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Recently, Alex's professional life had taken a turn for the worse, which explained why he was living in a crummy studio over a smelly, noisy, cut-rate garage instead of in the comfortable apartment the Consortium had located for him. Alex was sanguine, he figured the wind of fortune would be blowing his way again soon enough. In the meantime, he found it wiser to keep a low profile, which meant his opportunities for casual conversation, not to mention casual sex, were limited.

At the street corner, Alex pointed Michael back toward the main street and the two of them lingered for a few minutes, talking quietly. When the young man offered Alex his phone number, Alex accepted willingly. Who knew? He might even call the kid again.  

Eventually, the young blond waved and disappeared down the deserted street. Alex walked back down the other way, re-entering the darkened building without a second thought. He paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim light, wrinkling his nose at the odor of motor oil and gasoline. He checked his watch carefully. He still had several hours before his appointment. Leaning against the wall, he scanned the entertainment page of the dirty newspaper he found laying on top of a barrel.  

A soft scrape was his only warning. Before he could do more than drop the paper, he felt the hard barrel of a gun against his spine. Shit. He'd had no warning that anyone had found his hiding place.  

"Face against the wall. You know the drill." 

Fox Mulder's familiar voice both relieved and frightened him. While his former partner wasn't one of those who wanted to kill him on sight, Alex knew that what Mulder did want were the answers to some questions Alex wasn't prepared to deal with. He faced the dirty wall reluctantly, grunting in pain when Mulder grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. Alex wasn't surprised to feel cold barrel of the gun against his bare neck. 

"I hardly know where to start." The agent was obviously angry, but Alex was surprised at the absence of outright hate. The disappearance of his new partners on the heels of Dana Scully's abduction should have put Alex at the top of Mulder's hit parade. 

"Howdy, partner." Alex winced as the gun was thrust under his jaw and prayed the weapon wouldn't discharge unexpectedly. Okay, so humor is out.

"Why don't you tell me where to start, Krycek? What do you think? Scully's abduction? Cancer Man and his friends? I want to know what you knew, and just when you knew it." Each sentence was punctuated by the pressure of the gun barrel against Alex's throat. 

"Hey," Alex lied desperately. "I don't know anything, I swear." 

"You're a liar, and not a very good one." Mulder's voice was full of contempt. "You know, it's strange, but I haven't been able to decide whether you were a plant from the beginning, or if you were taken in by promises or threats from the Consortium after being assigned to work with me. Why don't we start there?" 

Alex opened his mouth to reply and Mulder slammed his head against the wall. "Save your breath, shithead. I wouldn't believe you anyhow." 

Alex thought he heard the thud of his head bouncing off the dirty concrete echoing through the empty building. "If you aren't going to believe me, why are you asking me questions," he asked. To Alex's relief the gun disappeared from his neck but that pain was replaced by the stab of agony as Mulder twisted his arm higher behind his back. 

"No reason." Mulder twisted his arm again. "Just to pass the time, I guess. Or, maybe to see if I can read between the lies and find some trace of the truth in you. I checked your files, Krycek. You actually did go through the Academy. I can't believe a lying shit like you managed to fool everyone for that long." 

"Maybe I didn't," Alex offered. "You said it yourself. Once I was assigned to work with you, it was obvious your enemies would come after me. Those guys have a lot to offer, Mulder. I thought..." He licked his lips and thought fast. "I thought I was doing the right thing. They said it was a matter of national security. They tricked me." 

"Bullshit, Krycek. I tried to get Skinner to put out a bulletin on you. I think you know more than you're willing to admit. And I think you're in deeper than you pretend." 

"What did Skinner say?" Alex tried to keep the conversation going. Mulder's voice was calmer, less frustrated. With any luck, Alex might be able to talk his way out of this one.  

"He said I didn't have any proof," Mulder said reluctantly. His hand flexed against Alex's arm uncertainly. 

"You don't," Alex said positively. One thing about the committee that had recruited him, they weren't sloppy. They hadn't intended for Alex Krycek to be unmasked as their tool and they would have made certain no proof of his duplicity existed.

"No..." Mulder's voice trailed off uncertainly. 

Alex knew how the other man must feel. Mulder knew his partner had betrayed him, but he couldn't prove it. And, Mulder being Mulder, he couldn't let it go. "So, what are we doing here?"  

Mulder didn't answer for a moment. Then he said, "Scully's back." His voice was an odd combination of wonder and exhilaration. 

"What? Alex tried to twist around to face his captor and hissed at the pain in his shoulder. Mulder's grip hadn't loosened at all. "What do you mean, 'back'?" 

"She's back," Mulder repeated. "They left her in a hospital down the road a few days ago. She was in a coma." He hesitated. "Tonight she...woke up. She's going to be fine." Alex heard the buoyant note of relief in his former partner's voice.  

Alex sagged against the wall in relief. "Thank god." He had feared that, in spite of his warning, the Consortium might decide that Scully was less trouble dead. Alex had tried to convince them that the last thing they wanted was a grief-obsessed Agent Mulder bringing all of his formidable profiling experience and intelligence to bear on unmasking their organization.  

"What do you care?" Mulder sounded surprised and annoyed. "You helped them take her, remember?" He wrenched Alex's arm brutally again. 

"I never did anything to hurt her, Mulder. You have to believe that," Alex said. 

"You're a liar, Krycek. You're one of them. You were in on the whole thing, weren't you? Don't lie to me." 

Alex was silent for a moment, then he answered calmly enough, "I was doing a job, Mulder. Just like you." 

"Bullshit. I'm not a criminal." 

"Neither am I. And we're more alike than you think, Mulder." 

"I don't think. Who was it you were meeting out there? Another one of their puppets? Someone else being trained in betrayal, being taught to lie and kill on command?"  

Alex noted Mulder's use of the word, 'betrayal' with interest and a stab of fear. If the other man was taking this personally, Alex was in big trouble. "He was no one you need to know, Mulder. He's a personal friend."  

"I don't believe you have any friends. A lying shit like you?" Mulder leaned against his back heavily, making it difficult for the younger man to breathe. "Come on, Krycek, who was he?" 

"OK, he was just someone I met," Alex gasped. "He doesn't have anything to do with this." 

"Someone you met," Mulder scoffed. "Where? Why? What was he doing here?" 

"None of your fucking business, Mulder," Alex gasped.  

Mulder twisted his arm tighter. "Come on, Krycek." He jerked the bent arm brutally. "We're partners, aren't we buddy? Who was it? You can tell your old pal, can't you?" 

"You'd be the last one I'd tell," Alex moaned.  

Mulder made a show of easing the pressure on his arm. "You mean you've got secrets, Krycek? Now, that's interesting. What could you possibly not want to share with me?" Mulder bounced his former partner's chest against the wall again, twisting the captive arm. "Partners share everything, don't they, Krycek?" 

"I told you," Alex gasped. "It was...personal. Christ, I only met the guy a couple of hours ago. I can't give you a dossier on him." 

"A couple of...." Mulder was quiet for a moment, putting the pieces together. "What are you telling me? You picked the guy up somewhere?" 

"Give the man a blue ribbon." Alex stretched his back, trying to ease the stabbing pain in his arm and shoulder. He didn't appreciate having his face ground into the greasy paint on the concrete wall but this didn't seem to be the time to mention it. 

"You mean..." Mulder didn't notice that his grip on Alex's arm loosened slightly, but Alex did and sighed with relief. "You mean you brought that kid here and had sex with him. Is that what you're saying?" 

"You got it." The returning circulation in his arm made Alex giddy with relief. "Just a little cheap sex to pass the time. You know how it is." 

Mulder didn't quite believe it and he was suspicious of anything Alex was willing to admit to so easily. "Why?" 

"Why?" Alex laughed painfully. "That's a stupid question, Mulder. I wanted to get laid, that's why." 

"Where did you meet him?" 

"What's the matter, you jealous?" 

"You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you?" Mulder sounded contemptuous, but Alex didn't notice.  

Alex was thinking fast. While this conversation had its own perils, Alex was desperate to keep Mulder's mind off of the past. At least until he'd had a chance to concoct some suitable story for his former partner. And he wasn't going to answer any questions about the man Mulder had nicknamed Cancer Man. Not under any circumstances.

"I'll bet you are. He was pretty hot, wasn't he? Want me to introduce you to him one of these days?" He laughed softly and kept needling the other man, trying to keep him off balance. "Come on, Mulder, how long has it been? Is that what you're doing wandering around down here? Looking for a quick fuck?"  

Mulder slammed Alex's head against the wall and Alex groaned, but he didn't let up. Anything was better than answering the questions he knew his former partner had about Alex's involvement in Agent Scully's abduction. "I'll bet it's tough with your untouchable reputation, isn't it? You probably have to sneak around places like this just to get laid occasionally."  

"What's the matter with this neighborhood? You're here, aren't you?" Mulder jammed him tighter against the wall, his breathing rough and angry. 

"Yeah, well, what does that tell you?" Alex laughed softly, tasting the blood on his lip. This was turning out to be a shitty evening. 

"Tell me what you were doing with that kid."  

Alex heard the trace of uncertainty in the other man's voice. Mulder wasn't sure what to believe but Alex could tell he was determined to disbelieve everything his former partner said. "What I said. And, he's no kid. He's old enough to know what he wants and smart enough to get it. How about you?"  

"What do you mean?"  

"Do you know what you want? What are you doing down here?"  

"My presence in this neighborhood is just a lucky coincidence. Don't confuse me with yourself, Krycek."  

"Oh, I'm not, Mulder. I know where I stand. Do you?" 

Mulder backed off slightly, surprised by the question. Alex had been waiting for this moment. In an instant he spun around and grabbed Mulder's gun arm. They were evenly matched but Alex had been prepared for the struggle and Mulder was off-balance. In a few seconds, their positions were reversed. Alex felt much better with one arm around Mulder's neck and a bruising pressure against his windpipe. Mulder's own gun was pointed at the agent's head. 

"How about now, Mulder? Know where you are now?" Mulder jerked against his arm and Alex tightened his grip until the other man sagged "Are you listening to me?" Suddenly the dark gloom of the garage, the stink of fuel oil, even the grit underfoot didn't seem quite so menacing now that he was back in control of the situation. 

Mulder nodded as the pressure against his neck eased. Krycek could feel his muscles bunching and shifting as Mulder considered struggling. "Don't even think about it, partner. I'm not going to be as careless as you were a minute ago. Get out your cuffs." 

Mulder didn't move and Alex squeezed his neck again for a few seconds. Grudgingly Mulder pulled out the regulation handcuffs.  

"Look there." He pulled Mulder's head back until the other man could see the slender pipe running overhead. "Over your head, around the pipe." Mulder didn't move and Alex cocked the gun meaningfully. "Don't push your luck, partner. My arm still hurts like hell." 

Slowly Mulder raised his arms over his head and the handcuffs chimed against the pipe as he snapped the locks. Alex backed off carefully. The overhead support wasn't that high and Mulder would be reasonably comfortable for the duration of their discussion. He pulled the other man around to face him, making a show of uncocking the gun and laying it down.  

"At this point, I have nothing to lose, Mulder. You and I need to have a conversation. If this is the only way I can get you to listen to me...." He shrugged. 

"I can't imagine wanting to hear anything you'd tell me voluntarily, Krycek. I'd rather beat it out of you."  

"Don't give me any ideas Mulder. I'm not too happy with you right now." Alex started searching Mulder's pockets for the keys to the cuffs. When his hands moved from the leather jacket to the tight jeans, Mulder's body stiffened warningly. The small gesture wasn't lost on Alex, in fact it gave him an idea. Smiling into Mulder's hazel eyes a few inches from his own, he slid his hand into one pocket and groped around casually. Mulder closed his eyes, his jaw clenched, and stood very still. Disappointed by the lack of reaction, Alex pulled out the keys and dropped them next to the gun. 

Mulder opened his eyes and glared murderously. "Don't do that again." 

"What's the matter? Learning more about yourself than you want to know?" Alex insinuated. 

"There's nothing you can teach me about myself, Krycek. You'd better worry about your own future." 

"I can take care of myself, Mulder. You're the one handcuffed to a wall. I'm the one with the gun. That should give you some clue. Now, let's start with how you found me." 

"I found a bad smell and followed it," Mulder sneered. 

"We don't have to do this the easy way." Alex gave him a warning look. "How did you find this place? 

:I told you, a lucky coincidence. Scully's hospital is in this neighborhood. After I saw her tonight, I decided to . . . take a walk before I went home." 

"And, here you are?" Alex grinned wryly. "Only you, Mulder." 

"I've always been lucky that way. Although I'll admit that tripping across a piece of shit like you was the last thing on my mind." 

"Sometimes, partner," Alex told him coldly, "I'm surprised more people don't try to shoot you." 

"I should have shot you when I had the chance," Mulder hissed. 

"Shot me?" Alex looked at him in mock innocence. "Why? For desertion of my post while under alien attack? I'd like to hear you try to press that charge in front of an inquiry." 

"How about murder? And kidnapping? Those two will do for a start." 

"I haven't murdered anyone, Mulder. And if you can explain how I could have been simultaneously at the bottom of the mountain with the tram operator and at the top kidnapping your partner, I'd be interested to hear it." 

"Accessory to kidnapping, then. And you murdered that man in the operating shack." 

Alex frowned at him and was silent for a moment. "That guy's dead? How?" 

"Don't pull that innocent shit with me, Krycek. You know damned good and well that you killed him." 

"I told you, Mulder. I haven't murdered anyone." 

"You're lying." Mulder looked at him in disgust and Alex looked him straight in the eye. 

"Let me tell you something, Mulder. Yeah, I had my instructions that night, but they didn't involve killing anyone. And I didn't. All I was supposed to do was keep you from going up on that mountain. And, if I couldn't stop you, I was supposed to leave you there. And that's what I did. After you left, I made an excuse to that guy and took off on foot, heading for police headquarters. My orders were to wait for you there. And, that's what I did." 

"More lies." Mulder closed his eyes and shook his head. "I'm willing to believe you had orders to leave me there alone. But you killed that guy first." 

"Why?" Alex glared at him. "You're pretty fucking sure of yourself, Mulder. What do you have? A body? Are my fingerprints all over it? Did you find the weapon that killed the guy? Did it have my prints on it? Where do you get off being so sure? You were halfway up the fucking mountain in that tram. How do you know what happened? Or, are you so desperate for someone to blame that you're picking on me just because I'm here?" 

"You lied to me before," Mulder said stubbornly. "You could be lying now." 

Alex grabbed his jacket and shook him in frustration. "I didn't lie to you, Mulder! I didn't tell you everything, but I didn't lie to you." 

"I don't believe you." 

Alex's grip on the leather jacket tightened and he looked into Mulder's eyes searchingly. Whatever he was looking for wasn't there. He was furious for a moment, then he relaxed. "Fine, partner. I'm the big bad wolf, the boogey man, and Jack the Ripper, all rolled into one. Is that better?" 

"I'm not likely to believe anything you say, Krycek." 

"No?" Alex was disgusted. Mulder was such a paranoid shit. If he'd been prepared for this encounter, Alex knew he could have convinced the other man, but he hadn't been. Which reminded him of the first half of their conversation. He looked at Mulder speculatively. "Well, just so this won't be a total loss . . . ."  

Leaning forward, he brushed a kiss against Mulder's lips, not really intending to do more than just rattle Mulder's self-assurance a bit. Mulder turned away sharply, dodging the caress. Alex laughed softly and kissed his neck gently. "What's the matter, partner? Don't you kiss on the first date?" 

"Get away from me you sleazy son-of-a-bitch." Mulder pulled on the cuffs and managed to step back a few inches before his back hit the wall.  

Alex watched him closely. Once or twice during their brief partnership, he had caught Mulder looking at him with eyes that weren't completely professional. It wasn't any part of his assignment to seduce his partner, so he had pretended not to notice. In any case, the other man was so weird that Alex knew he might have been mistaken. Now with the memory of those soft lips brushing against his own and Mulder's curses ringing in his ears, he decided to test the waters. Besides, his shoulder still hurt and he didn't see any reason Mulder shouldn't be paid back somehow. 

He hooked his index fingers in the belt loops of Mulder's jeans and looked him up and down thoughtfully. "You know Fox, you're not being very fucking nice to me. A lot of guys in your position might be worried about staying on my good side." 

"Fuck you, Krycek. I don't give a shit about your good opinion." 

Alex tugged on the loops and Mulder fought to keep his balance. "You're in kind of a vulnerable position to be acting like such a shit. You'd better watch that mouth of yours." 

Mulder glared defiantly. "You're a worthless piece of shit, Krycek." Suddenly pissed, Alex slapped him with just enough force to rock the other man's head. 

Mulder licked his lip, then laughed scornfully. "If that's as tough as you get, you're running with the wrong crowd." 

"Is that an invitation? Are you telling me you'd like it a little rougher?" Without warning, Alex punched him in the stomach. Mulder sagged against the cuffs, gasping in pain. Alex moved in casually, giving in to the temptation to run his hands over Mulder's chest. "I warned you."  

"Keep your fucking hands off of me." 

Alex hit him again and Mulder moaned and struggled for breath. Alex wound his hands in the lapels of the leather jacket and watched his victim closely. "Hey, this isn't my first choice but I'm flexible. If this is how you like it, I'm willing."  

"What the hell are you talking about?" 

"You should have played nicely when you had the chance." Alex grinned wickedly. "If you won't be reasonable about those other matters, then that's that. I just don't want our encounter to be a total waste."  

Mulder straightened up carefully and glared at him mutely. 

"Tell you what, Fox." Alex was enjoying himself. "You kiss and make up with me, real nice, and I'll turn you loose."  

"You bastard. You wouldn't dare." 

"Don't bet the farm on it, partner." He slid his hands inside the leather jacket and rubbed them over Mulder's chest, exploring more thoroughly this time as he waited for Mulder to recover. When his former partner looked back at him, Alex leaned in to kiss him. Mulder froze, then tried to bite him. Alex slapped him even harder, without a word, and forced the kiss on his resistant prisoner. Mulder didn't try to bite him again, but he didn't cooperate either. Alex considered the matter, then leaned back in and started to kiss him again.  

Mulder jerked his head away. "You said, 'a kiss,' now let me go, Krycek." 

"The rules here change, buddy. The more you make me work for it, the more you're going to have to give me." Alex's intentions weren't serious, he just wanted to mess with Mulder's head a little in retaliation for the pain still shooting down his arm. He knew that he would be in more than a little trouble if the Consortium found how he'd harmed the other man without orders. He didn't intend to let his captive know that, of course. Still, he figured he owed Mulder something for the roughing up he had taken earlier.  

"It's going to take a little something extra to get you out of this one, Fox baby." Resting his hands on Mulder's chest, Alex let his thumbs tease Mulder's nipples very through the soft cotton shirt. To his surprise there was a noticeable response. He smiled slightly, but didn't say anything, waiting for Mulder's reaction.  

"Don't call me that." 

"I don't think you understand your position here," Alex pointed out. "I'm the one calling the shots this time, buddy. If you're nice to me, I'll be nice to you. Get it?" 

"The only thing you're going to be calling is your lawyer." 

"Oooh...I'm scared," Alex teased. "That's a big threat from a man hanging from his own handcuffs." He pinched Mulder's nipples again and the nubs hardened against his fingers. He smiled at the other man's reaction. "So, what do you think?" 

Mulder glared suspiciously. "About what?" 

"How do you plan on getting out of this one?" He gathered a double-handful of Mulder's tee shirt and tugged, pulling the hem out of the tight jeans.  

Mulder opened his mouth, then closed it without speaking.  

"What's the matter? Nothing to say?" It amused Alex to watch Mulder trying to come up with a solution to this situation. "Not so simple, is it? You need to learn a few lessons about real life, Mulder. About what you're able to do when none of your choices are perfect." 

"If you're looking for sympathy, you came to the wrong place, Krycek." 

"I'm not looking for sympathy, just a little payback. 

"Payback for what you son-of-a-bitch?" 

Alex was getting tired of the name-calling. He slapped Mulder lightly. "We were partners, you shit. You should have trusted me. But no, you had to go running around on your own, trying to take care of everything single-handedly, being the hero. You were supposed to trust me, to let me help you." 

"Why? So you could betray me more efficiently?" 

"I would have done what I could for you, buddy," Alex promised sincerely. "I would have helped you as much as I could but you didn't give me a chance. You fucked up my life. The way I see it, you owe me." 

"I don't owe you shit," Mulder told him. "You fucked up your own life." 

"Well, maybe that's true." Alex looked him over thoughtfully, then smiled. "But you're here, and I'm here and it's as good a reason as any." 

"Reason for what?" 

"For this." This time he landed on Mulder solidly, kissing him thoroughly before the other man could avoid him. Mulder squirmed against his body, trying to pull his head free so Alex threaded both hands through the brown hair to hold him still. They were both breathless by the time he finished. He leaned against the older man, trailing butterfly kisses along his jaw and rubbing his hips against Mulder's slowly.  

"What the fuck are you doing?" 

Alex was still pissed and he had no intention of letting the other man know his intentions weren't serious. At this point, he was determined to continue the assault until he'd had the satisfaction of seeing the pompously self-assured Agent Mulder squirming in his shoes. "I told you. You owe me. And this is what I want." He whispered the last words against Mulder's ear, then trailed a line of kisses across the agent's jaw, smiling to himself when Mulder froze in surprise. 

Mulder tried to pull free of Alex's hands restraining his head. "You can't be serious." 

"I can't? Why can't I? Because Special Agent Mulder says so? Haven't you learned yet that what you think and what you want don't count?" Alex nuzzled the soft skin of his captive's neck, enjoying the faint trace of aftershave and the salty tang of sweat. 

Mulder shoved, trying to force Alex away from him. "You're a worthless piece of shit, Krycek. Get the hell away from me." 

Alex stepped back, looked at the agent, and then slapped him again, once on each cheek. "You know, Mulder, it just doesn't pay to be nice to you, does it? I warned you about that mouth of yours." 

"In case you hadn't noticed, Krycek, I hate your fucking guts." 

"That doesn't make any difference though, does it?" Alex laughed and reached out to rub the erection clearly outlined against the agent's jeans. "Doesn't change the fact that you're hot for me, does it?" Even through the heavy denim, Mulder's body was warm against his palm.  

"Bullshit." The agent shifted uneasily, trying to dislodge the teasing fingers. 

"Really? What about this?" He squeezed Mulder's erection roughly. "If it isn't me, what is it? Do you get off on being tied up? Or maybe it's the pain. Do you like getting hit? Is that what it is?" 

"None of the above." 

Alex grabbed him roughly, forcing a bruising kiss on the agent's stubborn lips. Ignoring Mulder's muttered curses, he bit the stubbled jaw and ran his mouth wetly along the curve of his neck. . Mulder struggled, then went limp. Alex pulled back to look at his face and laughed at Mulder's glare. Relaxing against the stiff torso, he kissed Mulder's face gently, running his hands over what he could reach of the agent's body. He was beginning to feel more serious about this. It was time someone ran rough-shod over Special Agent Mulder, giving him a taste of his own medicine. All the same, Mulder's reaction to his teasing had surprised him. Maybe he'd been right about Mulder the first time.  

Alex found it natural that he was attracted to Mulder. The agent had a lot of charm when he was in the mood to use it. And, he ran one hand over the curve of Mulder's hip, he had a great body to boot. He hadn't done anything about it because of his assignment. It had been his first big job for the Consortium and he hadn't wanted to make any mistakes. Now the situation was completely different.  

Mulder was quiet and Alex didn't make the mistake of saying anything further that would rouse the other man's anger. He couldn't resist sliding one hand under the hem of the loose tee-shirt to stroke the warm muscles. The satin skin slipped under his hand invitingly and he imagined what it would feel like to get the other man out of his clothes and really work him over. He could feel Mulder's erection against his hips now. For that matter, Alex knew he was going to have to decide soon just how far he was going to take this, before his own desires took over. The more he touched Mulder's body, the more he wanted him. 

"What's it going to take?" Mulder jerked his head away from Alex's mouth, and stared over his shoulder into the darkness. 

"For what?" 

"To turn me loose," Mulder said, through gritted teeth. 

"I don't know, partner. You've been a pretty big asshole so far. It's going to cost you." He rocked his hips against Mulder, making both of them acutely aware of the other man's erection. Mulder swallowed, but didn't say anything. Alex smiled and whispered, "You're going to have to be pretty persuasive. What do you have to offer?"  

Mulder's eyes were heavy and most of the anger had seeped out of his body as Alex touched him, but his jaw was still clenched against Alex's erotic assault. 

"Tell me something, Mulder, how long has it been?" He ran his hand under the jacket along Mulder's side. " How long has it been since you got off with someone else in the room with you?" 

"None of your fucking business." 

"C'mon lover, talk to me. I'll bet it's been a while, hasn't it?" He slid one arm around the other man's waist and pulled their hips together. Mulder was breathing harder than he had been a minute ago.  

"Knock it off Alex." 

I wonder. Alex kissed him again and this time Mulder's lips parted under his. Mulder wasn't struggling, but he wasn't responding either . . . and then he was for a few breathless seconds. Not quite yet, buddy. This could turn out to be a pretty good evening after all.

He yanked Mulder's shirt free from the tight jeans and slid his hands under it. Pushing the fabric out of the way, he licked and sucked the tiny nipples until they stood at attention under his tongue. Mulder closed his eyes, his hips moving slightly. Alex reached down and started stroking Mulder's hard cock through his jeans. Mulder hissed though his teeth and his body froze as he struggled to control his response. Alex kept stroking him until Mulder's eyes started to close again and he was rocking against Alex's hand. 

"What do you think, buddy? Feels pretty good, doesn't it?"  

Mulder swallowed heavily. Alex leaned back in and kissed him persuasively. Still fighting himself, Mulder kissed him back tentatively. Alex's hand was working him harder now and Mulder moaned, the sound barely audible. In a few seconds, Mulder was trembling.  

Alex pulled his hand away and rested his arms on the wall on each side of Mulder's head, forcing the other man to look at him. Mulder stared at him defiantly. 

"I think it's been a while, hasn't it, sweetpea?" Alex laughed evilly. He ran one finger over Mulder's mouth, which was already swollen from his hand. Alex kissed the corner, then licked along the lower lip, sucking it into his mouth and chewing on it gently. Mulder closed his eyes and tried to turn away, his head trapped against Alex's other arm. Alex moved his attentions to the side of Mulder's face and neck. As he caressed the soft skin, he kept rubbing their hips together gently, just enough to tease both of them.

"I think its been a long time," Alex told him very softly. He continued his assault on the sensitive neck, biting his captive hard enough to leave a trail of marks. Mulder moaned, rubbing his face against Alex's arm and arching his neck slightly. Alex tugged on the neck of Mulder's shirt, running kisses under the collar. "Sweet," he whispered. Sliding one arm around Mulder's waist, he pulled their bodies together. Mulder stood in his embrace passively, his eyes heavy with reluctant desire. Alex whispered, "kiss me," and offered Mulder his mouth. Mulder leaned forward slightly and covered Alex's lips with his own, then they were kissing passionately. Alex was in heaven. He had Mulder's cock engraving itself on his stomach and Mulder's tongue down his throat. Life didn't get much better.  

"No." Mulder pulled away and Alex let him relax for a moment.  

Then he curled his arm behind Mulder's head, trapping it in the crook of his arm. "Yes." He kissed Mulder again, feeling the same reluctant response from his captive. In spite of Mulder's denial, their hips were still rocking together. Alex could feel the extent of Mulder's arousal through the tight jeans and he knew that Mulder was equally aware of his own need. Alex ran his hands up under Mulder's shirt and tweaked his nipples gently. Mulder moaned, pushing his hips against Alex's suddenly. Alex bent his head down Mulder's nipples and nibbled on one, then sucked on it avidly.  

"Nonono," Mulder moaned helplessly, his back arching to increase the pressure of Alex's mouth against his skin. 

Alex pulled away for a moment, just far enough to unbutton and unzip Mulder's jeans. Sliding his hand inside, he wrapped his fingers around Mulder's erection and was rewarded with a soft whimper that made him smile in satisfaction. He pressed his mouth against Mulder's again, lips parted, and whispered, "Yes." His hand moved slowly, teasingly over the satin skin, feeling the moisture gathering at the tip, and Mulder kissed him almost eagerly. It didn't take long before Alex wanted more. When his hand slid out of the agent's jeans, Mulder's dazed eyes reflected his disappointment.  

"Don't worry, lover. We're just getting started." Alex pulled off his own jacket and shirt, then tugged Mulder's jeans and boxers down past his knees. 

Mulder frowned and started to speak, then stayed silent. Alex knew that the agent didn't know what to say, that part of him wanted to demand his freedom and the rest of the him was terrified that they might not finish what Alex had started. A second later, Alex's hand was on Mulder's cock again. Mulder's head fell back and his body surged against Alex's hand. Alex stroked him slowly, watching his face and thinking how beautiful Mulder looked, even handcuffed to a wall in a greasy garage. Then he moved back in to kiss the other man again, wanting to press his advantage while he had it.  

"What are you going to do?" Mulder's voice was reluctant and hungry. 

"Pretty much any damned thing I want, wouldn't you say?" Alex smiled at him meaningfully. He slid his hand into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a familiar foil package. Before Mulder could say anything, Alex had the package open and was unrolling the condom over Mulder's erection.

"Oh, shit," Mulder moaned. He licked his lips, then nodded slightly. 

Alex kissed his way down to Mulder's nipples and lingered there for a minute, then dropped to his knees. He had every intention of making sure neither of them was able to forget this encounter any time soon. He started by licking the head of Mulder's cock slowly. The musky odor of Mulder's excitement went to his head, drowning out the reek of gasoline and sweat. Mulder groaned and shivered under his hands. Alex caressed the firm thighs as he licked his way down to the base of Mulder's cock. Angling his head, he managed to get his mouth around the tight balls and he nuzzled them thoroughly, rolling each one around his tongue and sucking until Mulder whimpered anxiously. Working his way back up to the tip, Alex lapped at the sheath over the satin skin, focussing on the place where liquid was leaking from the swollen crown. He rolled the tip into his mouth and swirled his tongue around the edge very slowly until Mulder groaned and bucked against his mouth. Alex's hands tightened on the agent's thighs until Mulder could barely move.  

Pulling one hand free carefully, Alex retrieved the lube from his pocket and flipped open the lid. Mulder didn't seem to notice, he was moaning almost continuously, his hips pushing eagerly against Alex's expert mouth. Alex concentrated on getting some of the lube onto his hand, then he slid the hand around to probe Mulder's ass with one finger, sliding it in to touch the ring of muscle carefully.  

Mulder jumped, startled. "What...." Alex slid his finger in and out a bit, watching Mulder's reaction closely "Oh, god...." Mulder closed his eyes again and turned his head against his arm in denial. 

Alex went back to working on Mulder's cock, working his way back down to the base with a series of soft, wet kisses. At the same time, he continued to slide his finger in and out of Mulder's ass. Before long, he added a second finger and started stretching the muscle carefully. Mulder froze, then rocked against his mouth. After a few seconds, his movements back against Alex's fingers were as definite as his thrusts into the warm, wet mouth. Alex slid his fingers in deeper, searching. Mulder shuddered and gasped slightly when he scraped the prostate. Alex started sucking him harder, working his fingers against that spot. Mulder was moving faster now, pumping carelessly against Alex's mouth, gasping and mumbling incoherently. Alex wrapped his free hand around the base of Mulder's cock, stroking it in time with rhythm of his mouth against the head. As he had suspected, Mulder was so aroused by the slow, careful stimulation, the agent came almost immediately. Alex sucked steadily, milking the hot erection until Mulder's body sagged against the wall.  

Alex climbed back to his feet next to Mulder, kissing his neck, then his lips. Mulder returned the caress willingly and Alex wrapped his arms around Mulder's waist, stroking his back and prolonging the kiss as long as possible. After a minute, Alex's hands slid down to cup Mulder's ass, pulling their hips together, forcing his erection to Mulder's attention. Alex kissed him again, more passionately this time. He could see Mulder thinking. I suppose he's still wondering what he can do to get out of this, Alex thought.  

"What are you thinking about Mulder?" 

"I'm afraid to think," the agent admitted. 

"Knowing you, it's probably for the best." He kissed Mulder again, harder this time, his hands still stroking Mulder's ass.  

After a moment, Mulder kissed him back quite freely. Alex moaned when Mulder's tongue slid inside his mouth. He slid his lips down to Mulder's jaw and trailed another path of kisses up to the ear. He bit the earlobe teasingly, then sucked it into his mouth for a few seconds before he ran his tongue around the shell of Mulder's ear. When he pushed his tongue inside the ear, Mulder shivered. Alex laughed softy, pleased by the involuntary response.

"Nice?" He nuzzled Mulder's neck, rocking their hips together more insistently. After a moment, he pulled away. Mulder watched as he kicked off his shoes, then pulled of the rest of his clothes. Alex knelt and pulled Mulder's jeans and boxers down to his feet. Mulder stood immobile for a second, then let Alex pull off his shoes and the rest of his clothes. Alex stood up, running his hands up Mulder's legs and brushing a kiss on the head of Mulder's returning erection before he pulled off the used condom and tossed it into the corner.. He leaned against his captive, luxuriating in the feel of their naked bodies rubbing together. The air was full of the heady smell of sex and sweat, making him moan softly. 

By now, Mulder knew from his actions that Alex hadn't finished with him and Alex knew the other man had to be worrying about what was going to happen next. Or, not. When Alex kissed him passionately, Mulder parted his lips willingly, even eagerly. Alex was getting crazy from the feel of Mulder's body against his erection. For a minute, he debated turning Mulder loose, and hoping the other man would choose to stay and finish what they had started. Regretfully he decided it wouldn't work. There was no telling what Mulder's conscience would make him do if he had a choice and Alex no intention of stopping now.  

Alex wrapped his arm behind Mulder's head again, trapping it in the crook of his arm and kissed him again, rubbing their hips together. No time like the present to make his intentions clear. Sliding his hand between their bodies, he gathered both erect cocks together and started stroking them against each other. After a few seconds, both men were moaning and rocking against each other. Alex dropped back to his knees suddenly, nuzzling Mulder's balls again. He wrapped both hands around Mulder's ass, kneading the warm flesh and sliding his fingers into valley. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so hot for someone. Mulder's ass squirmed against his hands, seeming to beg for attention.  

Mulder pushed against his mouth again, twisting his hips and moaning again. "Are you going to...." 

Alex released him and stood back up. He kissed Mulder briefly, smiling into the hazel eyes.. "Greedy bastard, aren't you? No. I had something a little more... reciprocal in mind this time." He stroked Mulder's ass firmly.  

"No." Mulder's protest didn't even convince himself.  

Alex kissed his neck and whispered, "you ever been fucked, babycakes?" He watched the other man's face closely.  

Mulder stared at him. "Babycakes?" 

Alex grinned carelessly. "Just checking to see if you were listening." 

"Christ, I can't believe I'm doing this," Mulder moaned. 

"If it makes you feel any better you're not." Mulder stared at him in alarm and Alex grinned again. "I'm doing it. You're chained up, remember?" 

Mulder looked up at his hands, startled. Obviously he had forgotten how they had gotten to this point. He rattled the cuffs angrily, the sound echoing oddly in the stillness of the garage. "Take these fucking things off, Alex. You've had your fun." 

Alex laughed at him. "No, you've had your fun. This time is for both of us." His fingers slid back up the tight passage, stroking harder, deeper, searching until he hit the right spot. Mulder's back arched and he gasped suddenly. Alex stroked him there a few times, licking Mulder's jaw slowly but mainly watching his face. Mulder's eyes darkened and his lips parted. Alex kissed him again, working his tongue across Mulder's lips in a blatant invitation. Mulder's tongue flicked out to touch his once or twice, then the agent sucked Alex's tongue into his mouth and started sucking on it greedily.  

Alex was losing control. No matter how often he though he'd pushed Mulder as far as the man would go, his captive always responded with eager enthusiasm. He moaned and pulled his mouth away, resting his head against Mulder's cheek. His hand was still sliding in and out of Mulder's ass and the implication of Mulder's easy acceptance of the touch was almost too exciting.  

Mulder sighed and turned his head, planting a soft kiss on Alex's cheek. Alex twisted slightly and Mulder bent his head to lick the offered neck, nibbling and biting the sweat-slicked skin. His teeth lingered over the buried vein and he sucked the area avidly. Alex knew he was going to be branded but Mulder's teeth and tongue scraping across his neck were too sweet to stop. His body itched all over, desperate for the impossible feel of Mulder's hands against his skin. Pushing his leaking erection against Mulder's hip, Alex threaded his free hand through Mulder's hair, pulling the agent's mouth around for a bruising kiss. Mulder moaned against his mouth, the sound sending shivers of pure lust through Alex's body. It was time.  

Sliding his hand free, he grabbed the lube and another foil package. Pulling on the other man's shoulders, he urged Mulder to turn against the wall. Mulder resisted slightly, then the cuffs over his head twisted and he glanced up at them.  

Alex pushed the jacket and tee-shirt up until they were between Mulder's head and the wall. He didn't miss Mulder's quick upward glance. "Reassuring, aren't they?" 

Mulder didn't pretend to misunderstand him. "I don't need to make excuses to myself for my behavior." 

"No? Tell me something, lover." He moves up behind Mulder, rubbing his erection against Mulder's ass. Mulder pushed against him automatically. "Do you think we'd be here now if you weren't wearing those cuffs?" 

Mulder closed his eyes, refusing to answer. 

"Talk to me, Mulder," Alex insisted.  

Mulder glared at him bitterly. "I didn't come out this evening expecting to get raped if that's what you're asking." 

Alex froze, then pulled away. He rested his hands on Mulder's shoulders and kissed his neck gently. "Poor baby, are you feeling abused?" He kept his tone light, but he watched Mulder's profile closely. 

"You hit me," Mulder said flatly. "And you handcuffed me. What would you call it?" 

Alex was pissed. He was so hard it hurt and his mouth and tongue could still vividly remember the force of Mulder's recent climax. He couldn't believe Mulder was still pretending to be the innocent victim. He cursed the impulse that led him to try and force Mulder to acknowledge that they both wanted this. "You asked for it, you bastard."  

"You didn't." 

"Is that the problem here? You want me to ask you nicely?" He slid around between Mulder and the wall, then pulled Mulder against him. Mulder was unresponsive at first when Alex pressed a deep kiss against his mouth, but he responded slowly, unwillingly. Alex wrapped his arms around Mulder's waist and kissed him again. He was enjoying the feel of Mulder's body pressing his own into the wall, Mulder's hips rocking against his just slightly. Alex slid one hand around to stroke Mulder's ass. 

"Hey, partner?" 

Mulder glared at him wordlessly.  

Alex grinned. "Hey, Special Agent Mulder?" 

"What?" Mulder forced the word out through his clenched teeth.  

"Can I please fuck you?" Alex pinched Mulder's ass lightly.  

Mulder jumped slightly and opened his mouth to answer, then froze. Alex watched him in amusement. He knew Mulder was trapped. Now the other man had to say he wanted it, had to admit it. Alex cupped both hands around Mulder's ass, rocking their hips together. In the meantime, he took advantage of this new position to kiss his captive passionately. After a minute, Mulder pulled away and went to work on Alex's neck, nibbling and sucking the rough skin. Alex arched his neck willingly.  

Mulder's body pressing him against the cold wall, Mulder's mouth on his neck, sucking passionately, this was the stuff of fantasy. Alex was going crazy but he wanted to make Mulder ask for it. Pulling the older man close, Alex slid one finger down to explore, feeling Mulder's body relaxed and ready for him. He slid his finger just inside the passage and massaged the area gently. Mulder shuddered and kissed him hungrily and Alex gave up. Whether or not Mulder would admit it, they both knew what was going on here and he couldn't wait any longer.  

He moved around behind Mulder, pausing to rip open the foil package and roll on the condom, then spread a generous amount of the lubricant on himself this time. Pressing the head of his cock against Mulder's ass, he pushed inside slowly, then stopped just as he breached the ring of tight muscle. Mulder didn't move, or speak. Alex reached around and rubbed his nipples and Mulder whimpered again, his body rocking against the pressure of Alex's hips.  

Alex was shaking, he wanted to bury himself in the hot warmth but he was still determined to force Mulder to ask for what they both wanted. He rocked in and out slowly, moving a fraction deeper with every stroke. As he pushed in, Alex let his hands slide down Mulder's chest toward his cock. Every time he pulled out, his hands cupped Mulder's nipples, tweaking them gently. By the time he had his cock halfway up Mulder's ass, the agent was moaning desperately and forcing his hips back against the pressure. Finally Alex slid his hands down to grab Mulder's hips, carefully avoiding his captive's erect cock and pushed all the way in.  

"Ohhh...." Mulder whimpered, his hips trembling under Alex's hands. Alex waited a moment, then twisted his hips slightly. "Ahhh...." The approving sigh was almost Alex's undoing. 

Alex pulled out a bit, then pushed back in, feeling Mulder's body as it relaxed around him. After a minute, he started stroking in and out slowly, his hands still on Mulder's hips. His body was screaming at him to move faster but his attention was focused on the soft noises of pleasure coming from Mulder's throat. 

"Ahhh...Alex," Mulder moaned, so softly Alex could barely hear him.  

Alex leaned forward and kissed Mulder's neck, then trailed kisses along his shoulders, nipping at him when Mulder moaned again. Alex was breathing heavily from the strain of controlling his thrusts. Before long, Mulder dropped his head and started rocking against Alex harder.  

"Alex...." Mulder's voice was soft and tentative. 

What, lover?" Alex was locked in a slow dance of pleasure. With every stroke, Mulder's ass milked his cock gently and shards of bliss shivered through his body. Mulder's lean back grazed his nipples with every movement, sending new waves of excitement across his pleasure soaked-nerves. He buried his face in Mulder's neck, sighing softly.  

"Touch me." 

Alex thrust forward again, then reached around to stroke Mulder's cock. He forced himself to stop moving, ignoring the insistent throbbing in his cock.  

Mulder sighed in satisfaction for a few seconds, then pushed anxiously against Alex's hips. Alex kept stroking him very slowly, waiting. 

"Damnit, Alex." 

Alex bit his shoulder sharply. "Ah, ah, Mulder. Be nice, remember?" One hand slid down to finger Mulder's balls and Mulder hissed with pleasure. 

"Alex," Mulder pleaded softly.  

"What do you want, lover?" Alex rubbed his thumb along the head of Mulder's cock, feeling the new wetness accumulating there. 

"Do it, Alex." The answer was almost inaudible, but it was enough. 

Alex grinned and started moving slowly, in time with the movements of his hands on Mulder's cock. After a minute, he wrapped one arm around Mulder's waist and started pushing into him harder. In a few seconds both of them were moving easily, Alex kissing and sucking Mulder's neck as he slid in and out of the hot, tight passage. Mulder dropped his head back and moaned pleadingly, his body rocking between Alex's hand and the pressure of Alex's cock inside of him.  

Alex worked Mulder's erection roughly. He wasn't going to last much longer and he wanted the two of them to share this. Mulder was whimpering now, pleading for Alex fuck him harder, faster. Alex obeyed willingly, his body desperate for release. Mulder's back arched and he cried out, coming hard against Alex's hand. As Mulder's muscles gripped his swollen cock, Alex felt his own climax overtake him and he fell against Mulder's back, hot spikes of pleasure pouring out of him into the welcoming tightness. He kept his hand moving against Mulder's cock until both of them stopped moving, milking every second of pleasure from the moment. 

They stayed that way for a few minutes, Alex slumped against Mulder's back and Mulder's head against the wall as both men struggled for breath. Finally Alex slid free of Mulder's body and slipped around between the other man and the wall.  

Finding the keys to the handcuffs, he released the other man quickly, but cautiously, gathering Mulder against his chest and kissing him tenderly. Mulder kissed him back, briefly. His second climax of the evening had drained him. Mulder's arms, stiff from the awkward position, dropped to his sides heavily and Alex took advantage of the position to push the leather jacket off onto the floor. Mulder didn't resist when Alex pulled the damp tee shirt over Mulder's head and dropped it to the floor as well. Once his arms were free, Mulder rolled against the wall and gathered Alex against his chest, pulling the younger man's head down to rest against his shoulder. Alex thought he could have died happy right there, with his head pillowed on Mulder's shoulder and Mulder's arms wrapped warmly around his waist. He closed his eyes and savored the passing seconds.  

Before either of them could speak, reality interfered again. The sound of Mulder's cell-phone, buzzing impatiently from the pocket of the leather jacket interrupted the peace. After a moment, Mulder pulled away and reached down to pick it up. Alex watched bleakly as the older man flipped open the phone and hit the button.  

"Yeah?" Mulder's voice interrupted his thoughts. As he watched, the agent picked up the jeans with his boxers still tangled into the legs. Hopping on one leg, he shoved the other one through both garments, then repeated the action. 

No one, though Alex bitterly, had any right to look so graceful in such an awkward position. Reluctantly he started pulling on his own clothing.  

"When?" Mulder retrieved his shirt and slid it over his shoulders. As he buttoned it, he nodded into the phone, listening intently. As he pulled on his own shirt, Alex watched him closely.  

"Okay. Who else?" Slipping to the floor Mulder pulled on his socks and shoes. Groping in the jacket, he pulled out a pen and paper and started making notes.  

Alex pulled on the rest of his clothes and headed silently toward the door. Behind him, he could hear Mulder's voice, asking for clarification, then a spelling on something. The moment was gone. Anything else that might have happened between them tonight would have to wait for another occasion, but Alex wasn't fooling himself. This one night out of his life might be all there was. Once he left this building, he and Fox Mulder would be on opposite sides of the fence again. Nothing that had happened here tonight would change that.  

Still, he was hopeful. The disappearance of the tram operator wasn't anything he couldn't explain away and the recovery of Mulder's partner solved that particular problem. Nothing irrevocable had happened. Nothing that couldn't be overlooked. 

He reached for the door handle, then glanced back over his shoulder. Mulder was still on the phone, jotting down notes and nodding intently. He didn't seem to notice or care about the disappearance of his former partner. 

Some day, Alex thought hopefully. Some day, Agent Mulder. 

**** 

The end