From: elewyiss@earthlink.net (Rachel Carper) 
Subject: Tannhauser (1/?)

As always Mulder, Scully, Skinner, Cancer Man, et. al. belong to
Chris Carter, 10-13, and Fox. And the wonderful actors who give them
life. However, I am giving serious thought to not returning them. I
like them. Most of the Vampire mythology belongs to Chelsa Quinn
Yarbo, along with any vampires you may recognize. I would like to
thank everyone in MPPB for their patients and support and info and
Rhoni Lake for the great inspiration. Please let me know what you
think. Rachel. 

Summary: I saw somewhere, and now I can't remember where, a
challenge for how we'd like to see the series end. Here is my idea.

Title: Tannhauser

Rating: NC 17

Category: Sorta a X File story, but mostly story. 

Author's note: The legend of Tannhauser: sometime in the early
years, we're talking maybe the sixth Pope, a man came out of the
dessert to Rome. He went to the Pope and gave his confession. Upon
hearing the confession the Pope drove the man out of the city saying
there was more chance of his walking staff breaking out in living
bloom than of God forgiving him his sins. The man returned to the
dessert and died three days later. Upon that day the Pope found his
walking staff in a corner covered in living bloom. 

Skinner looked up as Arelle Tannhauser entered his office. She
hadn't changed at all. He looked closely for signs of aging. There
were none. She looked exactly the same. After twenty four years she
still looked no older than thirty. He wondered what kind of surgery
that had required. Actually he was surprised. When he knew her she
had scoffed at the fear of aging. He wondered what had changed her.

He stood and motioned to one of the chairs facing his desk. Not
unexpectedly she ignored him and came around his desk. She stood
facing him. She reached up and caressed his check, then she raised
onto the balls of her feet and kissed him. She stepped back and
looked him over.

"You haven't changed much, Walter."

"Yes, I have," he answered giving her an appraising look of his own.
"You, however, have not."

"I told you I wouldn't."

"Lord, don't start that crap again."

She sighed. "I've come to warn you Walter. There's going to be a
blood hunt and unfortunately you are in the middle of it. The Klan
that calls itself the Consortium has broken Law. They were given
three days to surrender themselves. They have not. I've been sent to
handle the problem. I'm afraid once they know I'm in town they'll
find out about you. I need you to leave town for a while. Here's the
key to my place in New York. You'll be safe there."

He looked at her incredulously. He had never believed any of her
wild stories. Yet here she was 24 years later looking exactly as she
had the day they parted. And now this story. He shook his head. "I'm
not running. What makes you think they'll find out about me? And what
is there to know about me?"

"And people ask why I don't have fledglings," Arelle sarcastically
asked the room at large. She looked at Skinner who had returned to
his seat. "I told you how it was when we first met. We were together
long enough for me to affect you. When you die you'll come over."

Skinner shook his head at her. "I don't believe in vampires and I
sure as HELL don't believe you are a vampire. Even if I did I don't
understand how sexual contact can pass it on. This isn't V.D." 

She sighed deeply and looked at him. "Whatever. I've arranged for
someone to be there with you if I can't. So don't worry. You won't go
through it alone. Right now, however, I need you and," she paused and
pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and read something on it.
"Scully and Mulder to bail for New York. Can you get in touch with
them?"

"Why Mulder and Scully? How are they involved?" Skinner glowered at
her.

"The Consortium has been manipulating their lives. That's one of the
reasons they're in trouble."

She gave him an intense look and continued to hold his gaze for
several moments. Finally Skinner shrugged and turned to the phone.
"Kim ask Agents Mulder and Scully to come up here." He turned back to
her and said "I'm staying. If it's that dangerous you'll need help."

"It's only dangerous for humans. I'll be fine. These are babies. The
oldest is maybe a hundred years old. Nothing I can't do in my sleep."

"If it's that easy why do you want us to go to New York?" Skinner
had a bull dog expression on his face. He certainly didn't believe
her, but he also wasn't going to leave her. Especially if she planned
to face off against the Consortium. She would need someone to watch
her back. Hell, he'd need someone to watch his back. He leant back in
his chair pondering the wisdom of bringing Mulder in on this. Could
he trust Mulder not to go off half cocked? And Scully. He couldn?t
bring Mulder in and not include Scully. He suddenly shook his head.
What the hell was he thinking? A delusional old lover shows up and
orders him off to New York so she can confront a group of men running
a shadow government and he?s trying to figure out ways to cover her
back! He looked up when Mulder and Scully tapped on the door and
entered his office.

Arelle turned from her position at the window and looked the two
agents over. "Agent Scully, Mulder," she said nodding to them.

"Actually I'm Mulder and she's Scully," Mulder sounded annoyed. He
turned to Skinner and asked "You wanted to see us Sir?"

"I did," Arelle stated moving to stand next to Skinners chair. "I
need you three to go to New York. And stay there until I call."

"I'm not running," Skinner stated gaining his feet. He loomed over
the woman next to him, his stance radiating authority and anger. The
woman took her eyes off Mulder and Scully and turned toward him. She
grabbed his tie and pulled his head down to her own glaring at him
fiercely. Scully suddenly realized it was identical to the patented
Skinner glare.

"You are going to New York. You are taking them with you. You will
hole up in my house until I tell you it's safe to leave. You will do
this."

Skinner had been nodding the whole time. She let go of his tie and
he straightened and looked at Mulder and Scully. "Get packed. We're
leaving immediately."

"Um, Sir, what is going on?" Mulder questioned. 

Skinner shook his head and looked at Mulder. "What?"

"Why are we going to New York?"

"Who said we were going to New York?" Skinner demanded.

"Damn hard headed Marine," Arelle muttered. Green eye's locked with
brown in a silent battle , finally Arelle shifted her gaze saying
"OK, I give. You can stay. But you get shot guns. And I mean big
ones. And you shoot to destroy the spinal column. No wounds first. Go
for the kill." With that she turned and stomped off to the couch and
sat down glaring at all three of them. 

When Mulder and Scully returned to the office they found Arelle on
the phone pacing the floor. She had a long pole in her hands and was
spinning it expertly. Mulder paused and watched her perform what he
knew must be a complicated hand change with great ease. He decided
she was much better than the blond Amazon on T.V. Suddenly something
she said caught his attention. 

"Jesus, Roger, your worse than these humans. I do know what I'm
doing. This isn't the first time I've done this. I have held this
position for more years than these people have been here. I am not
underestimating them. Come on. You let me walk into that mare's nest
with Fallan with no warning. He was much older and had a slew of
older fledglings. I'm not saying it's going to be a cake walk. I hate
killing children. But I can handle this and cover the humans." She
paused and listened to the man on the other end of the phone. She
glanced up as Skinner entered the office carrying three large gage
shot guns. He set them next to the three kevlar jackets Mulder and
Scully had just brought up from outfitting.

"I love you too, Roger. Yes, I will be careful." There was another
pause. "You know, you could trust my taste in men." Another pause.
"Your beginning to sound like Groucho Marx. I chose you didn't I?"
Another longer pause. "No he had nothing to do with it. I knew I
would hardly ever see him. I chose it because of you. . . Yeah well I
still think your too sexy for words. . . You will like him. He
reminds me of you. . . I have to go. . ." Mulder watched Skinner who
was looking decidedly uncomfortable. Mulder turned back to Arelle and
noticed her suddenly standing straighter he almost swore he saw her
dip into a curtsy. 

"My Lord. No, I'm fine. . . Yes I have everything under control. . .
No, I really don't need assistance. . . I think, actually it's a lot
like that Kathy situation we spoke of. . . Yes I will. . . Goodbye my
Lord," with that she hung up the phone and turned to look at Mulder,
Scully and Skinner. "Oh, good, your ready. We're going to spend the
night at Skinner's, but first we have to pick up my trunk." 


Mulder shifted in the chair and groaned. He looked over at Scully
and whispered "Hey, Scully? Are you asleep?"

Scully shifted. "Yes. Leave me alone."

There was silence for a moment. "What do you suppose was in that
trunk?" Mulder questioned.

"Clothes."

"It was too bulky for clothes. No, it wasn't clothes. And why did
she need it to sleep?" 

Scully turned over and glared at him. "Mulder, it had clothes in it.
She needed it because unlike you most people change clothes everyday.
Now shut up so I can sleep."

The silence stretched out for almost fifteen minutes. "Who do you
suppose she's looking for?" Scully asked.

"I don't know, but they must be pretty powerful. It sure has Skinner
spooked."

Scully flipped onto her back on the couch. Skinner was acting out of
character. That was one of the reasons she had agreed to stay at his
apartment. She couldn't quite remember the other, but it was pressing.

"When do you suppose they'll fill us in? Mulder? Mulder?!" Scully
leant up on her elbow and looked at him. "He's asleep. That little .
. ." Scully flopped down on the couch and succumbed to her own
overwhelming desire for sleep.

At the top of the stairs a shape moved in the shadows. It slowly
descended the stairs and approached the sleeping figures. It stopped
next to Scully. A ghostly white hand descended and brushed Scully's
hair back. The delicate fingers felt behind her ear. Finding nothing
unusual the hand tipped Scully's head the other way and felt behind
her other ear. Again the fingers found nothing unusual. The figure
straightened. If an expression could have been seen passing over it's
frozen features it would have been puzzlement. The figure turned and
contemplated Mulder's sleeping form. The ghostly figure approached
Mulder. When the hand brushed the hair back Mulder moaned and moved
in his sleep. The figure paused and slowly deepened his sleep. After
a few moments the hand reached out to Mulder's ear. Yet again the
fingers encountered nothing unusual. The hand tipped Mulder's head
and felt behind his other ear. A cloud passed across the moon leaving
any nocturnal viewer the impression that a smile likewise crossed the
wraith's face. "His seal, the eclipse," a voice murmured. The figure
turned and ascended the stairs, slowly lightening the sleep of the
humans as it retreated into the bedroom. 

Mulder awoke to the sound of Skinner descending the stairs. He
stretched out in the chair and rose, following Skinner into the
kitchen where he found him tilting his head from side to side and
rubbing his neck. 

"Sleep wrong?" Mulder asked.

Skinner spun around in surprise. "Must have."

Mulder unobtrusively studied the other man. He was dressed in his
usual business slacks and shirt. He had yet to close his collar and
put on a tie. Mulder squinted at Skinner. A hickey! The man had a
hickey! Now that was shocking. Somehow Mulder had never considered
Skinner as having a life. He turned at a sound from the living room.
He glanced back at Skinner gathering the ingredients for an omelette
from the refrigerator. Mulder muttered something and headed for the
living room.

Mulder found Scully folding the sheets and blanket she had used the
night before. "Hey Scully, you'll never guess what I found," Mulder
whispered conspiratorially. 

Scully looked up from her task and sighed. "No Mulder, what did you
find?"

"Skinner has a hickey," Mulder whispered glancing over his shoulder.

Scully looked up surprised. "Really? Huh. I guess I never thought of
him that way."

"Thought of what?" a voice questioned from behind the pair. Both
gave starts of surprise and turned to see Arelle Tannhauser standing
behind them. Scully glanced from her to the stairs. Unusual, she
thought. She had been looking right at the stairs and she hadn't seen
Arelle on them.

Skinner entered from the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready. I hope
everyone likes eggs. It's about all I can cook."

Mulder and Scully followed him back into the kitchen and sat down.
During breakfast Scully surreptitiously studied Skinner. Yup, there
was a hickey, under his left ear, near the shoulder. Once he buttoned
his shirt it would be covered.

"Isn't Ms. Tannhauser eating?" Mulder asked.

"Food allergies," came the reply from behind him. Arelle plopped
into a chair between Mulder and Skinner. Skinner pushed his plate
toward her. Arelle pulled back and shook her head. "I ate earlier."

When everyone had finished Arelle began clearing the table. "I'll do
this, you three get changed." She glanced at the three. "You can't go
adventuring in business clothes. I am trying to be somewhat stealthy
here."

The three agents trooped out of the kitchen to change their clothes
obediently. They all met by the front door where Arelle smiled at
them approvingly. All were dressed in dark jeans and t shirts and
each carried a flack jacket and shot gun. Gathered as they were by
the door they were shocked at the sound of a knock. The three agents
glanced at each other and then turned to look at Arelle. She looked
back blankly and shrugged. Skinner waved his two agents back and drew
his side arm, passing the shot gun to Mulder. Skinner opened the door
keeping his gun hand out of sight.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

"To come in?" a familiar voice said. 

Skinner backed up a pace and allowed the man to enter. 

"I see the gangs all here," he said sarcastically glancing around.
"Is that for me?" he motioned to the shot gun Mulder had brought to
bear on him.

Turning back to Skinner he lit an ever present cigarette and said "I
wouldn't go if I were you. I don't know what she" he nodded at Arelle
"told you, but you are expected. It would be," he paused "unwise."

"Fuck you," Mulder retorted automatically. He really had no idea
what the man was talking about, but it seemed appropriate. He took a
protective step toward Scully. 

CSM smirked at them. "As I said, you are expected. How do you expect
to go up against the Consortium. After all, I own your soul." He
motioned at Skinner.

Mulder and Scully gave starts and turned to look at Skinner. Skinner
showed no reaction. 

Arelle waved the smoke away from her face and stepped forward. "You
do not own his soul. It belonged to me long before you ever heard of
him. That was one of your biggest mistakes. And of course we're
expected. Don't be a fool. What is puzzling is why they think sending
you will influence me."

She looked CM up and down and shook her head at him.

"Little girl," CM said in his most sinister tone, "You don't know
who you're up against. We have watched presidents die, governments
rise and fall."

"Sonny, we have all watched presidents die. I have seen more
governments come and go than you have killed men. The arrival of some
low life flunky is not going to dissuade me. Now why don't you go
hide somewhere. Being an unwitting stooge is not against Law. Aiding
and abetting Them is."

CM laughed. "Haven't you learned yet?" his gaze swept the three
agents. "They are above the law."

Arelle stepped up to him, invading his personal space. Mulder
noticed CSM shift uncomfortably. He took another drag on his
cigarette. Arelle reached up and grabbed his cigarette crushing it in
her hand. "They are not above my Law. I AM the Law. This is your last
chance. If you are there when I arrive you will die with the rest.
Call your masters and tell them. The Wrath of the Judicator is
coming."

Mulder simmered on the ride down the elevator. Finally as they
approached the car he burst out, "Care to tell us what the hell we're
getting into?"

Skinner stopped in the act of opening the car door. He looked across
the roof at Arelle, who sighed and turned to look at Mulder. "If you
haven't guessed by now, I have been sent by the council to exact
justice. The group who calls itself the Consortium has broken Law.
They were tried and sentenced three days ago. I am here to serve the
verdict."

"Which was?" Scully questioned.

"Death to all parties involved."

"Wait a minute. Just who is the Council and what right do they have
handing out death sentences?" Mulder demanded belligerently. 

Arelle looked at Mulder and then at Scully. "The council is a group
of elders, myself included. All disputes and violations of law are
brought before us. There is a meeting where evidence is heard and
then the council passes judgment. That is the way it has always been,
and the way it always will be."

Mulder shook his head at her. "I don't understand. How did this
council get its power?"

Arelle looked at Mulder and sighed again. She seemed to be doing
that a lot this trip. "Can we get in the car please?"

Skinner proceeded to unlock the car and everyone got in. Once
settled Mulder demanded "Well?"

"The best way for me to describe it is to compare it to feudalism.
The Consortium has broken their pledge of fealty. Now it is time for
their overlord to demand payment."

"Well that's giving it a noble face" Mulder sneered. "Why are we
involved?"

"Because you bear the mark of my master, and Skinner is mine." With
that she turned and began to give Skinner directions for leaving the
city.

"So when were you going to tell us we were up against the
Consortium," Mulder demanded almost an hour later. He had spent the
time brooding over the situation. There was something distinctly
weird about Arelle Tannhauser. She spoke of a governing body above
even the Consortium. He had always placed the Consortium at the top
of the conspiracy, the ones who controlled Them. So where did that
place Tannhauser? And what had she meant when she told CSM that she
had owned Skinner's soul long before CSM knew of him. Did that mean
Skinner was working for her? or the agency she worked for? If he was,
why had Skinner made that deal with CM. And what was that hypnosis
thing in Skinner's office? Tannhauser had somehow convinced Skinner
to go to New York. Simply by staring at him. And from her remarks it
had been harder to do than she had expected. 

Mulder gave a start when Skinner replied "Would you prefer to go to
New York?"

Mulder was forming a stinging retort when he noticed Arelle staring
at him. She had a half smile on her face as if she could read his
thoughts. For some reason the scar behind his ear itched. Mulder
raised a hand and rubbed the small crescent. Arelle's smile grew and
she turned back in her seat. Mulder tried to grasp the lost thread of
his thoughts but could not find it. 

Scully looked at Mulder puzzled. It wasn?t like him to drop a
conversation so easily. Especially since it concerned Them.

"Why would our choices be limited to helping and going to New York?"
Scully questioned. 

"Because those are the only two places I can be sure you'll be safe.
Unfortunately the Consortium is not above using you as hostages,"
Arelle answered.

"So our lives are important to you?" Scully continued her questions.

"Part of the job I have been charged with is to keep you both alive."

"And Skinner?" Mulder broke in.

"I took on that responsibility long ago."

Skinner turned and glared at her. He opened his mouth to make a
retort but then snapped it shut. His gaze returned to the road. Why
did she think she needed to protect him, he wasn't a child.

In the back seat Mulder's mind drifted to the large trunk Arelle had
brought with her. Despite what Scully said he was sure it didn't
contain clothes. And what was in the car trunk? When they approached
Skinner's car earlier he had noticed the rear end was hanging a
little low. As if something of moderate weight was in the trunk.
Mulder continued to puzzle it out. 

Beside him Scully contemplated the passing scenery. She wondered
what CM had meant when he said he owned Skinner's soul and why.
Arelle Tannhauser had disputed it. Scully wondered a little uneasily
about where exactly Skinner's loyalties lay, and what she and Mulder
had gotten into.


After several hours Arelle turned to Skinner and said "Take the next
exit. We're going to stop and see a nephew."

Skinner gave her a puzzled look but exited as requested. Following
her directions he pulled into the parking lot of a very elegant
restaurant. Turning off the engine he gave Arelle a smug look.
"Hungry?"

"Not really, but I thought you might be. And I'll be able to talk to
Frank without arousing too much curiosity."

The group exited the car and proceeded into the restaurant. At the
Maitre De Arelle looked around and asked "Is Frank in?" Looking the
group up and down the Maitre De assumed she was trying to receive
service by pretending to know the owner. Calling her bluff he said
"Yes, I believe he is."

"Would you mind telling him his Aunt is here?"

Now convinced the young woman in front of him had lost her mind, or
at the very least was high on something, the man picked up a phone
and spoke into it for a few moments. Much to his surprise the owner
agreed to come out of his office and meet the woman.

Arelle watched the Maitre de with some amusement. Used as she was to
people's reaction to her youthful appearance and causal dress, this
was as dressy as she usually got, this reaction was the norm. She
turned when she heard a concealed door to her right open. The agents
with her also turned.

Mulder saw a man slightly older than Skinner appear. He seemed to be
about Mulder's height, but had Skinner's build. His full head of hair
was graying around the temples and his face was rugged. His brown
eyes lit with joy when he saw Arelle. He threw his arms wide and
called "Aunty!!"

Arelle threw herself into his arms calling "Nephy. Your looking
good. New love?"

"Well, you know. Man can not live on food alone." 

Both chuckled and then Frank turned toward the small group behind
Arelle. "So, which one has Roger in such a twist?"

Arelle chuckled. "Frank meet a cousin, sorta, this is Fox Mulder,
his uh, hmm, partner Dana Scully." 

Frank shook their hands and raised an eyebrow at Arelle. "Mishka's?" 

"No, just claimed."

"Ah."

The three FBI agents exchanged puzzled looks. This was the second
time Arelle had mentioned Mulder as property. He wondered uneasily
what she meant, his mind drifting to his deal with the alien Bounty
Hunter. Then Frank approached Skinner saying "That would make you
Walter Skinner. It's nice to finally meet you. Your something of a
legend in the family. It's been so long since Arelle had someone. So
to speak."

"Well, Jeez, Frank. That's embarrassing. Any more secrets you'd like
to toss out?" At his negative shake she said "Well then how about
feeding us?"

"Of course. Francois, the best table for my favorite Aunt."

"I'm your only aunt, Frank"

"Your still my favorite."

Francois' attitude had undergone a miraculous change upon learning
that the young woman was actually related to his boss. He seated the
group with much fan fare and a waiter appeared out of nowhere. He
took drink orders and returned with their drinks plus two very dark
glasses of red wine for Arelle and Frank.

Mulder no longer containing his curiosity asked "Who is Roger?"

Scully immediately kicked him under the table, he turned a puzzled
look toward her. Correctly interpreting the by play Arelle smiled.
"Roger is an old, old friend." 

"Lover," Frank corrected.

"Not in years, you know that. But he does get a little over
protective at times."

"Oh, and you don't? I remember that whole Kathy dust up."

"She was a bitch. She may not have killed him, but she tried her
hardest."

"You were just jealous."

Arelle flushed and cast Frank a cold glare which must be the source
of the patented Skinner glare. "How would you know? You where just a
neophyte then. And the bitch tried to turn us in to the Nazi's. You
can't tell me she did that out of love."

"No, more like fear. Those were frightening times."

"You survived."

"Not really."

The approach of the waiter broke the argument between the two.
Mulder filed the information away for later examination. Frank looked
too young to have been more than a toddler during WWII, and he was
having trouble believing Arelle was out of diapers at the end of Viet
Nam.

Small talk reigned at the table while the group awaited the arrival
of their food. Once the food arrived the conversation lagged. Skinner
noticed that neither Arelle nor Frank ate. He found that a little
unsettling. Arelle turned to Frank and asked in a hushed voice "Any
word from Mishka?"

"He said most of the prey is at the horse farm, but to expect some
defection into the city. He'd watch the offices."

Arelle nodded and thought for a few moments. "What kind of weapons
will they have?"

"Crossbows."

Arelle looked up startled. "Crossbows? Are you serious?"

Frank chuckled and nodded. "Too much Stoker. Who are these clowns
anyway?"

"You remember Herr Gottomyer?"

"Gestapo?"

"That's him. I don't know who whelped him, but they did a piss poor
job. I kinda feel sorry for him. No clue how to go on, and no one to
tell him."

"He was still a mistake. Who in God's name was dealing with the
Nazi's?"

"Just because we come from an honorable family doesn?t mean everyone
does."

Frank snorted. He watched Dana Scully eat for several moments and
then shook his head. He turned his gaze to Skinner. He seemed to be
contemplating something. Finally he turned to Arelle and in a voice
too low for any other to hear he asked "Have you told him?"

"Yes. As soon as I realized I wanted to be with him. He didn't
believe then. I don't think he's willing to believe now. He has a
strong mind, not easily influenced. He will be good."

Frank nodded and said "If you can not, I will be honored to help him
during the change. But the other two?"

"Mulder is the son of an old love of Mishka's. He claimed him in the
name of our master. Although they have not worked it out, the woman
is his and falls under our protection."

Frank nodded and the two returned to the conversation at the table.
When everyone had finished the small group returned to the car. Frank
walked them out. At the car he turned to Arelle and asked "Do you
have everything you'll need?"

Arelle smiled at him and replied "Yes. I brought everything. Don?t
expect us unless something goes really wrong."

She kissed his cheek and watched him reenter the building. Then she
turned toward the agents and said "We're off to the horse farm. We'll
probably only find mid -levels and fledglings. However, that doesn't
mean they won't be dangerous. Especially if they're armed with
crossbows."

"Crossbows?" Skinner looked startled. "Is that a problem for you?"

"Not for me, but your vests won't hold up."

"We'll be fine don't worry," Skinner assured her. 

"That's my job," Arelle smiled and got into the car. "We're off the
highway from here. Go left out of the parking lot." 


"At the next dirt road hang a left," Arelle instructed. After making
the turn down the forested road Arelle began to search the trees.

"There. Pull in between those two trees and drive straight back.
We'll wait here until dark."

Mulder looked at his watch and wondered how they would spend the
next three hours. He hoped it would include a briefing of what they
where up against. He had spent the ride from the restaurant trying to
process the conversation he had heard at lunch. What had Frank meant
when he asked Arelle about Mishka. Who was Mishka and when and how
had he claimed Mulder? And what was causing the scar behind his ear
to itch. It had never bothered him before. Since meeting Arelle in
Skinner's office it had itched almost constantly. At lunch he had
hardly been able to keep his hand off it. And the whole Nazi thing
confused him. For Frank to have fought in World War II he would have
to be close to seventy now. Frank didn't look much over 40. There was
no way he could still look that young not even if he did use Dick
Clark's plastic surgeon.

Skinner brought the vehicle to a stop and everyone exited the car.
Arelle seemed to be searching the forest around them. She circled the
car slowly scanning the trees. She stopped occasionally and tipped
her head as if listening to something intently. When she completed
her circle she addressed the Agents. "Ok, I guess I'd better fill you
in. I have a floor plan of the house and alarm system in the trunk. I
also have the guards schedule. From what I can tell from the reports
if we wait until dark they'll have a false sense of security."

"Why?" questioned Scully.

"They think the night gives them added strength. Especially at /the
midnight hour/," her voice dropped and took on an eerie tone at the
end.

"Do they?" questioned Skinner skeptically.

"No," Arelle laughed. "Not hardly. But they like to think so, and it
will keep them underestimating us. Which is how I like it." 

Arelle held her hand out for the keys. Skinner dropped them into her
hand and she turned to the trunk. Mulder decided to use this
opportunity to see what she had hidden in it.

Arelle opened the trunk and reached in for several long rolls of
paper. Mulder noticed about a dozen canvas bags which seemed to be
stuffed with something. Mulder counted eight white bags and four
brown. Staring at the bags an impossible thought occurred to him. No,
that was too weird, even for him. Still . . . 

"Native earth?" Mulder half quipped.

Arelle closed the trunk with a snap. "Some"

"And the rest?" Mulder questioned, surprised at having received an
answer.

"Texas," was Arelle's short reply. Skinner's head snapped up and he
glared at her. Now what was she up to, he wondered.

Skinner looked around the woods and called Mulder over. "I'm gonna
scout the area to the north west, you take the south east." 

Mulder nodded and started off into the woods. Scully noticed an
amused look on Arelle face but she did no more than shake her head
and smile. Scully considered being insulted at the macho bull shit,
even the unthinking kind, but then decided to ignore it. Instead she
decided to use the time to gain some information and hopefully head
off the wild idea she knew was forming in Mulder's mind even now.
Moving over to stand next to Arelle she questioned gently.

"Why were you picked for this assignment?"

"It's my job. I was given the position long ago when the old
Judicator left. He had chosen me, and trained me. In a few more years
I suppose I will choose my successor and train him."

Scully stood considering the woman in front of her for several
moments. There was no way this woman could have been that old a lover
of Skinners. The man had only been divorced for over a year, and she
was sure he had remained faithful during the marriage. Yet the two
talked as if their relationship was many years old. Scully sighed
deeply and decided the best approach would be the direct approach.
Something she hadn't used much since teaming up with Mulder. 

Jumping right in she asked "You know Mulder thinks your a vampire?"

"How do you know that?" Arelle questioned.

"I know how the man's mind works. Believe me. His brain is clicking
over with every old legend, theory, and piece of folklore he has ever
heard of or read about."

Arelle chuckled. "Good luck to him. I find that none of that has
much base in reality. Of course like all things there is a grain of
truth in everything. But as I'm sure you have found working with
Agent Mulder a grain of truth can grow a crop of lies."

Scully looked at her blankly for a few moments. "So you aren't
denying that you are a vampire?" she asked incredulously. 

"Would you believe me either way Agent Scully? After all, you are
the skeptic, the devil's advocate. That's one quality I have always
admired about you."

"Just how long have you been watching us?" Scully demanded.

"Someone has been watching Mulder from the beginning. When his path
crossed with Walter's I made it my business to know what was going
on. Finding that out included knowing about you as well."

Scully shook her head and leant against the trunk to consider that.
As she did so Arelle began to search the car for a tape to listen to
while she waited. "Oh, God. I AM NOT listening to Jimi Hendrex. One
would think after twenty odd years the man's taste would improve.
Jefferson Airplane, Janice Joplin, the Doors. You'd think the man
would have something by an artist whose still alive. Aha! The Stones.
Most of them are still alive. The ones who haven't crossed over I
mean."

Scully's head snapped up and she glared at Arelle. Arelle caught the
look and smiled. "Just a joke."

Scully decided to believe her. Get a grip on yourself Scully. You
can't believe this stuff. There is no such thing as vampires. Yeah,
and four years ago you said there was no such thing as aliens. But I
never thought my boss was an alien. My partner maybe. . .

Scully began pacing as she continued to argue with herself. She
noticed Arelle had turned on the car to listen to the radio. Good.
That way the battery wouldn't run down. 

This woman was not a vampire. There was no such thing. They were
monsters from some legend turned into a book by some poor fool on
opium. No, wait, that was Mary Shelley. Either way this was
impossible. And only a few facts were pointing that way. Nope, she
would not fall into that hole. She just wished there was someone to
talk to about this. 

Arelle sat in the car and listened to Walter and Mulder stomping
through the woods. She had turned on the radio to try and drown out
the noise they were making. If any of the Kindred were up they'd know
someone was here. Hopefully none of them had been taught how to scent
for Others. Damn. All that noise was wearing on her nerves. Never one
to fight the inevitable, what Mishka called a hold over from her serf
days, she had not tried to stop Walter from searching the woods. Even
though she had done a much more thorough job when they had first
arrived. 

To distract herself she watched Agent Scully fighting with herself.
Being a product of the modern age Scully was not willing to believe
that the legends could be true. That was a blessing most of the time.
In the age of belief it was hard to hide. Now no one believed and
hiding in plain sight was easy. One still had to take precautions
about holding onto property too long, but if one was careful . . .

Poor Scully. She was really fighting it. She didn't want to believe
and the evidence was not overwhelming, but if it was not true, what
was she doing here? Arelle wondered if she should have denied
everything. She didn't want these people to walk into a warren with
no idea of what they were getting into. Walter still didn't want to
believe, but that was due more to his attempts to deny his change.
Mulder was close to believing, unfortunately he was filled with
misinformation and that was more of a danger than Scully attempting
to find proof. 

At this point Mulder and Walter returned to the car. "All clear,"
Walter said. Looking at Arelle siting in the car he said "Turn that
off. We don't want to alert them to our presence."

Arelle turned the tape and car off and stood. "Believe me, they
couldn't have missed the noise you and Agent Mulder were making.
Lord, you would think you two were elephants. I could have told you
it was clear if you'd asked."

Arelle reached over and handed the compound plans to Skinner and
moved off to stand in front of the car, her eyes searching the forest
where Mulder had just appeared from. After a moment she began to
wander into the woods. Skinner looked up from the plans he had spread
on the trunk and watched her. For some reason he knew she could take
care of herself. That certainty had been growing in him all day. He
had also felt as if some forgotten memories were trying to come back.
It wasn't the same feeling he had gotten when he had experienced
flashbacks from Viet Nam. He glanced down at the plans and began
framing a plan in his mind. Soon his whole concentration was focused
on the plans and he didn't notice the passage of time. After he had
the basis for a plan of attack his concentration lapsed to the point
that he noticed Mulder and Scully arguing. His eyes slid past them
into the woods. He began to wonder where Arelle had gone. After her
snide remarks about all the noise he and Mulder had made he thought
she would avoid them. He decided to go look for her.

Leaving Scully and Mulder alone to continue their argument over the
existence of vampires, Skinner started off into the woods where he
had last seen Arelle. In the Marines he had developed a talent for
tracking people through the thick jungles. It had come in useful
several times in the past. Skinner scanned the area carefully,
searching the brush and fallen leaves for signs of disturbance. He
could find none. He searched again crouching on the ground. 

"Looking for me?"

Skinner jumped and fell over. He turned to look at her. He
immediately jumped to his feet rushing to her in some concern. There
was a whole in her left shoulder, the blood flow from which had
almost stopped. Her face was pale and her eyes appeared red-rimmed.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"I went to scout for a path to the compound. I met a guard. Nothing
important, don't worry."

"He saw you. He must have altered others."

"No. He thinks he was just aimlessly shooting into the woods. He
won't tell anyone else."

"How do you know?"

"That's what I told him."

"And that will work?"

"Look Walter, I know you don't want to believe, but trust me." 

Skinner sighed. "Yes, I'm beginning to. Will you be able to handle
things tonight? Don't you have to . . . recover?"

"I won't be at optimum strength, but I'll still be able to do the
job."

"We can hold off another night, go in during the day. Give you a
chance to sleep on . . . " Skinner stopped when he realized what he
was saying. Lord, he was beginning to believe. More of what she had
told him was coming back to him. He knew that sleeping on her native
earth would strengthen her. 

"We can't afford to wait. We have to be in New York tomorrow." 

"Is there some other way for you to recoup?" Skinner shifted from
foot to foot as he watched her. She had stripped off her shirt and
stood in her bra. She was using the shirt to clean the wound in her
shoulder. He was not seeing anything he hadn't seen before, but for
some reason he was becoming sexually aroused.

"Um, wouldn't feeding do the same thing?" he asked nervously.

"Yes." She looked up at him smiling slightly when she saw his unease.

"So why didn't you, um, use the guard?"

"They would have missed him. Besides, it's not just the blood. Don't
you remember? It's the emotion as well. And each emotion taste
differently. Fear is on of the strongest, but it has an unpleasant
sour taste. Probably where the saying "the sour taste of fear" came
from."

"Are there any other emotions that would work?"

"Oh, yes," Arelle slowly walked towards him. She stopped directly in
front of him. Her eyes held his as she slowly began to unbutton his
shirt. "There is one, stronger emotion."

"Uhh," Skinner's ability to articulated seemed to be headed south
with his entire blood supply. Some sort of sexual aura seemed to be
coming off Arelle in waves. 

Slipping the shirt off his shoulders she drew her hands down his
arms. She ran them up the sides of his waist and then across his
chest. "The French call it petit mort for a reason."

She backed him into a tree and sank to her knees. She reached up and
undid his belt. She looked up at him as she unbuttoned his pants and
pulled both the jeans and his white boxers down to his ankles
effectively hobbling him. That disquieting thought floated into his
mind only to be pushed aside as her tongue flicked his erect head.

Arelle lapped at his head as she worked one shoe off. With her task
completed her hands drifted up his legs. She began to caress the
insides of his thighs her thumbs caressing the inner juncture. She
opened her mouth and swallowed all of his shaft. Her hands moved
again so one was braced on the tree behind him and the other cupped
his balls. She began to caress them, almost rolling them. Skinner
took a deep breath and tried to relax.

Arelle's hand left his balls and pushed his legs further apart. She
raised her mouth to just his head and lapped again. Skinner pushed
his fingers into her hair. Her mouth slid down his shaft again her
lips a tight circle. This time she lightly scrapped him with her
teeth on the up stroke. Her hand moved between his legs again and one
finger slowly began to enter his body. He had forgotten how good she
was. His fingers tightened in her hair as he controlled her pace. She
followed his lead using her lips and teeth to manipulate him. He gave
a sudden lunge forward when her finger found his prostate. The
movement would have gagged most women but it only caused her to
increase her movements. She brought her hand away from the tree and
cupped his balls again. The finger inside Skinner was stroking his
prostate constantly now. When she felt his balls tighten Arelle moved
her mouth from his shaft to his inner thigh, licking the pulsing vein
there. Just as she heard his intake of breath and felt his balls
tighten in release she slit the vein and began to suck and lap at the
blood.

Arelle lapped the blood, letting it trickle down her throat. It had
a sweet full taste she had never experienced in life. Madeline often
compared it to the rich deserts of her youth in the Sun King's Court.

Arelle felt the liquid slid down her throat, it left a tingling
sensation as it settled in her loins. A warmth began to spread there
and she felt her inner muscles begin to contract. Her heart sped up
and she felt her feet and hands tingle. She stopped lapping and
pressed her lips over the small incision and began to suck. She
pulled the salty liquid into her body prolonging the excitement. Her
loins began to feel heavy and her inner muscles began to twitch and
spasm. Arelle felt Walters thigh muscles weaken and she reluctantly
drew back, slowly lapping and then stopping completely. Skinner felt
his orgasm roil through his body. They always seemed more intense and
lasted longer with her. The tingling, burning joy lasted until he
felt the muscles in his thighs spasm in over exertion. Arelle pulled
back as his knee's gave out and he sank to the ground. He slowly
opened his eyes to look at her. Her lips were an unnatural red and
her eyes were completely gold, no other color visible. Skinner put a
hand behind her head and pulled her forward for a deep kiss. As his
tongue passed over her lips he felt her elongated canines. He rubbed
his tongue across them. With some surprise he felt them move
perceptibly. Startled he pushed up on one tooth and heard her gasp.
He pulled back.

"Did I hurt you?"

She muttered something he took to be a no and pulled his head down
again. This time he played with both canines feeling her shudder and
move closer to him. After several moments he had to breakaway for a
breath.

"Boy Walter that was great."

He looked at her slightly puzzled. "Um, you didn't get anything."

"I told you, once you cross over it changes. Your pleasure is mine."

Arelle stood and turned. "You better get dressed. Mulder and Scully
are coming."

Skinner had his pants on and was reaching for his shirt when Mulder
and Scully entered the clearing, their shot guns up and ready.
Skinner raised a brow at them and put his shirt on. He looked over at
Arelle. She had cleaned all the blood off her shoulder and held her
bloody shirt in one hand and Skinner's shoe in the other. 

Seeing the blood Mulder took a protective step toward Skinner. "Are
you all right Sir?"

"I'm fine Agent Mulder." Skinner noticed both agents had turned
their guns on Arelle. She held her hands away from her body.

"Don't worry. It's my blood."

"I don't see any wounds," stated Scully.

"I'm a fast healer. Would you mind if I went back to the car? I
should have a clean shirt in the trunk." She slowly moved out of the
clearing toward the car. As she passed Scully she handed her
Skinner's shoe.

Once Arelle had left the clearing Scully approached Skinner. She
handed Mulder the shoe and began to exam Skinner. She tilted his head
and pulled down his shirt collar to look at the hickey she had
noticed that morning. The bruising had faded and there was only two
small bumps suggesting spider bites. She pulled on his lower lids to
examine his eyes, then her fingers moved to his carotid artery and
felt the strong steady pulse there.

"Want to explain this to me?" Skinner asked waspishly when Scully
stepped back.

"Sir, if you expect us to believe in vampires you have to expect us
to take the appropriate precautions. You were both gone for almost an
hour." Scully snapped back. "And when we arrived her," Scully
motioned in the direction Arelle had taken "eyes were completely red."

Mulder stood off to one side with Skinner's shoe dangling from his
fingers. He watched the stand off between Skinner and Scully with
some interest. He had often wondered what would happen if those two
ever became involved in a verbal war. Mulder knew there were
instructors from Quantico who stilled avoided Scully, and recently he
had heard a rumor about Skinner driving one of his Quantico
instructors to suicide after one of his verbal barrages. 

Brown eyes and green met in a silent battle of wills. Neither
willing to give an inch the starring dragged on for several minutes.
The stare was finally broken by Mulder clearing his throat. Both
combatants turned their lethal glares on Mulder.

"Don't you think we should head back?" he questioned jumping
slightly at thier dual glares.

With one final scathing glare Scully turned and walked back to the
car. Skinner sighed and allowed his shoulders to slump. The decision
to include the two agents may have been a mistake.

"Don't worry Sir. She always get's this way when faced with proof."

Skinner turned toward Mulder and held out his hand for his shoe.
"Proof?"

"Yeah, as soon as she's faced with something science can't explain
she gets really cranky. You should see her at the laundry mat when
she loses a sock."

Skinner paused in the act of putting on his shoe. "Mulder, did you
just make a joke?"

"Yea. Did you get it?" came Mulder's slightly sarcastic response.

Skinner sighed again. "I guess neither of us are known for our sense
of humor."

"Naw. But think, when we get back to the office no one will
understand us."

At Skinner's puzzled look Mulder explained. "All those vampire
jokes. You know, like What's a vampires favorite song?"

Without waiting for a reply Mulder happily said "Fangs for the
Memories."

Skinner winced and headed for the car. "Let me guess, you've got a
million of them."

"Well, maybe not a million, but at least several hundred thousand." 

 Arelle looked up from the trunk when Scully came crashing out of
the woods. She looked startled as Scully came up to her. Arelle
looked at the other woman standing before her as waves of anger
washed over her. 

"I don't know who or what you are, nor do I care. But those men are
important to me and if you hurt either of them I will kill you." 

"I believe you."

"I want to know what is going on and who you are."

Arelle looked over Scully's shoulder and began to speak. "My name is
Arelle. In the days of my life we had no last name. Or none like you
do today. When I was fifteen a stranger and his man servant came
through our village. Well it wasn't really a village, more like a
hovel. Anyway my father sold me to him. It was all very strange. The
Lord came to me and asked if I wanted to go with him. Imagine, a Lord
caring what /I/ wanted? Well, I had meet the man servant and liked
him so I agreed. I was with them for about a year traveling around
Wales with them before Roger and I began our affair. Soon after that
I began to have dreams about the master. I told Roger about them and
how they disturbed me, and they stopped."

A twig snapped in the woods. Scully turned and saw Skinner and
Mulder standing in the trees several yards away, Arelle did not seem
to see them. She sighed and continued with her story. "To make a long
story short I was with them for about fifteen years before I died and
entered this life. I had been with them two years when we where
stranded in a small village in what is now Germany. The Elders there
thought my Master practiced the black arts and we were running from
them. They had shot the Master and he was bleeding badly. That was
when they told me what his true nature was. I offered my help, but he
refused. He said continued exposure might make me like him. I said
that was fine." She heaved another sigh. "In the end he was forced to
use me. After that he only came to me when he had no other choice,
and he always made me think it was a dream. I think it was his way of
respecting what Roger and I had. He knew as soon as I changed Roger
and I could no longer be lovers. And I was not really his type. He
preferred educated women and I didn't learn to read or write until I
died."

Ending her story Arelle turned and walked toward the other end of
the car. Skinner walked over to the trunk where the plans were,
calling Scully and Mulder over. Arelle lent against the hood
listening to their plans.

"What are you going to do with the humans?" she asked.

Skinner looked up surprised. "What do you mean?"

"There are only about twelve. I can put them asleep for about six
hours, so we'll only be facing kindred, but after that what?"

The agents looked at each other and began discussing their
alternatives. By the time they came up with a viable plan and had
begun it's execution it was time for the attack. 

Arelle approached the agents and said "OK. Follow me, and this time
try to be quite."

The agents put on the night vision goggles and followed Arelle into
the forest. Having scouted the way earlier she moved without
hesitation. True to her word when they arrive the compound was
littered with unconscious bodies. Scully went to the nearest one and
checked the carotid pulse, she nodded to Mulder and Skinner. Skinner
nodded toward the door and made several hand signals. He looked up
startled when he heard Arelle giggle. In a voice that sounded in
their heads she said, "Don't worry about it, they already know we're
here. They're waiting inside for us. Stay behind me and remember
where to shoot. And DO NOT look into their eyes. Especially you Agent
Scully."

With that they began to move toward the building. The compound was
within sight of a large palatial home. In the distance one could see
a large horse barn. The building toward which they moved was low and
almost windowless. It looked like a bunker of some type. The metal
door opened under Arelle's touch. She raised an eyebrow and smiled.
As she entered the building the Agents cocked their guns and spread
out behind her.

Suddenly Arelle stepped to the left and seemed to pluck an arrow out
of the air. A laugh rang out eerie and hollow.

"A woman! They sent a woman!"

At the other end of the hall three shadowy figures appeared. 

"Where are the others?" Arelle demanded.

"How many of us do you think it will take to defeat you?" the man in
the middle asked derisively.

Arelle began to move forward and said in a voice which seemed too
large to come from her small frame "I am the Judicator, fear me. I am
Justice, rue me. I have come for you. I am the Avenger, come to me."

Suddenly a figure darted out of a room on her right. Arelle simply
raised her arm and grasped the figure by the neck. With a quick twist
of her wrist she broke it's neck and tossed it aside. The three
humans behind her only saw a flash of movement and heard the crack.
Arelle moved forward again.

"You are fools. You have been taught nothing, you follow as sheep.
You never thought to ask or to think about your actions."

"Arelle!" Skinner shouted as he pulled the trigger. Another figure
had come from behind her. The blast from Skinner's gun blew its head
clear off, the body dropping to the ground without a twitch.

 Arelle advanced on the triminutive at the end of the hall. An eerie
laugh again echoed in the building. Mulder wasn't sure if it came
from Arelle or the other three. The one on the left took a step away
from the group, trying to make the area Arelle had to cover wider.
None of the combatants seemed concerned with the humans.

"Do you really think one woman and a handful of humans can stop us?"
demanded the one in the middle. From his position and tone Scully
presumed he was the leader. She raised her shot gun and took careful
aim at his head. A voice suddenly rang in her head. "Put the gun
down."

Scully lowered the gun and stood there. For some reason she felt
compelled to do as the voice directed. It was like Model, only
different. Her mind wandered away from the situation at hand as she
contemplated this.

"DANA!" a voice rang out. Scully snapped back to the present and
looked around. Both Mulder and Skinner had their shot guns trained on
the men at the end of the hall.

"Dana, pick up the gun and concentrate," the voice said. It was her
father's voice. She immediately felt comforted and safe. It didn't
seem to matter that she was facing three crazed psychopaths, or that
she was beginning to believe in vampires.

"Concentrate Starbuck. Don't let them distract you. Pay attention,"
her father instructed her. 

"Put the gun /down/" a voice suddenly rang in her ear.

Scully momentarily considered complying but then she felt that
comforting presence with her again. "She's stronger than you, even
with your powers," her father mocked the three at the end of the
hall. Scully saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and pulled
the trigger. Mulder jumped as the shot passed him and the sound
echoed in the room. At the end of the hall one of the fledglings head
exploded and shards of skull were driven into the wall. 

Arelle was now within reaching distance of the last two. One rushed
her and she turned to look at him. The three humans at the other end
of the hall felt an oppressive weight settle on them and all movement
at the end of the hall appeared to be happening in flashing black
light. The fledgling who had rushed Arelle now lay on the floor
grasping his head and moaning. The next thing visible to Scully was
Arelle grasping the one remaining fledgling by the neck. Suddenly she
sucker punched him and allowed him to fall gasping to the ground. She
pulled her leg back and when Scully could see again it appeared as if
she had kicked him in the face. Another black spot occurred and then
Scully saw the two struggling. Arelle laughed and with a swift jab
she pushed her hand into his chest. 

Mulder watched in fascination as Arelle pulled the fledgling's heart
out and held it up in front of his face. Mulder saw the man (it?)
blink and the next thing he knew he heard the tell tale snapping of
bones. Arelle turned towards the humans and the strobe effect ended.
The three blinked several times and Mulder noticed Skinner was
leaning against the wall. A snide remark formed on his lips until he
felt the wall against his own back. 

"Are you all ok?" Arelle asked with concern.

The three nodded and turned to look back down the hall. Mulder
realized that at some point Arelle had broken the neck of the one
fledgling who had been writhing on the floor. The three agents turned
and followed Arelle as she passed them. They swiftly left the
compound and entered the woods.

"Things are going to start moving quickly from here on out." Arelle
informed them.

"Now things are going to start moving fast?" Mulder questioned
incredulously.

"Yup."

The small group moved silently through the woods when Mulder
suddenly asked "Hey, you know what song vampires' sing to frighten
their children?"

Before Arelle could explain that vampires couldn't have children he
began to sing "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me
happy when skies are gray . . ."

Arelle turned towards Skinner as he got into the drivers seat and
said "I'd rather listen to Jimi Hendrex."

Skinner turned and glared at Mulder. "Mulder, if you don't stop I
will shoot you."

Mulder stopped in the middle of singing "Drained Wops Keep Falling
on my Head" to ask "What, you didn't like that one? How about "I'm
getting Buried in the Morning"

"It's not the God awful puns I mind so much, it's the singing,"
Arelle said loudly. Scully looked up from her study of the darkened
window to see Arelle gripping her ears.

"Mulder!"

"Ding dong the . . . huh?" Mulder stopped mid song.

"Stop it," Scully told him.

"Oh, ok."

Arelle slowly uncovered her ears, after she was sure the singing had
stopped she asked "How did you do that? Walter and I have been trying
for the last hour."

Scully glanced at her watch. "Has it been that long? I was lost in
thought."

"Agent Scully, how did you shut him up?" Skinner demanded petulantly. 

"I'm frightened of her" Mulder said from his seat.

"I am your superior," Skinner reminded him.

"Yeah, but she /shot/ me."

"Only once?" Arelle inquired incredulously.

"Hrumph. No respect," Mulder muttered and sank down in his seat.

After another hour Arelle turned to Skinner and asked "Would you
like me to drive? You could get some sleep."

"I thought you couldn't drive," Mulder questioned gently moving a
sleeping Scully into a more comfortable position on his shoulder.

"I can drive, I just don't have a license."

"Trouble with pictures?" Mulder inquired.

"Something like that."

Skinner pulled to the side of the road and switched positions with
Arelle. Soon Arelle was the only one awake in the car. 

Searching the highway ahead she slowly eased the car up to a
hundred. Her increased night vision allowed her to see any police
vehicles in plenty of time to slow to the appropriate speed. The time
alone also gave her the opportunity to formulate her plan of attack
in New York. It would be safest if she and Mishka handled the problem
alone but she wanted Walter to see what she would be training him
for. She had brought the earth just as a precaution. She knew she
could keep Mulder and Scully alive but in doing so she could
compromise Walter's life. Being Kindred his safety came after the
humans. 

The threat they faced in New York was much greater than the one they
left. These were the Masters. Although young, babies almost, they had
been trained. These Kindred would know what and who was coming for
them. They would also know how to scent and track them. Kevlar
jackets would not help the humans. Nor would holy water and crosses.
The creatures Arelle was about to face knew which of superstitions
were correct and which parts were warped by human interpretation. She
sighed and reviewed her options. She could leave all three humans at
her brownstone. But then the whole reason for involving Walter in
this would be missed. She could leave Mishka in charge of Mulder and
Scully. That would mean facing the Consortium with only Walter as
back up and that would be foolish in the extreme. She could allow the
three humans to accompany them. That course would be more foolish
then trying to face the consortium alone. Arelle knew she would have
to find some way to make Mulder and Scully stay at the brownstone.
She could use the mind magic, but she would need all her powers of
concentration and the physical distance between the brownstone and
the Consortium was just too great to be effective. Arelle knew as
soon as they woke Mulder and Scully would follow them into a
deathtrap at the Consortium. Perhaps she could just tie them up. Old
fashioned but effective. She would have to come up with some story to
tell Walter. She was still contemplating what to tell him when she
pulled up in front of the brownstone.

Arelle stepped out of the car and immediately scented Mishka, he had
brought someone with him. Arelle stood almost invisible in the night
gently sniffing the air. It was a male, a human male. He carried
Mishka's scent heavily on his person. Mishka's new lover. Arelle went
around the car and gently woke Mulder and Scully. She knew Walter had
awoke as soon as the car had stopped. As he stepped from the car
Arelle carefully scented him. She relaxed when she realized most of
the scent she had left on him form their earlier encounter was gone.
Hopefully the Consortium would be too busy to notice. Mishka would
not fail to notice but he had never exhibited jealously of any of her
other fledglings.

"Yeah, all one of them," Arelle muttered to herself derisively. 

Mulder stretched cat like and noticed Arelle watching him. "What?"

Arelle laughed, "You are going to drive him nuts."

For some reason Mulder knew they were talking about sex and he took
a protective step towards Scully. Only he wasn't sure who he was
trying to protect, himself or Scully.

Arelle unlocked the door to the vestibule and then punched in a
security code opening the inner door. Closing the door behind them
Arelle called "Mom, I'm home!"

Skinner saw movement on the stairs in front of him. He immediately
brought the gun up and took aim. The figure continued down the
stairs. "Stop right there," he said in his coldest voice.

The figure on the stairs stopped and looked up. It could barely make
out the figures back lit from the diffuse street lights. "You chose
the wrong house to break into my friend."

"I don't think so. Now move slowly down the stairs." Skinner waved
the shotgun motioning the man into a patch of light. 

Standing in the light the three humans saw what Arelle had first
seen on the stairs. A man of about forty, dressed in suit slacks and
a white shirt, open at the throat. He was just under six feet, had
dark hair and a chiseled face. Perhaps it was the FBI training but
the three agents knew immediately that this man was a lawyer.

"You know why sharks don't eat lawyers?" Mulder questioned. 

"Professional courtesy," a voice responded from the darkened end of
the hall.

Everyone turned to look in the direction the voice came from. The
man on the stairs gave the agents a look as if to say "Now your gonna
get it."

"Don't encourage him Mishka," Arelle commanded.

Mishka came into the hall and motioned toward a door on his left.
Arelle nodded toward the room and the humans reluctantly moved into
the room Skinner keeping his shot gun aimed at the lawyer.

Mishka switched on a floor lamp bathing the room in dim light
allowing the lawyer to see the intruders for the first time. Once
able to see Mulder recognized the man immediately. 

"YOU!" he yelled bring his gun up and taking a step forward. 

"Easy Mulder," Arelle instructed. "He's on our side."

"He tried to kill my mother."

"I saved your mother," Mishka stated. "You work for them."

"Does the term undercover mean anything to you?" Mishka asked his
tone laced with sarcasm. Taking a closer look at Mulder he exclaimed
"My God! He looks just like his father. Amazing. I wouldn't have
thought his gene's had the stamina."

Mulder angrily stepped back out of reach and demanded "You knew my
father?"

"Yes. I knew both your parents. I was sorry to hear of William's
death."

"Um, Mike, I take it you know these people?" Simon asked trying to
diffuse the situation. Taking a close look at Arelle Simon exclaimed
"Christ. She looks just like the portrait."

Skinner glanced at the portrait over the fireplace briefly. He had
seen it before; of course at the time he hadn't believed Arelle when
she said it was an original Proswiath. That famous portrait painter
had been popular during Queen Elizabeth the First's reign. Scully
moved forward to study it closely.

"It's very good," she told Arelle.

"Thank you. It's what I use on my passport. It's ok Walter. He's
safe."

Skinner lowered the gun and continued to glare at the man in front
of him. 

"Mishka?" said Arelle requesting an introduction with that one word.

"Simon Hoffman, this is Arelle. Arelle this is Simon."

Arelle nodded and said "Walter, Fox and Dana," pointing to each in
turn.

"Mike, would you please explain what these people are doing here in
the middle of the night?"

"This is the business I told you I had to take care of. You stay
here with these three and Arelle and I will be back in a few hours."

"No!" Mulder and Arelle stated together. Mishka turned to look at
the two. 

"Walter is coming with us," Arelle said. Mishka knew better than to
argue when she used that tone of voice so he simply shrugged.

Mulder walked over to Arelle and stood directly in front of her.
"Listen you haemophagic bitch, this may be my last chance to find out
what happened to my sister. And no one, not you, or him, or any of
them is going to stop me."

"Got his temper too," Mishka said to Skinner who simply nodded. He
had met Bill Mulder once.

"Fox, we will find out what happened to your sister and let you
know. But you can not come. They would smell you a mile off. And I
can not protect you there. You and Dana stay here."

"No!"

"I'm sorry," Arelle said quietly and then Mulder, Scully and Simon
felt an oppressive weight on their minds and they passed out.

"Help me tie them up," she said to Skinner.

"Is that really necessary?" Mishka questioned.

"When he wakes he won't come looking for you?" she questioned. 

Mishka looked at Simon for a few minutes and then sighed. Once they
had the three tied up they left the brownstone carefully setting the
alarms and safe guards as they went.

Arelle handed Mishka the car keys and got in the back seat. In the
front Mishka and Skinner seemed to be sizing each other up. Whatever
Walter had been expecting it wasn't this man. He was thin and this
gave the illusion of height but Walter knew he was only about 5'10.
He had blue eyes which seemed to look through you. They weren't
piercing but almost unfocused, as if the owner couldn't be bothered
to truly observe what was going on. What really surprised Walter was
the man's goatee. Although he had never taken any of Arelle's stories
seriously he had made a study of vampire folklore. From what he had
read growing hair, even facial hair, was not possible. He sighed,
apparently he had a lot to learn.

Mishka watched the man next to him. He understood what Arelle saw in
him immediately. He exuded an air of authority and competence, two
characteristics Arelle found most appealing. And he was tall and good
looking. Very good looking. He resembled Frank, except for the hair.
Mishka wondered if all Saint Germain's get were attracted to the same
type of man, Arelle and Madeleine certainly had similar tastes.

The car drew up in front of an office building and the three exited
the vehicle. Arelle and Mishka stood on the sidewalk briefly scenting
the building. Mishka turned to Arelle and asked "Six or seven?"

"Five Kindred. Three humans. All must die. They are spread
throughout the building. Walter, try to stay close and when in doubt
shoot."

"You could try missing me," Mishka added.

Skinner nodded and gently patted each on the back. He followed the
two up the stairs watching the two glow in the dark Mr. Ick faces he
had picked up at the last gas station. When they reached the entrance
to the building Mishka shoved the door open snapping off the locks
and hinges in the process. 

As soon as the entered the building Walter felt Arelle pull him off
his feet and set him down behind her. Skinner could see a light trail
move in front of him and heard the unmistakable sound of bones
breaking. He sensed rather than felt movement to his left. Skinner
turned bringing the gun up as he did so. He pulled the trigger and
heard a body hit the wall. 

"Two down and one to go," Mishka said as he grabbed Skinner's arm
and led him toward the elevator. 

Upon entering the elevator Arelle pushed the button for the top
floor. The machine did not respond. Suddenly Mishka began to
levitate, he thrust his arm threw the false ceiling and grabbed
something pulling it down. Mishka snapped the woman's neck and tossed
her in a corner. For some strange reason the elevator worked and
began to carry them upward. 

"Why is the elevator on?" questioned Arelle.

"It's safer for them if we're in an elevator. They can control it
from the outside," Walter explained. 

As he spoke the elevator came to a sudden stop between floors. The
doors began to open, and the three inside pressed themselves against
the front wall. A shot gun barrel entered the doors and a shot was
fired. Arelle grabbed the barrel and yanked half pulling the man
holding it into the elevator. Skinner turned around and opened the
control panel. From the emergency light he was able to see the wires,
using the knowledge he had gain from his time on the streets of
Austin Skinner began to hot wire the elevator. It suddenly gave a
lurch and began to move upwards. There was a scream as the man caught
in the elevator doors was summarily cut in half. The three stepped
back away from the mess and Skinner heard one of the other two gag.
He glanced up trying to determine which of the centuries old killers
was queasy. From the look on their faces it was both of them. 

The elevator stopped and the doors opened. When nothing happened
Mishka glanced around the doors down the hall. Seeing nothing he
cautiously moved down the darkened hall toward the end. Something
flew out of a room on the left pinning Mishka to the wall. He turned
and faced glowing red eyes and bared fangs. He struggled with the
vampire facing him trying to keep both the hands and fangs from his
throat. Mishka was surprised at the strength this one displayed, he
had been expecting weak fledglings and that assumption was about to
cost him his life. Spots began to dance in front of his eyes as he
felt a hand begin to squeeze around his neck. Just as he lost
consciousness he felt the pressure ease.

Skinner shot the man in flight after Arelle pulled him off Mishka.
He moved across the hall to where Arelle knelt next to Mishka. "Is he
ok?"

Arelle sighed and gently stroked Mishka's face. "Besides you I only
have Mishka. For some reason I never find anybody special enough. I'm
not complaining, I just want you to know how special Mishka is. When
this is over, I'm sure you two will realize how little you have in
common. You'll probably end up hating each other. But after I'm gone
you'll only have each other. When you cross over you'll realize the
special bond we share. You'll be able to "feel" Mishka or I miles
away. You'll be able to spot other Kindred. It's like a large
extended family. I wasn't joking when I said Frank was a nephew.
Cling tight to the ties. They will keep you alive."

With that Arelle stood and walked purposefully down the hall. Lights
began to go on as she passed under them, some bulbs blowing and
showering her in sparks giving her an angelic look. Skinner crouched
next to Mishka and felt for a pulse. After a moment he realized how
silly that was. Realizing that he now accepted that there were
vampires and he was one Skinner slowly sank to the floor and leant
against the wall. Moments later he jumped to his feet when he heard
the sounds of a great struggle coming from down the hall. He stood
next to Mishka undecided. Arelle's speech worried him, it was almost
as if she expected to die. Lost in thought Skinner jumped when he
felt something grab his ankle. Skinner glanced down at Mishka keeping
his gun aimed down the hall.

"Go after her. Protect her," Mishka instructed. "Little brother." He
added with a slight smile.

Skinner nodded and headed down the hall. He stealthily entered the
anti- room at the end of the hall. He found a body on the floor. The
man was dressed in an expensive suit and covered in blood. He
twitched and attempted to crawl toward the door. Skinner blew it's
head off without pausing on his way to the board room to his right.

They stood in the consortium's inner office. Arelle faced the man
from the end of the board room table. He laughed at her softly. "They
sent a child for me? And you think HE will protect you?" His hand
motioned toward Skinner who was now standing half a step behind her.

She smiled at him and moved around the table towards him saying
nothing as she moved with quite grace. Skinner felt if he had blinked
he would have missed it. The older man actually gave ground in front
of her. He suddenly shook his head realizing what he'd done. The
older man's eyes changed, they became gold. Skinner had seen her eyes
do this, just before she fed. The older man reached out a well
manicured hand and attempted to grab her around the throat, his
fingers grasped air. She had not seemed to move, yet he had missed.
His hand shot up and she grabbed his wrist squeezing tightly. Skinner
could hear the bones snapping from across the room. She jerked his
arm bringing him to his knees. "Age and experience is not always
visible. I have been doing this since before the government you work
so hard to destroy was ever thought of." 

Arelle applied more pressure to his wrist and brought her other hand
up around his neck. "Tell me about Samantha Mulder. Where is she?
What have you done to her?"

The man laughed and glared at her futilely attempting to jerk his
arm free. "We did nothing to her. If you want the truth you will have
to ask her parents. But they will never tell you. The only on with
the truth is Agent Mulder, and he has buried it."

Arelle studied the man intently. Skinner began to feel light headed
and dizzy as he watched the two. Suddenly Arelle nodded and gave a
sudden twist of her wrist, when she released him the man fell to the
floor truly dead. 

"Come, we must get Mishka and head back."

In the hall Skinner and Arelle helped Mishka stand and walk toward
the elevator. "Will he be all right?"

"I'll be fine once I feed; and Simon will be waiting for me," Mishka
responded as he attempted to adjust his cracked neck. "What about the
nicotine reeking human?"

"Don't worry, he's long gone." Arelle replied.

Next to her Skinner sighed. "I was looking forward to killing him."

Mishka laughed. "Little brother, I may actually learn to like you."

"Don't call me little brother."

Next to the two men Arelle smiled as she listened to the two bicker.

"Mishka, what did Gottomyer mean when he said the truth of Samantha
Mulder was with the parents and buried with Fox?" Arelle questioned.

Mishka was silent for several moments before responding. "Bill
Mulder was a good looking young man. And he knew it. If he was a
woman he would have been termed a tease. He loved to flirt with
everyone. He could be very exciting," Mishka paused, "He had a great
mouth. He also had a temper. Violent. After a short time I knew he
was not right for us. I quietly ended the relationship. A few years
later I heard he had married. A young woman of his class. Well to do,
same religion and approved of by his parents. I worried about her.
Bill's temper could be explosive. I went to check them out. I stood
outside their house and listened for days. I finally heard a fight.
After that I did not worry about her. She knew how to handle his
temper and could hold her own."

Skinner sighed. "I was afraid it was something like that. Mulder
must have that night buried deep. He's going to kill himself trying
to bring the memories to the surface." He proceeded to tell them of
Mulder's attempts to recover his memory.

"A doctor actually thought drilling a whole in his head would help?"
Arelle asked in shock.

"You will have to help him remember," stated Mishka. Next to him
Skinner nodded.

"Have you considered the results of pulling this memory out? If it
is buried this deep there is a reason for it. To pull it out may do
permanent damage to his soul and psyche."

"And not knowing will drive him to ever more desperate lengths,"
Skinner pointed out. "Mulder is obsessed. I think it will do more
damage to not try and find out."

"I agree. I owe it to him. And his father."

Arelle sighed and turned to watch the city go by. When they pulled
up outside the brownstone she winced. "They're not too happy with me."

Mishka smiled as he too heard the curses coming from the house. "I
hadn't realized Simon was so inventive."

Skinner understood what the other two were talking about as they
entered the house. Both Simon and Mulder where shouting curses and
threats. For some reason each was blaming the other for their
predicament.Upon entering the living room Skinner saw that his agents
had been able to free themselves from their chairs but not the ropes
securing their wrists and ankles. "Interesting past time you have
Agent Mulder," he quipped.

Mulder rolled over and glared at Skinner. "Untie me."

"I think that might be unadvisable at the moment. Perhaps we should
wait until your temper has cooled," Arelle said stepping back when
Mulder swung his legs around in a futile attempt to knock her to the
ground.

"Mike, this is not funny," Simon snarled.

Mishka got an evil look on his face and turned to Arelle. "Wait for
me," he instructed picking Simon up and carrying him up the stairs.

Arelle sat on the sofa in front of the fire and looked at the others
arrayed in front of her. "We may be awhile."

"Untie me!!" demanded Mulder through clenched teeth.

"Sir?" Scully said in a cold voice. 

Skinner shrugged and drew his knife as he approached his two agents.
Arelle leant back and enjoyed the view as Skinner bent to cut the
ropes sighing as he rose. Mulder immediately stood and advanced on
her.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

"I'm sorry Fox, they didn't know."

Mulder stared at her blankly and then turned to look at Skinner for
confirmation. He nodded and put a hand on Mulder's shoulder. "I'm
sorry. They really didn't know. "

Mulder slumped onto a chair and stared at his hands tears gathering
in his eyes. Scully sat next to him and reached out and took his
hand. Mulder looked up at her and said "I've lost her. After all this
I lost her again. Why can't I ever keep her safe?"

Scully put her arm around his shoulder and held him offering what
comfort she could. Skinner cleared his throat and looked at Arelle.
She reluctantly nodded her head and Skinner said "Don't give up hope
yet. They did tell us you would know."

"How? I can't remember. I've tried everything." Mulder's desperation
sounded in his voice.

"Arelle should be able to help you remember," Skinner stated.

"How? I've seen every type of doctor and hypnotist available. How
will she be able to help?"

"Mind magic. The same way I'm able to put you to sleep and control
the actions of the weak. With your cooperation I should be able to
help you remember."

Mulder perked up. "Let's do it then."

Arelle shook her head and said "Not now. We promised to wait for
Mishka."

Mulder slumped back down and was getting ready to say something more
when they heard an excited shout. Everyone looked to the door as more
words of encouragement were shouted from above stairs. They looked at
each and burst out laughing. Arelle laughed so hard she slide off her
chair onto the floor "I see, um I mean hear, that Mishka has not lost
his touch."

Everyone had subsided into giggles when they heard Simon scream
"Down with the Briefs!!!"

"Um, oh, my," Scully gasped between burst of laughter.

Skinner cleared his throat and tried to think of some "brotherly"
comment to make when the two returned to the room. 

When Mishka returned to the room it was to find everyone staring at
him. "What?"

Skinner looked at Mishka and raised one eyebrow. He was surprised to
see Mishka blush and look away. Skinner smirked and shoved him in the
shoulder. "So where is Simon?"

"He's," Mishka paused looking for the right word, "indisposed."

"Oh, is that what it's called?" Skinner questioned.

Mishka whirled around and glared at Skinner who just returned the
look with a smirk. Turning to Arelle he asked "Have you explained to
the young one what must be done?"

"We were waiting for you," Arelle replied. 

Mishka explained to Mulder what was going to happen as he got him to
lay down on the couch with his head in Arelle lap. 


"Just relax Fox," Arelle said stroking his forehead and tipping her
head back against the wall . She could feel herself enter Fox's
memories and slowly walked away from the light she had emerged from.
She eased slowly through the morass that were his childhood memories.
He struggled vainly against her. These memories were deeply buried.
Again she wonder at the wisdom of this. If it became too much, if she
faltered one bit she could loose him, he would fall swiftly into
irretrievable madness. Although the landscape was bleak and brittle,
it shone like ice. What little light there was was reflected and re-
reflected off dozens of surfaces. Arelle watched where she stepped
intently, the slightest jar would cause everything to break and fall,
like trees encased in ice. 

"HELP!" a young male voice cried out. "Dad! Help! No stop. I didn't
do anything."

She followed the voice through the bleak landscape. Suddenly she was
in a room. It was a living room. There was a shape, it was violently
beating a young boy, about 12 years old. Suddenly a young girl ran
into the room.

"NO! Leave him alone," she cried as she ran at the shape. It turned
towards her still holding onto the boy's arm. It threw the boy across
the room and began to beat the girl. She tried to run but after a few
minutes the struggle went out of her. The boy rose from the floor and
raced for the closet. The gun, his father's gun, that would stop it.
The shape saw what the boy was trying to do, it threw the girl across
the room sending her headlong into the TV set. The boy turned toward
the person pointing the gun, he saw the girl hit the TV.

"NO!!" The boy dropped the gun and ran to his sister. The shape
slowly took form and began to coalesce. It slowly turned into a
person, one the boy recognized. It was . . The being reached out and
hit the boy once more, the blow knocking him senseless.

The woman calmly looked around the room and checked her person for
blood. Finding none she headed next door to play bridge with her
spouse and the neighbors.

The boy drifted into and out of consciousness. When he began to
waken he knew he had to get to his sister. She needed him. Finally he
shook himself awake. He saw that a man was back. There was a bright
light coming in the front door and the man was carrying his sister
out the door. The whole time he worked the man kept glancing past the
boy at the haze of cigarette smoke, muttering "Your fault. This is
all your fault. I told you to protect her. I told you not to leave
her alone" The boy saw the man put his sister in the car trunk and
drive off. The boy tried to stand; he eventually reached the phone
and called for help. 

The police and his parents arrived at the house about the same time.
As the police questioned the boy his father glared at him from across
the room. Finally the police asked him what he remembered. The boy
said "I saw a bright light and then they took my sister away." His
father relaxed. The next day his father announced that the family
would never speak of the incident again. The boy pushed the memory of
the beatings he and his sister suffered so far down it was nearly
impossible to pull them out.

Arelle slowly approached the boy sitting in the dark. She put her
arm around him and sat next to him. "It wasn't your fault. You tried
to save her. You did the best you could and Samantha knew it. Look,
she's waiting for you."

The boy looked up from her embrace and saw his sister standing a few
feet away from him. Samantha smiled at Fox and held out her hand. The
boy rose and took her hand. "I love you Fox. You did your best, no
one could have saved me. It's time to let go and forgive yourself. I
never blamed you. You know I'm always with you." 

With those last words the young girl began to fade away. As soon as
she had shimmered out of sight the boy began to sob. Arelle felt
herself ripped out and pulled back. She sat up with a jerk to see the
overly bright living room of her New York townhouse. She placed a
hand over her eyes and almost whimpered "Lights."

Mishka immediately turned out the low light and helped her stand. At
the couch Scully had a hysterical Mulder wrapped in her arms as she
rocked him. Skinner reached out a hand to steady Arelle who stumbled
into him. "Come on, I'll take you to bed."

"What a good idea," Mishka said turning to follow them out of the
room.

Skinner supported Arelle up the stairs and down the hall to what he
remembered as her room. Although the decor had changed the large
draped platform bed was the same. Skinner swung Arelle up into his
arms and placed he on the bed. Arelle grasped his hand and gently
tugged smiling at him. Skinner climbed up into the bed pulling the
curtain closed behind him.

"You've had a rough day," she said.

"So have you. What did you do to Mulder?"

"Extreme mind magic. some can do it, others can't. For whatever
reason, I can enter human's dreams and memories." Arelle yawned and
stretched out on the bed asleep almost instantaneously. Walter pulled
her into his arms and gently followed her into sleep.

Arelle awoke to the feel of someone gently rubbing her back. She lay
on her stomach enjoying his manipulation of her muscles. She sighed
and stretched turning over to face Walter. She smiled at him and
reached out to stroke his shoulder.

"Hungry?" she questioned.

"No, but I was hoping you were."

Arelle glanced down his body to his raging erection. She laughed
softly and pulled his head down. "I always loved breakfast in bed."

Arelle immediately opened her mouth to Walter's kiss. He lay down
next to her one leg thrown over her body, his erection bumping into
her hip. Walter thrust his tongue into her mouth and began to rub
against her canine's. He felt a slight give and began pumping them.

Arelle gasped and turned into his body. Her hands wandered down his
chest to his nipples. When she had first met him Walter had been like
most young men his age. He had been embarrassed by his enjoyment of
her manipulation of his nipples. Now he seemed to have outgrown his
embarrassment. Arelle lent forward and took one nipple into her mouth
and suckled. Walter grunted and dropped a hand down her body.
Reaching the juncture of her thighs he was surprised not to encounter
moisture. Her skin was smooth and dry. He drew his head back to look
into her eyes. He rolled her onto her back and studied her face. At
the stilling of his hands Arelle opened her eyes to look at him.
Walter relaxed when he saw her eyes glowed a warm gold. She smiled at
him and pulled his head down. 

"Do that tooth thing again," she requested. 

Walter chuckled for a moment and then sobered asking "If we do this
won't I hurt you?"

"No. But if your worried about it there's lube in the table."

Walter smiled and reached through the curtain. After a few moments
of fumbling he encountered a tube. He pulled it back into the bed.
Arelle took it from him and squeezed a large amount into her hands.
She warmed it for a moment and then applied it to his cock. She used
the opportunity to slowly stroke him. She reached lower and grasped
his balls gently massaging them and tugging on them. Walter groaned
and lent down to take one of her nipples in his mouth. Arelle waggled
her shoulders dislodging his mouth. Skinner looked up at her and she
passed her tongue over her teeth. He smirked at her and moved up her
body. Again he kissed her deeply gently pushing her unnaturally
extended canines back into her jaw. He felt her moan into his mouth
and move under him feverishly. He positioned himself between her
thighs. He began to slowly penetrate her and then slowly pull back
out. Arelle wrapped her legs around his hips and dug her heels into
his ass. She surged upward embedding him fully in one swift motion.
Walter groaned. She was as tight and hot as he remembered. Her
muscles clenched him as he slowly withdrew. 

Arelle slide her legs down Walter's until her ankles were wrapped
around his. She wrapped her arms around his waist and slowly eased a
well greased finger into his ass. She slowly began to make circles
deliberately missing his prostate. Walter groaned and increased his
pace. The friction he felt was incredible. He had never encountered
anyone as tight as Arelle. It felt as if a velvet glove gripped him
and tugged against his back stroke. Arelle broke the kiss and began
to kiss and lick his biceip. She laved the pulsing vein. She slowly
slit the vein, one small drop of blood welling out. Arelle pressed
her lips to the tiny wound.

Walter gasped and increased his pace. He felt as if every nerve in
his body was straining for something, his senses reaching overload.
Arelle suddenly brought her finger to his prostate pushing on the
gland gently. Walter felt as if he hit a wall of pleasure, every
nerve in his body had found what it was searching for and exploded in
a riot of pleasure. He threw his head back and groaned loudly, nearly
shouting his pleasure.

Arelle slowly withdrew her finger and gently lapped the small drops
of blood until Walter collapsed on top of her and then rolled to one
side. Arelle rolled on top of him and gently wiped the sweat from his
face.

"That was some breakfast. Thank you."


Skinner followed Arelle down the stairs and into the dinning room.
He held her chair for her before siting down. As soon as he was
seated an older woman in a gray uniform entered and placed a full
plate in front of him.

"Mrs. Curtis, this is my brother Walter," Mishka said.

Mrs. Curtis nodded and smiled at Walter. "Mr. Drakon."

Walter smiled at her but did not correct her. After the woman left
Skinner studied his table mates. Both Mulder and Scully were eating
with healthy appetites although both looked as if they had not slept.
Mulder's eyes were red rimmed and he had bags under them. Despite
that he looked years younger, as if a great weight had been lifted
from his shoulders.

Simon was practically shoveling his food down. Skinner studied the
man before him inquiring "Sleep well?"

Simon swallowed and answered "Yes, thank you. I slept like the dead."

Mishka and Arelle made choking noises before looking down into their
coffee cups.

"Exercise will do that to you," offered Arelle, causing the three
humans to choke on their food and cast each other amused looks.

"What's the clean up plan?" questioned Skinner.

"That was handled while you were," Mishka paused and shot Skinner a
glance, "exercising."

Mulder and Scully glanced between the two and then looked at Arelle
who simply smirked at them. Mishka tossed another older brother look
at Skinner and continued "The Director has been informed of Agent
Mulder's tip which led the three of you to the Militia headquarters.
Upon finding them deserted you were able to trace them to the Dawes
building where you confronted them and had to forcibly subdue them.
Unfortunately the one you were able to take alive committed suicide
while in police custody. He hung himself this morning."

"Impressive. Covers all bases, and sounds almost plausible" Skinner
said after some contemplation.

"Hey, what are big brothers for?" At ten o'clock the small group
gathered on the front steps. Arelle had removed her earth from the
trunk but had left the Austin earth there. She had given Skinner
directions on what to do with it.

Mulder slowly approached Arelle. He cleared his throat and swallowed
heavily. "Thank you for . . " he paused, "I don't remember it all,
perhaps I never will, but at least now I know."

Arelle reached out and hugged the young man. "Grieve Fox. And let
your friends help. Not just in your search."

Arelle turned and smiled at Scully and then turned to Walter. "If
you ever need anything call this law firm," she handed him a guilt
edged card. "They will always be able to find me. And keep the house
key. You can use the townhouse anytime."

With those final instructions Arelle stepped back from Walter
distancing herself from him in many subtle levels.

Mishka stepped forward and pulled Skinner into a tight bear hug. "Be
careful. I'm beginning to like having a little brother."

Skinner surprised himself by returning the embrace and saying "You
too big bro."

The three turned and climbed into the car and drove away. On the
stoop Mishka put his arm around Arelle watching the car drive away. 

"You chose well," he said and then sighed "You know what they really
need is a sunset."

Arelle looked at Mishka and punched him in the shoulder asking "Are
you sure your not his father?"

 

 THE END