HOME AGAIN

CHAPTER 6



The next morning he was awakened by a knock on the door. He jumped up to answer it, pulling on his jeans and calling out, "Come in". Mulder stepped through the doorway and he couldn't help the little shiver of disappointment that ran through him and he was momentarily ashamed of himself.



"Good morning. I thought I'd stop in and see if you might want to go get a little breakfast?" Mulder asked.



"Uh … I could go for some breakfast but I need to clean up first. Can I meet you?"



"Sure; when you're ready, just head down the nearest ramp."



"How many floors down?"



"All the way. Just follow your nose. You can't miss the eating area."



"OK. I'll join you there in a bit."



"Sure. Take your time. I'll grab a paper and catch up on what's going on in the world while I wait." Mulder smiled and headed out the door.





Skinner stared at the closed door and wondered why 'nothing happened' while he was talking to Mulder but every pore in him seemed to come alive with desire when he was talking with Krycek. He had thought his response to Krycek was purely the result of the drugs he had been given. Could he have been wrong about that?



He shaved and dressed quickly, went across the hall and knocked on the door. He heard Krycek call out, "Come" and opened the door and went in. Krycek was in the doorway between the bedroom and sitting room, shirtless, with a towel over his shoulder and bits of shaving cream here and there. He wiped up with the towel then crossed over to his kitchen area and dug around in his refrigerator. "Good morning. Did you get some sleep?"



"Uh huh," Skinner admitted and gladly accepted the glass of orange juice that Krycek offered as he stood there drinking one of his own. There it was again; that immediate surge of heat. He eagerly drank some juice, hoping it would cool him down.



"I thought I may as well come over here and have a look around; see if anything looks familiar." Skinner sipped his juice and looked around the room. It was basically the same as his with slight differences. He noticed the small photo album on the shelf and nodded to it, "May I?" He asked permission.



"Certainly; help yourself." Krycek walked over and sat down on the couch.



Skinner picked it up and flipped through the pages. On the inside were several photos of Krycek with Evie, and several more with him and Krycek together. On the cover were the words "To My Fiance, Alex". Skinner grinned. "She's a determined little thing; isn't she?"



Krycek chuckled. "That she is."



Skinner put the album back on the shelf and wandered around. He came to the bedroom doorway and stopped and asked, "May I?"



"Go right ahead." Krycek said but remained seated on the couch.



The first thing Skinner noticed was that Krycek's bed was already made up neatly. He walked on through to the bathroom and his eyes went immediately to the toothbrushes on the rack; one red, the other green; the red one still damp from recent use; the green one dry.

Back in the sitting room he found Krycek draining his glass and putting it in the dishwasher. He walked over to the sink, rinsed his out and placed it in the dishwasher next to Krycek's. They stood face to face for a few minutes then Skinner reached out a hand, touching Krycek's jaw line.



"You missed some." He said, wiping the last bit of shaving cream away.



"I was saving that for you." Krycek said grinning at him.





Skinner bent down and claimed the smiling lips with his. He tasted orange juice and tooth paste. The kiss deepened and he pulled back quickly.



"No. I … um … I'm supposed to meet Mulder for breakfast." He couldn't believe how overcome he was with just one kiss. The heat between them was undeniable.



"Mulder? OK. That's important. He's been a big help and he's very concerned about you." Krycek said and stepped back just a bit, leaning against the counter.



"So are you and Mulder working together now?" Skinner asked and moved farther away; needing to put some distance between them.



"No. Just this one time. I was desperate for help and none was available so I went to him. Once he found out it was you who was in trouble he agreed to help."



"Why would you want to help me? I thought you hated me." Skinner had to ask.



"I'm a better actor than I thought. Maybe I should have gone into show business; what do you think?" Krycek asked as he came back out into the sitting room area nearer to Skinner.



Skinner eyed him for a minute trying to separate his old feelings from his newer feelings.

"I'd better go. Do you think it would be all right with Smith if I left my room long enough to have breakfast? Mulder said it was right at the bottom of the ramps."



"Sure, probably. Let's call him though and ask." Krycek pulled out his com link and punched something in.



"Yes, Alex. Is everything all right with Walter?" Smith's voice sounded.



"Yes; he's fine. He was wondering if it would be all right for him to join Mulder in the courtyard for breakfast?"



"Sure. No problem. Give him your com link to carry around with him. That way he can walk around and if he gets lost he can call one of us."



"Good idea. I'll do it. Thanks."



"Have him come by Medical to see me after breakfast."



"I'll do it." He snapped the link shut and handed it to Skinner.



He turned the tiny thing over in his hand admiring it. It was about the size of a quarter only twice as thick and had tiny numbers around the edge.



"This is my com link so it has my friends on it. But if you press '1' you will get Jeremiah. '2' is Aaron, Evie's dad. Any of the other numbers will connect you with different friends and if you should get lost or need anything, anyone of them will be able to direct you to where you want to go."



"Thanks," Skinner said pocketing the device. "I have a pretty good sense of direction. I'll count the number of levels going down and I'm sure I'll be able to find my way back."



"You may run into some people you know; or who know you. Just go with it. They all know about your memory loss. You shouldn't have any trouble."



Skinner shook his head and headed for the door. He stopped and turned back; unable to just walk out with out taking one last look at Krycek standing there close by, shirtless. He could feel his heart pounding and his pulse race. The last thing he wanted to do right then was walk out that door. He swallowed hard, fighting for control and walked out. The door closed behind him and he took a deep breath. He had to get control of this; he just had to.



He stopped at the top of the ramp and looked over the railing, amazed. This place was huge! He wondered where it was; where he was. He started on down and watched everything he could see. People were milling around on the different levels and below as well. By the next level down he began to smell the food. His stomach churned and his jaws ached for some food. His nostrils pulled in the great aroma of freshly brewed coffee, bacon and eggs, pancakes, and several other things he wasn't quite sure about.



He had just come to the main floor in the courtyard when the first person stopped him.



"Hey Walter! So good to see you up and around again. Take care now." A friendly pat on the shoulder and he was gone. Skinner had no idea who he was.



He headed in the direction where he saw lots of tables and chairs set out and eyed the crowd looking for Mulder. Two kids rushed past him, "Hey look; it's the Skin-man!"

One of them yelled to the other. "Hi, Skin-man!" They said in unison as they passed.



A lovely red-headed woman was walking in the opposite direction and came over to him. "Hi, Walter. Good seeing you back. That book you ordered came in yesterday. It's waiting for you whenever you get a chance to pick it up."



"Book?" Skinner had no idea what she was talking about.



"The latest John Grisham novel you wanted. Oh that's right. They said you were having memory problems. Well, it's there waiting for you over at the book store whenever you want it." She smiled and walked on by.



"Sir?"



He heard Mulder's voice and looked around until he spotted him; then headed in his direction.



"Are you hungry? The food here is great!" Mulder said as he walked up to him.



"It smells great and I'm starved. Which way to the food?" Skinner asked.





Mulder led over to the breakfast area where they put in their orders, collected their trays and headed for a table. They found one in a secluded area, away from the crowd.



Skinner grabbed a piece of toast and downed it as soon as they were seated then the questions began. "Do you have any idea where we are, Mulder? Now that's not a question about whatever happened to me so you should be able to answer it. How long have we been here and how is it that you were working with Krycek?"



Mulder was sipping his coffee and watching Skinner devour his breakfast in between questions. "Yes, I know where we are and no, I can't tell you. You've been here a lot longer than I have; I've only been here a few days."



"What about Krycek? How is it you agreed to work with him? That seems highly un-likely to me."



"Krycek came to me one evening banging on my door saying that you were in trouble. He said he knew where you were but couldn't get you out alone and that he needed help.

Normally I wouldn't have believed him but for some reason this time I did."



"I'm glad you did." Skinner said between bites.



"Yeah, me too."



"And I suppose you can't tell me what kind of a fix I was in?"



"Sorry."



"OK; how about this then. This fix I was in; do you think it was a set up? Do you think Krycek had anything to do with it?"



"No, I don't think it was a set up. Krycek was genuinely scared and worried for you. This place we went to, to get you back was pretty bad; pretty frightening. I doubt he had anything to do with it."



"Then how did he know where to find me?"



"I can't discuss that part of it."



"But you know? And you feel it was legitimate?"



"Yeah I do. I'm quite sure it wasn't a set up." Mulder said.





Skinner fiddled with his fork for a few minutes before he started in on his pan cakes. "I wish there was something I could do to get back that lost time."



"There may be parts of it better left forgotten."



"It was that bad?" Skinner asked.



"It could be why your mind is blotting it out."



"I suppose you're right. I have heard of that happening. I just never imagined that it could happen to me."



Mulder nodded in agreement and sat and watched as Skinner scarffed down the rest of his meal. He sipped his coffee and nibbled on his toast and commented, "You seem to be feeling better this morning; stronger."



"Yes, I do feel stronger; but frustrated as hell." Skinner said as he pushed his empty plate back and pulled his coffee over in front of him.



"That's understandable."



"So what are your plans, Mulder; are you heading back to D.C. now?"



"Soon."



"I'd like to go back with you. I'm well enough. I just need to get back home and back to work. Things will probably all clear up once I'm in familiar surroundings."



"You don't like it here?" Mulder asked.



"Sure, it's nice but I need to get back to work. What was everyone told back at the Hoover? Do they know where I am?"



"It's been taken care of." Mulder answered.



"So when you make your travel arrangements, can you include me?" Skinner asked.



"That will be up to Smith."



"I'm fine, Mulder and I'm perfectly capable of checking myself out of this place."



"You are much better; but you are far from fine. I doubt Smith will release you until your memory has fully restored."



Skinner heaved a disgusted sigh. "I still think …"



That was all Skinner got out when they heard a little voice squeal; "Uncle Walter, Uncle Walter!" And a little blond girl ran up to him and grabbed his arm. He recognized her immediately from the photographs and smiled.



"Hello, Evie."



"Oh Uncle Walter! They told me you were better. I'm so glad. They said your memory was messed up and you forgot a bunch of stuff but you didn't forget me, did you?" She stared up at him with her big blue eyes.



"No, sweetheart. I didn't forget you." He patted her cheek.



"I knew you wouldn't forget me! And you wouldn't forget Alex either! I just knew it. Anything else you forgot, I can tell you, OK? I'm just so glad to have you back!" She hugged his arm again.



They were joined then by a stunning blond woman, obviously Evie's mother. "Walter, it's so good to see you out. Are you feeling better?"



"A … yes. Much better, thank you." Skinner stammered.



"We spoke with Alex earlier and he said you were still having memory problems. I'm sure that will clear up now that your back home safe." She smiled then nudged her daughter. "Come on, Evie. You've got to get to class."



"Oh, Momma. Can't I skip math just this once? I want to stay here with Uncle Walter."



"I'm sure you'll be seeing more and more of Walter now that he's getting better. You have a math test tomorrow and today is the review. You don't want to miss that do you?"



"I guess not," she admitted and let go of Walter's arm reluctantly. "I'll see you again soon, Uncle Walter. Why don't you come over for dinner? Momma's fixing spaghetti. I know you love that."



"We'll see, Evie." Skinner said with a smile as Evie left with her mother.



Skinner stared after them and said, "They look so familiar, both of them, but I can't for the life of me, remember how I know them."



"Would you like to take a walk? I've been walking this place for the last few days and it's really amazing." Mulder said as they took their trays and returned them.



"Yes, I would like a walk. Can you tell me anything about this place?"



"Only that it's amazing. You'll see for yourself." They started walking and a voice yelled from across the courtyard, "Walter! Looking good!" A man held his hand up as he hurried on his way.



"Do you know him?" Mulder asked.



"Not that I'm aware of but apparently he knows me."





They came across the book store and Mulder asked, "Do you want to go in and get that book?"



"Sure. Might as well. I don't remember ordering it but I do like John Grisham."



They wandered around for a while until they came to a section marked "Latest Releases". There in the middle of the rack was the book with a note on top saying, "This book belongs to Walter Skinner". He picked it up and read the blurb on the back then looked for Mulder who had wandered off.



"Got it." he said as he found Mulder leaning against the door way, yawning. "You sleepy?"



"Yeah. I didn't sleep much last night. They've got a video collection here you wouldn't believe."



"You spent the night watching videos?" Skinner asked.



"Uh huh," Mulder answered rubbing a sleepy eye.



"Well, I'm a little tired too. We must have walked a couple of hours. I'm pretty much turned around here. Do you remember which up ramp we take?"



"Yeah. Anyone of them will get you there I'm told but the one closest to our rooms is back by the food court; over that way."



They headed over towards the food court which was mostly empty now with just a few stragglers lingering over coffee. They headed up the ramp and had gone up two levels when they met Krycek coming down. He was all dressed in black; black jeans, shirt and leather jacket.



"Now this is a familiar sight." Skinner said.



Krycek chuckled and said, "I see Mulder's showing you around."



"You look like you're dressed for work. I thought you were retired." Mulder said.



"I am. I'm just going out as backup with some guy I trained. I'll be mostly standing around watching."



Skinner and Krycek eyed each other but didn't speak.



"I don't suppose you need another hand?" Mulder offered.



"No; but thanks for offering. This is pretty much routine. I should be back later this afternoon." Then to Skinner he said, "I see you finally got that book you ordered."



"I just picked it up."



"Good. I know how much you enjoy Grisham. Don't forget to stop over at Medical and see Jeremiah." He added as he walked on passed them.



"I'll remember." Skinner said as he tried to get his pulse rate back under control. He was glad that Mulder was sleepy enough not to notice. Damn, he cursed himself. Why does just seeing him affect me this way? I never had the hots for him before. Then he had to admit to himself that that wasn't completely true but that was years ago and he never for a single moment expected to ever act on it.



At last they were at the hallway that led to his room. Mulder waved a sleepy good-bye and headed to the next hall and his room. Skinner went into his room and sat down to rest. He was tired but all he could think about was Krycek all dressed in black and those tight jeans. And now he knew what was beneath those jeans and his blood began to boil with desire.



He got up and shook those ideas off. He went to his refrigerator and got out some bottled water and settled down with his book. Some time later he was startled out of a doze by a knock on his door.



"Come in." he called out and sat up; putting the jacket flap inside the book to mark his place.



"Hi," Jeremiah said. "Did you forget you were supposed to come by to see me?"



"No. I was going to do it this afternoon. What time is it anyway?"



"Nearly five thirty." Smith answered. "Did you have a nice walk this morning?"



"Yes … I … Are you sure it's that late all ready? I guess I must have dozed off."



"Yes, I'm sure. Good; I'm glad you had a nap. You should be well rested then. Did you sleep well last night?"



"I did. Yes. Very well, thank you. In fact, I'm really fine now and I'd like to talk with you about going home. I'd like to leave when Mulder does."



"From what I understand, Mulder will be leaving soon. I don't think you're quite ready for that just yet. Have you had any further memories?"



"No I haven't and that's just it. Maybe if I was back in my condo and back at work, these blank spots would just gradually fill in by themselves."



"And what if they don't?" Smith asked.



"Well, so what if they don't? I can still function; my thinking is clear. There's no reason why I couldn't be working. Besides, isn't there a possibility that I may never recover that lost time?"



"There is always that possibility but I think in your case, it's doubtful."



"I really would like to go home. Is there some reason other than my lost memory that you're keeping me here?"



"No; you're perfectly healthy."



"Then I want to leave. I can check myself out of here; can't I? You're not going to hold me against my will; are you?"



A light rapping at the open door caught their attention. Krycek was standing there looking some the worse for wear with a cut on his left cheek bone and a fist sized bruise along with it. But he was dressed in blue jeans and white tee shirt so he had been back for a while.



"Hey, Alex." Jeremiah greeted him. "How are you feeling?"



"I'm fine. Miller is still a bit shaken but he did well. I'm very pleased."



"Good. I'm glad. Now I have another job for you. I need you to talk to Walter here and convince him to stay with us a while longer. He's wanting to go back to his condo."

Smith said as he made his way to the door.



Krycek looked at Skinner and Skinner stared back; the heat beginning to rise within him.



"I'll give it a shot." Krycek smiled at Smith.



"I'll talk with you later, Walter. Come by and see me in the morning."



"I'll do it." Skinner said as Smith exited the room and Krycek came on in, closing the door behind him.



"I thought you were only going to stand around and watch?" Skinner eyed the bruised face.



"I did until the trouble started. Then I had to step in and lend a hand. It actually went down very smoothly and my student handled himself very well. I'm proud of him."



"Good. A man should take pride in his work." It was a lame comment and he knew it but he couldn't think of anything else to say and he didn't want to talk any more about Krycek's student. He turned away and headed for some fresh water.



"Can I get you anything?"



"I could use some water, thanks." Krycek sank down on the couch and stretched out; long legs in front of him and his arms over head, then resting one along the back of the couch, the other on the arm.



Skinner tossed him the bottle and sat opposite him in a chair. "So what kind of persuasion are you going to use to get me to stay here longer?" Skinner asked.



Krycek smiled and after taking a long drink, recapped the bottle and said, "What kind of persuasion would it take?"



"I don't know. Some answers, maybe."



"Answers? Is that what you really want? Or is this?" Krycek got up, knelt down in front of Skinner and placed his head in Skinner's lap; his arms slipping around Skinner's hips and pulling him close.



Skinner gasped as Krycek nuzzled him through his jeans. He instantly sprang to life as he gripped the arms of the chair. Everything became a blur of heat and passion until he lost awareness and sagged into the cushions of the chair.



When he regained his senses, Krycek was sitting across from him on the couch again; watching him with that little smile of his that Skinner was growing very fond of.



"Is that how you persuade people to do what you want them to?" Skinner asked only slightly annoyed.



"Only you, Walter; only you."



"Why? Why me?"



"Because I want you to stay; Jeremiah thinks you need to stay."



"He said I was perfectly healthy." Walter insisted.



"Physically, yes. You've never been healthier."



"Loss of memory doesn't make me a mental case."



"I know that. But I know you. You won't be satisfied until you remember every moment of those lost days. Why not stay here where Jeremiah can help you? You're under no pressure here; you can relax, read; do whatever you want."



"There are doctors in D.C. who specialize in lost memories. I could get help there."



"Not the kind of help Jeremiah can give you."



"I haven't seen much help the last few days." Skinner insisted.



"Well maybe if you had gone in today like you were supposed to, you might have. Jeremiah and I talked and I think he's now ready to try something else."



"He is? What?"



"It's a kind of hypnotism but not like anything you can find anywhere else."



"How is it different?" Skinner was at the edge of his seat now eager for information.



"It's more intense. A regular hypnotist would take weeks to work up to a problem, then days skirting around the issue. Jeremiah works differently. He works with laser-like precision and cuts right to the heart of the matter. I've seen him work wonders."



"Why hasn't he done this for me before?"



"Before all this happened, they had a little plague here that affected all the males in the group. They were all very sick; bed-ridden. He was just coming out of it when you got here. Many were still ill. He was over worked, tired, and recuperating himself. He just wasn't strong enough."



"I hadn't noticed; I'm sorry."



"It's all right. It's only natural that you think of your own condition first."



"Is he all right now?"



"He seems to be. I think that's what he wanted to see you for today."



"Shit! And I just wasted the day away walking around and reading."



"It's not a problem. Tomorrow is soon enough. You had a good day with some exercise, some reading, and a nap. That's all good. And you gave Jeremiah another day to rest himself." Krycek smiled at him.



"I'll go over first thing in the morning."



"I'm sure that will be fine. In the mean time; how would you feel about joining me for dinner? I didn't have lunch and I'm starving." Krycek smiled at him.



"I'd love to. I didn't have any lunch either. I ate a big breakfast then took that long walk with Mulder and came back here and fell asleep."



"Where would you like to eat?" Krycek asked as they headed out the door and down the ramp.



"Evie invited me to a spaghetti dinner at her place."



"That sounds good but I've got something else in mind. Did you tell her you'd come?"



"No. I just said we'll see."



"Good. Because I know you're going to love this place. It's just what we both need and it's early so there shouldn't be many people there.



He was right, they were the only ones there in the dim little blues pub. They ordered roast beef sandwiches and beer and sat back in the booth and got comfortable.



"This is nice," Skinner said; relaxing in the mellow atmosphere.



"I knew you'd like it." Krycek smiled.



"I've been here before?" Skinner asked.



Krycek just smiled.



"I'm sure I have. This is my kind of place; never very crowded."



Another couple came in and took a booth at the far end across the room. They never saw them after they were seated.



The food was served and they ate hungrily.



"This is delicious. I can see why you like it here." Skinner said.



"There food is always excellent."



Skinner sat staring at Krycek for a time in silence until Krycek finally spoke up.



"What?"



"I was just wondering about you. How you could be the same Alex Krycek that I know; or thought I knew."



"I am; one and the same."



"Then why? Why all the trouble you caused?"



"I know this sounds old and trite but I was just following orders. I did what I had to do."



"How many people have you killed?"



"I don't know. How many people have you killed?" Krycek turned the question back on him.



"That's different."



"How? You were doing what you were told; you were defending your country. How is it that what I did was any different? You followed the orders of your superiors just like I did. We are, and always have been, on the same side, Walter. When you get your memory back you'll realize that."



"God, I hope this new treatment works tomorrow." Skinner said with a sigh.



"Me too."



They stood up and returned their dinner trays to the rack. Krycek tossed Skinner the wet towel and he walked back and wiped their table off with it and returned it. Krycek grinned.



"What?" Skinner asked as they walked out.



"You remembered about wiping off the table?"



"Well, yeah. We're still supposed to do that; aren't we?" Skinner was a little surprised by the question.



"Uh huh. I'm just surprised that you remembered."



Skinner thought about it for a moment and nodded. "I see what you mean. I did remember it though. The minute you tossed me the towel, I knew what I was supposed to do with it."



"That's good. Excellent." Krycek grinned.



They walked a ways in silence then Skinner spoke. "So if I get my memory back tomorrow, do you think Smith will release me?"



"Most likely."



"I'll be going home then." Skinner said but Krycek didn't answer.



They walked back to their rooms and Krycek invited Skinner to his room. He considered it for a moment then walked across the hall to his own door. "I'd better not. It's probably better if I keep to myself this evening."



"OK. If that's what you want. I'll be here if you want to talk or anything." Krycek said.



"Um hmm," Skinner mumbled and after one last look at Krycek, he went into his room and closed the door behind him. He had a lot of thinking to do and he knew he couldn't do much if he and Krycek were alone together.



XXXX



Skinner paced the floor and tried and tried to figure things out. Somehow he had gotten injured; Krycek found out about it and with Mulder's help, rescued him. Mulder was here, Jeremiah Smith was here and Alex Krycek was here but where exactly was 'here'?



He had never seen any facility like this before, nothing any where near this size or complexity. Yet here he was, none the less. He was perfectly healthy and even his involuntary ejaculations had stopped. Nothing at all was wrong with him but a loss of memory that might very well be restored tomorrow. It was all so bizarre.



And most bizarre of all was the enigma of Alex Krycek. He hated Krycek; hated him for years. Yet here they were, apparently friends; friends with benefits. How could that have happened? He sat down on the couch and picked up the newspaper he had gotten earlier that day when he got his book. He skimmed the news and tossed it back down after a few minutes. Then something caught his eye. He picked it back up and looked at the date.

It was an error. How could the paper have made such a mistake? The date was two years off. Papers just don't make mistakes like that.



He went over to the computer and turned it on. He clicked on the date sequence and found the same date that was on the newspaper. Two years off. Two years? Had he really lost two years of his life somehow?



He clicked over to the FBI and went into their personnel files. After entering his pass code he typed in his own name. There it was his photo with the bio underneath; he scanned through it and was dumfounded by what he saw – his retirement date! He was retired! He was no longer an AD with the Bureau! He stood up and paced the floor before going back for more information. There was none. No follow up information on him; nothing.



He went into the city directory for Crystal City, VA. He looked up his own name and it wasn't there. He wasn't listed. He used the Criss Cross then and typed in his address. Jake and Ellen Simpson lived there now; in his building, in his apartment. He was dumbfounded.



He had thought he had lost a few days; now he finds out it was a few years! What the hell happened! And can Smith really get it all back for him? He paced the floor wondering then gave up and went to bed.