Disclaimers in Part One.
'Alex?'
'What's wrong?'
Scully stood in the doorway of Krycek's bedroom. She was reluctant to answer.
'What's wrong, Dana?'
'I can't go back to sleep.' She said softly. 'I had a horrible dream.'
'You wanna tell me about it?' He sat up in his bed, leaning back against the headboard, and patted next to him, inviting her to sit down.
'Spender was there, and Mulder was there.' Scully replied, easing down on the bed. 'They were working together. They were trying to take the baby. Someone shot you.'
'We both know that Mulder would never try to hurt you or the baby.' Krycek said. 'And he completely despises Spender.'
'I know.' She replied, her voice a bit shaky. 'But it seemed so real.'
'Hey.' He looked into her face. Tears were in her eyes. 'Dana, it was just a nightmare.'
She sniffed. 'I know. But it seemed so real, Alex. It was so real.'
'Maybe you're just scared. There's a lot going on.' He brushed hair behind her ear. 'Besides, you know I'd never let anything happen to you or the baby.'
She met his eyes and he grinned. 'Big, Bad, Hit-Man Tough-Guy like me hanging around? And you're scared?'
Scully tried to give him a dirty look, but couldn't manage. She grinned in response. 'You're such an arrogant asshole, Alex.'
'Triple A, that'd be me.'
She laughed. 'A cubed.'
They were silent for a few moments before he broke it.
'You wanna get up and talk, pull another all-nighter? I can make tea.'
'You're so domestic.' She smiled.
'Nah, it's actually pretty simple. There's this little thing called a tea bag. And when you put it in hot water, voila, instant tea.'
'Get out.' She replied in mock disbelief.
'I know.' He said, widening his eyes back at her. 'I was shocked and amazed.'
'And here we'd been putting those big jars out in the sun, confused as to why the water never turned brown.'
'Imagine how foolish I felt when the water instantly changed color. I'm glad you weren't there.'
Scully shook her head. 'Oh, I would have been devastated.'
He nudged her with his shoulder. 'Feeling better?'
'I am.'
They were silent again.
'You know, Dana.' Krycek said, staring down at her. 'This will be over soon. Some sort of life will work itself out for you. And Mulder will eventually pull his head out of his ass.'
Scully stared in his eyes for a couple of heartbeats, then nodded.
'You want some of that miracle tea?'
'No.' She shook her head. 'Can I just sit in here for awhile?'
'Of course.' He grinned lopsidedly. 'Ten bucks every fifteen minutes.'
'Oh please.' She rolled her eyes. 'You're not worth that much.'
'Whatever!' He exclaimed, pointing towards the door.
'Ten bucks for two hours.' She replied. 'I should at least get the discount.'
'Every half hour.'
'Hour.'
'Deal.' He grinned at her.
She laughed in his face. 'Just a gigolo.'
'I'll start singing.'
'Please don't.'
'Ten bucks an hour doesn't cover the cost of David Lee Roth impersonations anyway.'
'Okay.' Scully said. 'But can I at least get a Mickey Mouse or a Felix the Cat?'
Krycek grinned evilly. 'I can do a Bullwinkle and pull something out of my hat.'
'Pig.'
'Babe is extra.' He said. 'But I'll do a mean Porky Pig for free.'
She laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder.
*************************
Scully woke up, confused. She was curled up on her side, her hands tucked under her chin. This wasn't her bed. She looked around and remembered. She had come into Alex's room and they must have fallen asleep. She was huddled under some blankets, wrapped up like tamale. Alex was on top of the covers, out cold.
She stared at his sleeping profile. Aside from the five minutes when he'd collapsed on her couch months ago, she'd never seen him sleep.
The memory of her first meeting with Krycek fell into her thoughts. She had been doing an autopsy for Mulder. He had been working on a case with Krycek.
'Spleen or pancreas?'
Scully had looked over at Mulder's entrance. 'Stomach. I was just about to start on it.'
Her eyes took in the man that followed behind Mulder. He was squeaky clean and looked just like the kind of company man that Mulder despised.
'This is Alex Krycek.' Mulder said, trying not to smirk at the look on Scully's face. 'We're uh, working the case together.'
'Nice to meet you.' She'd replied indifferently.
Krycek smiled. 'You too.'
She walked by him, ignoring the hand he'd extended towards her.
Staring at his sleeping form, Scully couldn't decide whether she wanted to laugh, or feel guilty.
What a weird life this was turning into.
Scully suddenly thought back on when she had wandered down to Mulder's office in the basement and found Krycek and Marita, hanging out with Mulder and Skinner. Just before Mulder had been abducted and sent her life spiraling in this weird direction.
She had hated Krycek then.
Back then her life had been directionless. She had been so damn wrapped up in Mulder and the X-Files. She'd had no life of her own, no hope of ever having a family. Krycek had been a big mystery back then. A huge puzzle she'd had no intention of putting together.
How different would her life have been now if she hadn't let him into her apartment?
He had been calm. He had been peaceful. He had been logical and patient.
She had never expected that and another memory invaded her mind.
'Brewski's!' Langly exclaimed. 'Flow me a Heinie?'
'Have at it.' Scully said, waving in the direction of the refrigerator.
'I'm impressed.' Krycek said. 'I didn't know that about you.'
'What?' Scully asked.
'That you were a boardhead.'
'I went to Berkeley for my undergrad.' Scully said. 'Spent a lot of time with the surfers in Santa Cruz.'
'Sharky.' Krycek smiled.
'Woofy.' Scully replied.
They smiled at each other in spite of themselves.
The momentary connection they'd shared had at first amused her, then irritated her. She didn't want to think that he was human somehow. The fact that Krycek had been a child at one time, had been a teenager, and had crossed from seventeen to eighteen like everyone else, seemed wrong.
He had taken her out for vegetarian food. He had saved her life in Seattle. He had tried to talk to Mulder.
She had never expected that either.
He had a love for music. He was very spiritual. He loved to dance.
She had never in a million years expected any of that.
Scully smiled at Krycek as he slept. She almost believed he'd become her best friend. But that's what Mulder was for.
The thought of Mulder erased any happy feelings she'd been reliving. He'd watched her drive away with Alex Krycek. He hadn't been out to visit. He never seemed like he wanted to talk.
It was Thanksgiving.
Everyone was coming out, her family, the Lone Gunmen, but where was Mulder?
Damn him. She thought. Damn his everlasting obsession with the X-Files and the truth and his sister. How does he expect to move on with his life if he won't let go of the past?
Tears slipped out from under her eyes. She moved closer to Krycek, needing comfort, and laid her head on his shoulder. She could feel his heartbeat when she rested a hand on his chest, splaying her fingers.
She closed her eyes. She had almost fallen back asleep when she felt him cover her hand with his own. She looked up to see him staring at her. He gave her a small smile.
'Sleep better?'
She nodded at him.
'I asked you if you wanted to go to sleep.' He said softly. 'And you took over my bed.'
'I'm sorry.' She whispered.
'Don't be.' He said. 'I'm glad you were able to get some rest.'
'That's right.' She replied. 'We have a busy morning to contend with.'
Krycek smiled larger. 'Happy Thanksgiving.'
She smiled in return. 'Happy Thanksgiving, Alex.'
They were silent again, staring at each other.
The phone rang and Scully jumped, taking her hand off of his chest. 'That's my Mom.'
Krycek grinned as she got out of bed. 'And you say you're not psychic.'
*************************
They had been in the kitchen all morning. He had insisted on playing the Beatles. She was surprised at how many songs she hadn't heard, and how many songs she liked that she'd never known they sang.
'…Hey Jude…Don't make it bad…Take a sad song…And make it better…'
The preparation for the Thanksgiving feast was a heavy task. Since it was going to be a vegan meal, they were trying to be as creative as possible. The main course was individual pumpkins stuffed with an apple-chestnut stuffing. They were cleaning out pumpkins. Scully had taken off her Celtic ring and shoved it under the counter, into the corner, to keep it safe.
They had wanted a couple of people over for Thanksgiving and it was turning into a full-blown brouhaha. It started with her Mom, then they invited the three freaks, then Bill said he had some time off too so he was bringing the whole family. The house really wasn't that big but Bill insisted on staying at a hotel while the Lone Gunmen were just going to hang out in the rec room like always. If it gets too crowded, Frohike had said, Langly has a friend in Rancho Cucamonga.
'That's too far away.' Scully had said.
That's because she doesn't know we're bringing Mulder. Frohike thought to himself, thankful that he was across the country so Scully couldn't reach out and 'probe his brain' as Mulder called it.
'You're not very neat in the kitchen.' Scully said, cutting open another pumpkin.
'Cook first, clean later.' Krycek said, scooping out seeds and innards.
'Clean as you cook, then you wont have to do it later.' She said, sticking her hand in the mush. 'And it won't look like this.'
'Relax, Special Agent Scully.' He plopped another gob onto the counter. 'Life is not the same as the rest of the orderly world when you live within five miles of the beach.'
'Hey!' She exclaimed as he headed towards the trashcan with two handfuls of pumpkinseeds. 'I'm going to bake those! Keep them out.'
Krycek turned back towards her, grinning mischievously. He picked all the seeds out of his hands, and was left holding the goo. He flicked his eyes up at her.
Scully slowly looked over at him, shaking her head. 'Don't you dare.'
'What?' He asked innocently.
She smiled, trying to be serious. 'I know what you're thinking.'
He took a step towards her and she took a step back. 'How could you possibly know what I'm thinking?'
'Alex.' She warned, trying to be stern. It wasn't working and she knew it. Oh well, she thought, reaching into her pumpkin, the kitchen is already hopeless.
Krycek took another step towards her and was rewarded with a nice splat of pumpkin right in his face.
'Dana!' He acted surprised. 'What on earth would posses you to do such a thing?' He threw his own handful and it landed with a resounding 'smack' on her forehead.
They stared at each other in a standoff for a moment, then reached for more ammunition. They spent half a minute engaged in the grisly pumpkin scene, laughing hysterically when Krycek slipped in some innards and fell on his ass.
'You okay?' She asked. She walked over to him, hands still full of pumpkin, tears streaming down her face from laughing so hard.
'I'm fine.' He said reaching up for the hand she was holding out, thinking she was helping him up. Instead, she smeared his face with what was in her hands.
'Oh, sure. Cheat.' Krycek grabbed her hands, laughing and spitting out pumpkinseeds.
'No! No!' She protested, laughing.
Krycek grew still. He turned his head and looked beyond her, into the living room.
The three stooges and Mulder were staring at them, having just witnessed the whole scene, 'Hey Jude' playing throughout the house.
Krycek looked back at Scully. He could tell by the way that she returned his stare that she knew Mulder was there. She could feel him in the room. He grinned at her and released her hands as she turned around.
Mulder stared at her. He couldn't believe this was Scully. This giggling, longhaired, blonde covered in pumpkin mush, pregnant Scully. Her hair wasn't really all that long yet, but it was well on its way. She was wearing a sundress that was so unlike her. And she was so pregnant.
She smiled at him through the disbelief on her face. 'Mulder.'
He couldn't quite smile back at her. He still couldn't believe it. He swallowed and managed a lopsided grin.
'Hey Scully.'
She slowly walked over and stood in front of him, smiling up into his face. 'You're here.'
Mulder nodded. 'Better late then never.'
After a few moments, she shook her head. 'I can't believe you're here.'
'Surprise.' He grinned.
She laughed. 'I'd hug you if I weren't covered in slime.'
Mulder reached for her and gently pulled her against him. 'I think it'll wash off.'
Scully closed her eyes and hugged him back, aware of the awkward feeling floating in the room.
'Feels weird with another person between us.' Mulder said.
Scully's eyes flicked open, immediately thinking he was referring to Alex. Already, she thought.
'How far along are you now?' He asked, looking down at her.
'Oh.' Scully put her hands on her belly, realizing he had been talking about the baby being between them. 'Seven and a half months.'
Mulder whistled and wiped some pumpkin off her cheek. 'Bet you can't wait for the kid to come home.'
'I'm enjoying this.' Scully smiled sweetly at him. 'Being pregnant's fun. Except for the mood swings that Alex has to deal with.'
She turned to look over her shoulder at him, Mulder eye's searching him out as well. This man, who was supposedly his brother, who was supposedly the father of Scully's baby. This man who he felt certain was trying to take her away. Regardless of how involved Krycek may or may not be in any international conspiracy, he was Mulder's enemy in new and exciting ways.
Krycek was still sitting on the floor, covered in pumpkin. He looked young to Mulder. Young like when he'd shown up in the Bureau as his partner, forcing his way into the X-Files and inadvertently, into the rest of their lives.
Mulder fought back a sliver of animosity that threatened to shoot out of his mouth. Yes, he looked young. Young and electric and very alive. Mulder didn't know where Krycek got his charisma from and he didn't care. All he knew was that when they had walked into the room, Krycek and Scully could have been mistaken for highschool sweethearts.
Sensing all the hostility, Krycek attempted to smile up at Mulder. 'It's not all that bad. The food cravings are worse than her mood swings.' His attention was diverted to the Lone Gunmen. They were all gathered around Stout, lavishing attention on the dog, who was licking pumpkin off the floor.
'Oh, you guys, don't let him eat that.' Krycek tried to get up and slipped again. Frohike went over and pulled him up. The second Krycek was on his feet, he dropped pumpkin all over Frohike's head.
'Punk ass!' Frohike scooped his own ammo off the counter and flung it in his direction.
'You throw like a girl.' Krycek said, smiling, then ducking as more orange sailed over his shoulder.
Scully looked up to see Mulder eyeing Krycek. She smiled. 'He never had a childhood so he's making up for it now.'
'Yeah.' Mulder said softly. 'It looks like he's happy.'
They sat down, holding hands and watching the war wage between Krycek and the Lone Gunmen.
'Deal with this often?' Mulder asked, leaning back to avoid orange goo.
'Only when Alex's friends come over to play.' She said as Krycek walked over to them.
'Why don't you go ahead and get ready, Dana.' He said, offering a hand to her. 'I'll clean this mess up.'
'That's not fair.' She said, taking his hand so he could help her up. 'I made the mess too.'
'Yeah, but what do you think they're for?' Krycek had nodded over his shoulder at the Lone Gunmen. 'We sure as hell didn't invite them for their company.'
Scully grabbed Krycek's face and squished it like a fish. 'You are so terrible.'
Krycek smiled while his face was still crushed in her hands. 'I was engineered that way.'
'Whatever.' Scully turned and walked to her room to take a quick shower.
Mulder had watched their exchange, annoyed, jealous. He didn't like Krycek taking her hand, and he sure as hell didn't like her touching his face. Once she had gone, Mulder and Krycek stared at each other in silence for a moment.
Frohike sensed the rivalry and punched Krycek in the arm. 'We're gonna go down to the rec room, make some margarita's. Want one?'
Krycek shook his head. 'No, but you can bring me up a Pacifico when you get a chance.'
'Mulder?' Frohike asked. 'Margarita?'
'Nah. I'll have a beer too.'
They stared at each other as Frohike walked away, then Mulder turned and walked to open the French doors.
'Nice view you got here.' He said, looking out over the ocean.
Krycek began to clean up the pumpkin disaster. 'Thanks.'
'Scully seems happy here.' Mulder said.
'I think she is.' He responded.
Mulder turned to face him. 'You in love with her?'
Krycek stopped wiping off the counters and stared at the tiles. 'Don't beat around the bush, do you?'
'I've flown across the country.' Mulder said. 'I don't have time to play games.'
Krycek looked Mulder in the eye. 'It doesn't matter how I feel about Dana. She is in love with you.'
'Kinda hard to tell when you two are falling all over each other-'
'You have no idea what kind of relationship Dana and I have.' Krycek said. 'She is going through a very important time in her life. She needs anyone who will give her support. Just because I choose to be here for her and my child does not mean that I'm running around behind your back trying to steal her away.'
Mulder didn't say anything and Krycek took advantage of his silence.
'Where have you been, Agent Mulder? What is important enough that you give up a woman like Dana?'
'I'm not giving her up.' Mulder said softly.
'But you are. The more time you keep away, the more she doesn't need you. The more you ignore her, the more she questions your relationship. This is the most important time in her life and you are missing it.' Krycek looked away and resumed his cleaning. 'And you are losing her.'
'What would I be losing her to?' Mulder asked.
Krycek huffed in exasperation, looking up at him. 'How can you be so smart and so stupid at the same time?'
'I notice you never answered my question.' Mulder said.
'Which one is that?'
Mulder sneered. 'Don't you read minds.'
'Am I in love with Dana?'
Mulder nodded and Krycek smiled at him. 'That is number one, none of your business, and number two, doesn't mean a damn thing in the grand scheme of things.'
Mulder stared back at him and Krycek could feel the hate seeping from him.
'I'm trying to help you, Fox.' Krycek said softly. 'And it's not that easy when all you do is think of me as your arch enemy.'
'I don't need your help.'
'With Dana? Yes, you do.' Krycek said. 'She trusts me, she listens to me, she can feel me. You are just a mystery to her.' Krycek leaned close to Mulder, across the tile counter. 'Believe me, I'm not particularly fond of you being in her life because you treat her like shit. But she loves you, she cares about you. She believes that you can make her happy and all I want for Dana is happiness. And since I can't give it to her, then maybe you should.'
Mulder stared back at Krycek, surprise evident on his face. He opened his mouth and was interrupted by Langly.
'Here you go.' Langly held the beers out to the both of them, not noticing the stare-down competition brewing between them.
Krycek looked over at Langly before taking a big swallow of his beer. 'Wanna do the wedge?'
'But its afternoon.' Langly looked down at his watch. 'The best waves are out in the morning.'
'I just really need to get out of here.' Krycek said, walking away from Mulder.
'Running away, Krycek?' Mulder asked.
'Don't talk to me about running away, Fox.' Krycek turned and pointed a finger at him. 'Don't ever talk to me about running away. The next time you want to talk about running away, have a conversation with the man in the mirror. He's the one that does the running away.'
Mulder didn't respond. He wanted nothing more than to pull out his gun and shook Krycek in the head.
'I'm giving you every opportunity you've ever wanted, Fox.' Krycek didn't look back at him as he turned away. 'If you don't take it now, then I will later.'
We clear on this? Krycek's voice invaded Mulder's mind.
Mulder shook his head, not liking the feeling of Krycek kicking around in his head.
Crystal, Mulder thought back.
Krycek resumed his walking and marched out of the room.
*************************
Scully stepped out on the balcony of her room to watch Krycek surf the waves. She could sense his anguish all the way up here. That was unusual. She knew he usually went down there to leave her alone, but today she could still feel his pain. What the hell was the matter with him now? Mulder, she thought. What did Mulder say to him?
She went to her bedroom door and opened it, calling out into the hall. 'Mulder, can you come here please?'
She changed out of her bathrobe and threw on the black dress she was wearing for dinner. She sat down and began to brush through her wet hair.
Mulder appeared in her doorway a minute later.
She noted the way he looked around the room. 'Of course Alex and I have separate bedrooms.'
Mulder shrugged. 'I was just looking.'
'You were looking for evidence of our affair.' She said sternly.
'And how would you know that, Miss Scully?' Mulder joked.
Scully sighed at Mulder's attempt of being charming. 'I've been working on my abilities and I can see right through your jealous tirades. Mulder, when are you going to trust me and the things I tell you?'
'I'm sorry, Scully.' Mulder sat down on her bed. 'It's just hard for me to see you and Krycek together and so, so, happy.' He scrunched up his face.
Scully sat down next to him. 'You're going to have to trust me. He is the father of my child, Mulder. And whether or not you believe it, he is a wonderful man. You would like him if you gave him half a chance.'
'How about a quarter.' Mulder said grudgingly.
'Come on, Mulder.' Scully tilted her head at him. 'For me?'
He stared back at her; not able to stand the pouting look he was giving her. 'I'll try. For you.'
She smiled brilliantly gave him a quick kiss on the lips. 'Thank you.'
*************************
Mulder stood in the living room, not quite able to absorb all the warm hellos that Krycek was getting from the Scully family. Maggie hugging him and tousling his hair was bad enough, but the double-handed handshake that Bill gave Krycek was a total blow to Mulder.
'Oh, hey.' And a nod of the head was all Mulder got from Bill.
Maggie at least gave him a hug and talked to him for all of five or ten minutes.
Mulder watched Krycek play the dutiful son-in-law, grinding his teeth away to nothing.
Krycek smiled and joked and laughed and the whole thing made Mulder want to puke. When Krycek picked up little Matthew and swung him around the room, Mulder considered shooting himself in the head.
The worst thing about all of this was that Mulder couldn't see a bit of false feelings from Krycek. He really believed that Krycek was as corny as he seemed.
Death by plunging over the balcony suddenly seemed an even better idea.
*************************
Mulder stood out on the deck, looking down at the surf. If I do it just right, he thought, I could probably land right on top of that pointy rock.
'But what a mess we'd have to clean up.' Krycek said, leaning in the doorway, a beer in each hand.
'I really wish you'd quit doing that.' Mulder shook his head.
'Sometimes I wish I could.'
Mulder didn't look at Krycek as he came over to stand next to him and held out a beer. 'Trying to get me drunk?'
Krycek smiled. 'I'm quite sure you don't need my help for that.'
Mulder didn't say anything and they both stood in silence, watching the people down on the beach. A surfer wiped out down below. He was knocked down by a wave and his surfboard landed on top of him.
'Oooh!' They both exclaimed.
'Got biffed.' Krycek said, making sure that the poor guy was okay. The surfer trudged out of the water, people on the beach applauding and whistling at him. He took a bow.
Mulder smiled to himself. 'Never did make the beach scene much.'
'Not growing up in New England.' Krycek said. 'The beaches over there aren't like the beaches over here. Especially in Southern California. There are lots of surfing communities. They only place better is North Shore on Oahu and Australia of course.'
Mulder hated the fact that he was curious about Krycek. 'You spend time over there?'
Krycek sighed in response. 'Spent time everywhere. But this is my home. It's the only place I planted myself for awhile.'
'You grew up here?' Mulder was surprised, for some reason he thought of Krycek slumming it between Washington DC and the Soviet Union.
'I came here when I was sixteen and left when I was twenty. I went to UC Irvine for two years just because I wanted to stay here. I love the atmosphere and the whole surf culture. Even though the feeling of the surfer's here is not as spiritual as over in Hawaii.'
Next he's going tell me he's Buddhist. Mulder thought.
'I actually consider myself Taoist.' Krycek said, taking a drink of his beer.
Mulder put his head down, laughing softly to himself.
'Sorry.' Krycek said. 'It's a habit. I haven't quite figured out how to control it yet.'
'Where'd you go after you left here?'
'I got my BA from UCLA.'
Mulder winced. 'I was never fond of Los Angeles.'
'That's a whole other lifestyle.' Krycek said. 'There's some freaks up there. I promised Dana that I'd show her the whole LA thing because she said she's never really been there either.'
Mulder recalled the disastrous trip they'd taken to Hollywood when that horrible movie had been made about one of their cases.
'Yeah, I caught that.' Krycek said. 'Great flick.'
Mulder stared over at him, deciding if he was being made fun of. Krycek flicked his eyes sideways at him and Mulder made a face.
'Screw you.'
Krycek laughed and Mulder smiled.
'Never thought you'd be such a smartass.' Mulder said.
'Defense mechanism.' Krycek said and Mulder nodded.
'I have that installed myself.'
They heard a burst of laughter from upstairs. Frohike's voice was loud as he told a joke.
Mulder shook his head. 'This is weirder than any case I've worked.'
'Being here?'
'Not exactly.' He said. 'The Lone Gunmen and Scully's family together for the holiday's.'
Krycek stared at him, waiting for him to continue. 'You can say it.'
'And you.' Mulder didn't look at him. 'Scully's family seems to like you.'
Krycek shook his head. 'I don't think Bill like's anyone.'
Mulder snickered. 'I've always got that impression myself. But at least he's nice to you.'
'He's only nice to me because my name's not Fox Mulder.' Krycek shook his head. 'He's got some serious issues with you he needs to deal with.'
'No, no.' Mulder said. 'I can understand his view on me. I come into Scully's life and all she gets is trouble. She almost gets killed, she disappears, she can't have children.' He stopped, thinking. 'Okay, back then she couldn't.'
'Not to mention six months have gone by and you never came out to see her until now.'
Mulder nodded at Krycek. 'Gee, thanks.'
'Anytime.' Krycek smiled and brought the beer to his lips. 'Who care's what he thinks anyway? Dana is the only person you need to worry about.'
'It'd still be nice if I could spend time with her family without feeling like I have the spotlight shining on me.'
'Well.' Krycek turned away from the beach and leaned his back against the railing. 'If you really want me to, I can put my feet up at the dinner table and chew with my mouth open.'
'That'd be a nice start, but can you use three foul words in each sentence, maybe give Bill the finger every fifteen minutes.'
Krycek nodded. 'I could even try to work in an unflattering bodily function every now and then.'
'You'd really do that for me?' Mulder smiled at him.
Krycek nodded, winking and pointing at him. 'Gotcha back, bro.'
Mulder laughed hard, looking at the enemy standing next to him. He was really confused by the fact that no matter how much he still hated him, Krycek was cool.
'You should laugh more often.' Krycek said. 'This really cool thing happens to your face.'
Mulder tried not to smile, irritated with the fact that he didn't hate Krycek just then. 'What happens?'
'You smile.' Krycek said.
'Screw you.' Mulder laughed.
'It's bizarre, the corners of your mouth turn up and everything.'
Mulder laughed again. 'Whatever.'
'Look, all those wrinkles from your sour face just kinda fade away…'
Mulder looked at him, his beer halfway up to his mouth. 'Are you going to stop?'
Krycek looked out over the ocean and took a drink of his beer. 'You know Mulder, you should have fun more often. You spend so much time working, running around chasing the bad guys, which may or may not be the bad guys, and you miss out on what's most important.'
Mulder shrugged. 'Depends on what you think is important. I think exposing heinous crimes against an innocent, American society is pretty important.'
'But you're alienating everyone while you do it. You're missing your life. You're missing yourself.'
Mulder shook his head. 'I believe that what I'm looking for will explain what I've been missing.'
Krycek looked at him closely. 'I believe that what you're missing is in that house, upstairs. You're life is right in front of your eyes and you ignore it. You're going to suddenly find yourself old and all alone and still chasing conspiracies.'
Mulder remained silent and Krycek turned to face him. 'You know who you remind me of? Running around, never having time for anyone or anything else. Mindlessly dedicated on working for a cause that really has no meaning to anyone. You know who you'll turn into if you're not careful?'
Mulder stared back at Krycek, trying not to appear too concerned with what he was saying. 'Who's that?'
'Our father.'
'I'm nothing like Spender.' Mulder managed to say, hoping that Krycek couldn't sense how much his words had terrified him.
'I merely stated an opinion of mine.' Krycek said, his eyes searching the horizon. 'I merely stated that you remind me of him and if you're not careful, you'll turn into him. Personally, I think you're afraid that Spender's future is your own. I think you fear that your path has already been laid out for you, which would explain why you're so damn committed on letting Dana slip away.'
Mulder didn't say anything.
Krycek smiled and took a drink of his beer before meeting Mulder's eyes. 'Of course, like I said, that's just my opinion and it doesn't really matter. I mean, who the hell am I?'
Mulder looked away from Krycek and took his own swallow of beer. He was irritated again due to an emerging pattern that was becoming blatantly apparent.
Krycek was right.
*************************
Scully knew something was up. She had no idea what had happened when Mulder and Krycek had disappeared for an hour, but something was definitely different when they came back. She could sense that Mulder still didn't like Krycek, and that he was still jealous of the friendship that her and Alex had, but he definitely seemed more at ease.
Krycek was a different story. He was ignoring any bad feelings coming from Mulder and seemed happy, at peace. She knew he liked having everyone here. Over Labor Day weekend they had invited everyone over for the weekend. He had confided in her during a rare, quiet moment of the barbecue that he finally felt like he was part of a family. Scully had put a hand over his and smiled, not needing to say anything.
They were continuing the preparation of their vegan feast. Bill and Byers were indulging in cigars out on the deck while Langly and Frohike were down on the sand, entertaining Stout. They were throwing a ball out into the water for the happy dog to retrieve and drinking Corona. Krycek, Scully and Maggie were finishing up in the kitchen and Mulder desperately tried to stay involved but the familiarity between the three of them was unsettling.
'I don't know if I'm doing this right, Alex.' Maggie said.
'Mash them with the handle.' Krycek said to her, putting his hands over hers. 'Like that.'
Scully smiled while dicing apples. 'Didn't realize that I lived with a gourmet chef, did you Mom?'
'I'm no expert.' Krycek replied modestly. 'I just had to learn to cook if I wanted to be vegan.'
'Thank God for that.' Maggie said. 'Otherwise Dana would eat nothing but pasta.'
Mulder watched this exchange with a dumbfounded look on his face. Krycek and Scully chumming around was hard enough for him to deal with. But watching his enemy put his hands over Scully's Mom's in such a casual gesture really surprised him.
'…I close my eyes when it gets too sad…I think thoughts that I know are bad…Close my eyes and I count to ten…Hope it's over when I open them…'
'It's our song!' Scully exclaimed, reaching over to grab the remote and crank it louder.
'We have a rule in this house.' Krycek said in response to the bewildered look on Mulder's face. 'We shut up and sing along to certain songs until they're over. This is one of them.'
Scully smiled. 'You're breaking that rule right now, Alex.'
'So are you.' He grinned back and they both began to sing along with the lyrics.
'…Hope my Mom and I hope my Dad will figure out why they get so mad…I hear them scream, I hear them fight…They say bad words that make me wanna cry…'
'Why this song?' Maggie asked.
'Mom!' Scully exclaimed. 'You're breaking the rule!'
'This song reminds us to be careful.' Krycek said. 'To listen to our kid, to be certain we pay attention to everything.'
Mulder took a deep breath. Our kid. The words had been tossed out so casually, as he guessed it had become to everyone.
Everyone but him.
'…Promises mean everything when you're little…And the world's so big…I just don't understand how you can smile with all those tears in your eyes…When you tell me everything is wonderful now…'
Scully smiled at Mulder. 'We don't want our kid to turn out like the poor guy depicted in this song.'
Our kid.
The words jumped right up in his face laughing at him, poking fun at him and the weirdness that had become his life.
'…Go to my room and I close my eyes…I make believe that I have a new life…I don't believe you when you say…Everything will be wonderful someday…'
I hear ya, kid, Mulder thought to himself. He looked out the French doors, out over the ocean, out far, far away, where he believed a life waited for him somewhere. Scully seemed to be making a new life for herself right here. She didn't understand how reluctant he was to be here, hanging around with Krycek while the two of them picked out baby names together. She didn't understand that he had no idea what the hell was going to happen when the baby was born. What were they planning on doing then?
She was somehow under the impression that everything was going to be fine. She believed that they could all get through this. She believed that everything would be wonderful someday…
Mulder didn't understand how it would work. He didn't understand what she expected him to do.
Most of all, he didn't understand how the hell Alex Krycek had zeroed in on his life.
'…I just don't understand how you can smile with all those in your eyes…And tell me everything is wonderful now…'
Actually, he didn't understand anything right now.
Scully and Krycek were singing along with the music, continuing to cook, completely oblivious to any inner struggle he seemed to be having just then.
Thank God.
He already felt foolish enough with everything that was going on. The last thing he needed was for Scully to get irritated again. Or worse yet, for Mr. Wonderful to sense a weakness.
'…I don't wanna hear you say that I will understand someday…No…No…'
Mulder began believing that the lyrics weren't those of a child of divorce. He began to believe they were his own.
'…I don't wanna meet your friend…And I don't wanna start to over again…I just want my life to be the same…Just like it used to be…'
Yeah, Mulder thought. That's exactly right. I don't want to meet Alex Krycek, I don't want to restructure my life and start over and I do want things to be the way they were before the evil bastard shoved his way in.
'…I hate everything…Everyone and everything…Please don't tell me everything is wonderful now…'
My thought's exactly, Mulder thought to himself, smiling bitterly at the lyrics.
'Fox.'
He looked up to see Krycek staring at him, a mixture of humor and pity in his eyes.
'What?' Mulder barked back, a little harsh.
Krycek smiled easily through the hostility thrown his way and Scully interceded.
'Dinner's ready, Mulder.' She said softly. 'You want to go let everyone know?'
'Why don't I do that.' Krycek said, purposely leaving Mulder and Scully alone and easing the tension in the kitchen.
Mulder wasn't sure whether he was thankful or if he hated Krycek even more for being the one mature enough to give in.
Oh yes, he thought, who is the idiot now?
*************************
Rather than being pompous towards Mulder, as expected, Bill chose to ignore him.
Scully felt Mulder shaking next to her at the dinner table. She glanced over at him and saw he was trying not to laugh. She looked across the table at Krycek and saw a smirk planted on his face. What the hell? She caught a visual the two were sharing, something that involved her brother and the mashed potatoes sitting in front of Mulder.
That's enough. She thought at the both of them. She was secretly pleased at their banter, but didn't want a food fight at the table.
Mulder covered his mouth with his napkin and coughed, trying to mask his laughter. Langly and Bill were engaged in a conversation about computers at the other end of the table, but their odd behavior would be noticed soon enough.
Now Krycek's face was turning red as he tried not to laugh at Mulder's thought of showing Bill how he really felt by standing up and bending over. Their laughter was contagious but she struggled not to get sucked into their playtime. Krycek was about to respond with an image of his own when Scully kicked him under the table.
'OW!' He said loudly, causing everyone to turn their way. 'Oh, I really need some more of that Cole slaw.' Krycek reached over and piled more on his plate, trying to cover up his outburst. 'Yes, I just love this Cole slaw.'
It was Scully's turn to try not to laugh but Mulder was losing his battle and sliding lower and lower in his seat, holding his stomach.
'What did you put in this Cole slaw, Dana?' Krycek was egging her on and she knew it. 'Because I just can't get enough.' He stared at her, smiling, head tilted to the side. All she heard in her head was how she did have to sleep sometime, and there was a lot of coleslaw that would be sharing her bed.
Scully tried to meet his gaze, tried to bluff him out. But he just sat there, smiling at her, reminding her that she would be swimming with cabbage later on. She finally put her head in her hands and burst into giggles. Mulder let out his own laughter, leaning against her.
Everyone at the table was staring at them and Krycek heard a thought in Bill's mind. I guess we should have had a kid's table after all.
An image popped into his mind. The three of them banished to the far corner, sitting at a table too small for them, throwing food and making faces at each other. Krycek finally started to laugh and let his head fall on the table. That made Scully laugh harder, causing Mulder to laugh harder.
'Freaks.' Frohike said, turning back to his plate of food.
*************************
Maggie and Krycek insisted on cleaning up after dinner while everyone else moved downstairs.
Byers and Bill stood by the fireplace, smoking cigars and talking. Frohike played with little Matthew and Langly was keeping the blender going. After speaking with everyone in the room for awhile, Mulder and Scully walked out onto the deck, holding hands.
'Seems odd to drink margarita's on Thanksgiving.' Mulder said, taking a sip of one.
'So Cal.' Scully replied, smiling.
'Oh no, you're starting to sound just like him.'
She laughed. 'Like who?'
'Mr. Personality.' Mulder said. 'Krycek.'
'No.' Scully shook her head. 'Everyone here talks like that.'
He looked out over the ocean. 'I can see why you're happy here.'
'I love it here.' She smiled up at him. 'Except I miss you sometimes.'
Mulder looked at her in disbelief. 'Sometimes?'
'You've been gone a long time, Mulder.'
'No, Scully.' He corrected. 'You've been gone a long time.'
'Whichever.' It was her turn to look out over the surf. 'I don't want to argue.'
'I'm not arguing.' He argued. 'I was just saying…'
A minute passed before Scully turned towards him, her eyes twinkling as she smiled. 'What was dinner about, anyway? The two of you were acting like little boys.'
Mulder smiled in spite of himself, remembering their conversation on this same deck a couple of hours earlier. 'We were just being stupid. Relieving the tension.'
'By mocking my brother?' Scully smiled. 'I guess he's not a very popular guy.'
'He's just a little…'
'A little what, Mulder?'
'Cranky.' He replied.
The radio suddenly came on in the rec room, 'Roller Coaster' by the Red Hot Chile Peppers playing on KROQ. Scully shook her head. 'Oh, no.'
'What?' Mulder asked.
'Alex is going to be happy when he hears that on the radio.'
Mulder frowned. 'That racket?'
Scully rolled her eyes up at him. 'He loves the Chile Peppers.'
As if on cue, Krycek spun into the room, accepting the margarita Langly offered as he danced by.
'…One, two, one, two, three…I got a ticket so ride with me…'
Scully just smiled as Mulder stared at Krycek, mouth slightly open. If he had been told a year ago that he'd be in a beachfront house, drinking margaritas on Thanksgiving while Krycek danced around like an idiot, Mulder would have checked himself into a mental institution.
'Oh there he goes.' Langly said, laughing.
'As long as he doesn't break into the Ricky Martin impersonation again.' Frohike said. 'I haven't been the same since.'
Everyone in the room laughed as they all remembered the Labor Day weekend party, Krycek shaking his hips as he twirled around the room to 'Livin' La Vida Loca', making fun of the Pop star.
Mulder shook his head and looked down at Scully. 'I've missed a lot.'
She nodded, not looking at him. 'Yes, you have.'
Krycek came out onto the balcony.
'…Your love is like a roller coaster, baby, baby, I wanna ride…'
'Down, Alex, down.' Scully laughed.
He stood next to Mulder, leaning against the railing. 'How do you like Newport Beach, Agent Mulder?'
'The entertainment factor is quite high.' Mulder replied dryly.
'Are you referring to the beach action, or are you mocking my exuberant performance.'
Mulder nodded. 'I'm mocking you.'
'Enjoy yourself.' Krycek took a sip of his margarita.
'I'm going to talk to Mom.' Scully said, eyeing the two of them. 'Behave yourselves.'
'Always.' They both replied then looked at each other.
Scully gave them both a dirty look before walking back into the house.
'That was quite a show.' Mulder said. 'Your extravaganza.'
'I know, you think I'm an idiot.' Krycek shrugged. 'I've been serious for way too long, Fox. I need to act like an idiot from time to time and life is too short to worry about what everyone thinks.'
'I've been told you didn't have a childhood.' Mulder said. 'That's usually when you sow your wild oats.'
'And yet most people look back on their younger years as the best times of their life.' Krycek said. 'Why stop it.'
'Everyone has to grow up sometime.' Mulder replied.
'Why?' Krycek asked.
'It's just what you do.' Mulder said. 'You grow up.'
'Who's to say what's grown up and what isn't?'
'Let's take your child, for instance.' Mulder said. 'You have to set an example for your kid.'
'What kind of example?' Krycek responded. 'I don't want my kid thinking he or she has to act one way or another. I don't want it to think that he or she has to quit enjoying life just so they'll conform to society.'
'But don't you want it to be accepted?'
'I, of all people, know what's it like to be told how to think and act and feel.' Krycek said, looking at the view of the water below. 'I would never burden my child with that.'
Mulder stared at Krycek, trying to understand this man who had won the approval of everyone he knew.
'Good luck, Agent Mulder.' Krycek said. 'I don't understand myself.'
They were interrupted by a commotion inside. Krycek and Mulder popped their heads inside to see everyone gathered around Scully.
'What's wrong?' Mulder asked, immediately concerned.
Krycek smiled and moved over to Scully. 'The baby's moving again.'
She reached out to Krycek's hand and held it on her stomach. They grinned at each other.
'Mulder.' She said, holding her hand out as Krycek moved out of the way. 'Come here.'
It was the most amazing thing Mulder had ever felt, the baby moving. He glanced up at Scully, a smile huge on his face. She looked at him, her eyes shining. 'Isn't it wonderful?' She whispered.
Mulder nodded, completely overwhelmed with an array of emotions. Happiness, humility, jealousy.
A strange look suddenly came over her face. She turned and looked at Krycek, a question in her eyes.
He was looking around the room, confused. Mulder looked between the two of them. Krycek shook his head.
You feel that? He thought at her. I feel someone.
It was Scully's turn to look around the room. No. She shook her head. What is it, Alex?
Krycek shook his head. I guess nothing.
'Alex?' Maggie asked. 'Play for me?'
Krycek smiled. 'Play?'
'The piano.'
'Yeah, Alex.' Scully said, grinning, egging him on. 'Play for us.'
'You know how to play the piano?' Langly asked, raising his eyebrows.
Krycek grinned back at him. 'Just a little.'
'A lot more than a little.' Scully smiled. 'Come on, Alex.'
Mulder stared between the two of them, uneasy again with their banter. He should be over it by now, but it was hard. They seemed to share a connection that he and Scully never had.
Krycek met her grin, then sighed and sat down at the piano. 'Any requests?'
Langly went over to stand by the piano. 'Let's hear Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 15 in C Major.'
'You know music?' Krycek asked, resting his fingers on the keyboard.
Langly smiled at him. 'I know Mozart.'
Krycek grinned and began to pluck out the notes. His hands moved swiftly over the keyboard. Mulder was surprised; he never would have guessed that he'd be sitting here, watching Alex Krycek bang Mozart out of the piano. He never guessed that he'd be envious of anything Alex Krycek could do. But it seemed that's how it went these days. Mulder looked over at Scully. She was grinning and caught his eye. Mulder smiled back at her.
Langly seemed surprised. He smiled over at Scully and she grinned larger in return. Mulder silently seethed. This was going to drive him nuts. Watching Krycek's hands quickly compromise the keyboard, he quickly realized again that there was no way in hell he could compete with the man.
The music abruptly stopped and Krycek turned and met Mulder's eyes. In return, Mulder stared back, surprised at the honesty with which Krycek had looked at him as his voice entered his head.
I'm not competing, you idiot.
'And it was just getting good.' Langly said.
'Sorry.' Alex grinned at him. 'Got a little sidetracked.'
Scully glanced over at Mulder from her post next to the piano. He tried to give her a smile, but knew that she could see right through it. Krycek lightly rested a hand on her arm as he stood up. They shared a quick glance and Mulder knew that a few words had passed between them. Scully walked over towards the couch and Krycek flicked the switch on the sound system.
The stereo spun around on random, selecting 'King of the Road' by Roger Miller.
Krycek smiled over at Maggie, he knew this was one of her favorite songs.
Mulder helped Scully sit down on the couch, settling in next to her. He watched in silence as Krycek took Maggie's hand and began to do the Two-Step or the Do-Si-Do or some damn country-dance with her.
'…Third box car, midnight train…Destination: Bangor, Maine…Old worn-out suit and shoes…I don't pay no union dues…'
Scully was smiling at her mom. She loved the way Alex interacted with her. He was just like a kid sometimes. Scully knew that being a military wife had been a hard way to live and then the death of her Father had left her Mom alone. She was glad that her Mom's spirit seemed lighter these days, especially when she came out to Newport.
The baby kicked again and Krycek turned to look at her, confusion still on his face.
You don't feel that? He asked her silently again.
'The baby just kicked again.' Scully replied aloud, putting Mulder's hand over it.
Krycek shook his head. 'No. That's not what…' He trailed off in silence. His eyes grew wide and he whispered. 'Dana.'
Scully felt a huge wave of emotion from Krycek. She shivered as the song droned on.
'…I know every engineer on every train…All of their children…And all of their names…'
Krycek walked over to kneel in front of her. He looked at her stomach with wonder, then back up at her. He placed a hand over hers, his eyes were teary. She took in a deep breath, her mind overwhelmed.
A tiny mind reached back to her, a mind with no clear thought on what was happening.
It was the baby.
Scully began to laugh and cry at the same time.
'Dana, honey, what's wrong?' Maggie asked as she came to sit on the couch next to her.
Scully shook her head. 'I'm just happy, Mom. It must be the hormones.' She really wanted to share this amazing experience with everyone in the room, but didn't quite know how to explain it. Oh by the way, Mom, Alex is half-alien and can sense everyone's feelings. Here, want to try? 'I think I'm going to take a walk on the beach.'
Krycek got to his feet and helped her up. She looked at him as she went out to the balcony. Krycek gave Mulder the same look to follow and they walked down the staircase to the beach.
The three of them looked at each other, standing in the full moon.
'You going to tell me what that was all about?' Mulder asked.
'Dana wants you to feel this.' Krycek said to Mulder. 'Give me your hand.'
'Why?' Mulder asked, looking back at him mistrustfully.
'Oh come on, Mulder.' Krycek said. 'It's easier for me to do this when I'm touching you. Otherwise it's hard to channel and I end up turning everything on and off.'
Mulder reluctantly held out his hand to Krycek. The instant they touched, his mind was filled with an overwhelming feeling of confusion. Confusion, innocence and love. His lip trembled.
'Is that…' He whispered. 'Is that the baby?'
'Yes.' Krycek answered, breaking the contact.
Mulder didn't know what to say. He rarely did these days. Every time he thought he had a handle on something, Krycek, Scully or Diana pulled out something else to knock him over with.
'I don't know what to say.' Mulder said.
'I just wanted you to feel it.' Scully said to him, laying a hand on his arm. 'It was the most beautiful thing I've ever felt.'
'It was.' Mulder said. His mind was suddenly in turmoil. Part of him wanted to stay here and live out this weird existence they had, the other half was ready to go home and fight the good fight.
'That's not anywhere close to the good fight, Agent Mulder.' Krycek said.
'Then what is?' Mulder asked back, angry that his feelings seeped out so clearly.
From the room above, 'Bell Bottom Blues' by Eric Clapton began to play. The song blended with the crash of the waves.
'I don't know how to tell you that you are on the wrong side.' Krycek said. 'It's just something I feel. It's not right.'
Mulder looked at Krycek. 'And I should just trust your alien instincts and come out here to be a beach bum?'
Krycek shook his head, looking down at the sand. 'That's not what I said.'
'You come across with this condescending attitude-'
'Mulder, That isn't what I meant to do.'
'Then what are you meaning to do?'
'Stop it.' Krycek said, looking at him. 'Just stop it, okay. I'm just trying to help.'
'I don't want your help, Krycek.' Mulder said softly. 'I never have, I never will.'
Krycek looked out over the surf, letting out a deep breath, listening to the music from upstairs.
'…Bell bottom blues, you make me cry…I don't wanna lose this feeling…If I could choose, a place to die…It would be your arms…'
Krycek looked down at Scully. 'I guess I'll be joining the others upstairs.' He said, smiling at her.
She smiled back at him before her eyes suddenly widened. Krycek took a step away from her, his face shocked, scared. They stared at each other for a moment and Mulder could sense the turmoil between them.
'…Do you wanna see me crawl across the floor to you…Do you wanna hear me beg you to take me back…'
Scully's face filled with confusion. The pain shone through her eyes.
'…I don't wanna play that way…Give me one more day please…'
It seemed as if they were the only two people in the universe, the connection they had just then was that strong.
'…I don't wanna play that way…In your heart, I wanna stay…'
Mulder stared as tears filled Krycek's eyes.
'…It's all wrong…But it's all right…The way that you treat me baby…'
Krycek abruptly turned and walked away, the look on his face concerning even Mulder.
Scully stared after Krycek until he got into the house, then she dropped her face into her hands.
Mulder wanted to put an arm around her, to put a hand on her arm, to do anything to offer some comfort, but he couldn't. He was rooted to the spot he stood in. He had never witnessed anything like what he'd just seen. Even he could feel the connection between them that time. It was almost material.
'Scully.' He stammered out.
She didn't respond at first, she just stood there, head in hands.
Mulder reached out and touched her shoulder. 'Scully?'
She let her hands fall onto her legs and turned around to face the ocean before placing her hands over her mouth. She wanted to speak, to talk to him, but she couldn't. She had no idea what to say.
'Scully.' He said a little louder. 'What was that?'
She took her hands away from her face, running them through her hair. Her face was white.
'You want me to leave you alone?' He asked softly.
To his surprise, Scully burst into tears.
Mulder went to her and put an arm around her shoulders. She turned and leaned into him, grabbing his shirt with her hands.
'Scully, what happened?'
She shook her head against his chest. He could feel her tears soaking through his shirt.
'It's nothing, Mulder.' She said, trying not to cry. 'It's between me and Alex.'
Mulder tensed up. 'Something he did?'
'No.' She whispered. 'Something I did.'
Mulder stayed outside with Scully for a good hour before she decided she could go back inside. He didn't know what had happened between them, he wasn't sure he wanted to. Scully was not easily rattled and it was shocking to see the tough-guy Krycek turn into a quivering mess.
He held her hand as they returned into the rec room. The Lone Gunmen and Stout were scattered around the room, basking in front of the fire. Everyone else had gone to bed.
'Where's Alex?' Scully asked casually.
Frohike looked over at them. 'I thought he was with you.'
'He never came back inside?' She asked.
The three looked amongst themselves, shaking their heads.
Scully reached out her mind, trying to sense Krycek. She didn't get anything. He was far enough away where she couldn't feel him.
'Damn you, Alex.' She whispered.
End Part Seven
Continued in Part Eight.
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