12/99-11/00 Puppy Tale II by Araxdelan Rated- PG Disclaimer- I saw them on the street one day, petted them, and they just followed me home, I swear! But, now that they're here, can't I keep them? What do you mean they're wearing tags that say "Property of C. Carter"? I don't see any tags... Notes- This story was started a year ago, and was unfinished and rotting away on my hard drive until Aris encouraged me to finish the damn thing up. So, I'd like to thank her. I'd also like to thank Lone Gungirl, whose comments inspired most of the imagery in the Puppy Tale series. You can also thank her for turning into a series... before she came along, it was just a silly standalone. :o) ====================== A giant crash sounded in apartment forty-two. Mulder, who had just fallen asleep on the couch, awoke. "What the fuck?" He had been sure, *sure* that he had puppy-proofed the apartment. *Sure* of it. Two weeks of living with the rambunctious little dog had taught him much, and after many disasters- from chewed up reports to a broken fishtank- he had been sure that he had finally fixed things so the puppy could do no more damage. As Willie bounded out of the kitchen, Mulder looked over at him and sneered. "I *should* have named you Krycek." The puppy whimpered and gazed at Mulder with apologetic, innocent eyes. Mulder smiled. "*Definitely* should have named you Krycek." He got up off the couch, and scooped the adorable animal into his arms. Willie, excited that Mulder was no longer upset with him, happily licked the man's face. "C'mon, buddy. Let's see what kind of trouble you've gotten yourself into now..." Mulder had been having a hard time getting used to living with an animal, and an even harder time dealing with all the "puppy problems", but he did admit that it was rewarding. The little puppy was very affectionate, and Mulder enjoyed it's company. He was perfectly fine with the hardships that came from raising it on his own. Almost perfectly fine. He was still upset that Krycek had broken their agreement. He had been looking forward to spending time with the man, to sharing the responsibility of the puppy with him. And he was pissed that Krycek could just walk away after what had happened between them. They had only shared a few kisses before they were interrupted by Skinner calling Mulder off on a case, but Mulder thought that those kisses had meant something. Had hoped that they meant something. And he had been looking forward to sharing so much more... After he had tried unsuccessfully to convince Skinner that he could visit the crime scene in the morning, he hung up the phone, and looked sadly at Krycek. He whispered an apology, kissed him, and went to put his shirt, tie, and jacket back on. He came back into the room and saw his new puppy asleep next to the person who he hoped would soon be his lover. Krycek's head was lolling against the back of the couch, his neck exposed. He was beautifully flushed. For a moment Mulder considered quitting his job so he'd never have to leave him even again. But he dismissed the idea when he realized that without a job he wouldn't have money for dog food. So he gave Krycek a long, sweet kiss goodbye, and left. The image of Krycek and Willie sleeping together on the couch stayed with him all night. But when he got home, Krycek was gone. He hadn't left a note, but that didn't surprise Mulder. He just figured that Krycek would show up again in a few days. But now, two weeks later, he had lost hope. Krycek hadn't contacted him. He was surprised at himself for missing the other man so much. Mulder sighed and entered the kitchen, ready to clean up what ever damage the puppy had created. ===================================== "Mulder, a man can't metamorphosize into a rabbit. It's *scientifically impossible*." *Scientifically Impossible*. *Scientifically impossible*. Mulder was damn tired of hearing that. He had visions of Scully suddenly morphing into a squirrel. That would show her what was scientifically impossible, and what... [ring ring] "Scully, can you get the phone?" [ring ring] "Why should I get it? It's just going to be another one of your neighbors, complaining about your dog." [ring ring] "What possessed you to get a dog anyway? With the life-style we live.." "You had a dog..." [ring ring] "Yeah, and look what happened to it." [ring ring] Deciding that whoever was on the line wasn't going to hang up, Mulder reached over and picked up the phone. "Hello? Oh, hello Mrs. McNilery... No, I know he's been barking... Everyone's been calling me at work to tell me so... He just misses me... But I'm at *work*, I just can't leave... Yes, I know a dog needs lots of attention. I expected to have someone to help with his care, but that fell through... Gee, is that him? He is rather loud. Perhaps I better come home... Yes, yes, thank you for calling." [click] "You're going home?" Scully asked. Mulder grabbed his coat off the rack, and turned to her. "I better go. All my neighbors are having a fit, and he's barking so loud I can hear him over the phone. He's going to wear his poor little voice out." "Well, I'm sure Skinner is going to love the fact that you're going home in the middle of the day to take care of your puppy." "He's not going to know because you're going to cover for me, right?" "Mulder..." "C'mon, Scully. What else am I supposed to do?" "Not get a puppy in the first place?" "Yeah, well, I told you, I got tricked into it. And now it's too late." "Mulder, only you would get tricked into owning a dog." "Yeah," he mumbled softly as he walked down the hall, "and only Krycek could trick me into it." =================================== When the elevator doors opened in front of Mulder, he expected to hear barking. But, to his surprise, he heard none. No barking, no whining, not even a whimper. He would have thought that his neighbors had been making false complaints, but he had heard the noise over the phone. Walking towards his apartment door, he listened carefully, but still heard nothing but silence. He slipped his key into the lock, and quietly opened the door. What he found inside put a smile on his face. Curled up together on the couch were Krycek and Willie. At his arrival, each cracked an eyelid open. Willie, determining that Mulder was no threat, burrowed closer to Krycek, and went back to sleep. Krycek, on the other hand, opened his other eye and stared at Mulder. Mulder just raised his eyebrow. They regarded each other silently for awhile, before Krycek grew impatient. "C'mon, Mulder. Say something." "Where have you been?" "How did I know that was going to be the first question out of your mouth?" Mulder threw up his hands in frustration. "You told me you were going to help me raise this puppy. Then we kissed. I had to leave, but I expected you to be back. You disappear for two weeks, and then just come back like you never left. Am I not suppose to be angry?" Krycek looked thoughtful for a moment. "I... I knew you'd be curious as to where I went. I knew you'd be pissed because I left. But I didn't think you'd be upset because you felt like I didn't care. I'm sorry, Mulder. I thought I'd made my feelings known. I left because I had to. Because it wasn't safe for me to stay. Not because my feelings weren't genuine." Mulder was surprised by Krycek's words. Pleasantly surprised. But he was still wary. "What happened to make you leave?" "After you left, I got up to watch you through the window. You pulled out, and then another car followed you. Not just any car; a dark sedan with tinted windows. A MIB special. "On a hunch, I began checking the place for bugs. When I found not only bugs, but a camera, I was shocked. I've infiltrated The Consortium. I'm behind the scenes, keeping tabs on them. And, as far as I know, they haven't put any equipment in you apartment since you found that last camera. So I did some checking and found that a new faction had popped up. A group of the members that thought tabs should be kept on you. "Over the past few weeks I've been dropping a few choice words on some 'influential' people. The surveillance has ceased, and the offending parties have been 'sanctioned'. And now I can safely come back here to be with you and Willie." Mulder was upset to know that he has been under surveillance. But he was also pleased to know that he has someone on the inside watching over him. Oh, he had protectors before, but this one actually cared about him. Mulder was warmed by this, just as he had been warmed by Krycek's kindness two weeks before. He realized then that Krycek was showing him a new side of himself. Quite probably the man's real personality; untainted by grudges and the past, untouched by the war they were fighting and the influence of The Consortium. The fact that Krycek was trusting him enough to show his vulnerable side told Mulder much about his motivations. It suggested that Krycek was ready to be honest with him, wanted to be honest with him, so they could have something to build on. Krycek wanted to build a relationship, wanted security and warmth. Wanted a man and a puppy to come home to. Mulder was startled by the little profile that had unconsciously built itself up in his head. He hadn't really thought ahead to the future, hadn't thought past what it would be like to go to bed with Krycek. He had assumed Krycek hadn't either. And, if he had thought about it, he'd have guessed that Krycek wouldn't want to be with him in the long term. Not with the past between them. Now it seemed that Krycek was willing to overlook the past, and Mulder felt that he could probably do the same. The question was, did he want to? Did he want a relationship with another man? Did he want a serious relationship with Krycek? He thought back to the instant joy he felt every time he saw Krycek and Willie together on his couch. He remembered the happiness that came from coming home and finding his apartment occupied. He looked over to Krycek, and felt a rush of affection. The beginnings of love. Yes, he thought. I want this. And he leaned forward, placing a hand on Krycek's cheek, and he kissed him. It was just as good as he remembered. When the kiss ended, Krycek made a hesitant inquiry. "So you're okay with what I did?" Mulder smiled. "I'm not just 'okay' with it. I'm very grateful. For everything." "Everything?" "Yes. For stopping the surveillance. For giving me a puppy and agreeing to help me raise it. And, most of all, for showing me this side of yourself." Krycek looked confused, and a wrinkle developed over the bridge of his nose. Mulder reached up and smoothed the other man's brow before elaborating. "In our past two meetings I've seen you act in a completely different manner. In a way which I now realize is genuine. In my previous anger I had always assumed that whatever goodness I saw in you was an act, and that your more sinister behavior showcased who you were. But now I know that I couldn't have been be further from the truth." Krycek looked away. "How can you think that? After all I've done..." "How can you think you're evil if you have the capacity for guilt?" "Everyone feels guilty some times. Even serial killers." Mulder took Krycek's chin in his hand, and gently turned his head until they were eye to eye. "You, Alex Krycek, are a good person." "Mulder..." He put a finger to his lips, silencing him. "Have I ever been wrong before?" He received a smile in return. "See. You're a good person. I know it." "Thank you, Mulder," he whispered. "You don't know how much that means to me." They were starting something new, then. Mulder was sure it wouldn't be easy. But, seeing the warmth and happiness shining from Krycek's eyes and feeling the joy in his own heart, he also knew that it would be something very good for them both. The End