HOME AGAIN

CHAPTER 3



Mulder awoke when he felt their shuttle jerk as it docked. He was shocked to see several other crafts of various shapes and sizes in their general vicinity. "Where are we?" He whispered to Krycek.



"Space port Alpha," Krycek answered as his finger tips ran over the instrument panel and he stood up to leave as everything shut down. Mulder followed along, his head swiveling to take in everything he was seeing. "It's a neutral port by designation but don't let that fool you. It's a dangerous place; with no body asking any questions and everyone pretty much comes and goes as they please. If you get in any trouble here; there will likely as not, be no one to help."



They made their way though the busy port and Mulder stared at the many different species he saw making their way to and from the different craft; nobody paying any particular attention to any one else.



"Where we headed?" Mulder asked as they descended a long ramp that took them down many levels.



"Gotta see a dog about a man." Krycek answered.



"It's the other way around; 'gotta see a man about a dog'." Mulder corrected him.



"Nope. You'll see what I mean." Krycek assured him as they entered an elevator that took them down even lower at an amazing rate of speed.



"How deep are we? I would have lost my dinner there, if I'd eaten any."



"Don't know; it doesn't matter. Down this way." Krycek led the way down a long corridor filled with doors along each side. They stopped in front of one and Krycek knocked.



"How do you know this is the right door? They all look alike to me and I don't see any numbers or markings of any kind. How do you tell which door is which?"



"I just know." Krycek answered as he knocked the second time.



The door slid open and they entered the small sitting room. In moments they were joined by Hastings. Barely humanoid in appearance and shape but with an elongated face covered with brown hair and two pointed ears sitting atop his head. Mulder's mouth dropped open.



"Are they still there?" Krycek asked him.



"They are," Hastings replied.



"Any further word?" Krycek asked.



"None." Hastings answered eyeing Mulder suspiciously.



Krycek turned to leave and had to nudge Mulder. "Come on." He urged and the two of them left the room.



"That's it?"



"Uh huh. Hastings doesn't talk much and he doesn't like strangers."



"I could tell that. It looked like he was trying to decide whether to slug me or bite my leg." Mulder answered as they headed back for the elevator.



"His information is always reliable."



"And how do you repay him? Toss him a bone or scratch him behind the ears?"



"The Resistance supplies him with enough food, clothing and jewels to support his 23 wives."



"And they all live down there in that place?" Mulder asked as they got off the elevator in the main corridor.



"No. That's just his office. He has a huge estate over on Sigma asteroid."



"On Sigma what?" Mulder asked.



"Never mind. We need to get to the transporter room. It's next level up."



At the top of the ramp there were several smaller rooms off each side of the corridor. The doors were mostly all open and he could see they were all the same inside; a small panel against one wall and a round platform in the middle of the room. A few doors were closed and he could see by a sign on the front that was printed in several different languages, "OCCUPIED".



They went into one and Krycek told Mulder to stand in the center of the platform. He ran his hand over the panel then stepped up beside Mulder. In seconds they were standing in a darkened alley way between buildings. Alex pulled him back into the shadows.



"Why did you need the transporter? Couldn't you have just 'beamed' us here yourself?"



"Transporting does sap your energy a bit; the farther you transport the greater the drain. This way we arrive with our energy intact."



"So now that we're here; where are we and what's the plan?" Mulder squatted down beside him as a light came on across the alley. Two men carried a large barrel out of a door, set it down and went back inside.



"I don't have any plan. See that pile of rubble over there?" He pointed towards the end of the alley. "That's the building they were holding the woman in when it exploded."



Mulder eyed the rubble and swallowed hard. He couldn't help but think what would have happened if Skinner and Krycek had been inside when it blew. "So you think Skinner must be near by?"



"Exactly. That place didn't look like a lab and I doubt they would have rigged one of their own labs to explode. It was probably just a holding place; easily expendable if anyone got too close."



"So where do we start?"



"It's been my experience that most labs don't have any windows. All these buildings here seem to have a lot of windows. Let's try down at the other end."



They made their way in the darkness down to the end of the alley then over to the next block of buildings. Four buildings down, they came to one with no windows.



"This looks like it." Krycek whispered.



"So how do you plan on getting in if there are no windows? Can you just beam us in?"



"Mulder, this isn't Star Trek. I can't 'beam' us anywhere. I can't risk transporting because I don't know the layout of the place. I could transport us right into their laps or into an oven or something. You never transport unless you know exactly where you're going."



"Let's go up then." Mulder suggested eyeing the side of the building for footholds.



"That's what I was thinking. With no windows, a place has to have a ventilation system of some kind and those are usually on the roof."



"If we had something to stand on we could reach that ledge." Mulder said pointing up.



Krycek pulled a length of cord out of one of his pockets and connected it to a grappling hook. He let out a bit and tossed it towards the roof, gave it a yank as it tightened and started to climb. Mulder followed quickly.



Once they were safely on the roof they located the vent. The two of them worked silently until they managed to loosen the cover over the vent. Once it was off, Krycek crawled in. His claustrophobia didn't kick in until Mulder climbed in behind him. He swallowed his panic and started to crawl. The going was cold and slow as they made their way bit by bit. They came to an interior vent where light was shining through. They could hear movement below and stopped to look. Three men were standing there conversing in a low murmuring tone.



"Can you hear what they're saying?" Mulder whispered.



"No. They seem to have no words as we know them. Just those murmuring sounds they make."



They eased on by until they came to a cross section that branched off. They followed it a ways until they came to a large vent that opened into the hallway below. It was dark and deserted. They decided this was going to be their entrance point. Using their small tool kits they removed the screws holding the vent in place, lifted it up and dropped down into the hallway. With backs up against the wall they crept silently down the hall. Peering out into the larger hallway they saw several doors and one larger double door at the end. Krycek pointed to it and Mulder nodded in agreement.



They heard the murmuring again and this time it was coming towards them. Mulder tried the door knob on the door they were stopped in front of. It twisted open silently into a darkened room. They both slipped inside. The sounds passed their doorway and went on by until they were out of range. Krycek eased the door open and they entered the hallway once again. They came to the room where the three men were conversing. Krycek peeked inside and saw that all three of them were standing looking at a diagram of a human body hanging on the back wall. One was pointing out something and the others were murmuring. Krycek stepped quickly past the doorway and after a quick peek, Mulder followed him.



They were outside the double door now and Kyrcek pointed out the fact that there was no light coming from under the door. Mulder nodded and they pushed the door slowly open far enough for them to ease on in. Once inside they could hear the low humming of machinery working. There were several beds along either side; half of which were occupied. They didn't know if by prisoners or keepers but they crept silently by. They stopped when they heard the noise; a quiet sobbing from the far end of the room. It looked like an operating table and someone was strapped down on it. They heard words then, real words they could understand.



"Alex, please find me, please find me. I need you Alex. Please, please find me." The words were soft and whispered as in a prayer.



Alex rushed over to the table with Mulder close behind.



"Walter! Walter, I'm here, I'm here!" Krycek pulled desperately at the straps loosening first the one across Walter's forehead.



Walter stared straight ahead and whispered, "Alex, please find me, I need you."

Mulder worked at loosening the other straps then came to the contraption covering Skinner's groin. "Krycek! What is this? How do I remove it?"



Krycek snapped out of his shock at seeing Walter totally un-responsive and went into action. He quickly scanned the machine then followed its tubing running to connections in the wall. He yanked them loose from the wall and the slight humming from the machine stopped. They worked together and found the latches and pried them loose. They got the thing open and off of Skinner all the while he's whispering his prayer, "Alex, find me. Please find me; I need you."



Krycek pulled him up to a sitting position and slapped his cheeks a few times. "Walter, I'm here. We're leaving this place. I'm taking you home." But it did no good. Walter didn't hear him.



"Come on, Krycek. We need to get him out of here." Mulder got one arm around Skinner's back and pulled him to the floor. His legs were like rubber and refused to hold him. Krycek had him on the other side and they headed for the door.



Out in the hall once again they knew they'd have to make a quick trip of it before anyone caught them. They stopped before the doorway that was lit and contained the three men still murmuring. Mulder peeked in and shook his head 'no'; they couldn't go yet. Just then Skinner started his prayer again "Alex, please…" Krycek clapped his hand over Skinner's mouth and Mulder peeked in again to see if he'd been heard. No one seemed to notice. He watched for another few minutes then whispered, "Now!" And they scooted across the open door way.



Once they got into the side hallway and into the darker area they breathed somewhat easier; but their toughest challenge was ahead of them; how to get Skinner up into that vent. They decided they would have to rig up a sling and hoist him up. Krycek worked their line into a sling configuration as Mulder disappeared into one of the darkened side rooms; first one then another. Soon he came back with a lab coat and worked it onto Skinner's arms and closed it around him.



"I wondered where you went," Krycek said as he was finishing with the sling.



"He'll be a lot easier to move along that vent if he has something on." Mulder said as they fastened the sling around Skinner's body. All the while he's whispering, "Alex, please find me, I need you."



"Bend over. I'll need to stand on your back to reach." Krycek said as he pocketed his equipment.



Mulder knelt down on all fours and Krycek hopped up on him and pulled himself up into the vent. He took a few minutes to anchor the hoist then he lowered down two lines. The straight line was to hook to the sling; the knotted line was for Mulder to climb once Skinner was up.



Krycek pressed the lever slowly and with Mulder's assistance, Skinner was raised up to the ceiling. Mulder followed up the knotted line and helped get Skinner through the opening then followed as Krycek led the way, pulling Skinner along behind. Mulder replaced the vent and followed.



All went well until they were near the lighted vent above the conference room and Skinner started his prayer again, "Alex, find me. Please find me, I need you." The space was too cramped for Krycek to reach back to quiet him and those below heard the noise.



A quick scramble and Krycek quickened their pace.



"Krycek!" Mulder called as he followed along on his hands and knees.



"What?"



"Can't you transport us out of here?" Mulder called as the sirens below were going off.



"Not all three of us. I may not even have the strength to do two of us."



"Try. Get yourself and Skinner out of here. Then come back for me." Mulder said pushing at Skinner as Krycek was pulling.



"I can't from this position. Wait till we make it to the roof."



"We might not make it to the roof." Mulder said as lights were coming on everywhere and feet were running beneath them.



Just then they reached the up vent and Krycek called back, "Stop! We're there." He peered out onto the roof and found it dark and deserted. He hopped out and called down to Mulder, "Push!" With Krycek pulling and Mulder pushing they managed to get Skinner out of the vent and out on the roof.



"Go! Do it!" Mulder was shouting above the din of the sirens. "I'll hide. Come back as soon as you can." He took off and hid behind some machinery located on the far end of the roof.



Krycek held Skinner in his arms and blinked his eyes. When he opened them he was back in the transporter room in Space Port Alpha. He jumped up, closed the door, and pulled Skinner over against the wall then programmed the panel and stood back on the platform again. In an instant he was back on the roof; but this time it was bathed in light. He hurried over to where Mulder had been hiding and he was gone.



"Damn!" He whispered then decided he had nothing to loose and called out at the top of his lungs "Mulder! Mulder!"



He heard a whistle and saw arms waving in the alley below. He heard the vent being opened behind him and hurried over the side of the building; remembering to thank Mulder later for leaving the rope in place. He saw men running after him from both ends of the alley as he ran to where Mulder was crouched behind some boxes and grabbed his arm. An instant later they were in the transporter room climbing down from the pad and looking after Skinner.



"So what do we do now?" Mulder asked.



Krycek stood and started removing his fatigues.



"What are you doing?"



"We can't take him out into the docking area like that." Underneath his fatigues he had on a pair of thermal underwear. He pulled them off quickly and tossed them to Mulder.

"Here. Put these on him." He hurried back into his fatigues then helped with Skinner.



"We're just going to walk him out of here?" Mulder asked.



"That's the plan. Nobody's going to question us. Anything goes here."



They worked the rest of the sling off Skinner and Krycek stuffed it into his pocket then they hoisted Skinner to his feet. They each had an arm around Skinner and one of Skinner's arms around their necks and held by their other hand. Every now and then Skinner was able to manage a step but mostly his feet were dragging.



"It's a long way to the dock. Can't we find a cart or a chair or something to move him in?" Mulder asked as they headed down the first ramp.



"We could but that would take a lot more time. We have no way of knowing if we're being followed or not."



"You mean they could pop out of one of those transporter rooms right behind us?"



"Exactly." Krycek answered.



Mulder glanced back and quickened his pace. It took some time and they had to stop twice to catch their breath and adjust their grip but they finally made it back to their shuttle craft. The two of them half dragging a semi-conscious man through the area; created little or no interest at all. Once inside they fastened Skinner into a seat and Krycek started up and backed the shuttle out of dock. He was just reversing positions on the panel when red lights began flashing all over the station.



"What's that mean?" Mulder asked anxiously.



"Alert. No vehicles allowed in or out." He pressed the numbers on the panel and their craft took off.



"Another ten seconds and we'd be stuck back there." Mulder said watching the station grow smaller and smaller as they headed out for home.



Krycek got up from his seat then and went back to Skinner. He opened his water bottle and poured small amount between Skinner's dried and cracked lips.



"Walter, it's me. It's Alex. Can you hear me?"



Not a sound came from him; just a stare straight ahead and every now and then tears rolled down his cheeks. Skinner was completely out of it. Krycek reached over and pushed the lever allowing Skinner's seat to recline.



"Mulder, there's a blanket in the overhead compartment."



Mulder reached up and got it out and opened it up over Skinner. He took a look at Krycek then.



"Are you OK? You don't look so good."



Krycek tried to stand and stumbled. Mulder grabbed him and steadied him.



"I need to rest." Krycek said and sat down in the seat opposite Skinner's. "Just need to rest a bit."



Mulder pressed the lever he'd seen Krycek press and reclined Krycek's seat. He reached into the over head compartment and brought down another blanket and covered Krycek with it. He then sat back down in the co-pilot's seat and gazed around.



"Not even Scully is going to believe this one." He muttered to himself. He sat and watched the stars around him and tried to figure out the instrument panel. He was careful not to touch anything when the light under the button market 'Com' came on and he heard a voice calling, "Krycek, Alex Krycek, do you read? Please contact Home as soon as you read this." The light went off.



Mulder slid over into the pilot's seat and touched the 'Com' button. "Hello" he said. "Can you hear me?" Then he took his finger off the button.



"Yes, I can hear you. Who is this? Mulder? Is that you, Mulder?"



He touched the button again, "Who am I speaking to?"



"This is Jeremiah Smith, Mulder. Where is Alex? Is he OK?"



"Man, am I glad to hear from you! Yes, Alex is OK. He's sleeping. So is Skinner."



"You found Skinner? Is he all right?"



"He's out of it but he seems to be all right otherwise. He didn't recognize us, just kept staring straight ahead like he didn't even see us."



"That's not an uncommon reaction. We can take care of that. What is Alex's condition?"



"He seems fine; just very tired. He had to transport us both and it took a lot out of him."



"Not both at the same time, I hope?"



"No; first Skinner, then me. Then we had to haul Skinner a long way down to the shuttle. I'm exhausted myself and I didn't have to do any transporting."



"Transportation twice in a row takes a lot of energy but rest will bring him back. Can you give me your co-ordinates?"



"Ahh I think this is it," Mulder scanned the panel and found a long series of numbers and letters mixed together and read them off.



"Yes, that's it. You're less than an hour out of Alpha then."



"That's right."



"You'll still have five and a half hours or so of flight before you're home."



"Will Krycek wake up in time to land the shuttle?" Mulder asked anxiously.



"I'm sure he will. If not, don't worry about it. The shuttle craft is programmed to bring you home. If he's unconscious when you arrive, we can bring you in easily."



"Then I won't have to try and fly this thing?"



"No, no. It's entirely automatic. Just relax and get some rest yourself."



"Thanks, I think I will."



"Oh and thank you, Mulder. Alex never could have made this trip without you."



"You're welcome. I don't have words enough to express my thanks to you for inviting me along on this trip."



"It was Alex's idea. He has kept me apprised of both your and Walter's work for the last several years. He trusts you implicitly and I trust his judgment."



"Um, I do have another question. It's kind of personal but, is there a bathroom in this thing?"



"Yes, of course. You left in such a hurry Alex didn't get to explain things to you. In the back of the craft you will see symbols on the compartments. There is an oval symbol, like the shape of a toilet seat. It's right in there. There is also food if you're hungry. Feel free to get up and look around and don't worry; you can't do anything to harm the craft; it's tamper proof. Just don't change any of the settings on the front panel."



"OK, thank you, thank you very much."



"Please check in as soon as you arrive. I would like to speak with you before Alex transports you back down."



"Yes I will; I'd like that."



"All right then. If you have any more questions just press the Com button and someone will answer."



"Thanks."



He stood up then and went to the back of the shuttle. The inside of the craft was amazingly like a large van with six seats, three on each side and an aisle in between. In the back there were several compartments. He found the one he was looking for and the door slid open. He went in and did his business then came back out. Another symbol was round like a sink with two small slash marks over it looking like faucets so he pressed that one. Out slid a tiny sink and he washed his hands. When he pulled his hands out from under the water a fan came on blowing warm air down to dry his hands.



Next he looked for the food panel and found one that had a symbol that looked like cans, cups and candy bars so he pressed that one. A panel slid aside and a menu popped up. He scrolled down until he came to a picture of what looked like coffee so he pressed that. From a slot below the menu a small covered container appeared. He picked it up and pulled the cover off, dropping it into the slot marked waste. He smelled it first and sipped it. It wasn't half bad. He had had a lot worse.



He continued with the menu and selected a few things that appealed to him and each slid out for him as he pressed the buttons. He picked them up and went back to his seat up front. He stopped to check Skinner and Krycek and they both appeared to be sleeping soundly.



He ate his meal then reclined his seat and sat staring out into space and eventually dozed off. He came awake with a jerk when he heard Skinner's voice whispering.



"Alex, please find me. I need you." He repeated it several times then seemed to return to his fugue state.



Mulder twisted around in his seat and watched. There was nothing he could do. He just reached back and patted Skinner on the leg. Krycek, across the aisle, didn't stir.



Mulder went back to his star gazing and eventually dozed off again. The next time he woke, Krycek was moving around in the back.



"There's food back here and a bathroom if you need it, Mulder."



"Yeah, I know. I talked with Smith earlier."



"You did? Everything all right?" Krycek brought his coffee and food up front and sat back down in the pilot's seat.



"Yeah. He called right after you passed out."



"I'm sorry about that. I was exhausted."



"It's OK. Smith assured me this shuttle was designed to fly itself and would bring us back home. Once I realized I wasn't going to have to try and fly this thing, I relaxed pretty much."



"Good. We should arrive in little less than an hour."



"It's been quite a trip." Mulder said.



"Uh huh." Krycek answered around a mouthful of food.



"You do this kind of thing all the time?"



"I do this kind of thing often but not on a regular basis."



"And you've been doing this all your life?"



"Not to this extent. As a youngster I was at a different level."



"So you work your way up to being a hero."



"I'm not a hero, Mulder. I'm just doing my job."



"Well your job seems pretty heroic to me."



"You wouldn't think that if you knew about all of the ally's I've slept in and heard about some of the garbage I have had to deal with."



"Yet you risk your neck and other vital body parts to go in and save people."



"It's always rewarding when you can go in and pull someone out of danger. I've had my share of rescues and I've been rescued a time or two myself. It's not an easy life but it has its rewards." He glanced back at Skinner then, still blissfully snoozing away.



"Tell me about him; how long as he known about you?"



"A couple years now."



"Was he just chosen to become part of the Resistance? I remember he said he would be doing some volunteer work and that you had to be invited to join. Was the Resistance what he was talking about?"



"I guess so. It wasn't like he was specifically chosen. Things just happened that way."



"Can you elaborate on that?"



"The Resistance is aware of all the key players and keeps tabs on them. On one of my trips below, I heard two men discussing a contract that the old man put out on Skinner. I called him and warned him but I knew he'd still go on home so I followed him. I got there just in time. Two car-loads of men were waiting there in his parking garage and were shooting at him when I arrived. I got him into my car but they had the entrance cut off so we couldn't get out. We didn't have time for discussion so I just transported the two of us out of that car."



"You took him … back where we're headed? You call it Home?"



"Yes. That's its name."



"I'd like to have seen his face when he saw that place. It's amazing."



"Yes, it is. He stayed with us a few days while I went back down and neutralized the situation and then he returned from one of his 'family emergencies'. Then he came back up for a few visits; got to know some of the people and found he really liked the place and liked what we were doing."



"And just like that he was invited to join?"



"He was offered refuge when there was a contract out on him. He was told he could stay as long as he wanted. Later on, when I was notified of my retirement, I invited him to stay permanently with me; as my partner, my family."



Mulder winced at that and averted his eyes briefly then turned back again. "Go on."



"He agreed to stay, to join us, if he could participate; become an actual member of the Resistance. His offer was accepted."



Mulder thought a few moments then asked, "Does any of this have anything to do with some guy named Jimmy?"



Krycek sighed and stood up; going into the back and depositing the debris from his meal in the trash; then returning with a bottle of water.



"Yeah, as a matter of fact, it does. He told me that Jimmy spouted off in front of you and Scully."



"Mostly just me. Scully didn't hear much. Who is he; and is he still around? Could he give Skinner trouble now that he's back? Skinner's in no condition to handle any trouble."



"It's been taken care of."



"How? I need to know."



"All right. I said I'd answer your questions; I just didn't think they would be about Jimmy." He took a long drink of water and started, "Jimmy and I were friends. Several years ago, I trained him. It was a very low spot in my life and I got careless. I spent the weekend with him. It was a mistake I've been regretting every since. I explained to him numerous times that I would like very much to remain friends with him but nothing more."



"And he wanted more?"



"Yes. It wasn't too bad and I went along for a couple of years then Skinner showed up and Jimmy got jealous; seriously jealous of all the time I was spending with Walter. Jimmy actually assaulted him once, but Walter was able to take care of that all right. When he accosted him below; that was the last straw. He was brought before the Elders and expelled."



"Expelled? What does that mean? He doesn't get to play in the yard with the others? What?"



"He was sent to another colony. He will not be allowed back on Home or down below until he completes a treatment program."



"Another colony? You mean there's more than one? And while we're discussing your Home, why is it something that size hasn't been seen by the military? And if we're that close to it; why can't we see it now?"



"Well now that is kind of Star Trekish; but we have an invisibility screen."



"A cloaking device?" Mulder asked with a knowing grin.



"We call it an invisibility screen." Krycek grinned then added. "We should be able to see it before very long."



"This is so cool! I wish Scully was here."



Just then the sky opened up in front of them and Home came into view.



"Oh my God! It's huge!" Mulder said as they eased in closer.



Krycek moved his hand over the panel and selected automatic docking. The craft floated into dock and gently settled down. They had to wait inside a few minutes for the air lock to engage and the docking area to fill with breathable air.



Jeremiah Smith was waiting with a gurney for Skinner and they hurried him off to Medial. Krycek and Mulder paced the outer room waiting for news. After a while, Smith came out and spoke with them.



"Well, he's not in too bad a shape physically; it's his mental state that worries me."



"He's still not speaking?" Alex asked.



"No, he hasn't said a word to anyone. He mumbles a bit, like you said, asking you to come find him. That's about it."



"Can't you do something? Can't you fix him up?" Mulder asked.



"Repairing a physical body is something we can usually do but the mind is another thing entirely. We don't like to tamper with people's minds unless it's absolutely necessary."



"Do you think he can just come out of it then after he's rested up?" Alex asked.



"That's what we're hoping for. I want to keep him here in Medical for a few days so we can keep an eye on him; with your permission, of course."



"Yes, certainly, you have it. Is there anything at all I can do for him?" Alex asked.



"Not right now. Oh, by the way, did you remember to give him and Mulder that anit-viral injection?"



"Yes, I did; Mulder on the way over and Walter on the way back."



"Good. So the news is good all the way around. You managed to get Walter back in one piece and we have managed to stop the virus that was plaguing us. We've had no new cases in the last seventy-two hours and most of us are back on our feet now and well on the road to recovery."



"That is good news. I'm glad to hear it. Can I go in and see Walter?" Alex asked.



"Oh, certainly; go right ahead. Don't stay too long though. He needs to rest."

Alex went on in and Mulder spoke with Jeremiah.



"Has this sort of thing happened before? I mean the state Skinner's in? Have you seen it clear up with just rest?"



"Yes, Mulder, we have seen this state before. It often happens when someone is faced with a situation that they cannot bear and cannot escape. They simply seem to check out for a while. Once they come to realize they are among friends and that the situation has passed, they usually manage to find their way back."



"And if they don't?"



"If they don't after an extended period of time, a consultation is held with the patient's family and a path for recovery is decided on."



"You mean the mind games."



"They're hardly mind games, Mulder, but we do manage to do a bit of manipulation and help with whatever adjustments are necessary."



"And only with the family's permission?"



"Exactly."



"Skinner doesn't have any family except for a brother out west. Will you consult with him? I doubt he would understand or accept the process."



"No, no. We would consult with Alex. He is Walter's family up here."



Just then Jeremiah's com link buzzed and he excused himself; leaving Mulder in the waiting room alone. He thought a bit then followed through the door that Krycek took, into Skinner's room. He stood silently at the doorway and what he saw shocked him.

Krycek was lying on the bed beside Skinner, holding him in his arms and whispering softly in his ear. Skinner made no response; he appeared to be sleeping.



Mulder was quite stunned by the tender scene. Even though he had seen the photograph, heard Krycek say they were 'living together', and heard Smith say that Krycek was Walter's 'family'; it was still a shock to see them in an intimate situation looking as though they belonged together. He started to back out when Krycek caught sight of him and slid down off the bed.



"It's OK, Mulder. Come on in."



"How's he doing?" Mulder asked as he walked over and stood beside the bed.



"He's sleeping now. They gave him a mild sedative. I just hope when he wakes up he'll come out of it."



"I hope so too. If not, I'm sure Scully could recommend a good psychiatrist that would help."



"We have people here who are trained in this particular problem if he needs them. I'm hoping he won't need them."



Mulder just shook his head in understanding and had to admit that Skinner did already look better. Maybe it was just that he had been shaved and was in a proper hospital type gown, he didn't know, but he definitely did seem to look better.



"I'm sorry, Mulder. I haven't been much of a host. You came here and helped me and I haven't even thanked you yet. I am grateful, from the bottom of my heart. I couldn't have done it without you and if we had had to wait another few days for one of the group to get well enough, it may have been too late."



"You're welcome. Skinner and I were often cross-ways but I always liked and respected him very much. He's a good man and there aren't many of them around now-a-days."



"He is a good man, Mulder, and so are you. I've always known that."



"I still have many questions. Could we go somewhere and talk?"



"Of course. Let's go to my place and change then we can get a bite to eat. I'll answer whatever questions I can." With one last look at Skinner and a squeeze of his hand, Krycek led the way out of Medical and up to his room.



"Can we go down there? Would a tour be possible?" Mulder asked as he walked close to the railing again and gazed down into the courtyard.



"Absolutely. That's where we'll eat and then we can walk while we're talking." Krycek said as they entered his quarters and changed back into their regular clothes; Mulder in slacks and white shirt with rolled up sleeves and Krycek in jeans and knit shirt opened at the collar.



They headed for the nearest down ramp and Mulder couldn't help the onslaught of questions. "This place is remarkable, who built it? When was it built? How long has it been here and what powers it? And who are all these people?"



Krycek chuckled and began answering as best he could. "Yes this place is remarkable; I have no idea who the original builders were. I have asked that same question of the Elders and even they don't know. It has always just existed as far as they are concerned and I couldn't even begin to guess their ages. From what I understand, it's solar powered; and all these people are the Resistance."



Mulder stopped to gaze at a huge, nearly invisible, bird cage nestled back into some greenery. "I've never seen this species of bird before; it's beautiful."



"We have thousands of different birds here. Most of them are from Earth at one time or another. Some are now extinct down below."



"Down below? Is that what you call Earth?"



"Uh huh; usually."



"Makes it almost sound like Hell." Mulder teased.



"Sometimes it seems like it is; but it can be heaven too at times."



"I guess it all depends on what your mission is at any particular moment." Mulder said as they stepped off the last ramp and they were now in the Courtyard level.



Krycek agreed and pointed towards the food area. "What do you feel like eating? I don't know about you but once I finish a mission, I'm usually starved. That stuff on the shuttle is edible but that's about all you can say for it. What do you feel like; Mexican? Italian? Chinese? European? We have it all and every bite is delicious."



"Do you have anything American?" Mulder said as they wandered.



"Sure; we have a steak house, or bar-b-cue, or seafood. Name your pleasure."



"I haven't eaten in a while. I could go for a steak."



"Right this way." Krycek led him into the steak house where they took a booth and selected from the table top menu. They tapped in their order and hit 'Order' and waited. The food was delivered to their table in five minutes.



"This is great. I've never had service this quick before."



"Yeah. It makes sitting and waiting for your order below a real pain." Krycek answered.



"So how does this place work?" Mulder asked as he dug into his salad.



"To begin with," Krycek started, "there are different groups here. We have retired agents, semi-retired agents, active agents and agents in training; then there are families of all the agents, Medical personnel and support groups; then of course there are the Elders."



"And they're the ones in charge."



"No one is exactly 'in charge', Mulder. The Elders act more as advisors. They explain specific situations and a general consensus is made as to what needs to be done. They call in whoever they think could best handle the situation and discuss it with them. Each agent has input on how he or she thinks things should be handled and has the option of accepting the assignment or not. He may accept, or deny, or even suggest someone else who he feels would be better suited for the job."



"And this system works?" Mulder asked.



"It has worked here for centuries."



"OK. What about the every day workers; the cooks, the maintenance people? Don't they ever rebel, or ask for higher wages; nothing like that?"



Krycek smiled. "We have no wages here, Mulder."



"No wages? You mean all these people work for free? I find that hard to believe."



"It's true. Everything up here is free. There is no rent to pay, meals are free and everything you see in the shops is free. You simply go in and select what you want. No charge for entertainment, education is free, medical is free, and all the latest in electronics; it's all free."



"Then how does a place like this support itself?"



"Our fuel is solar which is free and everybody does their share of the work. Everyone keeps their own apartments clean and no one is above mopping a hallway or pulling weeds from the garden or helping out by doing whatever needs doing. Those who love to cook, cook; those who love children, help out in the nursery; those who love to teach, teach; those who love to read, help out at the library or book store; those who love to work out; help out at the gym. Everyone does something to help the community."



"And how does everyone know what needs doing?"



"The things that need doing are posted on a daily basis. You check the list and sign up for whatever you want to do for that day."



"And how many people are really anxious to mop the floors?"



"There are always jobs that are less pleasant than others but they must be done as well. Everyone takes the unpleasant jobs now and then; we have no slackers here."



"That's quite a system. You mean we don't have to pay for these steaks?"



"That's right."



"It's really good. Done just the way I like it." He chewed a bite and swallowed then asked. "So tell me about you and Walter. How did all that happen? Last I knew, he hated you and I thought the feelings were mutual."



"Good. That's what I wanted you to think. I never would have been accepted by the Consortium if they thought I had any allegiance left to the Bureau."



"You played your part well. You should have been an actor."



"But I am! Every time I go below; that's what I do." Krycek grinned at him.



"Is that what you did with Skinner; act?" Mulder leaned back in his seat and sipped his coffee.



"No. With Walter, there was no longer any need to act once I brought him up here. He got to meet the real me for the first time and see where I come from and what I'm all about."



"Did Smith fix your arm? I noticed you seem to have a new one."



"Yeah. Last year I was severely injured and spent several days in the chamber. They gave me my arm back and at the same time informed me that I was officially retired. Once you're retired you're not offered any more assignments. But if you still want to be active, you can ask for assignments. I've been mostly teaching lately and taking a few assignments from time to time."



"And Skinner?"



"He's been in training and has taken a few assignments."



"You're keeping an eye on him?" Mulder asked.



"Of course. I'm the only one he's gone on assignment with. He's done very well."



"What exactly is the relationship between the two of you? I mean, Smith said you were considered Skinner's family up here so are the two of you married or something?"



"Or something. We're together; the relationship is exclusive and as far as I'm concerned, permanent."



"Does Skinner feel the same way?"



"He's said as much."



"He looked pretty happy in that photo." Mulder admitted.



"Evie took that. She's becoming quite a photographer. Walter got her that camera for her birthday."



"You think you could show me around now?" Mulder asked wiping his mouth on his napkin.



"Sure. A walk would be great about now. Walter and I usually walk off our dinner in the evenings. Bring your dishes." Krycek stacked his dishes and carried them to the return window. Mulder did the same. Krycek grabbed a damp towel and wiped off their table then they headed out into the courtyard.



They weren't ten feet out of the stake house when someone stopped to congratulate Krycek on getting Skinner back and inquired about his condition. They walked on, Krycek giving Mulder the grand tour and stopping now and then to talk with those inquiring about Skinner's condition and congratulating Krycek on the rapid retrieval.



They ended their tour back at Medical and took another look at Walter. He was still sleeping soundly and Smith said he was likely to sleep for several more hours. Krycek offered to take Mulder home but he wanted to stay until Skinner woke up to make sure he was all right.



Krycek took him back to his room and told him about Walter's room being right across the hall and offered it to him for the night. Mulder accepted and after a quick shower readied himself for sleep.



Mulder tried to sleep but couldn't so he got up and wandered around the rooms. In the sitting room he found a small photo album that was obviously made by a child.



The cover was all decorated and on the top it read "For Uncle Walter from Evie". He couldn't help himself, he flipped through it. Every photo had Walter in it; laughing or smiling. Mulder had to admit that he looked happy. There were several photos of Skinner with Krycek; sitting on the couch looking at each other and laughing about something, the two of them helping Evie to stand up on ice skates and all three grinning, Skinner and Krycek in a kitchen cooking together and one of the two of them sitting on the couch playing guitars and singing. The very last one had them on a beach somewhere playing volley ball looking all tanned and happy. He was stunned seeing Skinner in a tiny pair of cut offs and nothing else but a cap covering his bald head.



He closed the album and went back to bed. It was all so hard to believe that Skinner and Krycek could actually have a relationship but those photographs were proof beyond any doubt. He didn't know which shocked him more; the fact that Krycek was actually one of the good guys or the fact that ex marine, Assistant Director Walter Skinner, was gay. He pinched himself hard a few times to make sure he wasn't sleeping then decided the best thing to do was to go to sleep and see what happened when he woke up. He may just wake up in his own bed and this will all have been a dream.