Title: Manipulations of the Heart Author: T. Rose Rating: NC-17 violence and slash Pairing: Fox Mulder/Cory Raines Crossover: X-Files and Highlander Disclaimers: All things X-Files belongs to Fox, 1013 Productions, and Chris Carter; all things Highlander belongs to Panzer/Davis, while all other characters and concepts belong to me. Beta: Paula and Ursula, I have to thank you both for all your assistance. All mistakes are, of course, mine. Archive: Anywhere Feedback: Yes, I love all comments. Praise and criticism both. trelar27@hotmail.com Summary: This is while Mulder is still in Oxford. It's really hard to explain, but here goes. Mulder is learning about immortals and how to kill. Cory comes along and helps him out of a bad relationship. This is a WIP, there will be more coming soon. Manipulations of the Heart Prologue Fox gasped softly, trying not to make a sound, as Grysher hit him again. Fox had learned that suffering silently would help appease the Professor's anger. It seemed there was nothing that disgusted him more than Fox's pleas for forgiveness, which Grysher made clear were pathetic. He wondered what he'd done to deserve the beating this time. Whatever it was, Grysher would expect him to figure it out himself. He doubled over, due to an extremely harsh blow to his gut, and knew he'd be missing yet another lecture at the University. Later that night, Fox groaned as he attempted to find a less painful position on the hard cot in the cell in which Grysher had locked him. He shivered beneath the rag he'd been given as a blanket, knowing it wouldn't keep out the biting chill that was seeping from the ancient rocks forming the walls of his prison. Fox hated the dungeon of this castle, but he could hardly resent the Professor, the man who made him sleep down here. The man that loved him. Him... Fox Mulder, a man so unworthy that even his own parents begrudged him affection. He would do anything for this love... anything. He comforted himself with thoughts about their 3 years together; better times. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Before classes started, Professor Grysher approached Fox Mulder, whispering to him. "I'd like to speak to you when class is over." Fox Mulder nodded, then sat listening to the lecture and wondered what the Professor could want. When the others left, Grysher turned to the student standing there silently waiting for the Professor's attention. He stared at the young man for a moment, admiring Fox's tall, lanky form. The directness of the hazel eyes was slightly unnerving, but he would eventually deal with that. When Fox began shifting from foot to foot, he spoke. "Do you have plans for this evening?" Professor Grysher got straight to the point. He didn't believe in dancing around the subject. Besides, he suspected Fox might be too naive to understand. Fox was startled. He hadn't realized the Professor could possibly be interested in him. "No sir." "Well then, would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?" Fox nodded. The idea that the distinguished Professor would want to be seen with HIM sent a shiver down his spine. The Professor was a decent looking man, with brown hair just beginning to turn silver, piercing blue eyes, and an imperious smile. Fox wondered why Grysher would want to go out with him. Then it occurred to him that maybe he was thinking this was more than it was. But why else would the Professor invite him out to eat? His mind spun out of control and he was grateful when the Professor pulled him back to reality with a time and a place. That evening, Grysher took him out to Claridge's Restaurant off of Brook street and questioned him as to what he wanted to do in the future, where he grew up, who his parents were, and how he was getting on in Oxford. Relationships between students and the faculty were not allowed, but Grysher had always been one to get away with doing whatever he wanted, so he continued to take Fox out to eat, often taking him to see the opera or the ballet as well. They both shared a special interest for classical music and Grysher was able to get tickets to almost anything playing. One evening, Grysher took him to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. They went out to eat at the Ivy and Grysher made a choice from the select wine list. Grysher approved the wine and the waiter left with their order. "We've been together for almost 4 months now, haven't we?" Fox nodded, watching as Grysher poured them each a glass. He wondered where Grysher was going with this. A few days before-hand, Grysher had suggested they go to see Madame Butterfly. Tickets to the show were coveted by everyone. The show had been as good as the reviews had promised. Now they were at the Ivy , one of the most expensive, elite restaurants in London where well-known people were often seen. Grysher actually seemed nervous. "We get on very well together. I'd like to take this relationship a bit further... would you move in with me?" Fox couldn't believe it. He wasn't sure what he had expected, but it certainly hadn't been this. He couldn't speak, so he nodded. His hand was shaking so badly that the wine almost sloshed over the side of the glass as he accepted it. Grysher was much more relaxed, having taken care of that. He smiled, and reached into his pocket to pull out a jewelry box. Fox flushed, wondering what sort of gift Grysher was about to give him. Grysher was a bit of a romantic, and had given him a gift at every month anniversary, usually a small antique of some sort. He opened the box, and his eyes widened further. It contained a watch in the shape of a skull. It hung from a heavy silver chain. "It was made in the 1600's, in France. It's a very rare find, just as you are." Grysher was pleased with Fox's stupefied reaction. "I wanted you to know how much you mean to me." Chapter One day when Fox returned from classes, he found all his jeans and sweatshirts had been thrown away. It bothered him at first, until Grysher explained that he couldn't be seen with a man who looked like a tramp. Fox understood his point and agreed to go to Grysher's personal tailor. He even began to wear suits to the few casual activities he was allowed to attend. His classmates' jeers convinced him that Grysher was the only one who would ever care about him. He found Grysher to be like his father in that he was demanding and autocratic. Grysher never apologized for 'disciplining' his young lover, but he was always less stern and more affectionate for the next few days. He had a lot of different properties and Fox always enjoyed their weekend excursions to the other countries. Grysher would tell him stories about the antiques he displayed in the castles, and always made the history sound exciting and alive. He continued to take Fox out to the opera and the best dining, never hesitating to spend money on the young man. The Professor also rewarded Fox's loyalty and devotion by having Martial Art Masters teach him ancient secrets, beyond those taught to the average student. His eidetic memory helped him duplicate the moves after very few repetitions and mastering these skills gave him a heady thrill. There were many different kicks, punches, and other moves used in fights with another person, but it was the non-action, the pressure point death-blows, the different ways of rendering a person unconscious or dead with seemingly innocent contact that struck Fox as interesting puzzles, stimulating his body and mind and making the long hours and sore muscles an acceptable nuisance. He was pleased when the masters praised him, but when Grysher told him that he exceeded every expectation he'd ever had, Fox worked even harder. After a year it became such a part of his regimen, he couldn't imagine not spending at least an hour of his free time in meditation or going through katanas. It wasn't until Grysher began to train him with weapons that he became suspicious. Why was Grysher so determined he master the Russian and German languages? That was when he confronted the Professor. He didn't want to sound ungrateful and he spoke softly. "I feel as if I'm learning to become an assassin." "Fox, do you love me?" "Of course." Hazel eyes stared guilelessly into his lover's. "Then trust me. Everything I teach you is necessary to our future." Fox protested, trying to will the Professor to understand. "But I don't want to kill." "If you love me, you'll do what I consider necessary for our safety, even if that means killing." Grysher was deadly serious. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~