Part: 3 of 7 Manipulations of the Heart T. Rose Disclaimers in Prologue Chapter Grysher wanted Cory punished, not only for stealing Charlotte from him, but also for capturing Fox's attention. He had always trusted Fox's devotion to him completely, but something had changed in the past few weeks. Fox was no longer as dependent on him for approval as he should be. Lately, it seemed that he was forcing Fox into compliance, rather than coercing him. He needed to regain full control over Fox. The arrival of this Cory Raines was the last straw. He could just see Cory meeting up with Fox after classes when he wasn't around to prevent it, and convincing the young man that he could do better. He couldn't allow that. Not after all the time he'd put into training him. If that meant the death of the thieving immortal, all the better. By that evening, he had already learned where Cory was staying, and Fox listened as Grysher explained what he expected of him and why it was to be him that carried it out. Fox remained unconvinced as he watched Grysher angrily pace through the library. "That incident was so long ago and you haven't suffered. Besides I would never leave you." "It's time he paid for stealing my property, and I won't have him chasing after you now too." Fox stayed silent as the Professor frowned at him. "If you truly love me, you'll take his head for me." Grysher stopped to stand directly in front of him. Fox shook his head, but his expression changed from stubborn to undecided as he considered the merits of what the Professor was saying. "I love you, Fox. I've taken care of you, believed in you, supported you... Is this how you repay me? By betraying me with another?" Grysher finally lost his temper and slapped him. The slap was hard enough to snap his head back. Fox supposed he should be grateful he hadn't begun punching him again, yet. Grysher had beaten him when they'd returned home earlier. He didn't want to deal with another 'session'. Not today. "I'm sorry, Professor. You're right. I'll kill him for you tonight." He made the promise with his eyes lowered. Grysher looked forward to this night. It would be the first time Fox would actually KILL an immortal. Of course, it was too bad he couldn't be there to take the Quickening, but he was more concerned with cementing his hold over Fox at the moment. Through the centuries, he had been using his mortal pets to kill his enemies. If the mortal got caught, they were the ones to be killed or imprisoned. Then he went out to find another one. But Fox was a pre-immortal. After his first death, he would be an immortal too. Grysher intended to have complete control of him when that happened. The emotionally dependent were the easiest to manipulate. Besides, he did love Fox. He had never met another man like him. Not only was he useful, but he was a pleasure to have as a 'companion'. Fox was intelligent, interesting and loving. Grysher didn't want to lose him. That evening, Fox walked into the pub and socialized with a few of his classmates while he looked for Cory. He had few real friends, but with Grysher's 'lessons', he had learned to function quite well in public gatherings. He spotted Cory Raines across the room, flirting with one of his friends. He walked over, sounding confident as he greeted the girl and Cory. "Hello Mariah, Cory." "Hello Mulder." Mariah greeted him with a smile. She pushed long brown hair out of her face and she stood a little taller. She had introduced herself to him when she had started at the University and had insisted they become friends. She didn't like or trust Grysher and told Fox so, quite often. But since he loved the man, she was willing to tolerate him.. "I thought you went by Fox." Cory took a sip of beer. "He tried to change it to Mulder when he started here. But, his... 'lover' put a stop to that." Mariah said 'lover' with obvious disapproval. Cory nodded, filing that away for future use. "I had gathered you were new in town. How did you two meet?" Fox changed the facts only a little. "We met in the park today. He knew the Professor and came to talk." Cory didn't disagree, but he wondered why the young man's voice sounded strained. "Is everything all right..? Mulder?" He spoke the name hesitantly. Fox looked away for a moment as if determining what to say. Finally, he turned to him and presented a false confession. "The Professor has another student over tonight. He wanted me to get scarce." That didn't ring true to Cory. It didn't fit with the profile. Grysher was possessive. He certainly wouldn't send Fox off on his own to amuse himself. He was more likely to lock the young man in a closet and leave him there until he was ready to use him again. Apparently, Mariah thought so too. "So it's finally over?" Fox shrugged, shoulders hunched, head down. "I'm sorry, baby." Mariah wrapped her arms around him as she realized how insensitive she sounded. "Good riddance, Mulder. You deserve better than him." Cory's mind began to whirl with ideas. Fox shook his head. "No, he gave me everything. He loved me, trusted me and believed in me. He didn't call me a failure. I need him." Mariah petted his head, holding him close to her as she rubbed his back. Cory made a show of looking to see how close she held Fox and she made a face at him, unseen by Fox, as she shooed him away. He mumbled something about getting them some drinks. Meanwhile, Fox found he was really getting into this. What if Grysher really did tire of him, or he wasn't good enough? He would be lost. He needed Grysher, didn't he? He would do anything to stay with him, he had to. When Cory came back, Fox was standing a little away from Mariah and watching him with evident interest. Cory couldn't get rid of the feeling that something wasn't quite right about Fox's interest, but he ignored it. He handed Mariah her drink and then gave one to Fox, being sure to brush his fingers against Fox's before pulling away to take a sip from his glass. Fox blinked twice and stared at the beer a moment. Mariah hid a smile behind her glass. They seemed interested in each other. Now if only Fox would let it happen. "Melanie just walked in. Do you mind if I go talk to her?" Mariah looked at Fox for his response. Fox shrugged and watched her leave. He turned back to Cory. "He was angry, because I talked to you this morning." "Should he have been?" Cory stepped closer, deliberately invading Fox's space. Fox stared at him a little nervously. Finally he nodded. "Probably." Cory shook his head. "He should have been grateful you loved him. He's not exactly a prize. You're a prize." He watched Fox's expression closely. He was trying to be careful, he didn't want to scare him off. Fox shook his head. "He gave me purpose. Nobody ever saw anything worth loving in me, until him." "You never allowed anyone to see who you really are, did you?" The realization came to Cory instinctively. "Your professor decided he wanted you, and pretended he 'saw' you, loving you anyway." "Like you're doing?" Cory blinked, surprised. "I'm attracted to you, Fox, and I'm sure I could very easily like you -- but I certainly can't say I love you. I'd have to know you better. But you're a very beautiful young man." Fox scoffed. "Sure, I've got them lining up." "You would if you wanted; like Mariah over there. When did the Professor take you in?" He worded his question carefully. Fox took a step away as he realized how close Cory was to him. "After a few months of my stay at University." "He wanted you while you were still self-conscious, before you'd completely adapted to life here." Cory finished his beer and signaled a waitress for another. Fox didn't answer. He didn't like how much sense this man made. Grysher did love him-- he did. He had told him so. Granted, it was often when he was hitting him for screwing up, but that's the way love was. He had been lucky Grysher had looked past all his flaws and forgiven them. He had certainly been told so often enough. He wanted to argue, to convince the other man and maybe himself in the process, that Grysher did care about him, but he remembered he was supposed to gain Cory's trust and get Cory to go off with him somewhere in private. He could kill Cory right here, and no one would be the wiser, but cutting off the unsuspecting man's head wouldn't be so easy. There would be the Quickening effects to beware of, and he'd have to be able to escape without being seen. Grysher would assure the police that he had come home that evening after the club, and Mrs. Keplar would back him up on the story, not wanting to let Fox get in trouble. They knew this without having to plan it with her. All he had to do was get Cory back to his hotel room. Grysher had told him to use the man's own sword. "I suppose you're right." Fox made the concession grudgingly. "Of course I'm right." Cory grinned and changed the subject, asking Fox about the courses he was studying.