Alex, by Panzareta

Alex

by Panzareta

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The Boy Genius sat back, well-pleased with the havoc he had created. Since "they" hadn't wanted to play fair with him, he had decided to take his revenge. It was a subtle, devious revenge. He had carefully gutted his show, his baby and turned it into a confused composite of unfinished characters, dangling plotlines that had no clear resolution and best of all, he had carefully done away with the existing storylines and killed off some of the most beloved--and interesting--characters that the fans enjoyed. Fans. Humph. What did they know? They had no idea of the time and effort he put into this; if they did, they'd be running the studio. And since they weren't the demographic he was reaching for, their wishes held no meaning. The group he was courting wanted more action, more special effects, more violence and if there happened to be a hint of a story, so much the better. They wouldn't remember past the next ratings period, anyway.

The Boy Genius rubbed his hands together with glee. Yes indeed, things were definitely looking up. Cautiously, he poured himself a small glass of champagne. He usually didn't indulge, but tonight he had rid himself of not one, but two (two!) of his most troublesome characters. It hadn't been easy, the actors were in a state of high piss-off at the treatment of "their" characters while the fans had screamed bloody murder, spending months posting useless drivel on the net, eating up tons of valuable bandwidth arguing over the nuances on the few eps they approved of-- but in the end, he had prevailed.

He lifted the delicate flute toward his reflection in a silent toast. He would be paid big bucks by the network for his "contribution" in the up-coming season, in their misguided belief that he would fix the damage he had created. Whoever said that you couldn't have your cake and eat it too? Not many people could wrest defeat from the jaws of victory. He slowly sipped his drink, appreciating the fine California vintage. Yes, life was good. Life was very, very good.

He frowned as he saw a figure slowly emerge from the shadows. The room was locked and he had left strict orders not to be disturbed. He would complain to security about this. The figure slowly took shape and he grimaced as he recognized the intruder. It was one of the actors who had "died" in the season finale. The man had been increasingly unhappy over the treatment of his character (who was never intended to be little more than a Convenient Plot Device), actually having the nerve to complain. Really, he thought everyone knew that actors had to be told what to do, no matter how popular they thought they were. The guy was Canadian as well, which automatically meant he was slightly less equal than the other actors.

"What do you want?" he said. He was very annoyed with his visitor, who didn't seem to realize that he was placing his career in jeopardy. Instead, the dark-haired man seemed faintly amused at his churlish reception.

"I thought you'd be happy to see me, amigo," the other man replied. Bright green eyes sparkled with a faint tinge of viciousness, and the Boy Wonder began to feel just a bit uneasy under the hard gaze.

"Well, I'm not." The Boy Wonder tried to outstare his unwelcome visitor and failed. "We don't have anything to talk about, so if you leave now I won't bother calling security." He had been slowly reaching for his forgotten cell phone, only to see it snatched away. That bit with the Palm Pilot had not been a good idea; his visitor was far too proficient with things as it was. The other man tilted a sleek, dark head to one side, as if considering his words.

"As a matter of fact, we do have something to talk about." The rough silk voce interrupted his train of thought.

"Such as?"

"Such as--you didn't kill me. I'm alive."

"Well, of course you are. Don't be a fool. I made sure you were safe, despite your insistence on doing your own stunts." he huffed.

"Wrong man." A low chuckle made the Boy Wonder pay attention, and suddenly he was very frightened. "You're talking to me, not my actor."

"What do you mean?" He hated the sudden quaver in his voice that made him sound like an old man. He tried to imagine who had set up this little stunt. Whoever it was, he would make sure that they paid for it. Visions of hiring an entirely new staff entertained him--it was definitely time for a change and reestablish his iron rule.

"I am Alex."

Boy Wonder thought rapidly. How long could residual effects of champagne last anyway? He'd only had one glass...

"I want you to listen to me."

"Ok." Boy Wonder decided not to argue with an imaginary being that didn't exist in the first place. Only to feel himself picked up by the scruff of his neck and shaken harshly, in much the same manner a cat would shake a mouse. Or a rat...

"Pay attention," the rough voice said, and he had a sudden urge to obey. Satisfied that he had the Boy Wonder's full attention, Alex roughly shoved him into an over-stuffed chair. The Boy Wonder stared at Alex with fear replacing his normally smug expression.

"You're not real. I created you..."

"Wrong. You didn't create me, one of the others did. In fact, you've wanted to kill me from the beginning." There was a hurt look in the brilliant green eyes that was abruptly replaced by a more ambiguous one, and the Boy Wonder felt nervous all over again.

"What do you want from me, Krycek?"

"Nothing. Not now, anyway. I just wanted to make sure you understood what I am."

"Which is...?"

"Immortal."

The Boy Wonder laughed out loud at that. His imagination was clearly working overtime, and he'd have to make sure he never drank champagne again but still-- This was just his imagination and only his imagination and he could handle that. He stopped laughing as a hard fist rocked his head back. He opened his eyes to see Alex glaring at him with white-hot rage.

"Don't Laugh." Seeing that he had the Boy Wonder's attention once again, Alex began to carefully explain things, as though to a very backward child. "It wasn't enough that you treated me like dirt, and that you caused my actor grief and nearly ruined his career. Now you will listen to me."

"But how did you become immortal?" The Boy Wonder was trying to understand, but it was hard for him to win an argument with himself, simply because he had no self-doubt. Or very little, anyway. Anyway, Krycek wasn't real. Besides, immortals belonged on another show.

"The fans. They love me. Me, Alex Krycek."

"That's impossible. Love can't make something like you real."

"That's where you're wrong. You should never underestimate the power of love, especially the love of the fans."

"Fans are nothing but stupid, idle housewives who need to get a life."

"You really are stupid, aren't you?" Alex shook his head sadly. "Well, stupid isn't fatal so you have nothing to worry about from that quarter."

"Why don't you tell me what you want?"

"That's easy. You're coming with me, amigo." A sardonic smile graced the other mans face, and the Boy Wonder heard a faintly familiar clicking sound realizing too late that he was now handcuffed. Instinctively he tugged at his wrists only to find they wouldn't move.

"This is not happening," he muttered under his breath.

"Yes it is. Come along now, we're going to be late."

"But--where are we going? What do you want from me?"

"You're late for a special party being held in your honor."

The Boy Wonder did not like the sound of that one little bit. "I demand to know where this party is being held." With any luck, he'd be found soon. After all, he was Someone.

Malicious green eyes stared at him. "Cyberspace."

"Cyberspace?" he sputtered. "But that's... impossible."

"You should know better. Remember what you did with "Ghost In The Machine"? _____? And 'First Person Shooter'? Cyberspace exists. Besides, Bill Gates says so. I read it in the Inquisitor."

"Nooooo." he cried as he began entering the void.

Moments later, the Boy Wonder was escorted into a large, well-lit room that very much resembled a bar of some sort. He was shoved roughly to one side as Alex was inundated by a horde of females of varying shapes, sizes and ages. Alex smiled benignly at them, a god who had deigned to take mortal form. He hugged several of them, kissed several more, and playfully swatted a few shapely backsides. They all giggled girlishly, smiling back at him, with a few of the more daring ones returning the kisses.

It was sheer bad luck that the Boy Wonder took advantage of a sudden lull to try and assert his normally charming disposition. "You people are pathetic."

All eyes were focused on him, and he was suddenly aware that the room was quiet. Too quiet. And the only thing between him and a roomful of angry females was a figment of his imagination. Slowly, he tried to fight his way awake from this nightmare, only to gradually admit that it was all too real. Feeling truly frightened for the first time, the Boy Wonder looked around for his guide, Alex. A low murmuring caught his attention and he saw that Alex was talking to several women who appeared to be in charge. Alex slowly disengaged himself from the admiring throng and walked over, stopping in front of him.

"I was wrong. Apparently stupid can be fatal." Alex turned to the waiting women. "Let the trial begin, ladies."

"What do you mean, let the trial begin? I haven't done anything wrong."

"Shut up and be thankful I convinced them to give you a trial. There is a strong minority who believe in vigilantism." There was a brief pause. "Of course, I could leave you alone with them..."

The Boy Wonder watched as the group slowly dissolved itself into a series of groups; judge, jury, counsel and spectators. Alex watched as The trial proceeded with dizzying speed and suddenly the Boy Wonder found himself alone with Alex.

"What happened?" he asked. "Where did they go?" The Boy Wonder looked around fearfully. "Where are you taking me?"

Alex smiled as he escorted the Boy Wonder to a small, dingy room that held an old Royal typewriter on a battered wooden desk, a wooden chair and what appeared to be several thousand reams of typing paper. A single light bulb burned brightly, chasing away any possible shadows. The Boy Wonder watched in horror as Alex fastened a length of chain around his ankle, looking up into the impassive blank face.

"What is this?"

"This is your sentence, amigo. You are staying here until you get things straightened out."

"You can't do this to me. I have my rights..."

"Not here. You forfeited any rights you may have once had. Instead, you are going to stay here until you tie up all the loose ends, fix all the plot holes, re-establish the continuity and give the characters back their integrity and everyone gets an entire history. In short, you are going to create the handbook for the show that should have been there from Season 1."

Alex smiled, a happy joyous smile that was the most terrifying smile the Boy Wonder had ever seen. "In short, welcome to Hell. Enjoy your stay."

Finish

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