walter said.

Alex bent down and ran his hand over the still head.

"Is he dead?" Walter asked.

"No. He's still breathing. Shit! Look at the poor thing. He's covered with
ticks. Doesn't look like he's had a meal in a long time."

Just then the dog whimpered and tried to get up but was far too weak. Cars and
trucks whizzed by them on the highway.

"Maybe he just had the breath knocked out of him?" Walter knelt down beside
them.

"No. His leg is broken." Alex said as he felt the front leg that stuck out at
a funny angle.

"Well pick him up. We can't leave him lying here to die. Maybe we can find a
vet that's open in the next town."

Alex took his jacket off and wrapped it around the whimpering animal and lifted
it carefully. They got back in their car and headed out.

"Five miles to Fairfax." Walter read the sign aloud. "Maybe we can find
someone there."

"Did you think to get the license plate number off that truck?" Alex asked.

"No. I never gave it a thought. It happened so fast."

"I can't believe that he just kept on driving. He had to know that he hit
something."

"Like I said – he's a moron." Walter said as he pulled off the highway into the
small town of Fairfax, Virginia. He pulled up to a truck stop where he saw two
police men coming out of the diner and drove up to them. He told them what
happened and asked about a vet. They got the directions and they headed off to
find him. Five minutes later they were entering the small building – Alex
carrying the dog wrapped up in his jacket.

The vet was furious when he saw the dog in such bad shape. "This poor thing was
already near death before she was hit." He caressed the animal's filthy coat.
"Are you sure she was hit and not just thrown out?"

"Thrown out?" Walter asked in disgust.

"Yeah. Unfortunately we have a lot of that. People in the city get a dog and
decide they don't want it any more and instead of trying to find a home for it,
they just drive out into the countryside a bit and toss it."

"We just saw it come flying out from in front of this pickup that was in front
of us. We assumed he hit the dog – he was driving like a jerk."

"Well, either way, her leg is broken in at least three places and her shoulder
is pretty much mush. I think the kindest thing we can do for her now is
euthanasia."

"NO!" Alex blurted out. "It's just a broken leg and maybe a broken shoulder.
Can't you fix that?"

"Look at her! She's too far gone." The vet said.

The dog started whimpering again. "What would you do for her if she was your
dog?" Walter asked.

"She's not my dog. I've already got four dogs at home. If I bring home another
dog my wife will throw us all out."

"But you can fix her? I mean – if it's just money … " Alex pulled out his
wallet and flipped a credit card down on the examining table next to the dog.
"Here. Fix her. Whatever it takes."

"There's no guarantee she would even make it through the surgery in the shape
she's in."
The vet said as he gave the dog a shot to make her more comfortable. "She's
severely dehydrated, anemic and no telling what else."

"But those things can be fixed; can't they?" Alex asked.

"They all could, I suppose but you're looking at a long costly procedure to even
attempt to bring her back to health. Are you sure you want to go to that much
expense for a stray? And there's no guarantee with a dog this far gone."

"YES! Just please, fix her." Alex said as he petted the head of the now
sleeping dog.

The vet looked over to Walter as if to confirm and Walter shook his head yes.
"Do what you can for her. I can help with any expenses."

"Well, we can try if you want." The vet said then opened the examining room door
and called to his assistant who came in and carried the now unconscious animal
into the back.

Alex filled out all the paperwork and was stumped when the girl asked him what
the dog's name was.

"I don't know. What do you think, Walter?"

"Hell, I don't know. Can't you just put down 'dog'?"

"We have to have a name," the young lady insisted.

"How about 'Lady'?" Alex asked.

"She looks more like a 'Tramp'." Walter said.

"No, she just needs a little cleaning up. She's a Lady all right – underneath
all that dirt." Alex said with a grin then said he would check back with them
in the morning. He shook his jacket out good when they got back outside.

"I wouldn't put that thing back on until it's been cleaned." Walter said.

"I won't. I don't really need it." Alex rolled it up and tossed it on the
floor at his feet then asked, "Do you think she'll make it?"

"I don't know. She's in pretty bad shape." Walter said as he pulled the car
back up onto the highway. "What are you going to do with her if she survives?
Are you planning on adopting her?"

"I don't know. I hadn't thought that far ahead. I just knew I had to do
whatever could be done for her. Maybe once she's fixed up we could find a home
for her?"

"That's possible. But the vet was talking surgery and I'm thinking he's
probably going to have to take that leg off."

"Why? Broken legs can be fixed."

"Broken legs can usually be fixed but he said it was broken in three places plus
he said her shoulder was mush. I doubt there will be anyone anxious to adopt a
three-legged dog."

"I'll keep her then."

"Have you ever had a dog before?" Walter asked.

"No. But I've always wanted one. Now that I'm not traveling all the time, I
could have one." Alex insisted.

"If you want a dog, that's fine. You can always go out and adopt one. You
don't have to take in a half-dead stray."

"The vet said she wasn't but three or four years old. She's never even had a
chance. What kind of dog is she, anyway?"

"It'd be hard to say. She looks like she might have some Shepard in her from
her size and the shape of her head but no telling what all else."

"You've had dogs before? Did any of them ever have a broken leg?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, one did. But it was only a single break and he was in good health."

"How long did it take for him to heal up?"

"They're pretty much like humans in that respect. It would depend on which bone
was broken and how much weight the leg had to carry and how long you could keep
him off the leg. I guess it took our dog a couple of months to get back to his
old self again. He limped for a while after that but he got over it."

"I'll get on-line when we get back and look up dog injuries and see what I can
find out. Do they make prosthetics for dogs?"

"No, I don't think so. Dogs don't really need them. They seem to be able to
get along with three legs just fine."

"No one's ever really fine with a limb gone, Walter."

Walter looked over at him, knowing he was speaking from experience. "She's an
animal, Alex. She should be able to adjust."

"I'll take care of her. I'll see that she has everything that she needs."

Walter pulled his vehicle up into the coffee shop parking lot and cut the
engine. "You want some coffee?" He asked.

"Yeah. Sure, I could use some coffee." They got out and went inside and got a
table.

"Excuse me a minute. I need to use the rest room. Order me coffee black."
Walter said as Alex sat down, then he made his way back to the men's room. Once
inside he pulled out his cell phone and punched in a number.

"Daniels? Skinner. Have you got any information for me?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. I already gave you his apartment location and he
does have a job with Grantham's Construction Company."

"What do they handle; security jobs?"

"No. Mostly they do remodeling of older homes, add-ons – smaller jobs."

"No connection with any security work at all – nothing with any foreign
companies?"

"No. This guy looks pretty straight to me. Except, of course, that he isn't –
straight that is."

"What did you find?" Walter asked his interest suddenly perked.

"Nothing along security lines or foreign intrigue. The guy's gay – hangs out
around the gay clubs in town."

"Oh. Yeah, I already knew that. Do you have that phone tap in place?"

"Yeah but he hasn't made any calls from his apartment yet. He must pretty much
stick to his cell phone."

"Well keep looking. I want anything at all that's the least little bit out of
the ordinary. In the mean time, check out every job that the company has
handled since Krycek worked there. See if there are any connections there."

"Will do."

"Contact me if you get anything – anything at all."

"This might be a stupid question here, but if you suspect this guy is dirty, why
aren't you having someone at the Bureau check him out? I mean, I appreciate the
work and all, but isn't this sort of thing what you and the people you work for
do?"

"Krycek says he's legit now and if he is, I don't want to cause any ripples at
the Bureau for him."

"It's your nickel. I guess you can spend it any way you want to. But I've been
on this guy for weeks now and if he's dirty, I haven't been able to find it."

"Just keep looking and call me."

"OK. Will do."

The conversation ended and Walter hurried back to the table to find Krycek on
his cell.

"OK. I'll check back tomorrow. Thanks a lot." He pocketed his cell. "I just
talked with the vet. They've got Lady cleaned up as best they could. They've
removed all the ticks and gave her a flea treatment. He's trying to find a
blood donor for a transfusion for her. It never occurred to me that they can do
that for animals."

"Just getting her cleaned up has got to make her feel a lot better. All those
ticks were probably what was causing the anemia. She should start feeling
better now." Walter said.

"I hope she makes it. The vet said she seemed to be a good natured thing and
only whimpered when they moved her leg but didn't try to bite them or anything."

"Animals seem to have a way of knowing when someone is trying to help them."

"I hope that's true. I'm thinking more and more about adopting her myself. I
need to get a house though. Something with a back yard so she would have a safe
place to run and play."

"You shouldn't get your hopes up. It's too early to tell if she'll make it or
not." Walter said as he sipped his coffee.

"She'll make it. I know she will because she has people who care about her now.
That makes all the difference in the world."

Walter stared at him and for a moment he detected a flash of Alexander sitting
there across from him and he quickly banished that thought. This was Alex
Krycek – Not Alexander Michaels. And that thought was followed by the
resignation that Alexander Michaels was probably sitting in a closet or drawer
somewhere waiting for the next poor soul to inhabit him. That thought left a
bitter taste in his mouth.

"Something wrong with your coffee?" Alex asked.

"No. It's fine. It's late. I should be getting back." Walter dropped some
bills on the table and they left – parting in the parking lot with a brusque
'see ya around'.

xxxxxx

Monday …

Walter answered his cell on the way back to his office after lunch.
"Skinner."

"Walter, it's me, Alex. I just got off the phone with the vet and I thought
you'd like to know. Lady is doing much better. They found a couple of blood
donor dogs and she's already had one transfusion and they will have more blood
for her for after the surgery."

"That sounds good then. You may just end up with a dog after all."

"I sure hope so. The vet wants to give her a couple more days before he
operates. He thinks she has a pretty good chance now."

"That's good."

"I can hardly wait to bring her home. I've got to get out this weekend and see
if I can find a house."

"You're going to an awful lot of expense for this dog."

"She needs me, Walter. No one else ever has."

Walter thought that was about the saddest thing he had ever heard but he was
back at his office now, walking passed his secretary's desk. Once inside with
the door closed he spoke again. "Everyone needs to feel needed." He said
lamely – not knowing what else to say.

"It's important." Alex said and when Walter said nothing he added, "I want to
thank you for the ride Saturday. If we hadn't taken that ride Lady would
probably be dead by now."

"I'm glad we found her."

"So am I. I'll call you after the surgery and let you know how she makes out –
if that's OK?"

"Sure. Yes. I'd like to know how she's doing."

"All right. The vet says most likely the surgery will be Wednesday morning and
we won't know anything for several hours after so it will be late Wednesday
afternoon or evening before you hear from me."

"OK. Thanks."

"Uh huh." Alex said and hung up.

Skinner pocketed his cell and sat and stared at the floor for a long time
thinking. This seemed to him like something that Alexander would do – not
something that Alex Krycek would do. Could he have been wrong? Was this really
the person he fell in love with?
No! He couldn't allow himself to think like that. He opened a report from the
stack lying on his desk and got back to work.

xxxxxx

Wednesday morning …

"Skinner" he answered his phone.

"Daniels here. I don't know if this is anything or not but your man has a dog
that was hit by a car and he has him at a Vet out in Fairfax."

"Yeah, I know about the dog."

"Well don't you think it's a little strange that he'd take his dog all the way
out to Fairfax to be treated? You want me to check this vet out?"

"No. That's just where the dog happened to be when it got hit by the truck.
The vet's not involved. Anything else?"

"No nothing. I've been on this guy for weeks now, Skinner, and I've come up
with nothing. He goes to work; he comes back to his apartment and stays there.
Weekends he goes out to eat and to the bars. As far as I can tell, he doesn't
have any steady relationships with anyone. He's a complete loner. The only
time he even shared a meal with anyone was last weekend with you. I think I'm
wasting my time and your money here."

"You think he's clean then?"

"I didn't say that. I'm just saying that in the weeks that I've been following
him, he hasn't crossed that line – not that I've been able to detect."

"All right." Skinner rubbed the back of his neck. "Wrap it up then and send me
a report and I'll mail you a check."

"Sorry I came up empty. I don't know whether this is good news for your or
bad?"

"I don't either. Thanks."

Skinner hung up the phone and wondered again how he ever got himself in this
mess. What did he care if Krycek was clean or not – he wasn't Alexander. But
the nagging thought at the back of his head kept adding, 'or is he?'

xxxxxx

Late Wednesday afternoon …

"Skinner" he answered the phone.

"Walter, it's me. I've just come from the Vet's and he said that Lady's surgery
went well and she's doing fine. He says she needs to stay there for about a
week or ten days and then I can take her home."

"Well that is good news. Have you found a place yet?"

"No, I haven't. I haven't really had much time to look. I've been going out to
see Lady every day after work but I have been looking on-line. There's just not
a whole lot available in the city. I may have to look out of town a ways. I
hate doing that but I don't have much choice."

"I'm sure she'll be fine in an apartment for a while. She's not going to be
doing a whole lot of running around right away."

"That's probably true. I just hate the thought of her cooped up here all day
long while I'm at work."

"You could take her out mornings before work and evenings when you get home."

"Yeah. But I want her to have a back yard so she won't have to be on a leash
all the time."

"Back yards are great but you don't want to rush into anything you can't
afford."

"I know. That's been the problem. Everything I've found so far is either in a
bad neighborhood or it's out of my price range."

"I'm sure you'll find something. If you have to stay in the apartment for a
while, it will still be a hell of a lot better for her than being out on the
highway alone."

"That's for sure. I'm really excited about bringing her home. I'm going out
this weekend and getting supplies for her – you know, a bed, food and water
bowls, a leash, and food. You want to go with me and help me pick stuff out? I
mean, I don't know what food is best for her. I guess I could stand and read
all the labels and stuff."

"I don't have anything planned for Saturday afternoon." Walter answered before
he caught himself.

"Oh that would be great! I could really use your help. I'm in over my head
here."

"Not a problem. Are you going out to visit with her Saturday?"

"Yeah. First thing."

"I'd like to go along and have another look at her. What time?"

"Um, whenever you're free."

"Well, I go to the gym Saturday and work out for about an hour but I'm usually
back here by nine. Would that be too late to drive out there?"

"No, that will work. They don't open until nine anyway. We should get there
about nine forty five or ten. That would be fine."

"All right. I'll see you Saturday morning around nine then."

"I'll pick you up. I'll be outside your condo at nine sharp."

"I'll be waiting." He hung up his phone and cursed himself for getting all
excited. It was just Krycek he was going to be spending time with – not
Alexander. He had to keep telling himself that because he didn't like the way
his body was responding to Alex – to the idea of seeing him, and even just the
sound of his voice. When did Krycek's voice get that … husky tone to it? Had
it always been there and he's just now noticing it?

xxxxxx

Saturday morning …

Skinner walked out the front door of the Viva Towers apartments at straight up
nine in the morning just as Krycek pulled up in front. He climbed in and they
took off headed west towards Fairfax.

"The Vet says Lady's doing very well. She's up and walking around and adjusting
quite well. He seems pleased with her recovery."

"I never dreamed she'd make it this far." Walter said. "I didn't want to say
anything because you were so intent on saving her but I thought the Vet would
probably put her down after we left."

"I'm so glad he didn't. She's a wonderful dog and she seems like she recognizes
me now when I come in – she starts wagging her tail and wiggling."

"I'm anxious to see her." Walter was surprised at how much he actually meant
that.

"You won't recognize her all cleaned up. She's a beautiful thing – or at least
she will be when her scars heal up and all her hair grows back in." Alex
maneuvered the car through traffic with ease and they were up on the highway in
no time.

"So you've been coming out every day after work to see her?" Walter asked.

"Uh huh. I get to take her out of her cage and we sit together for a while.
It's really nice. There's this one other dog that's there too. Sometimes we
take him out as well and he seems really taken with Lady. He comes over and
checks her out then lays down right beside her like he's protecting her or
something."

"That's the pack instinct. They protect one another."

"Well it's wonderful to see. She seems to really like him too and seems to
relax when he's close to her."

"That should work well unless she comes into heat."

"The Vet says they've both already been fixed so there's no worry about that.
That's how he came to be there. His owners brought him in to be fixed and just
left him there. He tried to get in touch with them and found out they've moved.
He's been trying to find a home for him."

"Uh oh. I think I see where this is leading. You're thinking of taking both
dogs?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"You've never had a pet of any kind and you're going to start out with a three
legged dog and another dog that someone's thrown away?"

"At least he wasn't tossed out on the highway to fend for himself. They brought
him to a place where they knew he'd be fed and looked after."

"I guess whoever gets him has to pay the bill?"

"I don't know. The Vet didn't say anything about that. Hey, I've got an idea –
why don't you adopt him?"

"Oh no you don't! The last thing I need is a dog to look after. The cleaning
lady complains if there are too many magazines in the trash. I can't imagine
what she'd say if I brought a dog in there. Besides – a dog on white carpet? I
don't think so."

Alex laughed, "Just wait until you get a look at him. He'll steal your heart
away just like he did mine."

They bantered back and forth the rest of the way to the vet's and went inside
where they made their way into the back. The place was relatively quiet with
very few customers at that hour. "Come on," Alex said, "You'll fall in love
with him the minute you see him."

"I don't need my life to be any more complicated than it already is." Walter
said as Alex bent down and opened Lady's cage. Then reached over and unlatched
the next cage over and out came a huge rag-mop of a dog who did his best to
climb up into Alex' arms while Lady hopped demurely out of her cage.

Alex sat down on the floor as Lady took her rightful place close to him with her
head resting on his lap. "This is Rags." Alex said as he petted a dog with
each hand. Rags sniffed all around Alex and Lady then turned his attention to
Walter.

"I can see he was named aptly." Walter said as he extended a hand for the dog
to sniff. He crouched down and petted Rags while looking Lady over. "It's hard
to believe that that's the same dog we brought in here."

"I know! Isn't it amazing?" Lady looked up at Walter like she knew he was
talking about her. He reached over and scratched her head and she nuzzled his
hand. "She remembers you."

"I doubt that. She only saw me that one time and she was in pretty bad shape."
Walter seated himself on the floor across from Alex.

"They have good memories. I was in here with her the other day when someone
else came in. I think it was the husband or boyfriend of one of the girls here.
Lady looked up and started a low growl in the back of her throat. She didn't
like him being in here and he seemed perfectly nice – she just didn't like him."

"Maybe he reminded her of someone who was mean to her."

"Could be. But she seems perfectly comfortable with you." Alex smiled up at
him.

Lady got up from her place at Alex's side and came over to Walter. She sniffed
him then placed her head on his knee while he patted her. "She's a friendly
thing." He commented.

"She seems to be. The Vet says that dogs get along perfectly well with just the
three legs once they get their balance."

"She seems to be doing fine." Walter agreed.

"She's still a little shaky but she's getting stronger every day. She doesn't
seem to be having any more pain."

"That's good. She's gotten some color back into her gums and her eyes look
clear."

"Uh huh. He said she had an ear infection in both ears. That's probably why
she was hit. She didn't hear the traffic."

Walter snapped his fingers a few times and Lady looked up. "Her hearing seems
fine now."

"She'll be on antibiotics for a while but everything seems to be healing up
quite well. She's gaining some weight and you can just tell from looking at her
that she feels better."

"I think you're right. I think she'll be beautiful once all her hair grows back
in." Walter continued petting her.

"The Vet says there was probably some collie in her giving her those orange and
white colors. And the brown is probably more the Shepard in her."

"And Rags there?" Walter asked as he watched the shaggy dog explore the entire
room where they were sitting before coming over and sitting down next to Alex
and nuzzling up to him for some petting.

"There's no telling about Rags here. The Vet says it's anybody's guess."

"He's friendly enough." Walter observed as Lady left his side and went back to
Alex and lay down with her head on Alex' out stretched legs. Rags stretched out
beside her.

"They certainly seem to tolerate each other well. That's why I was thinking of
taking both of them. That way Lady will have some company while I'm at work."

"There's an upside and a downside to that sort of thinking. Yes, it's good for
them to have companionship of their own species but on the other hand, once they
are both feeling well, they will get into twice the mischief."

Alex chuckled. "What could two such sweet dogs do?"

"You'd be surprised. Left alone in an apartment they could shred it in one
day."

"It's not like I have anything I'm worried about them tearing up."

"You'll have to make sure you don't leave anything out that they can get to
–because dogs love to chew. And Rags there doesn't look very old."

"He's two. And Lady here is a couple years older." Alex petted both dogs in
turn.

"You'll have to make sure you don't leave any shoes out or anything leather –
they love to chew on leather."

"I'll keep that in mind." Alex said but he wasn't paying attention to Walter
any more as Rags was licking his face and he was leaning as far back as he could
from the dog and giggling.

Walter couldn't help but stare at the long neck and his groin twitched in
response. He stood up and began fidgeting as he wandered around the small room.
This is NOT Alexander, he argued with himself. But his body's reaction to Alex
was unmistakable.
This is Alex Krycek and I need to keep that in mind. He chastised himself.

"You ready to leave?" Alex stood up.

"Yeah, I think we better. We still need to get to the shopping if you're going
to take these two home next weekend." He watched while Alex put the two dogs
back into their cages and patted them good-bye. They thanked the staff and
headed back towards town.

"So what do you think? They're absolutely perfect; aren't they?" Alex asked as
they drove.

"I think they are obviously compatible and the fact that they've both been fixed
is a plus. Lady shouldn't give you much trouble for a couple of weeks but Rags
there, is a different story. He's still basically a pup."

"The Vet said he was full grown."

"Full grown and anxious to get out and explore the world. He's going to need a
lot of attention. And he hasn't been through the trauma that Lady has so he's
going to be pretty rambunctious."

"I can handle rambunctious." Alex countered.

They drove the rest of the way in silence – Alex contemplating having two loving
dogs to come home to each evening and Walter thinking that Alex had no idea what
he's in for.

The shopping was an adventure in itself. Alex wanted two of everything that was
in the store and Walter worked on tempering all that enthusiasm into some
realistic purchases. As it was, it took them three trips to carry all the stuff
out to the car and they headed to Alex' apartment with the trunk and back seat
loaded down.

Walter helped carry everything into the apartment and gazed around at the nice
furniture with a sigh and wondered how long it would stay this way.

"I'm not worried about the furniture, Walter. I can always replace it if it
gets ruined." He saw Walter's gaze.

"I was thinking about that nice leather couch. Dogs love leather."

"If it goes, it goes. It'll be worth it to have them here waiting for me each
night when I get home from work."

Walter couldn't miss the wistfulness in Alex' words. He was lonely. Alex
Krycek was lonely. He needed to get out of there – now.

"OK. I think you're pretty well set up here. You've got more than enough of
everything. I think I'd better get back."

"Oh sure! I really appreciate your help, Walter." Alex said as they walked
back out to his car.

"Not a problem. I wanted to see Lady and see how she was coming along. I
seriously didn't think she was going to make it."

"I know but I always knew she would – just like I think I always knew she was
going to be mine." Alex said as he pulled the car out into traffic.

"You're really attached to her; aren't you?" Walter asked with a sideways
glance at Alex.

"I am! More than I ever thought possible. At first it was just sort of a whim
like maybe she would be fun to play with. But after spending time with her, and
that silly Rags too, I've really grown to love them both. They NEED me, Walter,
and I think that I need them just as much as they need me. They just seem to be
exactly what my new life is missing."

"Well, I suggest you get the three of you into a house as soon as possible.
Have you spoken to your apartment manager about a pet deposit?"

"I have. It's already taken care of. And I have an appointment this afternoon
to go look at a couple of places."

"That's good."

"It's a beautiful day. Would you like to go along for the ride?" Alex asked
hopefully.

"No. No I can't. I've got a lot of things I need to be doing this afternoon."
Walter said but he didn't fool either of them.

"OK. If you change your mind, give me a call." Alex said.

"Uh huh." Walter grunted and looked out the side window.

They drove in silence for a while before Alex spoke again. "So how's Mulder
doing since our little trip with Smith?"

"Haven't heard from him. He's keeping a pretty low profile."

"With the Bureau or with Scully?"

"Both I think. He wants the X-Files back but I don't see that happening.
Doggett is doing a fine job there. He doesn't have the solve rate that Mulder
did but he manages to get along with everyone and keep within the budget and
that's a big plus."

"Surely they can find something else for a man with Mulder's capabilities to
do?"

"I'm sure they could if they wanted to. I'm just not sure that they want him
back full time."

"He seems a lot calmer than I remember him."

"He does seem to have calmed down a bit. Right now he's kind of bouncing around
from AD to AD – wherever he can be of use."

"He'll find his place."

"I'm sure he will. And when he does, I think he'll take it a lot more seriously
this time. He's learned a lot of the truths that he's been seeking for so long
and he no longer seems to have the need to scream it to the world."

"That's good. Some truths the world is just not equipped to handle." Alex said
as he pulled up to the front of Viva Towers.

"That's right." Walter turned to him. "Thanks for the ride out to see Lady."

"You're welcome. I hope you'll come out and visit us once we get settled in."

"I will. I'd like to see how she's getting along – Rags too. Give me a call
and we'll set something up." Walter said as he opened the door and climbed out.

"I will and thanks again." Alex said and drove off.

Walter sighed as he watched the car disappear into traffic then turned and went
on inside.

xxxxxx


Walter dreamed about Alexander that night – Alexander and his two dogs. Just
two brief scenes. The first one they were lying in bed together. He had one
arm around Alexander and the other was petting Lady who was lying on the other
side of him. The second one they were standing side by side and watching the
two dogs playing in their large back yard. He awoke feeling happy. Alexander
was with him again if only in his dreams.

Awake, he couldn't keep his thoughts from wandering to Alex Krycek. Was this
all some game he was playing? He couldn't see Smith going along with something
like that though and it was obvious that he had worked with Smith for some time.
Could Krycek actually be a Resistance worker? Would Smith lie for him – be a
party to some sort of deception? And to what purpose would such a deception be?
Krycek seemed to have no agenda other than establishing himself in some sort of
normal life.

He found it more and more difficult to concentrate on work and when Friday
evening came around he found himself reaching for the phone and calling Krycek's
number.

"Yes?" Alex answered the phone.

"It's Walter. I was wondering if you were going to need any help tomorrow
bringing the dogs home?"

"Oh man, YES! The Vet recommended I get carriers for them but I hate the
thought of putting them back in cages after just getting them out. Won't they
be all right just on leashes?"

"Leashes will be fine to walk them to and from the car but you never know how an
animal will act in a car. It might be a distraction to your driving." Walter
explained.

(Message over 64k, truncated.)