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Alex swallowed hard, pushing his doubts
from his mind, walked into the building and up to the desk. ‘Alex Krycek. I’m
here for...’ The young woman smiled, checking the
screen in front of her, interrupting Alex. ‘Yes Sir. You’re in 302. I’ll show
you the way.’ Alex followed the woman along the
corridor, his hand gripping his holdall tightly. ‘You haven’t had any breakfast?’ ‘Um...no...nothing.’ The woman opened the door and stood
aside. ‘Someone’ll be in to see you shortly. I’ll let you get settled in.’ She smiled and left, closing the door behind her. As it clicked shut, Alex flinched. ******************** ‘You’re not gonna like it.’ Frohike
looked from Fox’s anxious face to Walter’s only slightly better controlled
face. ‘He checked into a hospital. Under his own name.’
He handed Walter the printout of Alex’s admission record. Fox’s gasp and Walter’s sharp intake of
breath filled the silence. ‘Walter, Alex would never ever do that unless he
was...’ Walter nodded grimly. ‘Let’s go Fox.’ Fox followed Walter out numbly. ******************** Some hours later... ‘...you need the tube...don’t fight
it...lay back.’ Walter heard the end of the nurse’s
explanation as he rushed into the room. Her hand was reaching for Alex’s as he swatted
groggily at the small tube pushed into his left nostril. He could feel
something in his hand, but without his prosthesis and still in the grip of the
anaesthetic, he was powerless to investigate what it was. The nurse was
reaching for the leather restraint attached to the bedframe as Walter put a
hand on the woman’s arm. ‘Where is his doctor?’ ‘He’ll be down in a few minutes. Friend of yours?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘He’s doing fine. He’ll be sore, but we
can...’ ‘Can you take the tube out?’ ‘His throat will be too sore for a...’ ‘Take it out. Now.
Please.’ Walter said firmly. The nurse sighed. ‘I need a Doctor’s
signature before I can do that Sir.’ ‘Then page him please.’ Walter moved quickly across to Alex,
gently but firmly gripping his arm. ‘Alex, shhh...it’s
okay. Just relax.’ Alex fought to open his eyes, not
daring to believe Walter was at his bedside. Walter turned to the nurse. ‘He doesn’t
need restraints. He needs the tube taking out.’ The young woman tutted and turned on
her heel, leaving the room. Walter lifted Alex gently upright,
hugging him tightly, stroking his hair. ‘Alex, Alex, Alex.’ Walter sighed.
‘You’re throat’s gonna hurt like the devil when you wake up. And your ass is
gonna hurt worse when you’re recovered.’ Although he didn’t register the words,
Alex felt himself held in a tight grip and he listened to Walter’s worried tone
for a few seconds before the chemicals still in his system won and he fell back
limp in Walter’s grip. Walter laid him gently down, pulling the bedclothes over
his slight form. ******************* Parking the car took longer than he
expected, and Fox arrived in the room breathless and anxious. He looked down at
Alex. ‘The tube Walter!’ Walter smiled reassuringly. ‘I’ve taken
care of it Fox.’ Alex stirred at the two voices and Fox
reached down and stroked Alex’s damp forehead, pushing a stray lock of hair
back into place. Waiting for the doctor, Walter and Fox
fussed with Alex’s bedclothes, making sure Alex’s prosthesis would be within
easy reach in the unlikely event both were out of the room when he woke. They
closed the blind, lessening the strong light flooding the room after Walter
opened one of the windows to let some fresh air into the room which smelled way
too clinical for his liking. ******************* Alex moaned quietly, wondering if his
throat had been cut and he had somehow survived. He whimpered softly as a
gloved hand rested on his cheek. He turned away, his uncoordinated movements neverthless signalling to Walter and Fox his
strong reluctance to let the doctor touch him. ‘It’s all right Mr Krycek,
we’ll go at your pace.’ Walter got up from the bed he had been
sitting on. ‘Doctor, this might go easier if Fox and I helped you out.’ The doctor shrugged. ‘Sure.’ Walter sat behind Alex, lifting him
against his chest, Fox slid off the bed and
lifted himself onto the side of Alex’s bed, holding Alex’s hand, his
body touching Alex’s as much as was possible. ‘Ready Alex?
Deep breaths, okay.’ Walter nodded at the doctor, feeling
Alex relax slightly at his reassurance. The doctor removed the narrow tube
quickly and handed Fox the box of tissues from the bedside table. ‘You might
need these. You rest up now Mr Krycek and I’ll come and check on you in a few
hours. You guys need anything, just press the bell, okay?’ Walter nodded. ‘Thank you Doctor.’ The doctor smiled. ‘He might not think
so right now, but Mr Krycek will feel so much better now he won’t have to worry
about throat infections turning nasty.’ Walter nodded his agreement to that
comment. Alex’s ‘throats’ were an unpleasantly regular feature of their lives. ‘I’ll remind him of that. Thanks
again.’ They sat quietly for a few minutes,
watching Alex until he stirred, looking around. Fox got up and walked across.
‘Try to drink something Alex, you’ll feel better.’ Alex nodded slightly, lifting his head
a little, allowing Fox to slide his hand under Alex’s neck, holding
the cup to his lips. ‘Not too much Fox.’ Walter warned
firmly. Laying back, the cool water making him
shiver slightly, Alex licked his cracked lips, smiling tiredly. ‘Too much Fox. Sounds good.’ Fox laughed at the whispered comment.
‘Not sure you deserve me. Running out on us like that.’ Alex bit his lip nervously. He wondered
when Walter or Fox would mention his disappearance. He whispered: ‘Sorry.’ Walter got up. ‘You just get better.
Doctor says we can take you home in the morning. If you’re not here when we get
back, I’ll make your sore throat seem insignificant, got it?’ Alex nodded. Walter smiled, ruffled Alex’s hair and
put a hand out, lifting Fox to his feet. ‘We’ll be back first thing Alex. Sleep
well and press your bell if you need anything, okay?’ Picking up his jacket, Walter leaned
down and kissed Alex gently as he settled, moaning softly. Walter tasted the
anaesthetic fumes still leaving Alex’s body. ‘Close your eyes and dream about
being home with us.’ Fox stroked Alex’s cheek, kissing the
cool flesh lightly. ‘I’ll stroke Natasha and Nicolai for you.’ Alex nodded again, his eyes already
closing. He was asleep before the door closed behind Walter and Fox. ****************** The following morning, Alex woke
slowly, still sore and tired from the previous day. He opened his eyes and
stretched lazily. ‘Good morning.’ Fox’s soft voice
carried from where he and Walter were already waiting, sitting beside Alex’s
bed. He rolled over and smiled, swallowing
and grimacing at the discomfort. ‘Ahh!!’ Walter handed Fox a half-filled glass
and Fox helped Alex sip a little while Walter unpacked a t-shirt, jeans and
boxers from the holdall they had brought with them. ‘The doctor’s gonna come and check on you,
then we can take you home Alex.’ Alex smiled and sat up, still a little
shaky. ‘I’m sorry I ran off.’ Walter shook his head. ‘We understand
why you did it Alex, but I’m disappointed you didn’t at least leave us a note.’ Alex dipped his head, biting his lip.
Softly, he apologised again. ‘I’m sorry.’ Walter helped Alex on with his clothes
while Fox folded the blue hospital gown Alex took off. The door opened and Alex’s doctor
walked in, smiling at the sight of Alex standing, leaning on Fox while Walter
helped him step into his jeans. ‘How’re you feeling this morning Mr
Krycek?’ Alex smiled. ‘Okay thanks.’ Walter and Fox leaned against the
window while the doctor examined Alex. ‘Take it easy for a few days, exercise
and diet wise please. Surgery is a shock to the body, and you’ve been unwell
for a while.’ Alex nodded. ‘Yes doctor.’ ‘He will.’ Walter asserted. The doctor smiled. ‘Okay.’ He looked at
Alex’s prosthesis. ‘Hey, that’s impressive.’ Alex smiled shyly. ‘It was a gift from
Walter and Fox.’ ‘Lucky you.’
The doctor smiled. Alex smiled, looking from Walter to Fox
before shaking the doctor’s hand. ‘Thanks for taking care of me.’ The doctor looked back at Walter and
Fox. ‘Let them take care of you for a few days.’ Alex nodded, watching the doctor leave
before turning back to Walter and Fox. ‘Do you want me to come home?’ He hated
the edge in his voice and the tears which threatened. Alex allowed himself to be hugged
tightly, feeling Fox’s arms around him. ‘Of course Alex.’ Although Fox’s words were reassuring,
Alex was very aware that Walter hadn’t moved. He looked over Fox’s shoulder to
where Walter stood. ‘Walter?’ Seeing the desperate anxiety in the
green eyes, Walter decided Alex had been punished enough for now and crossed
the floor quickly, pulling Alex to him. ‘Always Alex. Always.’ End Return to the X-Files Fic Index Return to the West Wing Fic Index
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