TITLE: Sinking AUTHOR: Sasha Elisabeth Wolfe @}---,---'----- E-MAIL: eponine@idirect.com GENRE: XF/Titanic crossover, Story, Response to a challenge from way back LENGTH: 1/4 RATING: PG-13 (for swearing, violence, tons of angst and mild adult situations) SUMMARY: Romances on the great ship "Titanic", one with a paranormal twist. KEYWORDS: Cancer Man/Other Romance, Mulder/Scully Romance, Krycek/Other Romance, Character deaths SPOILERS: The movie "Titanic". NOTE: It helps to know who The Well-Manicured Man and The Bounty Hunter are. ARCHIVE: Anywhere as long as my name stays on it DISCLAIMER: I don't own any X-Files characters nor do I own any characters from "Titanic". I did, however, create Lilith and Tatyana. So...unless my English professor declares it mandatory to write a movie/television crossover for the final exam, I will gain nothing from this piece of fiction. It was written just for the heck of it. DEDICATION: To my kitty, Smokey, who turned 10 years old on April 23, 1998. SPECIAL THANKYOUS TO: My personal editor C.L.B. ~Sinking 1/4 ~ By Sasha Wolfe CHAPTER ONE~An Ocean Breeze "I have crossed oceans of time to find you" ~Dracula, 1992 Bram Stoker's "Dracula" 1912~England "It's amazing!" the teenage girl exclaimed as she boarded the giant ship, "Titanic". "Hardly," the young woman next to her scoffed. "It's just a one-way ticket to an arranged marriage for me." "You should not speak so terribly," the younger of the two exclaimed. "It's not proper for a lady to show such disrespect for her fiancee." "Well, sorry to disappoint you, darling, but I'm not a proper lady," was the reply. "Pleasure to meet you, though. The name's Lilith. Lilith Wolff." "I'm Rose," the girl answered. "Will you be staying on the "A" deck?" "No, no," Lilith laughed. "I'm residing in one of the rooms on the "E" level with a friend of mine." As the women walked through the ornate, golden doors and into the main stairwell, a tired voice shouted, "Rose! There you are!" "Cal!" Rose exclaimed, spinning around, startled. "I've been looking all over for you," the man gasped, catching his breath. "You silly girl! You had your mother worried half to death." "Oh, darling, I'm sorry," she replied. "I thought you were right behind me." "Not to worry, dearest," Cal smiled, putting his arm around her. "Ahem," Rose cleared her throat and drew away from him. "Cal, I'd like you to meet, Lilith Wolfe. Lilith, this is my fiancee, Cal." "Charmed," the well-dressed gentleman said, forcing a grin and lightly kissing Lilith's hand. "Pleasure's all mine." she replied, smiling back. "Well, sweetheart," Cal addressed Rose. "We should go back on deck to let mother know everything is fine. The servants are delivering our belongings to the room." "Okay," she answered, unhappily. "Perhaps we'll meet again later on, Lilith." "I hope so," the other woman, replied, politely and curtsied. "I'll look forward to it." Lilith heaved a sigh as Rose and her lover disappeared into the crowd. "Our servants are carrying our belongings to our room dear," she mocked Cal as soon as they were out of sight. "Yeesh! What an asshole!" She brushed back the silver hair from her face and added, "Like my "lover" is much better." Lilith dragged her heavy suitcase down the concrete stairs until she reached a large steel door marked "E". "Here's my floor," she mumbled to herself and gripped the big metal handle, swinging it open. She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a wrinkled scrap of paper. "Room 654," she read aloud and continued down the long corridor, passing room numbers 500-620. "Here we are," she panted, finally reaching room 654. "Anyone here!" She pounding on the oaken door with what strength she had left after lugging her belongings for nearly a mile. "Right here!" a familiar voice answered. "Hey Mulder!" Lilith shouted, as her friend let her inside. "Good to see you!" "Need help unpacking?" he asked, taking her bags. "No, I'll be okay," she replied, flopping down on the lower half of the cabin's bunk bed. "How about you?" "Already finished," Mulder boasted, sitting down beside her. "So, Lil, after you rest do you want to help me search the ship for that lucky woman who'll have the honour of calling herself "Mrs. F. William Mulder?"' "No, Fox," she laughed, picking up a pillow and playfully hitting him over the head with it. "But I wouldn't mind going for a stroll." "Good, you do that while I find some available women." he laughed. Picking up his jacket and whacking her with it, he added, "And the name is Mulder, not Fox!" The stars were beginning to appear when they reached the top deck of the ship. "Wow," Lilith gasped, gazing over the edge of the railing and into the dark blue void that was the ocean. "Don't fall in!" Mulder teased but Lilith ignored him, pulling her white shawl tighter around herself. "It is beautiful out, isn't it?" he replied, looking up at the clear night sky. The moon and the stars were the only source of light and the two friends held hands, watching the flickering stars and listening to the crash of the ocean waves. "Hey, Lil," Mulder broke the silence. "Do you think that there is life on other planets?" "What made you think of that all of a sudden?" she laughed. "I don't know. I'm just thinking. So what's your opinion?" "Yeah," she replied, with a lop-sided grin. "I think that there is." Suddenly Mulder felt something knock into him. "Ouch!" a female voice shouted. "Why don't you watch where you're going, you big clumsy oaf!" "Not to be rude, Miss," Mulder retorted, a bit taken back by her outburst. "But you were the one that bumped into me!" "Well!" she huffed, stepping into the moonlight, so she could see him face to face. "I am Dana Katherine Scully." "My name is F. William Mulder," he answered, with a sweeping bow. "I didn't want an introduction," Scully hissed. "It just so happens that my Uncle is the captain of this ship!" " "Well la-dee-dah!" Lilith giggled. "Calm down, hon. There's no need to get hostile." "You're ladyfriend seems awfully rude!" Scully growled. "She's not my, uh, girlfriend," Mulder answered. "Wife?" she continued, curiously. "Nope," he replied. "She's just a friend." "Just," Lilith laughed, jabbing him in the ribs, playfully. "Well, my best friend," he corrected himself. "Care for some midnight dancing, Miss Scully?" he turned to the pouting woman. "But, I hardly know you!" she blushed, her anger fading away. "We can fix that," Mulder said, offering her his hand. "Come on. Take a chance. I don't bite." "Alright," Scully agreed, not able to hide a smile. "But don't you lay a hand on me or my Uncle will have you tossed overboard!" "See," Mulder snickered, as they walked off. "There's your sense of humour." "That wasn't a joke," Scully replied in a serious tone. "Oh," Mulder answered. "Just kidding," she laughed, tussling his hair. "Bye Mulder! Nice meeting you Miss Scully!" Lilith waved to them, as their forms melted into the shadows. "Lilith!" a voice called out in the blackness. "Shit!" she growled to herself and started running towards the head of the ship. "I know you're there!" it insisted. "Get back here, you miserable slut!" "Go away!" she yelled, nearly tripping over her long dress as she fled. "Leave me alone!" Suddenly, she felt herself falling. "Damn it," she groaned, realising that her foot had entangled in a huge coil of rope. She tried to pull herself free, but a powerful blow knocked her down. "Serves you right!" the voice grew louder. She saw his figure towering over her. "Whore," he grumbled and violently picked her up from the ground. "I hate you!" she screamed, trying to claw at his face with her finger nails. "I don't love you!" "Either way, we're going to be married!" he snapped back, forcing her close to him, his cold, clammy hands touching her soft, white breasts. "Stop it!" she howled, but he continued, pressing himself into the front folds of her dress. Lilith screamed and bit into his hand. A stream of crimson blood, trickled down his wrist. "You bitch!" he snarled, slapping her hard across the face. "You're going to pay for that!" "Sir!" another voice rang out. "Damn it!" the man cursed. "What do you want?" "Sorry to disturb you," the other apologised. "But I've just received news that Mister Krycek is aboard." "Very well," the boss, sighed, glaring at Lilith. "Well discuss this later." He ran his well manicured nails across her cheek and smiled. "You," he turned to his male companion. "Look after her while I find that son of a bitch." He disappeared into the night leaving Lilith and his assistant alone. "Don't you speak?" the man asked, lighting up a cigarette. "I was taught not to say anything if I couldn't say anything nice." she replied, shivering. "Here," he said, wrapping her coat around her shoulders. "It's cold out." "Thank you," Lilith answered. "What's your name?" "We don't have names," he answered, blowing out a huge cloud of smoke. "I'm just known as Cancer Man. The same with your lover, when you get married, he'll use a pseudonym. John Smith, something like that." "He's not my lover," she replied, harshly. "He's just my fiancee." "The Well-Manicured Man loves you, doesn't he?" Cancer Man replied, flicking ashes onto his shoe. "No," Lilith replied, angrily. "I despise him. He's just using me because he knows something that nobody else can know." "It's none of my business," he said. "I shouldn't have asked." "How can you work for him?" she questioned. "Well," Cancer Man sighed. "For the same reason you're marrying him. He's knows about my past, which must remain a secret." He paused to butt out his cigarette. "So," he stated, nervously and anxious to change the subject. "How about we visit the dining lounge? I'll by you a drink. It should help you calm down." "I'd like that very much," Lilith answered. Meanwhile, The Well-Manicured Man was walking the dark stairwell that led to the lower-class section of the "Titanic". "Alex!" he shouted loudly. He was answered by a loud ruckus. Scores of people were screaming, singing, laughing, talking and cheering. He peered into the "F" deck's dining hall and saw a crowd of men, women and children, from many different cultures, dancing, drinking and partying. At one of the tables sat Alex Krycek, chatting with a tall, European woman. "Krycek," The Well-Manicured Man hissed. "Huh?" the young man looked around, searching for whoever had called his name. "Over here," the older man demanded. "Shit," Krycek muttered under his breath and excused himself from the table for a moment. "So you found me," he replied, ducking out of the room with The Well-Manicured Man. "What are you going to do with me?" "Nothing, if you play your cards right," his companion answered. "There's a woman aboard this ship, by the name of Tatyana Zandrovnia. We believe that she has somehow managed to access top secret information involving the recent testings of weapons. She's a double agent working for an unknown group in Russia. You dispose of her and I'll maybe forget that you immigrated to America illegally." "Alright," Krycek replied. "Tell me where she is and I'll rid you of her." "Room 123. She likes to travel with class," The Well-Manicured Man said. "I want it done before we reach New York." CHAPTER TWO~Ripples "When we wore a heart of stone we wandered to the sea, hoping to find some comfort there, yearning to feel free"~Sarah Mclachlan, "Drawn to the Rhythm" "What will you and the young lady be having tonight?" the waiter asked Cancer Man, as he and Lilith made themselves comfortable at one of the dinner tables. "A glass of your best red wine, please," he answered. "And a pint of scotch for myself." "Excellent choice, monsieur," the waiter smiled and vanished behind the bar to get their order. "What are you going to do when you get to New York?" Lilith inquired. "Nothing different," he replied. "Where are the goddamn ashtrays?" "Have you ever thought of escaping?" she asked. "Escaping?" he repeated. "What do you mean." "I mean split before The Well-Manicured Man finds you," she answered. "Run away and start over again." "With who?" he laughed, leaning back in his chair. "I have no family no wife, no friends." "You could leave with me," Lilith suggested. "We could travel to anywhere in America and he'd never see us again." "That's crazy," Cancer Man replied, shaking his head. "It would never work." "You don't know that until you try," she insisted. "Besides, what have we got to lose." "Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall! Ninety-nine bottles of beer! Take one down and smack it around! Ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall!" two people began singing loudly. "What on earth?" Lilith laughed, turning around. Standing on the table was Mulder, with Scully propped up beside him. "Oh Ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall! Ninety-eight bottles of beer!" they sang out, obviously drunk. "Good God," Lilith whispered to herself and snickered. "I don't know him!" "Excuse me," two crew members approached the duet. "I think you two better leave. You're disturbing the other diners." "Aw, we were just having some fun," Mulder replied, nearly toppling over. "Let's go downstairs, Dana. They know how to have a real party." "AHHHH!!!!!" A scream echoed in the distance. "AHHHH!!!" "What was that?" Lilith gasped, jumping to her feet." "I don't know," Cancer Man admitted. "Let's check it out." They followed the noise to the back of the ship. "I wasn't trying to hurt her!" a boy was shouting at two men. "I almost fell overboard," a young girl explained to them. "He saved me." "Are you sure?" one of the officials asked. "Of course I'm sure," she replied. "You can let him go." "Rose?" Lilith asked, peering at the woman. "Lil!" was the response. "Good to see you again." "Are you alright?" Lilith asked, a little shocked at how casual she talked after nearly falling off the ship to a painful and inevitable death. "Yeah, I'm fine," Rose replied. "Just a scare." "As long as you're not hurt," her friend replied. "Would you care to join my family and I for supper tonight?" Rose asked. "You can bring your fiancee along as well." "Oh!" Lilith laughed and nodded in Cancer Man's direction. "He's my fiancee's employee. We'd love to join you, but I'm afraid we're busy at the moment." "Another night." Rose replied. "I'm sure we'll meet up again." "Room 123," Krycek repeated to himself. "123." He reached the door and lightly rapped on it. A slender, finely dressed woman answered. "Yes?" she said in a strong Russian accent, as she tied her long black hair into a braid. "What can I do for you?" "Tat-Tatyana?" Krycek stuttered, mesmerised by her beauty. She nodded. "Can I help you?" "Uh, yes," he replied. "I've been sent to check the cabins on this deck for vermin. It's just a routine procedure." "Vermin?" Tatyana gasped. "Just routine," Krycek assured her, stepping inside. "Hmmm," he mumbled, pretending to search the room for traces of an infestation." "It doesn't appear that you have a problem, Miss Zandrovnia." "Excellent," she answered. "Thank you." "Just doing my job," he said. "Have a good evening and enjoy the rest of your trip." "I will," she smiled, holding the door open for him. "Wonderful," he thought as he departed down the corridor. "How am I going to meet up with her again without looking suspicious?! I've got to kill her before we reach the port!" "You mean to tell me, Dana Scully, that you have never danced the flamenco before?" Mulder exclaimed, lifting Scully up onto one of the tables. "Never," she admitted. "Hey, Pedro!" Mulder shouted to a guitar player. "We came down here to party gypsy style! Give us your fastest flamenco!" "I-I don't know," Scully began, but before she could finish Mulder whisked her off her feet and began dancing. "Ohmygod!" she shouted, throwing her head back and chuckling. "This is so much fun!" "I told you it was!" Mulder yelled to her, as a crowd of people joined in. "Does the room always spin when you flamenco?" Scully questioned, moving quickly on her feet. "Always!" he answered. "Always!" The band began to play faster, a frenzy of violins, guitars, tambourines and flutes." "Mulder!" she shrieked, as they pranced around to the rhythm. "I'm going to pass out!" "No you won't," he panted, sweat dripping from his brow. "I've got a good grip on you." "Mul-l-l-l-l-d-e-r-r-r-r!" she cried, holding on to him tighter. "That's right," he told her. "Now FASTER!" The music climaxed and Mulder and Scully spun around in a giant circle, almost knocking the table over. "Wheee!" she giggled, as he lifted her up into the air. "I could do this all night!" "What's stopping you?" her partner asked. "Let's do this all night!" "Do you think he's looking for us?" Lilith asked as she and Cancer Man walked underneath the stars. "Probably not," he answered. "He knows that we can't go very far." "Still, it is a big ship," she sighed. "I just don't want to upset him anymore than I already have." "Let's do it." Cancer Man said suddenly. "Do what?" she questioned. "What you suggested earlier," he replied. "I have a thousand dollars in cash with me. It's enough to start a new life." "I've got six hundred," Lilith added. "If we need any extra cash, we could always do the odd job here and there." "We're insane," she laughed. "But at least we'll be free." "There is no past only a future," Cancer Man stated. "Once we're on shore, I'll be Raul Bloodworth." "I'll change my name to Adeia Wolfsbane," she answered. " "I like it!" he exclaimed. "Where did you get the idea for such a lovely name?" "It was my mother's," Lilith replied. "It's Greek." "Tell me about America," she whispered, taking his hand. "Tell me how beautiful and free it is." They sat down on one of the benches that was bolted to the deck. "Well," Cancer Man said, softly caressing her cheek with his hand. "In America everyone walks around wearing suits bought from "Macy's"-even the nobodies who live on the streets." "They do not," she giggled. "Yes they do," he teased. "Dogs and cats are fed pork chops served on silver platters, while their owners dine on steak and potatoes at "Delmonico's". Families have houses with flower gardens and green lawns, radios that play symphonies by Beethoven, and cars that will take them anywhere their hearts desire." "It can't be true." Lilith mouthed. "I wouldn't lie to you," Caner Man said. "Tell me the one thing you want to most." "Freedom," she replied. "We'll have that. Tell me the one item that you've longed for your whole life," he insisted. "No," she blushed. "You'll think that it's silly." "No I won't," he coaxed. "I promise." "Okay," she gave in. "Ever since I was three, I've wanted a pet dog." "There," Cancer Man smiled. "That wasn't so bad. And it most certainly wasn't silly." "My family could never afford to look after any animals because they had themselves as well as me and my five brothers and sisters to take care of. We had strays living in our area, but they were never friendly." Lilith told him. "I'll buy you the biggest, friendliest mutt in all of New York," Cancer Man declared. "Honest?" she asked, not sure she had heard him correctly. "Honest," he assured her. "I'll call him Fenris, after the Norse wolf god of fire." "We'll watch the opera "Romeo and Juliet" on Broadway," he said, lost in the dream. "Shhh," Lilith whispered, placing her finger to his lips. "As long as we're together, I don't care who or what we see." She fell into his embrace and he scooped her into his arms. "Let's go back to my room," he murmured, lifting her from the bench. "Krycek?" The Well-Manicured Man whispered, walking into the room where the "F" deck passengers had been celebrating. "Alex Krycek!" There was no answer, save for the snoring of a few party-goers who lay sleeping on the floor. A young couple, a man with horrible looking tie on and a pretty woman with red hair, slept on a wooden table. The Well-Manicured Man scanned the room until her finally noticed Krycek. He was slumped over in the corner with a half-empty glass of beer in his hand. "You worthless piece of shit!" he growled, kicking Krycek hard in the gut. "Wake up!" "What?" the younger man moaned, sitting up. "What?" "Did you do what I asked?" The Well-Manicured Man demanded. "Not yet," replied Krycek. "But I will before the boat gets to The United States." "You had better," the older man growled, walking away. "Or else the world as you know it will stop spinning and it won't be because you're piss drunk!" ~Sinking 2/4 ~ By Sasha Wolfe CHAPTER THREE~Currents "Cast your eyes on the ocean. Cast your soul to the sea. When the dark night seems endless, Please remember me"~Loreena McKennitt, Dante's Prayer The breakfast bell rang promptly at eight 'o clock in the morning, waking the entire ship. "Oh, my head is ringing," groaned Scully, slowly sitting up. "What a night!" "Ouch," Mulder mumbled, rubbing his head. "I've got a migraine." Scully rolled over and fell off the table, landing on the floor with a loud "THUD". "Are you okay?" Mulder asked, stumbling to his feet. "I will be once I have a cup of coffee," she replied. "It can't be morning already," someone moaned. "I think I'm going to be sick!" Mulder and Scully looked around the room to see where the voice had come from. "Right here," it said. "In the corner." "Great party last night!" Mulder tried to make conversation. "Bad liquor," the other man answered. "Who are you?" Scully asked. "Me?" the man laughed. "Krycek. Alex Krycek." "Why don't you get up and join is for breakfast," Mulder offered, helping him to his feet. "Sounds great," Krycek smiled. He took a step forward and crashed to the ground. "Uh, just as soon as the room stops spinning." "Lilith," Cancer Man breathed. "Wake up. It's morning." Lilith reluctantly opened her eyes and replied, "I didn't want last night to end." She leaned her head on his chest and stroked his hair. "I love you," Cancer Man whispered, kissing the back of her neck. "No, don't do this to me," Lilith pleaded. "Please." "It's true," he murmured. She broke into silent weeping. "I love you too," she sobbed. "I'm engaged to be married to another man and I love YOU!" "Your engagement to him is off," Cancer Man firmly answered, wiping her tears away. "Everything is going to work out. I won't forsake you." "We're really going to live in America?" she asked, through tear-brimmed eyes. "Really," he replied "And nothing is going to make me break my promise." "Where is she?" The Well-Manicured Man growled to himself as he sluggishly crawled out of bed. "I'm going to have a long talk with Cancer Man!" There was a loud pounding on his door. "Who is it?" he yelled, still not quite awake." "It's me, Sir," a voice replied. "Where the hell have you been?" The Well-Manicured Man demanded, letting his underling in. "I've been keeping a close eye on Lilith," the giant man answered. "She hasn't left Cancer Man's side all evening." "Good," The Well-Manicured Man smiled. "Has she caught on yet that she's being followed?" "No, Sir," the man assured him. "I make sure I chose a different disguise each time I spy on her." As a demonstration, he transformed into the shape of the a waiter. "Excellent," The Well-Manicured Man said. "I trust Cancer Man is taking good care of her." "That's what I came to tell you about, Sir,"The Bounty Hunter replied. "They're planning to run away together once the "Titanic" reaches New York." "What?!" The Well-Manicured Man snarled. "I overheard them talking last night," The Bounty Hunter explained. "Damn him!" the elder cursed. He clenched his fists and punched the wall, leaving a sizable dent, then calmly turned back to his companion. "That'll be all," he stated. "Thank you." "Ew!" Scully gasped as a portion of gruel was slopped into her bowl. "THIS is what you have to eat for breakfast?" "Not on MY level of the ship!" Mulder answered, indignantly. "Well, you could get us some grub from first class..." Krycek hinted to Scully. "They'd never let you into out dining hall," she replied. "No," Mulder agreed "But you could sneak some of it back to my cabin and we could eat it there." "Sounds like a plan to me," Krycek intervened before Scully could protest. "What will you be having, young lady?" the waiter asked Scully. "Four poached eggs, six slices of toast, seven strips of bacon and a pitcher of orange juice," she answered. "I, uh, am going to be eating with some friends this morning." "Alright," he replied. "It should be ready in a moment. "Thank you," she told him. The waiter returned with a stack of plates. "Here you are, Miss," he replied, handing her the food. He turned around and continued to serve the other patrons. Scully scraped all of the meals onto one plate and bolted outside where her friends were waiting. "Did you get it?" Krycek asked, clutching at his stomach. "I'm starving!" "Me too," Mulder whined, grabbing a piece of toast and took a huge chomp out of it. "Come on, I'll take you back to my cabin." "So anyway, she's a pretty good roommate," Mulder's voice drifted down the hallway. "We've been friends for a few years." "Shit!" Lilith hissed as he approached. "Mulder's coming!" "Who?" Cancer Man asked, confused. "My friend," Lilith answered. "He and I are sharing the room." "Hey, Lil, are you in there?" Mulder called out. "I've got some people with me." "Yeah, come on in," she shouted back. The door flung open and the trio walked in. "Cancer Man?!" Krycek exclaimed, noticing him. "What the hell are you doing here?" "Krycek!" Lilith gasped. "Oh...uh, he's my bodyguard." "You guys know one another?" Scully asked. "Yeah," Lilith replied. "Krycek and Cancer Man work for my fiancee." "Oh," she smiled. "I see. "Krycek..." Lilith whispered to the young man, but he held up his hand, silencing her. "It's alright," he promised. "I won't say anything." "So, Lil," Mulder nudged her. "Are you and that guy you're marrying going to live in Washington near me?" "Ummm, I'm not sure," she replied, a bit nervously. "We haven't talked about that yet." "You must have," Scully interjected. "We're going to be on-shore in four days. Where are you planning to stay?" "Oh, he knows where we're moving to," Lilith answered, quickly. "He's just not telling me...it's a surprise." Scully nodded her head, but she still wasn't convinced. "Something is wrong," she thought to herself. "And a friend of Mulder's is a friend of mine." "So are we going to eat?" Krycek spoke up through the chilling silence that was creeping into the room. "Of course," Scully replied, handing him the plate of food. "Lilith, have you and your friend eaten yet?" "Yes," she smiled. "Thank you, anyway." Suddenly, there was a series of violent banging against the door. "Let me in!" someone shouted from the hallway. "For the love of God, please let me in!" Mulder gripped the door handle and pulled. A young woman, her hair messed up and coming out of it's braid , fell into the room. "Shut the door!" she ordered, hysterically, sweat pouring down her pretty face. Mulder obeyed and then helped her to her feet. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Someone is trying to kill me!" she whispered sharply, unable to control her shaking. "Shhh, it will be alright," Krycek cut in, taking the girl from Mulder. "No one will hurt you." "I know you," she gasped. "You're that phony exterminator!" "Phony?" Krycek tried to sound innocent. "Yeah," she replied. "Are...are you going to murder me?" "No," he replied, stroking her hair. "What happened? Who is after you and why?" "I went to see the head of the ship to see if he could explain who you really were and why you were in my room. He said that he didn't know and that you might have been a robber trying to scan my cabin for valuables. So we started to return to my room, when two men jumped us. They knocked the man unconscious and started to chase after me. So I ran until I lost them...that's when I heard voices coming from this room so I knocked and..." She rocked back and forth in Krycek's arms, sobbing. "Shhh," he comforted her. "Don't worry." "Tatyana?" Cancer Man asked. The woman nodded. He turned to glance at Lilith, then his eyes wandered back to Krycek and the frightened girl. "She can stay in my room," he stated. "Lilith and I can reside with a friend of ours, Mister X." "Krycek, I think it best if you pretend you never saw us and that Well-Manicured Man believes Tatyana to be dead." "What?" Tatyana cried. "What have I done?" "We know who you are," Cancer Man said solemnly. "And if you tell us what you know, I promise we won't hurt you." "That's just it, though," she answered. "I don't know anything about your plans or projects. It was my brother, Christophe who stole them, not me." "Where is he?" Cancer Man demanded, a little skeptic. "He was shot before we were to leave for Britain. Before I knew what was happening, there were men after me, so I fled to England, but they found me there. I thought maybe this ship would finally be my escape...but I guess I was wrong." "It will be your escape," Krycek assured. "I'll make sure of it." "Could someone kindly tell me what is going on?" Scully exclaimed suddenly. "You all sound crazy!" "You don't understand the situation," Cancer Man said, harshly. "And I'm warning you here and now not to breath a single word of this conversation to anybody for any reason!" "Why?" she huffed. "My father is a very important person..." "It doesn't matter," he retorted. "I want you to swear not to repeat what you've heard." "If I knew what was happening!" Scully answered. "Perhaps we should explain," Krycek suggested and began the tale. "My name is Alex Krycek. Cancer Man and I work for a powerful group known only as "The Elders". The Well-Manicured Man, our boss, is intending to wed Lilith, whom he blackmailed into the engagement. I've been hired to assassinated Miss Zandrovnia because it was thought that she had been given top secret information involving weapons that could be used if another war breaks out." Krycek paused and continued. "Now, Cancer Man tells me that he and Lilith are planning to change their identities and start a new life in America. I am going to stay in the profession I am in, but will help Tatyana." Scully's jaw hung agape as she let it sink in. "Wow!" Mulder gasped. "I had no idea, Lilith. I'm sorry." "I couldn't have asked you to understand," she replied. "Besides, you're my friend and I never wanted to risk involving you." "Will I see you again after we dock?" "I'll make sure of it," she promised. "And Mr. Mulder," Krycek added. "We could help you find a secure job..." "He doesn't need that," Lilith intervened. "He's already been offered one. That's why he's coming to Washington." "Really?" Krycek asked. "What do you do, Mr. Mulder?" "I'm working on criminology. It's a type of science that involves psychology and new forensic testings. I already have a few friends, Langley, Byers and Frohike who have been studying it. "I'm sure it's fascinating," Cancer Man interrupted. "But I need to know that you and Miss Scully are going to be trustworthy. "You can trust me," Scully replied. "Me too," Mulder answered. "Good," Cancer Man smiled, as the smoke from his cigarette began to settle to the floor. "Where is your cabin?" Tatyana said. "The second floor," he replied. "The Well-Manicured Man doesn't know where it is so you'll be safe there as long as you don't leave the room." "I'll come up every hour or so to see if you need anything." Krycek added. The large man slipped from the shadows and onto the deck, darting his eyes back and forth as he did so. No one was around. Peering out at the ocean, he let his mind and body relax, slowly feeling the change taking place. Within seconds, the tall, brown haired giant was replaced by a slender, blonde sailor. "Another stolen identity," he thought to himself almost sadly. It had been years since anyone had called him by his true name. Now he was just "The Bounty Hunter", justly named, as it was his duty to capture and/or kill any traitors of his boss' social circle and then collect his reward. Sometimes, it was a place of residence, other times it was something more vital. A cure to a deadly disease that they had infected him with, or the promise that what was left of his family would be spared. He walked silently along the length of the ship, searching for his next victims. So far, they were nowhere to be seen. The Bounty Hunter straightened the fabric that hung from his body. He felt like a skeleton without his usual broad shoulders, as he tried to get accustomed to his new and temporary form. "Some life," he thought. "To spend your whole life literally living in someone else's shoes!" The horn blew loudly, calling the people to lunch. "Already?" he thought. "Wasn't breakfast only two hours ago?" He shrugged to himself and decided to search the dinning hall on the upper deck. CHAPTER FOUR~Waves "The waves would wash my tears; the wind my memory" ~Loreena McKennitt, Skellig "So, Mr.Krycek, you are positive that she is dead?" The Well-Manicured Man demanded, as he filed his fingernails. "I killed her myself," the younger man answered. "The body was dumped overboard this morning." "Very well," the other replied. "You may enjoy the rest of your trip as I have no further use of you." "Thank you, Sir," Krycek bowed respectfully. But deep inside he smiled. "I actually tricked the old fool," he thought to himself. "And now Tatyana can escape persecution!" "So where is Lilith now?" Mulder asked Cancer Man, as he lit a cigarette. "She decided to stay in our new room with Mr.X. They're making up for lost time." "Huh?" Mulder asked. "What do you mean?" "They're good friends," Cancer Man answered. "But they haven't spoken in months. They're getting reacquainted." "Oh," Mulder sighed. "For a second there I thought you meant..." "I know what you thought," Cancer Man cut in. "There's a lot more to you than meets the eye, isn't there? How would you know of such an obscure concept as "Missing Time"?" Mulder never had to chance to reply, though, because Scully came running up to him, throwing her arms around his waist. "Hey, Dana," he smiled. "Where have you been?" "I just visited my uncle," she panted, gasping for breath. "The ship is going it's maximum speed. We're going to be in New York by tomorrow!!!!" "Excellent," Cancer Man breathed to himself. "That's wonderful!" Mulder exclaimed, hugging Scully. "What do you want to do first when we get there?" "See the Broadway entertainment!" she laughed. "Or find a joint that plays that amazing American Ragtime music!" She jumped up and down like an excited child. "It's so incredible!" she giggled, as Mulder took her into his arms, whisking her off her feet. "You can stay with my parents and I until you find room and board! I'm sure they won't mind!" "Ahem," Cancer Man spoke up. "I think I'll leave you two alone. I'm going to tell Lilith the good news." The door was slightly ajar and riddled with bullet holes. "Hello?" Cancer Man asked, cautiously. "What's going on?" There was no reply, only an eerie silence. "X?" he called out. "Lilith?" He let out a gasp as he stepped into the room. Mr.X lay face down, in a pool of blood that was seeping into the carpet, motionless. "Oh God... Cancer Man groaned, feeling a little sick. He knew that his friend was dead, even before he checked for the pulse, a series of bullets was lodged into his chest. Cancer Man glanced around, noting that there had been a forced entry and a powerful struggle. Everything was turned over, knocked around or smashed and one of the bed posts had been torn off. It lay on the floor, covered with a patch of crimson blood. Lilith was nowhere to be found. "Damn it!" he muttered through clenched teeth and darted to the main stairwell. "You cowardly piece of shit!" he hollered, his voice bouncing off the walls. "Where the hell are you? Show yourself!" "Excuse me, Sir!" a young man, replied, as Cancer Man nearly bumped into him as he raced down the steps, cursing. "Who you looking for?" Cancer Man could tell that the boy had been drinking. His breath reeked of cheap booze. "I don't know his name," the older of the duo, honestly answered. "But he's a tall, VERY tall, muscular man around the age of thirty-six. People call him the Bounty Hunter." "Has he staying with or near and older white-haired guy?" the man questioned. "Yes!" Cancer Man exclaimed, hoping the the stranger could help him. "I saw them come down here 'bout an hour ago, dragging some hideous bear!" "Bear?" Cancer Man asked, startled. "Are you sure they weren't with a young woman? Maybe she was wearing a fur coat...you could have mistaken her." "I ain't that drunk, pal!" the boy replied, trying to keep his balance. "I know what I saw at it weren't no lady. It was some animal. Asides, when I asked them 'bout it, they said they was taking it to the big man's room for sedation. The older one claimed it was a circus attraction or something." "Where did they go?" Cancer Man demanded. "Down t' the "F" deck I reckon," the kid slurred. "Thank you," Cancer Man answered and continued to quickly descend the stairs. "You're safe now, Tatyana," Krycek said, with a grin. "Thank you, Mr. Krycek," she replied. "Thank you so much." "I couldn't let you be persecuted for crimes you did not commit," he answered, gently kissing her hand. "If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask me. I am at your service." "I would like it if you could stay here and keep me company," Tatyana whispered. "It does get lonely in here." "Anything!" Krycek, replied, feeling the blood rush to his head. "Why, Mr. Krycek," she stated coyly. "Are you blushing?" "Well yes..." he admitted. "It's just that...well I don't mean to frighten you away...but I've never felt this way before." "I think it's sweet," she laughed. "That you have a crush on me. Well to be honest, I do find you quite charming." "Really?" he quipped, at little bewildered. "My God, I'm acting so boyish!" he thought. "I feel like a fool...but she is so beautiful..." "I would ask you to go dancing," he said finally. "But I'm afraid we can't leave this section of the ship...this room for that matter, until we're on shore." "Come here," Tatyana answered, warmly, taking his hands into hers. "There is no reason why we cannot dance right here right now!" Krycek rose to his feet, feeling her long, graceful arms wrap around his tense body. "It's been a while," he sighed, as she pressed him close to her. "Since I've danced like this." "Just follow my lead and you'll do fine," she promised. "One, Two, Three!" Krycek let out a quick gasp, as they twirled around the room. She was light on her feet and quite swift and he struggled to keep up to her pace. "You're doing great!" she reassured, slowing down so he could catch his breath. "Keep it up!" No longer nervous, Krycek began to lead, twirling Tatyana in a large circle and then pulling her close again. "You dance as divinely as an angel," she murmured, as her cheek brushed against his. "And you even more so," Krycek replied, their lips nearly touching. "Like a goddess." They resumed their extravagant dance, speeding up the steps, until they collapsed to the floor, laughing. After Tatyana composed herself, she turned to Krycek. "Will I ever see you again?" she questioned, her tone becoming serious. "Once we reach The United States?" "Well..." he started. He hadn't really thought about that. He was enjoying the moment as it was, not planning ahead. "Do you like what you do?" she asked, holding his hand. "Really?" "Of course not," he replied. "I've only done what my boss has told me to do because he knows I'm immigrating to America illegally. It's blackmail." "Why don't you join those other two?" Tatyana questioned. "We can run away from all this as well." "It's tempting..." he said. "But I'll always be on the run. The Well-Manicured Man will hunt me down." "Not if he thinks you're dead," Tatyana stated. "That's true..." Krycek replied, considering the idea. "But how will he get the news of my death?" "Easy," she answered. "We'll get Scully to tell her uncle to hold a memorial in the honour of a man who fell overboard, trying to save a young woman. We'll put your name and sketch on it." "That's a brilliant idea!" Krycek smiled. "Let's do it." Lilith slowly regained consciousness, her eyes focusing on the ominous glare of the Well-Manicured Man. "So you're awake..." he said, advancing towards her. She tried to move, but found it impossible. "That's the toughest rope on the whole of the "Titanic"," he told her. "I decided to use it after that horrible fight you put up last night, when we dragged you down here. You won't be gnawing your way through that!" "I wouldn't want to make a bet on that!" she hissed, flexing her muscles only to find that they were painfully cramped and spasmatic. "What have you done?" she growled, her eyes growing wild. "Allow me to explain," The Well-Manicured Man started. "Our group, the Elders, have been working on a serum that prevents you Shifters from transforming." "But I'm not like them!" she hissed. "How did it work?" "True, you are not as the Bounty Hunter who can change into whoever or whatever he pleases, but you are, nonetheless, a Shifter." "Don't call me that," Lilith snarled. "The correct term for my species is Lycanthrope!" "Whatever you are, my dear, this medicine I've given you will stop your muscles from contracting properly when you want to transfigure. Be it an extraterrestrial race, like Bounty Hunter, the werewolves...pardon me, Lycanthropes, like yourself or simply the defenceless caterpillar wanting to become a butterfly, this elixir will alter the ability to shift." He took another step towards her, and traced the outline of her jaw with his finger. "It's revolutionary!" he continued. "That's the nice thing about the human race, we're Evolution's perfect creatures. If something stands in our way, we don't submit and change ourselves, we change what's bothering us." "The Lycanthropes have been here longer than your kind," Lilith replied, angrily. "We have survived through the 1600 werewolf persecutions and we'll survive through this!" "Mankind has already conquered Earth, you arrogant little witch," The Well-Manicured Man answered. "And pretty soon we'll have claim on any other planets out there as the Bounty Hunter will soon discover." "You are a savage!" Lilith said solemnly. "You could say that about your race." he replied. "I'm not talking about Humankind!" she stated. "I was talking about you. People are not at all like this. Most of your kind is decent." "Ah, you mean your lover, Cancer Man," he laughed. "He's a spineless back-stabber and that's exactly why he's hasn't and never will get anywhere." "It's not just him!" she continued. "There are so many others on this ship and off who are more rational and sane than yourself! They won't allow you to destroy my race nor any others!" "That may be true," The Well-Manicured Man stopped. "But they won't be able to save you." ~Sinking 3/4~ By Sasha Wolfe HAPTER FIVE~Troubled Waters "The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon the cloudy seas" ~Alfred Noyes, The Highway Man "Where is she?" Cancer Man demanded, pushing the Bounty Hunter against the wall. The younger man obviously exceeded him in strength but he put up no resistance. "What did you do with Lilith?" Cancer Man shouted, punching the Bounty Hunter hard in the face. He took the abuse without uttering a sound. "I could crush you like an ant," he stated finally, but still refused to fight back. "Go ahead and try it!" Cancer Man spat back. "Now I want a goddamn answer!" "Maybe if you ask politely," the other man sarcastically replied. "Why should I put my ass on the line just to save your whore girlfriend?" "She is not a whore!" Cancer Man snarled, striking him hard enough to knock him to the floor. "You really can't hurt me in the long run. The Bounty Hunter said. "I love her," Cancer Man replied, exasperated. "Does that not mean anything to you." "Do you even know what she is?" The Bounty Hunter asked. "What do you mean?" answered Cancer Man. "She's not human," the other replied. "What?!" the older man laughed. "Are you trying to tell me that she is an alien? You're mad! I've seen extraterrestrials before and..." "Not an E.B.E.," Bounty Hunter said. "Lycanthrope." "I don't believe you!" Cancer Man scoffed. "Now show me her!" "Why should I?" he growled back. "It makes no difference to me if she lives or dies!" "And what makes you think that The Well-Manicured Man won't kill you when you're no longer a necessity or even a resource?" Cancer Man retorted. "I know he's blackmailing you into working for him! Perhaps one day when you least suspect it, he'll ram a stiletto through your neck!" "So you do know what I am," The Hunter replied, rolling his eyes. "That comes as no surprise to me." "You have seen what he's done to other people," Cancer Man continued. "Why wouldn't he do it to you as well?" "He'll track me down like an animal if I don't keep working for him. I think I'll take my chances and stay loyal." "Bounty Hunter sighed. "Who is he going to tell if you betray him?" Cancer Man exclaimed. "The police? 'Excuse me officer, there's an alien on the loose. I want him hunted down and destroyed'???? He'd be the laughing stock of Washington!" "Alright," The Hunter agreed. "But you have to help me find a safe residence in the Untied States." "It's a deal," Cancer Man answered, helping the man to his feet and shaking his hand. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" Scully sighed, as the stars began to appear. "Yes I have," Mulder answered. "What could possibly be more breath-taking than the dusk melting into the ocean?" Scully replied. "Easy," he answered. "You." Scully was at a loss for words and she blushed at the flattery. "Oh, Mulder!" she gasped. "I don't know what to say! I think you're quite handsome, yourself." "You're just saying that," he sniggered. "Am not!" she retorted. "I really think that you are." "Well thank you," he said. "Do you realise that it's been twenty-four hours since we first met, right here on this spot?" "It feels like a year!" Scully added. "We've seen and done so much. Met so many people!" "You know," she continued. "I still don't know what your first name is! What's the "F" stand for?" "You'll never speak to me again if you knew," Mulder replied. "No I won't," she insisted. "Come on!" "Nope," he firmly stated. "Okay..." she started. "...Frank?" He shook his head. "Frederick? Fraiser? Ferdinand?" "Ferdinand!" Mulder laughed. "Ugh! No way!" "Well then?" she demanded. "Keep guessing," he told her. "If you get it right, I'll give you a kiss." "And if I don't?" she questioned. "You give me a kiss!" "Fair enough," she grinned. "Forrest? Floyd? Francois? Francis?" "Uh uh," Mulder smiled. "It's Fox." "Fox!" Scully exclaimed. "That's so unique! I love it." "You owe me a kiss," he answered, leaning his head forward until his nose touched hers. Scully closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his. "Back so soon?" Lilith grumbled as the door creaked open. "Lil?" Cancer Man whispered. "Cancer Man!" she breathed his name the way a man dying in the desert would cry "water". "I'm here," he replied, stepping into the room, The Bounty Hunter at his heels. "Behind you!" Lilith gasped, pointing to the large man that towered over her lover. "It's okay," he answered. "He is here to help us." "I've decided not to let the Well-Manicured Man run my life anymore," The Bounty Hunter said, walking over to where Lilith stood, bound to the foot of the bed. His large hands gripped the twine that held her captive, and with a great pull, he snapped the rope in two, releasing her. "Thank you, my friend," Lilith said. "This won't go unforgotten." "Oh, Lilith," Cancer Man murmured, taking her into his arms and caressing her. "I thought I'd lost you." "Go quickly!" Bounty Hunter ordered them. "I'll tell the Well Manicured Man that the serum didn't work and you managed to free yourself." "Serum?" Cancer Man asked, confused. "But I though..." "We'll talk about it later," Lilith answered. "Come, we must hide!" "We should find Scully soon," Krycek said to Tatyana. "I heard that the ship is supposed to be docking within twenty-four hours." "I can't leave this room!" she protested. "I promise I'll come right back to get you," Krycek replied. "Then we won't have to leave each other again. Ever." "Alright," she gave in. "But please hurry!" "What!" the Well-Manicured Man hissed, smacking the Bounty Hunter. "It's impossible! We spent twelve moths developing that elixir! I made sure I used the proper dose! The goddamn needle was sterile!" "Something must have gone wrong, sit," the Hunter apologised. "The bonds were slashed when I came in to check on her." "They haven't been chewed or clawed," The Well-Manicured Man noted. "Someone must have cut the rope. Probably that damn ex-assistant of mine!" "Should I check their rooms for you, Sir?" Bounty Hunter asked. "No," Well-Manicured Man replied, drawing a gun from his jacket pocket. "They couldn't have gotten too far. I'll find them!" "This is where they store the cargo," Lilith puffed as she and Cancer Man raced into the ship's basement. "We'll be safe here." "Who is that?" a voice whispered. "Shhh!" another demanded. Two figures emerged from the shadows, glancing at the couple. "Let's get out of here!" the female voice said, near panic. Their feet pounding against the floor boards as they raced for the stair well. "Hurry up, Rose," they heard the male voice echo. "Rose?" thought Lilith. "It couldn't be..." "So what did the Bounty Hunter mean about a serum?" Cancer Man asked her once the others had completely vanished. "He said you were a Lyco-somethingorother. I've never heard of an alien species by that name before. Who or what are you? Is that a tribal or cult name?" "It's Lycanthrope," she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm a werewolf." Cancer Man was silent, trying to make sure he had heard her correctly. "Werewolf?" he asked. "As in a Shapeshifter?" She nodded, stepping away from him. "And now you hate me because of it!" she sobbed. "No," he exclaimed in surprise. His voice turned gentle. "No. Of course I don't hate you, Lilith. I love you." "There you are!!!" a male voice cried. "Oh, my God!" Lilith whispered. "Well-Manicured Man!" The two quickly dashed to the stairs, running as fast as they could. "Wait a minute, Sir," they heard someone else say. "That wasn't Rose and Jack! I wonder who it was! Nobody is allowed down here besides the crew." Cancer Man and Lilith ran to the deck, laughing. "Thank God!" Lilith giggled. "They weren't after us!" "No, they were after us," a familiar voice said. "Rose?" Lilith panted, exhausted from the sudden sprint. "Yes," the girl replied. "Good to see you again, Lilith." She turned to the man that stood beside her. "Jack, this is Lilith Wolff. She's the first person I met on this ship." "Pleased to meet you," Jack smiled. Before anyone could say another word, the ship trembled. "What was that?" Rose exclaimed, clutching Jack. "I don't know," he whispered. Suddenly, a huge block of ice scraped the side of the "Titanic", sending shards of frozen water onto across the wooden deck, almost hitting the two men and women. "Did you guys see that?" Someone called out from the inky blackness. It was Mulder, with Scully close by his side. "I think the ship hit an iceberg!" Lilith gasped, glancing fearfully at Cancer Man. "Holy shit!" yet another person yelled. "Krycek?" Cancer Man called out, recognising the voice. "Yeah," was the reply. "What the fuck just happened?" "We hit an iceberg!" Lilith repeated. "We're going to sink!" "Shhh," Cancer Man comforted her. "No we won't. Out trip will be delayed by a few hours at the most." "But didn't you feel the jolt?!" she cried, growing frantic. "It's fine," he lover assured her, resting his hand on her quivering shoulder. "No!" she shuddered, pulling away defensively. "We've got to get to a lifeboat now!" "Shhh, shhh, shhh," Scully joined in, hugging Lilith. "Don't cry." "Yes, darling, calm down," Cancer Man added. "Don't you understand!" Lilith hissed. "The rats...I can hear them...they're abandoning the lower deck....they know it's sinking!" "Rats?" Krycek questioned. "I think I'll take her back to her room," Cancer Man said, placing his arm around the hyperventilating Lilith. "I'm going to try to get her to relax." "I should check on Tatyana," Krycek replied. "I'll see everyone later." "What was that?" The Bounty Hunter though. "It feels like we hit something!" He peered around the deserted hallway, waiting for the couple to return. "What were you saying?" He heard Cancer Man say, faintly. He was heading back to his room. "The rats are leaving for higher ground," Lilith's voice answered. "Animals can sense these things. I can sense these things...Lycanthropes are part animal! It's what you call "gut feeling" or "instinct". We just know it's going to happen!" "If what you say is true," her lover replied. "Then how long do we have?" "I don't know for sure," she sighed. "But soon. Within four hours the ship will be fully emerged in water!" "Then we must hurry!" Cancer Man said, turning around. "Wait!" The Bounty Hunter shouted after them. "What?" Lilith shrieked. "Who's there?" "It's me," their friend replied, stepping out from the shadows. "Oh, thank God!" Cancer Man breathed. "You scared the hell out of us!" "Sorry," The Hunter answered. "But I've come here to warn you! The Well-Manicured Man is looking for you both, and he has a gun!" "We'll be careful," Cancer Man told him. "We're going to the deck of the ship. Lilith is afraid we're going to sink. Perhaps you should come along in case." "Alright," The Hunter agreed. "Let's go." "Dana!" the Captain gasped as his niece entered the Bridge. "What are you doing here? And who's your friend?" "What happened?" Scully asked. "We felt the whole ship rock!" "Well, my dear, we hit an iceberg," her Uncle answered, breaking out into cold sweats and turning pale. "Will we be alright?" Mulder questioned. "Well yes," the Captain replied, stroking his beard. "But I'm afraid that I won't be." "What?!" Scully cried. "Why? What's wrong?" "Well," her uncle answered, stroking Scully's hair. "The damage was greater than we first thought. So far two levels have already gone under. I'm so sorry, Dana. The "Titanic" is sinking." CHAPTER SIX~Sinking "In this white wave I am sinking, in this silence" ~Sarah Mclachlan, Silence "Would everyone please remail calm," the crew tried to coax the large crowd of people. "The ship is going down, but if we can do this in an orderly fashion than way will be able to save as many lives as possible. Women and children may board first. The husbands, fathers, uncles, etcetera can wait their turns like gentlemen, and will be escorted to a lifeboat as soon as we can." "I told you!" Lilith whispered to Cancer Man. "I'm sorry for ever doubting you," he answered. "I'll help you find a boat." "No," she refused. "I'm staying with you no matter what! I'll leave the "Titanic" when you do." "Don't do this, darling," he tried to talk her into escaping. "It's too dangerous!" "No!" she cried, throwing her arms around him. "But you could drown! I can swim..." he started, but she pushed her finger to his lips. "Hush!" she ordered. "I won't go without you. Besides I cannot drown. The only way to kill a Lycanthrope is to pierce its heart with silver! The water won't hurt me." "We've got to leave!" Krycek said, grabbing Tatyana by the arm. "The ship is going down!" "Dear Lord," she whispered. "Was that the tremor I felt?" Krycek nodded. "What did we hit?" she replied, still in shock. "A chunk of ice," he answered. "Please hurry! We have to get to a lifeboat fast!" "I'm scared," Tatyana murmured. "Don't be," Krycek answered. "I'll keep you safe." "I won't let you die like this!" Scully shouted, planting her feet firmly on the ground. "You're my uncle and I love you." "You must go," the Captain insisted. "You are young. You're in love! You and this man still have your lives ahead of you!" "So do you!" she replied. "You're the only family I have left since my father passed away." "Oh, my dear child," her uncle sighed. "Then could you at least take comfort in knowing I'll be with him again? There's no hope left for me now. There is for you." "Oh!" she sobbed, embracing him. "I'll miss you so much." "I won't leave your side," he vowed, handing her his Captain's hat. "If you're ever lonely, take refuge in me. I'll be your guardian angel, always watching over you." Scully hugged him a final time, weeping against his shoulder. "We'll still be together," her uncle said. "Now you and Mulder leave. I want you to be happy together." "Have you seen a young woman with long silver hair walking with an older gentleman?" The Well-Manicured Man asked one of the sailors. "Or a young Russian couple?" "I've seen lots of people get on and off. I never noticed what they looked like," he answered. "Besides, they're loading people on the other side of the ship, as well." "Damn it!" The Well-Manicured Man growled. "I've got to find them!" "I'm sorry, Miss, but your friends can't leave quite yet," the assistant explained. "As of now, we're only boarding woman and children." "How about if they take my place?" Lilith asked. "Women and children ONLY," the man stated. "Sorry. But we will get to them." "Never mind!" she huffed. "Oh!!! I can't leave you!" she groaned, turning to her two companions. "Cancer Man, I love you! Bounty Hunter, you're my true friend." "We'll get off of here somehow," he Hunter replied. "I just hope that the Well-Manicured Man doesn't." "Please, help my daughter on first," a high-pitched voice said from behind a pile of bonnets and shawls. "Then she can help me on." "Alright, Miss," on of the crew members replied, helping Tatyana aboard. "Not so fast!" Someone snarled. "That isn't a woman!" It was the Well-Manicured Man. He pulled off the layers of feminine clothing on Tatyana's "mother", to reveal Krycek. "Nice try," the man scoffed. "But I'm afraid you'll have to wait your turn like everybody else." "No he won't," the Well-Manicured Man growled, drawing his gun. "So Tat went overboard, did she?" "Don't touch her!" Krycek bellowed, trying to snatch the weapon from the old man. "You ungrateful bastard!" Well-Manicured Man hissed, shoving the barrel of the gun into Krycek's chest. "This is the thanks I get for helping you escape to America?" "No!" Tatyana screamed, leaping back on deck. "Please..." "That sounded like a gunshot!" Scully exclaimed as they tried to push their way through the crowd. Krycek collapsed to the ground, blood spurting from the open wound. "Arrest him!" the assistant shouted, but the Well-Manicured Man had already vanished. "Tatyana..." Krycek whispered, blood gurgling from his mouth. "Oh Tatyana..." "Someone help him!" Tatyana screamed. "He's been shot." She wiped the sweat from Krycek's face. "You'll be alright. Someone here must be able to help." "No," he moaned. "I don' think I can make it...I love you..." "Don't talk like that," Tatyana sobbed. "You'll be fine. You'll see. We'll find somebody who know medical care." Krycek shook his head. "Just kiss me one last time," he muttered, losing consciousness. Tatyana gingerly put her lips next to his, as the ships lights began to flicker. Red froth smeared across her mouth. "Farewell, my Tatyana," he murmured. "No," she cried, holding onto him. "Please no! I love you too....I love you!" "I'm sorry, the assistant offered some sympathy. "We'll catch whoever did this to him." Tatyana didn't hear him. She was leaning over the railing, peering into the icy waters below. "Now don't do anything foolish, Miss," he tried to say, but she had already leapt over the edge and into the black void. All that was heard was a dull splash. The mighty ship creaked and moaned as it slowly split in two. "I hope our friends are alright," Mulder said, as he and Scully raced to the front end of the "Titanic". "There's no way well get a life boat now!" Scully exclaimed. "People are fighting each other to the death for them! We're never going to make it, Fox!" "Yes, we will, Dana," he answered, as the lights of the permanently blacked out. "Just take my hand and don't let go!" "Oh God, we're sliding!" Lilith screamed, nearly losing her footing. "I've got you," Cancer Man answered, holding her. "Come on, Lil, we're going to survive this!" "How far would you say we are from the ocean?" The Bounty Hunter asked, taking hold of Lilith's hand and inching his way up to the top of the ship. "About twenty feet!" Cancer Man shouted back, the sounds of screams and wailing getting increasingly louder. "Why?" "We could jump," the Hunter answered. "It's too far!" Cancer Man retorted. "The fall alone would be enough to kill us." "We have to cling onto something!" Lilith yelled out through the commotion. The three of them gripped the metal railing tightly with both hands, as the broken top half of the ship stood erect in the water, bobbing up and down for a few moments before starting to lower into the ocean. "Fox!" Scully gasped, forcing her head above the water. "We're alive!" "Find something to hold onto!" Mulder spluttered, trying not to plunge underwater. Scully's eyes scanned the waters for a reliable item that could support her as well as Mulder. "There!" she panted, pointing to a large piece of floating wood. "I think it's the top half of a table!" Scully swam over to it, as Mulder dog paddled a few inches behind her. She crawled on top, water-logged and freezing, then helped Mulder up. Other people around them also grasped onto the wreckage of the great ship. Scully shuddered, as a still figure floated a few feet away from them. She recognised it as Tatyana. "Oh Fox," she sobbed pointing. "Don't look," he told her. "The worst is over." Scully tried to smile and prayed that he was right. "Cancer Man!" a weak voice called out. "Cancer Man! Can you hear me? Please answer me!" He felt a hand on his shoulder, shaking the sense back into him. "I'm fine," he coughed, realising the person nudging him was Lilith. He tried to focus his eyes, still dizzy from crashing into the cold ocean. "There!" he heard the Bounty Hunter say. His friend was gripping a large plank of wood that had once been a door. "This should be able to support us." Lilith threw the upper part of her body onto the piece of oak. "Lilith!" Mulder shouted. She turned around to see her friend. "Thank God you're alive!" she called out to him. "Have you seen Krycek?" "No," Mulder shook his head, too tired to yell back. "I think I just did," Cancer Man choked out the words. The pale, lifeless body of their companion drifted silently in front of them. "Oh Alex..." Lilith sobbed. "Not him and Tatyana..." "He was shot," the Bounty Hunter noted. "Someone must have murdered him before the ship sank." "That's right!" someone cried. "He's never going to get to America now and neither are you!" "Well-Manicured Man!" Bounty Hunter growled as their former boss struggled to stay afloat. He had the gun in his hand, aimed at Cancer Man. "I may not live through this," he said, stroking the weapon. "But I'm not going to let you traitors reach the United States. Nobody betrays me!" ~Sinking 4/4~ By Sasha Wolfe CHAPTER SEVEN~Swim "Swim to the ocean floor, crash to the other shore. Let the water wash over you" ~Madonna, Swim The Well-Manicured Man pulled the trigger, sending a wisp of smoke into the air. The bullet stuck Cancer Man in the stomach and he fell backwards onto Lilith. She let out a screech of rage and horror as her lover lay bleeding in her arms "Bastard!" she shouted to the Well-Manicured Man. He fired again, this time striking Lilith in the chest. She screamed as it crashed through her ribs. "No!" Mulder yelled out, watching his friend collapse. "That's correct," The Well-Manicured Man laughed. "It's silver!" "Oh Lilith, Cancer Man moaned, clutching at his injury. "I'm sorry...I promised to take you to America...I'm so sorry....I'm so sorry..." "It doesn't matter, she whispered back, cradling his head against her breast. "At least..." She was interrupted by a fit of rough coughs. "At least we'll be free..." Her cold, livid lips rested on his for a final time, before they both expired in one another's embrace. Mulder passed out, in too much shock and too fatigued to endure any more. "You murderer!" Scully wanted to shout, but she was too exhausted to make a sound. The Bounty Hunter screamed the words for her. "How dare you!" he growled, glaring at the Well-Manicured Man. "You sick, murdering prick!" "How dare I what?" his adversary snarled back. "They deserved it! Don't you turn on me now, too!" The Hunter propelled his massive body through the water and lunged at the Well-Manicured Man. "Don't touch me!" he demanded, preparing to shoot. The Bounty Hunter tried to steal the gun from the Well-Manicured Man's grip, but he was surprisingly strong for an old man. Finally, The Hunter wrenched it free and tossed it into the waves. "I should have guessed that scum like you would be unfaithful!" the other hissed. The Bounty Hunter pushed him under the water. The Well-Manicured Man thrashed his arms, dragging the Hunter down with him. Scully watched in disbelief and terror as the two men kick about. The fight lasted about five minutes, then all movement from them ceased, and two more corpses floated atop the icy ocean. Mulder slowly opened his eyes to the pale sun that glowed dimly, peeking through the clouds. "Where am I?" he groaned. "On the "Carpathia"," a young woman said, helping him sit up. "You're lucky to be alive, Sir! You and I were the only ones they found alive amidst the wreckage." "Dana!" Mulder gasped, realising she wasn't at his side. "Where is the red-haired woman I was with?" "I'm sorry," the girl said, nearly crying. "She never made it." Mulder felt the hot tears stream down his face. "I know," she whispered, empathetically. "I lost the man I loved. Perhaps we can help each other through this. My name is Rose. Rose Dawson." CHAPTER EIGHT~The Dead Sea "A marbled ocean of steaming ghosts. They bore what's tavernous and told" ~Delerium, Incantation "Mulder," Scully's voice echoed in his ear. "Mulder, wake up." He groggily focused his eyes on his partner. "How are you feeling?" she asked. "You've been in that coma for nearly a day!" "Wh-What happened?" he moaned, sitting up. "Lay back down," she ordered. "You've had a nasty fall. You're in the hospital." The memories came flooding back. He and Scully had been aboard a ship, the Atlantica, searching for a ship which had supposedly been haunted, when it sunk off the coast of Atlantic Ocean. He had fallen overboard. "So you're alive," Mulder smiled, grasping her hand. "Of course I am," she replied, with a grin. "You must have been having some dream!" "Yeah, it was something," he answered, staring into her beautiful sea blue eyes. "Hey, Scully," he questioned. "Do you believe in past-lives." "I think you need to get some rest, Mulder," Scully laughed, hugging him. "I'll come visit you in the morning." Mulder nodded and stared up at the painting that hung on the wall. It was of the ill-fated ship, "Titanic". He was amazed that it only portrayed six people aboard. On the oil-painted deck were two figures, an older man with light brown hair and a woman, her silver hair flying in the ocean breeze. Further down, was another couple, a blonde, strong-faced girl and a young man, holding hands. The final two in picture were a woman with short, wavy red hair and her lover. They were all kissing under the stars as the ship crushed into the infamous iceberg. END