Title: Lead Them Home (1/1) Author: Ms. AM Email: ALMowry@pathway.net Spoilers: AF/W&W/TINH/DA Archiving: If you like it take it away. Rating: NC-17 Category: V, A Keywords: MT, MSR Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me, sigh, I'm only borrowing them. Summary: He looked down and saw a small figure with red hair flying behind her half-running toward him. She was holding her stomach with one arm-- Authors Notes: Thanks to D for beta-ing for me and her memorable comment "But Mulder's already back..." *G* Lead Them Home (1/1) They tortured him for six days. He remembers that they stripped off his clothes and subdued him with bruising fingers and blows to his ribs. He remembers floating, drowning in a thick syrupy mass, something snaking down his throat and later gasping for air when it was removed. He remembers being sprayed with a liquid that made his skin burn and itch, having drops put in his eyes that impaired his vision. Something was pushed into his ears, puncturing his eardrums; every sound was now muffled and indistinct. He remembers stumbling against a large object, being forced down and held immobile as worse than clinical hands tugged at his penis. With no response, the touch, the hands softened--began stroking and caressing--trying to arouse. A face hovered above his own, soft lips touched his, silky hair tickled his face, his neck. "Mulder," her voice whispered against his ear. "Scully?" "Yes, it's me... I love you." The illusion vanished; he knew she wasn't there. It was a trick, nothing more. The real Scully couldn't seem to bring herself to say the words he longed to hear. He shook his head and began struggling against his captors. He was flipped onto his stomach and the table beneath him shifted, changed. His chest and lower legs were supported even as his legs were splayed out wide. What felt like a thick condom was placed on his penis and then his buttocks were spread apart, a cold gel spread on his anus. Then something--a finger? A tube?--burrowed inside. Mulder knew what was going to happen, it was inevitable. He attempted to get away anyway and got his head slammed into the table as punishment.. The finger prodded, his erection was instantaneous and his orgasm so violent he blacked out. His sight was slightly clearer when he awoke, half- sitting-half-reclining in some kind of chair. It was textured and bumpy, almost scaly like the barnacles that cling to the bottom of boats. It seemed metallic yet was moist and leathery. He wasn't sure if he was sweating or if it was.... He heard a humming, felt the chair vibrating--breathing.... He gasped at the first pressure on his ankles and wrists and screamed as something pierced around and through his muscles and tendons, scraped and burrowed into his bones. Unconsciousness claimed him before the bars finished their journey to imbed themselves back in the chair. Mulder's blood trickled from his wounds and painted the chair in stripes of red.... Six days and nights of torture then one day of healing, only to have the cycle repeat again. * * * * * They put needles into his face, stretching the skin. A long metal clamp was driven into his nostrils while they drilled his soft palate. He was choking on his own blood and saliva and thought he felt another tube going down his throat, but he couldn't be sure--the blackness was already beckoning. Mulder didn't know how much time had passed--days, weeks, months, perhaps years--the pain was foremost in his mind. Once though--once--he had felt *her*. So near, so close to him. He yelled out her name. "SCULLY!" And again. "SCULLY!" She couldn't hear him though and, moments later as crystal needles penetrated his eyes, he cried tears of blood at the emptiness he felt. They were cutting his chest open again when the entire world around him shuddered. His hearing was still muffled, but he thought there were explosions. He flinched when he felt a hand stroking his forehead. "Get him out of here." Then a woman's voice spoke to him. "Agent Mulder? Don't be frightened, everything's going to be okay." The same voice spoke to him again. "Agent Mulder--Fox--I know where you are now is free of pain and you would like to stay, but you're needed...." * * * * * * He was on the beach again. He watched the couple with their arms outstretched. The toddler between them took short, wobbly steps from one parent to the other and he felt at peace with the sounds of the ocean crashing near him. He wondered why he hadn't dreamt of this place, this scene for so long. His musing was cut short by the arms that slinked around his neck, the press of soft breasts against his back. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back with a small moan when lips closed over his earlobe and her soft voice rumbled through his ear. "What are you doing, Mulder?" Her lips traveled down his neck and back up to his jawline. Little open-mouth kisses, followed by kisses where her lips just moved from left to right and back. It wasn't until her tongue flicked out and licked his skin and he felt the nip of her teeth that he turned his head and kissed her fully. Pulling back, panting lightly, Mulder began to point. "I was just watching...." And he realized he was sitting at the desk in his apartment. "Watching what, Mulder?" Scully questioned, amused. He shook his head, clearing it before twisting and grabbing Scully by the waist, tumbling her onto his lap. She was wearing some silky, cream-colored pajamas which he quickly pushed the top of up and out of his way. Scully's back arched in pleasure the moment Mulder's lips caught her right nipple, drawing it into his mouth. Sucking and releasing.... Sucking and releasing.... "Oh, Mulder," she groaned as his head came up, her nipple leaving his mouth. He gazed into her eyes and mischief danced in his own as she zeroed in on the glistening drop of saliva coating his bottom lip. "Well, Scully--right now--I'm watching you," he said. He pinched her nipple before finger-walking down her stomach and sliding beneath the waistband of her pajama bottoms. His hand cupped her mound and one finger slipped between her lower lips, sweeping up and down her heated flesh. Mulder's middle digit plunged inside, finally, as he began to dig the heel of his hand into her clitoris. "Stop! Mulder!" she cried out as a sudden, fierce, orgasm tore through her. He stopped rubbing instantly, his finger still receiving the massage from her inner muscles. Mulder's eyes, glazed with passion, met hers. "What's wrong?" She grabbed his shoulders and pulled herself up, her voice and lips reassuring him. "Nothing, nothing--I just want to make love to you." She shifted, rubbing her hip against the hard bulge digging into her side. "Okay," he gasped, his hand leaving her sex and stripping the pajama bottoms from her body. "No--no," she half-heartedly tried to stop him as he kissed her senseless. "Not... here, Mulder.... Someone may see us...." "I want you, here, now." Mulder stood and Scully let out a little yelp as he sat her on the desk with a plunk. "No, no one will see," he wheedled, his hands fumbling at the blinds. He felt Scully's face against his chest, her hands sliding his boxers down. "Oh... shit... Scully...." He looked down into her smiling face AS her hand closed over his erection and she pumped him gently-- teasingly. He groaned and renewed his efforts with the window blind. Scully was kissing her way down his chest; her tongue dipped into his navel and with that Mulder jerked and the blind came crashing down. "Oh fuck!" The blind had knocked half the stuff off his desk so Mulder swept his arms out and got rid of everything else but the computer. His mouth swooped down and plundered Scully's, forcing her into a reclining position. Fast losing control, his lips were still tingling from the kiss as he pulled back a little to squeeze the base of his penis. His face scrunched up with concentrated effort as he watched her watching him, propped up on her elbows. After a few seconds, she caught his eyes. "God, Scully, I wanted to taste you. The moment I thought about it--it was almost over and if that happened, I couldn't do this...." Mulder pushed the head of his penis into her a little, before withdrawing and stroking it over her clitoris and inner folds--prolonging the moment of their coupling. Scully's reticence vanished, her legs opened wider and she begged. "Please... Mulder, please...." Her last please was more of a long groan as Mulder plunged into her, thrusting in and out for several minutes. They were both sweating, Mulder was folded over at the waist and his hands moved from her hips to wrap around her upper body. Their chests moved against one another's deliciously in an erotic massage; Scully's pebbled nipples pressed into his skin with each breath either of them took. She gripped his hips tightly with her legs as Mulder stood, stepped back and lowered them back into the chair. Scully's face was buried in Mulder's neck until she licked the sweat from his skin on a path to his lips. She began squirming, moving her hips in vertical circles, lifting up just slightly and grinding down in a fluid motion. Mulder swept his tongue inside her mouth, twisting and swirling against hers. She retaliated by sucking it deeply and continuously and his moans rumbled deep in his chest. She ripped her mouth away, breathing fast and furious. They were out of control; Mulder's hands on her hips finally pulled her harder and harder against him. His left hand stretched around, thumb grinding into her hard, throbbing clitoris. "Mulder!" she screamed out, her climax breaking and pulling her along. Her back bowed, her hands caught on Mulder's knees. "Scully, Scully," he chanted, still rolling her hips down and now thrusting up with his own. She must have known how close he was; maybe she could feel him pulsing within her. With one hand Scully reached down and scraped her nails over his testicles, aiding his release. Mulder's hips almost vaulted Scully right off of him; his head jerking back, she grabbed at his shoulders for purchase. "UH! Scul--lee," he moaned, coming and coming. Their lower bodies still rocked together and he idly wondered how it felt to her when he was gushing into her like he was. Mulder lifted his head, eyes glazed and dilated. "Wow." Scully smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before trying to stand on rubbery legs. She groaned as his penis slid out of her; she'd told him once that unlike most of the men she'd been with, his return to a flaccid state was very, very gradual. If he'd stayed buried inside of her, they could--and had on other occasions--gone for round two. However, he wasn't sure either of them could survive another bout as intense as this had been. Scully bent to pick up her discarded pajama bottoms and Mulder's boxers. With her creamy white ass, marred only by reddened hand- prints, practically shoved into his face he reached out and grabbed at her. She moved away as he sighed and tossed his boxers, hitting him in the head. Mulder noticed how she deliberately walked with a little extra swing in her hips, knowing he was watching. Scully paused at the doorway to the bedroom and raised her eye- brows at him in obvious invitation. "I'm going to take a shower, if you'd care to join me." "May I wash *whatever* I want?" he said with a leer. "What do you think?" she cryptically posed before sauntering out of his sight. "I'm there," he replied, hoping she could hear him in the other room. * * * * Later they sat beside each other on the couch. Mulder hit the play button on his remote and fast scanned past the numerous previews. As the opening credits started, Mulder swore he heard Scully's groan starting before it really did. He grinned when the pillow whacked him upside the head. "Muuullldddeeerrr," she whined. "I thought you were going to get a GOOD movie, although I shouldn't be surprised after 'Caddyshack.'" He just pulled her closer and tucked her under his arm. "Point of fact, Scully--last night *you* didn't let me finish watching 'Caddyshack' and I fully intend to sit here and *watch* this one, so no funny business, young lady." Scully leaned her head against Mulder's shoulder. "Are you insinuating I'd try to get out of watching 'Austin Powers' by offering you some sexual favors, Mulder?" Mulder looked down into her face. "Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying and you know it." Mulder thought he heard her mutter, "We'll see," as he turned his attention back to the screen. * * * * * "He's waking up." Mulder's dream was fading along with the feel of Scully pressed up against him as awareness beckoned him. He open- ed his eyes to find a dozen or so other pairs looking back at him. "Oooowwweeeee, he's awake," a little boy called out. "You've been sleeping a long time, Mister," a young girl said. A woman, a nurse, middle-aged with short brown hair pushed through the throng of children. "Step back a little, kids, give Mr. Mulder a few minutes." Mulder sat up and cleared his throat. "Wh-Where am I?" The nurse smiled. "You're safe and thank goodness you're awake. We're almost there." "Almost where?" The nurse shook her head. "It's not important, what *is* important is that you're here." Mulder looked confused. "Why?" She touched his cheek. "Look around you, the answer is here." "The children?" She seemed pleased. "Yes." * * * * * The room was white, almost sterile if not that the floor, the beds, the walls--everything--looked fluffy and soft. Even the ceiling was padded. He stood and walked a few steps before a little girl in pajamas waved at him. He recognized her and kneeled in front of her. "Amber? Is your name Amber?" "Yes. Are you going to take me back to my mommy and daddy?" The other children came closer, each of them echoing the same questions. Mulder felt overwhelmed and then he heard a baby cry. He rose on still-weak legs and walked over to a strange bassinet. A baby of perhaps 5 or 6 months wiggled around. "Go ahead, pick her up, Mifter! She's a good baby," A little boy told him. Mulder looked around, but the nurse was gone. He reached in and picked up the squirming bundle. The baby immediately went for his nose and Mulder found himself grinning. "She likes you." "Of course she does, she has to," different children's voices commented. Mulder placed the baby in the crook of his arm and walked over to the bed he had vacated, where he sat down. He took a deep breath and spoke. "Would everyone come over here in a circle?" He waited until each of the children either sat beside him or on the floor. "I'm Fox Mulder; maybe we should get to know each other. What do you think?" And so Mulder learned each of their names from Anna to Zachary and their ages from the 6 month-old baby in his arms to 9 year-old Denise. None of the children could tell him where they were or how long they'd been there. Justin, a little boy of five, looked at Mulder with big blue eyes filled with tears. "I'm scared sometimes." Mulder put his arm around him. "I am too, Justin, I am too." The nurse would be in the room off and on although, as close as Mulder watched her, he never saw her appear or disappear. He felt the soft walls for seams, a door, something, but came up empty. When night came, the ceil- ing turned transparent and Mulder gasped at the sight, almost dropping the baby in his arms as he did so. The nurse was there, gently easing the sleeping infant out of his arms. "The children like to see the stars," she explained as she placed the baby back in the bassinet. She lead Mulder back to the bed, where he crawled in still staring at the night sky. "Sleep well, Fox Mulder, be ready--the time is near." He felt the cool touch of a motherly kiss on his forehead before falling into sleep. * * * * * The nurse shook him awake, suddenly. "Fox! Fox! It's time, you have to wake up now." Mulder bolted up, noticing the tremors of the floor beneath him. The children were already awake, some with eyes as wide as saucers. The nurse pointed at the far wall where a dark gray area was visible. "Take the children, Fox Mulder. Lead them home." Mulder strode over to the bassinet and picked up the baby, who giggled at him. When he turned, the woman stood in front of him. She placed her hand on his forearm and shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. She can't go." Mulder tightened his grip; he wasn't exactly sure why, but the baby was somehow important to him. "Why?" he demanded. "She can't leave." "I'm taking her and you can't stop me." Mulder pushed around her and took Amber's hand. "C'mon kids." He was almost to the edge of the room where a strong wind was blowing through the opening. Her voice called out to him again. "Fox Mulder, you must listen to me. If you take that baby, she will die." He turned, looking into the nurse's brown eyes. "You can't expect me to just leave her here? How do I know I can trust you?" The nurse smiled. "You don't, I suppose, but what does your intuition tell you? You must believe me, that child cannot survive. She's not ready to leave here." Mulder took one last look at the baby and handed her to the nurse. He stooped down and picked up one of the younger children. "Link hands--hold on tight, kids!" Mulder yelled over the ever-increasing wind and the tremors beneath their feet. They stepped into the void.... * * * * * * Flashlights and helicopters with searchlights illuminated the field. Voices rang out from all directions. "I found another one!" "Is it him?" "Get an ambulance over here!" Skinner lead Scully away from a man someone thought was Mulder. "Scully, I know you don't want to hear this, but you shouldn't be out here. If Mulder's here we'll find him." Scully hugged herself and turned toward a small hill. "I know sir, I just...." she trailed off as the tall shadow appeared on the horizon. Scully took a few tentative steps forward and saw smaller shapes following. A helicopter's searchlight finally hit the crest of the hill. "Holy Mary Mother of God, would you look at that." "Shit!" "Look! There on the hill!" Skinner saw Scully jogging towards the hill. "Scully! WAIT!" * * * * * * * Mulder stood on the hill still holding a small child in his arms who, along with several of the other children, was crying softly. "Shhh," he hushed them. "It's going to be okay." Mulder saw all the commotion, knew a manhunt or rescue was going on and that's when he heard her. "MUUUULLLLLDDDEERRR!" He looked down and saw a small figure with red hair flying behind her half-running toward him. She was holding her stomach with one arm--obviously supporting a rounded belly. A pregnant belly. "Is that your wife, Fox?" one of the children asked. "She's pretty," from another. "She's gonna have a baby," from one of the older kids. Mulder could only stare and shake his head in disbelief. Amber finally tugged on his hand. "Don't you want to see her?" That innocent question snapped Mulder out of his seeming trance and he started down the hill, the children follow- ing close behind. Mulder and Scully met at the base, both of them out of breath. Mulder lowered the child he was carrying to the ground. "Mulder?" Scully's eyes were full of tears. He couldn't speak so he nodded and then gathered her into his arms, their faces pressed tightly into each other's necks. They were almost oblivious to the other agents surrounding them, barely hearing softened voiced speak- ing to the children, asking for their names. Mulder started rocking her back and forth which seemed to quiet their tears. Pulling back, Scully's eyes took in his face and her fingers gently, very gently traced his cheeks. "What is it?" Mulder finally asked. "Oh, Mulder," she paused and following the path of her fingers he felt the scars on his face. For just a brief moment he wondered if it would matter to her. "It's just good to see you." She smiled at him and he returned it with another hug, his fears laid to rest. Mulder's hand slowly touched her round belly, unsure if it was real. Scully brought his hand to her lips. "We have a lot to talk about, Mulder." "How long have I been gone, Scully?" "Almost 5 months." "And you're?" "Around 6 months, Mulder...." "Oh," he said and glanced down at her belly again before his eyes snapped back to hers. "OH!" Mulder cupped Scully's face in his hands and kissed her gently. They broke apart when they heard a child crying and Mulder stooped down to pick up a little boy. "What's the matter, Buddy?" The little boy sniffled and said, "I'm gonna miss Nurse Owens." Scully paled. "Sweetie, what did you say?" The little boy wrapped his arms around Scully's neck, moving from Mulder's embrace to hers and laid his head on her shoulder. "I'm gonna miss Nurse Owens; she was nice to me. She told me stories." Mulder stroked the boy's hair. "Hey, Justin.... I'm sure your mommy and daddy will tell you lots of stories too. Don't cry." Justin seemed to sob even louder, his voice coming out in starts and stops. "But-b-but I don't know wh-where to find them, like the other kids...." Scully spoke up this time. "Don't worry Justin, we'll find them for you." He lifted his head, lip still trembling. "Really?" He looked from Mulder to Scully and they both nodded. Seemingly satis- fied, he allowed Mulder to lift him back into his arms. Mulder and Scully began walking back across the field. He noticed Skinner directing everyone with an efficiency born of years of leadership. "Scully? Why did the name 'Nurse Owens' bother you?" Mulder hesitantly asked. Scully shook her head. "It doesn't matter, Mulder. It was probably just a coincidence." The end....