Fire and Rain

Alex Krycek, an extraordinary man by virtue of genetics and training, made extra ordinary by his 'restorations.' His sense of awareness of the environment around him made keener. If he let himself, Alex could feel the changing of the tides, the shifting of the tectonic plates beneath his feet and the coming of storms. Still human, but touched by things unmentionable. He has learned to live with it.

Alex woke up this morning with a start. Something propelled him out of the big comfortable bed he shared with his love, one Walter Sergei Skinner. Alex threw on a pair of sweat pants and walked outside. In a few minutes he was joined by Walter. Walter wasn't similarly blessed with extraordinary senses, just the sense of a man in love who knew something was not well with his lover. They stood in the barnyard looking toward the mountains. The distant rumble of thunder was the only sound.

"Alex, what is it?"

"Thunder."

"We need the rain; it's been far too dry. The farmers are afraid they're going to lose this year's crops."

"I know but this thunder isn't bringing rain, not yet. Just lightning."

"Shit."

"Walter..." Alex began then a booming clap of thunder cut him off. "Oh, fuck, look!" Alex pointed toward the mountains.

"Is that...?"

"Smoke. Walter, call the ranger station, if it rolls down the mountain..."

"It'll burn the fields. I'm on it." Walter hurried back to the house to make the appropriate calls. His training, his years dealing with government bureaucracy, Walter knew the right calls to make. Alex kept watch.

"Too late," Alex murmured.

"Shit!" Walter bellowed from inside the house. Alex ran back.

"What is it?"

"Fucking fiscal cut backs. There are no ranger stations or fire towers on this side of the mountain. The lightning hit on the other side. They're fighting fires on that side. We're on our own for a few hours."

"By that time the O'Malley farm will be toast. And our..."

"I know. What can we do?"

"Fight."

"How?"

Alex appeared deep in thought. They didn't have any equipment to fight a raging forest fire other than one sorry-assed hook and ladder truck that was so old that it should be in a museum not on the road. Small town, little funding, equals no equipment.

"A trench, if we can dig a trench at the base of the mountain where it meets the farmland maybe we can buy us some time."

"How the hell are we going to build a trench that long and deep? Even if I start calling the whole town now, we won't have enough men or the time."

"Bulldozers with back hoes."

"Alex, I'm not a magician, I can't snap my fingers and make a bulldozer appear and neither can you." Both men became very quiet.

"Road construction!" They both shouted at the same time.

"About five miles out of town, the state has been trying to fix that stretch of road for years. They have several bulldozers there," Walter said excitedly. "Get dressed and we have to pack up the truck."

"No, no truck. Horses."

"Horses? Are you out of your mind?"

"Walter, hear me out. First off the horses can get into places that big old truck of yours can't. And what if there's a guard or security cameras? You may be retired but you're still an officer of the law. We can ride up and I'll take care of the rest."

"Are you suggesting we steal the bulldozers?"

"Not steal, borrow. We borrow the bulldozers, dig the trench, then return them to the site. We can leave the horses tied up down the road. If they get loose then we have an excuse to be there; they got spooked by the fire and took off."

"Alex..."

"Walter, it'll work. I can come up with a plausible excuse. I have to protect you."

"I'm not the one who's dead and living under an assumed name here," Walter said with sarcasm.

"Walt, you and I know I can take care of myself."

"Sometimes I'm not so sure."

"We're wasting time. We need to get ready. Pack emergency rations and water in backpacks and our phones. I'll make up the packs; you go get the horses ready."

"Giving me orders in my own home, Krycek?" Walter crossed over to his lover. They were just about the same height but Walter's large frame made him look like the mountain and there was fire in his eyes. Alex met those eyes head on with his own defiant cool jade green ones.

"You got a problem with that, Skinner?"

"No." Walter pulled Alex close and gave him a deep kiss. "No, but Alex, please don't do anything foolish. I love you."

"And I love you." They separated to prepare for the task at hand.

*****

"Here, we leave the horses here. The site is on the other side of these trees. They'll be safe here." Alex dismounted and loosely tied his gelding to a low branch. Walter got down from his quarter horse. She was a big brown monstrosity; Walter had had her for years. She seemed to know that they were about to do important work.

"Stay here, girl," Walter whispered into her ear. We'll need you later." The horse snorted her acknowledgment.

Walter followed Alex through the trees then silently waited as Alex signaled a stop. He waited while Alex did a perimeter check of the construction site then moved up when Alex signaled again.

"Damn, Walter, what kind of people live out here? Not a camera or fence in sight and they leave the damn keys in the trucks!" Alex looked perplexed as Walter burst out laughing.

"This isn't the big bad city, Alex. Most people wouldn't dream of borrowing a bulldozer for a joy ride." Alex laughed. Reality was sometimes stranger than fiction. He became silent again as they refocused.

"Skinner, do you know how to operate one of these things?"

"Do you?" Walter countered.

"I can drive just about anything."

"I had to operate some heavy equipment when I was in the military but that was a long time ago. I'll need a refresher." Alex nodded then proceeded to re-educate Walter on operating a bulldozer.

"The fuel gauges read full. I think we have enough," Alex stated. They picked out two bulldozers that were close to the road and they were off. It took them just under an hour to reach the edge of the O'Malley farm. They could smell the smoke.

"The wind is in our favor but if it shifts, the fire will roll down those hills." The wind was keeping the fire up the mountain but Alex could feel it shifting. "We don't have much time."

"What should we do?"

"Start plowing at the edge of O'Malley's field. We'll drive side by side. The soil is dry and it's been tilled. We shouldn't hit too many boulders or snags. We should go a couple of miles then turn around then make another pass on the way back." Walter nodded.

"I hope that's wide enough. O'Malley's going to be pissed that we're ruining his field."

"Better a few acres than the whole fucking farm," Alex grumbled but he was right. "Let's go, the wind wants to shift."

They started up the bulldozers, lowered the shovels and began to dig.

*****

A few hours later and in the nick of time, Walter and Alex were done and returning the massive machines back where they belonged. Thankfully the horses had remained where they had tied them.

"Walter, call the ranger station again. Find out what's happening. The wind shifted. It's going to get awfully hot around here and soon. You need to alert the town."

Walter pulled out his cell and began making the calls.

"Fuck!" Walter yelled as he snapped his phone shut. "They're fighting a losing battle on the other side of the mountain. They've called in the National Guard and the fire jumpers but nothing's working. They know its coming in our direction but they may not make it in time. I spoke with the mayor. You were right. Our first line of defense is being drawn at O'Malley's farm. We start there. He's sending the fire truck and they've rallied all able bodied people. Alex, we need to go back."

"Okay," Alex said softly as he mounted his horse.

"Oh and the mayor said O'Malley was spitting nails when he first saw his field but then the smoke start coming down the hill and he quickly changed his tune. They have no idea how the trench got there." Alex offered a small smile and a shrug.

"I just hope it works, we can help him replant later. Let's get riding." The two old warriors turned their horses back toward O'Malley's farm and rode off.

*****

"Walter! Alex! Thank God you're here," the mayor began as Walter and Alex rode into the field. "Old Sheila is primed and ready to go but I'm afraid even she can't fight anything this big. Everyone who is able has shovels and as much protective equipment as we have, but I'm afraid if the fire jumps the breaker the farm won't stand a chance."

The mayor of the town was a frail looking man, almost eighty. He'd been the mayor for most of his adult life. Every four years they held an election but no one ever ran against him. The town loved their mayor and saw no reason for change.

"Emma is here; she's setting up a canteen. And we have a radio so we're in contact with the rangers. That's all we can do for now." The mayor looked devastated.

"No, that's not all we can do," Alex growled. "We fight. Anyone who's strong enough can go up the mountain, start digging over anything smoldering. The wind is going to carry the sparks down. We have to work our way up, meet it head on."

Alex's speech fueled the townspeople and they were ready to follow him up the first hill.

"Have as many people as you can issued a radio. We work in pairs; no one goes in or out without a buddy and a radio. Anyone left can help man the fire truck or widen the trench. Let's go."

The Fire Marshall began to outfit as many men and women as he could. Emma brought cases of bottled water and began to pass them out. Walter drew Alex aside.

"Tough words, you Rat. Now when were you going to tell me that you were not going to listen to your own speech and go up there by yourself?"

"Walter, you know I always work alone. Besides, look at them, look at the mayor. They're all scared shitless. You're needed here. You still are a very powerful man. You know people, you can call in the army if you need to, no one else here has that advantage. No one else can lead them like you can."

"Krycek..."

"No, Skinner, you know I'm right about this. They fixed my body. I'm young and strong and I work fast. Please let me do this. I...I need to do this." Green eyes pleaded to the warm liquid chocolate ones. They were out in the open, in public; Walter couldn't kiss Alex. He held Alex's face in his hands.

"You come back to me, you Ratbastard, you hear me. You come home," Walter growled like an angry bear.

"I will, I promise. Besides, the chickens would miss me." Alex turned on a winning smile, rechecked his pack and his phone then set off. Whoever could, followed.

"That Mr. Spender is a good neighbor." O'Malley had sidled up to Walter as they watched Alex lead their firefighters across the trench.

"Yes, he is. Now, let me see if I can get some more troops out here. Where's that radio?" O'Malley led Walter to the base tent.

*****

Alex quickly dispersed his troops with the instructions to turn over and smother anything smoldering. There were only about twenty of them working in pairs. That was all the equipment they had that could be spared. He rechecked his phone. Alex didn't take a radio; the push to talk feature on his phone would have to do. He inserted the ear bud and then started up the hill.

Alex lost track of time as he moved from one smoldering patch to another. He could hear the crackle of flames and the rumble of thunder. The rain would come but he wasn't sure if it would come in time. He kept at it. Soon the smoke would be too thick and it would drive them back.

Something caught Alex's attention, something furry, huddled in the side of a fallen log. It looked singed but not badly burned. The poor animal was frightened into a stupor, waiting for death. Alex picked up the poor beast and shoved it into an inside pocket of his jacket. He could feel the rapid heartbeat. As he gently patted his pocket, offering the creature some comfort, lightning struck a nearby tree. A heavy branched crashed down, knocking Alex to the forest floor. Alex was out.

*****

"Alex, Alex! Damn you, Alex, answer me!" Walter walked to a private corner of the tent and tried to call Alex. A soft groan was his reply.

"Alex, can you hear me?"

"Walter?"

"Yes. Are you okay, are you hurt?"

"No and maybe."

"What the fuck does that mean?"

"I'm okay. I don't think I'm hurt. I'm kind of pinned under a tree."

"I'm on my way."

"No, the smoke's getting thicker. It's too dangerous."

"I'm not leaving you out there."

"No..."

"Don't you talk back to me, boy! Now, you leave this line open. I will find you."

"Yes, Walter." Skinner could hear Krycek coughing. He knew the smoke would get to him before the flames could. The fire jumpers were heading in their direction. The fire was under control on the other side but Walter wasn't going to wait. He pulled out a special LG phone from his pocket and pushed number three. A funny voice on the other end answered.

"LG, talk to me."

"It's me."

"Skinman! How's it hanging, man?"

"Not good. I need your help."

"We aim to please."

"I need you to triangulate on a cell phone and lead me to it."

"Can do, big man. Give me the numbers." Walter gave the number to Alex's phone then his own.

"Too simple, man. You're about three miles away as the crow flies. Got a map handy?"

"Hold on." Walter moved over to a table that had the survey maps of the mountain and its surroundings. "Got it."

"Okay, here we go." LG started spewing out directions. Walter nodded and grunted.

"Stay with me. I'm on the move." Then into his other phone. "Alex, you still with me, buddy?"

"Yeah, it's getting a little warm."

"I know; I'll be there soon. We can take a nice cool shower."

"Promise?"

"Yeah, now hold on and for God's sake, don't cut this connection." Walter went for his horse. He filled in the mayor then took off before anyone could try and stop him. As if anyone could. "LG, you guys still with me?"

"Right here, Skinman. What kind of operation is this?"

"Of the utmost importance kind."

"I got it. Don't ask, don't tell."

"I could tell but then..."

"Yeah, I know, you'd have to kill me. Got it. We have you on our radar and you're looking good. Keep going."

"I intend to." Walter's horse did him proud; she gave him all she had. Walter got to the edge of the mountain then dismounted. As he jumped down, Walter spoke to his horse.

"Girl, I hope you can understand me. It's going to get a whole lot noisier and smokier. I don't expect you to stay and get hurt but I pray you'll be here when I get back. I'm going to need you." The horse nuzzled Walter's necked as she pawed at the ground. Then her great head butted Walter in the right direction. "Thank you, girl." She snorted.

"LG, how far now?"

"Half a mile at most."

"Shit." It would still take time. Even in the brightness of day, the thunder heads and smoke made it dark.

"Alex, can you hear me?"

"Yeah. What's that noise?" The fire planes and helicopters were overhead.

"It's help. The fire jumpers are here."

"Good." More coughing.

"LG, how am I doing?"

"Practically on top of him. Fifty yards or less."

"Thank God, stay with me."

"Not going anywhere, Skinman."

The smoke was getting thicker and the air smelled like the chemicals that the planes were dropping. Walter started coughing.

"How much further?"

"Right there, you're right there, man!"

"Okay! Okay." Walter saw the gnarled tendrils of a long branch, one end singed and still smoldering from the lightning.

"Alex! Alex, can you hear me!" Walter screamed over the roar of the planes and thunder.

"Walter?" Near the base of the log Walter could just make out a bundle of clothing, part of the branch had pinned Alex's legs. Alex didn't have room to maneuver the branch away. Walter was able to pull the branch sufficiently to release its captive.

"I've got you, Alex. I've got you." Walter managed to haul Alex up onto his feet. He was wobbly until the circulation was fully restored. "We have to go now. The chemicals will choke us or the smoke will. Either way, we have to move."

"I can make it." Walter helped Alex back down the slope toward the horse.

"LG."

"Talk to me."

"Mission complete."

"Affirmative, man. Good outcome?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"It's what you pay us for."

"I don't pay you."

"That's what you think. LG out." Walter shook his head then pocketed his LG phone.

"Hey, Walter?"

"Yeah?"

"You feel that?"

"What?"

"Rain, it's raining." Walter got Alex up onto his horse and they rode off together in the rain back to the base camp.

*****

It took a few weeks but life returned to normal. O'Malley decided to keep the trench just in case another fire ever threatened again. The construction crew never knew where the thank you note came from but after learning about the fire and wondering where all the fuel went from two of their bulldozers, they quickly figured it out. They even filled the trench with the boulders they were clearing adding more protection.

The little furry creature Alex rescued turned out to be a baby fox, a vixen. She wasn't badly burned and her fur was beginning to grow back. Alex tried to release her but she decided she liked it at the ranch. The nice men fed her, gave her a place to sleep and she in turn tried not to steal too many eggs. The rain had come and the countryside was lush again. The crops were saved.

"Walter, you never did tell me how you found me."

"I had a little help."

"Can you elaborate?"

"No."

"Ah. It wouldn't have anything to do with three mangy hippy geeks, would it?"

"Maybe, but if I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"Ah."

"Um, Alex, do you happen to know to whom this payment goes every month?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"Ah."

-end-

Return to X-Files