4/29/99	
Slip V- Crazy Like a Fox
Araxdelan (krycekluvsmulder@hotmail.com)
Disclaimer- Chris may own the ones on the show, but these two are *mine*. It 
is AU, after all.
Rating- PG
Summary- The plot thickens, and Mulder lusts.
Notes- This is 100% AU, and branches off right before season six. Would be 
best to read the other parts of the series at-
http://www.members.tripod.com/Araxdelan/

Thanks to Lone Gungirl.

____________________________________________________________________________


	His lips wrap around the rim of the coffee mug, sipping gently, and 
then his tongue darts out to lick the last few drops of liquid off of them. 
He places the cup back on the table, and begins to speak again. I watch his 
lips move, how they form each word, gently, softy, and the husk of his voice
carries over the few feet of leather and wood and synthetic stuffing and 
travels directly from my ears to my groin.

	I shake my head slightly. Concentrate, concentrate. I'm finally 
being allotted real answers, and here I am, watching Alex Krycek's lips 
move. Pursing for a moment, as he thinks. Opening, as he explains the 
mysteries that have been plaguing me all these years...

	I've never been so turned on in my life.

	Oh, sweet Marie! He's reaching for another bite of his donut. Mouth
around the cakey treat, lips encircling it. Straight teeth biting, and I can
practically *feel* them. Chew, chew, chew, jaw working, muscles moving. And
the melted chocolate on his fingers, ready to drip, and oh God... they're 
headed for his mouth, and here it comes... Index finger and a swirl of 
tongue, and then thumb, completely inside his mouth, and a licking movement,
and then a little "pop" as it's released from the wetness and warmth, 
saliva still clinging to it, and it's all over too fast.

	I shift, hoping Scully's paying better attention to Krycek's words
than I am, keeping her knowing eyes away from me and my growing hard on. 

	Okay, okay. I have to be reasonable about this. Those lips might be 
arousing me, but they're also forming important words. Truths that I've been
chasing for six years. So... I. Must. Pay. Attention.

	"...and that's how the project was initially started."

	Oops. How long have I been sitting here, watching him? I pick up my
coffee cup, and take a sip. The coffee is only lukewarm, and since we
re-poured fresh, hot cups before Krycek began talking, I probably missed
about....

	Uh-oh... they're both looking at me, expectantly. His eyes are so
green, and his lashes so dark and long.... would feel good brushing across
my cheek, just like that kiss he gave me all those months ago...

	"Well, Mulder? Do you have any questions?"

	Oh. "No." I can always ask about the beginning of the project later.
I don't want to risk being questioned as to why I need the whole explanation
repeated. Scully looks at me as if I've grown two heads, and I turn to see
the expression on Krycek's face. He throws me an amorous grin. So he knows
where my train of thought has been. How can he keep so *focused*? I glance
at his lap, and maybe he's not as in control as he sounds. But staring in
that direction is hindering me further, so I bring my eyes back to his face.
Where they belong.

	He has such a nice nose. A little flip at the end, and I think
that's what makes him look so youthful... 

	Shit shit shit! Eyes over on fish tank. The newest set of fish
aren't half as interesting, and that's a good thing. Now I can *finally*
concentrate.

	"Now, the most important aspect of the project seems to be it's
immanent failure. The old men have grown feeble and senile. Most of them
still have the idea in their heads that the project will succeed. They've
spent their whole lives working on it; knowing that they've wasted their
time would destroy them. So they disregard the fact that events of late have
thrown the project into turmoil."

	I guessed as much.

	"A few factions *do* realize the mistake, and are trying to correct
it. But these people are either trying to save themselves, and *only*
themselves, or going about it in an ineffective way. There *was* a more
focused bunch, that I had been a part of, but it dissipated after the death
of it's leader. If I'm not mistaken, Mulder, you were present at his 
unfortunate demise."

	I think back for a moment, and I can only remember one Consortium 
death that I have witnessed in recent history.

	"You mean the man who gave me the vaccine?" I ask.

	"Yes, that would be him. He realized that you were integral to the
survival of this planet, and that you needed Scully by your side. So he gave
his life to keep you in the game."

	Shit. All this "vital in the fight against the invaders" crap has
always made me nervous. I hate having pressure on me, and you can't put much
more pressure on a person than that. And now I find out that people are 
giving their lives so that *I* can continue my quest! How am I supposed to 
take that?

	I must have a startled look on my face, because Krycek reaches over
and pats me on the arm, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Scully's
*right* there. 

	Which is another difficult subject. While the conversation in the
hallway bought me some time, I still don't know how Scully's going to react
when she finds out that I have feelings for Alex Krycek. And she is bound to
find out sooner or later. She always figures out when something's wrong. 
Maybe if she has some time to get used to him, and maybe if he behaves 
himself *really* well...

	"Is it okay for me to continue?" he asks, quietly.

	I nod. Okay, time to focus again. I can worry about all the rest
*after* the planet is saved. Jeeze... how did a search for my sister turn
into this? And it's not exactly like I can just give up. Everyone expects me
to save the world, and this isn't something petty that I can turn my back 
on. 

	But, then again, I didn't *ask* for this job. And I'm sure there has
to be someone else out there who can do it....

	Yeah, and he's sitting right in front of you, saying he can't do it
alone.

	So the man I'm attracted to is going on a quest to save humanity.
It seems that I'm always thrown into this, this conspiracy. Maybe I'm just
destined to be in it. Which means I don't really have a choice. Which means
I should pay attention and help, instead of being selfish.

	Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be paying attention, not tying myself into
knots...

	"...now most of the people who were against The Consortium have
either given up, or have been found dead. There's little left of the human
portion of the resistance. Just us, really."

	"What?!"

	He gets a pained look on his face. "I know it sounds bleak, but it's
true. I might be able to get a few more people to swing onto our side, but,
like I said, they'd all be in it for themselves, or not very helpful. It's
not that there's a shortage of people; it's that none of them are *serious*.
And I have no qualms about using some of the others to help us towards our
ultimate goal, but I have a feeling that they'll outlive their usefulness 
quite quickly."

	I look over towards Scully. I can't read the look on her face. I 
wonder how she's taking this all. Something tells me she'll probably handle
this pressure better than I'll ever be able to.

	I wonder how Krycek feels about this- about having to shoulder such
a great burden. He's so calm about this, as if he's accepted the fact that
it's up to him to put things back in order. How does he stay sane? How am
*I* supposed to stay sane? Maybe we could help each other, but would that be
healthy? Two crazy people leaning on one and other? 

	Concentrate now, contemplate later.

	"The most important thing now is to develop a plan. But we have to
be wary that we don't rely on it too much, that we're flexible with it. The
reason that this planet is in so much trouble now is because of all of the
others insisted on 'sticking to the plan'.

	We have to gather up our resources as well. See what kind of hand we
have to play, so to speak. Right now, we don't have much. My knowledge only
goes so far, but it's the best we have. Scully, your scientific knowledge is
a real advantage. Mulder, your knack for putting information together, and
your talent for getting right where you shouldn't be is very helpful as 
well."

	Really? That's kind of nice....

	"But what I'm hoping is that you can enlist help from other areas as
well. We might need some of Skinner's contacts, and the help of those three
hacker friends of yours would be very valuable. Do you think they'd help?"

	"Skinner is going to be hard to convince, but I think once we tell
him what we're up against, he'll agree to help." Scully says.

	We won't have a problem with The Lone Gunmen. "My friends will be
anxious to get onboard this project." I tell him.

	He nods, considering these new pieces of information. "Very good."

	Scully looks a bit skeptical. "Sounds like you've been plotting all
of this for awhile."

	Krycek looks up. "Hmm? Oh... I guess you could say that. I didn't
come here expecting an alliance, or even asking for one, so this is a total
surprise. But I've been contemplating this for awhile. I knew something had
to be done, and this was a possible solution. I had discarded it for awhile,
when the other resistance had started up, because it's one of the weakest
ways to go about this. Only a handful of people working on such a large job.
But since the other 'team' has disbanded, this might be the only possible
answer."

	"So you don't really want to work with us?" she asks.

	"No, that's not it at all. You're all wonderfully talented 
people..."

	Thank you.

	"...it's just that I'd rather have had a bigger resistance, with you
only involved minimally. It's going to be very dangerous..."

	Scully interrupts him. "So you're worried about our safety all of a
sudden?"

	Krycek sighs. "Yes. I am. And I don't really care whether you 
believe me or not. Now, as I was saying, this is going to be dangerous. And
rather difficult. But there's no other choice. Like I told Mulder once-
fight or die. Resist or serve. And I *won't* let them win. I'll be six feet
deep in the cold ground before they take over this planet."

	 I don't like that visual. 

	So, this is it. The seven of us (if we're lucky and everyone decides
to join up) against everyone else. He's right; this sucks. I feel like
throwing a whiny baby fit on the floor at the unfairness of the whole
situation. We have to give everything up, fighting to the death, because no
one else will believe, and the others who do are all evil. 

	Krycek turns and looks at me. "I know it's not fair..."

	Uh-oh, I bet he can read it on my face.

	"...but it's all we have, all we can do. And it's a heck of a lot
more than this planet had this morning. Before it was just one man, trying
to infiltrate the ranks of a shadow government with the dim hope he might
get useful information against the invaders!"

	I shake my head. I don't know how he deals with.... all of this.... 
"Why didn't you just ask for our help?"

	He smiles a little, and stares at his hands. "I didn't think you'd
help."

	Oh, yeah. I hated him yesterday. It seems impossible now. And even
though I'm being bombarded by grim news, I have the distinct feeling that
I'm happier today than I was yesterday.

	"So *that's* why you didn't come to us as soon as the other faction
broke up!" Scully says.

	"Yeah," he replies, "you guys were kind of my last longshot plan. If
I couldn't do it on my own, I figured I owed it to the world to risk getting
shot or thrown in jail to put a team together. And maybe that was part of 
the reason I came to call a truce; working alone these past few months has
been hard, and ultimately fruitless. I figured since Mulder was on the right
side,  we shouldn't be working against each other. I figured a truce
couldn't hurt, anyway. Unless he tried to kill me, and then it would have
been two birds with one stone."

	Fuck. It *had* been getting to him. He came here with an underlying
hope for my help, or for his death sentence. I....I want to reach over and
gather him into my arms, but I can't. Not in front of Scully. I catch his
eyes and try to convey my emotions through my expression instead. I think he
understands, because he smiles at me.

	He then turns to face Scully, continuing. "But that's beside the
point. We have a problem here. I know that you have trouble with the whole
idea of an extraterrestrial invasion, Scully. But I hope that you can work
around that. And I'll see what I can do about getting you some proof. But,
in the meantime, try to take their existence for granted, especially as we
talk about this next subject.

	"As Mulder has heard, there is a group of aliens who seem to be
interested in helping the human resistance. For some unknown reason, they
are opposed to the other aliens taking us and our planet over. The question
is, do we side with them?  If they're sincere, they could give us a huge
advantage. But if they're not, we could be setting ourselves up for doom."

	Ah yes... the mysterious rebels. "What do we know about them?" I ask.

	"Not much." he admits. "They've appeared late in the game, which is
suspicious. But they've also made a genuine effort to 'exterminate' the test
subjects." he throws Scully an apologetic look, and she nods him on. "The
head of the last resistance was all for siding with them; it's why he sent
me to send you after the leader of the group, who was successfully 
rescued..."

	Another mission accomplished by... The fantabulous Mulder!!!!! So
what if I don't remember any of it!

	"...But I'm more weary of them. If you ask me, all the aliens we've
encountered so far are heartless and cold, and only out for their own race's
survival. So, until we know the motivations of the rebels, I suggest we keep
them at arms length."

	Well reasoned... I think I agree. So I guess I should say so. "I
think you're right." There, said it.

	"Well, assuming everything you've said is true, I would agree as
well." Scully says.

	"All right, another problem hurdled. The next thing to do would be
to gather our resources, and see if we can find the weak spot of our 
enemies. Alien *and* human. The sooner we get The Consortium out of our
hair, the better. With them out of the way, any plans against the colonists
will go much smoother. And, until their demise, we should expect their 
constant meddling."

	I'll bet! But that only covers half of it. "What happens after we've
gotten rid of the old men, and found a chink in the aliens armor?"

	He thinks for a moment. "Well... we'll try to get rid of them
quietly, if possible. If we find out one of their secrets, we might just be
able to threaten them back to their own planet. 

	"If not, we go public. After we get rid of the higher conspirators,
it should be easier to get incontrovertible evidence to go public with. And
then we can enlist the help of the government and the people."

	So that's that. We have the beginnings of a plan, of a resistance. I
turn and see Scully nodding, and she catches my eyes.

	"I'm assuming you want to start on this right away." she says to me.

	I smile. She knows me too well. "Yup."

	"Well, since I'm still on the clock, I guess I should be the one who
explains all this to Skinner."

	Boy, am I glad I don't have that job!

	I glance in Krycek's direction, and he looks worried. "You should
take him out to lunch."

	"What?" both Scully and I ask.

	"Yes, defiantly take him out. His office is bugged worse than this
place, and I can't exactly go over there and remove all the bugs like I did
here. Go someplace where you don't usually eat, and make sure you're not
followed. Someplace crowded would probably be safer, because it would be
louder; harder for both human ears and electronic devices to pick up your
conversation."

	Scully says, "Okay, I'll take him out, then. What about you guys?
What are you going to do?"

	I look over at Krycek, who, in turn, looks at me. "I don't know.
Nobody's expecting me anywhere for hours, and I'm not going in then
anyway. They'll probably have figured out what's going on by then."

	"What will you do?" I ask.

	He smiles a feral grin. "I've been squirreling away information for
awhile now. I have enough to get out, if necessary. They can't touch me if I
threaten to use it."

	Does this mean what I think it means? "You're quitting?"

	"Yeah, I guess so. It's not getting me anywhere anyway. And now that
we have this new project, I want to focus my attention on it, and not their
petty power games and foolish alliances."

	*YES!* He's a good guy!  And *allll* mine now! 

	Wait.... where did that come from? Do I really want him to be all
mine? I look at him- he's so beautiful, and I imagine having him to myself.
It's a happy thought, but still.... I suppose I'll have some time to think
all of this over, since we'll be working together.

	Scully must notice the joy on my face, because she looks at me oddly
as she says, "So, does this mean you're going to go and enlist The Lone
Gunmen?"

	Oh, yeah. Work. We need to work.... "Yeah, sure, if that's what
Krycek wants to do. Krycek?"

	"Yeah, that's a good place to start."

	We all get up, and Krycek and I walk Scully to the door. I grab my
jacket from the closet on the way, getting ready to leave myself. When
Krycek sees me grab the jacket, he asks, "Mulder, is it okay if I wash up
before we leave?"

	"Sure. Go on ahead." I throw the jacket on a chair.

	He's half-way to the bathroom when he scrubs his hands across his
face and asks, "Is it okay if I borrow your razor? I feel kinda of scruffy."

	I *like* the scruffy look on him. Stubble makes him look sexy. But I
nod yes anyway. He says goodbye to Scully, and closes the bathroom door.

	I undo the locks, and let Scully out into the hall, trying to gauge
the expression on her face, understand how she's taking all this. As she
walks into the hall, she turns and looks at me, eyebrows creased. She
whispers, "Do you know Krycek was checking out your butt while you were
walking me out?"

	Ohhhh...shit. I don't know whether to laugh, or to run and hide.
Some of the giggles bubble over, and Scully seems to assume that I find the
whole idea ridiculous. She smiles and shakes her head. "Goodbye Mulder. Call
me later and check in."

	"Bye Scully." I manage, between chuckles.

	Boy, that was a close one. Was he really checking out my butt? And
right in front of Scully? Is my butt that nice? I peer over my shoulder, and
try to get a good look at it. Not bad, I suppose, but nothing special... I
contort my neck, and manage a better view. The bathroom door bangs open, and
I spin around, trying to assume a normal position.

	He raises his eyebrow, and I look guiltily at him. He just smiles,
and says, "Let's get going."

	I quickly pull my shoes and jacket on, and reach for my keys. When
I'm all set, we exit the apartment, and I lock the door. Which is rather
pointless, anyway. I look at him, and his face lights up a little brighter
as he reaches over and takes me by the arm. My nerves sizzle at the touch,
even through the layers of cloth, and we walk arm in arm towards the
elevator.


_____

The
End
_____

To be continued in Slip VI