That night, after putting Nikolas to bed in his out-of-use bedroom, Mulder
took his ritual spot on the couch. After a few horribly written and acted
late night sci-fi movies, he fell asleep, only to be awakened soon after
by the ringing telephone.
"Yeah.." Mulder answered, his voice still groggy from sleep.
"Mulder. It's Krycek..."
Suddenly wide awake, Mulder asked, "What's up? Is something wrong?"
Krycek sounded out of breath. "I got the disc. I'm trying to catch the next plane. I just wanted to let you know. How's Nikolas?"
"He's fine....he misses you." Mulder said softly.
"It's only been a day." Krycek replied, though his voice betrayed his cool exterior. He missed Nikolas as well.
"So, are you sure everything is okay? You sound like you've been running."
"Yeah, well...I had a couple of detours along the way...nothing I can't handle. I'm at the airport, I'll talk to you soon." Before Mulder could reply, the line was disconnected.
Mulder lay awake, the glow of the TV excentuating the concerned look on his face. Eventually, sleep overcame him and he reluctantly drifted off.
For about an hour he rested peacefully. But then he woke with a start, and he wasn't sure why. He sat up, listening for the source. Then it hit him. Nikolas.
He ran to his bedroom and knew immediately that the sound had been Nikolas's cry. The little boy was curled on his side with his blanket over him. Mulder sat on the bed and put his hand on Nikolas's trembling shoulder.
"Hey...Nikolas...it's me, Mulder. You okay?"
He did not receive an answer, only more shaking. Mulder gently pulled the cover back to allow him a view of Nikolas's face. He ran his hand back through the boy's brown hair. Mulder stopped, momentarily, with his hand on Nikolas's head. He felt hot. He touched the back of his hand against the boy's forehead. Very hot. Mulder went to the bathroom , retrieved a thermometer and returned to the bedside. His temperature was 103.6 .
Nikolas was now shivering uncontrollably. Mulder reacted quickly, grabbing his cell phone and calling Scully as he began to run a cool bath. After reaching Scully, promising to explain the details when she arrived, he picked up Nikolas and brought him to the bathroom.
"It's okay...you'll be okay...I'm just going to give you a bath..."
He quickly took the pajamas off and helped Nikolas into the water which, to his warm body, was freezing.
"I'm cold..." Nikolas cried.
"I know...this is going to help you though...you just have to stay in here a little longer."
Nikolas cried continuously until Mulder couldn't take it anymore and helped Nikolas step out of the tub. He knelt in front of him, wrapped him in a towel and dried him quickly. Nikolas was still crying and shivering. He leaned into Mulder's hands as he was dried and Mulder held him up as he finished. He then put the pajamas back onto Nikolas, doing most of the work while Nikolas stood in front of him. After finishing, Nikolas leaned into Mulder and cried even harder. Mulder leaned back against the wall, pulled the boy over and wrapped his arms around him.
"Sshhh....it's gonna be okay...it's alright..." He tried his best to be reassuring even though he had no clue what the hell was going on. Mulder didn't know what else to do, so he sat there and held on, offering the only thing he had...comfort.
A few minutes later, Scully let herself into Mulder's apartment using her copy of his key.
"Mulder?"
"In here..."
Scully followed the sound of his voice through the bedroom to the bathroom. She was shocked to say the least. She didn't expect anyone to be with Mulder, least of all a child.
Mulder stood and carried Nikolas back to the bed and gently placed him in the middle. As he moved to stand up straight Nikolas grabbed his arm, so he sat beside him instead. Nikolas pushed as close to Mulder as possible and rested his head on Mulder's leg, with is arm wrapped tight around it. Mulder watched the boy as he got comfortable and began to stroke his hair.
"Scully, this is Nikolas. Nikolas, this is my friend, Dana Scully."
"Hi Nikolas." Scully replied, looking to Mulder for an explanation. Nikolas didn't reply, his head was now buried between Mulder's leg and the bed.
"Uh, Mulder?"
"He's Krycek's son. Very long story. I called you because he woke up crying and he had a temperature of almost 104. I gave him a cool bath but I didn't know what else to do."
Scully saw the thermometer resting on the bedside table and motioned for Mulder to take it again. It was 102. Better, but not great.
"Do you have any Tylenol?" Scully asked.
"Just the adult dosage."
"That'll have to do for know. We have to give him something to get the fever down, I'll just break it up and give him a piece."
Scully left to get the Tylenol and water and returned with a very small, almost miniscule piece. She handed it to Mulder who nudged Nikolas to get up.
"Here, put this in your mouth and swallow it with this water."
"No..." Nikolas shook his head.
"You have to, come on. It'll help you feel better," Mulder said.
Reluctantly, Nikolas did as he was told and curled beside Mulder once again. Within minutes he was asleep.
"Sorry I woke you Scully. I guess it just kind of scared me...I don't know what to do with kids, especially not sick ones."
"Well, it looks like you're doing a pretty good job to me."
Mulder smiled. "So I guess you want the story now?"
Scully nodded. He told her everything, from the second Krycek had knocked on the door. She sat in silence listening intently. He also mentioned that the medical records were in the living room and that she should take a look. After discussing Krycek at length, and the risk's Mulder was taking trusting in him, Scully said she would leave so he could get his rest.
"You've been through a lot. Get some sleep, and I'll call you tommorrow. If you need anything just call."
"Thanks, Scully."
As she left, she grabbed the medical records to look at in the morning.
Mulder slid down to lay next to Nikolas as quietly as possible. He got himself comfortable, with Nikolas now using Mulder's arm as a pillow, and fell asleep.
PART 4:
Once again, Mulder woke to his phone ringing. He quickly glanced at the clock before picking up. It was 11:37 am.
"Mulder."
"Hey, it's me," Scully answered. "Did I wake you?"
"Yeah, but that's okay. It's getting late anyway."
"Well, I just wanted to check on Nikolas but I guess you wouldn't know anything yet."
"No," Mulder replied, "Let me call you back in a little while, okay?"
"Okay." And with that they both hung up.
Meanwhile, Nikolas had woken up and watched Mulder on the phone. Mulder placed the phone back on the nightstand and turned to the little boy lying next to him.
"Hey buddy, how are you feeling?"
"Cold."
Mulder took his temperature. It read 102.7 .
"I'll be right back okay?"
Nikolas nodded and Mulder retreated to the kitchen and quickly returned with some orange juice and a small piece of tylenol leftover from the previous night. After having Nikolas take it, he brought him out to the kitchen and asked what he wanted for breakfast.
"Nothing..," he replied softly.
"You should have something...let's see...." Mulder looked around for something suitable. "How about a little bit of cereal?"
Without waiting for a response he made a small bowl and sat Nikolas down at the table with his cereal. He ate it slowly, with Mulder watching him. Mulder then remembered to call Scully back.
"Hey Scully."
"Hi, what's going on over there?"
"Well, I took his temp when I hung up with you and it's almost 103 so I gave him some more Tylenol."
"With a persistant fever like this, I would normally recommend that you bring him to the doctor, but in this circumstance I think it would raise too many questions. You know, I did notice something this morning, when I was looking at his chart. It says he was getting injections of something, but it doesn't say what. His symptoms could be a mild form of withdrawal."
"Withdrawal? What could they have been giving him?" Mulder asked nervously.
"Could have been anything. Without running a full tox screen on him I have no way of knowing."
"Mulder...." Nikolas interuppted.
"Hang on Scully...What is it?"
"I don't feel good....my stomach hurts...." he replied quietly.
"Scully, he's not feeling well...I have to go."
"Okay Mulder, talk to you later."
"Alright, come on, " Mulder picked him up and carried him back to the bedroom. He sat him on the edge of the bed, but he instantly jumped off and ran to the bathroom. Mulder followed quickly behind. Nikolas, now crying, made it to the toilet and begin vomiting what little he had in his stomach between sobs. Mulder sat behind him and rubbed his back, waiting til he finished.
"Sshh...Your gonna be okay....it's alright...." he tried to say reassuringly.
When Nikolas finished, Mulder pulled him back to sit between his legs resting against his chest. He stroked Nikolas's hair and tryed his best to calm him down.
After sitting on the floor for almost twenty minutes, Mulder heard a sound at the front door. He listened intently, ready to jump up and get his gun off the nightstand.
"Mulder? I'm back..."
Krycek. And not a moment too soon.
Mulder looked down and saw Nikolas fast asleep. As quietly as possible, but loud enough for Krycek to hear, he said, "In the bathroom."
Krycek entered Mulder's bedroom and went to the entrance of the bathroom, leaning in with a hand on either side of the door.
His face, which had been smiling, instantly dropped at the sight before him. Something was obviously wrong.
"What happened?"
"He's been sick since last night. He had a fever and was shivering....now vomiting."
Krycek sat in front of the pair already on the floor. He rubbed his hand along Nikolas leg, looking very nervous.
"I called Scully and she came over last night, I talked to her this morning too. She thinks it might be withdrawal. Apparently, they were injecting him with something. I had to tell her everything....I didn't think you'd mind...since he was sick."
"Yeah...I mean, no, I don't mind."
"Why don't you put him in bed he'll be more comfortable."
Krycek leaned forward and took the little boy in his arms, brought him to the bed, and placed him under the covers. Only then did he open his eyes.
"Dad?"
"Yeah...I'm right here. Get some sleep, I'll be here when you wake up."
Nikolas closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
"I love you." Krycek whispered, more to hear himself say it then anything else.
Mulder, standing on the other side of the room, heard him - though it was barely audible. He smiled, went to sit on his couch and waited for Krycek.
A minute later Krycek walked in and sat beside Mulder.
"Rough day?" Mulder said sarcastically.
"You could say that."
PART 5 :
"So what happened in Russia?" Mulder asked curiously.
"I had some guys following me. I wasn't sure who they were but they never approached me, so I just tryed to lose them, I got the disc and went straight to the airport."
"So you got it then? That's good."
Krycek went silent for a minute. "Yeah....I had it. When I got back to D.C there were some guys hanging by my car...they, uh, they got it."
"What!? So now what do we do?" Mulder was amazed at how quickly this whole situation had also become *his* problem.
"Nothing. I recognized them. CSM sent them to get the disc. Impatient bastard."
"So they were there and you handed it over to them nicely? Doesn't sound right."
"No. I don't go down without a fight....you've had your share of dealings with that," he added with a smirk. "They knocked me around a little, took it out of my jacket and took off."
"Are you okay?" Mulder was genuinely concerned.
"Yeah sure...no guns atleast." Krycek looked suddenly uncomfortable.
Mulder now noticed how stiffly Krycek was sitting. "Your hurt." It wasn't a question.
"Don't worry about it Mulder. I've been through worse."
"C'mon let me help you."
"You already have." The weight of those words could almost be felt in the room. Mulder gazed into the eyes of a man who he felt he was only now starting to know. Ignoring Krycek's previous protest, Mulder leaned forward and eased Kryceks leather jacket off his shoulders. Kryceks hand went up to Mulders chest to push him away, but was quickly withdrawn. Whether it was because of the pain, or awkwardness of their situation, Mulder didn't know.
Mulder looked down at the front of Krycek's long-sleeved black t-shirt and noticed a stain. Though he couldn't see the color, he had no doubt as to what it was.
"Let's get this off."
With a sigh, Krycek gave in. Mulder pulled the arms of the t-shirt off then pulled the rest over Krycek's head. There was a gash about 2 inches long running horizontal across Krycek's abdomen. There was a lot of blood, but most of it was dried, and it didn't look too deep.
"Knife?"
"Yeah...you don't have to do this."
Without answering Mulder left the room and returned shortly with a damp cloth and bandages. Also some antiseptic stuff that Scully had left there last time she had tended to him.
"Mulder the boy scout," Krycek said.
"Yeah, I seem to remember buying these after your last visit." Mulder meant it to be a somewhat light-hearted statement, but the animosity that was usually between them was all to apparent.
Krycek nodded.
"Lie down, it's easier that way."
"You trying to have your way with me Agent Mulder?" Krycek replied, trying to bring some levity back into the room.
"Maybe later," Mulder answered cryptically.
Krycek narrowed his eyes and glared at Mulder for a moment before stretching out, on his back, on the couch.
Mulder wiped the area with the cloth, cleaning it as best he could and then applied the antiseptic ointment. Krycek winced.
"Sorry," Mulder said as he finished and bandaged him. "Good as new."
"Thank you. For this....for everything." Krycek used every ounce of self control he had to not start crying. His eyes filled with tears, but he desparately held them back. It had been a very long 3 days. Mulder sat on the edge of his couch and ran his hand through Krycek's hair. It had seemed like the right thing to do, but for the life of him Mulder couldn't figure out why. Yet there was no protest.
"Alex...." Mulder whispered, "it's okay."
What was okay? Krycek wondered what Mulder meant. Okay to cry? Okay to show emotion? Okay to be more scared then he has ever been in his entire life to have someone sleeping in the other room whose life was entirely dependant on him?
"It's okay." Mulder repeated. Krycek couldn't do it anymore, couldn't hide. He started crying. Mulder shifted his position so that he was sitting behind Krycek, with a leg on either side, and Krycek leaning back against him. Krycek turned into him and half-hugged, half-held on for dear life as he sobbed. Mulder embraced him and drew circles on his back with his hand.
"Everything will be okay." He couldn't be sure of that, but Krycek was grateful to hear it. It was comforting. He was being comforted. That in and of itself was new.
They had been laying like that for awhile when they heard soft footsteps echoing down the hallway. Nikolas appeared from around the corner, shivering, with his blanket wrapped around him and dragging on the floor. Krycek sat up and Mulder swung his leg off the couch.
"Come here buddy," Krycek said. He pulled Nikolas in between himself and Mulder and Nikolas put his head in Kryceks lap. "He feels really hot."
Mulder went to retrieve the thermomoeter. After taking his temp, Krycek read the results, "103.2"
"Maybe we should bring him to one of those emergency room/clinic type places. They won't ask as many questions as a hospital or doctors office and we need to do something."
"Okay. I'll get him dressed." Krycek replied.
"I'll get the clothes out for you." Mulder grabbed jeans and a shirt from the shopping bags and handed them to Krycek. When they came out of the bathroom Mulder was holding the little leather jacket.
"He needs a jacket right? I figured it's what you would have gotten."
Krycek smiled and took it from Mulder. He put it on Nikolas and couldn't help but laugh. He looked like a mini Alex Krycek. "Thank you, Mulder."
He picked Nikolas up and they headed out the door.
PART 6:
CLINIC 3:36 PM
They went to the closest clinic to Mulder's apartment, which was about thirty minutes away. They made it there in a little over fifteen thanks to Krycek's skillful, yet sometimes illegal driving. Mulder went straight to the front desk, got the necessary paperwork and joined Krycek and Nikolas in the waiting room chairs.
"Okay..." Mulder read as he began to fill out the form, " Name....Nikolas...Mikhael....Krycek.... Address?"
Krycek looked at him with an uncertain look on his face.
"That should be the easy question." Mulder stated.
"Can we just put yours? Not like it really matters, half of that form is going to have to be a lie anyway."
Mulder, deciding to let it go for the time being, wrote down his own address.
"So, no insurance...you do have money with you?" Krycek nodded. Mulder continued, "Doctor....What should I put?"
"Scully?"
"Yeah, that way she can feild any questions that might arise." Mulder replied as he wrote down the name.
After filling out the form to the best of their combined ability, Mulder handed it to the receptionist. She told him to go to room three. The three of them headed to the room to wait.
"So who exactly am I, in case the doctor asks?"
"What do you mean?" Krycek asked.
"Well, your his father....Am I just tagging along for the ride? Or how about a crazy uncle?"
"Uncle's fine." Krycek laughed. "Imagine if we were brothers?"
"I'd rather not." Mulder said smiling.
The doctor then entered, interupting their conversation. "Hello. I'm Dr. Taylor. How are we doing today," he moved his gaze towards Nikolas. Nikolas in turn slid closer to Krycek, who was sitting next to him on the exam table. Krycek told the doctor Nikolas's symptoms and the doctor listened intently. When Krycek finished, he took his stethoscope from around his neck, placed it in his ears and stepped towards Nikolas. Mulder was hit with the sudden realization that this was not going to be easy. Neither him nor Krycek had thought about what Nikolas's attitude toward doctor's would be. Probably not great.
"I'm just going to listen to your heart okay? Just like this," he demonstrated it on himself, noticing Nikolas's nervousness. Nikolas shook his head.
"It's okay, I'm right here. He's not going to hurt you." Krycek tried to sound confident, but Mulder figured he had just come to the same realization.
Dr. Taylor raised his hand with the end of the stethoscope to Nikolas's chest.
"No...leave me alone," Nikolas mumbled, backing away as far as he could. Krycek put his arm around him.
"Just let him do this Nikolas. It'll just take a second." Nikolas leaned into Krycek, so Krycek picked him up and placed him on his lap. He then nodded to the doctor. Dr. Taylor listened to Nikolas's chest, while Nikolas squirmed and tried to get away. Krycek held onto him, and kept saying that everything was okay. By the time the doctor finished with that one task, Nikolas was crying.
After a few routine things which took much longer than they normally would have, due to Nikolas's lack of cooperation, the doctor said that evrything seemed fine which left one more thing. Blood tests. Krycek and Mulder looked at each other.
Nikolas was still crying, soaking the front of Krycek's shirt. The doctor left the room and was replaced shortly by a friendly looking nurse. She set up her tray on the table next to Nikolas.
"Okay, can I see your hand Nikolas?" Nikolas, still crying against Krycek, shook his head 'no' and buried his hands between himself and Krycek's chest. "It's not going to hurt," the nurse continued, "it'll just be a little pinch on your finger, that's all."
Krycek took Nikolas's hand gently and held it out so the nurse could get it over with. Nikolas cried even harder. She cleaned his finger and pricked it as quickly as she could. After taking his blood she put a band-aid on him. "All done, " she said. "That wasn't too bad was it?" Nikolas did not answer, instead he continued to cry, so she smiled at Krycek and Mulder and left the room.
"All done, buddy. Calm down." Krycek said quietly. Nikolas's sobs continued with gasps for breath between them. Mulder stood up and walked over to them, placed his hand on Nikolas's back and said, "Hey...your okay. We're almost done here, we can go in a few minutes....try and calm down though, okay? Your gonna make yourself sick."
The doctor came back in to tell them that someone would get in touch with them as soon as they got results. Krycek thanked him and they walked out to the car.
The ride back to Mulder's apartment consisted of mainly Nikolas crying and Mulder and/or Krycek telling him to relax.
Mulder carried Nikolas up to his apartment and continued to hold onto him after Nikolas refused to be put down. Krycek went to the kitchen to see if there was anything to make for dinner, and found nothing.
"I'm going to run to the store for some groceries." Krycek said, walking back into the living room.
"I can do that if you want to stay."
"No," he answered, a little too abruptly, "I'll go. I'll be back soon."
Krycek looked at Mulder for a second before leaving and Mulder wasn't sure what to think. He did notice that he didn't say goodbye to Nikolas.
PART 7:
"Where's daddy going?" Nikolas asked when he heard the door close behind Krycek.
"He's going to the store to get some food, he'll be back soon." Mulder sat down, still holding Nikolas, and turned on the T.V. After a few minutes, Nikolas drifted off to sleep and soon after that, Mulder was out too.
Almost two hours later, Mulder woke up. He looked around briefly. "Alex?" No answer. He got up slowly, so as not to wake Nikolas, and looked around his apartment. It was empty. His first instinct was to call him, but he didn't know the number. He was starting to worry. What if something happened and he needs help?
"Mulder?"
Mulder walked from the hallway where he had been standing into the living room. "Hey Nikolas."
"Where's daddy?"
"Um...he's not back yet. Are you hungry?"
Nikolas nodded. Mulder picked up the phone and ordered a pizza. While waiting for the pizza, he decided to call Scully.
"Scully."
"Hi Scully, it's me. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner."
"That's okay, how is everything?"
"Well, Nikolas was getting worse and then Alex - uh, Krycek came home and we decided to bring him to a clinic. They took some blood so we're just waiting on the results. Oh yeah, I put you down as his doctor. I didn't think you'd mind."
"No, that's fine. What are you up to now?"
"Just ordered a pizza for me and Nikolas...um, Kryceks out."
"Oh. You want some company?"
"Sure."
Scully arrived half an hour later, yet still no sign of Krycek. Mulder was pacing while Nikolas watched cartoons so it only took a split second for him to answer the door once Scully knocked.
"Hey...come here." Mulder pulled Scully into the kitchen as another person knocked at his door.
"Wait here." Mulder paid for the pizza, got a plate and gave Nikolas a slice to eat on the couch before returning to Scully.
"What's up Mulder? What's wrong?"
"Krycek's been gone for more then two hours. He was just going to get groceries. I don't know if something happened, or if he just took off...."
"Do you think he would? Take off without saying anything?"
"I would say no...but then again, how would I know? I don't know him. I know he went through a lot to get this kid safe so it seems really stupid to throw it all away, but I dont know!"
"Maybe he just got side tracked and he'll be here soon. Give it a little more time. Worrying isn't going to solve anything."
"Not worried." Mulder mumbled. Scully gave him a disbelieving look. "Nikolas need him."
"Yeah....I know. Besides, in the mean time he has you. So, I wouldn't worry too much about Nikolas."
Mulder nodded and they joined Nikolas in the living room. He ate pizza and watched 'Spongebob Squarepants' with Scully and Nikolas, which happened to be the biggest Friday night plans he had in a very long time, but there was only one thing on his mind. Alex Krycek.
"I should get going Mulder it's getting late. Nikolas should probably be getting to bed."
"Yeah, thanks for coming over, " he said as they walked to the door.
"Don't worry Mulder, I'm sure he'll come back." Scully gave him a hug. "Bye Nikolas."
Nikolas yelled goodbye from the other room. Mulder closed the door behind Scully and rejoined Nikolas.
"Let's get you cleaned up and in your pajamas, okay? Come on." Mulder turned off the T.V. and led Nikolas to the bedroom.
Once Nikolas was settled and in bed he said, "You said daddy would be back soon."
"I know, I thought he'd be back by now. I don't know what's taking him so long, but don't worry. He'll come back." Nikolas nodded but did not look reassured, so Mulder added, "He loves you."
PART 8:
After spending half of the night with Nikolas, assuring him that Krycek would be back, Mulder spent the following day doing much of the same. He was starting to need reassurance himself. Something bad happened to him, or he just left. Mulder was mad either way. If he was hurt, Mulder had no way of finding him. If he left, well, Mulder wouldn't know what to do.
He went to bed that night feeling like he was lying to Nikolas, since he really didn't know if Krycek would be back or not. When he eventually fell asleep, he had tears running down his cheeks, much the same way Nikolas had a couple hours earlier.
Mulder's door opened slowly. Mulder sat up quickly, shook his head to wake himself up, and reached for his gun. Krycek walked through the doorway. Mulder was still tempted to reach his gun.
"It's just me." Krycek said quietly.
Mulder stared at him, not sure what he should say first. He was really pissed and really happy that he was back. That thought alone made him mad again.
"I....I'm sorry..." he offered, waiting for Mulder to react.
"Your sorry?" Mulder answered just as quiet. "Well then that makes everything alright."
"No...I just...."
"What? You just what? Where the fuck have you been?!" Mulder got off the couch and started towards Krycek, who didn't move a muscle. "Why did you leave? I had no idea where you were, if you were dead or if you were just too much of an asshole to call and say you needed awhile to yourself. God...Nikolas....did you even think of him?!"
"He's all I thought about."
Mulder pushed Krycek into the nearest wall and stood inches from him. "Fuck you. If you were thinking of him you should have told him what you were doing. He thinks you left him."
"I wouldn't...."
"You did! You came back, so what? You left in the first place! You know, he cried himself to sleep the past two nights. Thinking that his daddy changed his mind and didn't want him anymore."
Krycek, though he tried not to, started to cry. Mulder ignored it.
"So where did you go? You owe me that atleast."
"It's not important....I just needed to think. My whole life is different now, Mulder. I'm glad I have Nikolas, but it was a lot to take in..."
"You think it isn't hard on him? You shouldn't have left." Mulder now had tears running down his cheeks.
"I know...I'm sorry, I am....I should have called atleast to tell you I was all right." Krycek leaned forward a little and, sensing no resistance, pulled Mulder close to him. Mulder hesitated for a minute and then brought his arms up around Krycek's back.
"I'm sorry Mulder," Krycek whispered into his ear.
Mulder was now sobbing and for the life of him he couldn't figure out why. He should be mad, but he was so glad that Krycek was here, alive, and holding on to him. Nothing else seemed to matter.
Krycek walked him over to the couch and they sat down together, Mulder resting his head on Krycek's shoulder. They were silent for a few minutes, until the question that had been nagging at Mulder for the better part of two days got to him.
"Where do you live?"
"What?"
"Where do you live? You wouldn't tell me at the clinic."
Krycek sighed. "I don't live anywhere really."
"Everyone lives somewhere. Even if it's the street. Something tells me you have enough money to keep yourself off the street."
"You could say that."
"So?" Mulder prodded.
"I have enough money to bounce from motel to motel every few nights."
"Seriously?"
"It tends to be best not to stay in one place for too long." Krycek replied.
"Even now? There's no more Syndicate, you work basically for yourself right?"
"Yes."
"So, you can find a place now right? Settle down, so to speak."
"I'm going to have to."
"Don't you want to?" Mulder asked.
"Of course. It's.....It's just never going to be completely safe....that's why I left, I was thinking about all this."
Mulder sat up and looked into Krycek's eyes. "You'll protect him."
"Yeah...."
"Well until you find a place you can stay here." Mulder was surprised at how easy it was for him to offer that.
"Mulder - " Krycek started but was cut off by Mulder's look. "I don't know what to say, Mulder."
"Say that you'll stay."
"I will."
Mulder returned to Krycek's shoulder and they both fell asleep that way.
PART 9:
Krycek woke first and gently moved Mulder away so he could get up. He went to the bedroom to find Nikolas lying awake.
"Nikolas?" Nikolas looked up.
"Daddy!" He scrambled out of the covers and to the edge of the bed where Krycek met him. Krycek crouched down next to the bed so he was eye level with Nikolas.
"Hi buddy, how are you feeling?"
"Okay. Are you staying home now?"
"Yeah I'm not going to go anywhere. Sorry I left the other day and didn't tell you." Krycek took the boy in his arms. "Come on, let's go wake Mulder up."
Mulder was already awake, still sitting on the couch.
"Hi," Nikolas said happily.
"Hey..." Mulder replied, half awake.
"Daddy, wanna see the fish Mulder bought me?"
"Uh, sure." Nikolas ran to get the stuffed fish from the other room.
"Mulder, I know I said it last night but I need you to know...I meant what I said. I'm sorry....I'm sorry for scaring you."
Mulder shook his head, then became slightly confused.
"Uh, I never said I was 'scared'."
"The implication was there."
"I don't remember using the word 'scared' at any point in our conversation and I'm sure that if I had used it, it was probably in regards to Nikolas."
"Whatever," Krycek said smiling. "Your crazy you know that?"
"I've been told as much, though most people like to use the word 'paranoid'. But hey, whatever floats your proverbial boat."
Krycek looked at him like he was crazy. Or paranoid. Nikolas came running back with his toy, thrusting it into Krycek's arms.
"That's cool, did you thank Mulder?" Mulder laughed. "What are you laughing at?" Krycek asked.
"You. Specifically, you teaching someone good manners." Krycek laughed too. "And he did, he was very good."
The phone rang and Mulder rose to get it.
"Hey Mulder, it's me," Scully said.
"Oh hey."
"I wanted to let you know that the doctor you brought Nikolas to just called me. He said all of the test results came back clear. He says it was probably just the flu, or a bad cold."
"Do you think that's what it was?" Mulder asked skeptically.
"Well, how's he doing now?"
Mulder covered the phone with his hand. "It's Scully, she wants to know how he's feeling." Krycek and Mulder both looked to Nikolas, who said, "Fine."
"He say's he's okay."
"Maybe the doctor is right. Or, maybe whatever they gave him isn't detectable - or it was but by the time they took blood it was already out of his system."
"Yeah." Mulder replied quietly.
"You okay Mulder?"
"I'm fine....I just wish we knew what happened, you know?" Mulder looked to Krycek who looked equally concerned.
"Well maybe one day he'll be able to talk about it. But even if he doesn't, it's behind him. He'll be okay now."
"Yeah...I know."
"I'll let you go, if he feels sick again you can give me a call."
"Thanks Scully."
Mulder put the phone down on his desk and returned to the couch. "So what's for breakfast?"
"Don't look at me, it's your house," Krycek replied.
"Yes, but I wasn't the one who was supposed to go and get the food, which leaves the responsibility with you."
"Ha ha, very funny. So, we'll go out to eat, and on our way back we'll go to the store. And by the way, normal people have food in their houses anyway, whether other people live with them or not. You can't lay all the blame on me." Krycek, ignoring Mulder's mock look of being insulted, turned to Nikolas. "Go get some clothes and I'll be in in a minute to help you."
"Still your fault, " Mulder mumbled, pretending to be hurt.
"Oh, poor baby."
"You know, I'd be nice to me if I were you. You are a guest."
"Okay, okay, I'll be nice." Krycek slid himself over right next to where Mulder was sitting on the couch. "I don't want to mess up what we have going here," he said more quietly.
"We have something going?" Mulder said, his voice shaking slightly.
Krycek leaned in slowly, giving Mulder time to protest. He stopped when they were only an inch apart. Mulder could feel Krycek's breath against his lips. Mulder slowly moved his hand from his side to Krycek's chest. He held it there for a moment, not moving. Krycek thought Mulder was going to stop him. Mulder thought about stopping him. Instead, he moved it up around the back of Krycek's neck and pulled him in that last inch. Their lips met briefly, but Krycek pulled away and looked Mulder in the eyes, silently asking him if he was okay with this progression in their relationship.
"Alexei," Mulder said, pausing to catch his breath, which suddenly seemed impossible, "kiss me."
xx The END xx
"I Got You" by Nick Carter
People tell me, you stay where you belong But all my life I've tryed to prove them wrong They say I'm looking for something that can't be found They say I'm missing out, my feet don't touch the ground But there are moments when you can't deny what's true Just an ordinary day, like when I met you
It's funny how life can take new meaning You came and changed what I believe in The world on the outside's trying to pull me in But they can't touch me, cause I've got you
I want to thank you, for all the things you've done The most for choosing me to be the one
And it hits me when I reach for you, that I'm afraid you won't be there Maybe I am in too deep But I don't care I'm right where I belong, I got you I'm gonna prove them wrong You can't deny what's true and they can't touch me now that.. I've got you
"Yeah.." Mulder answered, his voice still groggy from sleep.
"Mulder. It's Krycek..."
Suddenly wide awake, Mulder asked, "What's up? Is something wrong?"
Krycek sounded out of breath. "I got the disc. I'm trying to catch the next plane. I just wanted to let you know. How's Nikolas?"
"He's fine....he misses you." Mulder said softly.
"It's only been a day." Krycek replied, though his voice betrayed his cool exterior. He missed Nikolas as well.
"So, are you sure everything is okay? You sound like you've been running."
"Yeah, well...I had a couple of detours along the way...nothing I can't handle. I'm at the airport, I'll talk to you soon." Before Mulder could reply, the line was disconnected.
Mulder lay awake, the glow of the TV excentuating the concerned look on his face. Eventually, sleep overcame him and he reluctantly drifted off.
For about an hour he rested peacefully. But then he woke with a start, and he wasn't sure why. He sat up, listening for the source. Then it hit him. Nikolas.
He ran to his bedroom and knew immediately that the sound had been Nikolas's cry. The little boy was curled on his side with his blanket over him. Mulder sat on the bed and put his hand on Nikolas's trembling shoulder.
"Hey...Nikolas...it's me, Mulder. You okay?"
He did not receive an answer, only more shaking. Mulder gently pulled the cover back to allow him a view of Nikolas's face. He ran his hand back through the boy's brown hair. Mulder stopped, momentarily, with his hand on Nikolas's head. He felt hot. He touched the back of his hand against the boy's forehead. Very hot. Mulder went to the bathroom , retrieved a thermometer and returned to the bedside. His temperature was 103.6 .
Nikolas was now shivering uncontrollably. Mulder reacted quickly, grabbing his cell phone and calling Scully as he began to run a cool bath. After reaching Scully, promising to explain the details when she arrived, he picked up Nikolas and brought him to the bathroom.
"It's okay...you'll be okay...I'm just going to give you a bath..."
He quickly took the pajamas off and helped Nikolas into the water which, to his warm body, was freezing.
"I'm cold..." Nikolas cried.
"I know...this is going to help you though...you just have to stay in here a little longer."
Nikolas cried continuously until Mulder couldn't take it anymore and helped Nikolas step out of the tub. He knelt in front of him, wrapped him in a towel and dried him quickly. Nikolas was still crying and shivering. He leaned into Mulder's hands as he was dried and Mulder held him up as he finished. He then put the pajamas back onto Nikolas, doing most of the work while Nikolas stood in front of him. After finishing, Nikolas leaned into Mulder and cried even harder. Mulder leaned back against the wall, pulled the boy over and wrapped his arms around him.
"Sshhh....it's gonna be okay...it's alright..." He tried his best to be reassuring even though he had no clue what the hell was going on. Mulder didn't know what else to do, so he sat there and held on, offering the only thing he had...comfort.
A few minutes later, Scully let herself into Mulder's apartment using her copy of his key.
"Mulder?"
"In here..."
Scully followed the sound of his voice through the bedroom to the bathroom. She was shocked to say the least. She didn't expect anyone to be with Mulder, least of all a child.
Mulder stood and carried Nikolas back to the bed and gently placed him in the middle. As he moved to stand up straight Nikolas grabbed his arm, so he sat beside him instead. Nikolas pushed as close to Mulder as possible and rested his head on Mulder's leg, with is arm wrapped tight around it. Mulder watched the boy as he got comfortable and began to stroke his hair.
"Scully, this is Nikolas. Nikolas, this is my friend, Dana Scully."
"Hi Nikolas." Scully replied, looking to Mulder for an explanation. Nikolas didn't reply, his head was now buried between Mulder's leg and the bed.
"Uh, Mulder?"
"He's Krycek's son. Very long story. I called you because he woke up crying and he had a temperature of almost 104. I gave him a cool bath but I didn't know what else to do."
Scully saw the thermometer resting on the bedside table and motioned for Mulder to take it again. It was 102. Better, but not great.
"Do you have any Tylenol?" Scully asked.
"Just the adult dosage."
"That'll have to do for know. We have to give him something to get the fever down, I'll just break it up and give him a piece."
Scully left to get the Tylenol and water and returned with a very small, almost miniscule piece. She handed it to Mulder who nudged Nikolas to get up.
"Here, put this in your mouth and swallow it with this water."
"No..." Nikolas shook his head.
"You have to, come on. It'll help you feel better," Mulder said.
Reluctantly, Nikolas did as he was told and curled beside Mulder once again. Within minutes he was asleep.
"Sorry I woke you Scully. I guess it just kind of scared me...I don't know what to do with kids, especially not sick ones."
"Well, it looks like you're doing a pretty good job to me."
Mulder smiled. "So I guess you want the story now?"
Scully nodded. He told her everything, from the second Krycek had knocked on the door. She sat in silence listening intently. He also mentioned that the medical records were in the living room and that she should take a look. After discussing Krycek at length, and the risk's Mulder was taking trusting in him, Scully said she would leave so he could get his rest.
"You've been through a lot. Get some sleep, and I'll call you tommorrow. If you need anything just call."
"Thanks, Scully."
As she left, she grabbed the medical records to look at in the morning.
Mulder slid down to lay next to Nikolas as quietly as possible. He got himself comfortable, with Nikolas now using Mulder's arm as a pillow, and fell asleep.
PART 4:
Once again, Mulder woke to his phone ringing. He quickly glanced at the clock before picking up. It was 11:37 am.
"Mulder."
"Hey, it's me," Scully answered. "Did I wake you?"
"Yeah, but that's okay. It's getting late anyway."
"Well, I just wanted to check on Nikolas but I guess you wouldn't know anything yet."
"No," Mulder replied, "Let me call you back in a little while, okay?"
"Okay." And with that they both hung up.
Meanwhile, Nikolas had woken up and watched Mulder on the phone. Mulder placed the phone back on the nightstand and turned to the little boy lying next to him.
"Hey buddy, how are you feeling?"
"Cold."
Mulder took his temperature. It read 102.7 .
"I'll be right back okay?"
Nikolas nodded and Mulder retreated to the kitchen and quickly returned with some orange juice and a small piece of tylenol leftover from the previous night. After having Nikolas take it, he brought him out to the kitchen and asked what he wanted for breakfast.
"Nothing..," he replied softly.
"You should have something...let's see...." Mulder looked around for something suitable. "How about a little bit of cereal?"
Without waiting for a response he made a small bowl and sat Nikolas down at the table with his cereal. He ate it slowly, with Mulder watching him. Mulder then remembered to call Scully back.
"Hey Scully."
"Hi, what's going on over there?"
"Well, I took his temp when I hung up with you and it's almost 103 so I gave him some more Tylenol."
"With a persistant fever like this, I would normally recommend that you bring him to the doctor, but in this circumstance I think it would raise too many questions. You know, I did notice something this morning, when I was looking at his chart. It says he was getting injections of something, but it doesn't say what. His symptoms could be a mild form of withdrawal."
"Withdrawal? What could they have been giving him?" Mulder asked nervously.
"Could have been anything. Without running a full tox screen on him I have no way of knowing."
"Mulder...." Nikolas interuppted.
"Hang on Scully...What is it?"
"I don't feel good....my stomach hurts...." he replied quietly.
"Scully, he's not feeling well...I have to go."
"Okay Mulder, talk to you later."
"Alright, come on, " Mulder picked him up and carried him back to the bedroom. He sat him on the edge of the bed, but he instantly jumped off and ran to the bathroom. Mulder followed quickly behind. Nikolas, now crying, made it to the toilet and begin vomiting what little he had in his stomach between sobs. Mulder sat behind him and rubbed his back, waiting til he finished.
"Sshh...Your gonna be okay....it's alright...." he tried to say reassuringly.
When Nikolas finished, Mulder pulled him back to sit between his legs resting against his chest. He stroked Nikolas's hair and tryed his best to calm him down.
After sitting on the floor for almost twenty minutes, Mulder heard a sound at the front door. He listened intently, ready to jump up and get his gun off the nightstand.
"Mulder? I'm back..."
Krycek. And not a moment too soon.
Mulder looked down and saw Nikolas fast asleep. As quietly as possible, but loud enough for Krycek to hear, he said, "In the bathroom."
Krycek entered Mulder's bedroom and went to the entrance of the bathroom, leaning in with a hand on either side of the door.
His face, which had been smiling, instantly dropped at the sight before him. Something was obviously wrong.
"What happened?"
"He's been sick since last night. He had a fever and was shivering....now vomiting."
Krycek sat in front of the pair already on the floor. He rubbed his hand along Nikolas leg, looking very nervous.
"I called Scully and she came over last night, I talked to her this morning too. She thinks it might be withdrawal. Apparently, they were injecting him with something. I had to tell her everything....I didn't think you'd mind...since he was sick."
"Yeah...I mean, no, I don't mind."
"Why don't you put him in bed he'll be more comfortable."
Krycek leaned forward and took the little boy in his arms, brought him to the bed, and placed him under the covers. Only then did he open his eyes.
"Dad?"
"Yeah...I'm right here. Get some sleep, I'll be here when you wake up."
Nikolas closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
"I love you." Krycek whispered, more to hear himself say it then anything else.
Mulder, standing on the other side of the room, heard him - though it was barely audible. He smiled, went to sit on his couch and waited for Krycek.
A minute later Krycek walked in and sat beside Mulder.
"Rough day?" Mulder said sarcastically.
"You could say that."
PART 5 :
"So what happened in Russia?" Mulder asked curiously.
"I had some guys following me. I wasn't sure who they were but they never approached me, so I just tryed to lose them, I got the disc and went straight to the airport."
"So you got it then? That's good."
Krycek went silent for a minute. "Yeah....I had it. When I got back to D.C there were some guys hanging by my car...they, uh, they got it."
"What!? So now what do we do?" Mulder was amazed at how quickly this whole situation had also become *his* problem.
"Nothing. I recognized them. CSM sent them to get the disc. Impatient bastard."
"So they were there and you handed it over to them nicely? Doesn't sound right."
"No. I don't go down without a fight....you've had your share of dealings with that," he added with a smirk. "They knocked me around a little, took it out of my jacket and took off."
"Are you okay?" Mulder was genuinely concerned.
"Yeah sure...no guns atleast." Krycek looked suddenly uncomfortable.
Mulder now noticed how stiffly Krycek was sitting. "Your hurt." It wasn't a question.
"Don't worry about it Mulder. I've been through worse."
"C'mon let me help you."
"You already have." The weight of those words could almost be felt in the room. Mulder gazed into the eyes of a man who he felt he was only now starting to know. Ignoring Krycek's previous protest, Mulder leaned forward and eased Kryceks leather jacket off his shoulders. Kryceks hand went up to Mulders chest to push him away, but was quickly withdrawn. Whether it was because of the pain, or awkwardness of their situation, Mulder didn't know.
Mulder looked down at the front of Krycek's long-sleeved black t-shirt and noticed a stain. Though he couldn't see the color, he had no doubt as to what it was.
"Let's get this off."
With a sigh, Krycek gave in. Mulder pulled the arms of the t-shirt off then pulled the rest over Krycek's head. There was a gash about 2 inches long running horizontal across Krycek's abdomen. There was a lot of blood, but most of it was dried, and it didn't look too deep.
"Knife?"
"Yeah...you don't have to do this."
Without answering Mulder left the room and returned shortly with a damp cloth and bandages. Also some antiseptic stuff that Scully had left there last time she had tended to him.
"Mulder the boy scout," Krycek said.
"Yeah, I seem to remember buying these after your last visit." Mulder meant it to be a somewhat light-hearted statement, but the animosity that was usually between them was all to apparent.
Krycek nodded.
"Lie down, it's easier that way."
"You trying to have your way with me Agent Mulder?" Krycek replied, trying to bring some levity back into the room.
"Maybe later," Mulder answered cryptically.
Krycek narrowed his eyes and glared at Mulder for a moment before stretching out, on his back, on the couch.
Mulder wiped the area with the cloth, cleaning it as best he could and then applied the antiseptic ointment. Krycek winced.
"Sorry," Mulder said as he finished and bandaged him. "Good as new."
"Thank you. For this....for everything." Krycek used every ounce of self control he had to not start crying. His eyes filled with tears, but he desparately held them back. It had been a very long 3 days. Mulder sat on the edge of his couch and ran his hand through Krycek's hair. It had seemed like the right thing to do, but for the life of him Mulder couldn't figure out why. Yet there was no protest.
"Alex...." Mulder whispered, "it's okay."
What was okay? Krycek wondered what Mulder meant. Okay to cry? Okay to show emotion? Okay to be more scared then he has ever been in his entire life to have someone sleeping in the other room whose life was entirely dependant on him?
"It's okay." Mulder repeated. Krycek couldn't do it anymore, couldn't hide. He started crying. Mulder shifted his position so that he was sitting behind Krycek, with a leg on either side, and Krycek leaning back against him. Krycek turned into him and half-hugged, half-held on for dear life as he sobbed. Mulder embraced him and drew circles on his back with his hand.
"Everything will be okay." He couldn't be sure of that, but Krycek was grateful to hear it. It was comforting. He was being comforted. That in and of itself was new.
They had been laying like that for awhile when they heard soft footsteps echoing down the hallway. Nikolas appeared from around the corner, shivering, with his blanket wrapped around him and dragging on the floor. Krycek sat up and Mulder swung his leg off the couch.
"Come here buddy," Krycek said. He pulled Nikolas in between himself and Mulder and Nikolas put his head in Kryceks lap. "He feels really hot."
Mulder went to retrieve the thermomoeter. After taking his temp, Krycek read the results, "103.2"
"Maybe we should bring him to one of those emergency room/clinic type places. They won't ask as many questions as a hospital or doctors office and we need to do something."
"Okay. I'll get him dressed." Krycek replied.
"I'll get the clothes out for you." Mulder grabbed jeans and a shirt from the shopping bags and handed them to Krycek. When they came out of the bathroom Mulder was holding the little leather jacket.
"He needs a jacket right? I figured it's what you would have gotten."
Krycek smiled and took it from Mulder. He put it on Nikolas and couldn't help but laugh. He looked like a mini Alex Krycek. "Thank you, Mulder."
He picked Nikolas up and they headed out the door.
PART 6:
CLINIC 3:36 PM
They went to the closest clinic to Mulder's apartment, which was about thirty minutes away. They made it there in a little over fifteen thanks to Krycek's skillful, yet sometimes illegal driving. Mulder went straight to the front desk, got the necessary paperwork and joined Krycek and Nikolas in the waiting room chairs.
"Okay..." Mulder read as he began to fill out the form, " Name....Nikolas...Mikhael....Krycek.... Address?"
Krycek looked at him with an uncertain look on his face.
"That should be the easy question." Mulder stated.
"Can we just put yours? Not like it really matters, half of that form is going to have to be a lie anyway."
Mulder, deciding to let it go for the time being, wrote down his own address.
"So, no insurance...you do have money with you?" Krycek nodded. Mulder continued, "Doctor....What should I put?"
"Scully?"
"Yeah, that way she can feild any questions that might arise." Mulder replied as he wrote down the name.
After filling out the form to the best of their combined ability, Mulder handed it to the receptionist. She told him to go to room three. The three of them headed to the room to wait.
"So who exactly am I, in case the doctor asks?"
"What do you mean?" Krycek asked.
"Well, your his father....Am I just tagging along for the ride? Or how about a crazy uncle?"
"Uncle's fine." Krycek laughed. "Imagine if we were brothers?"
"I'd rather not." Mulder said smiling.
The doctor then entered, interupting their conversation. "Hello. I'm Dr. Taylor. How are we doing today," he moved his gaze towards Nikolas. Nikolas in turn slid closer to Krycek, who was sitting next to him on the exam table. Krycek told the doctor Nikolas's symptoms and the doctor listened intently. When Krycek finished, he took his stethoscope from around his neck, placed it in his ears and stepped towards Nikolas. Mulder was hit with the sudden realization that this was not going to be easy. Neither him nor Krycek had thought about what Nikolas's attitude toward doctor's would be. Probably not great.
"I'm just going to listen to your heart okay? Just like this," he demonstrated it on himself, noticing Nikolas's nervousness. Nikolas shook his head.
"It's okay, I'm right here. He's not going to hurt you." Krycek tried to sound confident, but Mulder figured he had just come to the same realization.
Dr. Taylor raised his hand with the end of the stethoscope to Nikolas's chest.
"No...leave me alone," Nikolas mumbled, backing away as far as he could. Krycek put his arm around him.
"Just let him do this Nikolas. It'll just take a second." Nikolas leaned into Krycek, so Krycek picked him up and placed him on his lap. He then nodded to the doctor. Dr. Taylor listened to Nikolas's chest, while Nikolas squirmed and tried to get away. Krycek held onto him, and kept saying that everything was okay. By the time the doctor finished with that one task, Nikolas was crying.
After a few routine things which took much longer than they normally would have, due to Nikolas's lack of cooperation, the doctor said that evrything seemed fine which left one more thing. Blood tests. Krycek and Mulder looked at each other.
Nikolas was still crying, soaking the front of Krycek's shirt. The doctor left the room and was replaced shortly by a friendly looking nurse. She set up her tray on the table next to Nikolas.
"Okay, can I see your hand Nikolas?" Nikolas, still crying against Krycek, shook his head 'no' and buried his hands between himself and Krycek's chest. "It's not going to hurt," the nurse continued, "it'll just be a little pinch on your finger, that's all."
Krycek took Nikolas's hand gently and held it out so the nurse could get it over with. Nikolas cried even harder. She cleaned his finger and pricked it as quickly as she could. After taking his blood she put a band-aid on him. "All done, " she said. "That wasn't too bad was it?" Nikolas did not answer, instead he continued to cry, so she smiled at Krycek and Mulder and left the room.
"All done, buddy. Calm down." Krycek said quietly. Nikolas's sobs continued with gasps for breath between them. Mulder stood up and walked over to them, placed his hand on Nikolas's back and said, "Hey...your okay. We're almost done here, we can go in a few minutes....try and calm down though, okay? Your gonna make yourself sick."
The doctor came back in to tell them that someone would get in touch with them as soon as they got results. Krycek thanked him and they walked out to the car.
The ride back to Mulder's apartment consisted of mainly Nikolas crying and Mulder and/or Krycek telling him to relax.
Mulder carried Nikolas up to his apartment and continued to hold onto him after Nikolas refused to be put down. Krycek went to the kitchen to see if there was anything to make for dinner, and found nothing.
"I'm going to run to the store for some groceries." Krycek said, walking back into the living room.
"I can do that if you want to stay."
"No," he answered, a little too abruptly, "I'll go. I'll be back soon."
Krycek looked at Mulder for a second before leaving and Mulder wasn't sure what to think. He did notice that he didn't say goodbye to Nikolas.
PART 7:
"Where's daddy going?" Nikolas asked when he heard the door close behind Krycek.
"He's going to the store to get some food, he'll be back soon." Mulder sat down, still holding Nikolas, and turned on the T.V. After a few minutes, Nikolas drifted off to sleep and soon after that, Mulder was out too.
Almost two hours later, Mulder woke up. He looked around briefly. "Alex?" No answer. He got up slowly, so as not to wake Nikolas, and looked around his apartment. It was empty. His first instinct was to call him, but he didn't know the number. He was starting to worry. What if something happened and he needs help?
"Mulder?"
Mulder walked from the hallway where he had been standing into the living room. "Hey Nikolas."
"Where's daddy?"
"Um...he's not back yet. Are you hungry?"
Nikolas nodded. Mulder picked up the phone and ordered a pizza. While waiting for the pizza, he decided to call Scully.
"Scully."
"Hi Scully, it's me. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner."
"That's okay, how is everything?"
"Well, Nikolas was getting worse and then Alex - uh, Krycek came home and we decided to bring him to a clinic. They took some blood so we're just waiting on the results. Oh yeah, I put you down as his doctor. I didn't think you'd mind."
"No, that's fine. What are you up to now?"
"Just ordered a pizza for me and Nikolas...um, Kryceks out."
"Oh. You want some company?"
"Sure."
Scully arrived half an hour later, yet still no sign of Krycek. Mulder was pacing while Nikolas watched cartoons so it only took a split second for him to answer the door once Scully knocked.
"Hey...come here." Mulder pulled Scully into the kitchen as another person knocked at his door.
"Wait here." Mulder paid for the pizza, got a plate and gave Nikolas a slice to eat on the couch before returning to Scully.
"What's up Mulder? What's wrong?"
"Krycek's been gone for more then two hours. He was just going to get groceries. I don't know if something happened, or if he just took off...."
"Do you think he would? Take off without saying anything?"
"I would say no...but then again, how would I know? I don't know him. I know he went through a lot to get this kid safe so it seems really stupid to throw it all away, but I dont know!"
"Maybe he just got side tracked and he'll be here soon. Give it a little more time. Worrying isn't going to solve anything."
"Not worried." Mulder mumbled. Scully gave him a disbelieving look. "Nikolas need him."
"Yeah....I know. Besides, in the mean time he has you. So, I wouldn't worry too much about Nikolas."
Mulder nodded and they joined Nikolas in the living room. He ate pizza and watched 'Spongebob Squarepants' with Scully and Nikolas, which happened to be the biggest Friday night plans he had in a very long time, but there was only one thing on his mind. Alex Krycek.
"I should get going Mulder it's getting late. Nikolas should probably be getting to bed."
"Yeah, thanks for coming over, " he said as they walked to the door.
"Don't worry Mulder, I'm sure he'll come back." Scully gave him a hug. "Bye Nikolas."
Nikolas yelled goodbye from the other room. Mulder closed the door behind Scully and rejoined Nikolas.
"Let's get you cleaned up and in your pajamas, okay? Come on." Mulder turned off the T.V. and led Nikolas to the bedroom.
Once Nikolas was settled and in bed he said, "You said daddy would be back soon."
"I know, I thought he'd be back by now. I don't know what's taking him so long, but don't worry. He'll come back." Nikolas nodded but did not look reassured, so Mulder added, "He loves you."
PART 8:
After spending half of the night with Nikolas, assuring him that Krycek would be back, Mulder spent the following day doing much of the same. He was starting to need reassurance himself. Something bad happened to him, or he just left. Mulder was mad either way. If he was hurt, Mulder had no way of finding him. If he left, well, Mulder wouldn't know what to do.
He went to bed that night feeling like he was lying to Nikolas, since he really didn't know if Krycek would be back or not. When he eventually fell asleep, he had tears running down his cheeks, much the same way Nikolas had a couple hours earlier.
Mulder's door opened slowly. Mulder sat up quickly, shook his head to wake himself up, and reached for his gun. Krycek walked through the doorway. Mulder was still tempted to reach his gun.
"It's just me." Krycek said quietly.
Mulder stared at him, not sure what he should say first. He was really pissed and really happy that he was back. That thought alone made him mad again.
"I....I'm sorry..." he offered, waiting for Mulder to react.
"Your sorry?" Mulder answered just as quiet. "Well then that makes everything alright."
"No...I just...."
"What? You just what? Where the fuck have you been?!" Mulder got off the couch and started towards Krycek, who didn't move a muscle. "Why did you leave? I had no idea where you were, if you were dead or if you were just too much of an asshole to call and say you needed awhile to yourself. God...Nikolas....did you even think of him?!"
"He's all I thought about."
Mulder pushed Krycek into the nearest wall and stood inches from him. "Fuck you. If you were thinking of him you should have told him what you were doing. He thinks you left him."
"I wouldn't...."
"You did! You came back, so what? You left in the first place! You know, he cried himself to sleep the past two nights. Thinking that his daddy changed his mind and didn't want him anymore."
Krycek, though he tried not to, started to cry. Mulder ignored it.
"So where did you go? You owe me that atleast."
"It's not important....I just needed to think. My whole life is different now, Mulder. I'm glad I have Nikolas, but it was a lot to take in..."
"You think it isn't hard on him? You shouldn't have left." Mulder now had tears running down his cheeks.
"I know...I'm sorry, I am....I should have called atleast to tell you I was all right." Krycek leaned forward a little and, sensing no resistance, pulled Mulder close to him. Mulder hesitated for a minute and then brought his arms up around Krycek's back.
"I'm sorry Mulder," Krycek whispered into his ear.
Mulder was now sobbing and for the life of him he couldn't figure out why. He should be mad, but he was so glad that Krycek was here, alive, and holding on to him. Nothing else seemed to matter.
Krycek walked him over to the couch and they sat down together, Mulder resting his head on Krycek's shoulder. They were silent for a few minutes, until the question that had been nagging at Mulder for the better part of two days got to him.
"Where do you live?"
"What?"
"Where do you live? You wouldn't tell me at the clinic."
Krycek sighed. "I don't live anywhere really."
"Everyone lives somewhere. Even if it's the street. Something tells me you have enough money to keep yourself off the street."
"You could say that."
"So?" Mulder prodded.
"I have enough money to bounce from motel to motel every few nights."
"Seriously?"
"It tends to be best not to stay in one place for too long." Krycek replied.
"Even now? There's no more Syndicate, you work basically for yourself right?"
"Yes."
"So, you can find a place now right? Settle down, so to speak."
"I'm going to have to."
"Don't you want to?" Mulder asked.
"Of course. It's.....It's just never going to be completely safe....that's why I left, I was thinking about all this."
Mulder sat up and looked into Krycek's eyes. "You'll protect him."
"Yeah...."
"Well until you find a place you can stay here." Mulder was surprised at how easy it was for him to offer that.
"Mulder - " Krycek started but was cut off by Mulder's look. "I don't know what to say, Mulder."
"Say that you'll stay."
"I will."
Mulder returned to Krycek's shoulder and they both fell asleep that way.
PART 9:
Krycek woke first and gently moved Mulder away so he could get up. He went to the bedroom to find Nikolas lying awake.
"Nikolas?" Nikolas looked up.
"Daddy!" He scrambled out of the covers and to the edge of the bed where Krycek met him. Krycek crouched down next to the bed so he was eye level with Nikolas.
"Hi buddy, how are you feeling?"
"Okay. Are you staying home now?"
"Yeah I'm not going to go anywhere. Sorry I left the other day and didn't tell you." Krycek took the boy in his arms. "Come on, let's go wake Mulder up."
Mulder was already awake, still sitting on the couch.
"Hi," Nikolas said happily.
"Hey..." Mulder replied, half awake.
"Daddy, wanna see the fish Mulder bought me?"
"Uh, sure." Nikolas ran to get the stuffed fish from the other room.
"Mulder, I know I said it last night but I need you to know...I meant what I said. I'm sorry....I'm sorry for scaring you."
Mulder shook his head, then became slightly confused.
"Uh, I never said I was 'scared'."
"The implication was there."
"I don't remember using the word 'scared' at any point in our conversation and I'm sure that if I had used it, it was probably in regards to Nikolas."
"Whatever," Krycek said smiling. "Your crazy you know that?"
"I've been told as much, though most people like to use the word 'paranoid'. But hey, whatever floats your proverbial boat."
Krycek looked at him like he was crazy. Or paranoid. Nikolas came running back with his toy, thrusting it into Krycek's arms.
"That's cool, did you thank Mulder?" Mulder laughed. "What are you laughing at?" Krycek asked.
"You. Specifically, you teaching someone good manners." Krycek laughed too. "And he did, he was very good."
The phone rang and Mulder rose to get it.
"Hey Mulder, it's me," Scully said.
"Oh hey."
"I wanted to let you know that the doctor you brought Nikolas to just called me. He said all of the test results came back clear. He says it was probably just the flu, or a bad cold."
"Do you think that's what it was?" Mulder asked skeptically.
"Well, how's he doing now?"
Mulder covered the phone with his hand. "It's Scully, she wants to know how he's feeling." Krycek and Mulder both looked to Nikolas, who said, "Fine."
"He say's he's okay."
"Maybe the doctor is right. Or, maybe whatever they gave him isn't detectable - or it was but by the time they took blood it was already out of his system."
"Yeah." Mulder replied quietly.
"You okay Mulder?"
"I'm fine....I just wish we knew what happened, you know?" Mulder looked to Krycek who looked equally concerned.
"Well maybe one day he'll be able to talk about it. But even if he doesn't, it's behind him. He'll be okay now."
"Yeah...I know."
"I'll let you go, if he feels sick again you can give me a call."
"Thanks Scully."
Mulder put the phone down on his desk and returned to the couch. "So what's for breakfast?"
"Don't look at me, it's your house," Krycek replied.
"Yes, but I wasn't the one who was supposed to go and get the food, which leaves the responsibility with you."
"Ha ha, very funny. So, we'll go out to eat, and on our way back we'll go to the store. And by the way, normal people have food in their houses anyway, whether other people live with them or not. You can't lay all the blame on me." Krycek, ignoring Mulder's mock look of being insulted, turned to Nikolas. "Go get some clothes and I'll be in in a minute to help you."
"Still your fault, " Mulder mumbled, pretending to be hurt.
"Oh, poor baby."
"You know, I'd be nice to me if I were you. You are a guest."
"Okay, okay, I'll be nice." Krycek slid himself over right next to where Mulder was sitting on the couch. "I don't want to mess up what we have going here," he said more quietly.
"We have something going?" Mulder said, his voice shaking slightly.
Krycek leaned in slowly, giving Mulder time to protest. He stopped when they were only an inch apart. Mulder could feel Krycek's breath against his lips. Mulder slowly moved his hand from his side to Krycek's chest. He held it there for a moment, not moving. Krycek thought Mulder was going to stop him. Mulder thought about stopping him. Instead, he moved it up around the back of Krycek's neck and pulled him in that last inch. Their lips met briefly, but Krycek pulled away and looked Mulder in the eyes, silently asking him if he was okay with this progression in their relationship.
"Alexei," Mulder said, pausing to catch his breath, which suddenly seemed impossible, "kiss me."
xx The END xx
"I Got You" by Nick Carter
People tell me, you stay where you belong But all my life I've tryed to prove them wrong They say I'm looking for something that can't be found They say I'm missing out, my feet don't touch the ground But there are moments when you can't deny what's true Just an ordinary day, like when I met you
It's funny how life can take new meaning You came and changed what I believe in The world on the outside's trying to pull me in But they can't touch me, cause I've got you
I want to thank you, for all the things you've done The most for choosing me to be the one
And it hits me when I reach for you, that I'm afraid you won't be there Maybe I am in too deep But I don't care I'm right where I belong, I got you I'm gonna prove them wrong You can't deny what's true and they can't touch me now that.. I've got you