Demetrius turned on the gas generator that powered his radio and lights. On the radio, he could only pick up a couple of stations. One of them was an all talk and news station out of D.C. They were covering the news of Marcus' and Jennifer's rescue. Most of the credit was being given to Fox Mulder. It was the first time Demetrius had heard Mulder's first name.

"Fox." Demetrius smirked. "That's a perfect name for a hermaphrodite."

He would start his search for the perfect female match for Fox Mulder, and he wouldn't even have to leave his mountain. He picked up the ancient tome and opened it to a page with a spell for conjuring up a gargoyle. He would use the creature to do his bidding. In the past Demetrius had been hesitant about using such spells, but as he became stronger and more confident in his abilities, he started practicing on conjuring smaller creatures. Carrying the book to its new place of honor in an alcove off the main chamber, he set it on the stone altar.

***

Hoover Building
Saturday, September 15, 2001

The Hoover building was alive with activity, which was unusual for a Saturday morning. Mulder sat in Skinner's office with Doggett, Reyes, and Scully. Scully was going over the findings from the DNA tests she had conducted on the bodies, along with the results from Mr. Riley's examination.

Standing at the slide projector, she flipped through the different photos she had taken of Riley. "As you can see, the vagina and anus are about an inch bit further back than normal. My guess it's so his scrotum isn't crowded during vaginal intercourse."

Mulder grimaced. "In other words, so his balls won't be crushed during sex?"

"That's another way of putting it." Scully smirked at him.

"Is Mr. Riley still capable of becoming pregnant?" Skinner asked.

"Yes. He even has a menstrual cycle."

"Poor guy." Mulder groaned, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "Is his male sex organ still functional?"

Scully nodded. "In all known cases of hermaphrodites they never have both the male and female reproductive organs fully functioning. But, in Riley's case both sex organs are one hundred percent functional."

"His hormones must be completely whacked out," Skinner said.

Doggett stared at the photos fascinated. "Did you ask him about giving birth to his daughter?"

Scully nodded. "He said it was the most painful experience of his life and he doesn't want to repeat it." She picked up two transparencies and held them up. "These images are of Miss Hood's and Mr. Riley's DNA strands. Something interesting I discovered was that the DNA from Mr. Riley's uterus does not match Miss Hood's DNA. Same with the other victims."

"Dana, are you saying that Riley doesn't have Hood's reproductive organs in his body?" Reyes asked.

Scully smiled at her lover. "No. I'm saying that once inside Riley's body they changed, becoming part of him. No trace of Hood is left."

"So it wasn't necessary for Demetrius Tatev to find an identical female?" Mulder asked.

"Nope, it wasn't necessary. The reproductive organ, including the ovum, picked up every genetic trait of the male."

Skinner's telephone buzzed, picking it up, he answered tersely, "Skinner." He listened, nodding. "I'll send them right down."

"Mulder, John, Senator Woods has sent a limousine to pick you up. He'd like to see you at his mansion," Skinner said.

"Both of us?" Doggett asked, puzzled.

Skinner nodded. "Both of you."

"C'mon, John, we shouldn't keep the Senator waiting," Mulder said, standing.

"Why would he want to see me?" Doggett grumbled as they headed toward the elevator.

"Oh I don't know...could it be that you rescued his son?" Mulder smirked at him.

"Brat."

"Hero."

"Stick it."

They continued bickering until they were outside and climbing into the backseat of the limo.

"Hey, Mulder."

"Hi, Josh. How's your son doing?"

"He's been accepted into the marines," the driver said, smiling.

"Good for him."

"I hope he sees it through. By the way, congrats on rescuing the Senator's son. You guys are all over the news."

"Tell me about it. My voice mail had over sixty calls on it this morning, and I had to sneak out of my apartment," Mulder grumbled.

"You did?" Doggett looked at him concerned.

"Yeah. If you haven't noticed my name and picture are plastered all over the news. I suspect the Senator and Skinner had a lot to do with it."

Josh glanced through his rearview mirror at the two men. "The Senator really likes you, Mulder. He doesn't send me to pick up just anyone. Most people have to drive themselves," he said.

"Fox, you can stay at my place if you want to lay low for a while," Doggett offered.

"Thanks, John. I might just take you up on that if CNN's mobile unit is still parked in front of my apartment building."

The limousine pulled through the gates of Senator Woods' mansion and drove up the long driveway.

Doggett whistled. "Wow! How much does a U.S. Senator make again?"

"John, Woods was an extremely wealthy man before he ran for the Senate," Mulder said.

They were shown into the Senator's private study. Woods was sitting behind his desk. He smiled, and stood, walking over to greet his guests.

"Mr. Mulder, you are truly a remarkable man. Thank you for finding my son." Instead of a handshake Woods hugged Mulder, and then held out his hand to Doggett. "Agent Doggett, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Senator."

"Okay, Mr. Mulder, name your price? Do you want your old job back? Do you want Kersh's job?"

Mulder glanced over at Doggett who was staring at him with an unreadable expression.

Mulder turned back to the Senator. "I don't want anything for myself, but I would like to see Assistant Director Walter Skinner promoted to Deputy Director. If anyone deserves that position it's him."

The Senator smiled. "Done. It will mean that Kersh has to be demoted back to an A.D. or do you wish to see him in a lower position?"

Mulder shook his head. "I don't really give a damn about Kersh. I only want Walter Skinner given the promotion he earned years ago."

"You don't disappoint, Mr. Mulder." The Senator turned to Doggett. "Open your mind to extreme possibilities, Agent Doggett, and you will discover a whole new world. Now, take good care of Mr. Mulder. I'm sure you two will be quite happy together." Woods went back to sit behind his desk and press a buzzer. "You will each be receiving a token of my appreciation in the near future. You may leave now," he said as a butler appeared in the doorway.

"Gentlemen, this way."

Doggett walked beside Mulder as they followed the butler back to the front door. Josh, the chauffeur, was waiting to drive them back to the Hoover building.

Once inside the limousine Doggett turned to Mulder. "That was the strangest meeting I've ever had. What did he mean we'll be happy together? Who is this guy? How could he know?"

Mulder sighed, feeling depressed. Well at least their relationship hadn't progress too far before it ended. "Welcome to my world, John. You probably want to bail now."

"What do you mean?"

Mulder shrugged his shoulders, looking out the window. "I've been under surveillance by various groups in the past, including the FBI. It appears I'm still under surveillance."

"I'm not leaving you. We'll consult those geeky friends of yours. Maybe they can provide us with a way to counter these assholes." Doggett reached for Mulder's hand, cradling it in his lap. "Fox, I want to see Walter's face when he's promoted to DD over Kersh. That was a damn decent thing you did."

"Walter deserves it. Hell knows he's lost so much because of me and my quest."

"Don't go blaming yourself. Walter's a big boy. He knew the score far better than you may think. If he helped you, it was because it was the right and honorable thing to do and you don't owe him for that. It's part of what makes Walter one of the good guys."

"He is that." Mulder enjoyed the feel of holding Doggett's hand.

The limousine pulled in front of the Hoover building. "John, I'm going to be heading home now. I need a couple of days alone to think."

"Fox--" Doggett squeezed Mulder's hand. "Please, call me when you've worked it all out."

Gazing into the other man's concerned baby blues, Mulder said softly, "Come over to my place for dinner Tuesday evening. I will have figured it out by then."

Doggett watched him walk down the sidewalk to the parking ramp. Tuesday seemed like a long ways off, but he was willing to wait. He walked back inside the building pondering the Senator's words and wondering what the token of appreciation was going to be. If the Senator had good spies watching them then he hoped it would be courtside tickets to the Knicks' game.

***

Mulder's apartment
Tuesday, September 18, 2001

Mulder took Monday and Tuesday off from the university. The Dean was very understanding, assigning a substitute teacher to fill in for him. Monday, Mulder spent at a park. Sitting on the grassy shores of the Potomac River, where he pulled each and every relationship he'd ever had up from the dark depths of his memory into the sunlight and examined them as he watched the cold waters drift by down stream. By the time he was through, Mulder was ready to give a relationship with John Doggett a chance. They were alike in some ways and total opposites in others. He knew it wouldn't be easy.

His desire to know what it would feel like to be made love to by John was becoming an attractive proposition. The brief relationship he had with Senator Matheson had been one-sided at best, with the Senator only interested in his own gratification. At the time Mulder had been too young and inexperienced to realize that fact. Now he wondered what it would be like, having a male lover, who was his equal in bed as well as in life.

Mulder had to admit that Doggett's desire for a relationship with him had shocked the hell out of him. And here, Mulder thought he was the one who believed in extreme possibilities, only to be one-upped by a man who had a hard time opening his eyes to anything paranormal. John really surprised him...maybe they could be good for each other.

Tuesday, Mulder spent all day cleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking. He wasn't a great cook, but he wasn't inept in the kitchen either. He could follow a recipe pretty well and had spent some time watching the food channel, memorizing the basic cooking techniques. He decided to make something easy and hoped that John would like it.

Glancing up at the clock, Mulder suddenly noticed how late it was getting. He hurried to light the candles on the table and went back to look inside the oven.

When he heard the knock on the front door his legs became rubbery. He walked slowly to the door and opened it.

Doggett stood there grinning happily. He held out a bouquet of blood-red roses. "I was once told it was poor manners not to bring flowers if someone cooked dinner for me."

Mulder chuckled taking the roses and pulling Doggett inside his apartment. He closed the door and took Doggett by surprise when he shoved him up against the door and kissed him with a passion he'd never felt for anyone before. Their tongues warred for dominance, neither winning, as they explored the hot recesses of each other's mouths. The kitchen timer went off, causing them to end the kiss.

"John, hang up your coat. I need to get dinner out of the oven before it burns." He carried the flowers into the kitchen and set them on the counter then pulled the loaf pan out of the oven. He found an old vase under the sink and filled it with water, putting the roses in it.

"Mm, something smells good. Do you need any help?" John asked, stepping into the kitchen.

"There's a bottle of Merlot on the table. Can you open it and fill our glasses? The corkscrew is next to it."

"Sure." Doggett tried to see what Mulder had made them, but Mulder's body was blocking his view.

Doggett finished filling the wineglasses as Mulder stepped into the room carrying two plates.

Doggett's face lit up. "Hey, meatloaf. That's one of my favorite meals."

"Mine, too. I used to love leftover meatloaf sandwiches as a boy. This is the first time I've tried to make it myself."

"It looks and smells good, so I'm sure it'll be fine." Doggett picked up his fork and took a taste. A smile spread across his face. "Yep, it's good, better than my Ma's even, but don't tell her." He then sampled a forkful of green beans that had been sautéed with bacon and almonds. "Mm, a little garlic in the beans would give them some added flavor."

"I haven't advanced past following a recipe." Mulder took a sip of wine amused by Doggett's cooking advice.

"Tom used to put garlic in everything. I sort of got used to it."

Mulder looked at him questioningly. "Who's Tom?"

"Tom was my boyfriend. He was killed three years ago, while investigating a domestic assault."

"I'm sorry."

"I still have a hard time getting over the fact that he's gone."

They spent a few minutes quietly eating. Mulder glanced across the table several times waiting for the right moment. Finally he said, "I spent the last three days thinking about us." He absently pushed the mash potatoes around his plate with his fork then lifted his eyes to meet Doggett's who was watching him closely.

"And?"

"And, I'd like to pursue a relationship with you. I'll admit that I'm scared, but I'd rather be hurt again than to be left wondering if it might have worked."

"I won't hurt you, Fox. We might have our disagreements, but we're both mature adults. We'll work out any problems we may have."

"That's what I'm hoping. Do you want to spend the night?"

A wide grin spread across Doggett's face. "I thought you'd never ask."

Mulder picked up his wineglass, and returned the grin. "I picked up a toothbrush for you at the store this morning. I was kinda hoping you'd say yes."

Doggett raised his wineglass and toasted, "Here's to a start of a wonderful relationship." They clicked glasses and took a sip.

"How's work been going?" Mulder asked, picking up his fork.

"Fine. Walter received his promotion to Deputy Director this afternoon. I hear he was more stunned than Kersh was about being demoted back to Assistant Director."

Mulder smiled. "I hope he doesn't find out I had anything to do with it."

"Who? Kersh?"

"No. Walter. He might be too proud to take the job if he knew."

"Why? He earned that position. He'll be the best DD the bureau has ever seen."

"Walter might not look at it that way, but I agree he will make a great DD."

"Fox, what will you do if Walter offers you your old job back?"

"Turn it down. I don't want to go back to working for the FBI."

"How about as a paid consultant?"

Mulder thought for a few seconds. "I might be willing to consult, depending on the conditions of my contract."

They ate quietly for a few more minutes. Doggett finally found the courage to ask what had been on his mind for the past couple of days "How are things between you and Agent Scully, and the baby?"

"Scully and I haven't been talking much lately, and I haven't seen William in six weeks."

"Why? Don't you want to see him?"

"What I want isn't important." Mulder frowned. "William is Scully's son. She and Reyes have had plans every weekend that I've called to see him." Mulder felt that it was intentional, but he didn't want John to know that. "It doesn't really matter, John, I'm glad that Scully has found someone that makes her happy. I really don't want to intrude in their lives."

"William is your son. Aren't you paying child support?"

"Yes." Mulder took a sip of wine his eyes filled with sadness. "John, Scully's life was ruined because of her involvement with me and the X-Files. I don't want to cause her anymore pain."

"He's your son, Fox."

"He's Scully's new lease on life. I don't want to deny her this chance at happiness."

Doggett frowned. He didn't like Mulder's reasons for giving up his rights as William's father. Doggett knew that the lost of his own son had a lot to do with his reaction. "C'mon, Fox, I'll help you wash the dishes, then I think we should go to bed."

"Isn't it a bit early--" Mulder stopped talking at the lecherous look he was receiving from Doggett. His eyes widened and he chuckled, feeling stupid. "Oh, to bed but not to sleep."

"And you were once considered the most brilliant agent at the FBI?" Doggett quipped, carrying the plates into the kitchen. He frowned at the mess piled up in the sink. "You don't have a dishwasher?"

"Nope. Is that a problem?"

"No, but it does make doing the dishes a lot easier."

Shrugging his shoulders, Mulder squirted some dish soap in the sink. "Usually it's only me."

"It's not only you any longer." Doggett embraced Mulder from behind, kissing his neck. Then he started sucking on the spot just under Mulder's jaw.

Heat coursed through Mulder's body as he melted against Doggett's chest and tilted his head to give him better access. "Oh fuck, John, stop, that's going to show," he said weakly, his cock swelling against the zipper of his jeans.

Doggett smiled against his throat. "I know. I want those students of yours to know that you're taken."

"I think that ought to do it," Mulder murmured, touching the hot wet spot just under his jaw.

"We better get this mess cleaned up." Doggett reluctantly let him go and went to put the remaining meatloaf and vegetables away as Mulder started washing the pots and pans.

"So did you receive anything from the Senator yet?" Mulder asked, trying to take his mind off his throbbing dick.

Doggett picked up a dishtowel and started drying. "Nope. Skinner's promotion is good enough for me."

"Me, too." Mulder had a warm feeling in the pit of his belly, knowing he'd helped Walter get out from under Kersh's thumb.

Both their shirtfronts were wet by the time they finished putting the last plate away. Now that it was time for bed, Mulder was feeling like a nervous virgin. It was not something he was proud of. So he took the offensive, pushing Doggett up against the counter and kissing him.

Doggett's fingers wove through Mulder's hair as he kissed him back enthusiastically. He felt the hard press of Mulder's erection against his hip. His own pants were uncomfortably tight. "Fox, let's move this to the bedroom. I'm going to come in my pants, if I don't get out of them."

Mulder reached between their bodies and squeezed the hard bulge in Doggett's pants. "Is this for me?"

"God, Fox...stop!"

Taking pity on him, Mulder grabbed Doggett's hand and pulled him toward his bedroom. They watched each other strip, dropping their clothes carelessly to the floor.

Mulder licked his lips as he gazed hungrily at Doggett's fat erection. The length was only about seven inches, but its girth was impressive, Mulder wondered if he could even fit his mouth around it.

"I knew you'd be hung like a horse," Doggett said, crossing the space between them and wrapping his hand around Mulder's stiff organ. It was longer than his cock by a good two inches and while not nearly as wide, it was still impressive. He was looking forward to feeling it inside of him. Lowering his head, Doggett sucked and nipped a dusty pink nipple. "Did I mention that I love your nipples?"

Mulder moaned as Doggett's tongue swirled around his tit until it was a rock hard nub. "No...what else do you love?"

Doggett maneuvered them over to the bed and pushed Mulder onto the mattress then straddled his thighs. "Your lips...they are sinfully seductive." He kissed them. Then ran his tongue over Mulder's mole, purring, "Your mole, it's damn sexy."

Mulder sighed as Doggett's tongue brushed over his mole. He hadn't been this turned on in years. His hands caressed over the other man's wide shoulders. So different from the women he'd made love to over the past two decades. Then there was Richard Matheson. The Senator hadn't come anywhere near to stirring the types of feelings inside him that John was stirring. Mulder's fingers brushed through his lover's hair while Doggett sucked the side of his throat. "John, I'd like to taste you."

"Hmm? Are you sure? We can take it slower--"

"I've waited twenty years, I don't want to wait any longer."

Doggett rolled off him. "How do you want to do this?"

"I want you to just lay back and let me pleasure you."

Doing as ordered, Doggett lay on his back in the center of the bed resting his head on a pillow. He watched Mulder intently, hoping the younger man was ready. To his surprise Mulder seemed comfortable, straddling his legs and going down on him. His hips pushed up at the feel of Mulder's tongue lapping around the head of his cock. Long elegant finger's squeezed and fondled with his balls, while his cock was engulfed into the steamy depth of Mulder's mouth. It was wonderful. Tom had been one of the few men who could handle his girth.

His fingers clutched the sheet as Mulder started humming around his cockhead. The vibration sent a wave of pleasure from his balls shooting up to tip of his nose. "Oh God, Fox." He pushed up with his hips wanting to get more of himself into that hot mouth. Mulder obliged him by swallowing the length of him then pulling back and repeating the process. Doggett never experienced anything like it as the tightness of Mulder's throat muscles squeezed his shaft. Not even Tom was able to handle the entire length of him. It only took a few seconds before he came explosively, actually seeing stars. "Ugh!"

When Doggett came back to himself, he was looking up at Mulder's sweet face.

"You passed out. I was worried for a second," Mulder said.

"Where did you learn to do that?"

"Matheson...he liked me sucking him off more than fucking me." Mulder frowned, hating himself for bringing that man's image into his bed. "He wasn't as big as you...I'm sure I'll have a sore throat during class tomorrow."

"Fox, lay down, I want to return the favor."

"It's not necessary. I came while I was blowing you." Mulder smiled sheepishly. "The bedspread needs to be washed." Mulder's hand stroked up and down Doggett's side. "I'd like you to hold me. I've never slept in another man's arms before."

"Matheson never held you?"

"It was only sex. I never spent the night with him...he was married after all."

Doggett climbed out of bed and pulled down the covers. "Get under the covers, Fox."

Mulder scrambled under the covers, turning to watch Doggett slide into bed beside him. His arms looped around Doggett's waist as he pulled him closer, tugging the blankets over them. "Hmm, I could get used to this," he murmured, kissing Doggett's shoulder then resting his head next to the other man's.

"You're not the only one," Doggett smiled contently as his arms held Mulder against his side. Closing his eyes, he laid there relishing the feel and smell of the other man. They fell asleep wrapped in each other's embrace.

End of Part 5

Hoover Building
Wednesday, September 19, 2001

Doggett whistled as he entered the basement office. Reyes and Scully were both there talking quietly. "Ladies." He crossed the room to the small refrigerator they kept in the corner.

"You're in a good mood, John. What's in the bag?" Reyes asked.

"Lunch. A meatloaf sandwich and an apple." Doggett looked at them grinning. "Fox fixed dinner for me last night and this is part of the leftovers." He and Mulder talked this morning and while they decided they weren't going to herald their relationship to all corners of the earth, they weren't going to keep it a secret either. They had enough secrets in their lives.

"*My* Mulder cooked you a meatloaf dinner last night?" Scully was astounded and a little put out that Mulder hadn't confided in her about Doggett.

"Correction, Agent Scully, he's mine. I'll let you borrow him under certain conditions," Doggett said, feeling smug.

"What conditions?" Scully wasn't sure she liked this.

"That you remember that Fox and I are lovers and don't try to interfere in our lives. You allow Fox to see William more often. Fox is his biological father after all and he is paying you child support."

"I've never denied Fox from seeing William!"

"No? When was the last time you allowed Fox to see him?"

"He could stop by any day during the week--"

"He teaches college during the week and often doesn't get home until late. His weekends are usually the only time he has free." Doggett didn't really want to get into an argument with her over visitation rights, but he felt strongly on the subject. If William were his son, he wouldn't allow anyone to deny him from seeing the boy.

Scully glared at him. "Agent Doggett, Mulder and I had an agreement that I'd be *my* child's primary caregiver. If I have plans during the weekend with my lover and son, it cannot be helped and I'm sure Mulder understands. He's just going to have to accept his limited part in William's life."

"He's the boy's father, that's not a limited part."

"He was only the sperm donor. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get down to Quantico." Scully pushed past him out the door, she was too angry to even say goodbye to her lover.

Reyes sighed watching her go. "John, what's going on between Dana and Mulder doesn't involve you. Let them work it out themselves."

"Monica, Fox feels responsible for everything that has happened to Agent Scully, during her time on the X-Files. He's not going to fight for his rights as William's father. It's just not right," Doggett grumbled.

"Why do you care?"

"I just do."

"This is about Luke, isn't it, John?"

"Monica, I know how special a father's relationship with his son can be, I don't want to see Fox throwing that away. He'll regret it later."

"It's his life, John. You cannot force him to live it the way you want him to." Monica sensed that her partner wanted to be part of the boy's life as much as he wanted Mulder to be.

They looked up at the knock on the door and Skinner stepped into their office.

"Sir, congratulations on your promotion," Reyes said, holding out her hand.

Skinner shook it. "Thank you, Agent Reyes." He looked Doggett in his eyes. "It came as a real surprise to me."

Doggett smiled, knowing that Skinner knew just who was behind his promotion. "Sir, what can we do for you?"

Skinner looked around the cramped office. A feeling of nostalgia washed over him as he picture the countless times he had been down here to speak to Mulder over the years. "I've spoken to the head of facilities and asked him to relocate the X-Files to a larger office in the building. This space really wasn't meant for two people."

"Thank you, sir." Reyes smiled.

Skinner nodded, looking uncomfortable.

"Was there anything else, sir?" Doggett asked.

"Can I speak to you in private, John?"

Reyes grabbed her purse. "I need to...use the lady's room."

After she left Doggett leaned up against his desk. "Walter, what's wrong?"

"What's your relationship with Mulder?"

"As of last night, we're lovers."

Skinner frowned and said, "Congratulations."

Skinner's response confirmed what Doggett had suspected. "You've wanted him for years, haven't you?"

Skinner shrugged his shoulders. "It doesn't matter. It would never have worked, even if I had the guts to pursue a relationship with him. Take care of him, John. Mulder deserves to be happy." Skinner turned and walked out of the office.

Doggett planned to do exactly that.

***

Twelve weeks later
Friday, December 21, 2001

Doggett climbed tiredly out of his car, pulling his overnight bag from the backseat. He'd been out of town on a case for the last four days, working sixteen hours days. He was dead-tired, but all he wanted right now was to spend the night with his lover. He didn't even bother going home first, choosing instead to come straight over to Mulder's apartment from the airport. A cold wind whipped down the deserted street, scattering snowflakes in its wake. It was going to be a white Christmas this year. He shivered as he hefted the bag over his shoulder and hurried up the steps, using his key to enter Mulder's building.

When Doggett arrived at Mulder's fourth floor apartment he noticed that the front door was ajar. He panicked, dropping his bag and pulling his gun from its holster.

A voice spoke softly from behind him. "John, what are you doing?" Mulder asked, walking down the hallway.

"Your door was open--"

"I was throwing out the trash."

"It's not like you to leave your door open...." Doggett tried to explain, feeling foolish.

"Oh, you were worried about me?" Mulder smiled and kissed him. "I missed you."

The man down the hall growled as he headed out his door for the elevator. "Hey! Can you homos take it inside?"

"The natives are getting ugly," Doggett said, holstering his gun.

"I know, it's starting to get irritating," Mulder muttered, bending down to retrieve Doggett's bag, he carried it into his apartment.

"Don't let them get to you, Fox. Go by my motto...screw'em." Doggett closed and locked the door behind them.

"No...screw me, John boy." Mulder dropped Doggett's bag and jumped him. They ended up on the floor with Mulder straddling Doggett's hips and smirking down at him. "I can feel how happy you are to see me," Mulder purred, grinding his ass against the hard bulge in Doggett's pants.

Doggett's fingers clutched Mulder's buttocks squeezing the firm mounds affectionately. "Fox, you know I love you, but I'm as sore as hell right now." He barely stifled a yawn.

Mulder paused and studied him. "Not to mention you look like shit. You're working too hard, John. C'mon, it's into a hot bath for you then to bed."

The front buzzer sounded as Mulder was pulling Doggett to his feet. Mulder answered it. "Yeah?"

"I have a delivery for a Mr. Fox Mulder that requires a signature."

"Come on up." Mulder buzzed the man inside.

"It's rather late for a delivery. I wonder what it is?" Doggett said.

"We'll find out in a minute," Mulder replied, opening the front door to wait for the courier.

A young black man strolled off the elevator and down the hall to Mulder's apartment. "Fox Mulder?" At Mulder's nod, he handed him two manila envelopes, then held out his clipboard. "I require your signature here."

Mulder signed and handed the man a five-dollar tip. "Thanks."

"Merry Christmas!" the courier said, before heading back toward the elevator.

Doggett closed the door as Mulder stepped back inside the apartment.

"They're from Senator Woods. John, this one is addressed to you." Mulder handed Doggett his envelope.

"I wonder how he knew I'd be here?"

"You're always here or I'm always at your place."

Doggett tore open the envelope and a key fell out, clattering on the hardwood floor. He bent and picked it up, freezing as he read the letters embedded into the metal. "Fuck." He pulled the title out of the envelope and whooped as he read it.

"John, what is it?"

"He gave me a fucking Harley Davidson! Fox, do you have any idea how much I've always wanted a Hog?"

"From the expression on your face, I'd say a lot."

"There's a two year waiting list to get one of these custom beauties. There's an address where I can pick up the bike."

Mulder felt his envelope "There's a key inside mine, too. Maybe we got matching hogs." He frowned when he pulled the key from the envelope. It wasn't for a motorcycle. It looked more like a house key. Then he pulled out the deed.

"What's wrong, Fox?"

"It's for a house. He bought me a house in D.C." Mulder recognized the neighborhood. It was one of DC's upper middle class neighborhoods, not too far from the Senator's mansion.

"Hey cool. I hope it has a garage where I can park my bike."

"John, I'm not sure if I should accept it."

"Why not? You saved his son's life. It's not as if you're facing a conflict of interest in accepting his gift. Take it, Fox."

"What about you? Isn't accepting that bike a conflict of interest?"

"Nope. The Senator has nothing to gain from giving me the bike. Besides, it's four days before Christmas, so I believe this can be viewed as a Christmas present."

Mulder put the deed and key back inside the envelope and set it on the dining room table. "C'mon, I was going to run you a hot bath, then I think a massage is in order."

"You spoil me, Fox."

"You're the first person in my life that I've wanted to spoil."

***

Mulder spread cream cheese on his bagel as he looked over the deed one more time. "John, it says the house has four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a detached two car garage...I bet it even has a dishwasher."

"You're going to accept it then?" Doggett reached for his coffee mug as he looked over the top of the newspaper at Mulder. They'd settled into a comfortable rhythm over the past three months.

Mulder nodded. "I think so. I can't believe he gave me a house."

"Yeah, and here I was hoping for Knicks' tickets." Doggett chuckled.

"This has to be the nicest Christmas present I've ever received," Mulder said, going back to reading through the deed.

"C'mon, Fox, let's go see your house," Doggett said, standing he walked into the kitchen and poured his unfinished coffee down the drain. Then he walked back into the small dining space and bent to kiss Mulder on the lips.

Mulder smiled and stood, following Doggett over to the front door. They grabbed their coats off the coat tree and strolled out of the apartment.

"Do you have the key?" Doggett asked as they waited for the elevator.

"Yep."

It was only a twenty-minute drive from Mulder's apartment. Doggett whistled as they pulled up in front of the residence. It was a three-story row house. He didn't think it was a coincidence that the house was only a couple blocks from the Senator's mansion.

"Nice neighborhood," Mulder commented, looking up and down the tree-lined street as they climbed out of the car. Across the street was a small park with a fountain. The fountain had been shut off for the winter. Through the bare trees and shrubs, on the far side of the park, Mulder could make out a row of shops, including a coffee shop and bookstore. He probably wouldn't be able to see the shops from where he stood in the summer when the leaves were on the trees and bushes.

Doggett opened the gate that led up to the front door and waited for Mulder to pass through before following him up the step. The door was painted red with a half-arched window above it. The stucco siding was white and the windows framed with dark green shutters.

"This place is huge," Mulder said, inserting the key. "I don't think I can manage it alone."

"It's closer to the Hoover building than my current house. I could move in and help you with it," Doggett suggested, not wanting to pressure Mulder. Over the last three months he had been thinking about asking Mulder to move in with him.

They stepped into the foyer and Mulder started to look panicked as he saw just how big the place was. "John, don't tease me...you better be fucking serious. There is no way I can take care of this place alone. I know nothing about home maintenance, lawn care--"

"Whoa, Fox, I'm serious. This place is a hundred times nicer than my house. Besides, it has one feature I cannot do without," Doggett said, pulling Mulder against his chest and kissing him.

Mulder kissed him back, relaxing. "Good. Shall we look around *our* new home?"

They wandered around the downstairs, which had a living room, a half bath, dining room with a cover porch off it. The kitchen and breakfast rooms were in the back of the house, along with a laundry room. The back door led out to a detached garage and an alley that ran behind their home.

[Floor plan: http://slashingmulder.com/JoB/rowhouseFP.gif (use back button to return here)]

"I like this room," Doggett said, standing in the breakfast area, looking out a sliding glass door that opened onto another cover porch.

"It's nice. Let's go upstairs...I want to see the master bedroom." Mulder strolled out of the kitchen and through the dining room. He took the steps two at a time until he reached the top. Ducking into the first bedroom, he thought it was too small for the master. The second bedroom was a lot larger, but it shared a bath with the small bedroom.

"Hey, Fox, get your sweet ass over here!"

Mulder sprinted down the hallway to a bedroom that was in the front of the house. Doggett was standing in the doorway leading to the bathroom.

"I guess you found the master bedroom."

"I found something better. Look at the size of the tub in the bathroom."

Mulder stepped around him and into the bathroom. A smile lit up his face as he looked at the large bathtub. Romantic images of candles and champagne flashed before his eyes. He was becoming sentimental in his old age.

"I'm going to fuck you in that tub every chance I get," Doggett purred seductively, nibbling on Mulder's earlobe.

Mulder's penis twitched with arousal. "John, you make me so hot."

"When do you want to move in?"

"We can start moving some of our stuff in this weekend then hire a truck to move the larger pieces in next weekend." He sighed, "I'm going to be out some money for breaking my lease early."

"You won't have to pay rent any longer so it shouldn't be too bad. Fox, I think we should hire a cleaning service to come out once or twice a week." Doggett wrapped his arms around Mulder's body, hugging him from behind.

"I think you're right. We've much better things to do with our free time." Mulder chuckled, turning around in Doggett's arms.

Doggett expression turned serious. "This is really a big step we're taking, Fox."

"I never lived with anyone before," Mulder confessed. "Do you think we're making a mistake?"

"No. Fox, you're the best thing to happen to me in years."

***

Nine months later
Friday, September 13, 2002

Demetrius painted a fresh pentagram in the middle of the cavern's stone floor. He followed the pattern of an older one that had faded over the months. In the center of the pentagram were several pairs of iron manacles. Steel bolts were imbedded into the stone floor where the manacles were attached by a chain.

It was time. A year had passed since his plans were interrupted and he was forced to flee up to his mountain hideaway. In that time he had located the perfect female match to the beautiful Fox. He glanced over at his captive. She sat huddled against the wall looking fearfully between him and the winged creature that had brought her here. Only her looks mirrored Fox Mulder, while pretty, her soul was pure evil.

When the gargoyle found Jena, she was in the process of sexually torturing a young woman to death. All for the amusement and pleasure of her husband who sat whacking off to the creative uses his wife found for their empty beer bottles.

"What the fuck do you want from me?" Jena yelled.

Demetrius ignored her while he finished painting the pentagram. It was necessary for her safety. When he left to collect the pretty Fox, he wouldn't be able to prevent the gargoyle from ripping her apart.

After he finished his task, Demetrius gazed over at the frightened, hazel-eyed woman. "You have blood on your hands, Jena. How many women and girls have you tortured to death for your husband's entertainment?"

Jena glared at the tall man...there was something decidedly sinister about him that chilled her blood. His head was cleanly shaved and he looked feminine. She stifled her growing unease and asked, "Was one of those cows a friend of yours?"

"No. I don't like women. I've killed my share of them, too." It gave him satisfaction to see the fear pass over her lovely features. It wasn't hard for him to see into her dark soul; she was like an open book. "Jena, you took great pleasure in torturing a ten year old girl to death. You got off on her fear as I'm going to get off on yours."

She had no idea how he would know about that. The ten-year-old was her first victim. Jena had lured the child out of the park on the pretense of helping her look for a lost puppy. "Let me go! My husband has money--"

Demetrius laughed, walking away. The gargoyle would see that she stayed put.

After an hour had passed, and he was sure that the paint was dry, Demetrius dragged Jena inside the pentagram and attached the manacles to her ankles.

He placed tow plastic gallon bottles of water next to her and a bucket where she could relieve herself in. "I will be gone a couple of days, maybe longer. You'll need to make the water last. As long as you remain inside the pentagram you will be protected from the gargoyle."

"Look you bald-headed piece of shit, my husband will cut you into tiny pieces!"

"Your husband has already found a new cunt to plow, bitch."

"You're lying!" Jena's bottom lip quivered. "What do you want from me?"

"Jena dear, you have something I need to create the perfect human."

"What?"

Smiling evilly, he purred, "Something you won't miss--your reproductive organs." Turning, he stalked out of the cave.

Jena blanched as she watched him leave. The gargoyle hissed and stalked around the outside of the pentagram. "HEY! Don't leave me here with this thing!"

Demetrius had disposed of his old car in a nearby lake. He used the money he had stashed to purchase a used car with a big trunk. It was time to collect the Fox and the Dog. Demetrius chuckled at his joke. The decision to use Agent Doggett in his plans had been difficult. Demetrius wanted to avoid the pretty Fox committing suicide like Samuel and Philip. He figured if Fox were pregnant with his lover's baby, he'd be less likely to kill himself.

He could have sent the gargoyle to abduct the two men, but he didn't want to chance Fox being killed accidentally by it.

End of Part 6

Doggett walked through the back door of his and Mulder's house. He smiled when his eyes fell on his lover, who was sitting at the breakfast table with a stack of papers spread out across it. Mulder was wearing his glasses and looking so damn sexy that Doggett wanted to jump him.

Mulder glanced up and smiled tiredly. "Hey, John. Did you remember the wine?"

"Yep." He held up the large paper bag, containing several bottles of wine. "Mm, something smells good. What are you cooking?" Doggett asked, setting the bag on the counter. He walked over to the oven and peered inside. They invited Skinner over for dinner tonight and Mulder had promised to start the meal as soon as he got home from the university.

"Roast beef with those little red potatoes, and acorn squash."

"Walter ought to love that. Do you need any help?" Doggett asked.

"Yeah, can you make the salad?"

"Sure. Let me run upstairs and lose the suit first." He paused at the table. Bending, he kissed Mulder on the top of his head.

Mulder took off his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. "What type of kiss was that?"

"The type one gives a lover who has his face buried in...? Just what are you working on?"

"A Baltimore PD detective asked me to check into three homicides. He thinks they might have a serial killer on their hands."

"What do you think?"

"I think Detective Bayliss has good instincts."

"And that means?"

"I'll tell you over dinner." Mulder grabbed Doggett's tie and pulled him down. "Now give me a proper kiss then get your ass out of that suit."

It was an order Doggett couldn't refuse and he kissed Mulder deeply. His tongue probed his lover's mouth, tasting the sweetness of the iced tea Mulder had been drinking. When the kiss ended, they were both breathless and aroused. He gazed lovingly into Mulder's warm eyes. "You do know this is our one year anniversary?"

Mulder looked puzzled for a second then smiled. "Of course, how could I forget. You cooked dinner for me on the pretence of discussing the Woods' case."

"And you brought me flowers."

"We should have done something to celebrate."

"We can celebrate the first time we slept together," Doggett said, brushing his fingers through Mulder's thick hair. "I love you, Fox."

Mulder grabbed Doggett's hand and held it. "John, I don't remember ever being this happy in my life."

"You've never say it. Why?"

Mulder knew John was referring to him never telling John that he loved him. "You know that I do."

"I would like to hear you say it at least once."

At Mulder's silence and troubled expression, Doggett caressed the side of his face. "Hey...it's okay, Fox, whenever you're ready." He turned and strolled out of the room.

Mulder watched him leave, feeling guilty. He loved John, but he feared if he ever said the words aloud, fate would step in and ruin their happiness. Like it had throughout his life. Lately, he'd been having feelings of foreboding that something bad was going to happen to them. In the living room the mantle clock struck seven and Mulder realized he had to hurry; Skinner would be there in less than an hour. He shoved the papers back inside the folder and carried it up two flights of stairs to the third floor office. Tomorrow was Saturday; he'd finish going over it then.

***

Skinner pulled up in front of the house. This wasn't the first time he'd been invited to dinner. Mulder and John were inviting him more frequently lately. He found their company enjoyable and their conversations stimulating. Deep down he still pined for Mulder, but the joy of seeing his former agent truly happy gave him a warm feeling inside.

He picked up the bouquet of flowers lying next to him on the passenger seat. After Mulder and John told him about their first two dinners together, Skinner had never shown up without flowers.

Doggett opened the front door and smiled at Skinner, pulling him into a bear hug. "Thanks for coming, Walter."

Skinner returned the hug, enjoying the close contact. "Thanks for inviting me." The affectionate greeting he received, whenever he visited, almost made Skinner feel apart of their family. Becoming an intimate part of their lives was something Skinner often fantasized about.

"You know we enjoy your company." Doggett took the bouquet of cattails and wildflowers. "These are cool, Fox is going to love them."

They walked into the dining room and Doggett stopped at the table where a vase sat half-full with water. He arranged the flowers while Skinner continued through to the kitchen.

Mulder was standing by the stove, having just removed the beef roast. "Hey, Walter!" He walked over and hugged Skinner, enjoying the feel of broad shoulders and hard muscles under his fingertips. "You're looking good."

Skinner returned the hug affectionately. "So are you." Pulling back, he nodded toward a stained glass artwork hanging from small chains over the kitchen sink window. "That's a nice piece. Where'd you find it?"

Mulder looked over at the stained glass. It was of koi swimming in a pond. "John found it when he was in Wisconsin last week. We're going to be putting a small pond in the backyard next spring. I've been pricing koi at the aquarium store."

"It's lovely. Where in the yard are you putting the pond?"

"In the far northwest corner...on the other side of the garage. We want to build a small stone waterfall."

"If you need any help, just ask. I love building things with my hands." Skinner missed having a backyard. His apartment was nice, but it felt so small and impersonal at times. Mulder and Doggett's house had the personality of both men, from the fish tank in the living room to the rifle rack in the upstairs office.

"Fox, do you want to carve the roast here or on the table?" Doggett asked, scooping the little red potatoes into a serving bowl. He'd come into the kitchen while his lover and Skinner were talking.

"Here, John." Mulder turned back to Skinner. "If you want to come and watc h the baseball game tomorrow, we'll be having roast beef sandwiches."

"I'd love to," Skinner said. "Do you need any help?"

"Yeah. Do you want to carve the roast?" Mulder pulled the carving set from the drawer then placed the carving board on the counter.

"Sure." Skinner took the carving knife and fork from him. Mulder placed a plate next to the board as Skinner lifted the roast out of the pan.

Mulder licked his lips watching the ripple of hard muscles encased in a tight fitting T-shirt as Skinner started carving the roast. He yelped as Doggett swatted his ass.

"You can look, just don't touch," Doggett said, hugging him from behind. At least not yet, he thought.

Mulder chuckled. "A man can fantasize." Turning in the Doggett's arms, Mulder kissed him and whispered, "My heart belongs to you, John boy."

Skinner watched their interplay, straining to hear what the two men were whispering. He felt lonely watching them, knowing he'd be going home to a cold empty bed.

They ended the embrace and Mulder walked over to the oven. "Did you bring the salad to the table?" he asked, opening the oven door to remove the pan of acorn squash.

"Yes." Doggett stood at the counter, opening one of the bottles of wine.

Skinner carved enough meat for three. It was cooked just the way he liked it medium-rare. "So what have you been up to lately, Mulder?" he asked, following his former agent into the dining room with the platter of beef.

"As you know, I'm still teaching, and I've been consulting more often with different police departments."

"Fox is currently consulting with the Baltimore PD." Doggett filled the wineglasses on the table as Mulder and Skinner took their seats.

"They have a serial killer on the loose in their area," Mulder said.

"You were able to deduce that from those three murders?" Doggett asked, taking some beef from the platter then reaching for a jar of horseradish.

"Yep, it doesn't fit the normal pattern of a serial killer, but those men were killed by the same unsub." He passed the bowl of salad down to Skinner.

"They were all men?" Skinner asked.

"Yes. The men were all different ages, religions, and races, plus the men were murdered with different weapons."

"What did the victims have in common?"

"Each man had brown eyes and smoked."

"That's not very much to tie the cases together."

"Walter, my instincts are telling me that they were killed by the same person. Don't worry, I'll find the link between them." Mulder popped a tiny parsley covered potato in his mouth.

"I'm sure you will." Skinner took a sip of wine, then picked up his fork.

They ate in silence for a few minutes.

Skinner took another slice of roast beef. He looked over at Mulder. "I really wish you'd come back to work for the FBI, Mulder."

"Sorry, Walter, but I love my freedom too much." He smiled and reached for his wineglass.

Doggett shook his head. "Walter, did you know we're prisoners of the F-B-I?"

"I was wondering what all those armed guards were for," Skinner quipped.

Mulder rolled his eyes, spooning some squash into his mouth. "John, the next time you come dragging your tired butt home after being out of town on a case all week, don't come begging me to kiss it."

Doggett winked at Skinner. "Foxy, you love kissing my ass, among other things. You'd only be punishing yourself."

Skinner chuckled. "That I'd like to see."

"Walter, are you proposing a little threesome action?" Mulder teased. The idea of Skinner in their bed turned him on.

"Somehow I don't think you're serious, Mulder." Skinner would jump at the chance, if he thought he'd be an equal partner in their lives. He liked both men enough that the thought of having sex with them would be a wet dream come true.

Doggett looked closely at his lover. "Fox is serious, Walter." They both had grown to enjoy Skinner's company and he knew Fox used to fantasize about Skinner.

Mulder looked up surprised, before he could deny it Skinner interrupted.

"How do you feel about it, John?" Skinner eyes locked with Doggett's.

"Walter, I'm pretty old-fashioned. I've never been much into sharing," he said, maintaining eye contact with Skinner. "But, I think we should discuss this further. I have thought about us having sex quite a bit lately. Walter, I do find you attractive," Doggett confessed.

A feeling of apprehension seized Mulder's heart. Why had he brought up threesomes? What had John meant, he'd thought about having sex with Walter? Was John tired of their relationship and now wanted one with Walter instead? Was this what his recent feeling of foreboding about?

"Fox, are you okay?" Doggett placed his hand on Mulder's forearm.

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine. I know that tone."

Mulder stood suddenly, tipping over his wineglass. "If you wanted to dump me for Walter you could have found a better way to tell me!" He stormed out of the room and up the staircase.

"Sorry, Walter, I'll be right back." Doggett rose and ran after him.

Skinner sighed and rubbed his temples. Then he stood and went into the kitchen for a rag to clean up the spilled wine.

Doggett slammed their bedroom door. "Fox, I'm not dumping you! You're the one who wanted to have a threesome!"

"I was joking!"

"You were not joking. I know you have feelings for Walter."

Mulder took his overnight bag out of the closet. "I didn't know you had feelings for him. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I can't believe this! You're jealous! Fox, what did you want me to tell you? That I've fantasized about having sex with Walter on several occasions?"

"Was one of those occasions while you were fucking me?" Tears ran down Mulder's cheeks as he set the bag on the bed and opened it. "I thought you loved me? Was the past year a lie?"

Doggett grabbed the bag and threw it across the room. "Fox, I love you and I'm not dumping you for Walter! This is why I suggested that we discuss this threesome issue. It's clear you don't trust our love and commitment enough to make Walter a part of it."

"What if you discovered you enjoy being with him more than me?"

"You seriously think I'd chose Walter over you?"

"It wouldn't be the first time a lover dumped me for someone else."

Doggett grabbed Mulder's shoulders and shoved him up against the wall. "I love you, Fox William Mulder! Get that through your goddamn thick skull!" He kissed Mulder hard, bruising their lips and grinding their bodies together. When he pulled back Mulder was looking at him stunned.

Mulder licked his lips, then wrapped his arms around his lover's body, resting his head against John's. His whole body shook as he cried. It took several minutes before he could pull himself together enough to speak. Doggett held him in a secure embrace the entire time.

"John, I'm sorry for being such an ass."

"Shh, Fox. This isn't about Walter is it?"

"N-No. I've been having a strange feeling that something bad is going to happen to us. The feeling's been getting worse."

"Is that why you haven't been sleeping well lately?" When they first started sleeping together Doggett had been awoken numerous times by Mulder thrashing and crying in his sleep. The nightmares his lover experienced were mostly related to his abduction and torture. It'd been months since Mulder had any of those dreams.

"Yes. I know you don't believe in these things, John."

"Fox, I've become a lot more open-minded since living with you and working on the X-Files. But do you seriously believe making Walter a part of our lives will cause something bad to happen to us?"

"I don't know. It might have nothing to do with my feelings of foreboding. I just don't want to lose you."

Doggett held him tightly. "How long have you had this...fear that something is going to happen to us?"

"About three weeks."

"Okay. I'll tell Walter this isn't a good time to discuss bringing him into our bed. I'll leave it up to you to decide, if and when, you want us to develop a sexual relationship with him."

Mulder sighed with relief. "Thanks, John. Can you tell Walter that I'm sorry? I can't face him just now."

"Okay, Fox." He kissed him softly on the lips. "Why don't you turn in. God, knows you could use your sleep."

"I will."

Doggett walked downstairs and found Walter in the kitchen putting the leftover food away. The sink was filled with suds as the pots and pans soaked.

"Walter, you don't have to do that. You're our guest."

"I don't mind. How's Mulder?"

"He's embarrassed by his behavior." Doggett opened the dishwasher and started filling it. "Fox still has a hard time believing that I love him."

Skinner scrubbed a pan in the sink. "It's not surprising. Everyone in his life has betrayed him at some point, including Scully and me."

Doggett frowned. "Walter, Agent Scully is a sore subject with me. I wish you hadn't approved her transfer request."

"There wasn't much I could do, John. If it's any consolation I sympathize with you and Mulder. I've always wanted a son or a daughter." Skinner had tried to talk Scully and Reyes out of transferring to the San Francisco office, but Scully felt it would be a better location to raise her son.

"It broke Fox's heart. We were really starting to become attached to Willie...I think that was one of the reasons Agent Scully requested the transfer," Doggett said.

"John, do you really think she transferred so Mulder wouldn't be able to see his son? That seems a bit cold even for her."

"Walter, when I was assigned to investigate Fox's abduction, I thought it was strange how quickly Agent Scully moved on with her life. If my partner of seven years were missing, I wouldn't stop looking for him after only two weeks. I'd never stop looking! She put her own needs and wants ahead of any feelings she may have had for him. Right now she wants to raise William her way without any interference from Fox or me!"

"She was devastated by Mulder's abduction--"

"Walter, when Fox arrived home from the hospital, Scully told him all about how his abduction had affected her. Fox was barely hanging on to his sanity, but she told him, he wouldn't understand what it was like finding out he was abducted or searching for him. She told this to a man who spent over twenty years searching for his abducted sister! A man who never gave up searching for Scully after she was abducted. Agent Scully didn't even bother to ask how he was doing, it was all about her. Fox actually felt guilty and apologized. As if she had suffered more than he had."

"I didn't know that. But none of us were there for Mulder when he came back." Skinner regretted that he hadn't spent more time with Mulder. It had been so difficult for him--Mulder's death, resurrection, Krycek, the birth of Scully's and Mulder's child."

"Walter, if it weren't for you, Fox would still be buried alive. I was more concerned with how having his body exhumed would affect Agent Scully than the possibility he might not be dead."

"But you did think he was dead. At least you didn't try to kill him like I did!"

"You did so to protect Agent Scully's unborn baby from Alex Krycek." Doggett grabbed a towel and dried his hands then tossed it to Skinner. "The pans can wait. C'mon, let's take the bottle of wine outside on the back porch."

Skinner dried his hands and followed Doggett out the sliding door to the porch off the breakfast room. There was a high fence, blocking the view of the alley. It was a pleasant evening. Skinner sat on a lawn chair while Doggett took the porch-swing.

Doggett passed Skinner a glass of wine then filled his own glass, setting the bottle between them on the wood planking. "I'm worried about Fox. He's working too hard. I'd like it if he'd choose between teaching and consulting. I think the stress is getting to him."

"Good luck...Mulder never was one to do what's best for him."

"Walter, I talked to him about you. I feel deep down that he wants the three of us together, but he's afraid of rejection. He's worried I'll leave him for you."

"That's ridiculous."

"I know, if anyone should be worried it's me."

Skinner raised an eyebrow. He had been wondering why John proposed they talked about a threesome. "Why aren't you?"

"I'm secure in Fox's love for me. He's never said the words, but he shows me daily just how he feels. It's a good feeling, Walter. To be loved so deeply."

Doggett looked at Skinner who was sitting silently listening to him. He could sense a longing inside his friend. "Walter, Fox is afraid something is going to happen that will change our relationship."

"Is there a basis for his fears?"

"Just his intuition."

Skinner nodded. "That might be enough."

"I'm leaving it up to Fox whether he wants us to have a sexual relationship with you."

Skinner sipped his wine and looked out over the backyard. "John, I'm only willing to have a relationship with you and Fox if I'm a full partner. I don't want to be a weekend fuck or a third-wheel."

Doggett smiled. "I wouldn't want you to be anything but a full partner. If Fox agrees, we'll see how it goes for a few weeks then discuss living arrangements."

Skinner relaxed and grinned. "Do you think Mulder will let me call him Fox?"

"Just call him Muldah a few times and he'll be begging you to call him Fox." Doggett chuckled.

A gentle breeze swirled through the cherry tree as Skinner watched the lights of a car pass by through the gaps in the fence. "Do you sit out here often?"

"Yeah, or upstairs on the veranda off our bedroom. Fox often goes out there when he's having trouble sleeping."

They fell into a comfortable silence. Skinner hoped Mulder would want to proceed with a relationship with him. He'd love to move in here with them. To be able to come home to their company every night.

End of Part 7

Demetrius parked his car down the alley and crept back to the house, hiding behind the garage to spy on the two men sitting on the back porch. He wondered whom the bald man was sitting with Agent Doggett. The lights on the first floor were on, but he couldn't see Mulder through the windows.

He spent over an hour watching the two men, but not seeing Mulder from his current position, Demetrius decided to walk around the block to the front of the house. Demetrius moved stealthily down the alley, straightening when he reached the sidewalk and casually strolling around the block. He crossed the street over to the park. He took a seat on a park bench across from the house. It took him a moment to spot the man standing against the railing on the second floor veranda.

It would be so easy to climb up there. He would use the veranda tomorrow night to break into the house.

Mulder noticed the person across the street in the park. He seldom saw anyone there this late who wasn't walking a dog. The shops across the way would have closed a half-hour ago. He took a deep breath of the sweet night air. It was beautiful outside...the person probably wanted some fresh air.

His thoughts turned back to his lover and Skinner. Mulder had fantasized about Skinner for years. His fantasies mostly ended once he became involved with John. In the past three months, he only beat off once thinking about Walter, and that was when John had been away on a case. He had felt guilty afterwards.

Now John wanted him to consider bringing Walter into their bed? Mulder wasn't sure if he could control his jealousy. It was a brand new feeling for him. He never was the jealous type. Then he never had anyone he loved as much as John. Could he deal with his insecurity if it meant having Walter as an intimate part of their life? Would he come to love Walter as much as he loved John?

Mulder smiled. That was what it was about after all--love and companionship. If they both came to love Walter as much as each other, and if Walter returned their feelings, then it would work out.

The only problem would be putting up with two extreme alpha-males. Okay, once his feelings of pending doom passed, Mulder would give his approval to bring Walter into their life. With that decision made, he walked back inside their bedroom.

Mulder stripped off his clothes and left them piled on a chair as he walked naked into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth, then gave himself an enema, before taking a long relaxing shower. After toweling off, he grabbed the lube from the cabinet and prepared himself. He was looking forward to some make up sex. The moonlight was coming in through the window as he turned down the bedcovers and slipped between the cool sheets. Sighing with contentment, he was asleep as soon as his eyes closed.

***

Skinner and Doggett had knocked off three bottles of wine before they called it an evening. Doggett offered Skinner the use of the third floor guestroom. Skinner accepted it happily, not wanting to drive home this late at night after spending the last four hours drinking.

Doggett walked into his bedroom and turned on the small lamp on the dresser. It was enough light to see by, but not enough to wake Mulder. He frowned at the pile of clothes on the chair, picking them up he carried them into the closet where he tossed them into the hamper. If Fox planned on wearing them again, he should have hung them up. Doggett stripped off his T-shirt and tossed it into the laundry bag then folded his jeans and placed them on the shelf.

He used the bathroom then strolled back into the bedroom. His eyes roamed over Mulder's delicious form spread out beneath a thin sheet. Doggett could tell that his lover was naked. He smiled. A naked Fox meant that he wanted to have sex. So he walked back to the closet and stripped off his briefs, tossing them into the hamper.

Doggett climbed into bed and spooned behind his lover. Then he slowly started waking Mulder by kissing his shoulder and caressing his body. He breathed in the sweet scent of soap on Mulder's warm flesh.

"Hm, what time's it?" Mulder murmured, raising one of his legs to give his lover better access to his ass.

Doggett slipped a finger inside. "After two o'clock."

"You and Walter were up talking that long?" Mulder relaxed as Doggett's skilled fingers stretched him.

"Yeah. We really have a lot in common...including you. Fox, Walter has it bad for you. He's been in love with you for years." Doggett pulled his fingers free and positioned his cock.

Mulder glanced over his shoulder at Doggett. "He told you that?"

Pushing in, Doggett captured Mulder's lips in a gentle kiss. "Yeah, babe. If he didn't love and respect you, I wouldn't want him in our lives even as a friend." Doggett had stopped seeing a couple of his buddies that had a low opinion of Mulder.

Mulder moaned as his lover started slowly fucking him. "What about you? How does Walter feel about you?" His fingers clenched the sheet.

Doggett reached over Mulder's hip and started stroking his cock as he continued the slow thrusts into his body. "We share a mutual respect and attraction. I wouldn't call it love, but in time I'm sure I can grow to love him."

Mulder's body jerked as Doggett hit his prostate. "Oooh God. H-Harder."

Doggett smiled. This was his favorite time during sex, when Fox became so aroused that he couldn't speak more than a couple words at one time. Doggett raised himself up on his elbow, so he could thrust in harder and deeper. He enjoyed the feel of his lover's ass gripping his cock and wondered briefly what Walter's ass would feel like or if Walter would want to be an exclusive top. His lover's anal muscles contracted at the same time he felt the come spurt over his fist. He picked up the pace of his thrusts; he came shortly after Mulder.

Mulder sighed as Doggett's body folded around him with his cock still buried up his ass. The sheets had fallen off them and sweat plastered their bodies together.

"I can never get enough of you, Fox."

"John, I spent some time thinking about us and Walter. It seemed so sudden tonight, but it really wasn't, was it? We've been inviting him into our lives more and more over the last six months, but you've noticed that and I didn't."

"At times, Fox, you aren't very observant. I never had any trouble seeing the feelings you and Walter had for each other."

"I don't have--"

"Stop denying it, Fox. You used to fantasize about him all the time."

"I stopped almost completely after you came into my life."

Doggett caressed Mulder's side. "*Almost* the operative word."

"Okay. We both are attracted to Walter, and we both want him in our lives as more than a friend. John, as soon as I no longer have this terrible feeling that something is going to happen to us, we can bring him into our bed."

Doggett kissed Mulder's shoulder and pulled out, rolling onto his back. "I knew you'd come to your senses."

Mulder slipped out of bed. "I came to my senses once I realized that I'd have two sexy men fucking me." He entered the bathroom and soaped up a washcloth, cleaning the semen from his stomach, ass, and thighs. Rinsing it, Mulder carried it back into the bedroom and gently washed Doggett's penis and balls then cleaned the sweat from his body.

"Fox, do you think Walter's a top?" Doggett lay with his hands behind his head, enjoying being pampered.

"In my fantasies he was always a top, but he might be like you." Doggett liked being topped occasionally. Mulder enjoyed those occasions thoroughly, although he preferred being a bottom more. He loved giving up control to John. He carried the washcloth back into the bathroom and left it next to the sink.

Doggett turned on his side and watched Mulder walk to the bed. "We'll play twenty questions with him over breakfast."

Mulder slipped into his arms and pulled the sheet over their bodies. "Walter's still here?"

"Yeah, he's upstairs in the guestroom."

"Do you want to make us your killer omelets tomorrow?" Mulder asked.

Doggett hugged him closer. "Anything for you, babe." He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Mulder smiled then frowned as a sudden feeling of apprehension intruded upon his peace. He eased out of his lover's arms and walked over to the window. The park bench across the street was empty, but he felt as if he was being watched. Mulder chewed on his lower lip as he climbed back into bed, no longer feeling that Walter was the threat to their relationship, but something else was.

Demetrius watched Mulder gaze out the window. Unlike his other chosen ones, this one had prognosticative abilities. Fox was going to make the perfect human. He turned and headed back to his car.

***

The birds were singing when Skinner opened his eyes. It took him a moment to remember where he was. Stretching, he climbed out of bed and went to use the bathroom. He was washing his face when there was a knock on the door and he hurried out of the bathroom to answer it.

Mulder was standing outside looking slightly embarrassed and carrying a small bundle in his arms. "I heard the water running and thought you might want to shave and brush your teeth."

Skinner took the items. "Thanks, Fox. Do you want to come in?"

Mulder raised an eyebrow at the use of his first name while he stared at the handsome man standing before him in only briefs. "I...sure. John is downstairs making us breakfast."

"Then I better be quick," Skinner said, strolling into the bathroom. Mulder followed, staring lustfully at Skinner's firm ass encased in skimpy white cotton. He stood in doorway as Skinner laid the shaving gear and toothbrush on the sink.

"Walter, I'm sorry about my behavior last night."

Skinner smeared shaving gel on his face and said, "You should be, Fox, you behaved like a spoiled brat."

It wasn't what Mulder expected to hear. "Well, I am sorry. I think I'll go see how John is doing with breakfast."

"I'm not done talking to you."

Mulder frowned. "Walter, I said I was sorry. You called me a spoiled brat, I don't see what else there is to say."

"How about, I love you, Fox. I want to learn to love John, but we need to clear the air between you and me first."

"How can you love me when we haven't even had sex?"

Skinner chuckled. "You love Scully and you never had sex with her."

"I love Scully like a sister." Mulder leaned against the door jam, watching Skinner shave.

"Point. I don't love you like a sister. I've never felt like drilling my sister through the mattress."

"What if I preferred to drill you through the mattress?"

Skinner looked down at Mulder's crotch. "As long as you have the equipment."

Mulder smirked. "Oh I have the equipment. Walter, what do you really prefer, top or bottom?"

"I prefer topping, but I can be flexible depending on whom I'm with."

"Well, I prefer being topped, but I still would like to fuck you."

Skinner picked up his toothbrush. "Then I don't see that we have a problem."

Mulder waited for him to finish brushing his teeth. "Walter, there is one problem. If you become part of our lives, you're going to have to be exclusive with us--no other lovers. John and I don't use condoms, but until you've passed the HIV tests, a year from now, you'll have to wear one."

Skinner smiled. "Is that it?"

"No. We're equals in this household. If you feel like playing the boss take it to the office." Mulder wasn't about to be dictated to.

"Fox, I'm sorry if I offended you earlier. I just wanted you to know that I wasn't going to steal John from you. You're the main reason I want to be part of your lives. John is just an added bonus." Skinner pinned Mulder against the door jam and kissed him, thrusting his tongue into the willing mouth.

Mulder closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around Skinner's neck. He felt light-headed and aroused by the time the kiss ended. "W-Walter, I think we should go downstairs and eat."

Skinner smirked, enjoying the look of arousal on Mulder's face. "Just let me get dressed."

Mulder nodded and watched Skinner as he pulled back on the clothes from last night. To Mulder's amusement Skinner had to struggle to get his zipper up.

Doggett was just finishing the last omelet as they walked into the kitchen. "Good morning, Walter. Did you sleep well?"

"I slept perfectly. Are you both good cooks?" Skinner asked, looking at the food.

"We've both gotten better over the past year since we started cooking together. Before we started living together my breakfast usually consisted of a frosted pop tarts or a bowl of corn flakes."

Mulder carried a plate of toast over to the breakfast table. "I have to stop John from putting garlic and hot sauce in everything, so we're still not perfect."

"Well, at least my meals aren't bland," Doggett snipped.

"No and neither are you, John boy," Mulder said softly.

Skinner chuckled; walking over to the coffeepot he poured himself a mug full. "I don't think either of you can be bland even if you tried. I'm surprised however you're not both fat."

Doggett spread some jam on his toast. "We usually jog together, either in the morning before work or after work at night."

Mulder leered at him. "We also have other ways of exercising that are a lot more fun."

"Someday, I'd like a demonstration," Skinner said, sitting next to Doggett and picking up a fork, he sampled the omelet. "Mm...I'm definitely going to have to start hitting the gym more."

"You could come jogging with us. Greta and Ingrid will owe me big time," Mulder said.

"Who are Greta and Ingrid?"

"The Olson sisters, they live on the corner. They're in their late fifties and usually sit out on their front porch and make off-color comments when we jog by," Doggett said.

"Walter, they're nice in their own weird way. They even brought us a welcome to the neighborhood basket when we first moved in." Mulder winked at John.

Doggett chuckled. "It contained a bottle of brandy, suntan oil, two imitation tiger skin thongs, glow in the dark condoms, brownies, and a discount coupon for a tongue piercing."

"Other than the coupon and the brownies, we've used all the items in that basket."

"Where did you wear the thongs?"

Mulder smiled, sipping his coffee and looking mischievously over its rim at Doggett. "We sunbathed on the deck off the third floor office. Thankfully, it's out of sight of the Olson sister's house."

"Walter, Fox talked me into it," Doggett whined. "I'm only glad I wasn't shot or injured this summer. It would have been kinda hard to explain my tan lines."

"You're both lucky that pictures haven't shown up on the web." Skinner chuckled, finishing his omelet as a pleasant image of Fox and John wearing thongs flashed into his mind. "I think, I'll run home and change before the baseball game this afternoon."

"Bring your overnight bag," Doggett said, getting up and walking with Skinner to the front door. "You can use the guest room again."

They paused in the open doorway, looking at each other questioningly. Then Skinner tilted his head and moved in to capture Doggett's lips in a kiss, which the other man returned with enthusiasm.

Once the kiss ended, Skinner smiled at him. "I'll do that, John. Thanks for breakfast."

In the park across the street, Demetrius watched with growing interest. It was a good thing his car had a large trunk. It looked like it would be filled for the journey back to his cave tonight.

***

Demetrius parked his car in the alley behind Mulder's and Doggett's garage. He had waited an hour after all the lights had gone off inside the house to move in. Closing his eyes, he recited a spell that would render the three men inside into a coma like sleep.

He climbed out of his car and pulled a duffel bag out of his trunk then made his way toward the house. The bag made a rattling sound as he carried it through the back gate and around to the side of the house. He easily scaled the wall and pulled himself over the railing onto the second floor veranda. The French door leading into the bedroom was locked. So he broke the small, glass pane nearest the doorknob then reached in, unlocking the door and cautiously entering the bedroom.

The glow of moonlight shone on the bed, caressing the two naked men entwined in each other's arms in its gentle radiance. The metal rattled inside the duffel bag as Demetrius set it down on the bed. He took hold of Doggett's wrists, pulling them behind the agent's back and attached a pair of handcuffs. He repeated the procedure with Mulder. The two men didn't stir as he turned on the overhead light. Going into their closet he found two pairs of sweatpants, socks, and shoes. He carried the items back into the bedroom and dressed the two men before attaching the manacles around their ankles.

Demetrius stood back to admire them as he peeled off a large piece of duct tape. He imaged what a child would look like created between them as he placed the tape over their mouths. He then pulled two blindfolds from the bag. When done, he carried them, in a fireman's hold, one at a time down the steps and out the backdoor off the kitchen, laying them inside the carpeted trunk.

He went back inside the house for the large bald man, finding Skinner asleep on a queen-sized bed on the third floor. Demetrius licked his lips, looking appreciatively at the muscular body, tight abs, and handsome face. It was going to be a chore carrying him down two flights of stairs. Going to work, it wasn't long before he had Skinner dressed and handcuffed. A half-hour had past, by the time he had him in the trunk with the other two unconscious men. The spell would be wearing off shortly. He slammed the trunk and quickly climbed behind the wheel to start the long drive back toward his mountain.

***

The smell of gasoline assailed Doggett's senses as he drifted back to consciousness. He panicked when he realized he was handcuffed, gagged, and he couldn't see. His panic increased when he identified Mulder spread out beside him by his lover's scent and the hard length of his body. He was more concerned with Mulder's welfare than his own. It took Doggett only a few seconds, once he calmed, to realize they were inside a trunk of a car. The gas fumes and noise of the tires rolling over pavement were clear indicators. Suddenly the car started bouncing as it drove onto what felt like an unpaved road.

The jarring woke Skinner and he struggled against his bindings bumping into Mulder who was lying beside him.

Mulder made a startled sound as he returned to consciousness, tried to talk, then started thrashing trying to escape. He had a panic attack, fearing he was back in the hands of the aliens.

Doggett rolled on top his lover, trying to calm him. It worked. Mulder soon stopped thrashing and lay breathing heavily beneath him. His lover seemed to take comfort in having their bare chests pressed together. Doggett rubbed his face against Mulder's trying to dislodge the duct tape. When he freed one end of the tape, he was able to wet his lips and work the remainder free. "Fox...babe, calm down. I'll try to get the tape off your lips. Did I hear Walter?"

Skinner harrumphed.

"I'll get to you next, Walter." Doggett started working on the tape over his lover's mouth when the car came to a sudden stop.

A couple minutes later the trunk opened, letting fresh air in.

Doggett stayed protectively on top of Mulder, lifting his face toward the fresh air. He could see light around the edges of the tight blindfold covering his eyes. "Who's there?"

"The gags are no longer necessary. You may scream all you want and no one will hear you." Demetrius peeled the duct tape off Skinner's then Mulder's mouth. He reached into the trunk and grabbed Skinner, manhandling him out onto the dirt and gravel ground. "The manacles will allow you to take small steps. Don't try to flee. I have no intention on harming you or your friends if you cooperate."

"What do you want with us?" Doggett asked as he was lifted out of the trunk.

Demetrius remained quiet as he finally dragged Mulder out of the trunk. He tied a rope around each of their chained wrists, linking them together.

Pushing Skinner, he growled, "Start walking."

Skinner took small steps, feeling his way with his feet.

Demetrius' hand wrapped around Skinner's forearm. "Don't worry, handsome. I won't let you injure yourself."

Skinner scowled at being called handsome by their captor. "Why have you abducted us?" he asked.

"I find Fox to be extremely lovely. He's wasted being a mere male."

Mulder swallowed as he suddenly realized whose hands they had fallen into. "Don't do this, Demetrius. It's not right."

"Once you and Agent Doggett have your first child together, you'll thank me. You see, Fox, I've been watching you these past seven months. I know you desire a child to replace the one that redheaded bitch took from you. So I'm going to make your dreams come true."

Doggett heart nearly stopped. This was what Mulder had feared...something that would change their lives forever. "Touch him, scumbag, and I'll kill you!"

Demetrius walked back to Agent Doggett and slapped him hard across the face. "Watch you mouth, Agent Doggett, or I'll gag you again."

"Don't hurt him," Mulder said, turning his head toward the sound of the slap.

"If he behaves no harm will come to him."

Doggett licked the blood from his lips. "Fox, no matter what happens, I'll never stop loving you. Remember that."

Demetrius chuckled. "Agent Doggett, I knew I hadn't made a mistake when I decided to use you to impregnate Fox. Your love for each other will carry you through the birth of your first child."

Mulder face flushed red with anger. "I don't want what you offer! How can you expect me to accept the killing of a young woman, so that I can be changed into a freak!"

"Don't worry about her, Fox, she's pure evil through and through. She has killed nine women and young girls for the pleasure of her husband and her own lust for blood." Demetrius laughed. "It would amuse me greatly to let her live afterward. The thought of her husband having no cunt to fuck and Jena no longer getting off on shoving gasoline-filled condoms up her victim's vaginas. Alas, the spirits demand a sacrifice, so she must die."

Mulder felt nauseous. He didn't want this evil woman's organs inside his body even if they were transformed to his genetic makeup.

They entered the cave and were led down a steep incline.

"It's about fucking time you came back!" Jena said, "I'm fucking hungry!"

"Shut up, bitch. I've brought you company." Demetrius chained Doggett and Skinner to the wall and removed their blindfolds, allowing them to see for the first time.

Demetrius held Mulder's arm as he led him into a small room off the main cavern. He then helped Mulder to his knees on the soft bearskin, fastening a chain around his ankle to the wall, then gently removed Mulder's blindfold. He talked softly, "In three nights there will be a full moon, my dear, and we'll proceed with the ceremony."

Mulder blinked, looking around the small cave. He started at the gargoyle crouching next to him and scooted away from it as far as the chain would permit. His eyes met Demetrius' for the first time. His captor was smiling smugly.

"You're going to make a perfect hermaphrodite."

"You can't do this!" Mulder's eyes followed the tall, bald-headed man as he paced around the small space.

"I can and I will. Fox, you might hate me, but in time you will thank me for elevating you to a position above that of a mere man."

Mulder wrapped his arms protectively around his knees, looking across the space he wondered where John and Walter were. His breath caught in his throat as the gargoyle stalked toward the entrance to the main cavern.

Demetrius stopped it. "I am through with you, my pet. It is time to send you back from where you came." He recited a chant and the gargoyle shrieked and vanished in a cloud of putrid-smelling smoke.

Demetrius left Mulder to his thoughts and entered the main cavern. He picked up the bucket of waste from inside the pentagram and went outside to dispose of it.

Jena looked at the two men. "Look, assholes, there are four of us, we can over power him."

"Would you like to suggest how we can get out of these handcuffs and manacles?" Skinner said.

"Look, dickless, use your fucking brain and figure it out!"

Demetrius returned with the bucket. "Jena dear, if you continue to talk to my guests in that manner, I'll cut out your tongue."

Skinner decided it might be easy to reason with their captor. "Look, Demetrius, you don't want to do this. It's a crime against nature."

"No, it's an improvement upon nature."

Doggett couldn't contain his temper. "If you touch Fox, I'll cut off your dick and shove it down your fucking throat!"

"Watch the way you speak to me, Agent Doggett, or I'll have Walter impregnate Fox not you."

"Neither of us is going to impregnate Mulder!" Skinner yanked at his chains.

"Would you prefer him to be carrying my baby or one of yours?" Demetrius smirked as the two men exchanged worried glances. "I thought not." He walked away to check on Mulder in the other cave.

"Walter, what are we going to do?" Doggett whispered.

"If we can't get out of this, John, then you're going to have to impregnate Mulder. We can't allow that bastard to touch him," Skinner said in a low voice.

"I don't know if I could do that to him."

"We'll take Fox in for an abortion as soon as Demetrius let's us go." Skinner was confident that he wouldn't be able to hold them for nine months.

Doggett swallowed back tears and shook his head. "Walter, I'm pro-life...I could never consciously take part in killing my baby. Not even for Fox."

"You can't expect him to have the baby?"

"Riley did...."

"John, its Fox's body, so it's Fox's decision."

Doggett closed his eyes. "Let's pray it's a decision he'll never have to make."

End of Part 8

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